Happy Thursday, friends!
It’s 10 RANDOM THINGS: AUGUST EDITION!
You know the drill, I have a few random categories and am sharing random tidbits about each one.
I hope you are having the best, best Thursday!
I hope wherever you are today…that it’s cooler than it is in Texas…
And this is where we’re starting today.
Here are…
10 Random Texas Summer Memes…
I feel each and every one of these in my core.
10 Random Thoughts So Far from this School Year:
#1: I’M EXCITED!
Truly, truly, truly, I am so so excited for my senior kiddo that it alleviates a lot of sadness. She is so ready for this next chapter which gives my heart so much peace.
#2: I SHOULD HAVE SLEPT IN MORE OVER THE SUMMER
I know that one cannot “bank sleep” in July to use during the school year, but I think to myself at least once a day “why didn’t I sleep in more over the summer”?
#3: LET THE “YOUNGER” MAMAS DO IT
I don’t know about your schools/activities volunteer life, but there are so many “things” to be done as a parent that when you add on all the “senior things” as well, it’s WAY TOO MANY THINGS. Right now, in this season, I’m going to focus on more of the senior specific things and let those younger mamas handle the rest.
#4: FIND YOUR PEOPLE (YOU CAN’T DO THIS ALONE)
I am so thankful for my “people” at these different schools. Multiple times a day, someone will ask on one of the various text threads I’m on a really good question about something that I either a) also needed help with or b) had no clue about, so thank goodness they brought it up or c) I know the answer and can help! Just Tuesday night, Kensington brought home this packet that is new to the district that we need to sign and for the love, it was complicated. I was thrilled when another mama asked about it and collectively, nine women figured out how to complete it. It takes a village to get your kids through school.
#5: I HAVE TO GIVE IT TO JESUS.
I love to be in charge/micromanage/be the boss/handle all the things, but I’m trying really hard to just trust that the Lord has a plan for Kensington’s next chapter (Jeremiah 29:11). There are so many new/changing/unknown things as you transition from senior year to college, and I’m just trusting the Lord is going to handle it all.
#6: GOSH, MY HOUSE IS QUIET.
You guys, my house is oh so quiet. As much as I love working in a quiet space, I miss all that noise. No one has come in and asked me what’s for lunch or shown me their new juggling skill…and it kind of makes my heart sad.
That being said…
#7: GOSH, MY HOUSE IS CLEANER.
All of those kiddos are at school all day and then come home too tired to make a mess. I’m not hating how clean the place looks 😉 .
#8: WHY DON’T MORE DOCTORS AND DENTISTS OFFER LATER HOURS?
I’m not trying to get up on a soapbox here but…there are some professions who are geared more towards school aged children than adults, so it always kind of boggles my mind when their latest appointment is at 3:30. I mean, could you at least have appointments until 5:00? There are all those routine appointments children must attend (like the orthodontist!) and for some reason, they’re always right smack in the middle of the school day.
#9: I DON’T UNDERSTAND COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
I don’t understand the composition notebook. All four of my kids (6th through 12th grade) needed multiple for school (between four different schools). I much much much prefer a spiral notebook because they lay flat. Who wants to constantly fight a composition notebook? Why are these so popular? I don’t understand why I just bought 10 of them.
#10: WHEN CAN I PUT OUT MY PUMPKINS?
Not quite yet…but almost.
10 Things I Wear When It’s 105 Out:
#1 and #2: SWEATSHIRTS + TENNIS SKIRTS
It’s so hot outside but then it’s cold everywhere you go inside. My house, the grocery store, the kids’ schools…the AC is blasting. It was so cold in our church on Sunday that the AC was LITERALLY blowing the pages of my open Bible. This is my comfy combination (layered with a tank underneath should I get warm!).
It’s basically like wearing an oversized tee everywhere.
#4 and #5: CUTE ATHLETIC SHORTS + TANK
Yes, yes, it’s athleticwear but it’s “cuter” than normal athleticwear and keeps me from getting sweaty (or camouflages it!).
#6: COMFY SKIRT
It’s a skirt that feels like baggie shorts. Brilliant.
#7 and #8: BEACH SWEATER AND DENIM SHORTS
I bought these shorts back in April and wore them all spring and summer long. They went to Nantucket with me and back home to McKinney. They’re extra, extra comfy because of the banding around the middle. I love them. I love them with a beach sweater to avoid that whole “frigid air conditioning” thing we have going on right now.
#9 and #10: JUST STAY IN YOUR ATHLETICWEAR
And some days when it’s 106 outside, I just stay in my athleticwear and survive.
10 Delicious Bites From Nantucket:
#1: THE FARAWAY MERMAID
It’s a spicy margarita you can find at the Sister Ship restaurant.
#2: THE JUICE BAR
The very best place to get ice cream on Nantucket. The line out the door says it all.
#3: SUMMER HOUSE
The Shull family unanimously voted that our best, most surprising meal of the year came from Summer House out in Sconset.
#4: TUNA POKE
Millie’s out in Madaket has a lot of yummy bites, but hands down, my fave is the tuna poke bowl.
#5: BREAKFAST SANDWICH
After years and years of only eating breakfast sandwiches at The Hub (which we do still love!), this summer, we started grabbing them from Fresh and never looked back.
#6: CLAM CHOWDER
The two best places to have clam chowder on Nantucket are Slip 14 (pictured here) or The Tavern. You can get a lot of great chowder on that little island, but those two spots are my personal faves.
#7: BUCK A SHUCK
The Sandbar is a dive bar and restaurant at Jettie’s beach…and their afternoon “buck a shuck” always brings me joy.
#8: SUSHI
My favorite place to eat sushi on Nantucket is Bar Yoshi. They have the best rolls AND they have some delicious appetizers too.
#9: NANTUCKET TAP ROOM
I feel like this restaurant is often overlooked. The location is perfect (it legit sits outdoors right on Broad Street), and the food is delicious.
#10: FOOD TRUCKS AT THE BREWERY
Cisco Brewery not only makes their own beverages, but they host a very wide variety of food trucks each day for great snacks too.
10 Ways I’m Like My Mama:
#1: DON’T MESS WITH OUR MORNING TIME
My mom and I prioritize our morning routine. We like our coffee, we like our Bible studies, we like our inspirational books and magazines, we like a quiet spot to enjoy all the things each morning. It’s our favorite time of day.
#2: WE’RE NOT GOING TO CRY ABOUT IT
I was the kid who grew up with the dad who was a crier and the mom who was the stoic one. Ha! My mom is also an enneagram 8 (like Andrew and me) and though we do have feelings (I’m pretty sure?), we are not super emotional or very sensitive. We’re the ones you want in an emergency. We’ll stay calm and get it handled. My dad will be the one crying, holding your hand, and praying over you. We need those people in our lives too 😉 .
#3: WE WILL THROW IT AWAY
And because we’re not super emotional or sensitive, we are really good at not being sentimental. We appreciate things and love fond memories…but we’re not going to hang on to “all the things”.
#4: BAGS, BAGS, AND MORE BAGS
I am a collector of handbags…and I blame my mom.
#5: OUR FAVORITE HOBBY IS “PIDDLING”
We both LOVE to “piddle”. I know this word means other things in other parts of the world, but in Texas, it equates to sipping your Starbucks while walking through Hobby Lobby smelling candles. We don’t need to buy anything, we just really like the “looking”. We both find it so relaxing and it gives both of us a little boost of energy just to pop into a home store and explore. It fills our cups.
#6: BOOKS PLEASE!
We love all the books. Give us a novel. Give us a coffee table book. A cookbook. Heck, the latest issue of Southern Living, and we are quite happy.
#7: WE LOVE OUR HOMES
We both love to be at home. We love our yards, we love to be in our kitchens, we love our patios…we love to make things cozy and inviting. We just really love being home.
#8: DOGS PLEASE!
My mom loves her pups! She currently has two…Caroline and Fenway. (If you know, you know 😉 ) .
#9: MUSIC ALWAYS SETS THE TONE
One time, a kiddo came into my house and told me my house always “sounded like a fancy hotel”. Yes, yes! I loved that way of describing the music I play at home. I PROMISE you, if you walked into my mom’s house right this minute, it too sounds like a fancy hotel.
#10: WE LIKE TO LOOK FOR QUIET BLESSINGS
My mama taught me to look for “quiet blessings”. Those simple, little, everyday moments that really bless your heart.
10 Best Back To School Recipes:
Make ’em, bake ’em, freeze ’em, heat ’em…the easiest weekday morning breakfast bite!
We make this on repeat at our house! I pop it in the slow cooker early in the morning and bam, at dinner, we have delicious brisket. You can eat it alone or on top of a baked potato, as a taco, over rice…the sky is the limit. It’s delicious!
#3: EASY WEEKNIGHT SLOW COOKER TACOS
The name says it all!
#4: FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
Only FOUR ingredients, y’all!
The #1 breakfast bite at our house!
#6: EASY EGG BITES
You can make these in advance and just heat them up in the morning. They’re easy to mix and match too!
#7: BUTTERSCOTCH MAPLE NO BAKE COOKIES
I have a big batch in my freezer right now! My kids love, love these cookies. I make them and freeze them and my kids enjoy them cold. So simple!
#8: SIMPLE SAUSAGE, PEPPERS, & ONIONS
You guys, this is the easiest weeknight supper! We make this one on repeat!
These muffins are great for breakfast, in the lunchbox or as a snack too!
#10: MY BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
After many, many batches, I finally figured out my version of the “best” chocolate chip cookie. The recipe only calls for one bowl because…who wants to dirty a bunch of dishes? Not me! Based on the comments, you ladies love these too!
And that is August’s edition of 10 RANDOM THINGS!
Whew! Stay cool out there, friends! I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Stacey says
Hi Shay! This post was great and I need all the breakfast recipes! Your approach to this senior year season is right on…especially giving It to Jesus! I laughed…As a teacher, I LOVE composition notebooks: they stack neatly and easily on any sized shelf in the classroom, don’t leave tiny bits of white paper EVERYWHERE even if nothing is ripped out (it’s a mystery!) and nice and small for backpacks if kids need to take them out of the classroom! Happy Friday Eve!
Karyn says
and they can’t mess with those crazy metal spirals! Those things were the bane of my existence when I was a teacher!
Bev says
Happy School year to you and your sweet kiddos! Our granddaughter is heading into senior year, too! Exciting and sad that it happens SO fast! Trusting God for her future as well. Thanks for keeping up with all of us! Hoping to try your magic bars for a church potluck picnic soon! 🩷
Bonnie Butler says
Yes to the orthodontist hours! We went yesterday and when scheduling our next appointment, she told us the next time is longer appointment and they only do them in the mornings!!! Sheesh!! Ha ha. She’s in 8th grade…pretty much like 90% of your patient population.
Mix and Match Mama says
I feel so seen as an 8th grade mom right now.
Elspeth Mizner says
These are my favorite kinds of posts! Enjoy all the senior moments!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Jamie Hanson says
I’m in Texas and the “diet shade” meme has me cracking up! I am so looking forward to fall!
Debbra Weber says
It made me laugh as well. My sister lives in Texas and the first couple of minutes of our phone conversations are about the Texas heat! 🙂
Vincy George says
Aww love that you included ways that you and your mom are similar! So fun! Thanks for sharing!
Becky says
The doctor/dentist later hours made me laugh. We were just at the orthodontist scheduling a 6-week appointment for my daughter’s braces. The receptionist said 9:45 a.m. I thought, “Seriously? I am not getting out of work and getting her out of school for a 10-minute appointment.” The Texas heat sounds absolutely brutal! Western NY is lovely right now!
Mix and Match Mama says
IT DRIVES ME INSANE!!!
Bren says
So many good things in this post, Shay! Oh, the piddling. Nothing I love better! Add to it my BFF and Hobby Lobby + Starbucks and it sounds like the perfect day. Or just at home, tidying up here and there, organizing a bit…I love it.
Also – love that one of your mom’s dogs is Fenway. We had a Carver. For those of us from Iowa and are Hawkeyes, this will make sense. 😊
Sheaffer says
WAIT. HOLD THE PHONE. What is this new district packet that you speak of. I’m not aware.
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s the athletic transportation packet…so you probably don’t need it! Whew!
Sara says
The composition books! AGREE! I don’t get it.
Kimberly says
The composition notebooks are nothing compared to umpteen scantron and blue books you need in college! I had a professor at UT make me race across campus to the bookstore and back because I didn’t have one for an impromptu quiz!
SS says
Shay,
Enjoy all the Sr year things… You will have a small break in a couple yrs so another momma can enjoy the same courtesy. My step dad worked for DOT he would would early morning Xmas if it snowed so someone on his crew could enjoy Xmas morning with littles (we were in our teens).
The heat memes remind me of Michigan this summer…but throw the wildfires on top of it! I would say to my family and this is why I can’t live in tht south. 😆
All the sweet things about your momma.! Hey tell your dad we would get along… I am the emotional one… 😆 But we all need a little of everything to help us along our journey!!!
Jami Romano says
Enjoy the senior moments… they are so special.
Paula Hobbs says
The Texas heat is no joke this year!!! SOOOO HOT!!! Kensington is a beautiful young lady! I totally agree with letting the young mama’s handling the younger things! We’ve certainly done our fair share and deserve to soak in all the older kiddo things!
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
I have to comment on doctor/dentist hours and the composition notebooks!! Years ago I could make Friday appointments with the doctor/dentist. Then they scaled back to scheduling only half days on Friday. Now many aren’t open on Fridays at all!! Grrrr!!! As for composition notebooks, I agree with you! So ridiculous trying to keep the stupid notebook open. Also, I can’t tell you how many I have thrown away at the end of a school year where they only used the first few pages. 😬
Erin says
What do you play for fancy hotel music? Do you have examples?
Mix and Match Mama says
My two favorites are French Bistro (sometimes “cafe”) radio and then I also love Steve Tyrell Radio. I think you’ll love both!
Karen Buhler says
I’d like to know what I should ask Alexa to play so my home sounds like a fancy hotel…….that sounds wonderful!
Please help 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
My two favorites are French Bistro (sometimes “cafe”) radio and then I also love Steve Tyrell Radio. I think you’ll love both!
Kate says
Can’t wait to try some of those back to school bites! Just another perspective on the appointments as someone in a service field (I’m a psychologist) – I work the hours I do to be available for my kiddos! It’s a hard balance! I love my job but I also love being a mama!
Ashley says
I just wanted to say that we South Floridians stand in solidarity with you Texans on the surface of the sun. IT’S. SO. HOT!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I mourn with you my Floridian friend 😉 .
Christina says
My momma heart goes out to you watching your little kids go to big kids now! I can’t your daughter is a senior! Saying a prayer for your momma sanity.
My female family members in the NC and Florida states LOVE to “piddle” too. But we call “piddle” it ” doot ta doo”
We just love to be “doot ta doing” in home stores too!
Carol says
Since I have been reading your blog since K&S were babies/toddlers, I am still trying to figure out how they can already be seniors and juniors. Hope they have the BEST year.
My youngest son finishes his PhD next May and I will be an empty nester Mom.
Lol, when you mentioned the composition books, even though both boys were homeschooled, they thought they needed SO many composition books. Bittersweet and had to laugh while cleaning out some things in the garage, I found at least 20 composition books that had never been used.
So enjoyed the ways you and your Mom are alike. Is your Grandmother the same way?
Mix and Match Mama says
What a huge accomplishment for your son! Congratulations! And yes, I would say my grandmother is the same way. We are chips off the old block 😉 .
SS says
CONGRATS to your son and all those that helped him along his journey!! Momma… what a great job helping him with his schooling early on…Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. I laughed too at the composition book… we homeschool as well. We have only had a couple of the composition books…spiral for the win here.
Debra says
Such a great list! Especially love the 10 ways you are like your mama – so sweet!
sandi says
Another mom and I were just talking about composition notebooks. Why are they needed when at the end of the year only five pages were used. Many years I used an x-acto knife to cut out the used pages and recycled them for the next year. If I recall, first grade was the only year ALL of the pages were used.
Kiddo #4 was dropped at college this past weekend and #3 returns to her campus this weekend. She is the baker and starts her baking around 10PM, which coincides with the nightly running of the already full dishwasher, which means I wake up to a sink full of bowls and measuring cups. Trust me, I will not miss this.
Debbra Weber says
Oh my goodness, you sparked a lot of feelings from when my kids were in middle and high school. You hit it when you said to let the younger mamas do it. That is one of the best pieces of advice to a senior momma/parent. Let all the other parents handle it so you as senior parents can take the time to enjoy every last thing. It is such a special year!
The dentist! I 110% agree with you. My pediatric dentist office always contacted me to reschedule my sons’ appointments that were scheduled six months in advance during standard school breaks. It happened every year, every six months. I do not get it. 🙂
I like to be in control as well. My youngest son is entering his senior year in college and has been working on his application for his master’s program in physical therapy all summer. I have wanted him to re-write his essays, give advice… I had to stop myself and have several talks with Jesus over the summer to let go and give it all to Him.
I hope your family and your senior have the best year!!
Robyn Beers says
Yes, for the love of everything tell me why dentists, doctors and other service folks do not work past 3:30???
Amanda Martin says
I complained to two professionals last week who wanted to make an appointment on the middle of the school day for my child. I’m not pulling them out of school for stupid reasons. If your business is pediatric then you need to have hours outside of school hours. You would have a lot more clients I can guarantee that.
Amy says
Do you have speakers wired throughout your home? Or how do pipe the music throughout? I would love that?
Mix and Match Mama says
We do! We use the Sonos system!
Emily Harbarger says
I’m a nurse practitioner in primary care. My last appointment of the day is at 3:45… my patients are back to back in 15 minutes slots with the exception of a lunch break (which I work through to catch up on charting/labs/phone calls). Very often my patients require more than their “allotted” 15 minutes and I have to spend extra time with them. On a good day, my 3:45 patient is leaving at 4:30, which gives me 30 minutes to finish charts, labs, phone calls, FMLA paperwork for patients, fight with insurances for medications/procedures… so that I can try to rush out the door… because I too need to get my kid to their 5:30 practice… I love my job but I’ve got to protect my time with my family.
Nicole says
I can so relate to you and your mom! I just dropped my oldest at college and people keep asking me how I’m doing, expecting me to cry. But I’m actually just really excited for her! I’m definitely not a crier. And I throw everything out. My husband calls me the “least sentimental person” he knows 😂
Katy says
Along the lines of late appointments, what about more early ones?! As an APRN, my most popular (and my fave) appointments I offered when I worked family medicine was 7:30am. People like to be up & get it over with and then have the rest of their day. And now as a mom of littles who don’t like to sleep in, we’re ready to conquer the day by 6am. I would LOVE a 7/7:30am appointment time!
Mix and Match Mama says
YES! I would love an early option too! My kids might not, but I certainly would!!
Kimberly M. says
As a Mama one year ahead with my oldest now a freshman in college (Go Clemson!). I feel this so much!
If I could give you any advice, it would be to do the exact opposite that I did last year! I stressed over every college application, deadline, making sure we missed none of the important things about applying and sending in stuff for next year that I completely missed his senior year!! I realize that I spent the whole year worried about a whole year in the future that God had prepared for all along!
It would’ve been so much better for all of us had I just relaxed and let God take control since He is already! My son would’ve still been exactly where the Lord planned for him to be, but without me trying to micromanage so many things that I completely missed all the little gifts that only come during senior year and won’t be back again!
This is something I will work on and remember for my younger son in a few years: to actually live in the moment a little more and not a year in the future!!
Prayers for Kensington and you as she embarks on this exciting year! The Lord definitely has an awesome plan for her life!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU so so so much for sharing your experience and words of encouragement. Truly, thank you! I hope your kiddo has the BEST freshman year at Clemson!
Jinjer says
Would your mom be up for doing a DITL for us? That would be fun to see.
Mix and Match Mama says
I can certainly ask!
Dana J says
What a great post!! Yes yes let the younger moms handle classroom things and you enjoy all the senior moments with Kensington!! It is a crazy busy year but oh so fun…and bittersweet!
Simone says
Hi Shay,
I know you’ve posted about this many times…but just wondering if you could please share the link to that summer hat (from Amazon?) that you can take anywhere and it retains its shape?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Simone.
Mix and Match Mama says
It is THE BEST!! https://amzn.to/4ej1a69
Elizabeth says
Soak in every moment of the Senior year. Unfortunately my daughter graduated in 2020… no school after March, no senior prom, no graduation, no spring sports. Total bummer… Wholeheartedly agree that you can scale back and let the younger moms step up and just soak up the time with Kensington.
Andrea says
We are just finishing a remodel on our bedroom, bathroom, and closet. I am in the process of figuring out what I actually want to put back into the space so I have been channeling your “we will throw it away” energy. I keep asking myself, “what would Shay Shull say?” It’s surprisingly effective!🤣 I have thrown away or donated so much stuff!
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahaha! Toss, toss, toss!