What I Learned in August

When I turned over the rumpled and coffee stained page of my calendar to reveal a great big SEPTEMBER 1, it was at first shocking, and then sad, to realize that Summer really is drawing to a close.  Where did the long, hot days of Summer go?  They didn’t seem so long to me at all.  What happened to all those days I’d planned to spend relaxing on the screened porch with a good book?  And when did the trees start littering my yard with cast off leaves and the flowers in my garden start losing their glory?  Last week was full-on Summer and this week a change is in the air.

Today I’ll cling to Summer a bit longer as I share memories of What I Learned in August:

LOVING: That my dear friend Michelle Bengtson has just celebrated the one-year anniversary of the release of her book Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression, with the announcement that the companion Bible Study will come out next month.  I’ve had a sneak peek and it is going to be great y’all!  Dr. Michelle has had a whirlwind year, being featured on radio and television, and just today I learned that several of her articles have been featured on Mark Burnett & Roma Downey’s new Lightworkers website.  If you feel so inclined I’d love for you to pop over HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE or HERE and leave a comment on her articles (this will help spread her message of hope) and/or share on social media. 

READING:  The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg.  Have you read any of her books?  Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe was my favorite!  This was supposed to be my fun August read but I got so busy-being-busy that it will have to carry over into September.  I did however, finish reading an advanced copy of KariAnne Wood’s (Thistlewood Farms) new book, So Close to Amazing: Stories of a DIY Life Gone Wrong . . . and Learning to Find the Beauty in Every Imperfection.  As part of her launch team I received an advance copy and I loved, loved, LOVED it!  This is a book you’ll enjoy if you’re one of those people who tries real hard to be amazing but generally falls short of the mark.  It will take you on a delightful journey, side-by-side with KariAnne, as she shares the ups and downs of her own DIY life gone wrong, and how she’s learned to find God’s beauty in the mess.

LISTENING TO:  The rhythm of the pouring rain and feeling happy for my very thirsty yard.

SHOPPING FOR:  In June we were “dreaming of,” in July we were “sort of” shopping for, and in August we found the perfect lakefront property.  Of course there is a long story behind it, but that will be a post for another day.

EXCITED ABOUT:  The lake property, of course.  Would you like to see a picture?

WORKING ON:  Writing – at least six days per week – and painting the upstairs guestrooms, hubbie’s office, and master bathroom.  I’ve been here three years and have never tackled the painting of the upstairs rooms.

ENJOYING:  Okay, I’ll admit that I am enjoying the cooler morning air.  Just don’t let the days get too cool yet Lord.

USING:  THIS lipstick!  It’s the perfect color for everyday wear and it stays on my lips a long time.  It’s smooth, creamy, non-drying and never bleeds into these old lip lines o’ mine.  This one’s a winner and I think I’ll go try another color as well.  Red maybe?

WEARING:  With the cooler temps I’ve been wearing my comfy old Levi’s for the first time in months.  I’m also wearing my favorite writing shirt: “I drink coffee like a Gilmore Girl.”  One of my daughter’s gave it to me so it’s extra special 🙂  BTW, mine is long-sleeved but I can only find this short-sleeved one to show you.  It’s cute too and it’s a relaxed fit which is awesome because relaxed fits hide the muffin top.  Mostly.

PLANNING:  I’m still planning a blogging break.  I talked about taking one in July, then in August, and then I put it off until September.  Well September is here and here I am, writing away!  I have a couple of MUST SHARE posts with you in the next couple of weeks but then I really must step away and just breathe.  That and attend to some pressing matters that are going to be happening here on the home front.

SINGING:   Today Alexa (Amazon Echo)  has been shuffling songs from Big Daddy Weave.  My favorite is Redeemed.

Oh my gosh, this makes me cry every time.  That’s me, redeemed and forever grateful!

LEARNING:   That my best writing really does happen at 4:30 a.m.  Or maybe I think it’s good because my brain is still in a fog.  I may be surprised when I go back to do the second draft 😉

WISHING (praying) FOR:  This sentiment, copied and pasted from a friend’s Facebook page, pretty much sums it up:  While America figures this all out, I’m going to continue holding doors for strangers, letting people cut in front of me in traffic, saying good morning, being patient with a waiter, and smiling at strangers, as often as I am provided the opportunity. I will also continue loving people with all abilities and definitely those that have disabilities. Even love and pray for those who don’t like me, I will continue to love you. Because I will not stand idly by and let children live in a world where unconditional love is invisible. Join me in showing love and respect to someone who may not necessarily deserve it. Find your own way to swing the pendulum in the direction of love. ❤️
Because today, sadly; hate is winning.
Positivity has to start somewhere and love overpowers hate.

THANKFUL FOR:  My sweet friend Rhonda, who shared my Perfectly Imperfect story on her blog this past month. Thank you Rhonda.

I’m also thankful that the sciatica, herniated disk, or whatever it was, is completely gone and I am pain-free.  God is good and I’m using a ladder instead of a tippy-stool.

DOING:  Getting ready for a weekend of painting, painting, and more painting.  Everything is going to be so fresh and clean.

DREAMING OF:  Well, you know, who wouldn’t be dreaming of a future life on the lake when you’ve just made the decision to JUMP IN!

NOT CRAZY ABOUT:  Believe it or not, I’m not crazy about the whole blogging break idea.  I know I need it, but I’m on such a roll, which makes it hard to step away.  Will you still be here when I come back?

Finally, here’s a look back at my month on Instagram:

Welcome to (almost) Fall Y’all!

Blessings,

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

Sunday:

SundaysAtHome, TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays

Monday:

IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired,  InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStory, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, 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, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday,  WriterWednesday

Thursday:

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

Friday:

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

Saturday:

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

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