What I've Learned in September 2022

I know it's only the 28th of September, so I might still learn another thing or two before the month is done, but here's the so-far list of what I've learned in September.  

1. Taking a writing risk is scary.

I haven't talked about this one on the blog because I was waiting to know the whole story before I even brought it up. I will have to tell you the whole story later, but for now I will say that in this past month, I took a risk to try for something new in my writing life. It was a vulnerable thing to even attempt, and the long wait for an answer was a great exercise in trust and faith! I am proud of myself for taking the risk and trying something new. I think my heart needed that! 

2. Being sick is still for the birds. 

Right at the beginning of the month, Ryan and I caught a good old-fashioned cold. (Tests confirmed it truly was just that.) But as you might remember, colds and I are NOT friends and they are the worst when they hit me. Ryan said this was the worst case he'd seen me have in years, and he wasn't wrong about that. I even spent two actual days IN BED. I think I lived in Marion the last time I did that! It was awful, and the timing was awful, too. We both recovered JUST in time for our speaking engagements. (No one wants to listen to a snotty voice.)

3. Ryan does a great job speaking in churches. 

I wasn't the only speaker in the family this month! Ryan spoke at two different area churches this month to represent Love INC. In one, he made a short presentation during the service. In the other one, he had the entire message to share. He did a great job both times...I was so proud of him! While speaking to crowds isn't new or scary for him, preparing and delivering talks like this is new for him, and he's working really hard to become the best he can be. I love watching how seriously he takes it. 

4. Networking does not come easily to me. 

Ryan and I went to a networking lunch for work this month. It really was a fun event and a fantastic way to meet leaders from other local nonprofits. The Community Foundation put it all together, and I was impressed with the work they did. What I did not know going into it was that Ryan and I were going to be split up and placed at different tables. I was planning on just being his plus one, and then all of the sudden...I was on as a networker. Whew! He's better at the easy flow of conversation with strangers, but I hope I held my own! 

5. I love Progresso's cheesy enchilada soup.

While we were the sickest, we lived on canned soup. Neither of us had any energy to cook, so we just popped cans and ate. (Yes, I know that's not a healthy approach. No, I didn't have the capacity to care at that point.) I learned that Progresso has a cheesy enchilada soup that is both flavorful and sinus-cleansing. It was my FAVORITE. 

6. I've never tried a plum until this month!

When we were at the women's retreat, they had some fresh fruit available for snacking. One of the ladies at our meal table had a plum and shared it with us! She said it wasn't as ripe as it should have been, but we didn't know the difference because...neither of us has ever had a plum before. Can you believe that!?! And how did I NOT take a picture of this momentous occasion?

7. We like chicken in the air fryer.

I tried some new recipes this month, and one of them was a healthy twist on chicken parmesan. We made the chicken in the air fryer, and we LOVED IT. It cooked quickly and was quite crispy. We typically use our air fryer for tater tots (ha!) but I'm determined to learn to use it for other things, too. This one was a win - except for in the land of taking a picture.

8. Lexi is in her second fear cycle.

We have struggled some this month with Lexi being extra afraid of other dogs. This has not been her norm, but it has made sense to us since we've had a lot of encounters lately with dogs whose owners don't have them leashed, nor are they paying attention to them. (I have strong feelings on this, but I'll leave it at that.) I was doing some research to see what I could do to help our girl, and that's when I learned that doodle mix dogs go through two fear cycles. The first one is from 8-11 weeks and the second is now. The second one has more to do with trying to figure out their fight or flight response, which makes total sense! We are diving in and working to help her be brave and conquer her fears. (Doesn't help that her mama is a huge chicken.)