No.154: What’s New? // 10 Things I Need to Tell You

Hey friends!  After a month of blogging (almost) everyday, I took a much-needed Internet break and it was so good.  July has been full of great things, though, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard for me not to pop in and document it all.  If you lived nearby, I’d invite you over for coffee and sourdough bread so we could catch up!  In the meantime, here are ten things I have to tell you:

1 // I PAINTED MY FRONT AND SIDE DOORS AND AM HALFWAY THROUGH MY SHUTTERS.
We took advantage of Sherwin William’s 40% off sale and bought one can of their exterior paint in Iron Ore.  I wasn’t sure how far it would take me, but it’s proven to be the can that keeps on giving!  So far, I’ve painted two doors and all of the shutters on the first floor of the house.  Next up is getting on the roof to assess the shutters on the second floor.  This both excites and terrifies me.


2 // WE COMPLETED OUR FIRST 100 HOURS OUTSIDE.
After cruising through the first 50 hours, we came to a screeching halt once spring allergies and rainy days arrived.  We’ve tried to pick up the pace this summer, but it really depends on the day: humid 90-something degree days are miserable!  In all, it took us 98 days to complete 100 hours.  Nothing to brag about, but it’s a start. 


3 // WE HOSTED FOURTH OF JULY AT OUR HOUSE AGAIN THIS YEAR.
Mark took off the Monday and Tuesday before the Fourth as a little staycation and it was great!  We had guests over each day (Mark’s friend, my brother and girlfriend, and my parents) and hung out and laughed and barbecued.  So nice to share our home with friends and family.   

4 // I’M GETTING “GAZELLE INTENSE” WITH DEBT REDUCTION.
In our twelve years of marriage, we’ve always had some sort of debt.  We’ve been chipping away, little by little, but new babies, new cars to fit all the babies, and real estate decisions have all been bumps on the road to financial freedom.  Now that we’re in a relatively stable place, with (hopefully!) no big changes in the near future, Mark and I are ready to roll up our sleeves and really get to work!  We can see the light at the end of the tunnel.     


5 // MY POST-WEANING HORMONES ARE ALLLLL OUT OF WHACK.
Today marks exactly one month since I weaned P and what a month it’s been.  My hormones have been crazy!  In desperation, I went on a Googling spree looking for answers, but it’s really just an issue of giving it time to regulate.       


6 // I SPENT A LONG WEEKEND WITH MY COUSINS AND BRAND NEW BABY COUSIN.
My first trip without a child (in utero or out!) in my entire adult life!  It was so relaxing and went way too fast.  It was such an honor to help with my cousin’s new baby boy; we spent our mornings together while his mama got some much-needed extra rest.  I’ve never really had the opportunity to cuddle babies that aren’t my own and I kinda love it, hah!  I came home on Sunday feeling so refreshed and thankful.   

7 // I KILLED MY HOUSEPLANT AND MY HERBS.
I’m going to blame this on insufficient sunlight, but such a bummer!  I hope I don’t have a black thumb.


8 // I’M FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH MY POSTCARD PROJECT.
I paused the project in June while I was blogging everyday, but just finished the last handful of postcards today.  So if you signed up and haven’t received one yet, check your mailboxes soon!


9 // ALL OF MY LIBRARY HOLDS CAME IN AT ONCE.
You know how I feel about this…all of my other books have been put on hold and I’ve been a reading machine trying to get through them all!  So far, I’ve read Educated: A Memoir and Killers of the Flower Moon and I’m currently on Gone Girl.


10 // HOMEMADE ICE CREAM IS SO GOOD.
We bought an ice cream maker last month, checking off a task on my 100 Little Things list.  I was hesitant that it would just be another appliance to store, but it’s awesome!  We’ve made old-fashioned vanilla twice so far, but I’m anxious to try a frozen yogurt or sorbet next.