Getting Back Into A Routine

With summer coming to a close and school just around the corner I’m running in hyper speed mode trying to wrap up deadlines at Talisman for 2019 product, prepping for the 2019 Talisman catalog, juggling interior design gigs, photography, and making sure my kiddos are all set for school. I’m beginning to think the end of August feels like the week before Christmas, don’t you? It’s a mad house around my place.

I can’t remember the last time I mopped the floors this summer. I think I started out strong in June, then gave up with all the kids running in and out all day long. My house is a crazy mess, filled with stinky shoes, a laundry room filled with dirty clothing that reeks of bug repellent mixed with sun screen spray and some lingering camping gear that just needs to be stored away. It’s been a great summer but I’m definitely ready to have a little more breathing room and work time.

August has been a crazy month. Nate and I learned how to white water raft through class 3 rapids with just the two of us in a raft! We were not in a group raft. We were so proud of ourselves for doing it, just the two of us. It was so much fun! If you live in MN, you should check out Hard Water Sports in Sandstone, MN and try it. It’s a really fun experience. I highly recommend you guys to look up class 3 white water rafting and find the nearest place to experience it! Here’s a totally embarrassing moment… I totally, scared the crap out of a guy that was using a port-a-potty. There was only one port-a-potty at the rafting station and it looked vacant (the handle was green and only partly red) so it didn’t look locked to me, so I tugged and it wouldn’t open, plus I didn’t hear anyone say, “It’s occupied”, or “I’m in here” so I assumed the door was stuck, plus I really had to go, so I pulled with all my might and behold… I opened the door on a guy peeing right in front of me. Well, better him then me I suppose, right!? He ended up being our rafting coach! Good times! Totally embarrassing!

Here’s an example of class 3 rapids.

We have a no TV/screen time policy in our house during the week days. It was getting a little challenging to maintain this summer so I finally caved and the boys each purchased a guinea pig (with their own money). I love animals, but not in my house. They have been begging me and begging me for I don’t know how long, but finally I was tired of hearing “I’m bored”, or “It’s too hot to play outside”, so I gave in and added two new members to the family.

Meet Acorn (Gabe’s guinea pig)

and Philip (Sam’s guinea pig).

I have to say, all things considered, they are pretty low maintenance. I get a kick at how their little bodies run. It’s super cute. They love to be held, they love to eat from your hands and their squeaks of joy are just adorable. I even find myself hanging out with them to relax.

One of the employees at work that I manage on my team got another job and took it effective immediately, so it’s been a little squirrelly trying to work around that, too.

Also, I haven’t been sleeping well lately. For the past month I’ve been going to bed between 10:30-11:00 pm then waking up at 3:30am and not being able to fall back a sleep. Honestly, I’m not sad, mad or really stressed, but I do have a lot happening all at once right now, plus a head cold this week, that slowed me down.

Long story short, you guys have always been so kind when I’ve needed breaks. And I need one now. So, I’ll be taking a little time away from the blog next week and until after Labor Day when I’ll return on September 4th. I also figured you guys are really busy too with last minute vacation trips, last minute school shopping and home prep, too. In the meantime, I’ll be getting more caught up with cleaning my house, making sure my boys have everything they need for school, finishing packaging and product deadlines, getting ahead on blog stuff, editing a ton of photos, cleaning my office (good heavens it really needs a good deep clean and decluttering) and trying to get to bed at a decent hour. I’m crossing my finger for 9:30- 10:00pm. That’s my goal!

I wish you all a very merry productive week as we wrap up back-to-school prep and get back into our fall routines. Be safe and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

XOXO

Melessa