Currently... August 2021

August used to be such a big, busy month in my life.  But now that my kids are all grown - that has changed.  I no longer have all the rush and excitement of the back-to-school season.  I mean, I'm not gonna lie - my heart still skips a beat when I see all those brand new notebooks and pens in the store aisles. But if I buy any of them, it's purely selfish enjoyment now - not due to a long list of required items. 

July was a blur and I fell short on almost all of my goals.  This seems to become a trend and I'm not happy about that.  I didn't even come close to walking 30 minutes a day.  My crochet top is close to being finished - but not done.  I added several new items to the shop - but not the 15 I was shooting for. I have Sunday posts planned for the next several months, but not the rest of the year.  In fact, getting the outlines created and scheduled for Thankful Thursday posts for the rest of the year is about the only thing I can fully mark off the list.  I'm not exactly proud of this.  But the plan is to buckle down and be able to stay something different at the end of this month.

Working On:  Getting back on track...  with setting and accomplishing goals.  With my health.  Drinking more water.  And 

Celebrating:  My dad turns 75 this month!  And after the past couple of years that he has had - kidney failure due to a retained kidney stone, a massive heart attack followed by triple bypass surgery, and another episode leading to a heart cath and stint - it is definitely something to celebrate!

Wanting/Needing:  To dig deep and find the motivation to get things back on track (as mentioned above)

Eating:  My favorite lunch recently has been a veggie wrap.  I start with some hummus and then pile on greens, sprouts, cukes, red or yellow pepper, tomatoes, shredded carrots, garbanzo beans, and some feta or goat cheese.  Delicious!

Loving:  My New(ish) "What I'm Reading Wednesday" feature.  I adore books.  Reading has been one of my very favorite things to do ever since I was a little kid.  And I adore telling others about the books I'm reading.  I've struggled a little bit with writing the posts because I feel as if I'm coming across all school book report-ish.  But hopefully, it's not as bad as I think and I'll get better as it goes along.

Thinking About:  How close we are to the arrival of autumn.  Fall is my favorite season.  I'm already wondering how soon is too soon to put out all my autumn-themed decor.  Should I wait until after Labor Day, or can I get a head start on it after the middle of August?  What's your opinion?

Goals for August:

• Get everything ready for vacation: packing, dogs and house prepped and ready for the sitter, etc
• List at least 10 new items to Etsy shop
• Write 2 posts for shop blog/newsletter
• Get everything ready for vacation: packing, dogs, and house prepped and ready for sitter.
• Finish creating Sunday posts for the rest of the year
• Create healthy meal plans and stick to them!

What is life looking like for you in August?  Any big plans, celebrations, or goals for the month?

Currently... January 2021!

Be honest - how many of you released a huge sigh of relief at the stroke of midnight last night?  (or when you woke up this morning, if you're like me and staying up to ring in the new year isn't really your thing).  

Even though we know things aren't going to magically change and suddenly improve just because the calendar turned over, it's nice to be able to say good-bye to 2020  and look forward to a new year!  I mean, every new year seems fresh and full of promise.  But maybe... just, maybe (definitely)... this year more so than usual. 

So, here's to you 2021!  Please be gentle with us.

Working On:  The usual "new year" stuff.  Trying to get reorganized.  Set goals for the year.  Get back on track on some things that went awry over the past year.  You probably know exactly what I'm talking about. 

Reading:  My current read is Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  Because I adore historical fiction, especially about the Tudors, and I've been putting off reading this one for a while.  

My non-fiction book is I Thought It Was Just Me by Brene Brown. I have never read any of her works, but many people seem to like her so I thought I would give it a go.

The grandkid and I are nearing the end of Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary.  Ramona was another big favorite of mine growing up.  (Really, any and all of Beverly Cleary's characters were favorites for me)  Next up we have Ramona Quimby, Age 8.  Then I think we'll be reading Half Magic by Edward Eager.

This month I also plan to read A Moveable Feast by Hemmingway.  It's on my list of books to read this year.  I have avoided anything by Ernest ever since The Old Man and the Sea bored me to tears back in high school, and after all this time I'm finally willing to give him another chance. 

Celebrating:  There's not really much going on this month.  I'm celebrating having made it through the holidays - and through all of 2020 - in one piece.  I'm going to celebrate my accomplishments this month - no matter how small they may be. 

Loving:  I'm getting some extra time with the grandkid!  His school is going back to all remote learning for at least the first two weeks of January. (a quarantine of sorts following the holiday break) which means I get an extra day with him each week! 

Wanting/Needing:  A better way to store Christmas decor that protects it from moisture. We store the plastic bins (which I thought were good enough) under the stairs, where it can get damp and musty.  I had to buy new stockings this year because ours were mildewy and stinky when I took them out of storage.  Our Christmas tree is scheduled to be replaced also because it was musty smelling when I first took it out - although that doesn't surprise me because it has just been stored in the original cardboard box that it came in.  So, if anyone has any tips or tricks - let me know ASAP!

Dreaming About:  Summer vacation.  I know it's a little early still, but we have a vacation to Disney World planned for this year.  And this time the Female Offspring, the Son in Law, and the Grandkid are all supposed to come!  Fingers crossed that Covid vaccines are flowing to the general population by then and we don't have to wear masks in the Florida heat.  We didn't get much of a vacation last year thanks to the pandemic and I really really need this trip!

Goals for January: 

• Create (and stick to) a relaxing bedtime routine
• Deep clean and organize the bedroom
• Read "A Moveable Feast"
  
• Track all food in the WW app and stay within my points
• Created 3 new hats, 3 washcloth sets, and 5 cotton bath puffs for my Etsy shop

How is your January 2021 looking?

Currently... October, 2020

 Welcome, October!  

This is the birth month of one of my very favorite people ever.  (hint:  it's the Man of the House).  That means it would automatically get a big thumbs up from me.  But, I adore October for so many reasons.  Football season is in full swing.  Pumpkins are everywhere. It (usually) starts to really feel like fall - which means I get to start wearing sweaters and boots without feeling as if I'm going to melt into a puddle by lunchtime.  Around here, the best part of the autumn leaf season usually occurs in October. 

There is just so much to enjoy about this month!

Working On:  Prioritizing tasks.  I am doing pretty well with getting myself back into the habit of setting monthly and weekly goals and planning my weeks. (Something I seriously let slide during the first several months of the whole pandemic thing) But I need to do a better job of prioritizing each of my tasks so that Important things get accomplished on time.

Reading:  The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes  and  Living With Intent by Mallika Chopra

I've never read any of Jojo Moyes' other popular works such as Me Before You.  But I am thoroughly enjoying this tale of a British girl who hastily marries an American boy and moves to a small Kentucky mining town where she joins a group of women delivering books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's new Pack Horse Library Project.

Celebrating:  As I mentioned above, the Man of the House has a birthday this month.  Our daughter and her husband also celebrate their first anniversary.  Hard to believe that an entire year has passed since the wedding!

Loving:  This month!  (see above)   Also my two little doggies.  Yep - two!  We have been talking about getting a "brother" for Max.  A companion and playmate.  Last weekend we drove to an animal rescue in South Carolina and adopted a Chiweenie.  We have named him Ziggy and so far he is fitting right into our family.  It's adorable to see the two of them playing and wrestling.  And Ziggy is a sweetheart who loves to cuddle in my lap.

Wanting/Needing:  I need some book suggestions.  I welcome any reading recommendations, but specifically I am looking for a good daily devotional or two (or three, or four) as well as suggestions for good books about intentional living and mindfulness. 

Dreaming About:  Fun birthday celebrations.  For the Man of the House this month and for myself on November  1st. 

October Goals:

• Get back onto Weight Watchers program
• Schedule a "self care' day once a week
• Select a crochet project that isn't for the Etsy shop
• Create November blog schedule
• Create graphics for November blog posts
• Create and schedule Sunday Inspiration posts for blog
• Create 5 new listings for Etsy shop
• Write at least 3 posts for the shop blog
• Plan for "Before Black Friday" sale 

What will your October look like?

Currently... September 2020

 Yes!!  September has arrived!  And fall is peeking around the corner.  I don't know about y'all, but I am so over this summer and ready to move on into the autumn of this year.  In some ways this year is feeling as if it's flying by - as most years seem to do for me recently.  But in so many other ways it has been the longest year in the history of ever! 

Of course, fall is my favorite time of year - so I always anticipate and welcome it under even the very best of circumstances.   

Working On:  We've been working on some yard work. Landscaping an area in the front of the house.  We put in a walkway from the front porch over to the stairs that lead to the driveway at the side of the house.  Clearing out some over grown shrubs and vines on the side near the chimney.  The clearing is almost done, and we are to a point with the landscaping where we're ready to spread a bunch of mulch and start some planting and replanting.   

Celebrating:  September brings Labor Day.  Which usually means the Apple Festival here in town.  But... Covid-19. So...  It's also my youngest nephew's birthday.  And my dad is getting married!  It's just going to be a small civil ceremony, because - you know... Covid-19. 

Reading: I have a pretty big to-read stack for this month.  Because for some reason, no matter how long the wait list is - all my holds seem to become available at the same time.  September's list includes: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian, The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware, and Very, Very, Very Dreadful by Albert Marrin

Loving:  My hairs.  My curls have suddenly found a whole new spring in thier coils and it's bonkers!  I don't think I've ever had this much actual curl to my wavy/curly hair before.  I don't know if it's the humidity we've had this August, the products I'm using, this cut, or WHAT.  But I'm not hating it! There's also a lot of halo frizz happening, but nothing I can't live with on most days.  

Wanting/Needing:  A good moisturizer that I don't have to pay an arm and a leg for.  I'm getting super serious about my skin care routine.  Something I wish I had done in my 20s.  Or at least by my 30s.  But alas, I was a slacker who often slept in her makeup and now I'm paying the price and trying to play catchup a little.

 I was using the Olay Regenerist Whip fragrance free, and ,I liked that.  It felt nice and moisturizing on my skin, but light.  Then when I needed more, I couldn't in find the whip, so I got the regular formula - but it feels heavy on my skin and leaves me feeling a little greasy.  Which I don't like.  So, I'm on the prowl for a new one.  In my case, this involves reading about 2 bagillion articles with titles such as "The Best Anti-Aging Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin" and then searching and reading reviews on every single one of them. 

Dreaming About: Fall days.  Cooler weather.  Autumn leaves.  Wearing my boots again.  And Pumpkin spice everything.  

September Goals:

• Be intentional about following skincare routine 
• One week sugar detox (that I didn't do last mo socinth)
• Get back into nail care routine
• Create blog schedule for October
• Create graphics for October Thankful posts
• Create and schedule Sunday posts for October
• Increase Etsy sales
• Add at least 5 new listings to Etsy shop
• Schedule October social media posts for shop

What is your September going to look like this year?

Currently... July 2020

After three months that seemed to last a couple of lifetimes - June just flew by!  Or was it just me?

I recently read that today is "Second Half of the Year Day".  Half of 2020 is behind us (and most of us would agree that it's good riddance).  This is a good day to look at your year so far, evaluate your goals for the year and think about where you're headed for the rest of the year.  

I'm certainly thinking about my one word for the year: Intentional.  When I decided on this word, I never imagined that it would be tested as a result of a global pandemic.  But, that's exactly what happened.  After being thrown for a complete loop by fear of the virus, everything shutting down, worries about the health and safety of my friends and family and the effects all this had on my Etsy shop - I kind of withdrew mentally and emotionally for a while.  I allowed all this to become an excuse for just drifting through a few months, rather than living up to my focus of being intentional.  

Fortunately, over the past month or so - I am finally shaking off that sense of ennui and getting back on track.  

I have been intentionally memorizing Scripture verses and spending time in daily prayer.  I have been working to get back into a regular habit of journaling and meditation.  I'm making monthly goals, then planning my weekly goals and daily to do lists in an effort to help meet those goals.  And I am creating content schedules for the blog and promos for my Etsy shop.  

All this has me looking forward to a great second half of 2020! Starting with July.  

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Working On:  All that stuff I said up there about renewing my focus to be more intentional in my life.  Yeh... that. 

Celebrating:  Of course, there's the 4th of July - which will be very quiet this year.  No cookouts or firework displays for us.  I did give myself a lovely little red, white and blue themed pedicure in honor of the day.  So, I guess that's something...

My youngest niece celebrates her Sweet 16 on the 12th and then the Female Offspring turns 28 on the 18th.  I know what you're thinking.  I can't possibly be old enough to have a daughter that age.  You're right.  I think the same thing almost every day!  How can that be correct??

Reading:  Just finished The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers.  Very good!  Hard to believe she was only in her early 20s when she wrote this!  Next up is In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. 

I also just got a hold of another copy and can finally complete The Great Influenza by John M Barry.  This one is about the flu pandemic of 1918-1920, and what I have come to realize so far is that we have learned little to nothing from the lessons of 100 years ago.  

Loving:  Fresh summer fruit.  Watermelon, peaches, and berries.  I love all the sweet in-season deliciousness!  What's your favorite summer fruit? 

Wanting/Needing:  Some TLC for my nails.  My cuticles are all hang-naily  (brand new word - I just invented it).  My nails keeps breaking and splitting.  I've put myself on a hardcore nail care routine which will hopefully rectify the situation.  I'll be giving you details on that in a future post.

Dreaming About:  I'm still dreaming about travel and vacations.  And still not feeling safe enough to actually go anywhere.  

July Goals:

1. Journal everyday
2. Meditate at least 3 times per week
3. Drink 6 - 8 cups of water per day
4. Create a blogging schedule for August
5. Create Sunday posts for August
6. Create Thankful Thursday graphics for August
7. Work on August social media schedule for Etsy Shop
8. Write at least 3 new blog posts for shop 
9. List new Christmas items in Etsy shop
10. Update shop and blog "About" pages

What's up in July?  What are your goals for the month?  Do you have any fun summer plans? 

Currently... March 2020

March is an unpredictable month.  Sometimes it can be warm and spring-like. Other times it can be cold and wintery.  In 1993, we had a blizzard in the middle of March that most people who experienced it will never forget!  Hopefully, that won't happen again. Probably not.  But whatever March brings, I feel ready for it!

Reading:  The Ones Who Save Us by Jenna Blum.  In the next couple of weeks, I will also be reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin.  I was finally able to check out 168 Hours (which I finished yesterday) and The Fringe Hours (which I'll hopefully be completing this week) after having to return them for other holds.  It's nice to be able to get those done and behind me.

Working On:  Planning ahead and scheduling social media posts and promos for my Etsy shop.  I am tired of scrambling to figure out what I want to post most days, and this is helping me get ahead of the game.  The social media planning calendar my sister gave me for Christmas is a big help with this!

Loving: Going on more walks with Max.  Now that he's a little bigger and has received his vaccines, we're getting out for more walks when the weather is nice -  including walking at the park.  It's good for both of us to get a little exercise and fresh air!

Celebrating:  March brings birthdays for my mother and our son in law.   I'm also celebrating that my amazing niece was accepted into the grad program she wanted!

Wanting/Needing:  Some inspiration for healthy, WW friendly meals.  I've gotten a little bored with the same old sameness and that makes it more challenging to stick with the program.

Dreaming About:  Future road trips with the Man of the House.  We spent a weekend in Memphis earlier this month and decided that we want to start taking more long weekend trips together.

March Goals:

1. Lose 5 pounds
2. Take a long walk with Max at least 2 days per week 
3. Drink 75 ounces of water per day
4. Schedule April social media posts for Etsy Shop
5. Follow up with local bath and body shop owner re: wholesale partnership
6. Create samples to provide per #5
7. Schedule April Thankful posts
8. Create April Sunday posts

Currently... February 2020

The month of love has arrived!  The stores are bursting with hearts, flowers, candies and all the rest of the Valentine's Day trimmings.  Love is definitely in the air.   I hope you feel it.  Whether you have a significant other or not.  From your family, your friends, yourself.  And always from God.  

If you're looking for some inspiration this Valentine's Day, be sure to check out Romancing Him: The 14 Day Marriage Challenge or A Date A Month  - two of my favorite ideas I have come up with in recent years for my valentine (aka: The Man of the House). 

Working On:  Creating weekly and daily schedules that work for my life.  Also have some ideas for upcoming blog posts that I am pretty excited about!

Reading:  Finishing "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern and getting ready to start "Tidelands" by Philippa Gregory.  I am mid-read on both 168 Hours and The Fringe Hours.  Unfortunately both were due before I completed them and since there were holds I could not renew.  Now I have them on hold so I can (hopefully) complete them soon. Until then, I am reading "Hallelujah Anyway" by Anne Lamott.

Loving:  Still loving my sweet little dachshund puppy, Max.  I have to admit it - he's a spoiled brat at this point.  It's all mostly my fault, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.   But c'mon... look at that face!

Celebrating: Valentine's day is the only thing I can think of that's coming up this month.  Birthdays,  anniversaries,  etc seem to come in clusters for our family.  Next month will be a busier one.  Oh, wait... I almost forgot - one of my brother in laws' has a birthday this month.  Oops!

Wanting/Needing:  Sleep!  Having a new puppy who likes to stay up past my bed time playing, and gets up early wanting to go outside has put a hurt on my previous sleep schedule.  I am not getting as much rest as I need.  There are many afternoons when I sit down to write or read or work on my Etsy shop and instead I end up taking a nap with Max.

Dreaming About:  Going back to Disney in 2021.  Can't wait!!


February Goals:

1.  Lose 5 pounds
2.  Drink 75 ounces of water per day (I have been very slack about my water lately)
3.  Etsy shop sales increase 20% over January
4.  List at least 5 new items in Etsy shop
5.  Prepare graphics for March Thankful blog posts
6.  Schedule Sunday Inspiration blog posts for March

What do you have planned for February?

Currently... January 2020

Happy New Year, y'all!!   I don't know about you, but for me there's something extra special about a January 1st that brings not just a new year - but a whole new decade.  I am so excited to see what 2020 has in store, as well as what the next ten years hold for me!

Working On:  I'm making plans and setting goals based on my One Word for 2020, which is "Intentional" (we'll unpack that in an upcoming post)

Reading:  The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam.  Next up I have The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern and The Fringe Hours by Jessica N Turner checkout from the library and ready to go.

One of the things I received for Christmas was a book light.  I do most of my reading these days on the Kindle.  Nothing wrong with that!  The digital books from my public library are so easy to access and no late fees.  But I would like to get back to reading more physical books.  However, I don't like having my lamp on when I read before falling asleep.  I'm looking forward to using my new light for this purpose.

Loving:  My new dachshund puppy, Max.   I'm not gonna lie - I'm a little bit obsessed with him!  I can't help it.  He is the cutest little thing.  I adore his little face and his stubborn little personality.  He makes me laugh every day.

Celebrating:  No birthdays or holidays this month.  But my youngest sister is coming to visit me this month.  That's worth celebrating!

Wanting/Needing:  I have let my healthy eating slide during the holidays and it is time to get back on the program.  Fortunately, I didn't gain back much weight.  But, I know that if I don't get it under control now the pounds will keep creeping up.  Time to get back on track! 

Dreaming About:  Snow.  I love a snow day.  But we've had mild temperatures so far this winter.  Even the few days that there was snow in the area, I never saw a flake here at the house.  Hopefully I'll get to see a little of the white stuff soon.

January Goals:

1. Weight dropped below the next decade mark
2. Scheduled a trip to Texas for the spring
3. Attended a Knit/Crochet group
4. Wrote 1 newsletter email for Etsy shop
5. Received 20 new orders
6. Scheduled Pinterest posts for Etsy shop to publish during Jan & Feb
7. Scheduled February Thankful posts for blog
8. Scheduled February Sunday posts for blog
9. Scheduled Pinterest posts for blog

What does the beginning of the year look like for you?

Currently... December 2019

November was not the month I expected it to be as it began.  Oh, sure - it started off normal enough.  My 50th birthday was lovely.  On the 13th, the Man of the House and I headed to Cleveland where we visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Christmas Story House and attended the Thursday night football game between the Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  (Yes, that game.  The one with the helmet incident.  It was crazy!)  After a fun trip and a very long drive home, we arrived safely at about 2am on Saturday.  

Later that morning was when everything went topsy-turvy.  I received a call that my father was being taken to the hospital with what appeared to be a heart attack.  He required a heart cath, followed by a triple bypass surgery.  It's all mostly a blur of long days and nights in hospital waiting areas and ICU rooms with my sisters and his girlfriend.  Fortunately, he came through the surgery well and is back home.  And while he has a long recovery period ahead of him - he's a stubborn guy with a determination to get back to his regular routines.  That makes two of us!

Reading:  I just finished The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  The first of the five classics I plan to read this year.  Now I am starting A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House.

Celebrating: Every step of my dad's recovery process!  Along with Christmas, my sister's birthday and the upcoming new year. 

Working On:  A collaboration between my Etsy shop and my middle sister's shop!  I'm not quite ready to share all the details yet, but it should be good for both businesses. 

Wanting:  To do some Christmas baking.  I haven't done in any several years, but for some reason I find myself wanting to whip up some Christmas cookies this year.  

Needing:  At least two entire days worth of sleep.  I didn't get a good night's sleep for about two weeks and I think I'm still paying for that.  It's probably why I caught a nasty cold right after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, having a head full of sinus pressure doesn't help one get a restful sleep either.  

Making:  Lists and lists and lists.  Christmas lists - lists of who I need to shop for, lists of what I have already bought.   Grocery lists.  Lists of what I want to bake.  To do lists.  Lists of my lists.

Wearing:  A lot of dresses or tunics with leggings and boots.  It's comfy, and, as I mentioned last month, a good option with where I am in my weight loss journey rather than having to buy new pants every couple of months.

Feeling:  Extremely grateful and oh-so-very aware of how every single day is a gift. 

Enjoying:  Coffeemate Sugar Free Peppermint Mocha creamer in my morning coffee.  All the peppermint mocha flavor I adore, especially at this time of year - with very few Weight Watchers points!  

Anticipating:  The holiday season.  Especially cuddling up on the couch with a cup of tea or cocoa to watch all my favorite Christmas movies.

What is December bringing your way?