Ok, gang. So where's the summer going?
It's always fun for me to share the last 30 days with you, the bits and pieces, odds and ends that make the weeks speed by. I look at these monthly Loose Ends posts as my own personal newsletter / Instagram / FB page. Thanks for the ways you tell me each month that you get a bit of a kick out of glimpsing the ordinary, the winsome, the discoveries, the reads.
I love doing life with you ... even from afar.
JOMO ... not FOMO
Fear of Missing Out {FOMO} is SO last year. Far too many of us were a wee bit afraid {or off the charts terrified} to skip out on our favorite social media babies for fear that we'd be out of the loop, left behind, abandoned, or completely forgotten if we didn't keep up our ridiculously frantic must-be-online-at-all-times pace.
This summer? Not so much. JOMO {Joy of Missing Out} is the order of the day.
And not too soon because truth be told, quite a few of us were getting just a bit crispy around the edges even if we weren't able to come right out and admit it. And now we're celebrating the total relief of being freed up from the dailyness of being ever present online. We can't believe how much fun it is to opt out of the exhausting digital treadmill and choose to live life without being constantly tethered to a screen or tapping away at the keyboard.
I came up for air to do a little six day #MyCozySummerHome series {did you see the porch?!}, touched base mid-month with In Which I Tell You Exactly Why I'm Barely Online, and weighed in on the spiritual bounty that comes with closed doors as I penned On Discovering the Door With Your Name On It.
And you know what I'm finding? When I've occasionally bopped back on to the scene, I found that the blogging world was proceeding quite well without me, thank you very much. You guys graciously welcomed me back into the online fold ... unless you, too, were out and about, unplugged and in no hurry to rush back into the old frantic rhythms.
Do read this New York Times' article How to Make This the Summer of Missing Out.
Hint, it's not too late to lighten up. I've got a feeling that more than a few of us are going to keep on embracing this lovely, healthy loosening of the reins into the months ahead.
GetStencil.com
Thanks to Debby {have you seen her beautiful new Picture This site?}, I hooked into GetStencil.com and found it easy going for this technologically challenged soul. I wanted to create a bunch of headers for these monthly Loose Ends posts and was able to do so without getting all kinds of panic-y in the process. You get 10 freebies a month, which is more than enough for me.
Don't you just love free?
Their site says it well - 'Ridiculously simple image creation for social media marketers, bloggers and small businesses.'
And even though I still prefer my photographs unadorned and free from words and logos and such, I couldn't be happier with the results.
Stupendous Giveaways
I haven't told my husband yet, but for my upcoming 63rd birthday, I'm treating myself to soon-to-be-published books by two of my favorite bloggers ... Myquillen 'The Nester' Smith's Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff and Anne 'Modern Mrs. Darcy' Bogel's I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life.
Each of these books can be pre-ordered and when you do so, there are all kinds of truly fabulously generous free goodies that are yours for the asking.
Click here to find out about Myquillen's Free Cozy Minimalist Home Seasons + Celebrations Online Classes {$116 value!}.
And click there to check out the Free 7 Days to Get More Out of Your Reading Life class and the Free audio version of I'd Rather Be Reading {plus more!} you'll scoop up from Anne Bogel.
I'm a big fan of these beautifully creative women and am more than willing to buy their latest books sight unseen. I'm betting they're going to be THAT good!
Pre-order with me, ok?
Lydia's Story
She's our eldest granddaughter, her middle name is Joy ... and unlike her grandmother at that age, this girl's a sheer delight. Long time friends will remember her successful brain tumor surgery when she was 6 years old. She's back again with her 2 minute story about the spiritual impact of her little brother's Tyler's life and death ... and you might want to have a tissue handy. {Hint - the sound might be better on your laptop than on your phone or tablet.}
Love you, My Lydz ...
Excellent Links
Pastor - Take a Vacation for the Good of Your Church
Stephanie Dyrness Lobdell
How to Add Character to Your Home
Cami @ Tidbits
Here's How You Say No to Drama in Your Life
Henry Cloud
A Guide to Letting Go of Shame and Fear
Leo Baubata
Becoming Minimalist: Should You Donate Or Sell Your Unneeded Possessions?
Joshua Becker
Paying Attention to God in an Age of Constant Distraction
Alan Noble
I Am So Not Ready For This Madness
Let's talk about what made your July sparkle!
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hi to
Fun times with family and friends outdoors sparkle for me. Even if its just for a few hotdogs and some really stale marshmallows.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how a roaring firepit can transform even the most questionable marshmallow. ESPECIALLY when one is wedged between two Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups.
DeleteDivine.
I found myself trying to get as much riding in as possible since I am doing an MS150 ride in September. My wife and I made a couple runs to Ohio (Okay we drove) to watch our grandson play baseball. Our youth pastor was gone for 2 of 3 weeks so I found myself hanging around here so that one of us was here. But that's okay. it was very hot and humid and dry until the past couple of days. So my cycling has stopped since last Thursday. I have taken the time to read several books, which I always enjoy doing. All in all it has been a busy but productive summer.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll enjoy that article for pastors about taking time off. You've showed us all how to stay healthy in the ministry in all the ways that matter most.
DeleteA true mentor you are, Bill ...
Beautiful testimony by your granddaughter, Linda. Enjoyable post, too. One of my July sparkles was a Sunday drive (does that make me sound old?!) with hubby this weekend. Just the two of us. We ventured into new-to-us Oklahoma territory and simply enjoyed spending time with each other.
ReplyDeleteI just love a serendipitous drive ... any day of the week. It's a sure fire way for us to relax as we venture down familiar roads ... and some unmarked new-to-us sandy paths. Bliss.
DeleteOklahoma, huh? Wow.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely person Lydia is and so well-spoken in her video. I also read three of your posts this time so I feel like I had a wonderful online visit with you and have a sense of what your summer has been like. Blessings and all manner of goodness for you and your loved ones :-)
Yes, Lydia is a sweetheart, mature beyond her years. A keeper, for sure! It made me smile that you've lingered a bit and hung out, Dolly. Sweet ...
DeleteAhhh, Linda. What a refreshing post! Myquillen's book sounds like one I need to read. Since I can't order it now, I'll add it to my TBO (to be ordered) list.
ReplyDeleteYour grand daughter's smile can light up a room! What a beautiful video, and such wisdom from that exuberant young lady.
So thankful for you!
She does light up a room, yes!
DeleteAnd I'd love to hear what you think when you get the book, Jeanne. I'm guessing we're going to love it ...
Linda, I so enjoyed this post and the reminder to slow down and enjoy. July went by as quick as a wink. Hoping August goes a bit slower. May He teach us to wisely use and number our days. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteTo wisely use and number our days. Yes, yes, Joanne. And not be afraid to linger and rest before we run and hustle.
DeleteI enjoyed this post... and could use some JOMO! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah we all could! But it is there for the taking. All we have to do is walk away from our screens ... and focus on all the blessings God has for us alive and in person.
DeleteGo for it, girl!
JOMO - now that's a phrase I can get behind! Thanks for sharing that, Linda. And all your other goodies here. So much fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a JOMO summer for sure, Lisa. I'm determined to keep it going into the fall and beyond. It's been too easy to be obsessed with who's doing what and when and where rather than focusing on the real life right in front of me.
DeleteLooking for a healthy balance between the blogging world and my reality here. I think I'm finding it ...
Love the post and the pictures of summer - even the cupcakes! Lydia's video is so special and it is wonderful seeing how God is working in her life. Her desire for His leading is so great to see.
ReplyDeleteAnd if I remember correctly, we enjoyed a cupcake or two even unfrosted!
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The summer does seem to be flying past? In some ways it doesn't make much difference for us. With no kids in school (except my youngest taking online classes), our schedule doesn't change much. No vacations since we take care of our husband's mother. But my husband will take some time off later this month when my oldest son comes to visit. We often work in a few outings (picnic, bowling, etc.) when he's here.
ReplyDeleteI like to keep up with what social media I am involved in, but I do "hide" (on Facebook) or delete (on Twitter) people who post tons of stuff every day. It's just too much to keep up with.
What a sweet testimony from your granddaughter!
This, I love, Barbara -->'It's just too much to keep up with.'
DeleteAnd that's when we realize we're getting a bit crispy with it all and need to step back and away and say 'no, thanks.' I love that you're hiding and deleting along the way.
Thanks for that nudge ...
I did a bit of jaw dropping when I read your JOMO. I read that article and journaled about it last week. It was so freeing and affirming to read that. You've a list of links I hope to get to though am in the midst of prepping for a week away (business/pleasure in NC mountains) but your links always seem to resonate with me. And thanks for the sweet shout-out, friend.
ReplyDeleteJaw dropping, huh?!
DeleteFreeing, affirming, healthy, smart. Yes. I think we're headed in the right direction. A balanced approach to all things digital and a stronger ability to say 'no thanks.'
Enjoy NC! I'm headed to the Adirondacks in a couple days ... they're calling my name.
Your granddaughter is an absolute gem, Linda! I am so impressed with her confidence and grace when telling the story of her faith in God. Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the idea JOMO - unplug, unwind, find joy!
Blessings to you!
Martha, yes. She is an absolute gem. I wish I had been like her when I was her age with that confidence and grace you spoke of.
DeleteAnd I'm so grateful that God has been redeeming Tyler's story in the last three years. We miss him so.
I do love when you tie up loose ends. I was telling Michele that I totally missed the boat this month. I'm not sure where July went and honestly forgot to prepare my monthly musings. I am going to live through everyone like you who were on the ball and kept track of time. I love your recommendations and already checked out getstenciled.com. I'll have to look at it when I have a little more time. Thank you for sharing you.
ReplyDeleteThat's FUNNY!
DeleteWell, it has been some wild and wonderful month with you debuting your own version of a very popular link-up. You're doing a beautiful job and I've been happy to have bumped into some delightful writers there. I love that God has given you this opportunity.
It's ok to forget the end of the month. It means you're still living it out in all its excitement!
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Best part of summer is swimming my laps in an outdoor pool. It is so refreshing and sparkling water 💦 gives me something to look at while swimming. Also have enjoyed my lovely in-house Dr friend who has me binge-watching Madam Secretary. How different it is to share a TV story with someone...as we comment on everything from clothes, shoes, plots, bad decisions and cutey guys.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, your Ldyz is a total joy and a half. As always, love your pics
I miss our swimming pool days ...
DeleteYour summer has been a lovely one even in the midst, yes?
See you in 8 ...
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It's been a hit or miss last few months for me concerning blogging but I try not to sweat it when I look at the last date I posted. What I miss along with writing myself is reading others post, so much out there that is good stuff to gleam. I have found a young friend, younger then by 30 some years who write a blog and I am stunned each time I read her post. her father died six months ago so her post have been about the walk of grief and what she shares is wisdom beyond her years. I love reading the growth in each of her post and being encouraged by someone so young. I have always said, I like the commenting more then the writing, reading something wise stirs my soul and makes me want to encourage that one who I have read. Ever seeking.
ReplyDeleteBetty, you have said it so well right here --> 'reading something wise stirs my soul and makes me want to encourage that one who I have read.'
DeleteThat's what makes blogging so important, this ability not only to share our hearts, but to encourage the hearts of others, to mentor and be mentored, to reach out from far away and bless those God has sent on our paths.
I'm glad you're here.
Thanks for the GetStencil referral, Linda! I love PhotoShop but sometimes it's more than I have time for. With 10 free/month I'm thinking this will be a great, quick way to create some headers for my upcoming #write365days challenge!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love having a little creative stash on hand?
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