Well hello there! How are we all on this fine October day?

OCTOBER!

GAH.

I KNOW.

It’s crazy to think we’re headed into the last quarter of 2019, but I’m rather glad we’re here. And if you’re wondering why it sounds like a snotty British aristocrat has taken over the blog, I’m quite pleased to announce that I recently started watching Downton Abbey. Honestly, have I been living under a rock for the past nine years? I. Can’t. Get. Enough. Of. It. You may now address me as Lady Grace. I mean… Crawley… Fo(w)ley… same thing!

October = fall and fall = the mossssst wonderful time of the year (no, I am not referring to the VERY DISTANT Christmas season. Calm down, kids!!). I’m talking Sunday night football, crunchy autumnal leaves, and a large, steamy bowl of Ina’s butternut squash soup. Pop on It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and toss me a chunky knit and your girl’s in business. Shockingly, I’ve yet to experience the apparent joy of a PSL (pumpkin-spice-latte), but 2019 could be the year. I’m thinking homemade Oatly version, of course. :) Will report back soon.

In addition to a growing chill in the air, October brings a much-needed silver lining for me after a handful of tough weeks ~HECK, let’s be real~ a tough year. A rich mix of uncertainty, obstacles, and downright fear have thrown me for a loop, but as those much wiser often remind me, growing pains are a part of life. And life ain’t easy!

My most recent challenge included a much-needed and long-overdue shoulder surgery. After dislocating my left shoulder a ridiculous amount of times in an equally ridiculous amount of situations and countries over the past six years, I reluctantly agreed that it was time to face the facts. The decision to repair it, while the right one, felt especially frustrating because I had just gotten over the recovery hump of a major hip surgery three years prior. Lessons learned here: 1) I am genetically blessed with loose joints (lucky me!), 2) lacrosse and I are no longer friends, and 3) I have a lot of one-handed talents.

Today officially marks two weeks since the surgery, which means only two weeks left of being confined to a sling and only four and a half weeks left until I’m cleared to leave for Seattle. This wasn’t how I expected the next chapter of my life to start, but it’s how my hand played out, and it’s teaching me a lot that I wasn’t all that open to learning. In all honesty, I thought I’d be on a plane to Seattle 2-3 weeks post-op, sling in toe, of course, but boots on the ground. I thought I’d be interviewing for jobs, setting up an apartment, and acclimating to rainy days. Instead, I’ve got four anchors screwed into my bone, a gorrrrgeous chunky mesh sling, and quite a few months of healing ahead.

Taylor’s new album couldn’t have come at a better time. I start most mornings therapeutically blasting, “You Need to CALM DOWN!” through my ear buds, as a subconscious reminder of a phrase that pains me to hear, but desperately needs to be understood, especially right now when my body is quite literally begging me (!) to rest. I promissssse I’m giving it my best shot…

Part of this rest includes mental rest, which, in my case, translates to taking inventory of my thoughts and involvements (i.e. doing more of what brings me joy and less of what does not). Thank you, Ms. Marie Kondo. *Shockingly*, the joy chest was rather empty because, admittedly, I have a very hard time doing anything for myself. Well, this month I made a little deal with myself to change the narrative. I would like to announce…

*Drum roll please!!*

#31DAYSOFGRACE

31 DAYS OF CONTENT FROM YOURS TRULY ON ALL THINGS LIFE, FOOD, BEAUTY, STYLE & TRAVEL.

EVERY NIGHT. 6PM CDT.

I’m sick to my stomach with fear, but I’ve never been more excited for a challenge in my life. Thanks for hanging with me on this journey. You all mean the world to me.

grace xx