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What’s Been On Your Calendar November 2024?

Retirement Reflections

What’s been on your calendar lately? We’d love for you to join us!

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I’ll be on a short social media break from December 1 – 19 but will reply to all comments left here before then. ❤

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

59 thoughts on “What’s Been On Your Calendar November 2024?”

  2. Looks like a well-rounded and successful November. I usually start decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, but because we aren’t hosting this year I started decorating today. Couldn’t help myself. The Hornby Island get-a-way looks fantastic. I’m sure you enjoyed yourselves there.

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    1. Hi, Suzanne – I plan to decorate soon as well. Mostly because I really want to downsize some of our Christmas items and I figure it is easier to donate them earlier in December than later. Our 3-day Hornby getaway was just what we needed – lots of hiking, reading and relaxing. Are you posting this Sunday? I look forward to catching up on what you have been doing.

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      2. Thanks, Suzanne – I follow a MarketPlace Free Site for my community. There are so many young families and others going through difficult times looking for Christmas decorations (amongst many other things). I have so much stuff that I really don’t use, and my kids are not going to want. It makes sense to pass it on.

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  3. Hi Donna – I always enjoy seeing how you’re going to present your round-up posts because you always do them so well – and today’s is no exception. It looks like you’ve had a very full month and it was good that you could finish it off with some lovely time away before heading into the bustle of Christmas.

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    1. Thanks, Leanne – I always appreciate your kind and observant comments. Like most others, I joined the blogging world to write, but more and more find myself playing with photos and computer graphics instead. When beginning each photo-heavy post, I fool myself into thinking it will be quicker and easier. For me, it seldom is. But I never seem to learn. 😀

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  6. Hey Donna! Happy End of November from those of us south of the border enjoying our turkey day. It looks like you’ve had another wonderful month doing things you love–like eating, hiking and spending time with family and friends. Glad to see you happy and enjoying yourself. Keep it up! ~Kathy

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  8. Donna I love love the way you’ve presented your November wrap up! Once again you’ve had a busy month – family, friends, hiking, and Moonlight Madness sounds like fun. Have a great December.

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    1. Hi, Jennifer – I greatly appreciate your kind feedback. After my last photo-heavy post, I swore that I was going to rely on words alone for my next entry. I kinda got off track with that goal but will try again in the future! 😀

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  9. Gosh I really loved your creative approach to the November wrap Donna. I too have listened to Wintering and wondered, without the extremes of Winter here where I live if the messages are relevant to me. I am also quite literal at times so I am going to sit with my thinking about it too. I do enjoy Kathryn May’s words. Happy December away from the blog. Thank you for the link up. Denyse x

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    1. Hi, Denyse – I always greatly appreciate your thoughtful, reflective comments. I believe that Katherine May’s insightful messages in ‘Wintering’ are relevant to all of us, regardless of the climates in which we live. You personally are a master of the practice of wintering. You are an excellent example of knowing how to rest and retreat in difficult time, keep your calm and keep your course. I admire you greatly for this (and for many other reasons). ❤

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      1. Oh thank you. I appreciate your kind words so much Donna. I started listening to more of Wintering last night and can see, as you have pointed out, it’s about a phase in life. I am going to consider whether I might enjoy the course that Kathryn is offering now too.

        Denyse x

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      2. Hi, Denyse – I didn’t realize that Katherine May also offered a course, but I just Googled it and found it online (The Way Through Winter). I think I will stick with the book. But if you take the course, I would love to hear your thoughts about it.

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    1. Thanks, Darlene – Richard and I were lucky during the bomb cyclone. We only lost power for 11 hours, which was predominantly through the evening, so we slept through most of it. We were also fortunate that five days later, when many others still did not have power, our home exchange on Hornby Island was up and running, as were the ferries (phew)! 😀

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  11. Hi Donna, this is such a great way to share your wonderful month. Thanks for taking us with you on your travels and celebrations. Wintering sounds like the perfect read for your current weather! So much to admire in this post, your positive nature, love of the outdoors and family fun. All the best for December!

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  13. Pingback: 5 Best Outings in November – Natalie the Explorer

  14. November and all of fall has not been a good time around here. I’m moving right into Christmas and am resolved to make it a joyous one. We didn’t get to see our granddaughters this year (first year in college) so getting to see them next year is our Christmas wish. Once kids grow up, the fly to all the corners of the world. Step son is on his way to Antarctica for a 6 month work gig there.

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    1. Hi, Kate – Comments are my favourite part of any post. That’s where the connection truly happens. I am so sorry that you had a tough fall. I am sending my deepest thoughts that you have a joyous December — and that you get your Christmas wish!

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  15. Hi Donna, What a fun and wonderful November. Hornby Island looks lovely and how nice that you got to attend Jann Arden’s Christmas concert. I love how you presented your month. I added my link to the link-up. Thank you for hosting #WBOYC. Enjoy your social media break!

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    1. Hi, Natalie – Have you been to Hornby Island? If not, I highly recommend it for one of your future travels. It is two ferry rides away from Vancouver Island (Buckley Bay Ferry to Denman Island to Hornby). But those rides are short and very worth it. And, you and I can visit again when you are here! ❤

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      1. Ooh, now you enticed me to visit VI again 🙂 So many beautiful places, so little time. I haven’t been to Hornby Island but I knew about it from Anne at The Unretired.Life blog who used to live there.

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      2. Ann is a real advocate for Hornby. The only other times that I had gone there, I had gone on day trips to visit Ann. This time, Richard and I stayed in a Home Exchange for 3 nights. It was wonderful having the extra time there. It is a beautiful community. I know you would love it!

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  16. It looks like lots of fun. I’ve heard about Hornby Island for years and from your photos and experiences it looks and sounds great. I see you’re doing a little social media break. Highly recommend it!

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  18. That looks like such a fabulous month! I’m still like that with the time change and felt kid of relieved when everyone was asking how late it was Thanksgiving night when our movie ended… and it was only 5:45! LOL. We all thought it was close to 8.

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  19. You had a fun filled November. The book Wintering sounds wonderful. We traveled from Oregon to California for Thanksgiving. When we lived in California, we traveled many times a year to see my daughter’s family. Now we go to California once a year to see my husband’s family. I did most of my Christmas shopping online during November. Have a restful break, Donna! 😍

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  20. Another full month for you, Donna finishing with a wonderful getaway to Hornby Island. You certainly inspire me with your continued love of learning and just living life to the full. I’m pleased you are now fully recovered and can get back to one of your loves – hiking. Thank you for being a wonderful co-host for #WBOYC? I can’t believe we only have one more for 2024. Enjoy December, my friend. xx Sue L

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    1. Hi, Sue – Thank you for your very kind and uplifting comment. It was easy for me to get into a hiking routine while away — sadly, that has not exactly transferred to my daily routine when I returned home. So many distractions, and our darn fireplace is way too alluring. My winter hiking struggle is currently an ongoing battle. ❤
      Your vacation pics were beautiful and very inspiring!

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  21. I loved this format. Those courses sound so interesting and as I said the other day, Wintering is one of those books that stays with you long after it’s done.

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  23. How to Live Life 101 by Donna. There was the usual hausfrau-ing with furnace & septic maintenance here & at the rental property. Front brakes were replaced on the car which involved finding a ride to & from town x 2. Thank goodness for good neighbors. The chicken order was picked up at the Hutterite colony 1 hr away; beautiful 6lb birds at a very reasonable cost. ‘Tis the season for craft fairs. I’ve been to one & will attend 2 tomorrow. I made peanut brittle & donated a quilt for the fair at the assisted living lodge where mom lived for 5 yrs. Socially, there were coffee visits, lunch with friends followed by cross crib, a w/e at my cousin’s, the annual FCSS (family & community support services) seniors’ dinner. Some pictures were taken & they would be emailed to us after submitting our email address with a brief description. I almost wrote “white hair & glasses” before I realized that 80% of the people in attendance filled that description! Oh, the change of seasons! The last of the petunias were dug out first week of Nov. In the last week, it’s -20C & >6″ of snow. Jann Arden is one of my favorite performers. Have you read her books? I’d highly recommend them. I took in 2 concerts – Jane Siberry & Corb Lund. I’m back to partaking in the SCWW (Senior Center Without Walls) offerings – chair yoga, gratitude group, mindfulness, working through grief. I’m a big fan of alternative healing modalities & had some great success with Bowen Therapy to relieve neck & knee pain. This has turned into quite the missive but testimony to the full month. Enjoy your break.

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    1. Hi, Mona – Remind me again why you don’t have a blog or a social media presence or a published book? I love your writing and always want to read more!
      ‘Hausfrau-ing’ is such a Deb BadAss word that I thought she had made it up. ❤
      I haven’t read any of Jann Arden’s books yet. I’m off to my digital library to check then out now. -20C ?! Double brrrrrr!!!

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  25. Hi, Donna,

    You are on break, but I wanted you to know that I love this post. It is almost like an early Christmas Card from you and Richard. Two mentions in the comments caught my eye: 1) you caught an error in class and immediately felt compelled to correct it – I understand. 2) your fireplace is too alluring–again, I completely understand this! Enjoy your break and have a fabulous holiday season. Joe

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