Greetings from week (5)3 of a chest cold that turned into a deeper chest cold that defied all laws of nature and migrated north up into my face. About a month ago, I might have felt mildly prideful, and even said it out loud, that I haven’t gotten sick in the past 3 years so joke’s on me.
I do. I do.
So here’s what’s been up:
did #NaNoWriMo in November (National Nov. writing month, for the non-writers). I wrote almost every day and more importantly — I compiled all the pieces and parts I’ve been collecting in my google drive the same way I collect socks laying around my house. I threw them all in the hamper and am happy to report that I have a full load of laundry. I can’t wait to see how it cleans up.
I got sick & we traveled for Thanksgiving. (Yes, in that order).
And now all I really want to do is bake and write and wrap gifts and listen to Christmas music and try to keep track of the different holiday-spirit week outfits and activities for my kids, but some freelance work I didn’t anticipate (but am super grateful for) came in. So … all I’m really doing is working right now.
IN LIGHT OF NONE OF US HAVING ANY TIME, some quick recs …
Family Switch: Kids groaned and protested—until they started giggling. Hang in there. Cute. Funny. Great holiday family movie to add to the rotation if you have older kids (mine are 10-17). +PLUS+ Ed Helms & Jennifer Garner/Sidney Bristow.
SEND ME YOUR CHRISTMASTIME PLAYLISTS. Please. All genres welcome. Dinner party to dance party.
Whoever you are, congratulations. You are the winner of Christmas lights.
Non-Christmas related:
Bess Kalb doing a wondefully hard job of sharing what it’s like to be Jewish right now. May there be peace.
This post on “fast risers” vs “slow burners” was so encouraging through the specific inspirational story of how one man found his artist identity down a long and unlikely path.
This teenage whisperer is *changing my life.* Two gems for you: “School gets the best of them, home often gets the rest of them” and “Teenagers have two sides: the side of the teenager you speak to is usually the side that shows up for the conversation.” (!!!!!)
Speaking of teenagers. This book.
Coffee + Crumbs’ winter collection is live. Grab a fuzzy blanket and get reading.
My next writing workshop: SLOW WRITING AND ACCOUNTABILITY. Starts Jan 8th. (psst! Exhale sells gift cards!) Would love to have you join us.
I’ve been reading through the Bible at a snail’s pace, and entered the New Testament right at the beginning of Advent, and man, it’s been something to have been immersed in almost two years of learning who God is in the Old Testament to now see the arrival of Jesus with a fresh richness. This podcast does a STELLAR job summarizing the whole of the OT—all in under 12 minutes! Sunday school and 1/2 of the sermons I’ve listened to would have made so much more sense.
SUMMER IS ONLY 6 MONTHS AWAY. Or, 8 hours of sleep.
AND NOW, MY FAVORITES:
That’s it for me friends. See you in the Yew Year, when I will inevitably make a resolution to write more and you’ll see me really trying in your inboxes … for about 3 weeks.
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, cheesball-filled holiday season.
With love,
Sonya
Congratulations on writing every day in November! I've never participated in that, but have always wanted to. Can't wait to see what Sonya amazingness comes from it.
Also - those favorite things tweets. Goodness. Thanks for the giggles!
I loved The Family Switch!
I “failed” at reading the whole Bible in a year (again), and decided to go with a two year plan starting in January. Wish me luck. 🙈