Share Four Somethings: July's Dog Days Edition

Will we really be saying goodbye to hot and muggy July in just a few days? 

I'm so grateful when I can participate in Heather's Share Four Somethings blog link-up, because it's the perfect tool for reflecting on the past month.

Something Loved

A couple of weeks ago, you'd have thought we were on an international flight to Paris. Why? Because I tagged along with Michael to Dallas for a work conference on our first actual post-pandemic getaway. [We've been to BR since it started, but something about going out of state seemed a little more official. What an adventure! ;-)]

As a full-time remote auditor, this was Michael's first time to meet many of his coworkers in real life (spoiler: he loves them), and since I was starting my new job the following week, I had the benefit of playing Lady of Leisure. Fitness center, pool, wandering around downtown Dallas, catching up with IRL Dallas peeps and taking naps were the name of the game (spoiler: I loved it). But the obvious win? Far and above, Michael getting to see the Ewing Oil building from his much beloved TV show Dallas. (Priorities.)  

Something Read or Said

I've recently gotten into Kate Kennedy's Be There In Five podcast, so between that and hearing about Crime Junkies' latest cold case and the adventures of JSi and Jenna on Fitish, I feel like I get to hang out with friends every time my earbuds are in.

A recent Be There In Five episode was titled "Tone it or tangent," and this chubby extrovert has never related to anything more in her life. Also, it cracks me up every time I see it, so bonus.

Something Treasured

It has long been on the calendar for me to take some much-needed time off between jobs, but I vastly underestimated what it would do for my mind, body and spirit. I was able to start my new role refreshed and excited. 

Y'all. I think there's something to this Taking A Break thing. I wonder if someone should write or podcast or even explore encouraging this behavior through some HR policies? ;-)

Something Ahead

I'm a lifelong fan of fall, but few things can get you geared up for the new season like working for a school. (Bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils, anyone?) 

The anticipation of cooler air, the idea of hearing leaves and acorns crunch beneath you, the basic but delicious cliché of all things pumpkin spice... yes, we'd like the most venti order possible, please and thank you. 

Your Turn

If you have a blog, feel free to visit Heather's blog for instructions on how to join us in recapping each month. 

I'm baaaaaaack...just in time for June's Share Four Somethings

Although I'm slightly whiplashed by how quickly June flew by after the past 16 months' trademark molasses-speed, I’m thrilled to (finally) jump back in the blogosphere and to (finally) rejoin my friend Heather's fun Share Four Somethings blog link-up. 

Something Loved

Michael and I took our first post-pandemic road trip this month! It was just a few hours south to our former city of Baton Rouge, but man, was it good for the soul. We caught up with great friends, ate and drank and were merry, and did lots of reminiscing in the place we individually and collectively called home for so long. Aside from the bottle of water I spilled directly into Michael's lap about 1/3 of the drive down, the whole weekend was packed with charmed memories. #pray4michael    

Something Read or Said

In an effort to come out of a reading slump that only chick lit can pull me out of, I broke down and delved into Beach Read by Emily Henry. What a pleasant surprise! I think I was expecting it to be super light -- you know, like an actual beach read? -- but in truth, it included some deep topics that made me think. Because they were presented smoothly and with humor, I didn't feel like I was being jolted into Actual Serious Thinking. But tricky Emily Henry! I was still pondering some of the Serious Topics once I closed it, and I was pondering them with a smile. 10/10 recommend.

Something Treasured

Early in the month, we fully experienced "one man's trash is another man's treasure" by participating in our neighborhood's annual yard sale. Even though the weather freely handed out thunderstorms followed by intense humidity, it was nice to be part of a group effort while cleaning out and making a little cash. One of my favorite things about it, though, was combining efforts with our neighbors (and friends and COVID bubble crew). Not only did we score a cool piece of pottery that Maggie was ready to part with, we also logged a ton of laughs and great memories.  

Something Ahead

Next month, I'll transition from my current job as Assistant Director of Communications with the LSMSA Foundation to Senior External Affairs Officer with the school itself. It's a bigger Something Ahead than I anticipated, and like most changes, it's bittersweet, but I am excited to have been offered the opportunity to get the word out about all the great things that are happening at Louisiana School! 

Your Turn

Visit Heather's blog for instructions on how to join the Share Four Somethings link up. 

Share Four Somethings: November Edition

It's time for my friend Heather's Share Four Somethings monthly link-up, where we share Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, and Something Read. Although I'm terribly sporadic with this, it's a great way to recap the month and highlight what stood out, so I appreciate Heather heading it up.

Something Loved
It completely slipped my mind that moving to a new town a little further north would bring one of my life's greatest joys: fall colors! While Natchitoches is certainly the North Pole of the South with its renowned Christmas Festival, millions of lights, and Miss Merry Christmas pageant, I couldn't be happier to see its trees showcase some gorgeous leaves this time of year.



Something Said
Whenever I would apologetically ask a former coworker from my days at Nissan to do something that seemed un-fun to me, he'd always respond good-naturedly with, "It all pays the same."

It's only taken me 12 years to learn that whether I'm at work, play or home, by George, he's right! Cleaning the bathroom may not interest me as much as trying a new recipe, but it all has to be done to keep the train moving.


Something Learned
Putting up Christmas decor early doesn't murder Thanksgiving.

There. I said it. I understand that this does not present a highly controversial internal conflict for everyone, but it sure wreaked havoc on my first 42 years. However, a few life events (including moving to the North Pole of the South as previously mentioned) have led me to realize a few things:

1. Life can be too hard on a regular day to not savor its beauty for as long as possible.
2. Christmas decor makes me happy.
3. Getting a jump start on Christmas doesn't have to discount the peaceful, easy feeling that Thanksgiving offers. That's my choice.
4. We travel for Thanksgiving, so having the house decorated for Christmas when we get back actually cuts down on stress and helps us enjoy each holiday a little more.
5. It costs zero dollars to form and have my own opinion about what's best for my life. ;-)

Something Read
I don't have something life-changing to share for this every month, so I'm pumped that this month is different. Every page of Lori Gottlieb's "Maybe You Should Talk To Someone" held my attention, and I want everyone I know to read it.


Visit Heather's blog to participate in her link-up or read more #sharefoursomethings.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!

#ShareFourSomethings -- October edition

Once again, I'm joining in on Heather's Gerwing's #ShareFourSomethings -- a monthly post to share:

1. Something Loved
2. Something Said
3. Something Learned
4. Something Read

October is my most favorite of all the months, and something I loved about it this year was the time I had and intentionally took to breathe it in and really enjoy it. 

Yes, it's the month I was born in, but maybe that makes me appreciate it a little more? It probably also helps that here in the deep south, "fall" is such a foreign concept that I celebrate any change in leaves' colors -- even if that means they're dead. 

Even now, with a few days still left in the month, I'm savoring chatter about Halloween and costumes, and looking forward to the holidays with excitement.

Something that was said that is still resonating with me will probably seem small or silly to anyone else, especially anyone with different character traits. But I've been doing a lot of hard internal work during the past year or two, digging into some of the whys and hows that affect and contribute to the whats and wheres of my life. And so with that, I've come to realize some things that weren't so obvious to me before, but that are incredibly important to me now.

One of those concepts that keeps ranking higher and higher for me is being still. 

Calm. Content. Peaceful. 

These are not words commonly used to describe me. 

I'm pretty sure I've been a ball of anxiety since the day I was born, so when I ran into an acquaintance from years ago who said I "seemed very chill, so peaceful," I pretty much took it as the best compliment I could ever receive. (Thanks, J!)

Something I learned in October? How to narrow it down...there's so much. As part of the difficult internal work I mentioned above, I've been doing a lot of listening. Not just to IRL people in my world, but also to audiobooks. So in true trendsetter fashion, I finally jumped on the podcast bandwagon that's been rolling around for a decade or more now. I find that I still can't focus well if I just randomly try to listen, but if there's an author I love who only has four books and I've breezed through them, I can see if he is interviewed on any podcasts, and hear more of his communication style. (Again, breaking news on the Something Learned front, I know.)

Do you have a favorite podcast? Since I'm now in the know, I'll be taking recommendations from here on out!

Now for the really tricky one...something I read.

I love reading, and have been devouring more books  than ever lately. From inspirational to fiction, there's a lot to choose from, but I'd have to go with the autobiography co-written (and co-read, if you're into audio) by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush: Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life.

No matter what your political views are, I recommend you check this out. From stories about living in the White House to the basic human ties of sibling love and rivalry, the book is a great one. I particularly adore everything about the Bush girls relationship with their grandfather.

Did you learn, hear, love or read something in October that stood out to you? Comment here, or if writing's your thing, link up to Heather's blog with one of your own.

Happy fall!