I don’t know if I can do this post justice. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, with good and wonderful things, but overwhelmed, none-the-less. And as I sit to write this, the Buddy Man has a fever and as a mom, I can’t help but be a bit concerned about him.

October was full!  I went to Winston-Salem and saw two of my favorite writers together in the same place: Anne Bogel and Charlie Lovett.  It was a wonderful experience.  But to make it happen, I drove, alone, almost 1600 miles in less than a week.  The solitude was a balm to my soul but as the Buddy told me one time, “my booty hurt(s)” and I am not interested in another road trip for a long time.

I did manage to keep my exercise streak going and tonight, it sits at 159. That makes me so happy.

I read the book Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport and promptly decided to take a hiatus from social media.  I want to talk about that more in another post but my experience has been surprising.

In addition, I have been doing Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way program and Week 4 was reading deprivation week. Yeah! It was almost as bad as it sounds but I got it done.  I felt a little antsy all week and figured out later that it was because I couldn’t read.  Reading is such a huge part of my life that not doing was noticeably different.  Instead, I cleaned out the Buddy’s closet, transitioned both of our closets to fall (which has finally decided to show up), weeded and trimmed the beds in anticipation of cooler weather, potted some plants that I had rooted, and bought new eyeglasses. Maybe, I should take a break from reading more often? I am glad that I can read again though.

I hosted my first ever #EnjoyLife Meet-Up also.  Two people showed up! I was so surprised!

An uncle passed away so there’s that.

While the Holidays aren’t generally a time where things slow down for people, they do for me.  I am looking forward to it.  After I am in-conversation with Anne Bogel on November 7^th, that is. I am so excited and so terrified. Interested in coming? Get tickets here.

What has ya’ll October been like?

Let me know, or post a link to your overview, in the comments. We do this every month and frankly, that is the only reason I am writing this post  at 9 PM. LOL. We will do it again on Monday, December 2.

enjoy life…

 

Ooh weeee! My September was full as I knew it was going to be! So full that all I want to do is curl up with a blanket and a hot beverage and read great books. I would too, if it wasn’t still 90 degrees every day. What is up with that? But back to the recap!

The 4^th annual MOMpreneur event was a success and my presentation on prioritizing and goal setting wasn’t a complete disaster. LOL.  I presented on the one thing that a person had to do to improve their business and their lives.  Would you care to know what that thing is?  It’s taking time to reflect, think, ponder, etc.  When I take time to think about the kind of life that I want to live and become intentional about aligning my wishes with my actions, things seem to go a bit better for me.  The experience was terrifying but I am glad that I did it.

Immediately after that event, and I mean that literally, I was on my way to Louisville, Kentucky for Anne Bogel’s Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club Retreat.  Since returning, I have spent time trying to put into words what that experience meant to me.  When I replay my life, this event will be one of the things that stands out.  I can’t tell you what a delight it is to be around people who understood my love of books and reading because they love them too.  So much bookish fun! I feel like I have made some new friends.  Another great part, for me, was the participation of the New York Time’s Bestselling Author, Ariel Lawhon. We were able to read an advanced copy of her upcoming book, Code Name Hélène, releasing April 2020.  It never fails; I always enjoy books more when I have a chance to hear about an author’s process and motivations. And this experience was so much more than an author chat.

I was tired when I returned but as yet, haven’t crashed quite as hard as I thought I would.  I hope that is due, in part, to my precautions that I set up last month. I am not 100 percent but I did manage to not get completely ill upon my return.  The Buddy Man did that for me and is slowly getting over this flu-ey, cold-like thing that he has had for over a week.  I have kept up my #shannanmoves streak. I completed day 127 but I have to admit that I am feeling a bit run-down and probably need a break.  But the streak! I don’t want to break it!

I was able to do a bit more drawing and painting in watercolor.  I hope to do more this month. I have a very interesting project in mind.

What have you guys been up to? Let me know in the comments and if you have a monthly recap post share that too.  We do this every month, next on Friday, November 1.

 enjoy life…

 

If you have a monthly recap post letting us know what you’re into, please share it in the comments below and let your community know that you are doing so.  We do this every month, next on Friday, August 2.  

I have a very difficult time believing that we are halfway through 2019.  The older I get, the quicker time flies. It will be Christmas before we know it! The Buddy Man will be thrilled.

Anywho, June was divided by three major things: (1) a trip to San Diego (trips are generally stressful for me); (2) returning from the trip and trying to get my bearings again; and finally (3) reviewing the first half of 2019 to see where I am with my goals and intentions and what I need to prioritize the second half of the year.

We went to San Diego to attend my paternal extended family’s biennial reunion.

SIDEBAR: I’m ashamed to say but I have always been confused between the use of semiannual, biannual, and biennial. So, for this post, I decided to take the time and figure out the difference once and for all.  Shockingly, this took less than two minutes!

Semiannual and biannual mean the same thing: something that occurs twice a year.  Biennial means something that occurs every two years.  But because biannual and biennial are often confused (Hello!), it is easier to use the words semiannual and biennial and just leave biannual alone.  That’s what I’m going to do from now on.

The Buddy Man and I drove to Atlanta and flew with my parents to San Diego.  This was the first flight that the Buddy Man realized what was happening; his very first flight was at 9 months.  He did very well.  Landing on the first flight messed with his ears and he didn’t know what was happening. There were tears. However, he was ready on the return flight.  He listened to me and yawned and ate appropriately to keep his ears popping as we descended.

We did get to go to the beach; the first time the Buddy knew we were there and he LOVED it.  I am so excited! I LOVE the beach and to see him like it as much as I do was very gratifying for me.  So, the Hubby and I have decided to plan a quick weekend to the beach in August. Something to look forward to.

It was really great to see most of the family again.  Every time, I see them I resolve to be better at keeping in touch with them and this time, I took some time to think about how I could make that happen. Most are on Facebook and so I set a monthly notification on my phone to reach out via Messenger.  Might as well make Facebook good for something.  We will see how it goes.

I was so happy to be able to run every day during the month of June as part of the Runner’s World Running Streak that started on Memorial Day and ends on the Fourth of July. I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to keep the streak going while on the trip but thanks to my mom watching the Buddy, and running at the end of one day (which I don’t necessarily like) and in the fitness center on the #dreadmill, I got it done.  The streak continues.

Upon our return, I quickly felt overwhelmed with everything.  My mind was racing with what I want to accomplish this year, what I said that I would do but haven’t got to yet (like finish “KonMari(ng)” my home) and what I should be working on for the rest of the year. So, I took a self-care day. I reviewed my Intentions/Goals for 2019 and acknowledge the progress I had made. I had a nice lunch alone, a massage, and watched a movie.  It was a very nice day and I came out of it refreshed and with clarity and focus.

I have also watched the World Cup in women’s soccer and I have absolutely loved the women’s Nike commercials.  Here’s one of the good ones.

What have you been up to this month? Let me know in the comments.

P.S. By the way, have you seen this Google Nest Hub commercial.  Makes me smile every time I see it.

enjoy life…