What I Learned in March

It may not seem like I'm accomplishing anything, but I'm always working on something! Click To Tweet

It has been a whole loooonnnng month since I last posted here on the blog.  I never intended to let it go this long but, well, a lot has been happening behind the scenes and I had to let something go. 

So here is my review of What I Learned in March and a promise that April will see more activity on the blog.

The month of February held the not-so-great surprise of a breast cancer diagnosis for my 98-year-old mother-in-law.  A large mass and a very rapid growing type of cancer.  Hubby took some vacation time and flew back to Washington State to help her make a decision regarding treatment options.   She ended up choosing surgery without chemo, had a simple day surgery and, I’m happy to report, is doing extremely well.  I learned (I already knew but I learned even more) that these folks are AH-mazing!

During the week that Mr. OTN was gone, I let everything around me go to ruin while I focused solely on working on:   1.  A talk that I was to give later in the month in Kentucky, and 2. A book manuscript that I submitted for review by professional writers at an upcoming conference I’m attending.  I learned that I can accomplish a LOT when I focus solely on one thing for an extended period of time.  Too bad my eyes seem to catch shiny objects that take me off my purpose so much of the time.

I’m slipping this photo in because it’s one I posted on Instagram. If you aren’t following me on IG I’d really love it if you would because even when I’m not blogging here, over there I post daily updates of life’s happenings.  Come on over and check out some of the things I’ve shared lately!

Now I won’t attempt to fool you into believing that this secretary is where my writing takes place.  In fact, since beginning this book in earnest I not only write at the desk in my kitchen, but I’ve also taken over the entire dining room table.  I need that much space to spread out all my notes and shower ideas.  “Shower ideas”, for those of you who don’t know, are the BEST ideas, that always come in the shower where one can’t write them down or dictate them into an iPhone.  I haven’t learned how to solve that problem yet.  Does anyone else have a favorite idea spot or a good solution to my problem you’d like to share?

One thing we got to do in March was to see Casting Crowns here in Greenville.  Danny Gokey and the band Unspoken also played the concert.  I learned that Mark Hall, the lead singer of CC, is a full time youth pastor in Atlanta.  All of the band’s members are home and active in their church on the weekends and tour only during the week. 

It was such an inspiring evening that we wondered why we don’t go to concerts more often.

In March I was incredibly blessed to be given the opportunity to share My Story for New Beginnings of Winchester’s Fashion Show and Auction.  This is a mission (right-here-at-home) that believes in offering women hope for an abundant life and the help to make that happen . . . no matter what their life choices have been.

I learned that when you find others who share your passion, friendships form quickly, and you leave wishing you had more time to spend together.  Slumber party at my house y’all!

I was home from Kentucky for only one day before heading down to Charleston to meet up with two old friends.  Here we are having lunch at a little waterside restaurant.  Since we are all from Seattle, Deanna bought each of us a Seahawks ring.  Here we are modeling them for you.

Our friend Bonnie had to get back home to Blufton so I only got to see her for lunch but Deanna and I had two days in Charleston.  These are a few pictures I took with my iPhone.  It is a truly wonderful city.

The food is quite wonderful too!

From Charleston I brought Deanna back home to my house but we made a stop along the way in Isle of Palms for a little beach time.  Sigh…

Back in the upstate Deanna and I kept ourselves busy for the next week.  On this particular day we dressed in our hiking clothes and headed up into the mountains to see some waterfalls.  We saw one but since it was so foggy and cold (30 degrees colder than in Greenville) we ended up having coffee in the lobby of The Old Edwards Inn and Spa,  a fantastic hotel that I’d love to return to…when I have a best selling book and money to burn.

Back down in Greenville we visited a brand new restaurant named Jianna and were blessed by the appearance of a double rainbow view from table 301.  Sorry, the double is not really visible in this iPhone photo.

The wait staff was very attentive, the food fabulous, and the restrooms quite photo worthy!

In my time with Deanna I learned that though we don’t see one another very often we always pick right up where we left off, sipping a good cup of coffee, enjoying fine foods, and searching out the best deals on cute clothes 🙂

As you can see it was a pretty full month, as is the one ahead of me.  I have another post in the works for you later this week though, where I’ll share my Spring/Easter Home Tour.  I hope y’all will come back and see me then.

Blessings sweet friends,

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!

Sunday:

TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace

Monday:

IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired,  InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStory, Making Your Home Sing Mondays, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, SmallWonder, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends

Tuesday:

TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse, TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles,  Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story

Wednesday:

SavvySouthernStyle, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday

Thursday:

ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner,  I Choose Joy,   Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday

Friday:

FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme,  TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration,  Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus FreshMarketFriday

Saturday:

FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents,  SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet