Some Great News, A House, a Haircut, and the Summer Blahs (but not in that particular order)

Change, challenges, and chores...they are a comin'

I think I might possibly maybe kinda sorta be -- no, I definitely do have the late-summer blahs. I must admit it...I'm tired of 90+ degree days, and 80% humidity. Georgia weather in late August has a way of tryin' to bring me down. I am not one of those who dreads winter but I don't necessarily look forward to winter, either.  Like most folks I prefer spring and fall for the simple reason the weather is beautiful and you can get out and be one with nature. However, in winter I am able to "layer up" and still hike the trails, and I think that's been part of my dilemma. I've said before I'm a fair-weather walker and it's just too hot to hike. It's not fit for man or beast or bird or bug outside in Georgia right now. Too hot to get out; too boring to stay inside. So I just sit and wait in the AC for that first cool autumn morning...for the temps to dip into the seventies and stay there for more than 20 minutes...for that moment when I feel the need to pull up the duvet lying in bed because of an early morning chill in the air...for the "feel of autumn" that permeates my belly with butterflies as fluttery as the one in this picture (more on this picture later).

I've been told before (by my bff) that I'm easily bored and that is something that, as much as I hate to admit it, is probably true. I like the versatility of doing something different on any given day if I am so inclined, and the opportunity to indulge in something creative or to see new things is where my inspiration is born. I mean, variety is the spice of life, right? So I have to admit that my creativity level has been at an all-time low the last couple of weeks. The late-summer blahs have inched their way into my muscles and bones and I have been pretty much a couch-potato the last 14 or so days, except to shuffle back and forth to the kitchen and down the steps where my parked-under-the-shed car awaits me and offers me air-conditioning full-blast. But there is a silver lining here. I have caught up on my summer reading. I soared through two delicious pieces of literary gold and I am sure that I must be a better human being for it. Reading historical drama (that's really fiction but takes place with characters who are realistic and engrossed in circumstances that are corrrectly historic or prevalent in the world) broadens my horizons to other people's lives and how they live and how they face their demons. It makes me more tolerant of others and their problems and differences.

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Tout naturel (told you I was gonna do it!)

But there are good things going on. I took the plunge and cut all my hair off, and I haven't looked back -- well, except to see the short, mousy gray stubble on the backside of my head. I left my bangs long and highlighted and will probably keep them that way at least for now...I am slowly easing into the hair of my sixties. Showering and getting ready has never been easier or quicker! I keep seeing all those folks with beautiful silver and white hair and wonder if I'll ever get there but, hey, patience -- it's a process! The underside of my hair hasn't seen the light of day in the ten years since chemo so I figure the sun'll kiss it a little day by day and, by the time I start drawing Social Security, I should truly look the role! The funny part about having this new hairstyle is that, even though no one will ever doubt again that I am a senior citizen, I really feel younger! There's nothing like a new hairstyle to perk you up and take away the doldrums. I also bought myself a new top which I have worn literally to every place I've gone recently, which probably makes it no longer a new top. A new top also has a way of perking you up.

And, as much as I fear announcing it because I don't want to jinx it, we have finally purchased a house to renovate. However, I have learned after many failed contracts not to get my hopes too high until exactly 60 seconds after the closing table has been dismissed. But this one looks like it's a solid contract, and for that I am totally elated! It is a long, low seventies brick ranch, and I've been totally stoked about getting my grimy little reno hands on one of these. It has sat for a long time empty and has issues -- pretty big issues but nothing that we can't fix. So for that reason, this reno will be a team effort. We have called in my sister and brother-in-law and my brother and even my 90-year-old daddy who will give us his well-respected opinion when he will walk away and fully expect his kids to get it done! And that we will do, sweet, daddy-o! There is roofing to be done, flooring to be laid, and lots of decor decisions in order to bring this old gal back to the land of the living. As they say, she has good bones, just needs her hair and makeup done and a little TLC injected into those walls that could probably tell us a million stories. As you see in the images, she needs a haircut really badly...she is completely covered by an overgrowth of bushes and trees and weeds galore. But the beautiful hardwoods and mature crepe myrtles and purple lantana will once again shine and be her glory.  Even she is gonna be made better by a haircut! Can't wait to get started!

Then absolutely the best thing that has happened recently is finding out that my newest granddaughter who is still safely within the confines of her mother's belly is well and appears to be completely healthy. My sweet daughter's family recently relocated back to the states from Honduras for a year after Hollie contracted the Zika virus during her first trimester of pregnancy. And, if you've been watching the news lately, you know this is a scary diagnosis. But uncertain days, sleepless nights, and many tears later, the team of awesome doctors at Emory has found that my sweet little baby granddaughter appears to be growing and developing normally and right on schedule to make her debut in December. An amazing Christmas gift, indeed. For this report, we are beyond grateful and really have no words for the thankfulness in our hearts. It has been a road of stressful moments from a string of not-so-good reports. But love and prayers have brought us through this most difficult time and we are once again reminded to never take life, love, or good health for granted. 

So if you, like me, have been suffering from the late-August humdrums, finding it hard to be inspired, and you're longing for the brisk, cool days of a new season, know you're not alone. Meanwhile, look for the blessings you have in your life and focus on those (I guarantee you have some!); think about better days to come and the victories you've achieved in the battles of everyday life.

You might even wanna think about cutting off all that hair that's weighing ya down...hey, it worked for me!
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Drive leading to my new baby...

A lone shutter peeks out from the overgrowth like a sleepy eye under a bushy brow as if to say "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

Yep, she's there...just obscured by overgrowth...she needs to be set free -- delivered -- reborn!

It's never dull when these two are together...if you look closely, you can see a slight baby bump emerging behind the stripes...

An impromptu trip to my beloved Blue Ridge is always an inspiration...here, my bff checking progress on her cottage that is under construction

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A rare coolness in the air led us to the trails one day recently...this image shows the sun peeking through as the rain comes down

​“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” 
― Amy Bloom