Weekend: That's A Wrap x 2

Hello Friends and happy first second week of November! (Last week’s cold changed this one)

November is such a glorious month. The fall and cold have come to stay, all your sweaters, knit skirts, and boots feel brand new to as they are added to the wardrobe rotation. Hot drinks, deep red wines, comfort food, fuzzy slippers, warm blankets….and most important - it is the month where you find yourself looking around you and feeling a little more grateful. What a truly magical time of the year and perfect start to the holiday season!

When I started to become an avid blog reader , I found myself inspired by the approach so many bloggers had toward this time of year. Gratitude journals, activities for their families, extra prayers, extra volunteering...it is a community so focused on giving and being grateful - it made me appreciate this time of year a little more. Our year has been bumpy from professional to health - we have found a lot of challenges. But through challenge comes growth and gratitude. Yes, we have faced some tough moments - but we have come out the other end and stronger. Not everyone can always say that - not everyone is so blessed.

There is no question we are making the most of this time of year for our family, for our friends, and for those in need. We have been blessed to see the hard times, watch them pass and we plan to celebrate. The amazing community we call ours is chalked full of volunteers who help with veterans or work for the homeless or support the pro life mission, and we have been honored to be included in those called on to help! So many times the opportunity to give back appears during the holiday season. Sometimes we remember to take advantage and sometimes they get lost in the shuffle. This year though we are making a big effort to not miss the chance and give back. Can you tell I am pretty excited about November? Yup!

So what happened the last few days of October?? Halloween of course! We had a very cute/not into it at all T-Rex at our house. My poor puppy is such a good sport....but I have always loved making him festive for the seasons and Halloween just has way to many ways to do it! After this ten minute celebration, Danny and I spent the rest of Halloween on the couch with delicious pizza and scary movies. We had a full weekend ahead and after the first full week of work and full time schedules...we needed a lazy night.

Saturday morning was a bit of a slower start than we had planned.....but it was nice. You can't beat the cool weather sleeping. I am convoked winter slumber is so much deeper. But we did have car research to do...so off to Starbucks I finally went! And was very surprised, I think pleasantly, that the holiday cups were back! It seemed a **bit** early, but still very festive….and the holidays are right around the corner - so I decided to not question and just enjoy it!

From the coffee delivery on, we pretty much were parked on the couch with note pads and computers researching...cars. In 2013 I started working from home and we had gotten rid of our second car. It has worked out well to have us share, but now that we are both going to different directions pretty much daily it is time to enhance the family fleet by 1. It was funny that our first car we ever bought together was a month after we were engaged. I remember being just so excited to be planning for the future us - the Bessette’s to be! This time….it was a little more about function and budget….but I would be lying if I did not say I still get a little butterflies when I sign “Jacqueline Bessette” - its the little things people!

As the research party wrapped up I headed downtown for my friend, Atheni’s bachlorette drinks and dinner event. Atheni is another special friend from O’Connell and one who has been played a big role in both my and Danny’s lives. Being a part of my special circle - she has been there to laugh with me and at me - and share in some serious girl empowering moments. You know the kind of conversations that you feel you can change the world after? Yup, A-ten is ALWAYS great for those conversations. But she also has been a really special person in Danny’s world. Danny was her prom date, she has run a marathon in honor of CF, and been one of the people helping to support our transplant fundraising efforts. She really is one of those rare finds in life and you just feel connected to her- so a chance to toast to Atheni was very welcomed. I got ready, headed downtown on this gorgeous fall evening and was prepared to enjoy. Something felt off though and I just was not myself. Being down in DC and walking the streets laden with fall leaves and smells, it was a moment to really relish. A few other of my fav gal pals were there and a chance to just touch base with them is always really special. Life feels on fast forward sometimes and these people help me feel centered. How does one girl get so lucky - amazing fall evening, good food and drink and some of my favorites on the planet….AWESOME.

Sunday I woke up at home and suddenly realized my “off” was Danny’s cold. It had got me…darn it! I was hurting and really worn out, but we had planned Flaherty Fall Birthday celebrations at my Grandma’s, I was looking forward to seeing everyone and pushed through. It was worth it. As the holidays arrive, I know you will be hearing much more about family - and the Flaherty’s are a really special bunch. So this pre-holiday warm up with about 1/3 the people we will see around our Thanksgiving table and Christmas tree was fun. I love, love, love being in a huge family - we are talking 23 cousins folks! But sometimes being able to hold one conversation with the room is neat - and rare for us - so this Sunday was really nice. Good food, good family and my grandmother who has had a really tough year of health being as fun loving and goofy as ever…..it was perfect. By the time I got home I can’t really tell you what I did….but I know most of it was attempting to heal this cold!!

The week wore on with my nasty cold and caused a pretty light blog week……sorry all! Also the reason why Weekend Wrap up is times 2 today! But I can say I was able to push through the cold, we got a car and I am settling into my jobs…..so not a complete loss.

This weekend was pretty opposite of last…..Q-U-I-E-T! Saturday we had to get back to the dealership and finish our financing…but we are all set and I am loving my new Honda!!! Saturday afternoon I was off to a high school friend’s baby shower. And although I was feeling a little lousy with my cold still, I was so happy I had gone! Seeing several high school friends and realizing someone I knew at 16 is now gonna be a mom…..the world is amazing isn’t it?? This couple, Jeff and Bridget, have been really good friends to Danny and I! They danced the night away at our wedding and have come to the hospital or house when Dan is home bound with food, games, cupcakes. We don’t see them nearly as much as we would like and I feel like we are on a quarterly visit schedule (not enough!!) - but as I heard about all their exciting news and she asked all about ours…..I felt the gratitude of this season pour out of my heart. Seriously….we have our frustrations and we are ready for a new phase - but how did we get so lucky with these folks that just love us right on through it all - good and bad? I have no idea….but thank you God and thank you friends.

Sunday was about as quiet as they come and if you don’t believe me….just ask my Shiba. He was not a happy camper with the boring couch day. But I woke up with the cold settling hard on my chest and Danny in the midst of recovering from the lesson he learned Saturday night after a boys night and Capitals game - he is not 21 anymore. But you know what is so strange? Normally I would be frustrated or freaking out or just plain moody that another weekend was almost gone without one thing off the to do list, client work piled up, and laundry piles feeling like they deserved a beverage and snack as they made a home in our living room….but I felt OK. We have been working hard at this new lifestyle and we have been blessed with some pretty good moments that remind you of the blessings in our life so far in November. So I soaked it up, hugged my achy hubby and called it an OK lazy day.

Hope this long post finds you enjoying your blessings and loved ones as we start November.