I don't know about you, but I'm happy to have August (or, as I sometimes refer to it: Blah-Gust) in the rearview mirror. Now, don't get me wrong. I believe each day is a gift from God (that's why it's called "the present" —ha! I stole this from a sign I saw in front of a church years ago), but for me, August just seems to drag on . . . and on . . . and well, you get it!
Having lived most of my life in Texas, I can tell you that August is the most miserable month of the year. In addition to boasting no major holiday, it's hotter than heck and, with no measurable rainfall, pretty much everything in my yard shrivels up like a prune. By the time the calendar hits August fifteenth, I just want to scream: "Let's declare August 20th as National Air Conditioner Day and give everyone the day off! We could have a parade and fireworks. There'd could be decorations— like dried-out petunias on withered wreaths and flags featuring sun-loving succulents.
Heavy sigh. . .
In 2020. the dreaded eighth month of the year has delivered the same scorching hot thirty-one days I've come to expect, I've also marked this particular August as a personal fail. You see, although I didn't share this with everyone at the beginning of last month, I decided to challenge myself by abstaining from wine (and actually, all imbibing).
It's not that I have a drinking problem, rather I got to thinking about it and realized that with all the "stress-makers" going on right now, my occasional "nightcap" had truly become a nightly thing. As an admittedly crazy control-freak, I knew that I was not in control and this was not okay!"
So, I made a big declaration to my family and a few close friends: "I'm not drinking in August."
No real explanation. No defenses. I just put it out there for what it was.
For reasons I'll not get into on this post, I made it until August 24th before cratering. My apologies to anyone who is surprised by this. I understand that as Christians, we're instructed in Romans 14:15-21:
If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. 19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
Conversely, in Timothy 5:23 the Bible tells us:
Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
A couple of thoughts here:
* I'm not opposed to having an occasional drink or glass of wine. Like most things in life, moderation is the key.
* Perhaps if I decide to declare another month of no drinking, I'll go with February. Since it only has twenty-eight days, I might actually hit my goal!
2020 Closet ClotheSure Challenge—Week 31 Recap:
Monday—
It's Klein Time!
This satin-lined, light blue coat dress by Calvin Klein is a slick number I picked up last fall at Macy's. It is very well constructed and the fit is amazing.
A definite keeper, I was surprised by the number of people who guessed it might be the one outfit I'd be kissing goodbye to this week.
This one's a keeper!!
Tuesday—
If you guessed this classic-style Ann Taylor dress would be the outfit I'd be shedding, congrats!
Purchased nine years ago, it's one of several size sixes in my closet. It's a bit too snug on me. In fact, when this dress actually fits well, pretty much everything else in my closet doesn't! This dress is a great example of how I've kept something that was never really a good fit!
I do like the wide black ribbon accenting the waistline—it features the same detail vertically along the full-length zipper in the back.
Wednesday—
One of my all-time favs! I've hung onto this satiny, abstract, Ann Taylor shift dress for more than ten years. It has a nifty side zipper. I "dig" the flamboyant colors and the length.
In the 100+ outfits I've worn in my Closet ClotheSure Challenge thus far, I did something different with my arms for this pose which caused some people to guess this dress was the one on the chopping block. Trust me, this one's a keeper. I was probably just listening to my husband telling me to "do something different" with my arms. Bless his heart, he's still hanging in there with me on this even after all these months!
Thursday—
Some folks thought this pairing from New York & Company was a little too casual for the office, but most loved the vibrant colors.
I can tell you that our office is pretty laid back these days, and after all, it's still summertime in Texas, so this is a definite keeper. In other words, I re-fuschia to give this up! (LOL)
From The Garden
If you've skipped the first part of this post, you missed me complaining about the month of August. My apologies for being a whiner. I aspire to always see the glass as being "half-full". That being said, although the summer sun has taken its toll on so much, our knock-out roses are still going strong:
As have our magnificent elephant ears!
(check out the cute gecko on the large leaf on the right!)
Suffice it to say, I'm happy September has arrived and can't wait to enjoy the cooler temps and planing some pansies later this month.
Praying peace over you, my friends! And remember, God is in control and hope is on the move!
Love, Monica