Happy last week of July! I’m not sure where the month went. It’s been a blur of work primarily around our home. Normally I look forward to the end of July (because of the heat and humidity), but this year feels like it’s all moving a bit too quickly even for me!

I have been focusing more on taking care of myself physically, something that always seems to be a very last priority. I’ve started walking again on the treadmill which works well for me. My goal is just 20 minutes a day. I watch a video podcast on my Kindle and the time goes pretty quickly. I definitely can tell a difference when I take the time to do this. I have a goal for October 1 that involves my clothes. We’ll see if I make it.

I’ve also been trying to focus on working a greater variety of foods into my diet. Trying to determine which foods work well for my EoE in the midst of perimenopause/menopause the past few years has been a laugh. Anyone who has gone through this stage of life as a woman understands how much your entire body changes, including everything related to your digestive system. But, again, I’m trying to make this a priority. Partially for myself and partially to set a good example to Caroline.

My No-Poo adventure is going just fine. It’s been a few weeks now. I wish I had tried it years ago.

As I think about autumn and winter, I’ve been tweaking my office. My office is where I work and where Caroline and I do our homeschooling together. It is a 10×12 room with two large, tall windows in the corner. In my ideal world, I would like to put a small fireplace and chair in here. But the room already has three bookscases, a four drawer file cabinet, a large corner desk, and a six foot table. And two rolly carts. It probably sounds crowded, but it’s actually quite cozy.

I  would like an inexpensive little fireplace or little stove that plugs in. The chair is probably a no-go unless I am willing to part with two bookcases or a bookcase and the filing cabinet. But I could part with one bookcase and have a little fireplace/stove. But then I have to get rid of a bookcase. A bookcase! I know. First world problems. But considering I spend many hours a day in this room, I like it to be as cozy and enjoyable as possible both for me and Caroline.

I’ve thought about taking the doors off the closet and using it as part of the room. I’ve seen many photos over the years of rooms where people have done that. But I haven’t figured out how it would help me achieve my goal of a chair and fireplace so it doesn’t seem worth the hassle of removing and storing them. If I’m going to do something outside the box, it has to be worth the trouble.

So we’ll see where all that goes.

David has been working very long days the past six weeks. It’s the month he puts together the quarterly The Old Schoolhouse Magazine which is a fair amount of work. He’s also been working on a large contract project that has now entered the sixth week. He was one of 30ish graphic designers hired to work on it which gives you an idea of the scope of the project. It’s for a textbook publishing company and they have kept him busy. It was supposed to be for 4+ weeks so it’s gone beyond the initial expectation. Every week it continues is a great blessing. It has felt a bit like all work and no play this summer, but Caroline and I are grateful he has so much work. We did take a few hours two days last week for a couple of family shopping outings to buy some things we needed. It was a good break for all of us.

Mostly I focus on being grateful for how blessed I am with a husband, daughter, and home. I have food to eat, work to do, music to listen to, books to read, and people like you to interact with each day. I imagine many people would consider my life small and uninteresting. But I am very blessed and I recognize that every day.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Psalm 16:6 ESV

That’s all for me this week. What’s going on in your home? I hope you’ll leave a comment and share!

Artwork: “Signing the Marriage Contract” by George Sheridan Knowles