The Shafferland Shuffle

Happy August, my friends! Tis the season of returning to routines, whether we want to or not, I suppose! I hope it's going smoothly for you! :)

* Last Sunday was technically our last day of vacation, even though we were already back home. My parents were having a special service at their church, to dedicate a memorial stone, so we surprised them by attending! (We took my friend Amber who was the artist for the stone.) I ended up with the job of photographer, so all my pictures of that day are of the service. After that? All Mo, all day. Three cheers for milking every last minute out of a vacation.

* Monday was laundry day. (AKA the joys of coming home from vacation, right?) I got everything all caught up and back on track. Tried a new smoothie recipe (blueberry...delicious) and both of us got back to our workout routine. I had a much easier time than Ryan did, because I had air conditioning!

* I spent most of the week writing furiously for some upcoming deadlines, and Tuesday I had a helper who just wouldn't leave my side. I guess she was still a little traumatized by our trip. (Even though she had a house sitter who was probably more attentive than we are!) We tried to get back to healthier eating - edamame for lunch! And that night? America's Got Talent! (Any of you watching this season?)

* I was still in a writing frenzy on Wednesday, and I needed to brainstorm. I do my best brainstorming while washing my hair, so I just took paper and a pencil right into the bathroom with me so I could make notes before I forgot anything! My helper got even cozier with me that day - hard to type with a cat hanging onto your arm! And it finally stopped raining so Ryan could start mowing the hayfield formerly known as our yard!

* Thursday was our 68th monthiversary, and Ryan proved his deep love and devotion to me by bringing me a donut. (Seriously won him all kinds of points! That night after dinner, we got coffee and went to a park here in town to enjoy a nice long walk and some really pretty scenery! It was the perfect park night!

* Friday's workout was rough. I was a smelly, sweaty mess after that. But I cleaned up so we could go out for dinner! We had some gift cards to Red Lobster so we went there. (Funny story about the biscuits took place during dinner. I'll have to tell that one on the podcast!) Braeya got some new toys on Friday, thanks to the donation of a friend who no longer has her cat. I hadn't even unpacked them for Braeya yet when she dove right in and got one of the toys out herself!

* Yesterday was my third writing class over at the Marion Public Library. Had a great time with my little crew. They are a wonderful group! We had Phoebe for the afternoon, but it was too hot for her tastes, so she mostly napped. And rounding out the week? My most wonderful husband brought me a dozen roses!! Yep. I'll be carrying them from room to room until they die.