The Never Ending End of Summer

Our plants really took a heat hit while we were away in sunny Illinois getting some R&R!  And they have never really recovered plus the heat and humidity continue to hang in there, as they always do in August so everything outside is looking pretty pitiful.  Here is one small flower blooming among the brown branches of a plant that was so lovely not so long ago.  The end of summer is not fun and lingers on and I am ready for some fall...gold and orange and red!!  The oppressive greens (and browns) are getting me down!

So we have been walking every day and here is a pic of today's end of the trail sky.  Again it is still very warm and even though we waited until nearly 8PM to walk today, it was still 89 degrees outside.  I know the Greenway is going to be beautiful when fall arrives and I JUST CAN'T WAIT!  Common theme, huh?

I haven't had a cigarette in 21 days...three weeks...and I could pick up a pack and smoke them all LOL but I won't, I don't think I will right this second!!  I have lost all physical cravings for smokes but still have the emotional triggers quite frequently.  I crave one after I eat a very big meal, I crave one after I have been confined and unable to smoke, like in Walmart or at church, once I come outside I want to smoke and I crave a smoke whenever I first get in the truck to go somewhere.  But I have noticed I do not think of smoking at all when I first wake up and I do not crave them when I lay out in the sun, which used to be a prime smoking time.  So in many ways it is getting better and I know it will get better and better over time.  I won't start smoking again because I fear the terrible pain I experienced would return and I might never be able to quit again.  

We had a wonderful night out at The Nashville Farmer's Market last weekend!

It is just so beautiful there and God is so good to give us so many delicious and nutritious choices!

And look at those colors!

 

Been doing some crafty things like clipping stuff out of magazines and decopaguing them on to painted canvasses...these are two I put in the bathroom but you could clip any type of pics out and make a cool collage:

FUN!!!

So as of this Sunday, my days at The Medical Center will be completed and I start my new job next Wednesday.  I am very excited and look forward to learning a new type of nursing.  Tracy is back at school and should hear about nursing school acceptance in the next few months.  We went to Nashville today and had a blast!  Well, I had a blast and he hung around with me :)  

First we did a test run to the new place I will be working because my anxiety about driving in Nashville is in the upper limits.  But after today's drive I feel some better.  It will take some getting used to but hopefully with time and lots of prayer I will not have any full blown anxiety attacks or have to pull to the side of the interstate and cry...Remember Houston, Miranda?? I was sure we were going to die!!  Then we went to the mall and got some much needed hair care products at Sephora and the cutest box set of philosophy lip gloss:

Inside are Rice Krispie Treats and Caramel Apple flavored lip gloss!!  Thank you, baby!  I tried not to go wild in there!  I don't know what comes over me in Sephora but it must be some kind of mind control!!!

 

Then we went to Sweet CeCe's for yogurt and yummy toppings:

We had low fat yogurt and portion control although it was NOT easy!!

Tonight we tried grilling salmon for the first time and it was superb!  I was in such a hurry to try it I didn't even take a picture and the presentation was awesome!!   Salmon pieces with grilled onions and green peppers along with Portabello mushrooms!  Sooooo tasty and next time maybe I can control myself long enough to take some pictures to show you :)  We are doing really good with our dietary changes because you can prepare such wonderful foods and still eat healthy. I kinda dread this winter though because no fresh foods for awhile but that makes me more determined to have a big garden next year and I need to start planning that soon!

Last but not least I can attribute my latest jag to my wonderful Mom who sent me a package because she was thinking of me and guess what was inside!  A paper blog is how I describe it!!  Just as this is my web-based virtual blog this is a journal called "Smash" and you fill it with anything your little heart desires and I have been stuffing things in it daily!  Here is today's page which contains the "hard copy" of my day:

Sorry it is sideways but you get the picture and thanks Mom!! 

A new box of crayons!!!

So I am off to take a shower and then to bed.  Going to bed earlier these days because I am not a night shift person any more!  I am thrilled!  And for in the morning...

Panera bagels!  Yummy!

PS...I have so much to be thankful for and I AM!!  God is so good to me in so many ways and I could never express to Him or you how grateful I am for His blessings and love.  Thank You for all the answered prayers of late and help me to love You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength which is the first and great commandment!