I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2023
You guys blow me away. I can’t tell you how happy my heart is witnessing all the interactions and comments that have been happening between the NaBloPoMo-bloggers for the last 10 days. Can you believe we’re already a third through the challenge? I love all your enthusiasm.
We had a few more people join late, so if you haven’t checked the list recently, make sure to take another peek. The full list of participants (26, as it stands!) is here.
Oh, and also many thanks to everyone who decided that blogging every day in November was too much, but reading (and commenting) every day is not. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we all surely appreciate the support.
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Thanks to everyone who read yesterday’s post and chuckled, commiserated, or thoughtfully but firmly brought me back down to earth from my Type-A-ery. “Data can really never be 100% perfect (YES, KAE!), the world is not going to end if I “pull some numbers out of the sky” (THANKS, BIRCHIE!), and that “others really don’t have as high of a standard and likely don’t value mine” (TRUE, TOBIA).
I’d like to report that I was right though: my colleague appreciated my thoroughness and letting her know about the inconsistencies that I discovered, just so that she is aware, but she also said that it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things and I should let it go if I can still sleep at night. She already knows me well. Haha.
I decided to let things go for the most part (I agreed with my colleague that I wouldn’t be fixing one of the issues), but I have done a little bit of extra research on the other issue and I think that it can be fixed without it becoming too much of a time sink. So I will do that (for my own peace of mind and for the integrity of the data).
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My Dad had his hip surgery earlier this week and I was so happy and relieved to hear that everything went well and that he was already up and moving around the next day. My Dad is in his early 70s, so recoveries are not the walk in the park that they used to be, but I also believe that his recovery will be easier because he’s in good shape for his age. He’ll be going to a rehab facility for three weeks the week after next (it’s pretty much standard in Germany) and hopes to be back to exercising again ASAP.
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I scheduled my (end of the year) annual physical for later this month with my primary care physician. I’ll be very excited to tell her that my episodes of unexplained chest pressure (which were not heart-related but possibly related to low stomach acid – according to my own research – but also maybe not because it was never confirmed by a doctor) have significantly subsided in these last few months. I don’t know if I did anything that made the difference (if so, I am not consciously aware of what that was), but I am of course stoked that my issues have improved. I hope it stays away.
* * *
I am excited to share that I’ve gotten a few inquiries if I am going to host another – my eighth! – annual Secret Santa (Mug) Swap this year. It is exactly what you think it is: a holiday swap, where you’ll receive the name of another participant and then put together a little Christmas package for them and put a smile on their face this holiday season. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things to do and I am happy that others feel the same.
Suzanne shared her thoughts on the idea of a “Favorite Things Party”, a concept that I I recently shared in my monthly link list, and it got me thinking if I should make this year’s Secret Santa (Mug) Swap a “Secret Santa Favorite Things Swap”, but I think I leave this up to you guys (unless you want to leave me some feedback in the comments).
I mean, technically, you can all decide what you want to include in your swap packages. A mug, other holiday items, or one of your favorite things that you’d like to share with your swap partner. There are really no hard and fast rules. It’s just about spreading a little holiday cheer.
So, I’m giving you a heads-up to come back tomorrow to sign up, if you’re interested.
Last year, I opened it up to people from Canada and Germany. If I can get at least two people from each country to sign up, I can match people within each country and keep postage reasonable. So, recruit some friends!
Ally Bean
November 10, 2023 at 6:37 amYou’re doing great with the NaBloPoMo challenge. You write, you comment, you keep lists of participants. Seems to me that you’ll deserve to take the entire month of December off after this.
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:14 pmHaha, thank you Ally. I appreciate your support :)
NGS
November 10, 2023 at 6:55 amSan, you organize so many things in this community! NaBloPoMo! Mug swaps! What would we do without you?
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:15 pmI seriously don’t know. (Haha, j/k… but thank you <3)
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie
November 10, 2023 at 8:09 amAh numbers. I do get those situations where even though it’s not necessary for the job I just have to sit down and poke ’em until I see what they’re made of. Yay for your dad, and yes, see you here tomorrow!
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:15 pmThank you, Birchie. I appreciate your thoughts.
Daria
November 10, 2023 at 8:45 amI would love a mug swap!! What a wonderful idea. L has already started talking about Christmas haha I hope your dad recovers quickly! Warm wishes his way come :)
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:15 pmYay, I’ll be happy to have you :)
Tobia | craftaliciousme
November 10, 2023 at 9:48 amThank you for letting us know there are some new people who decided to jump in. I was not aware and will check the blogs. Better late than never.
I am excited for the upcoming Santa swap. I like swapping favorites as I am not really in need of mugs. even though I should get out Tanjas from last year because that one is on. the Christmas box and I am excited to use it for the past weeks.
Glad to hear your dad’s surgery went well. Let’s hope recovery will be swift as well. My dad will have a surgery coming up in February which will be at least 3 month of recovery.
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:16 pmThank you, Tobia. What kind of surgery will your dad have?
And yes, check out those new participants.
Elisabeth
November 10, 2023 at 10:30 amYou really are an organizer extraordinaire. I’m so excited that the Secret Santa Mug Swap is back again :)
And I’m thrilled to hear your dad’s surgery went well. Sending well wishes from afar for a speedy recovery.
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:17 pmThank you, Elisabeth. I love your enthusiasm for this swap :) and also thank you for the well wishes for my dad!
Melissa
November 10, 2023 at 12:05 pmI’m glad to hear your dad’s operation went well. Being fit I’m sure will help a speedy recovery. Thanks for letting us know about the new participants. I’ll need to pop over and have a look.
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:17 pmThank you, Melissa. I appreciate it!
Jenny
November 10, 2023 at 5:23 pmHooray, the annual mug swap! I know I speak for everything when I say THANK YOU SAN for organizing EVERYTHING. I’ve gotten behind on my blog commenting and I want to catch up this weekend!
I say… keep it a “mug swap” but give people the option of asking for something different. I think there are people who don’t participate because they don’t want a mug. I’m happy with anything- we can just call it the “Secret SANta swap!” I’ll definitely be signing up.
Glad your dad is doing well. Good luck for a quick recovery!
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:17 pmJenny, you’re a genius. How did I not realize my name is in the name!?? :)
Meike
November 10, 2023 at 6:45 pmThank you San for being our organizer. It probably would not happen without you. I am really fine with everything (mug or favorite thing or …) – I do like the little extra holiday cheer.
I am glad your dad’s hip replacement went well. Isn’t it amazing that they get three weeks of intense physical therapy in Germany? My dad was actually really glad when he was able to go home afterwards because they were running a tight ship and he was busy all day long ;)
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:18 pmThank you Meike. I am so glad you’re participating again (in NaBloPoMo AND the swap!).
Haha, I think my dad will feel the same as your dad… they do keep you busy at the rehab clinics! ;)
Ernie
November 10, 2023 at 7:08 pmGreat news about your dad. It is hard work to get back in the groove after surgery, but it sounds like he’s on track to make a great recovery. I’m new to the mug exchange. I’ll be back tomorrow to sign up. I don’t drink coffee, but I’m fine with whatever.
Also, I just want to say, I am so very glad that Suzanne posted info about NaBloPoMo on her blog. I’m thrilled that I decided to join. I’m truly enjoying meeting so many new bloggers. I really appreciate your organizational skills, San. You rock.
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:19 pmThank you Ernie. I appreciate your kind words.
And I am very excited that you might be participating in the swap this year. Always love having new people… and I am very thankful that we connected through Suzanne and her mentioning of NaBloPoMo :)
coco
November 10, 2023 at 11:17 pmI’d love to sign up but I’m a bit far away from the blog world .hahaha… if you find someone from Indonesia, let me know. hahaha
Hope your annual check up goes well. Heartburn can cause chest pressure. can it be also caused by anxiety?
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:21 pmAh, bummer. I know. I’d love to have you participate in the swap, but international shipping is such a gamble these days. :(
Thank you for the suggestion. Yes, I’ve heard that heartburn can cause chest pressure but I don’t have typical heartburn (that’s why I am suspecting low stomach acid instead of high stomach acid (= heartburn), but my doctor is not receptive for my self-diagnosis LOL)
sarah
November 11, 2023 at 5:58 amYessssss! I really want to do the exchange this year– mug OR fave things
My dad had a hip and a shoulder in his late 60s– the recovery was tough at first but then he felt SO MUCH BETTER. Wishing your dad the best.
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:21 pmYay, I’d love to have you participate this year, Sarah.
So happy to hear that the surgeries had such a good outcome for your dad!
Suzanne
November 11, 2023 at 6:02 amSan you are such a superstar — thanks for keeping us all so well organized and injecting so much fun into our days! While I have serious FOMO about the mug swap (it is so fun to see everyone’s posts!!!), I just can’t do it myself. December is much too stressful from a work and holiday prep standpoint and I don’t think I could add something else. But I will be ooohing and aaahing over what everyone else gets in the exchange!
Thanks for letting us know there are new NaBloPoMo posters! I will check them out now.
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:22 pmThank you so much, Suzanne. I always love having you for NaBloPoMo (and all year in general LOL) and I appreciate your enthusiasm. I understand that the swap might be too much for some people – it’s such a busy time of the year.
Nicole MacPherson
November 11, 2023 at 7:45 amSECRET SANTA FAVOURITE THINGS YESSSSSS LET’S DO THIS! What a great idea!!! I am IN!
San
November 11, 2023 at 12:22 pmHooray! Happy to have you, Nicole. As always :)
Lisa’s Yarns
November 11, 2023 at 2:57 pmI am glad your dad’s hip joint replacement is going well! That can be a tough surgery to recover from. It’s nice that he gets 3 weeks in a rehab facility. It’s much different here, sadly. :( I hope his recovery continues to go well!
San
November 13, 2023 at 12:01 pmThanks so much, Lisa. I know, when I tell people here that we get three weeks in a rehab facility (fully covered by insurance) in Germany, people look at me wide-eyed.
Kim
November 12, 2023 at 9:30 amI’m so glad your dad’s surgery went well and that you are feeling good too!
San
November 13, 2023 at 12:02 pmThank you, Kim, I appreciate it :)
Anne
November 12, 2023 at 2:06 pmMeanwhile, I fed into your data-based fears and shared my own worry about leading others astray. Sorry to be a downer on that one – and glad your colleague was so understanding.
I will say it again – you are a connector, and it’s one of the things we all love about you. You are a key pillar of this community and I suspect many of us would not have found each other had it not been for you! (I honest to Pete think I found you through Janae’s blog, years ago? Maybe?)
Also!! I signed up ON THE DAY you announced the mug/favorite things swap! So you don’t have to MacGyver things for the late entrant this year. I learned my lesson… and hope I saved you a headache.
So glad your dad is doing so well and I hope it continues. I’m sure his physical health – and determination – are making a huge impact. <3
San
November 13, 2023 at 12:03 pmAnne! You’re not a downer – I am kinda glad that someone can relate to these (totally irrational, I am sure) fears.
I am so, so thankful for the community and am happy to contribute to it whatever I can :) I am very excited you signed up for the SANta Swap again. It’s so fun to connect in other ways than the blog!
And thank you for the well wishes for my dad!
Stephany
November 12, 2023 at 8:29 pmI am glad to hear your dad’s surgery went well and he’s recovering nicely. After three weeks in a rehab facility, he’ll be back to his old tricks in no time!
I have been intimidated by the mug swap because I didn’t want to send a mug that would get destroyed in the mail, but I joined last year and really had the best time so I’m excited to do it again this year!
San
November 13, 2023 at 12:04 pmThank you for the kind wishes, Stephany. And I am so stoked you gave the Mug Swap a go last year and had so much fun participating! :) It’s nice to connect in other ways and a package in the mail is always a nice surprise :)
Charlotte
November 14, 2023 at 10:57 amOkay, so first things first–congrats on this 30 days of writing thing. It is not easy, but I give you so much credit and it’s lovely to see this much engagement on blog posts again :)
I’m glad to hear your father had a successful surgery and hope he has a great recovery. Man, Germans know how to do it. And that’s great he’s in such amazing shape for his age, absolutely will help as he rehabs. I am also glad to hear that you are staying on top of your own health and going to the doctor to get these things sorted. I have been trying to keep up myself and it seems like a never-ending battle of wheels falling off but the more you go the closer you get to some kind of answers. Right??
Sara
November 27, 2023 at 1:07 amI’m so glad to hear your dad’s hip surgery went well! That’s great news. I am amazed that he will go to rehab for 3 weeks. That’s such a big difference between here and there. I hope his recovery continues to go well! One of the things I’m going to focus on next year is getting my mom to focus on mobility and flexibility. She’s a bit younger than your dad, but I still worry if she had to have any kind of surgery, the recovery would be really terrible because she’s not that active. Your entire family does a really great job at that, based on what you’ve shared here!