How can it possibly be November already?! I feel like my life has been zooming by so quickly the past few weeks that I haven’t had to chance to catch my breath. The only reason I got out as many posts as I did this past month was because I had written most of my Crohn’s disease story beforehand, so there wasn’t much that I had to do other than to actually post it online.
This past month has been a good one. There were some great things that happened and there were some big changes. I started a new job. I’m wrapping up my third week there, so it has been fairly intense the past few weeks just getting acclimated to everything and finding my place. One big change has been that I now have a 40-mile commute to work every day, so that has been getting me home later than I used to.

I don’t always mind the drive, it gives me a little time to myself to unwind, think or sing really loud in my car. I have also really enjoyed watching the leaves change on the trees that line the highway. Driving home is a little less enjoyable than the ride in the morning, however. But more than anything, I’ve just been having to get used to the schedule and the new position, and that has taken away a lot of my attention in the past month.

I mentioned in my goals for October how busy things were going to be due to a couple of projects due for class and a couple of out-of-town weddings. Throw in a new job on top of that and I felt that I was at my limit of what I could handle effectively.
And for the month ahead, it’s going to be a busy one, again. For starters, my husband is going on a hunting trip to Canada for the next week and a half, so I’ll be holding down the fort by myself. During that time, my cousins are going to be in town, so I’m looking forward to getting to spend some time with them and the rest of my family. And then I’m headed to New York to see some of my IBD family (and meet some for the first time, too!)
The days are filling up quickly, so I’m doing my best to get my priorities straight now. So my big goals for this month: The first thing is just staying on top of everything with work and school. Next, is getting back to my exercise routine. Wow, I’ve been out of it recently. Really, ever since my surgery I haven’t gotten back into it. Time to change that and get back in shape. And finally, we’re moving into the holiday season so there’s going to be lots to do there, including shopping and dinners and everything else involved. There will be a lot to juggle in the coming weeks. Things are about to get fun…

• Work
  • Feeling comfortable with where I am and finding a way to distinguish myself.
• School
  • Write first draft of my final paper. Finish it before it’s due.
  • Stay on top of my reading so I’m not rushing to make it through at the end of the week.
• Exercise
  • Start off slow with doing some sort of activity 3 times a week.
  • Get myself ready to start the next round of half-marathon training (for race in April!)
• The Stolen Colon
  • Stay focused. Plan ahead. Write some great posts this month.
  • I have a few other plans for this month that I’ll be filling you in on soon..
• Personal
  • Out of bed by 6:15 every weekday morning.
  • Make freezer-ready meals to eat during the week.
  • Get Christmas shopping done.
  • Think about everything I am thankful for this year.