Friday Favorites - August 1, 2025

 

Here is a random fact about this month. Did you know that in a standard calendar year, no other month starts on the same day as August? The exception is when it’s a leap year. When there is a leap year, August begins on the same day as February.

So I asked ChatGPT if the above (that I got off the internet) is true.  

This is what it said:  False.

August does share its starting weekday with at least one other month in most years.

Here’s a breakdown:

• In non-leap years, August and February start on the same day of the week.

• In leap years, August and March share the same starting weekday.

So, there you go, Fun Fact Friday.  The internet was WAY off on that one ;) 

And that's the extent of the research I am interested in doing from my cozy chair in the corner of my bedroom tonight.  Yes, I am a product of the 70's and 80's school system where we could probably debate this for 30 minutes, dig out reference materials, and write our own theory. . .I will say, that was fun.  I miss it sometimes.  Another blog post for another day :)

On to Friday Favorites!  Thank you, as always, Andrea and Erika for hosting this link-up each week.  I love it when I take the time out to write something so I can join.  I'm going to keep using my summer numbers because, by gosh, it is still summer!!!  Looks like teachers in Knox County went back to school yesterday and the kids next week and, yes, there was a part of me today that said out loud, "is it terrible that I'm still sad I'm not going back to school today?"  All these years later. . .it's easier but still there.  Teaching is just something that never leaves you I guess.

My FAVORITE FAVORITE is #6, so skip through if you only have time to skim today :)

Speaking of teaching - many of these ladies were there that first year when I was "Miss Foster" to the 6th graders at Waynesville Middle School in August 1994.  I'm sure I have some classroom pictures {somewhere} but who knows?  None of them are in the classroom full-time any longer :(. Some, like me, wish we were. . .one is still in the district as a counselor and one as a substitute teacher (she took over my job when Baby #2 was born) and many retired.  One of the ladies that was with us last week when this picture was taken left before we remembered this singular photo - she too is retired.

The Hostess with the Mostess, second from left, texts us all at the beginning of the summer with a date and time.  Last year I wasn't able to make it so I did not want to miss this year.  What a great, great afternoon it was, catching up on our families, local news, and where our lives have taken us.  I'm so grateful for these "pick up where we left off" relationships.  Many dear people were missing too - lives are busy in this season!

Since I was in Ohio for that reunion (so thankful to have a job I can take on the road when opportunities like this come up) I also got to spend time with some of my family.  Friday night I made dinner for my sister, Mom, and Dad.  It was a great way to cap off my week up there.

The night before that I had driven up to Columbus to see my Uncle Dave and Aunt Becky.  Becky made a great dinner for us and then Dave and I took a stroll at a park down the street from his house.  

My dad didn't know he had this brother until he was in his 50's (Dave is 13-ish years younger than him) but they both lived in neighboring suburbs in Columbus, OH in the 80's.  Life can take some turns, for sure!  You just never know. . .

By Saturday afternoon I was back home with my own family, then up early Sunday morning to cook for Ellie and Robert since they were up for the weekend.

They had made the best gift for Nana (her birthday is TODAY) - a plate for all the cookies she is always making for everyone :). 
I saw this in Instagram awhile back, then have seen some thoughts about it on blogs I regularly read lately and then a conversation with Tom this week.  These are my feelings exactly: 

I'm sorry I can't give credit to the author - I sometimes just take screenshots of things that I like and want to share, never really intending them to go "out there" - if someone knows who to give credit to, please let me know and I'll edit this post.

Anyone else with me?  I remember Mel Robbins once had a podcast, she must have had a guest, and the question was, "when did you know you had 'made it?'"  Or "what would be a signal to you that you were finally "rich"?"  Anyway, her answer was, "when I could buy dessert for the table at a restaurant".  I got that, understood it.  I started looking back, wondering when that moment was for me.  I believe the first time I felt like we had "more than enough" was when I could go to the grocery store and not "worry" about how much something cost.  Don't get me wrong, prices can still upset me, but I don't have to make choices like "butter or milk" or "we really can't afford {blank} this week".  I will never take that for granted. The real money dream is having enough to give, enough to comfort, enough to turn ordinary moments into something extraordinary. Thoughts on this from anyone reading?

There have been some GREAT blogger reading recaps lately!  If you are looking for your next read, or a list for when life slows down (ha!), here are some ideas for you:

Andrea at Momfessionals - she generally reads books that I don't hear about in other places.  This list had a lot of really, really good ones!  She suggested Demon Copperhead last year and I thought it was a good, although not "lite", read.

Tanya from The Other Side of the Road generally has books that are "my" style/what I like to read.  I like that she also gives examples of "if you liked" so you have an idea if the book she's reviewing might be something you would like.

Maria from Memorable Moments + Modest Missives reads all the heavier, meatier books that I desire to have the time and attention to read.  I know I have one of her recommendations on my Kindle but haven't been able to find the capacity in my brain to really get into it.  I like being challenged, but prefer to have people to discuss these things with and just don't have anyone that takes the time to read and discuss like I would like ;)

I always appreciate's Jen's reviews from Show Me + Sweet Tea.  She reads more at my pace, but actually records them here :)

Katie over at Preppy Empty Nester gives ALL the great reviews - from her bookshelf AND her husbands!  I could never keep up with her but am always impressed with her lists and, if my job was to read, then I would chose at least half of what she recommends.  I think the link I'm using here also includes television and movies they are looking forward to watching this summer also.  

And last, but really FIRST, is Shay's monthly Book Club and Book Review.  She started these years and years ago, when "reading two books this month" was on her list of goals for the month.  She's far surpassed that and started a following as well as introducing or reintroducing {my guess is hundreds} blog readers back into reading.  I know I was one that was influenced by her in this capacity.  Her reading preference is a bit "lighter" than I generally reach for, but I am a die-hard Elin Hilderbrand and Sally Hepworth fan because of her :)

I hope you click on some of the links above and find some good reading material for yourself too!  Let me know what you're reading. . .I'm specifically looking for some "family saga" books for my fall reading list.

Lastly, I will say, I come from a long line of readers. . .my grandmother was never without a book.  My aunt and mother are both huge readers and so is my sister.  My sister and I do a lot of audio books too, as does my oldest son. . .both my daughters love to read too.  I almost always prefer to read over watching television.

I honestly didn't intend for this post to be this long but I absolutely want to get out the BEST favorite before I sign off - Nancy Bell's birthday is today!!!!  Guess her age!!!  Or don't. . .here's a hint. . .she's three years younger than her husband who turned 43 for the second time on Sunday.  

Anyway, she told me she wanted to play pickleball outside again (she and Fred play in the gym 3 times a week) so I put up on our fitness center's GroupMe chat that she'd like to get out early on Wednesday and 8 other people came out to join us!!!  They were so happy to see her again - the groups don't really overlap - and it was such fun playing with her.  We took this picture right before winning our game 11-1.  And, believe me, the other team was NOT hitting the balls to me. . .although they might have scored a few more points if they had :/

Nancy is the BEST mother-in-law out there!!!  Since I am soon to become one too, I'm taking all the notes on how/why she has that distinction in our lives.  She is just a remarkable woman, ahead of her time earning a master's degree (in math? computer science? not sure. . .), raising her children in a traditional family structure (she was in charge of everything related to kids, housekeeping, shopping, appointments, etc) and was teaching at Sinclair and Wright State University when I met her.  She is a phenomenal Nana, has loved numerous horses and dogs (and a cat or two along the way) in her life, and has always taken care of anyone needing anything along the way.  Our family is blessed beyond reason to have her in it.  

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS NANA!!!  What does she want?  To not have to cook dinner tonight - ha!  DONE.

Recent pictures of her and her grandchildren (and great-granddog?) - 

Happy Weekend Blogland.  We are looking forward to a BBQ Saturday and, hopefully, the lake Sunday!

Love,

Jenni