Right Now- August Recap

RIGHT NOW...

I'm listening to  the start of the day chatter here at the office.   Doors opening, phones ringing, greetings of Good Morning.   A little more joyous- knowing it is a Friday on a Holiday weekend.

I'm loving the return to normalcy in the work setting.   Sure, it's been a little chaotic at times, and like most years- as we round the corner from August to September-I hit a wall-as I start to question my why-so much front-loading of paperwork and policies- wears me down the older I get.   But slowly my"why" comes drifting back and the year falls into a regular routine.  

Last year was so odd that I really am enjoying seeing our kids back in school, interacting with each other.   Shucks, I even went to a retirement party yesterday afternoon for a colleague- and GASP- we had a pot luck.   Something that was forbidden all last school year over COVID concerns.   

  What else happened this past month?   Well- I saw an opportunity to join my hubby for a quick camping adventure just west of the metro area.  While not the perfect campsite (our exact site backed up to a highway so there was some persistent road noise), the cooler temps and the feeling of "getting away" was a very welcome treat.

I hosted a farewell open house for a neighbor friend who has moved "home" to Texas.  It too felt good to gather with friends that I don't see as often as I did when the Things were younger.   Not to mention- hosting always provides a good motivator to give the house a good cleaning.

My extended family gathered to say goodbye to my aunt.   The timing just wasn't right for me to take off from work- but I was there in spirit.   Phyllis was always so kind in remembering birthdays and staying in touch- it has been sad to see her steady decline in her health.   

We also learned of the sudden and unexpected passing of Uncle Al- a treasured family friend. 

 I will be forever grateful for how helpful he was in my dad's recovery a few years ago- helping craft the "just right" type of lift for my dad's favorite chair so he could be independent while his body healed.  Al was just that handy-kind of guy- tell him what you need, and he got the job done- on time and under budget.  He has left a huge hole in the heart of his partner, Carol and his niece (my cousin) Angela.

And of course, life is not complete without a regular dose of BAGs Shenanigans

 Gotta love these ladies and how they are always finding new and creative ways to celebrate one another.   As I'd been gone most of the summer- they turned my birthday into a "Homecoming" event complete with a very lovely dress, bouquet and wrist corsage.   

I'm feeling at peace.   It was last year at this time that I thought I'd hang up my blogging habits.   And while I no longer feel the stories of the Things are mine to blog about, I do enjoy spending some time at the keyboard- reflecting on what I've done, where I've been and where I want to go next.  Not just literally but figuratively too.  

 For this school year- it is my intention to stay in my lane- not borrow trouble that is not mind to sort through- focus on what makes me happy- the kids...which oh how I wish I could snap their pictures and share their sweet faces.   They really are the light of my professional work day!

Until next time...

Stay curious...