Hi August

From bowtiesandbankers.tumblr.com

August is officially here and I cannot figure out if I am excited about it or frustrated about it. On one hand I am excited about it because it means FALL is closer and I will be able to wear cute boots and sweaters. I am frustrated about it because I felt like I did NOTHING this summer. There were so many things I wanted to do/see/accomplish but it looks like I did nothing. Which in a way is nice but I really want to see the Minions Movie- ((I know, Im five but it looks really cute)) Many next weekend I will be able to do that.

As I look at my August calendar for both my work life and personal life, it looks a bit crazy. I want to start to preparing for Adopting Day in November. I know its 3 months away but those three months will fly by and I need to be super organized! My personal life is filled with doctors appointments, yoga classes and personal training. I often look forward to my yoga class and personal training because I know I am getting stronger, mentally and physically.

I made my goal list for August. After looking it over, my goals are more abstract this month rather than specific.

August Goals:

1.  Keep calm and level headed
2. Real and truthfully blogging
3. Educate myself more on my gastro issues
4. Time for me (paint more)
5. Take at least 1 photo a day

I have been blogging on and off for the past four years. The only time I really stuck with blogging was back in 2011 with my other blog, Just Simply Elle . It was basically just daily ramblings with no real sense of direction. I think it showed my true personality and I didn't really care about readers or anything. I did it for me. I am happy that I was able to capture these ramblings and I sorta wish I kept up on it more definitively.  My point with this babble is I want to get back to what I had back in 2011. My goal specifically #2 is to do just that. Not really care about who reads this, just to keep myself sane.

Pinapples painted by me 2014

Another goal I really want to do is #4 paint more. I absolutely love to paint. Am I the next Picasso, Rembrandt or Warhol, HECK NO, but do I enjoy it and love what I do, HECK YES! It basically works as a stress reliever for me and sometimes what I paint is really pretty, sometimes its not. I don't care- I just want to put paint on a canvas and hope for the best.

From acrohnieslife.tumblr.com

My Gastro issues have been a sore spot in my life for the past 3 years. Last year, I wrote down that I finally wanted to figure out what was going on and boy I think I made a mistake with that one. It has been a roller coaster ride trying to figure out what is going on inside of me. My most recent hospital stay (I promise a post just about that soon!!) made me realize whatever is really going on inside of me is bad. I've had doctors tell me that I have something and then other doctors tell me I do not. It is scary when you have conflicting opinions from medical professionals. All I want to do is lead as normal of a life as I can. Easier said than done I believe.

Well, Here is hoping that August is better than July; questions are answered and my life can remain somewhat normal. 

xx Gabrielle

Saying Goodbye to July and Old Fashion Handwriting

I cannot believe it’s going to be August tomorrow! Where did July go? Where is this year going?? My July went by in a blink of an eye- I swear it was the 4th of July last week! It doesn't help that I spent almost 2 weeks in the hospital!! (More on that later) I always like to start my month out with a list of "goals" that I would like to accomplish that month. I was so busy, I didn't even have time to make one for July- EEK! That is the one thing I would like to accomplish tonight- a Goal list for August.

I know I've heard in the news for the past year or so, that handwriting- cursive, script- won't be taught in schools anymore. It absolutely boggles my mind that children won't have any idea how to sign their names. I know my handwriting is something to be desired most days but at least I know how to sign my name properly. As I've grown up, my print and cursive have combined into this print cursive hybrid but geeze! This article really got me thinking... Will the younger generations know how to sign their names? 

Bring Back Handwriting

This was an interesting article I read; I am such a big supporter of handwriting. I usually hand write everything and then type it out if i need to. I always feel that actually writing things down or working things out the “old way” on paper with a pen or pencil always feels more organic I helps me retain the knowledge and helps me retain more information.. Does any one else feel this way?

Since we are on the subject of handwriting, I am on the hunt for a new planner. I decided earlier in the year that i was only going to use a little pocket calender. That has been working fine for me.  I also have a notebook that serves as a catchall for notes/ideas/messages/doodles. I am toying around with the idea of a all in one planner but i have such reservations. I am so picky with my planner and what I would like in it. I don't need meal planning pages and cleaning schedules. I would like just a large calender, an area to write notes and it to be portable.I know it sounds simple but its so hard to find.

As I am trying to get back into blogging, I made a plan first using paper and pen to actually plan and layout what I want this to be. I thought it was interesting that Emily Ley  posted on Instagram her process for the Simplified Planner planning and it started with white oak tag and sharpies. She laid everything out on paper before she dove into the computer/ technology pool. I wonder if there is a certain personality trait or if its just a learned habit to start the "old fashion way" first.

I hope to post more regularly in the coming weeks. My life has gotten pretty crazy in the past few months and I hope this blog will keep me accountable and able to keep some normalcy in my life.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Look up to the night sky to see the Blue Moon then indulge in a Blue Moon to celebrate (( Only if you are of legal drinking age!!))

xx, Gabrielle

  ((all photos in this post are my own))