currently hodgepodging

 

Happy Wednesday, friends! For the first part of today's blog post, I'll be linking up with Amy and Marsha. For the latter part of the post, I'll be joining Joyce! 

savoring:

I'm savoring family dinner nights, easy lunches, memories with friends, time with my sweet man, and morning coffee.

wrapping up: 

I'm wrapping up my favorite season (pool season) this coming weekend and swimming for what may be the last time this year; I'm trading in my swimming suit for school supplies as we start the 2026/2027 school year today with the students. Isn't my little Eagle the cutest? Our new principal Toni gave us all these over the summer when we met with her to meet her.

preparing:

In preparing for the new school year, I set up my little desk at work on Monday. I got some new school supplies and some clear organizers. Isn't my little emotional support heart plant adorable? 

remembering:

I've been remembering times that have gone by lately; I ran across this picture of Dad the other day with five of his seven grandsons. It's my four with my nephew Devin; how sweet is this? Time is a funny thing. I have been thinking of my dad a lot lately and missing him. There's no reason or trigger for this, I just genuinely miss him and the presence he was in my life. Even with dementia, he was full of love for Jesus, and I miss all of our deep talks that happened on Fridays.

organizing:

I'm currently organizing school rooms, my days for the school year, and everything in my house. I'm still on an organizational kick, and am loving having neat and tidy spaces. 

And now for the hodgepodge...

1. What's something on your August calendar that you're looking forward to (or dreading)? I'm looking forward to the routine of getting back into the school year; call me crazy if you want. I love a fresh start, and I consider August like another new year. Add to the fact that I got to buy new school supplies for myself and well...I am a happy little clam. There's nothing I dread at the moment! 

2. August 5th is National Oyster Day...do you partake? How do you feel about pearls? My dad convinced me to try raw oysters as a young girl, and I wasn't a fan. If I was at someone's house and that was part of their meal they offered I would eat it, but it's not something I'd order. 

3. Tell us about a time when your felt like the "world was your oyster". I kind of feel like that at the beginning of a new season or year; honestly, August reminds me of a second new year. I've operated on a school calendar for so long now...45 years, to be exact!

4. Trip advisor lists seven islands in the U.S. that don't require a passport if you're a U.S. citizen traveling there. Have you been to any of the seven listed? Let's pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one of these islands...where are you going and why did you pick that particular island?

Catalina Island, California; Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Mackinac Island, Michigan; Key West, Florida; South Padre Island, Texas; Kauai, Hawaii

Of these choices, I would pick Mackinac Island, Michigan; it's some place I've wanted to visit for a long time now. I have a friend who is from Michigan who first told me about this place when our sons were in elementary school; I was immediately enthralled.

5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following...

"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd, uneven time." 

Do you agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month? I love this quote and think it sums up well the passing of one season to the next. August is not my favorite month, and it is kind of an odd time that is still summer but feels like it should be fall with school back in session. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

These images were generated by Chat GPT. I am going to paint my front door soon; these are the colors I've narrowed it down to. Do you have a favorite? Please chime in! 

Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. I will see you back here tomorrow! Love to all.

Jen