Happy Friday! Whew! We made it. It was touch-and-go a couple of times, but we pulled through at the end. Here are a few things on my mind this week:
1. Fall. It’s on my mind a lot. It’s my favorite season, after all, and it’s actually starting to feel like it. On Wednesday, a friend took my kids, and I had a few hours to myself. In my own house! (I cannot remember the last time I was home alone. Let me tell you, it was amazing.) The windows were open, a breeze was blowing, you could hear the leaves rustling – it was healing to my soul. Fall cannot get here fast enough for me. Bring on the sweaters and boots, the changing leaves (the gingkos above are my favorite), the rain (PLEASE let it rain soon!), the bonfires, the pumpkin spiced EVERYTHING. I’m ready for you, fall.
2. Friendship. I’m taking a parenting class right now, and one of the opening exercises last week was to write about yourself – five things you are and five things you would like to be. One of the things I would like to be is a better friend. I love people, I love building relationships, and I love my friends, but somehow, being a mother has made me not as good of a friend. I don’t return phone calls promptly, I let texts slip, I forget to send birthday cards. I think of my friends often, and I rejoice when I get a moment to talk with them or see them (like a surprise run-in at Target or catching up at Moms’ Night Out), but I’m not as good at making connections as I used to be (or at least that’s how I remember I used to be). Loved this piece about being good at being a friend.
3. Work we value. On a completely unrelated note, this was one of the most thought-provoking things I read this week.
4. 31 Days. October is coming, and like every year, it’s always a crazy month, but I love committing to 31 Days because it makes me get stuff done, and like that famous quote about writing, I love having done it. I’ve been working this week to start planning my projects because this October will be even MORE crazy – instead of just helping out at the preschool’s annual Rummage Sale, I am one of the fundraisers organizing it. If I start working on projects NOW, maybe I will still be sane by the time November arrives. Maybe?
5. Made me laugh. (And also reminded me of this – how did I forget about this?)
What are you up to this weekend? Around here, we’re looking forward to a soccer game, date night, brunch with friends (that’s just for me), and hopefully lots of time to do absolutely nothing. Can’t wait!
beautiful objects 
What a fantastic post Nicole. I loved the piece on friendship. I just picked up some cute (and inexpensive…it’s true I went to the dollar store for the two for a dollar section) greeting cards with the intent to make sure my friends know I am thinking about them. 😊 I absolutely agreed with the article showing the testimony of Mike Rowe about skilled work. I had a grandfather who could really do anything and my dad can repair and build almost anything as well, from electrical work, car repairs, plumbing…you name it. And a mom who is also a jack of all trades from sewing to canning and can even be called in to solder copper pipes when my dad needs some help. My husband is a pipe fitter by trade and although that has not translated into anything very helpful at home, he is always willing to learn new skills from my dad. We need to value skilled labor. It is so important and the feeling you get by doing things for yourself just can’t be beat. I am all for vocational training. Autumn is my favorite as well. I am hoping that our temperatures will dip soon and I may have to start looking up the directions for some kind of rain dance soon, but I am ready…Oktoberfest party, pumpkin carving, Bruce Springsteen’s birthday (yes…I celebrate), my own birthday MONTH and our annual Thanksgiving trip. I can not wait to make chili and cornbread, pumpkin soup, hot apple cider with biscuit cinnamon donuts…. I have written up my Fall Bucket list so bring it on!
Thank you, Chelsae! The Mike Rowe article made me think of my brothers – one is in real estate, one is a surveyor, and one is a jack-of-all-trades, who, whenever I call answers, “What do you need help with?” He’s my go-to, even two thousand miles away. He has helped me (via phone and text) adhere tile, run grout, patch walls, and fix plumbing. And honestly, most of the time, the people who come to help me fix something at my house are my favorite kind of people – friendly, helpful, generous, and generally content. There must be a sort of peace in doing work that helps so many people. And maybe we love fall a little bit more because our birthdays fall in there – Bruce and I share ours! :)
You are doing great, friend. Loved our run-in too! Although, I wish I was the one you are having brunch with ;)
Then let’s plan something! Get out your calendar and let’s make it happen.