🍁🦃 Hello, November 🍁🦃

Shelby Parker Creative header with images of crossword puzzles, newspaper pieces, scraps, flower, TV and sculpture pieces

🍂🍁 Hello, November 🍂🍁

We've made it to November – The second to last month of the year, in case you haven't seen a calendar lately and weren't sure. You're welcome!

October felt like a few years in one, but also went by in the blink of an eye. How does that happen?

There were Gilmore Girls and Taylor Swift celebrations, learning experiences both professionally and personally, a lot of entertainment consuming, working on my own art, getting out in the world a bit more. There were costume-eque parties, a lot of fun with friends and laughter, puppy snuggles, fall reads and decor around the house. I went deeper in the Word and looked at some of the harder questions of life.

Two things can be true - Life can be hard and complicated, but also really beautiful and exciting.

Lessons & Highlights from the month:

“When people watch someone else make a change and fail, it reinforces their own decision not to make a change and instead stay right where they are. See? Better to sit tight. It's human nature to want to feel safe and settled.” -Hoda Kotb | I highlighted so many lines from her book. She has so much wisdom, grace, advice and life experience packed in this. I finished it feeling so optimistic and ready to pursue any crazy idea I have!
“Don't hog your journey. It's not just for you.” - Hoda's book | Another nugget of truth that Hoda included in her book - She was talking to her airplane seatmate about her cancer journey, which she'd been reluctant to talk about and this is what he told her. How often do we hold onto our stories when we might be able to relate or help someone else through it?
“Feelings are much like waves: we can't stop them from coming, but we can choose which one to surf.” -Jonatan Martensson- | Yes, you guessed it…It's a quote from Hoda's book and it just resonated with me. So many times we let life happen to us, but forget that a lot of it has to do with the life choices and decisions we make along the way. We are in the driver's seat!
Don't use potholders from the Dollar Store…Or make sure you have a better grip on it when taking something out of the oven. | I don't do much in the kitchen, but I'm quite competent with getting things in and out of the oven (I know, I know - Save the applause). I grabbed the potholder and then the tray of cookies, only to feel a strange pinching on my finger, which I realized was burning through the material. Being the genius I am, I panicked and grabbed the tray with my other hand which was completely bare and went straight to the hot metal. My hands/fingers blistered and was in a lot of pain for a good couple of hours and then it subsided. Leave it to me…So it was either the cheap potholder, or maybe I just grabbed it too quickly and put it on the wrong side. I will be double-checking more closely next time.
Ecclesiastes is a much harder book of the Bible than I originally thought. | I've always loved Ecclesiastes. It's one of those books about life that keeps it real. And then I started the Bible study. I guess maybe it's the teaching part I don't have down, and need to spend more time really breaking things down for myself to be able to offer it in a new lens. It has challenged me in new ways, though, which I've enjoyed.
You have to listen to your body when it tells you to rest and not feel guilty about it. | I get knocked down with headaches and cramps quite a bit. Two things that are out of my control. Usually I end up having to cancel plans and I might feel fine about not going, but then feel guilty because I shouldn't be glad I'm canceling and maybe I should have tried to push it. But, that's not the way to go. You know what's good for you and what will make you feel better. So, take care of yourself and rest it off so you can bounce back.
I've been reminded of what it means to continue learning in my free time and the importance of it. Early on in my career, I was always reading, listening to podcasts, joining webinars and using other tools. But, somewhere along the lines, I was just simply trying to keep up with everything and survive. Over the last year, I've started saying ‘yes’ to a lot more things like conferences, courses, taking classes for certifications just because. And it helps light a fuel and fire in me again - it reminds me of my why and what I love about what I do.
“The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and that lesson still applies. Advocate for yourself. Be loud about what you want. No one’s handing it to you if you don’t ask.” -Barbara Corcoran (Shark Tank) | I really love following Barbara on social media and LinkedIn. She's killing it in all the areas and she always has the best advice. This is someone who has made it to the top of their game and fought her way to the top. She wasn't handed anything, so she has great bits of wisdom.
The importance of recording numbers and tracking my work in social media. | So many people assume that social media is an easy thing where you schedule out a few posts and that's that. Or just think it's all fun and games with memes and TikTok videos. It has its moments, but, that's just the beginning. It's a puzzle that always keeps you on your toes - You're leaning into trends, keeping up with algorithms, using the keywords and alt text on photos, trying to come up with a fun caption (especially on Instagram), getting the important messages out at the drop of a hat, creating content based on the messages from others in meetings you haven't attended. It's an undervalued and underestimated position that often feels like you're trying to earn your way to be heard. But having the numbers to back up the work I've done has helped give me peace of mind for what I'm doing, but also the higher ups that don't
Mentorship. | In my college years and early career, I always had the right people come into my path that God placed at just the right time. And, now, I feel like He's placing me in people's paths at just the right times. I've been able to meet and work with college students at different phases and points in their lives, and it's been a huge blessing I didn't see coming. I usually try to go the opposite direction, because there's still so much I'm learning. But, I'm also learning to trust myself and my experiences more, and that each of our stories can help someone else.

(THE) W.R.A.P.

Gilmore Girls for the unforeseeable future
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl Album Release Party [The Fate of Ophelia Music Video Premiere and lyric videos]
The Floor
Law & Order: SVU
Dancing with the Stars (usually a week behind)
On Brand with Jimmy Fallon (it just keeps getting better and better! As
Good Hang with Amy Poehler [Jonas Brothers, Paul Rudd, Adam Scott, Dakota Johnson, Mariska Hargitay, Leanne Morgan,
Call Her Daddy: Shonda Rhimes - Women Need to Brag More
Taylor Swift release week interviews (Jimmy Fallon, BBC Radio with Greg James, Seth Myers, etc.)
Lauren Graham Walk of Fame Ceremony [Livestream]
Clips and fan montages of Gilmore Girls [relationships, best of…]
Reaction videos of Showgirl from YouTubers I follow [Alecksis Victoria, Haley McIntosh, etc.]
Dancing with the Stars [That dedication night had me in tears, but Wicked was SO good too…And Disney night. Every week is inspiring]
Father of the Bride 1 & 2 (in honor of Diane Keaton's passing)
My Life with the Walter Boys (continuing season 2)
Autumn at Apple Hill
Haul Out the Halloween
The Way Home (came on after, so I watched some of it)
Halloween episodes of shows [The Office, Parks and Rec, The Middle, Family Matters, Even Stevens, Lizzie McGuire, Boy Meets World, 8 Simple Rules, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, Superstore]
Reba
The Road
The Golden Bachelor
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Hollywood Demons: Stephen Collins, America's Dad
Golden Girls
What Happened, Brittany Murphy? [Two-part docu series - Always knew there were sketchy things with her death, but wow. So dark]
Psycho
Nobody Wants This (season 2)
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes
Practical Magic
Only Murders in the Building: Season 4
The Birds
The Voice (some of the battle rounds)
The World Series

How to Break My Heart by Kat T. Masen
Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Substack authors (too many to name at this point, but one of my favorite things to look at daily for inspiration)
The Armor of God Bible Study by Priscilla Shirer
Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning in Every Moment with Proverbs 31/First 5
Breaking Free From Busyness by Alexa Hess
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (Reread)
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata (Reread)
Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben
In a Jam by Kate Canterbary
Awake by Jen Hatmaker
Jump and Find Joy by Hoda Kotb
Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood
Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

Celebrating all the Gilmore Girls and Taylor Swift things - October is for them, and them only!
Being crafty and filling out the Bella Grace: Field Guide. It's a scrapbook sort of thing that fuels the creativity.
All the Bible studies - Really trying to plug myself back into the Word. I write for At The Well and Proverbs 31's First 5 Facebook group. Trying to understand and break down Ecclesiastes because it's more difficult than I thought it would be to teach (in writing).
I have been enrolling in all the online classes, becoming certified with Canva, LinkedIn and other courses for social media and marketing.
Revising my website just for funsies and updating some of the latest projects.
Attending the Hello Sunshine/Reese Witherspoon Shine Away conference at the Universal Studios Backlot.
Crying/mourning Diane Keaton's passing.
Eating more pumpkin items.
Finally able to wear sweaters for most of the day without sweating and enjoying the rainy, cloudy days. FALL IS HERE!
Baking Taylor Swift's Chai Sugar Cookies (and burning my hands)
Coloring my spooky coloring pages
Loved waking up to thunder and a downpour one October day - came out of the blue. Didn't stay long but it was an experience!
Attended an author talk in the library at work, which was fun. I always love the speaking engagements and workshops they offer.
Keeping up with Fantasy Football. I've had some wins, so yay!
Going to Via Arte with my family friends and the kiddos to admire the sidewalk chalk art.
Naps - many, wherever I can fit them in.
Trying to get crafty and artsy with whatever supplies I have around here with collages, junk journaling and such.
Already Pinterest boarding my birthday, which isn't until January - but by the time the holidays hit, I always forget that I have a birthday and therefore rush to figure out what I'm going to do. SIGH
Doing a Q&A with Voyage LA about career (professional and creative) endeavors.
Connecting with others who have become like, or are mentees, of mine. I'm so glad that I'm able to play just a small part in their stories the way others helped me.
Cheering on the Dodgers in the WORLD SERIES and watching them become champions once again…Game 7 was an epic moment in history.

The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift (on CONSTANT repeat in the car)
The Blend Channel (on Sirius XM Radio)
Gilmore to Say Podcast
Gilmore to Read Podcast with Ashley Jordan
Things You Didn't See by Priscilla Block
Maren Morris' first two albums (after seeing her at the Hello Sunshine conference. I forgot how solid her early discography was).
I Didn't Come Here to Leave by Chris Young
Back to December by Dan + Shay (cover of Taylor Swift's song)
Old Tricks by Thomas Rhett (feat. Niall Horan)
Patterns (stripped session) by Kelsea Ballerini
In a Perfect World by Lauren Watkins
Beautiful Things by Megan Moroney
Nobody Wants This Soundtrack (various artists: Selena Gomez, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Ella Langley and more)
Maybe It's [Maybelline] by Miley Cyrus
Halloween playlist

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE MONTH

October → November: I'm looking forward to:

Veterans Day - going to LA with my aunt for the taping of “Happy's Place” at Universal Studios;
The Jonas Brothers' Christmas movie comes out;
Thanksgiving!!!
A few days off here and there;
Holiday specials and films will start rolling out on TV and streaming;
More decorating;
Wicked: For Good will be coming out!
Planning for the Christmas season

Have a great November! A month filled with dinners surrounded by loved ones, cozy sweaters, cinnamon rolls of goodness, good reads, candles burning with wintery scents like pine forests and crackling fireplaces, flannel plaid shirts, days off to regroup and refocus, warm hugs and a time of hope.

Stars Hollow Ct.
Bakersfield , CA 93311, USA