July Promises and Possibilities

 

For this last day of June, I have been mildly busy.  And I took a long, deep nap, too.  I've wished a Happy Birthday to my granddaughter Rosalynn who turned 12 today.  I've worked in the shed, made Cheddar Jalapeno bagels and contemplated what I consider to be the real start of summer, the month of July.

It is the last 'vacation' month for the children.  Nearly all of them start school at the end of July or the first of August.  June was full enough of nice things to keep me feeling I'm more than a drudge but not all the things I'd promised myself came to be.  I'm happy with what I did get to though.  

But what about July?

When I sat down Sunday with a new blank calendar and starting writing in engagements, birthdays and appointments, I realized that July is already looking pretty full.  And I started to get a little worried.  If my calendar fills up too much then how can I possibly have my own summer vacation days?  How can I travel anywhere at all?  

Here are my Promises to myself for this July.

1. I will take the first five days of this month and pen in my personal plans on the calendar.  Never mind that I haven't looked at travel guides or perused maps or done a single thing to see what I might do, I'm going to plan one or two days or four days as my own.  It might mean I stay near home, and it might mean I go off for an overnight stay somewhere.    

2.  I will do it even though it makes me feel giddy with fear and nerves.  Do it afraid...That's the only way to really do anything that makes one nervous.  

3.  I will make the most of this month of summer.  Fried green tomatoes, fresh melons, good produce, PEACHES, peach ice cream, sitting under the sprinkler just because I want to, sitting on the porch with a hand fan so I can listen to the quiet, taking a few moments to appreciate the taking time to spend time with my family.  This is the month to watch fireflies sparkle in the evenings, watch for the fawns who are now considered old enough to come out of the woods and graze on the front lawn with their moms, gaze at stars (if mosquitoes allow).

4.  I will continue the great decluttering task.  On the last day of June, I gathered enough stuff to fill the trunk of the car one more time.  That meant four trunk loads went out in June.  I'll wager I can do the same for July.  I feel lighter and the house is breathing in a way it hasn't in a long while.  

5.  I will gather my financial info and determine how I'm doing three months in.  I've already set the quarterly budget for the third quarter of the year.  I've paid some fairly large expenses out.  I've put some money into savings.  I paid off one credit card, paid back a sizeable loan from Sam for the Cremation and then charged another credit card up when the car broke down. I don't know how it's balanced out or even if it has.  

I've not had the mental bandwidth to do more than glance at things and do what I felt ought to be done next while warily eying the bank balance.  All the things that took my attention have been handled and finished off; I need to know exactly where I am on the financial map.   I need to see things clearly.  It's time to stop, see exactly where I am and adjust my course.

6.  Read.  I read one book in June and enjoyed it thoroughly.  I think I'm ready to read routinely once more.  And what better way to spend these blisteringly hot afternoons?  

7.  Flowers.  In summer months, with the AC running nearly all day long, the air in my home gets pretty dry.  Flowers don't really last very well indoors.  This month, any flowers purchased will likely be for pots on the porches or patio and perhaps a green plant for the house.

8.  Continue with the healthy stuff.  I'll keep going with the Intermittent Fasting, hydrating, and morning sun.  I've reduced the sugar free soda.  This month I promise to walk more.  I'm not one for getting out and just going for a walk unless there is purpose to it, but I can park further from the store and church and get in extra steps that way.  I will make it a point to get up and walk more frequently here in the house, too.  Slow and steady progress is still progress.

9.  Contemplate how much I want to work for mysself.  This is more about the kitchen work than house or yard.  When I realized that I was now going to be cooking for one, I wasn't sure just how much I'd want to do as far as canning, preserving, freezing, baking I'd want to do.

I've already decided that making my own breads is worthwhile, even for one. As is baking in general.  I've bought souper cubes so I can freeze soups, entrees and sauces in smaller quantities.  I want to determine what else is worthwhile doing for just myself.  Broth?  Jelly?  We'll see.