Reading Al Fresco

 One of my favorite things is reading outside by the pool. I do some of my best reading there. 😁

Evening is my favorite time to read outside because the sun's glare is gone, the temperature is usually more comfortable, and the sky looks pretty.

Violet likes to hang out by the pool too, but no reading for her since she's illiterate. 😄

Wisdom, Humor, and Inspiration in June

 Public Service Announcement: the following nuggets of "wisdom, humor, and inspiration" are in the order that I took them. Normally I'd want to organize them into categories, but I'm lowering my standards (just a bit) in preparation for becoming a single working mom when my time is going to become much tighter. My blog is something I want to continue so I'm going to have to be okay with things being good enough and not editing everything to death! 

I can relate to this guy 😆

Personal revelation has blessed and continues to bless my life greatly.

Yup.

Helpful advice. Cognitive reappraisal is something I do regularly for a variety of situations, and it really can help.

I love those Brits! I find daily routines immensely helpful in good times and in hard times, and following those routines during the hard times (while not being too rigid about it) is one of the things that helps build my resilience.    

Someone close to me who knows my situation well woke me up to the concept of gaslighting and that that's what's been happening to me over the last few years. At first I didn't believe it, but researching and discussing this issue has been enlightening, enraging, empowering, and freeing, all at the same time.

This is one of the big reasons that I'm very careful and choosy about the TV shows and movies that I watch.  

Good food advice

🙋😆

IF I date in the future, I'm definitely following this advice this time around. 

I love this hymn. We sang it in sacrament meeting and my eyes filled up with tears. I felt comforted in the midst of my trials. I know that my Savior is always there for me and with me as I follow Him.

"And while I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard: 'Ye shall obtain.'"

More good health advice. I try to do all of these things.

Moving mountains is possible...

This concept has been so helpful for me.

Also very helpful, all of it.

Also very helpful

I did everything I could but it simply wasn't possible to single-handedly save my marriage. Both people have to be willing to put in the work.

Here's looking at you, avocado toast (which I love!).

Last Day of School

 It was a weird school year last year, and the last day of school happened later than usual--June 21st for John and June 22nd for Sam. I'm still not sure why they had different last days. Yet another symptom of the strange school year that it was. In any case, we certainly welcomed the start of summer vacation!

Silly Sam the ham 😄

💙💙