A Weekly Reality Rewind

I started this week thinking I was experiencing a hard core allergy flare up.  Perhaps enhanced from being tired; as I was not ready for the school day schedule to start back up on Monday.  But after a solid week I feel pretty sure what I am actually dealing with is a late summer cold.

Sounds like a big negative.  But on the bright side - since I didn't feel like doing much, I did a lot of sitting on the couch and getting plenty of work done for my Etsy shop.  So, that's a big win!

The female offspring went back to work and school this week.  Which means lots of grand baby time for this Oma!  That kid is exhausting!  And while my living room looks very much like a toy box threw up all over the floor, he makes me laugh everyday.  And hearing him say "thank you Oma for making me pancakes" one morning just made my whole week!

I signed up for a new Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study which begins September 8th. It's "Taming The To Do List", and y'all know me and my To Do lists!!  I've already started my master list for September.

I also registered to attend two events next month being sponsored by our local  community colleges small business center.

Our weather has been giving us the tiniest preview of fall.  While Temps are still right around 80 degrees, it is much less humid and breezy.  Much more bearable to this gal!  I say, "Bring on the Autumn"!

And, that's pretty much my week in a nutshell.

I'm looking forward to a weekend filled with a trip to the farmer's market, watching some NFL preseason football, and plenty of resting.

Have a good one!

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The Last Back to School

Yesterday was the official start of the school year for our county.  And while every first day of school is bittersweet in its own way - this year was a little more so for me.

You see, this was the very last back to school day for our family.  My "baby" boy began his senior year of high school this week.

I know parents say it all the time - but the time Really. Does. Fly.

It doesn't seem possible that it was an entire 12 years ago I was taking that sweet little boy to his first day of kindergarten. But it's true.  The years have passed. Just as they always will.

He's a young man now (who still mostly acts like a kid).  Somehow he has managed to get older, while I'm pretty sure I have stayed the same. He has gone from that little guy with the pinchable cheeks to the one towering over me with his scruffy sideburns. 

Oh sure, there will still be "back to school" days of a sort as he moves on to college in future years.  But in a more real way - this was the last.  The end of an era.  Marking the start of a year which will be filled with endings and beginnings.  For all of us.

And while I am so very excited to see what the near and distant future holds for him, you will have to forgive me if I take a moment to pause and indulge in a little mommy nostalgia.  As I wipe a tear away so I can more clearly see him continue to grow and mature and move forward with life

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Three Things: I Enjoy About Back To School Season

It's back to school time!  Our schools started back to class today.  There's just something about this time of year.  I've always enjoyed it, even back when I was the one going back to school.  Here's a few reasons why:

photo: publicdomainpictures.net

1) Back to School Supplies: I love brand spankin' new school supplies!  From a never written in notebook to a freshly sharpened pencil and new pens.  The very best of all this always has been and always will be the new box of crayons.  One of the best simple pleasures in life is opening that box of crayons and seeing all those perfect little tips pointing up at you. Selecting just the right color and putting that crayon to paper for the very first time.  (yes, I am in my 40s and I still love coloring!)

2) Fresh Starts:  Every new school year is a new beginning.  New classes, new teachers, a new chance to start over and do your best. 

3) Quiet Time: C'mon... what stay at home or work from home mom doesn't love back to school because you know it's gonna mean a little bit of time to yourself while the kiddos are in school?  Getting to go grocery shopping without someone hanging on the cart begging for every sugary item on display. You know it!  Sadly, I'm going to be missing out on this perk of the back to school seaons this year as I will be watching the grand baby while the female offspring is in her college classes AND working the after school program at our local elementary. 

What's your favorite thing about back to school?

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It's WHAT?

It's the last week of August, y'all!  The last week!  Of August!

I don't know about you, but for me this year is flying by just way too quickly.

Especially once we hit this point.  School started yesterday.  Which means that in the blink of an eye it will be Halloween. And then Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which starts the whole holiday season time warp.

That's right.  Christmas is less than 4 months away. Which for some of you might seem like just all the time in the world.  But for the craft minded - those of us planning to crochet/knit/sew/etc many of our gifts - it is time to get busy!  For us, those months are short, short, short!  (If you've ever been crocheting like a crazy woman on December 23 - or worse, Christmas eve - you know what I'm talking about!)

I'm getting my plans in place for what I want to make a few certain special someones.  And no, I'm not sharing what they are - because I know most of those special someones happen to read this here blog.  You'll just have to wait and be surprised.

Thankful Thursday - August 30

Another full week.  Life brings so many ups and downs.  But when I take time to look for the highs, somehow the lows don't seem quite so deep.  The blessings seem to increase all the time.

This week I am thankful for -

Healing:  The bite which was infected or having a very bad reaction is all but completely healed.  The little ulcerated sore is still there, but looks much better.  Except for a little irritation from the bandage adhesive, the redness is a thing of the past

Back To School:  Having the male offspring back in school makes my days feel much less cluttered and somehow.  Getting up a bit earlier I am finding I am getting a bit more accomplished each day.  Plus when I clean a room it mostly stays that way (until he gets home).

"God Things":  I don't even know what else to call it.  Answered prayers?  Surprise blessings?  Maybe. I don't want to go into a lot of detail; but take me at my word when I tell you that sometimes when you are pondering a problem - God will even use what may seem to us as the oddest things - even Google - to bring about an answer.

Back To School Supplies

Every year I look forward to back to school shopping.  And not just because it means sending the offspring to school and having a full quiet hours to fill each day.  There's more to it than the anticipation of mommy time.  It's the new school supplies.

What is it about new school supplies? 

The spiral notebooks, and packs of new notebook filler paper seem to already hold the promise of anything and everything that might end up there.  Notes to be taken, and reports to be written.  Blank pages whisper with anticipation of the words to fill them in the coming months. 

Each pen and pencil eager to meet page.  To pour forth the wisdom , knowledge, and new skills to be learned this year.  New poems, short stories, and creative writing essays are there in your hand, ready to come to life. 

Colored pencils, markers, crayons, and glue sticks are there too.  Prepared to take part in the artistic expressions of students.   Standing ready for whatever educational project may be assigned. 

Oh... the new box of crayons.  I could go on for days about the simple joy of opening the box for the first time and seeing all those perfectly formed points peering back at you.  The distinctive waxy smell that only comes from this particular source and once smelled brings forth a flood of memories of new coloring books or the first day of kindergarten.  New crayons and I have a very special relationship. 

I think if we look deep down inside, many of us still wish someone would take us by the hand every August and lead us to the store to buy us a whole new supply of fresh school supplies.  Which is probably why I can never resist the urge to buy myself a new notebook or a fresh pack of pens when I purchase the items on the teacher's list of needed supplies for the year.

And yes, sometimes I even sneak in a fresh new box of crayons too. 

Thankful Thursday - August 23

This week I am thankful for gentle reminders (or not so gentle ones).  I sat and stared at the blank page that was to be this post for so long this morning.  Struggling to find what to write.  This afternoon I got news that a dear friend has been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer - and suddenly I was reminded of all I have to be grateful for.

My friend:  We met through work - first she was a client, and later became a co-worker.  She's funny.  And so encouraging and supportive.  She somehow always manages to see so perky and positive; no matter what seemed to be going on in her life.  Even as she gave me the news of her diagnosis and treatment status.  I feel badly that I have been so slack about staying in touch since I left work.  I keep thinking I need to call or email her, but somehow never do.

My health:  Nothing reminds you how blessed you are to be healthy like the health issues of someone close.  I got my reminder letter about my yearly mammogram this week.  You can believe I will calling to schedule THAT appointment asap!

The School Website:  In past years when the Princess was in high school, I was always frustrated with having to wait for the first day of school to get the list of needed supplies.  Today I was able to check out the individual page for each of The Little Man's teachers and get the list of supplies ahead of time.  Also found a few gems like the homework schedule and calendar of quizzes and tests for a couple of classes - which will come in handy when he comes home claiming he has no home work!

Eighth Month

The 8th month of the year has arrived.  The other months silently slipping away before I realized what was happening and this one taking their place.  August!  How is it August already?  August means the end of summer is close.  It means back to school.  And once that happens, the rest of the year is just a blur.  August.  Wow.

I'm still trying to get a hold of the idea that July is over.  What happened it?  Where did the time go?  Looking back over my goals for that month, I realize that I accomplished a few of them.  Some got a bit of attention, but not as much as I had planned.  And several of them - meh...I'll try to convince myself it's the thought that counts or some other comforting cliche'.

For now, it's on to a new month, and a new set of goals.  Some carry over from July.  Some are fresh for August.

August Goals:

1. Start some canning and/or freezing!
2. Take at least one hour of time for myself each week. Give myself a pedi, take a bubble bath, etc., less processed foods. 
3. Start working on items to increase the inventory for Queen B's Busy Work
4. Complete "About" page for Queen B's Busy Work 
5. Daily writing. Not blog stuff - fiction or poetry.
6. Look into getting a book for help with writing exercises and/or prompts
7. Schedule a date night with the man of the house.
8. Get The Little Man ready to go back to school.
9. Get back on track with household chores.
10. Work on creating and organizing crafting area in office/guest room.