Happy Monday friends! I am glad for the reset of a fresh Monday…at least, as it pertains to blogging. Last week, my brain just could not seem to blog. I, literally, sat at the computer on Thursday scratching for inspiration just about anywhere. But, the page was blank. And remained blank on Friday. And so many of my blog friends stopped by (and still left sweet comments) only to find nothing new all week. Sigh. So sorry friends but here’s to a fresh week and, hopefully, a restart of the brain wheels turning. That said, I hope everyone had a good week and a lovely weekend these past seven days. Summer seems to be upon us and my life seems to drifting into summer-time gear. Busy but not exactly productive:) But I will never complain about summer. Ever. And, yes, I know we have almost a month until it is actually summer but I’ll take all the “bonus summertime feels” I can get!! How is the weather in your neck of the woods? Maybe you are still in full springtime mode…well, that’s nothing to complain about either. For those of you below the equator….um, winter is on its way. And I’m so sorry about that.
Let’s start a daybook for this month. In April’s daybook, we had just celebrated Easter and I had been to DC for a live performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Wow, all of that seems a lifetime ago. That is one more interesting thing about writing these monthly daybooks. It is the closest thing I do to journaling and/or having something to look on to see what I was up to, how I was feeling…and just how the weather was (important business, you know!) I think these daybook entries are fun. And interesting. I would recommend them. I wonder if others would ever be interested in a link-up for their monthly daybook entry? Hmmm. Moving on. Lately……
The Weather – the has been full of storms. We have not only had plenty of rain but there have been several thunderstorms. They usually roll in after a hot, humid day. A typical summer storm. I don’t like the sharp, hard claps of thunder (any more than the dog does…and she hates them!) but the beating of rain against the window above my bed can put me sleep almost instantly. I find it very soothing. The dog doesn’t much for the hard rain either. She can be such a ninny when it comes to summer storms:)
As I look outside my window – I finally have some flowers potted on the front porch. How many times have I mentioned that there needs to be some color on the porch. It was a bit long in coming but the pots are full and the porch, once again, looks inviting. You might want to even join me for a nice cup of coffee (or glass of ice tea) out there. But you will need to overlook the pollen. We have washed that yellow dust several times already – always thinking the pollen season is over. But we are wrong. Exactly when does the pollen season go away??
This morning, I am – attempting a “day two” look for my hair. Last week, I decided that I was so over the curly hair. Truthfully, I decided that months ago but put off the return to blow drying and flat ironing hair each morning. Admittedly, the curly hair is about as low maintenance as it comes. Wet, gel and go. But I missed “the old me” hair. Missed it alot. So, I am back to “fixing” my hair. I used to do this (blow dry and flat iron) every day but am hoping I can find a way that works every other day. It remains to be seen. Funny note: I saw two very good friends this past weekend. One on Friday and the other I spend the whole day with on Saturday. Neither of them even noticed the curls were gone. That was unexpected. My family, though, is split on their preference. Some like the new and some like the curls better. A girl can’t win sometimes. I will see how it goes, although I do wonder why I would give up the curls just as the humidity is starting to set in for the season!? Hair has a mind of its own, to be sure.
Lately, I have been thinking about – JOY! Especially the last few days. I went to a ladies retreat with my friend. It is an annual womens’ refresher at her church. The topic was joy. The joy of the Lord that is not only a gift (of the Holy Spirit) but is also one of our best weapons to fight the enemy. In the four sessions, we heard about joy even in the difficult. The really difficult. How to refill our cups of joy (and where not to look for that refilling) and practical ways to stop/interrupt those things, thoughts, attitudes that rob our joy. It was not only a profitable day but a lot of fun. My hat goes off to those who organized all that went into making a special day for close to 1000 women!
What I am wearing – self-tanner. On my legs. I tend to ease into summer and the reappearing of my very pasty white legs. It usually happens once summer has been around for weeks and I just cannot care any longer. This year, for whatever, I decided to jump right in…but let my daughter convince me a tiny bit of self-tanner never hurt anyone. Ha. She might be on to something.
Around the house – I am still working with the cleaning schedule that was newly implemented last month. I am definitely having to tweak it here and there but I really do like the results. I like the regularly cleaning and staying on top of things but I am certainly not one for cleaning things that don’t need to be cleaned. That is a no. So I’m stretching the schedule out a bit and it seems to be a winner. Things definitely stay cleaner longer in this season of life. Not that I’m complaining. Much less laundry, too. What’s not to love??
My To-Do List – includes working on my ASL, teaching myself to change colors while crocheting (baby steps with my crochet adventures), one medical appointment and starting my “packing list” for my vacation in two weeks! I make a hugely overthought list of “must haves” and then refine the list – deleting and then deleting again – until I have the same “do not forget” list I use every time I pack. But the process is somehow entertaining for me.
And, from my camera – My nephew made homemade biscuits this week. On Saturday actually. Of course, he (and these biscuits) are in California but I am inspired. I want to make homemade biscuits and I really want to make breakfast egg, cheese and (veggie) sausage biscuits!!
Well, here’s to a great week ahead. Bible study resumes tomorrow after the spring break. I am really hoping to get to the nail salon this week. I have a trip planned next week – woo hoo – and one can certainly cannot be ready for a trip with toes in desperate need of a pedicure! I will remedy that this week. Who knows what else needs to be done before I leave. That said, thanks for stopping by, friends!!
Well, I think your mind refreshed and you found some good things to post. I have that same kind of curly hair. I always have to blow dry and flat iron. I have enough curls to have to work on it and not enough to go natural.
Thanks Sandra…so glad you stopped by this morning! Happy Monday to you!
I always love reading your daybook! Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!
Aw thanks, Monica!! Glad you stopped by today!
Hair — I’d love to see a good close-up of both your curly and straight versions. I am currently growing out my short, cut-over-the ear style for more of a bob with wispy bangs Naturally straight hair here, but humidity tends to give it more body and i appreciate that.
I think your hair will cute in a bob. They are so easy to style and to wear. The growing out part, though, can be tedious.
I used a straightener on Saturday.. something I hadn’t touched in over a year. I don’t have curly hair.. I have waves and I never really knew what to do with them until all the curly girls took over social media. Now I am all about embracing the waves.
We have had so much rain and wind and thunder.. it was nice to see the sun come out today.
So glad the sun has returned! And, yes funny, the curly girls do seem to enjoy social media:)
It is always a fun visit for me Jennifer. I love to see your thoughts written down on paper, so to speak. I thank you so much for sharing them.
Hello! The hair struggle! I have straight hair, which only got slightly wavy through each pregnancy. Three of my four children have curly hair. Madison is the queen of all things hair and makeup. She goes by the weather. If it is humid and rainy, curls it is! If she knows it won’t be, she straightens it. You do you, my friend. You are stunning either way, I am certain!
Hi Jennifer, Thank you for visiting my blog and the kind comments you left. I’ve always enjoyed reading these daybook entries. It seems like we can all relate to hair challenges. I think your curls look lovely in your profile picture. I have naturally wavy hair which gets straightened most days. In the heat (& humidity) of summer I enjoy taking a break from the heated hair tools and letting it do it’s own thing.
I really like your curls but I remember your previous profile picture when your hair was straighter and that suited you too. Do what feel right for you in the hair department.
Pretty plant for your porch.
The May weather here has been exceptionally dry and quite warm lately and we could do with a little liquid subshine 😊
I look forward to hearing about your vacation in a few weeks time. I have to wait until August when I;m going away for a week with my daughter. So looking forward to that.
Have a lovely rest of the week and God bless.
The retreat on the subject of joy sounds really good and it sounds like it was meaningful to you. I have never applied self tanner- yes, sometimes I’m self conscious of my pale skin but it is, proverbially, what it is. I am partial to straight hair and think you looked great with it. Your curls look good, too, and I can see how the people who see you the most often get used to your look and don’t care for deviations. Let us know if you make those biscuits… Hope your Tuesday is going well!
My “From My Journal” posts each Monday started when I realized that Peggy had quit doing her Daybook posts. I enjoy doing the From My Journal posts weekly for much the same reason that you enjoy doing the monthly Daybook entries.
Your flowers on the porch are so pretty. Love that shade of pink!
The retreat you attended sounded delightful.
Have a wonderful week, Jennifer. xx