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... February 2019

The shortest month of the year is here, and for all you cold-weather-phobes that means that Spring is right around the corner.  For those of us who like the winter - let's enjoy every one of these February days.  Maybe take advantage of the chill to snuggle up with someone special and celebrate Valentine's Day?  

Reading:  I am still working my way through Anna Karenina.  I can't remember the last time it took me this long to read through a book.  

Celebrating:  This house is a football house.  Despite the fact that neither one of our favorite teams are playing this year, and that we have to endure the Patriots in yet another championship game - we can be found eating some of the Man of the House's delicious chili and cheering on the Rams in the Super Bowl this Sunday.  

Of course, the big day this month is Valentine's Day.  The Man of the House and I have developed a tradition of having our Valentine date on the weekend before or after February 14th.  That way we get our cozy couple time,  but we avoid the crowds that occur at the restaurants on the actual day.

Enjoying:  My new living room furniture.  We've had it for a month now, and I love it so much!  It works so well in the room and makes the space feel so warm and comfy-cozy.

Anticipating:  Next football season.  The Man of the House and I have been hatching a plan to visit every NFL stadium in the country.  Not all in one season!  But a few each year until we have been to every one of them.  

Working On:  Doing some purging and organizing.  A little here.  A little there.  

Making:  Washcloths and bath puffs for the Etsy shop.  One of my goals for this year is to build up an inventory of the more popular items to help reduce wait times - especially for some of my wholesale customers.

Wanting: Just to feel better.  I have been dealing with a nasty head cold all week and I am more than ready for it to be done and over!  Or at the very least, I need a good night of sleep to help me heal.  Which doesn't seem to be happening.

Needing:  A better plan for getting my eating back to a healthier habit and working some exercise and healthy movement into my routine.  

Feeling:  (see Wanting above)

Favorite Things:
1)  SweeTart hearts
2)  Watching Netflix
3)  Gel pens

My Current Reality...

I enjoy reading these "currently" type of blog posts.  It's a nice brief glimpse into someone's everyday life.  It might even be nice to make this a regular feature.  Potentially even as a link up eventually?

Currently...

Reading: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.   And enjoying it very much!  I have been reading it on my Nook; but feel I may need to buy a print copy because here are so many quotes I want to highlight and write notes about in the margins.

Eating:  Too much junk!  It is time to step away from the sugar and processed foods and get back to a healthier eating pattern!

Working on:  trying to complete a wholesale order to ship this week.  And sneaking in a little Spring cleaning chores when I can.

Enjoying:  the Spring weather, knowing that at any moment we are going to move in to the 80+ degree weather; which is just too hot for this gal.

Anticipating: a brief trip up to Long Island with the man sometime in the next few months.  He will likely be going for a few days on business and I am hoping to tag along.

Thinking about:  whether it might be time to open a online storefront for Queen B's Busy Work outside of Etsy.  What my own site would cost, and how exactly I would initially fund that sort of venture.  Scary, but exciting, stuff!

Feeling:  a little overwhelmed by orders right now.  Have had a few stack up while trying to complete this wholesale order.  Fortunately they will be quick to complete and should only take a few days to craft and ship.

What are you up to currently?  Share in the comments.  Or, write your own Currently post and share the link!

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