A Week from August Break 2015

Days 13 through 20

I have been knee deep in work this past week and my time at the keyboard has been spent either writing for work or editing. Lots and lots of editing. I have gotten most of one of the projects into Scrivener and am happy with how that feels when it comes to organization.

On Wednesday, I spent way too long sitting. It was productive, but I got up from the desk feeling hunched up and tight in the shoulders and my back. I may need to start setting a timer to remind me to get up and STRETCH or move.

I wrote in the newsletter (which goes out tomorrow) about how hard this week has felt when it comes to the new morning routines. How easily I could have skipped my morning reading  (because I’m too busy) or skipped the 750 words (because it isn’t real words on paper).

I know the resistance is really about fear. What is going to happen when I do what I set out to do?

So, I get real with myself. I get compassionate. And I show up and do the work. There was a reason I shifted the mornings to include reading and morning pages. Because I need the structure and feel it gives.

Today will mean less time at the desk than usual. I have a haircut appointment and lunch scheduled with a friend afterwards. Oh, and groceries. We need groceries to survive the weekend ahead.

My goal for this weekend is a bit of a round-up kind of post here to share what I’ve been working on for the long-term for my business, those changes I am making as we make our way from 2015 to 2016.

In the meantime, my collection of August Break 2015 images for days 13 through 20.  (And Happy Friday)

Day 13 – Last Year

This time frame #lastyear I was in the midst of moving from the upstairs office with a window to this space downstairs – like Mark Twain, I put my desk facing the corner to diminish my distractions #love #awareness #littlethingsMatter Day 13 prompt for #augustbreak2015 is “last year”

A photo posted by Debra Smouse (@debrasmouse) on Aug 13, 2015 at 11:24am PDT

Day 14 – Favorite Smell

I wasn’t sure how to photograph this one, because I have so many favorite smells.

There is the smell of JB, fresh from the shower. The combination of his Coast soap and Old Spice Deodorant with the faint scent of fresh laundry and starch when I hug him goodbye in the mornings. And then, his end of the day scent, when the traces of Coast and Old Spice have faded a bit, the starch is a bit wilted, and there is the faint scent of Man Working.

I love the scent of cinnamon in the air. It’s warm and crunchy cinnamon toast or pumpkin bread baking.

And roses. Though old fashioned, I love rose scented talc or a lightly fragrant lotion with undertones of rose and bergamot in all it’s yumminess.

Day 15 – Art

I am a lover of art and we are on the lookout for a couple of large pieces for the house….most of our current art is my photography…taken during our travels..each on tells a story of our lives before we met and our years together building a shared life. #love This is my office – DC, NYC on the wall… Day 15’s prompt for #augustbreak2015 is #art

A photo posted by Debra Smouse (@debrasmouse) on Aug 15, 2015 at 12:49pm PDT

Day 16 – Fire

Lighting candles has long been a way I connect to the sacred: with God, with my Guide, with the holy parts of myself. There’s this infinitesimal moment when you light a match and transfer the fire from a little wooden stick to the wick that you are bathed in holiness – the inner flame of desire, of deep intention, and of profound #gratitude . #love #soultending #littlethingsMatter The Day 15 prompt for #augustbreak2015 is #fire

A photo posted by Debra Smouse (@debrasmouse) on Aug 17, 2015 at 7:31am PDT

Day 17 – Reading

Though I read a lot of books as a kid, Trixie was my favorite. She was less perfect than my beloved Nancy and gave me a little more permission to be myself. These days, I always have a couple of books in progress…. a spiritual book for morning time, a good fiction for entertainment and sometimes a psychological kind of book to help me as a coach or as a human being. #love #soultending Thr day 17 prompt for #augustbreak2015 is #reading

A photo posted by Debra Smouse (@debrasmouse) on Aug 18, 2015 at 12:04pm PDT

Day 18 – Look Up

We sit on the porch at the end of the day – telling stories of our time apart and delighting in shared companionship – relishing the beauty of the world around us. #love #soultending #littlethingsMatter #latergram DAY 18 prompt for #augustbreak2015 is #lookingup

A photo posted by Debra Smouse (@debrasmouse) on Aug 19, 2015 at 9:48am PDT

Day 19 – Sweet Delights

The air has an edge of crisp to it and I revel in the soft breeze as it caresses my bare arms. The daylillies are making their way towards hibernation and a large contingent of ducks are waddling towards my neighbor’s bird feeder. Sipping my first cup of #coffee as I breathe in this goodness and tiny moment of perfection is soul deep sweetness. #love #soultending #littlethingsMatter Day 19 prompt for #augustbreak2015 is #sweetdelights

A photo posted by Debra Smouse (@debrasmouse) on Aug 20, 2015 at 4:29am PDT

Day 20 – Two

Our evening #ritual – sit on the porch, share some #wine and tales of the day, and watch the golfers go by….just us two #love #soultending #littlethingsMatter The #augustbreak2015 prompt for Day 20 is #two

A photo posted by Debra Smouse (@debrasmouse) on Aug 20, 2015 at 2:30pm PDT

in closing