August Goals

 August is a welcome sight, because July has been rough! There was sickness, surgery, and just an overall challenging month for me. I am looking forward to a fun month ahead!

On the Calendar This Month:

1. Not one, but TWO, lake days!!! Y'all know I love a lake! Cam is doing a wakeboarding lesson at Lake Gaston and we'll visit Lake James later this month with family for our annual pontoon and tubing.

2. Two outings with former coworkers - lunch and a coffee date are scheduled! :) Mentioning this just as a helpful reminder to anyone reading. Taking time each month to catch up with my old coworkers, usually over lunch, has been a great way to stay in the loop with other Duke departments, network, and simply reconnect with friends that I no longer see each day.

3. Make a December dinner reservation at Angus Barn!!! They've changed the policy this year and now you can book 120 days in advance starting at 1pm. My calendar is marked! Cam has been asking to go during the holidays, so I'm gonna do my best to secure us a spot.

4. A primary care visit! This will be my first ever primary care doctor's visit. Usually I just considered my ObGyn my primary care physician. I have been inspired to get lab work and an annual physical even though I feel healthy most of the time. 

For a laugh...I'm linking a clip to Nate Bargatze describing a doctor's appointment before and after age 40, lol! I have a couple more years of (what I hope will be) the drive-thru experience. 

5. Cam starts 4th grade on August 25!! I'm excited and praying for a great school year.  :) 

What I Read in July:

1. I picked back up one of my old favorites: Streams in the Desert. This is a daily devotional that I read each morning.

2. They had a display at the library this month regarding nature and national parks - right up my ally! I read 100 Hikes of a Lifetime & 100 Things to Do in America Before You Die

3. "Ignore it!" How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parental Satisfaction". Highly recommend!

What I'm Loving Lately:

1. Our oven is finally fixed after being broken for almost a month!

2. I've been at my parents house working most of this month while Cam is at a day camp nearby, and I've enjoyed working outside on the screened porch most of the day, even with the heat! It's nice to be outside.

3. Duke did free headshots back in May and I got mine emailed to me last week. They shockingly turned out great! I almost didn't go, so very glad now that I did.

August Goals:

1. Complete June and July goals of strength training, exercising and also completing my baby books I've been wanting to finish.

2. No coffee/caffeine. This is a longer story, but I think my morning coffee ritual (especially on an empty stomach) is causing GI issues I want to resolve. I started this Wednesday just not having a cup each morning (SO HARD!!!!) but I already think it has helped. I unfortunately have had splitting headaches as a result of giving it up. More to come on this, because this will be a huge challenge for me but I hope I will see some results.