Hello November

Plan ahead this month for a stress free December

Photo by Jane Palash on Unsplash

“So dull and dark are the November days. The lazy mist high up the evening curled, and now the morn quite hides in the smoke and haze; the place we occupy seems all the world.” — John Clare

When I was younger, November always seemed like a long and boring month. I waited with eager anticipation for the arrival of December, which brought with it my birthday and of course, Christmas. I couldn’t wait for November to pass and made a countdown calendar to help tick off the days. Of course, this made the days go even slower, something I think I would find quite useful now. We seem to suddenly be on fast-forward and the days, weeks and months are whizzing by in a blur of school runs, sticking fingers and early mornings.

Now I am a mother, November is greatly anticipated as it is my middle daughters birth month. She has been counting down since the end of the summer holidays and was thrilled yesterday when I told her November was finally here. I am pretty sure she has told everyone and their dog that it is her birthday in twelve sleeps, but I was just the same when I was younger. It’s nice to have something special to look forward to this month.

Bonfire night has been rained off, so I am busy thinking up alternatives to end our half term on a high, despite the disappointing weather. The hot dogs are ready and perhaps we will stand in the garden, gloved hands holding onto a sparkler, willing the wind to die down for five minutes of sparkly fun.