Well, here we are, rounding out another month of this unpredictable year! I’m in complete denial that August is just around the corner, and I the only one?
I used to feel like we still had a good bit of summer left when August rolled around, but with one kid involved in the marching band (which starts practicing the first week of August) and another one headed off to college in the middle of the month, the hazy, lazy days of summer are just about over for me. And let’s face it, I haven’t really had many lazy days this summer. It’s been one thing after another over here.
There has, however, been plenty of haze. In the middle of this past week, I noticed an alert on my weather app about unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups, so I looked into it. I guess we’re getting the effects from the wildfires out west all the way over here on the east coast. Crazytown. I haven’t paid a lot of attention to the national news as of late, but it sounds like it’s pretty bad out there. My heart goes out to those of you living in the midst of it.
I’ve been pretty much nose to the grindstone over here, trying to keep up with work and juggling a lot of appointments for the kids. We had some family from out of town stop through for the weekend, and it was really nice to take some time off and just relax and enjoy our backyard. Fortunately, the weather cooperated, so we were in the pool and on the deck for a good portion of the last two days.
And Paul finally got his new smoker put together and did his first batch of ribs last night. They turned out great, and it was nice not to have to cook the entire meal myself. They take a while, so that’s the only downside, but I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be using that smoker a lot — especially on the weekends, when he has more time to tend to it.
He’s feeling better, and it’s so nice to see him eating again. He just has to be careful and keep his diverticulitis/diverticulosis calmed down until he can have surgery in September. We’re both half dreading/half looking forward to that. He’s excited to feel more normal again, which hopefully will be the case, but it sounds like the recovery process can be a little bit rough. At least, it’s not supposed to be a quick recovery; he will probably be out of work for a couple of weeks.
But there’s a lot that has to happen before that! Namely, getting my daughter off to college next month. She’s started making lists and ordering things she thinks she needs, so that’s encouraging, but of course I’ve got a lot of mixed emotions. I know it’s time for her to spread her wings a bit, but I’m dreading the transition period… for both of us. I’m trying not to think that far ahead. We still have a lot of things to check off our to-do list, so I’m doing my best to take things one day at a time.
So yeah, that’s about it for me. I planned out my August content calendar last week, and I’m excited to start fleshing out those posts. Lots of transition style and fall trends coming your way!
I hope you’re having a good weekend and enjoying your summer!
16 Responses
So glad Paul is feeling better!
Yes, every summer rushes by quicker than the last…enjoy it all 💗
I sure know how it feels when a daughter goes off to college! It’s heartbreaking for us, but such a new big step for them!
How far away will she be? Will she be able to come home on weekends or even further where she will only come home on longer breaks? My daughter was 4.5 hours away and I only saw her occasionally. It was very hard!
She will be 6 hours away. 🙁
Do you use an “eye brightener” in the corners of your eyes or along your waterline? I was wondering what you would suggest.
No, but I usually use a little bit of shimmer eyeshadow on the inner third of my eyelid.
I always enjoy your coffee talk. My area had the haze a few days ago and watching the news and seeing the wild fires sure makes me feel blessed that I live where I do. So glad that Paul is starting to feel better. I pray for his full recovery. Have a great week.
This probably isn’t post-worthy but I’m curious how Paul manages his diet to help control the diverticulitis. Are there any websites he’s found that have good info? I didn’t know it was so debilitating. I have diverticulosis (not inflamed) so curious to learn good control measures.
My college packing tips
1) Leave everything that’s on a hanger on hanger. Group a big batch together and rubber band the group together (do NOT skip this step). The thing that works best to ‘rubber band” are those cheap black elastic hair things that come in packs of 50-100. Then turn a BIG sturdy trash bag upside down and cut a hole about 1/2 inch in the middle of the very (now) top of the upside down bag. Slip the bag over the clothes and put the hangers thru the hole. (don’t cheap out here…use the extra strength ones with NO odor with a tie closure). Tie the bag closed. When you get to school just cut upon the bag and cut off the hair thingy.
2) Don’t forget the things that are just around the house that you may need. Good scissors, tape, stapler (a mini stapler for the backpack comes in handy), safety pins, paper towels, extra trash bags for the dorm room garbage can etc…
I have a Senior who will be heading off to college next year. I’ve started gathering info when I see it so I don’t freak out last minute. I’ve copied this info. Thanks for the tip!
I look forward to the transition outfits. I seem to have trouble with the transition seasons. When you were talking about Caroline going off to college it gave me a heavy heart. I had 3 kids also and to me sending them off to college was the hardest part of raising them. They all went fairly close but still hard. I get what you mean how August no longer feels like you have Summer left. Once my kids got your kids age their sports caused them to go back to practice early etc and so we did no vacation or much of Summer activities after July. I did miss the little kid stage of lazy Summer days for all 3 months. :). Summer just flies by more and more as we and our kids age. Huh? I look forward to your coffee talk and when you didn’t post this AM I was hoping all was well. Glad it is. Prayers for Paul’s surgery ahead. I’m sure it will all go well and it’s good to get it over with so he can feel well for the holidays. I keep finding myself talking about Christmas presents and have to slap myself. It’s hard to think of things for my adult kids and now have 3 grands so I usually start no later than Oct. my goal is always to be done before Thanksgiving. When I host both it’s too much to shop In-between for sure. Anyway I need to sit back and enjoy the present season. Lol. So all that to say. I don’t mind if gift guides come out early. Lol. Hope you and Cyndi do a Fall series. Love them. Have a good day.
Hope and pray that Paul’s surgery will be all right and he will recover as soon as possible.On a more mundane comment, I am longing for your posts featuring autumn outfits! Your style is eeringly similar to mine!LOL!You have been such a pleasant discovery!🥰
So glad to hear that Paul is feeling better. Praying for a good surgery and easy recovery. I feel you sending your daughter off to college. My daughter went to school 6 hours away. She eventually switched colleges and was only 2.5 hours away and we did see her more often – but still not enough! You will be in my thoughts and prayers. It will get easier! Enjoy the last bit of summer!
My daughter goes to college next month too and she is my first. It will be heart wrenching.
I’m so sorry that you are getting our west coast smoke….. crazy how the jet stream winds carry smoke sO far away. We are praying for rain and less wind. There are wild fires in each direction/ state/ province around us. We blinked and July flew by. Fall will be here in the blink of an eye. Praying for Paul’s speedy recovery post op. Waiting for surgery is not easy.
Yes, I agree that summer is going way to fast. Here in Nebraska it was pretty cold and rainy in June, so our summer did start late. Getting kids ready for college is bittersweet. Enjoy each day and remember you did a great job raising them to be independent! Thanks for the coffee talks, I always enjoy hearing about your family. We had a lot of cloud cover today as well and that helped to keep the temps down. We have had a lot of humidity and heat so the break was nice. Take care.
Yes, I agree that summer is going way to fast. Here in Nebraska it was pretty cold and rainy in June, so our summer did start late. Getting kids ready for college is bittersweet. Enjoy each day and remember you did a great job raising them to be independent! Thanks for the coffee talks, I always enjoy hearing about your family. Take care.