Blogging, Favorite Things, Grief, Humor, Life, Nonsense, Photography, Summer, What I Kept

What I Kept | August 2023

Kari

These are the things I kept on my phone in the month of August.

Click here to read previous posts.

My wedding band was cut off my finger. It had been cutting off my circulation for quite some time. This was taken the day after it was cut off. It’s been three weeks, and my finger is still gradually returning to normal.
I had to upload Woebot for a study, and I was feeling guilty on this particular day. This was the AI’s response, and it made me cry. A robot made me cry. So we’re all doomed.
My sister dog, Dolly. 🖤
Titty Titty Bang Bang is very, very sick.
YES.
My friend Dina’s childhood sticker book
Grandkittyyyyyyy 🖤
I found out that on my birthday, one of my favorite bands released their latest album. These things make me happy. 
Source
The dahlia! It bloomed!
Also, this beautiful sunflower!

I mentioned in my previous post that I was disappointed that my soul garden had not turned out as I had hoped. Then my friend Ron commented, “such rich greens and bright colored flowers. To me your garden looks as if it’s thriving.”

I had pictured my soul garden blooming with all of these colorful wildflowers all at once, which is completely unrealistic. It reminded me of when I recently wrote about vision boards and how I was trying to control how things showed up in my life.

But look:

It IS thriving.

Thank you, Ron, I am looking at my soul garden in a whole new light now. 😘

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33 thoughts on “What I Kept | August 2023”

  1. My favorite image is the one of you. This feels like a collage of a life, and it looks like a very rich one. I like that it’s not all good vibes (though there are a lot of good vibes!) Also: What are you going to do about your wedding ring? I have found that I have to take mine off every night. My fingers swell up when I sleep. And when the weather is warm. I’ve thought about getting it sized up, but then it will be too big in the winter. So, I just take it on and off a lot. Is this an age thing? I love your dogs. I’m glad I get to live a little tiny bit of dog life vicariously through you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, my finger is still healing, so I’m not sure what to do. We considered the expandable rings. I also like adult fidget rings. Many people say they take their rings off at night, which is something I should’ve done when I was carrying Ella. Headslap.

      I love my dogs so much! I am happy to provide dog content. 😘

      Like

  2. Pingback: Something Good | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

  3. First, that’s a great selfie of you in the sunglasses! What are you, 29 years old??

    Ok, since I love color, I adore your lime green front door and the blue fence. So, so pretty! I’m sorry about your wedding ring, though. That would have really upset me, but I know it happens all the time. And that bouquet of flowers is just lovely.

    The childhood sticker book of your friend’s is wonderful. It reminds me of the Wacky Package stickers I collected as a kid and then covered my plastic bedroom wastebasket with. How I loved those stickers!!! They cracked me up. About 5 years ago, I found a Wacky Package puzzle and bought it. My kids did not think the stickers were funny, but I chuckled the entire time I did the puzzle.

    Your book titles also made me laugh!!! Next time my husband and I are on a road trip, I’m taking a notebook and we are going to come up with Life Book Titles. I know he will be really good at it.

    I’m embarrassed to tell you that I’ve never heard of The National. And here I thought I was really up on music!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Okay, you’ve won my heart. And, yes, I am only 29 years old.

      My green door brings me a lot of happiness. What’s funny is that I love color, but I usually only wear black and gray. 🤣

      The wedding band is cut in half and stored in a ziploc bag in our junk drawer. We can always resize it, but Mike and I are considering getting different bands.

      We bought the flower bouquet at a farm market. I felt sad about my soul garden (before Ron’s perspective), so I bought those to cheer myself up.

      Isn’t that a fantastic sticker album? It was saved in her parents’ basement. It was like going back in time.

      Wacky Packages stickers brought back so many memories!! For some reason, the smell of Bazooka gum immediately came to mind.

      YES. DO ITTT. I’m curious to see what you come up with!

      The National is still relatively new, so there’s no need to be embarrassed. They are from Ohio! I’m sure you will like them, so give them a listen.

      Like

  4. I concur – great photo. Are you in a convertible? Did you get a convertible when titty titty bang bang got sick? That made me laugh. Is there a reason it is titty titty and not chitty chitty? Curious minds want to know. I’ve been to that leaning tower building – is it near Des Plaines? That’s not right, but I can’t think of the name of it. It wasn’t far from where we did Irish dancing for awhile. I used to go to a Costco near there. I think. You’re poor wedding ring. I had to have my college ring cut off because my pinky knuckles are about double the normal knuckle size. I miss wearing my college ring. I always thought it would be safe on my pinky – no other wedding rings or other rings would oust it, and instead my body revolted against it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. NO! It was Mike’s car! He has a sunroof, which is where the natural light is coming from.

      So poor titty, I should write a post about it because it’s somewhat universal. She needs a boob job. Her engine is sick.

      Yes! It’s in Park Ridge. We went there on a field trip with some friends.

      My finger has yet to return to its normal shape. Are you not able to wear any rings?

      Like

  5. Wow Kari, that selfie is FIRE. That is my fave photo of the whole lot, including the dogs and the flowers. SO THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING SINCE DOGS AND FLOWERS ARE TWO OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS. Wow wow WOW. Gorgeous photo, and you are just glowing with happiness.
    I love that quote about your children not being your children, I think of it often.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I LOVE THIS COMMENT SO MUCH. Also, that photo was a one and done. I took it in the car as we were driving. I never usually have good car/wind hair.

      I love that quote too. I think we all need that reminder. ❤️

      Like

  6. My everlasting summer hydrangea just starting getting buds for blooming this weekend! I thought for sure I wasn’t seeing any blooms at all this spring/summer. I feel like my plants have just been all over the place this year.

    I can not get over that photo of your poor finger! I got into the habit early on to take my rings off each night for sleeping and while you can definitely still tell which finger it goes on they do slip on and off pretty easily.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What?? That is INSANE!! I actually love that. I have four or five sunflowers that are getting about to bloom. I do love late bloomers. ❤️

      I never thought about taking off my rings at night!

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  7. WOW Kari, I cannot get over just how tight your ring was! Happy to hear your finger is back to normal!

    LOVE that quote from KAHLIL GIBRAN!

    Perfect response from AI. And I agree. You are a caring and responsible human!

    Dolly has such a precious, lovable face!

    “Titty Titty Bang Bang is very, very sick.” – made me LOL! Hope that’s not your car.

    “Thank you, Ron, I am looking at my soul garden in a whole new light now.”

    You are sooooooooooo welcome, my friend! That’s the first thing I thought the second I saw your garden…it’s THRIVING. Just like YOU!

    FAB post!!!!! Have a terrific week! XOXOXOXOX

    P.S. I love the “energy” in that photo of you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I felt like I could breathe a little easier after having the ring removed.

      I love that quote as well. I need that reminder now and then.

      Ron, you are also a caring and responsible human being.

      Dolly is so full of love. She is always excited to see us. She IS love.

      It’s my car. I’m heartbroken. I’ve had her for over nine years and have been without her for over a week. I hope they are able to fix her because I will never take her for granted again.

      I am eternally grateful for YOU. You are a gift, my friend. Never forget it.

      Have a wonderful week, as well!

      (I took that photo in the car while my hair was blowing around. I never have good car hair. I knew I had to share! 🤣)

      Like

  8. Some lovely things you kept this month. I love these posts, Kari, such a full a snapshot of a life.

    Like Rita, I’m curious about your plan for your ring!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Katie, I love hearing that! Thank you so much. 😘

      I actually found a ring I like on Amazon. I thought I had saved it, but when I returned to share it, it was gone. It was an adult fidget ring with a tree engraved on it. I’d like something that represents our daughters and our relationship while also being functional in my life.

      I was so relieved when it was cut off. I even joked to Mike, “What if this is the cause of all my migraines?” (It wasn’t. 🤣)

      Like

  9. Love the video of the space in your home while doing your soul homework. You’re so lucky you have that huge amazing window to let in so much light.

    So who cuts off a wedding band – a jeweler? Your poor finger! I only wear jewelry when leaving my house (except for earrings), so my rings are on and off all the time. I haven’t worn my original wedding band in years. I wear my gold anniversary band in the cooler months and in the warmer months when my fingers are more swollen, I wear a silver pearl and ruby ring. So what are your plans now for a ring?

    What happened to your car??! (LOL on the name.)

    Dolly looks like such a sweet pup. I hope to get to meet her one day. And your grandkitty is so beautiful. I love her long whiskers.

    Love and miss you, my friend. I hope we can get together again soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am so grateful for the windows in this house. ❤️

      A jeweler! We just walked into one we found online, and he did it for free! We joked about him having to saw it off, and he literally did! I should’ve taken it off when I was pregnant with Ella. The jeweler said he could resize my band for $200, which is reasonable, but I’m not a jewelry person, and I’m not sure I love that band anymore. So Mike and I are talking about finding new bands that represent who we are as a couple now, if that makes sense.

      My poor car. That’s a long story that’s best told in person. They think they will need to rebuild her engine. We have a warranty, but we are unsure of her current status.

      You definitely will meet Dolly when my mom hosts the cookie exchange in December!

      I love and miss you, too! I will text you so we can get together. 😘

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, that does make sense about new rings! I would love to do something like that with Brian for our 40th anniversary next year (can you believe it?!) but I bet he wouldn’t go for it. He’s super traditional and sentimental.

        Will be looking forward to your text or email with possible dates!

        Liked by 1 person

  10. I’m glad you’re finger’s improving. Your friend is right – your garden looks lush, but I hear you on the having a vision of the supposed-to.

    It looks like a busy and interesting month. Once again, I’m reminded that I could take more pictures. Maybe September.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I feel like we all have big ideas in our heads that may or may not come true. It’s good to have a different perspective from time to time.

      I probably wouldn’t take as many photos if I didn’t have these posts. I am so grateful for these posts and this blog. I hope you take more photos in September and post them on your blog. I’d love to see them. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  11. That kitty’s face! I want to smoosh her and kiss her!

    I hate it when my car is sick. It just throws everything off. I hope you get her fixed up quickly!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Ouch – your poor finger! My husband and I haven’t worn our wedding rings in quite some time, as he nearly had a horrible accident with his. We do too much physical work to be safe wearing rings. But we’ve been married for 30 years, so I guess the rings don’t make the marriage!
    I love all your photos – your selfie is gorgeous and joyful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I just took a photo of my finger for an upcoming post. It has yet to return to its original shape. 🤣

      That’s scary about your husband! “The rings don’t make the marriage.” YES.

      I love that selfie too. ❤️

      Like

  13. You have a grand kitty, which I knew about, but hey, A SISTER DOG? WTH? Why must we keep secrets?
    I love that your soul garden is giving you some blooms. Sorry about Titty Titty Bang Bang—I hope she’s better now.
    The book titles? PLEASE DO AT LEAST TWO!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know! I can’t believe I never told you about her. She is the best.

      This week, I have sunflowers blooming! I’m going to post pictures soon!

      Titty is currently getting a boob job. I’ll be sharing all about it on Monday. 

      I’d like you to think of some book titles for your life story. 😘❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I am sorry about your finger but impressed you kept your ring on as long as you did. I rarely wear my rings anymore. Another casualty of the pandemic, living at home, with my husband who was working from home. We knew we were married so the jewelry wasn’t necessary.

    I rarely take photos of much of anything in my life, then I see a post like this one and think maybe I could do more snapping. Maybe a goal for September? 🤔

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I had a wedding ring cut off my finger after my first marriage crashed and burned. You could still see a white outline a year later! (This was the PNW, though. Not a ton of sun out that way.)

    Liked by 1 person

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