Life, Lately - Entry No. 7 { November Recap }

My 1st vendor experience, a new hobby, talking about Advent, fundraising for surgery

Nov 30, 2025

Life, Lately.

Documenting big and little moments of my life in a monthly recap to look back on when I need joy and the reminder that I do actually do things and have things going on, because sometimes I get that BIG overwhelming feeling of “what am I doing with my life! I never do anything!”

1. My 1st time ever selling at a market!

It had been a dream of mine for a while to sell my art and products at a local market, but I had been scared to do it. This year, I finally went for it and I’m so glad I did!

My friend Hannah and I shared a table at a local Holiday Bazaar on November 15th. The left half of the table (with the art prints, stickers, and holiday cards, obviously) is mine. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I could pull it off and I went in with zero expectations (for once in my life haha).

my market set up (the left half of the table)

a few close-ups of my stickers and holiday cards

The couple of months leading up to the event were very busy and a bit chaotic. A lot of trial and error. Not everything went according to plan. Working through lunch. Etc.

The snapshot below captures what most of my days looked like during this time: a ton of stuff strewn all about my desk, a cheese stick or whatever the snack du jour was 😂 and of course, my so-called “helper,” Mr. Bubs (who clearly was NOT helping by blocking my view of the computer).

Overall, I’d have to say it was worth it. The experience was fun and the feedback on my stuff was encouraging 🤎 I’d do it again.

My friend Sahara buying one of my stickers! 💕

2. New hobby: making Spotify playlists

With the busyness of market prep, I feel like I did not get around to a lot of the Fall activities and outings I had wanted to. I probably could have done more, but I didn’t.

I did, however, become a bit hyper-fixated on making Spotify playlists. I feel like making the perfect playlist that fits the mood you’re going for or fits an event perfectly is almost an art in and of itself.

Not only the song selection (does it get the listener where you want them to go?), but the order of the songs (is it cohesive? does it flow?), the name of the playlist, the cover (does the image or art make sense for the theme of the playlist?). So much to consider.

The genre is your medium, the songs themselves your color palette, the playlist title and cover image add texture, the finishing touches. I could perhaps even go as far as to say the song order or even the length (or tempo?) of each song are your brushstrokes (a faster song is a cluster of short brushstrokes, a slower longer song is one wide wavy brushstroke, etc).

I have by NO MEANS mastered this art. I’d say I’m an enthusiast at best. But I’ve enjoyed it! I had no idea I had SO much to say about playlists, but there you go!

3. Decorating for the Christmas season

Yesterday (the day after Thanksgiving), I put on some “Christmas jazz,” put away my cutie pumpkins, and brought out my Christmas decor. It’s super minimal this year, but that’s ok.

Also, I knoowww people have strong opinions on this, but I typically don’t listen to any Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. One holiday at a time, please! Plus, as much as I adore Christmas I’m not quite ready to let go of Autumn.

4. Advent season is upon us 🌲

Advent begins tomorrow (Nov. 30th)! I think this will be the fourth year I do an Advent bible study from the Daily Grace Co. This year’s study is called Awakening Wonder. They also have a companion Advent prayer journal, which I also got this year.

I look forward to Advent each year because, apart from enjoying the symbolic ritual of lighting a candle each Sunday of Advent, it helps me focus on JESUS and reminds me what Christmas is really all about - not the glittery lights and decor, not the cookies and hot cocoa (though I enjoy those very much), not the material gifts, but the priceless gift of the Messiah coming to earth to die for our sins.

5. The next HUGE step (pun intended)

On a gloomy day in 2017 I was hit by a freight train while on foot. I lost my legs. Everything changed that afternoon.

After trying to use prostheses and doing physical therapy for a while, I eventually lost motivation and stopped altogether. The prostheses never fit right, using them hurt at all times, and even just putting them on felt like a big chore. Not to mention all the weight I gained by being in a wheelchair didn’t help.

Now I am pursuing the journey of walking again once more. Osseointegration, a surgery in which an implant is connected to my bone and a prosthetic leg is then attached to that, will help this endeavor greatly.

I have partnered with Help Hope Live and the Plaintiff Fund in hopes of raising funds for this expensive surgery and future injury-related expenses which would be a great financial burden. The Plaintiff Fund has already contributed $5,000, and will also match the first $5,000 of donations.

Your support would help me get back to a fuller life in which I could enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities again. Maybe dancing again! Not to mention simply having more mobility and physical freedom.

As much as I currently enjoy serving in my church and community to the best of my ability, as well as making art and writing, I have many aspirations which I do feel I’m being held back from. I don’t want to be held back anymore.

If you feel led to donate or even just share this campaign, I would be so grateful 🤎

Donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.