currently

Happy Wednesday, friends! Can you believe it's already August? School starts very soon here, and my heart (and prayers) go out to my friends who are teachers and the parents of school aged kiddos. I don't know where you fall in this category, but in the years before we began our homeschooling journey, I always hated to see the first day of school roll around. I cried every. single. year. that my kids had first days. I loved being around them all summer long and I loved the days of little to no routine. I always moped around the house with our big ole black lab that was still alive at that time, Andy. He was always a little sad too, when they had to leave home during the day.

That being said, if you're a teacher or a parent, I am praying for you and your kiddos. I always ask the Lord to help the transition be smooth for you all and that the Lord Himself would watch over and guide you throughout your school year. It's always a little exciting to start back, isn't it? The possibilities are endless.

Here is what I am currently admiring, anticipating, enjoying, spending and saving.

Admiring:

Cute outfits like this for the fall. Realistically, it's hotter than Hades in my area until late September/early October (and sometimes even until November) and I continue on wearing the same kind of outfit on repeat. My uniform mostly consists of cropped jeans/pants and long, flowy shirts/ponchos. 

Also, how could one not admire images like these? Especially when it's a gazillion degrees outside.

 

I'm not much of a hot weather type girl, can you tell? I am SO ready for fall and all the adorable fall decorations that I use each year to start decorating my house. 

Anticipating:

Bible study starting back on August 18th! I love August for this reason―programs like Bible study and choir start back up at church. The summer months are always a good time for a period of rest, but by the end of July and beginning of August, I am ready to get back to a routine and for things to kick off once again. This stretch of the year is always my favorite and we are so close to getting into the B-E-R months that I love.

(We are studying the book of Esther this fall with the women in my church. I'd love to have you come and join us, even if you aren't local, because we're offering both on campus and online. Comment here for more information and I can pass that along, but if you're interested, let me know! Go here to register if you would for sure like to join. I will let you know how to purchase the book.) 

Enjoying:

I'm still enjoying reading books on my Kindle. I've always either read actual books, or I've used the Kindle app on a tablet device that I had. I decided this summer that I wanted an actual Kindle because it's the only device that offers the no-glare screen and because as I age, my eyesight keeps changing. I no longer have to depend on pesky things like switching out my prescription glasses for reading glasses or making sure the overhead lamp is in just the right spot. I am much more likely to pick up this and start reading, and because of this, I've been reading a LOT more than usual.

Spending:

I'm spending time on reading, studying for our upcoming Bible study that we're writing, in meetings with the writing team, planning for fun and exciting upcoming events and praying over lots and lots of things. 

I'm spending money on the same old, same old―necessities, getting my nails done and the occasional inexpensive book to read on my Kindle, if I can't find it to borrow for free. 

I really enjoy having my nails done and go once every three or four weeks. If you know me at all, you know how I love having polish on them at all times and because my nails are super thin and break easily, the dip powder is a good option for me. I started this habit the year I turned forty and haven't looked back since. I will go without something else so that I can splurge on this one thing.

Saving:

I save money by borrowing books instead of buying them. Occasionally if I can't find a particular book to borrow, I will buy it when I see it for less than $5. Our local library supports the app Libby that I can use to borrow books through Amazon. I link my library account through the app and I can borrow several books at a time for three weeks. It's AMAZING and I love that it saves money. Also, when Todd bought me this Kindle, they automatically subscribed me to Kindle Unlimited for a few months, but I use it so much that we'll probably subscribe to it once the free trial runs out.

It's worth it, because I read a TON. (I'm on book number 40 of 2021.)

Well, thank you for reading my blog! I linked up to Anne from 💓 in residence for this blog post. Love to all!