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. 

#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!

5 Things I'm Thankful for Today.

1. Fall weather. 60-degree temps? In the deep south? Yes, siree. Bring it on.
2. Crock pots. The scents wafting throughout the house, the prep and being able to do other things while meals are cooking, the multiple servings of meals when the slow cooker has finished slow cooking...it's all good. Literally.
3. Hope. 'Cause you know, it's a pretty huge motivator and the best non-narcotic ever. Ever. Also, it can keep you going through the next week, which is amazingly nice.
4. Football season. You know, my teams don't have to win, but it's really nice when they do. Well, when some of them do. Specifically the Saints and LSU. I'd love for Southern Miss to do well, but...maybe next year. :-)
5. A grandmother who recovers well enough from her stroke to come home. And parents who are willing to change their lives to help her. That was long, but I think necessary.

Wordless Wednesday.

5 Things I'm Thankful For.

Five things I'm grateful for today are:

1. Fall weather. Mmmmmm mmmm good!

2. New opportunities to learn, discover, and be educated.

3. Fruit.

4. A hilarious nephew.

5. New hair.

Five Things I'm Thankful For.

Five things I've been thankful for this week -- and even this day, in particular -- are:

1. The fact that I'm not where I was last year at this time, and that an entire year (albeit a bit too dramatic for my taste) has passed. Whew!

2. The beautiful, precious, kindhearted, loving friends and family who surround my world, and who are right where I need them to be when I need them to be there.

3. How many times can I say it? FALL! Love the cool weather!

4. The fact that I'm not the one who slid the ring on the finger of the obnoxious guy we sat in front of at tonight's LSU game. Lord have mercy on that poor woman. Seriously.

5. The future, and that we can look forward to it, without being bound to our pasts. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Five Things I'm Grateful For.

1. A family who makes me laugh.

2. Friends who truly must love me -- otherwise, why would they put up with me?

3. Acquaintances who generously accept me into their wide and varied circles with grace and ease and hospitality.

4. Churches where God's Word is preached without shame.

5. Fall weather and cool, crisp air.

The Hunt for Red October.

Fall is my favorite time of year.

Not only because my birthday is smack in the middle of it, but also because of the gorgeous color changes in the foilage, football season, cooler air, and the sheer excitement that comes with any new season.

(Plus, we girls get to look forward to hats, and scarves, and sweaters -- oh my!)

I know I live in the deep deep South and probably won't get to see many color changes down in Baton Rouge and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but this Autumn has been, except for a few teasing chilly days and nights, unseasonably warm. Like hot. Like summer, even. And the rain! For real! Shall we build arks?!

I was delighted to see that the weather is forecast to be much nippier come this weekend. I am READY!

So Fall, this is your formal invitation. Show your face. Join us before you leave us!

Puh-leeeeeeease....?