by Kat | Jul 20, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s Think Write Thursday topic is to write about “what you do to beat the heat! We’re deep into summer here and some of us love the heat and some of us hate it but either way we all must cope with it. What do you do that works for you? Share your tips, stories, and more on coping with summer heat!”
There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. John Ruskin
This week has been hot and super humid – and honestly, this is not my favorite weather. You know, when you open the door in the morning to head outside and it feels like a sauna at 6AM you just know it is going to be a miserable day!
In this weather there are lots of things that I worry about – does the garden have enough water? Do the birds have enough water? So, the early morning is spent out making sure the plants all have a good drink and are prepped for the coming heat and I fill the bird bath a couple of times during the day. And, when it’s this warm out the porch and the pergola don’t get much use.
I am exceedingly thankful that we have AC which makes it much easier to sleep at night and to function during the day.
But, rather than complain about the heat, I am reminded of January and February. You know those days that are short on daylight where the temperature does not move out of the single digit zone…That is enough to still any irritation with the heat.
Sitting quietly with a good book is the perfect way to while away a hot day, sipping a big glass of iced tea.
What about you? What do you do to beat the heat?
If you want to see what everyone else does to beat the heat, you will find them here. And, if you would like to join me and Carole for Think Write Thursday’s, you can sign up here.
by Kat | Jul 13, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s Think Write Thursday topic is to write about 3 good things that happened this week. We all know that focus on the GOOD is GOOD for us so let’s do it!
Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
This might be the perfect topic for me, Carole made this suggestion and it was like she knew this would be a struggle for me – and really, that is a very good thing.
Okay, maybe in theory…however, reality makes this a challenge for me. Contrary to what you might think, I am not Suzie Sunshine every day. I know, right? But, that is the truth.
So, that quote and this post are going to be my reminder that good things and happiness go hand in hand.
I am going to take a little license and expand “this week” to include last week as well.
One very good (and utterly selfish thing, I admit) was that Steve had a work function last week and he was gone Thursday through Saturday. I know – completely selfish, but what can I say – sometimes a break is a very good thing! This allowed me to stay up as late as I wanted and Sherman slept in bed with me. Oh, and there might have been some marathon knitting time going on and listening to audio-books sans headphones and watching subtitled shows on Netflix. I was ready for him to come home late Saturday afternoon, even if he complained about the knitting and wondered what the heck I was watching! LOL
The second good thing was the nights of rain we have gotten, nice soaking rains. Good sleeping rains.
The third thing is something that I started at the beginning of the month. I was fortunate to get into The Balanced Life Sisterhood. To start, it was so hard and holy cow am I out of shape, but I have been persevering every single day and this week ::even though the workouts are still so hard:: I could do more repetitions and more things than I could the week before! This exercise is a very good thing! I am excited to do it! I feel so accomplished when I am done! AND…this is good for my mind as well!
Good things sometimes are selfish, sometimes replenishing, and sometimes are hard work. But, they do create happiness!
If you want to see more good things, you will find them here. And, if you want to join Carole and me on Think Write Thursdays, you can sign up here.
by Kat | Jul 6, 2017 | General, Words
Our topic for this week’s Think Write Thursday is to write a post titled “Hello, July”.
For him in vain the envious seasons roll who bears eternal summer in his soul. – Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Old Player
July is the month that I’d like to bottle to open in the middle of January. Imagine it – all those smells of summer, and the sounds of the birds, and all the growing things. July should be preserved with the berries for she is sweet and heady!
And, here we are past the Fourth of July and I’d like to put the brakes on summer. You know, slow it way down and savor every finite detail. It just goes so quickly.
This month will see me complete not one, but two sweaters and perhaps will ring in a bingo or two.
Then there’s that Summer Bucket List that I need to start refocusing on – especially the walking, which has been sporadic at best!
And, maybe – just maybe, if I am lucky July won’t speed by after all!
Want to see what others have to say about July, you will find them all here. If you’d like to join Carole and me for Think Write Thursdays, you can sign up here!
by Kat | Jun 29, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s Think Write Thursday topic is to write about what you wanted to be when you grew up. How does it compare to what you find yourself doing?
When I was a little girl all I ever wanted was to be exactly like my Nana. And, perhaps my favorite story about her was this: When my Grandpa was 40 years old he was diagnosed with MS and soon after that diagnosis was unable to work. And, my Nana who had been a “stay home mom” with a 5th grade education, went to Beauty School and became a beautician (they did not call them hairdressers way back then). So, for my entire life, my Nana had a “beauty shop” in her house.
When I was in high school I followed in her footsteps and attended Cosmetology School. I wish I could say that it was fun, but really – not so much. The terror I felt every time I even thought about taking a scissors and cutting someone’s hair was something I could not get over. The thought process of “you will learn as you go when you get into a salon” did nothing to alleviate those fears. Add to that, that doing my own hair was never “easy” and I always felt like I had 2 left hands trying to do anything with it! I never took the boards to get my license.
I have worked as a waitress, a travel agent, an escrow agent, a mortgage loan officer, a regional consumer loan specialist, a recruiter/trainer, and for the past several years I have had the luxury of working from home.
And really, my Nana was right, working from home is an amazing luxury! What’s not to love about working in your pjs and not having to hassle with rush hour traffic!!
Want to see what others had to say about today’s topic? You will find them all here. And, if you would like to join Carole and me for Think Write Thursday you can sign up here. We’d love to have you join us!
by Kat | Jun 27, 2017 | General, Words
Sometimes things happen that initially seem like a very bad thing, but after digesting it for a bit – you realize that rather than being very bad, it is so very good! Such is the case for me this month – I started the month with a job, and the month is ending without that job. It has been a good lesson in finding joy in adversity, and not only is there joy – but the joy overflows!
This free time has been quickly gobbled up by other things, funny how that happens – and those things (mostly reading and knitting) have brought much joy! On the reading front this month, I will have finished 9 books! When I look at my Summer Book Bingo sheet, I am filled with joy!
On the knitting front, I am hopeful that I will have a sweater completion before Friday – stay tuned…
My flower gardens brought me an abundance of joy as well… and an abundance of bees! I love watching the bees dance with the Foxglove, the Lavender, the Lambs Ear, and the Salvia!
And I am anticipating an abundance of blooms on my Butterfly Bush, so the bee watching will continue! And, there were some garden surprises too! My Easter Lily that had been eaten and did not grow tall at all brought forth 4 huge blooms!
The birds have been harbingers of joy as well – from the nesting Cardinal family in the bush next to the house, or the House Sparrow family in the bird house by the porch, to the determined Brown Wren who still has not found a mate, but has not given up the search! When the going gets tough, sing loudly! And, really – this might be the best advice ever!
There is just a small slice of the joy that filled my June! What brought you joy this month?
by Kat | Jun 22, 2017 | General, Words
This week, the topic for Think Write Thursday is to write about your three favorite things to wear.
Well, hmmm. I am guessing PJ’s can’t be on the list? Or can they? But, truthfully – the topic caused me to think much about what I wear and why and do I really like it.
This even produced Tuesday’s post about trying to alter some clothes I had made that no longer fit. Yep, you guessed it – those things are all in that favorite category. However, you sewists out there shared your sage wisdom of the perils of that pathway and my alteration bubble has been deflated.
So, yes – lots of thought has been swirling around what I wear this week.
My favorites have less to do with what I like and more to do with what fits right now. I have several “swing dresses” from Old Navy (yes, super inexpensive but they are my work horses on this diet journey). Why? They fit the longest. And, that has become super important!
Then we move on the the utility category: I wear my iWatch every.single.day. It is a really awesome diet companion – it reminds me to get up and move if I have been sitting too long!
My final “current” favorite are my Nike Free Rn Flyknit shoes. Best.Purchase.Ever. Really. These things make me feel like I am walking on clouds! In my bare feet!
There you have it, a few of my favorite things to wear right now!
If you want to see what others had to say about their favorite things to wear, you will find them here. And, if you want to join with Carole and me on Think Write Thursday’s, you can sign up here! We’d love to have you join us!
