August 2022 // A List

Oh, August. What. A. Month.

August was full of so, so many changes.

August was the start of new beginnings.

Schools in session.

August was when I found myself alone all day while the kids were in school full-time.

I wondered if this is what "empty nesters" feel like when their kids move out (even though my kids are still little). 

I also understood why some retired people return to work after not working for a while.

August was the return to a job for me. It's been an adventure. 

It's been nice finishing everything on my to-do list before going to work and being home before my kids get home from school.

August was the month for learning to balance a lot of schedules.

August was the month when I felt very anxious.

There were so many changes.

Most were good.

There were also, unfortunately, some bad days.

A car wreck where thankfully, no one was hurt.

Definitely an inconvenience and scary experience, but grateful that everyone is ok.

August was when I said goodbye to our super old car, Dirty Dan, and said hello to our new SUV, Delilah. *Don't judge me on their names.*

And no, Dirty Dan was not the car involved in the accident.

August was the month of making things happen and hoping for the best.

I made some long-term and short-term goals.

I am hoping for some fantastic outcomes.

I'm hoping for better days.

Thanks, August. It's been a wild ride.

Hello, September. Here's to calmer and slower days ahead.

There's Something About August

There's something about August that has me feeling all over the place. This happens every year. Maybe it's because school has started, so we are now adjusting to our "normal" routine. I usually crave having a routine. It doesn't have to be a strict routine, but having some type of balance in my schedule is nice. 

During summer, we really don't have much of a schedule. We just enjoy the days, and sometimes we plan trips and vacations, but for the most part, we make plans as we go. It actually feels very freeing...not having to have a schedule. 

But in August, I find myself in a strange transition. August is that in-between phase. It's still summer, but the hints of fall are around me. Stores already have their fall displays out. Fall baked goods and fall apparel are being sold in shops. It's a strange time for shopping. We're still dealing with 80+ degree weather around here, yet sweaters, coats, boots, etc., are being sold. We won't have to wear that type of clothing until probably late October or early November. 

For the first time in a long time, I'm mourning the end of summer. I'm going to miss going to the pool, sleeping in, staying up late, going on adventures, and consuming all the summer foods. I'm going to miss the freedom of not having a schedule and not worrying about making plans. 

And yet, I'm still excited for fall. I'm craving the sound of crunching leaves beneath my feet, the cooler temperature, the cozy sweaters and joggers, and Halloween. I come alive during fall. I'm much more creative during that time. 

But it's still August, and this August is a bit different from the years past. So many unexpected changes have occurred. It's made me a little anxious but also excited. It's a strange feeling both of these emotions at the same time. It's like I'm being pulled in two different directions. I'm excited to see what happens in the next month or so.

The end of August is near, but it's felt like the longest month of the year. August feels like summer's last hurrah. Like it never wants to end. Like it wants to hold on. 

Although I'm feeling all over the place, what brings me comfort is that August feels like a new beginning. It's the start of a new cycle, a clean slate...much like how it feels on New Year's Eve and Day. I'm ready for the upcoming days, weeks, and months.  

Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. Getting lunch at Chik-fil-A

2. Buying early birthday gifts for John

3. ALP Virtual Scrapbook Festival

4. Going on a day date with John to a new-to-us restaurant

5. The Exhale community

6. A Land of Never and Night by Lily Archer

7. Apple cider donuts (So excited for all the fall baked goods!)

8. Getting good news

9. My new Dia De Los Muertos Frida T-shirt

10. The Awesome Ladies Project Virtual Scrapbook Festival

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

July 2022 Reads

Happy Monday! One of my goals this year was to share the books that I've read. Well...I haven't really done that on the blog, but I have been somewhat more consistent on Instagram. I usually share my favorite books in my Stories, but I haven't made a monthly series. Maybe I should?

Anyways, July was a perfect month for reading. I read 32 books in July and enjoyed reading most of them. I also read a lot of books that I received from Netgalley. I read a mix of genres, and I absolutely loved it. Since my last favorite reads post was in February 2022, I thought sharing another would be fun.

How We Heal by Alexandra Elle

This was one of my favorite reads for the month. I first heard of Alex Elle on Instagram and have been a fan ever since, so I was excited to find that she had a new book coming out. This is the first book that I've read by Alex Elle.

How We Heal was a much-needed book that came at the perfect time for me. I enjoyed reading the mini-essays and interviews of other writers, artists, and activists. It was interesting to read stories about healing and the ways that Alex, as well as the other individuals mentioned in the book, practice healing. The journaling prompts and meditation techniques were so good. I found myself highlighting so many pages.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

1-2-3 Scream! by R.U. Ginns

This was such a fun read. This collection of spooky short stories reminded me of the Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series. Some of the stories were silly, but there were a few that some kids might find scary so beware of that. One of the scarier stories was Instagrave. This story is about an app that predicts deaths. The ending of the story, Mean Machine, was also a story that might scare younger kids.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Bad Vibes Only by Nora McInery

I was first drawn to this book by its title and cover. It was interesting to read stories about Nora's life, which spans from childhood until now. I loved reading her perspective on various topics such as grief, religion, and motherhood. I loved that she didn't simply focus on "good vibes" like many self-help and memoirs tend to do. It made it seem more real. Some of the essays were funny, a few were sad, and a few that I could relate to.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Everything is Ok by Debbie Tung

I was so excited when I learned that Debbie Tung had another graphic novel coming out. I previously read her book, Quiet Girl in a Noisy World, and loved it.

Everything is Ok is a collection of comics about anxiety and depression. Debbie shares her experiences and her road to recovery from anxiety and depression. The illustrations were excellent, and there were a few things that I could relate to. I think the book covered anxiety and depression well.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Opening My Eyes Underwater: Essays on Hope, Humanity, and Our Hero Michelle Obama by Ashley Woodfolk

Ashley Woodfolk is a new-to-me author, but the cover and title of her book got my attention. I loved that Ashley used quotes by Michelle Obama as starting points for her essays. Using quotes as a starting point/inspiration for her pieces was a good idea. I enjoyed reading her opinions, reflections, and stories on various topics such as bullying, education, career, love, and racism. Some of the essays were difficult to read and broke my heart, but I think they were all essential to read.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

And Yet: Poems by Kate Baer

I absolutely loved this collection of poetry. It was a fast read, but I loved that the poems were straight to the point. The poems focused on motherhood, friendship, loss, and love. There was even mention of the pandemic. There were so many relatable poems. The only downside to the book was that it was a short and quick read, leaving me wanting more. I devoured this book in about 30 minutes.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Art of the Travel Journal by Abbey Sy

I love all forms of journaling, including art journaling, so I was excited to read this book. I'm a fan of Abbey Sy's art and was interested in reading about travel journals. I was already aware of a lot of the information in this book, but I learned a few things. I think some tips included in the book would be helpful for anyone interested in journaling. I loved that Abbey included an artist gallery so that you could see other artists and journalers' who keep travel journals.

I think this book is perfect for beginner artists and journalers, but it can still be beneficial for those who have experience keeping journals, especially travel journals.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride

Wow! Wow! Wow! I loved this book! I love how Amber McBride used fairytales, stories, and folklore to tell this story about trauma, mental illness, and depression. Everything tied together perfectly. This book kind of felt like reading a modern fairytale. I loved Amber included a glossary of the fairytales, stories, and folklore at the end of the book. I will definitely check out some of the fairytales that were referenced or inspired Amber to write this book because there were a few that I've heard about but haven't read yet. I also love that she included a playlist as well.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Knot Over You by M.J. Marstens, Jarica James, Grace McGinty, Sabrina Day, Calliope Stewart, Sarah Blue, Merri Bright, Flora Quincy, Juniper Kerry, Aisling Counsins, Maya Nicole, and Hannah Haze

Knot Over You is an omegaverse anthology with stories by various authors. The stories range from RH to MF. The stories are spicy, and I love that every short story was complete and not a sneak peek at future books/releases. There is something for everyone. 

The only issue was that there were some formatting issues. Some stories had repeating chapters; however, I believe those issues will be fixed soon.

*Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shadow of St. Nick: A Krampus Fairy Tale Romance by J. Dylan

Shadow of St. Nick is the first book I have read by J. Dylan. I loved this novella. This was a perfect Christmas in July story, and it also had a bit of Beauty and the Beast vibes/feel to the story, which I loved. I haven't found many books or retellings about Krampus, so I'm always excited when I find a new one.

In this novella, Emmeline drinks and celebrates the winter solstice with her friends. She's told the story of Krampus. Emmeline doesn't believe in the story. Once her friends leave, Emmeline finds out that Krampus does indeed exist when he arrives and takes her. I won't give much else away, but I liked the plot twist.

Thank you, Nisha's Books and Coffee PR, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

What did you read in July? What are you currently reading?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. The Sandman

2. Updating my wardrobe

3. Reading Amy Turn Sharp's latest post in her newsletter, Warm Hands

4. My interview went well! 

5. Getting a new Moleskine pocket sketchbook

6. Newk's for lunch

7. Organizing and decluttering things in the kitchen

8. Going to a new-to-us gym

9. Naps

10. Reading short stories

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at one of our favorite coffee shops and order some frappuccinos and lots of pastries. It's a gorgeous day, and the week has been good so far. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I recently had my first job interview in years! The last job I had, I stayed with the company for years before I decided to be a stay-at-home mom. So I haven't been in the workforce for almost a decade. Since my boys are in school full time, I have much more time on my hands. So I decided it was time for a change. 

I realized that I needed to buy an outfit for the interview, and it took me all day to find the perfect interview outfit. I hate shopping for clothes and couldn't decide what to buy, but I eventually found a cute top and some nice pants. I even went to the salon and got my hair done. 

Anyways, the day of the interview arrived quickly. I was incredibly nervous, especially since my resume has an employment gap. However, everything went well, and I was offered the job. I just have a few things to take care of with HR, but they want to hire me! I'm so excited. I'll let you know a bit more once everything is 100% official.

So for any parents out there looking to reenter the workforce after being a stay-at-home parent, I can only recommend being honest about any gaps in your employment history. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that after going through my closet and searching for something suitable to wear for my interview, I realized that I needed to update my clothing. I bought 3 pairs of jeans at H&M, which was a struggle. I always have the hardest time finding jeans that fit me. They are either too small or too big, or the length is too long. I also bought several plain shirts from Target. I'm a huge fan of Target's A New Day collection, and their t-shirts are amazing! I bought this t-shirt in every color. It's affordable, excellent quality, true-to-size, and so soft. I also needed to buy a new pair of running shoes because my old ones needed to be replaced. I bought these Skechers running shoes at Shoe Carnival and absolutely love them.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I've been on a verse novel kick. I don't know what it is about verse novels, but I love them. I recently read We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride, and I can't stop thinking about it. I absolutely loved it! Currently, I'm reading Odder by Katherine Applegate, another verse novel, and it's such a cute read. It's not my favorite book by Katherine Applegate, but it's a children's book, and I definitely think kids would love it.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm anticipating a few more changes, and I'm feeling so hopeful about it. I'm looking forward to so many things. I have a few memory-keeping projects that I want to finish working on and a few new ones that I'd like to start on. I have some essays that I'd like to submit to a few online magazines and publications. I'm trying to decide which things to work on so I don't burn out and get frustrated. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad that we were able to meet up. I had a blast and can't wait to hang out again. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by K8 on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. The boys had a great first day of school 

2. Getting good news from my doctor

3. Having breakfast with John

4. Getting back to a (semi?) routine

5. Long Live the Pumpkin Queen is finally out in stores (I can't wait to get my copy!)

6. This Sprite Challenge video is hilarious. 

7. If I Just Wake Up by Krigarè

8. Trips to Target

9. Working in my traveler's notebook

10. Having the most, if not all of my daily to-do list completed before the kids get home

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Target Finds

Happy Wednesday! It's time for another Target Finds! I've found a few great things at Target over the last few weeks, but I just realized that most of my favorite recent finds are school/office-related supplies. My boys have already started school this year; for many others, school will be back in session shortly.

I'm a sucker for office and stationery supplies, so it only makes sense that I'm sharing things that fall under that category this month. Before I begin to ramble about my love of office supplies, let's check out my favorite Target finds.

Expandable Pencil Pounch by It's Academic

I needed a new pencil pouch that could hold some of my must-have craft supplies, and this pencil pouch is absolute perfection. I love that it's expandable and can hold a lot of stuff. I can put my Tim Holtz stapler, Tombow glue runner, pens, stickers, ephemera, etc., without it being too heavy. I love that I can put it in my purse if I want to create in my journal while I'm out of the house. In fact, my pocket Moleskine can fit in this pencil case. It's freaking amazing!

JanSport Cool Student Backpack - Gray Letterman

I bought Michael a more durable backpack this year. His backpack last year held up well, but he has a lot of stuff to carry, and this JanSport backpack is perfect for that. I love how sturdy it is and love the neutral color. Michael loves his backpack and said he loves having a place for all his supplies. There's even a spot for him to put a laptop if he needs to bring one to school. 

Baby Shark Toddler Nap Pad

I bought Raphael a nap pad for his pre-k class, and he loves it! It's really cute and easy to wash. I can't say much about how it's holding up since we only recently bought it, but it looks like it will hold up well.

Better Hand Gripper

This is the only item that is not school or office-related. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but John broke his wrist a couple of months ago, and his doctor recommended using a hand gripper to regain his strength. This hand gripper was decently priced and seems to get the job done.

What are some of your favorite Target finds?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

August Goals

Happy Monday, First Day of August, and Happy Back-to-School (for those whose kids have started today)! I can't believe it's August and the first day of school! This summer break went by so fast, and I'm kind of sad that it did. We had so much fun this summer. We celebrated holidays and family events like Father's Day and Mami's birthday. We went hiking and to the pool. We explored and played games. It will be a little hard to get back to our regular routine. 

Even though I'm a little sad that summer break is over, I am excited that it means fall is almost here! I technically consider it fall (even though it's still blazing hot) once school starts. I love seeing all of the fall displays at stores and that seasonal treats are coming back. I'm so ready for fall and spooky season.

I'm looking forward to many things, including getting back to a routine and working on goals. I noticed that this summer, I didn't focus on my monthly goals like I usually would, but I gave myself some grace. I really needed a carefree summer, and that's what we had. 

Since I mentioned goals and it's a new month, let's check out my plans for August and recap how I did with my goals in July.

Recap of July Goals

• Read 4 books: I read 32 books in July! It was definitely a month full of good books. I read romance novels, poetry and verse novels, a few Christmas-themed books, collections of essays, and a book on travel journals. 

• Read and review 4 books from Netgalley: I read 8 books I received from Netgalley. My favorite books I read are We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride, And Yet: Poems by Kate Baer, Everything Is Ok by Debbie Tung, and How We Heal by Alexandra Elle.

• Try 2 new recipes: I did try two new recipes. One was a simple seafood recipe, the other a grilled cheese BLT sandwich. 

• Complete 2 half-finished memory-keeping projects: Yikes! This did not happen. I did work on a few projects but didn't complete them. It's hard to choose one to focus on, but I think it would be best to choose one half-finished project to work on each month.

• Continue to work on my Little Summer Joy mini-album: I didn't work on my mini-album as much as I'd like, and that was only because my photos were delivered close to the end of the month. I'm hoping that I can complete my mini-album in August.

• Participate in the ALP's 30 Days of Showing Up: Scrap Daily Pages: I did participate in the ALP's 30 Days of Showing Up challenge, but I didn't complete it. I did enjoy working on the prompts that I finished.

August Goals

• Read 5 books

• Read and review 3 books from Netgalley

• Try 1 new recipe

• Complete 1 half-finished memory-keeping projects

• Continue to work on my Little Summer Joy mini-album

• Complete the ALP's 30 Days of Showing up challenge

• Drink more water

• Get back to an exercise routine/Stay active

• Publish one personal piece on the blog

What are your goals for August? How did you do in July?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Georgia de Lotz on Unsplash