September Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning, my friends! Happy Labor Day, and Happy September! 

I love September. Perhaps because it is my and Steve's birthday month. It may be because September reminds me of colorful, sharp crayons, fresh, clean notebooks, and shiny new textbooks. It could be because September brings the promise of cooler breezes, a less harsh sun, and leaves replacing mosquitoes swirling through the sky. Perhaps I love this beautiful month so because watermelon and peaches are replaced with apples and pumpkin spice, and crockpots take the place of cookouts. It may be because September draws us inward, inside on earlier evenings, cozy throws and candles surrounding us as we snuggle in for the evening. Or it could be a combination of all these things, along with the knowledge that the hustle and busyness of summer afternoons are replaced with slow, calm, and intentional cozy autumn evenings, and that the soft glow of Christmas tree lights is not far away. Whatever it is, I am here and all in!

Thank you all so much for your kind comments on my previous post, which shared photos of our new home. We are grateful and settled, and looking forward to making this house our home. Perfect timing because I will be decorating for fall this weekend! I'd like to share a few things I've realized as a result of this recent move. First, the appliance industry and society do a great job of making us believe we need it all. We needed to purchase a new washer and dryer for this house, so Steve and I went to the store and were overwhelmed by the numerous washers and dryers, which made my head spin. No pun intended. The washer and dryer in our previous house were highly complex and had numerous options, buttons, beeping sounds, and flashing lights. I knew I hadn't used half of the options, and I really didn't want or need to learn to pre-treat, then sanitize, then rinse, and then ultra-spin my clothes daily. I didn't need four choices of different levels of wrinkle resistance either. I knew I wanted a basic washer and dryer that would wash my whites on hot and my colors on cool, and dry them on high, medium, or low. I found them, and I'm thrilled! 

Something else I learned while packing up my house to move is that I am constantly exposed to things. Things I don't need. Things I may like or think are cute, but really don't need. Holiday items are my downfall. I realized that just because I walk through HomeGoods or Target and see the cutest little pumpkin napkin holder, I don't have to buy it. I don't have to purchase cute new things to add to the adorable new things I bought last year. People used to go to the store when they needed something. Now, I am afraid that society dictates that shopping is a necessity, a hobby, and buying is the ultimate goal. I made this move intentionally. I chose to bring only things that I had a connection to, that were useful, and brought me joy. And, although social media influencers will try to convince me that I absolutely must run out to buy the pumpkin and ghost plates they absolutely love this season to replace or add to the adorable ones they pushed me to buy last year, I say no, thank you. We have too much stuff. And I am hopping off the consumer excess train. I can hear Steve singing with joy right now. 

How can I better spend my time this September? Rather than buying, I will strive to be doing, being, appreciating, and savoring. Last night we went for a walk on the boardwalk, and it was nice. Here is a picture of my girls and me.

What do you notice?? Yep. That is Peyton! She and Chris came down to visit for a few days, and I was totally, unbelievably, blessedly surprised! Saturday night, FLynn, Steve, and I were settling in after dinner, and I was folding laundry in the laundry room. Flynn had just told me she had called Chris to ask if he could play video games, and he couldn't because he was mowing the grass. The next thing we know, they are standing in the living room! They had cooked this up with Steve to surprise us, and it worked!!! I am so happy!

Rhett was working last night, but he and Kyrstin will be joining us for some fun these next few days. And I will be happy to have all my chicks back in the nest for a few days! 

I never shared these photos of the hurricane's effects from last week. Thankfully, it remained out in the ocean, but still managed to produce some incredible wind and waves. 

Well, I need to get going with my September day. Don't forget, if you are following along on the September calendar I posted a few weeks ago, it begins today! Here is the schedule for this week.

Have a wonderful day, my friends.

Thank you for visiting!

Billie Jo