An August Hodgepodge

1. What’s something on your August calendar you’re looking forward to? Or dreading if that’s easier to answer. 

There is A LOT on the August calendar, and a lot that I am looking forward to! August will have some weird feelings for me, because for the first time in 7 years I won’t be going back to school as a teacher! But one thing that I am super looking forward to is the cross country season starting!

2. August 5th is National Oyster Day…do you partake? How do you feel about pearls? 

I do not partake in Oysters. I generally stay away from things that could cause gastric upset because I have this fun affliction called “emetophobia”. So if I knew for 100% positive that it wouldn’t make me sick, I’d probably try it. Pearls are lovely, although I’ve only ever owned the fake versions.

3. Tell us about a time when you felt like ‘the world was your oyster’. 

Honestly, this question was way harder to answer than I thought it would be! I remember graduating from high school and just feeling so excited about all that was ahead for me! I remember giving birth to each of my children and running half marathons and just feeling this amazing sense of accomplishment after I had finished.

But I think my official answer to this question is: when I’ve accomplished an amazing hike with a fabulous view. It truly feels like I am on top of the world.

4. Trip Advisor lists seven islands in the US that require no passport (for US citizens). If you’re answering today from outside the US you’ll still need to produce yours. An-y-way, have you been to any of the seven? Let’s pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one this month…which one do you choose and why? 

Catalina Island California~Martha’s Vineyard Massachusetts~Mackinac Island Michigan~Key West Florida~South Padre Island Texas~or Kauai Hawaii

Of these islands, I’ve been to Mackinac Island and loved it so, so much. I was pregnant with Ezra (our 3rd) here. Tera had just turned 4 and Kiah was a couple months shy of 2.

Of course, if I could have an all expenses paid trip, I would pick Hawaii! Price (and time) are for sure my biggest obstacles in traveling to Hawaii, so covering the expenses would make that trip totally worth it!

5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following- 

“August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.”

Agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month? 

I like August! Summer is my favorite time, and August certainly delivers with the summer weather. However, it feels kind of like August doesn’t get enough credit because it seems to fall under “fall” schedules on the back to school calendar. I do still plan to take the kids to the pool as much as I can and enjoy all the outside time, even with a school schedule!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This week has been full, and it’s filling my heart! I was able to attend a birth this week (and also pull an all-nighter!), I was able to start working in a verrrrry part-time role at school this week (more on that to come), and so much life has started to come back into our school building (it feels pretty dead in the summer), and my sunflowers are blooming away like crazy!

The pool – arriving home as the sun was starting to rise after helping at a birth – school decor