Wednesday, July 3, 2024
I love this Currently link up with Jenn, but I may sound like a broken record with my answers if you are a regular reader! Oh well… here we go!
Loving
The cool mornings of this week. I make myself start my day on the patio even when it’s humid but these cool mornings have been so nice. I needed a hoodie! I really think starting my day on the patio sets my whole day up in a good way and I know it’s good for the puppy, too.
I was telling someone that I can’t have my patio pillows and decor up this summer because the pup gets everything, but it’s been nice to not worry about it at the same time.; I think I’m a wannabe minimalist. On my patio, I have my 6 top table and my sectional with coffee table and use both of them daily. I really am not using my upper patio this summer because I want to encourage the pup to roam the yard and he will be wherever I am.
I am also loving a road trip that Mason and I took yesterday (Eddie Otis, too!). My sister was visiting my mom and I came as a surprise and my other sister came as a surprise, too! It was even a surprise to me! My family really likes surprises, so much so that we wonder if there will be a surprise! We had 7 of the 9 grandchildren present.
Since my mom didn’t know we were coming, I brought Hawaiian buns, a cheese tray, ham, and turkey and a box of chips to help with all the kids’ appetites!
My two Indiana nieces did a fake senior picture with the Indiana sweet corn my Indiana sister brought for us to take home…
Lena:
Mia:
Silly! We just hung out and talked and it was a nice day!
By the way, I live in Kentucky, one sister lives in Ohio, and the other lives in Indiana!
Looking forward to
I’m looking forward to more of the same summer activities! I am planning to get serious about my Summer List and make sure I accomplish what I want to accomplish. What a privilege that I get to do this. It’s not lost on me. I am hoping for more river days, more pool days, more happy hours, more breakfasts and lunch out, and more summer meals that I cook, too. What is a summer meal you have recently cooked?
Savoring
I am really savoring the slow mornings, the open days, and summer in general! I have friends who pack their calendar – but I love keeping my calendar open for things that come up.
Celebrating
I am not sure what we are doing for 4th of July – if it’s nice we will boat and if it’s not so nice we might go to a community event for a bit. We don’t really have a tradition. I do plan on having hot dogs on the 4th! Tom loves the Fresh Market hot dogs so I plan to get those today. I already bought buns, baked beans, and mac and cheese and I will probably do a grilled peach and feta salad that sounded good. And, now I want to make my corn on the cob!
I am also celebrating doing well on my 40 bags list! I am finally finding the motivation to really tackle my clutter. I just did my silverware and bought new silverware trays (used my Walmart Plus to get them delivered) and my messy cabinet above my microwave. I got rid of 20 candles! I was just using it as a catch all and it was bad.
Here’s what I think is motivating me – we need to be pretty minimalist with the new puppy (just like on the patio) and I want our spaces to be easier to keep clean. I am asking myself if I used it in the past 90 days or if I think I will in the next 90. I am also asking myself if I would buy that item again today for things like home decor items. And, finally, I have a CVS, Walgreen’s, and Kroger a stone’s throw away and can easily replace anything that I might need. I have a Target a little bit up the road along with a TJ Maxx and a Homegoods! I have Costco! I also have Walmart and Amazon!
Here is my list:
I have added new things, too. I am happy to say that now I have many categories crossed off.
And, one more tip – I am immediately putting the donation bags in my car and taking them to donate. I am also throwing away some things away that aren’t fit for donation.
This is helping me to not shop out of boredom or for an activity, too. I am letting myself shop for new kitchen towels, new glassware (after I go through the cups). That is also very motivating for me.
I think that if you make it to 20 years of marriage you should be able to register for wedding gifts again! Anyone? Ha! Seriously, so many of my housewares are really, really old.
Remembering
I guess I am remembering all the fun summers of the past. I had so much fun!
Zoo Visits:
Pool Days:
And, I think I am also remembering to be a kid at heart this summer! Get in the pool! Read! Be spontaneous! Say yes! Have fun! Be silly!
I’d love to hear what you are up to currently, too!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
It sounds like you are enjoying summer immensely- having planned fun, spontaneous fun, and getting things done. I´ll bet your mom loved the surprise visits! Great throwback pics, too!
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I really think I am! She did and it was a really nice day! Thank you!
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I bet your mom loved having all of you there – the best surprise! That was so smart of you to bring food for the kids too, I bet she really appreciated that.
I’ve been in the mood to get rid of things I’m not using too and I have been so proud of myself for walking out of TJ Maxx and Homegoods empty handed the last few times!!
xo,
Kellyann
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She did! She did! Ha!
That’s awesome – maybe we’ve hit this enlightened stage of life, right?
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Yes! I feel like after 23 years some of our kitchen stuff is so old.. in fact I just replaced all our pots and pans and boy is it nice having a set where all the handles still work and the pot lids don’t have cracked knobs. Good job on tackling so much clutter. I really haven’t gone through the whole house like that since the kids were small. I used to start the first of the year and work my way room through room… I really should do that again but will probably wait for winter.
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Right? And, it’s hard because it is sentimental but if you haven’t used it in 24 years…
I am hoping my motivation stays because I usually don’t get to this point before giving up!
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Love the pics of your sweet boys! I love your attitude towards life too= Amen- be a kid- Follow The Joy!
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Thank you! I should dig out more. I think you have that attitude, too!
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No matter our age we moms always love having all of our kids in the same place, same time. Sounds like a fun get together! I like a loose calendar always, but ours is often filled. We will have all the kids and grands here later this month and I look forward to that. Happy July 4th to you and your family!
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So true! I like to say yes and that sometimes fills the calendar and it seems like when it rains it pours.
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Yes, I definitely think we should be able to re-register for new home goods. I replaced quite a bit after the flood. Some things were damaged, and other things I just decided why am I using something I don’t enjoy. The styles have changed so much from back in 2001! I like today’s more clean/simple look! Happy 4th!
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Right? I bet that was crazy how much you had to replace. That is finally my mindset. They really have! I agree!
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What a fun surprise. I bet your mom loved it! Great job on the 40 days list. I really need to get moving on some of my summer list.
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It was! I can’t figure out why I am finally motivated? You’ve been so busy!
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A great summer! Well done on your list! I got on a little clutter cleaning kick after our trip but that has settled down. I do get annoyed at how quickly the boys clutter the downstairs living room! But I guess it’s lived in! Today, we will enjoy seeing the Budweiser Clydedall horses downtown and going to the movies.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
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Thank you! I am sure my declutter will lose steam soon! I know – I am not considering my kids’ clutter my clutter. I just shut doors and ignore for now.
Oh fun!
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Slow mornings are the best!
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This is why I get up early during the school year – still need my mornings!
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I always feel like the odd man out here! Except for my Christmas stuff, I am really decluttered though my closets are all stuffed with things needed for different seasons (like bedding and such). I think your 40 bag list is really a good idea, though. We went from two really big “junk” drawers down to one very organized one. So, technically, does that means it’s not a junk drawer anymore?
I had to laugh at the corn photos…see, there is more than corn in Indiana!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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That’s great in this regard! I loved the corn photos!
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That is so funny that you and your sister surprised everyone, including each other. I agree with savoring the summer mornings! Your pool day looked wonderful. You have some great ideas on your 40 bags list. I might copy a few of those myself.
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It was funny! Thank you! I think teachers are very project motivated in the summer.
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I think we are all in agreement on a 2nd registry! I have often said if we could all just trade some of our stuff, that would be nice too. So fun to surprise your mom and have that time with extended family!
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Yes! I am not super sentimental about the basics that I received so that is good. It was fun!
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