Promises for August

 

I am glad I didn't make big promises for July because it got away from me.  I did get peaches, eat my peach ice cream, even managed a day or two with the children, but most of it was spent working my way through not feeling well.

One promise I didn't make, but which I added in was giving myself a week to just feel the feelings and not restrain myself in any way about them.  I have no regrets at all.

I am done with July.  Now let me think ahead to August...

1.  I promise that I will continue with the great declutter task of 2026.  For all that I've been working away at this since April, there are many areas I've not touched upon at all.  There are other areas I have worked on already but am going back to refine.  I'm not putting the pressure of deadlines upon myself. I just simply want to let go of things I no longer need, which might still be useful to others.  I want to free up space for new and better things.  By 'things' I mean memories, events, life passages, and yes, newer items that are an improvement over the old and worn.

I said that this year would be my year to get rid of the worn out, the make do items we'd kept far too long, and I am working steadily towards that goal.  

In July, I slowed down considerably but I did get a lot of shredding of paperwork done that I no longer needed to keep on hand.  Four bags full of paper shreds went to the dumpsters and nearly all of that this last week of July. Again, progress, however small, is still progress.

I also have another big black trash bag filled with donations, but I have yet to put it in the car.  I'd like to go through the guest room where I've been stashing excess stuff for the past few months when I couldn't get into the shed.

2.  I promise to continue to work on healthy things.  This month, I want to get an eye exam and make a dentist appointment.  I expect the dentist appointment will be booked far ahead in the future, but the eye exam will likely be for this month.

As well, I'm going to continue to try and walk a little further each day.  I didn't do quite as I'd planned on this goal last month since not feeling well slowed me down considerably.  

And at my last doctor appointment this past week, I asked for some tests for vitamin deficiencies.  I was able to request those because I've been sick this month and the doctor thought it worthwhile.

3.  I promise to make small changes that improve my home overall.  I worked on the porches the last week of July.  Just a generally good clean-up, removing unnecessary items, and creating pleasing furniture arrangements, etc.  I've also shifted a few pieces of furniture indoors.  Moving some things out entirely, rearranging others in an effort to make things look better and fresher.  

4.  I promise to attempt two small day trips, perhaps one of those as an overnight trip, all on my own.  You'll notice I'm still attempting to do trips on my own, besides shopping, etc.  Well, the truth is, I'm still feeling a bit nervous about it, especially being on my own, but with the children in school, I have no willing victims I can drag along while I indulge my travel fantasies.  This is about me spreading my wings and learning to flap them just a bit.

Where will I go?  What will I do?  I've no clue at all at this moment in time, but there is plenty I might attempt.  I will allow the possibility of extreme heat or storms to keep me home though.  August is hardly the best month to travel in!

5. I promise to read one good book and watch one really good movie on one of the more sweltering days.  I've been reading, in increments, two or three different books.  None of which I like well enough to really soak in and none of which are so bad I want to put them aside.  They are different but slightly similar and I prefer both in smaller doses.

I haven't read a really good book except The Seamstress of New Orleans this summer.  

During the last weekend of July, I stumbled upon two movies which both sounded like something I might like to watch and both of which proved to be quite good.  Inspiring me all over again to return to my search for good films to watch or to return to old favorites which I haven't seen in a long time.

6.  I promise to indulge in more summer food goodness.  I have yet to find a green tomato.  There's bound to be one out there somewhere.  I haven't had fresh green beans nor black eyed peas.  And this is the season for a banana popsicle and a fudgesicle.  Nor have I had a really good icy cold beer.  I can't imagine anything nicer than sitting on the porch with either a popsicle or a very cold beer in hand.  

7.  I promise not to rush summer into fall.  I've been backing off social media a good bit, but those influencers are out there snapping up all the pretty fall goodies at Hobby Lobby and Michael's and will be showcasing them in their homes for most of August.   Too soon, I say.  Too soon.  They are missing out on the glory of summer days, even if it is miserably hot.

I don't want to rush any season, least of all summer.  The older I get, the more appreciate all that it brings with it.  And this year, I've managed a few flowers from seed.  They should all go on for weeks and weeks yet.

8.  I promise not to run myself in the ground simply because I missed working projects or setting goals in July.  Whenever I was running late, John always reminded me that there was no saving time by speeding to get where I needed to be.  "You're only going to run into every delay imaginable.  Just let time be what it is and go at normal speed." Good advice both for driving and living, I think.  I'll try to heed that this month.  In fact, I think I'm going to post it on the fridge and my work desk both as a reminder.  

And those are my promises to myself for August...