by Kat | Jun 15, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s Think Write Thursday topic is to “consider what it means to be at the halfway point of the year. Did you state some intentions for 2017? If so, check in on them and give us an update. If you didn’t state any intentions then maybe you could tell us what you think so far about 2017 or perhaps you’d like to set some intentions for the second half of the year. Whatever you decide, however you approach this topic, regale us with your words!”
I am sure of nothing so little as my own intentions. – Lord Byron.
Who besides me feels this great internal debate of time? You know, that great conundrum of “how is it only June?” and “how can it be June?” – yes, these two phrases seem to tell the tale of 2017 – the year that is both creeping slowly and racing rapidly by simultaneously!
I wrote down a few things to “focus on” this year and even foolishly declared it the year of the sweater (can you hear me laughing here?) I assure you that this is not the year of the sweater. In fact, this might not even be the year of knitting! To date, I have only finished seven projects and not one of them is a sweater!
My stitching is perhaps the most faithful thing I do (and though I have had a day or two here and there where I have missed, I have caught up easily).
I set my reading goal at 60 books and I have only completed 22, which puts me 5 books behind schedule. I am hoping that I can catch this up this summer – and perhaps even get ahead a bit!
I wanted to organize my photos and while I have done a fantastic job this year of organizing by month – I have not worked on previous months at all.
There were some other things that I journaled about as “wishes” that may find themselves moving to a reality.
And, there are some things (hello, LipSense) that I had no idea about at all but could not be happier with today!
This mid-year refocus is bringing some changes… and if you know me, then you know that I think that is not a bad thing at all!
If you want to see how this year is unfolding for others, you will find them here. If you want to “regale Carole and I with your words”, you can sign up here!
by Kat | Jun 8, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s Think Write Thursday is to share my Summer Bucket List.
Summertime is always the best of what might be. – Charles Bowden
Summer… that wonderful time of long sunny days! As a child, I loved summer, although I started to miss school right after the 4th of July – you know that feeling, boredom was settling in. Too much of the same thing is never a good thing. But, some things are good to be repeated so my list has some favorite repeats.
- Book Bingo: Get a cover all and maybe a book or two more in!
- Finish knitting projects. I mean really, if I died what would my kids do with half completed knitting projects??
- Organize my fiber stash and determine if I have enough to plan a combo spin for a sweater.
- Walk – every day. Rain or shine. I have been incredibly lax on this and I am only walking when Steve wants to walk. (while you read this, I will be walking!)
- Return my focus to my diet as I have been insanely lax over the past few weeks.
- Can it really be summer without a trip to Mt. Washington to capture a sunrise?
- Try and convince Steve that a trip all the “Ville’s” and “Vale’s” is just the thing we need to do! Please note, I am not holding my breath on this one – chance of success, slim to none! LOL i.e. Millvale, Swissvale, Lawrenceville, etc.
- A trip to Lake Erie (never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought THAT would be a great idea, but it is closer than Lake Michigan!!)
- Go visit my kids!!
Finally, to finish up with my opening photo… Happy Hour on the Porch as often as possible!! Shake, sip, repeat!
What’s on your Summer Bucket List?
If you would like to see what everyone else has on their Bucket List, you will find them here. If you would like to join Carole and me on Think Write Thursday’s you can sign up here.
by Kat | Jun 1, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s Think Write Thursday prompt is to write a post called Hello June:
Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June. – Al Bernstein
After a truly incredible spring it seems most fitting that I welcome June and hope that in doing so, I might be able to make time stand still for a moment or two. Perhaps it will feel that way with her ever lengthening days and I can squeeze out a bit more from this incredible month!
Dear June, since you start with
Dare Day, I will take up that challenge and dare you to stay twice as long as you usually do!
And, who can forgo National Donut Day! Perhaps I can convince Steve that we cannot live without Peace Love and Little Donuts Maple Bacon version…
I think that National Gardening Exercise Day should last all month.
There is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! This is a MUST DO DAY!
Then comes National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day! (See why it’s a good thing there is an exercise day?)
There is Flag Day (the perfect day to get your red on!)
I love that Father’s Day is shared with Go Fishing Day and International Picnic Day, but ironically not Golf Day which is April 26th, lol!
Who knew there is a National Selfie Day! Although it might be easy to smile brightly since it shares a day with Summer Solstice!
Then comes National Éclair Day.
Oh, and don’t forget Take Your Dog to Work Day! (Although, Sherman is lucky because he is at work with me every day!)
Swim a Lap Day? (Heck yes, maybe more than one after donuts, chocolate ice cream, pie, and eclairs!!)Content goes here
Aside from all that, June is really a fantastic month so I am going to slow down and savor it!
If you would like to see more Hello June posts, you will find them here. If you would like to join Carole and me on Think Write Thursday’s you can sign up here. We would love to have you!
by Kat | May 30, 2017 | General, Words
Planning and planting brought much joy this month, as did seeing the fruits of past years labors.
And, now joyful anticipation has settled in.
by Kat | May 25, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s Think Write Thursday topic is to write about the content of your purse. Are you a minimalist? Or do you carry around a knapsack? And say, what’s in there, anyway? Tell us what you’ve got in your purse and why!
A purse defines your life, doesn’t it? I have carried bags of all sizes and, it seems that the older I get the smaller my purse becomes! Am I working to the “Purse Free Age”? Perhaps, but not quite yet! I would say I am not quite a minimalist, but I don’t carry a knapsack either!
I prefer a “cross-body” bag… that is, I don’t like to have my purse dangling from my shoulder. I like to have it over my head and across my body – hands free, as it were. I really love the fabric on this Vera bag and it saddens me that it is “retired” or I would get a replacement bag.
Now, what’s inside?
I use a Midori Traveler’s Notebook (Passport size) for my wallet. I like the inserts they have available and the choices in notebooks which gives me a place to put cards, ID, coins and money. Plus I have a journal to write if I need to. (Goulet Pens has a special with the Passport Traveler right now!) I switched over to using it as my wallet about a year ago, and I am so happy with this change. I also have a little fountain pen with me as well. I like to write with a fountain pen and this Kaweco Aluminum pen is perfect.
I used to carry easily a half a dozen of different chapsticks, lip balms, and glosses. Now, I just carry one glossy gloss – downsizing has been great!
I have some business cards, and I am now carrying the latest LipSense catalog with me.
I also have a key ring with all those area discount cards on them.
One last thing… the area restaurant discount card that I got a couple of weeks ago from the Boy Scouts.
Oh! And, sometimes I even have a knitting project in my bag, generally a sock which is portable and easy to knit on the go!
There you have it… my bag and its contents!
What’s in your bag that you can’t live without?
If you want to see what everyone else has in their bag, head over here to see! If you want to sign up to join Carole and me on this crazy fun Think Write Thursday journey – you can do so here!
by Kat | May 18, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s topic for Think Write Thursday is: what piece of advice would you give to the five-year-old you? Sixteen-year-old you? Twenty-one-year-old you? Right now?
This topic was my idea and as I began to write this post, I was amazed by the range of emotions I had. I expected this to be an easy post to write, but it turns out this is more challenging than I thought. So, here is the advice (and encouragement) I have written to myself:
Me at age 5 (really, my fifth birthday)
Dear Five-Year-Old Me,
You have the best imagination! It’s really okay to pretend, no matter what anyone says to you. Sometimes life is scary, and it is perfectly okay to pretend it is not! And, sometimes the best thing ever is going to work with your grandpa and learning how to hammer nails into scraps of lumber. These times will be some of your best memories.
Okay, not quite sixteen – I counted the candles and I think this was 15…
Dear Sixteen-Year-Old Me,
It’s totally okay to feel awkward at times – unsure of whether you want to be on your own and making your own decisions or wishing someone would just tell you what to do! It is also okay to try ideas on and see how they feel and then change your mind! But, the reading… don’t ever stop reading!
Dear Twenty-one-year-old Me,
Bravo to you for getting through this year. It was not easy. And learning that being “grown up” and making “grown up decisions” are not the same thing. However, even though right now it does not feel like you made the right decision – I promise you that you did. What you learned is that you can trust yourself to make the right decision even if it hurts. And, what you hoped for did come true – sometimes good things do come to those who wait!
Me… yesterday.
Dear Kat,
It is far too easy to be critical of oneself, and incredibly difficult to love oneself exactly as you are. Today, I would like to remind you of things past and show you how much of the younger you still is a part of you now. You have learned how to direct your imagination into creative pursuits. You are comfortable with being awkward now and you no longer wish to be told what to do. And, your love of reading is still a vital part of you. You know that sometimes the best decisions are also the hardest to make and that while those decisions can be unbelievably painful – you know that you can survive – and more importantly, thrive! So, dear Kat – I would like you to spend more time loving yourself and less time being so critical. You really are worth it.
If you would like to see what others had to say about this week’s Think Write Thursday topic, you will find them here. If you would like to join Carole and me for Think Write Thursday, you can sign up here! We would love to have you!
