I got back from the UK on Sunday. It was such a good trip, national mourning and all. I did manage to come down with a horrendous cold 48 hours before departure, so that was less of a good time. But, I had mostly gorgeous weather, got to see a dear friend from vet school (twice!), and between the cold meds and the sleep meds, had no jet-lag whatsoever.
I was extremely worried about the rodents in my walls (eventually diagnosed as rats) taking the opportunity of no human and no dog to breech the defenses and storm the house, but that thankfully did not happen. They're still around, but things seem to be improving. I finally got to talk to the exterminator myself yesterday (this has all been run through the landlord), and he seems confident that he will eventually prevail, by hook or by crook.
I may have an opportunity to go full-time at my main job sooner than I had anticipated. I'm meeting with my boss on Monday and I really have no idea which way it's going to go. I'm really hoping that it works out, because benefits, but it would mean that I would have to cut back at my other job, which I would definitely feel guilty about because they are SO short-staffed and I'm finally getting enough of a handle on everything to feel like I'm actually helping.
Well, hello friends. It's been a month. Maybe just in today.
I've mentioned before that I run a nonprofit that helps heart transplant patients with the costs (mostly housing) that insurance doesn't cover. The stories I hear every day about these families in need would break your heart (no pun intended).
We're running a fundraiser right now (a virtual 5k) and there are 10 days left to register, but we're behind where we need to be in registrations in order to keep saying yes to patients who need us to keep saying yes.
I'm not sure it's allowed, so I'm not going to post the link to sign up, but if you're at all interested, reply and I'll message you the information.
On the treasure side, I get to see friends tonight! It's been a lonely season for me.
My treasure is finding elephants ears on Facebook marketplace (really cheap) to plant in my yard - I'm obsessed. Turd is discovering the ground in my yard is so hard I had to buy a pickaxe to dig the hole to plant them.
There's a lot more going on but if I start writing it out I might cry and I'm waiting for students so - can't do that. If you're a praying person, I could use it.
Hello friends! I haven’t gotten through all of the comments yet, but here are my quick treasures:
🎉 for the first time since LAST Thursday, both kids are in school today. I had the 4 year old home all week while I tried to work, and listen... JJ & Mikey Minecraft videos on YouTube raised him. He doesn’t even play Minecraft. I am not sorry.
🎥 to celebrate, I’m taking off work early to go see a movie alone! The Woman King isn’t out where I live yet, so going to do Don’t Worry Darling just because I need to see what came of all that drama. I am wearing stretchy pants for this activity (duh).
🍁 we have the tiniest bit of cool weather here (Houston) and I’m going to max it out with a Hocus Pocus 2 viewing tonight with The Popcast, pumpkin bread this weekend, and maybe even some fall candles!
A small turd (ew):
🩹I rolled my ankle HARD last weekend when my husband and I were on a night away. Like I thought I broke it at first. It’s very swollen and bruised but I am slowly able to put more weight on it. Been icing it a lot, starting to do some mobility exercises so I am on the road to recovery but man it hurts when you get injured as you get older. ☹️☹️
North Texas is also seeing a *tiny* break in the heat, so I’m thrilled it’s happening in the south, too. Healing wishes for your ankle. I’ve done that so many times and it’s true that healing gets slower as you age. My ankles are weaker in my 50s from all the bad sprains in my 30s. Good luck!
Sorry you are worn out Erin. Hope you have a good weekend! These tweets = bangers as usual. 😄 And that flute music was enchanting! How fun that Lizzo got to do this. I would also watch that travel show.
✨️It has been a beast right to the bitter end, but today is my last day at The Project that Tried to Kill Me. 🙌 Jesus and I (and my sweet husband) made it out of this toxic, abusive, dumpster fire.
✨️Tomorrow I leave for 3 nights in Napa ALONE. A whole king bed all to myself? Yes ma'am. No dishes, laundry, tidying, cleaning, repairing, maintaining or managing anything? Yes ma'am again! No one - not even a dog requiring anything of me at any time for 4 days and 3 nights? Glory! I am not a mom, but I also am barely making it. So I am going to sleep and nap and doze in between meals and snacks. I may never get out of my pajamas.
📚 I read Where Goodness Still Grows and liked that one. The chapter on Purity culture was insightful. Will read again during a less hectic/brain dead time when i can glean more.
📚 Also read The Enchanted April, which I had not read and found charming, but I still have mixed feelings about. Now I need to see the movie.
📻 Lstening to fall spotify lists when I can, but will really start listening this weekend on my trip. Thanks for all those links last week!
📺 Still working through All Creatures Great and Small. It keeps me company while I clean the kitchen and make dinner. When I get back GBBO, and finally making my husband watch Schitts Creek all the way through.
I probably won't get to read comments til tomorrow, but I hope you all have the best Friday available to you!
Napa! I’m so envious! What you described for your getaway is exactly what I loved about my own little hotel stay in June: the solitude and the letting-go of responsibilities. I didn’t have a gorgeous landscape, though. I need to do better next time. Wishing you allll the rest. 💗
Yes, finally the last day! I'm so happy for you. Enjoy your trip and the large bed! Your post reminded me of a few lines from a poem by Lucille Clifton:
"Come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed."
Thanks for reminding me of All Creatures, it's such a good comfort watch.
We're barely hanging on, indeed. I feel like I don't know who I am, where I am or where I'm going and I definitely don't what I'm doing. Just me? 😵😅 There are still treasures though:
British television is saving my life right now. GBBO is a balm and the new season of Taskmaster started last night, and for that we give praise. 🙌
This morning I found out I got a scholarship to attend Evolving Faith. I am incredibly grateful!
Last week our very own Karen gave me the sweetest compliment that really warmed my heart. (Thank you again, Karen!!!) ❤
Ok, so that video is fascinating. I have a vague memory of reading/hearing somewhere that the "royal accent" of the Queen, etc. was because of how much Germanic influence there was across several generations of the monarchy. The thought had also occurred to me recently that Harry and William's accents are more what I think of as "generic posh British" (SSB, apparently) instead of how their elders speak, so it's interesting to know the reason. Also, did I just look up clips of all of Charles' siblings to compare accents? Yes. Yes, I did.
I’m DYING at the King’s Speech videos. Let’s always watch Charles in repeated loops of phrasing. 😂 (The reasons behind language are utterly fascinating!)
I’m okay with having my journals published when I’m dead. I’d like my family to know how spiteful and hateful they could be toward me and to feel guilty about it forever after. 😜
This is why I don't write stuff down. If I wanted people to know my thoughts, I would tell them. I may be a type 7 but that doesn't mean I trust people, nor would I want to hurt people's feeligs.
My pleasure, my friend! So honored to be a part of your treasures this week. 🙂 And I could not agree more about the “please don’t publish my journals” comment. There’s a whole lot of people who might think much worse of me if they could read my temporary inner thoughts. 😬
I'm expecting a pretty quiet day at the library as NC has battened down the hatches in preparation for the storm. We has so many older patrons come yesterday to get books so they'd be ready to stay inside.
✨I really only have an Instagram level knowledge about the Enneagram, so listening to Jamie and Erin's conversation with Susanne is sending me down the rabbit hole. I am ready! I'm so glad to be at a place in life where learning about myself is exciting and not terrifying.
*side note * old man coworker just got the keys to the filling cabinet out of the fridge... is this a thing other people do? There is a little box of keys in our office minifridge.
✨Lizzo's visit to LOC is so incredibly cool! I would imagine that her playing of the flute would also now be added to the archive which is just a wonderful nerdy delight!
👕My little friend Bea asked me to make her a shirt and it's the cutest thing! Why are tiny things so cute!
🍂 I finally put up some fall decor at home and it's feeling nice and cozy. I need to do a little more this weekend and it'll be all set.
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve popped into the comments section.
Praying for all of you who’ve been in Ian’s path. 🙏🏻 Please keep us posted on how we can help!
I am LIVING for Lizzo with that crystal flute. I love her so much and this was just magical.
Confession, I’ve never watched The Great British Baking Show. I think I need to remedy that. What’s your favorite streamer to watch it on? What do I need to know going in?
I’m in my last Semester of Seminary!! 🥳 And this semester I started my program to get certified in Spiritual Direction! So I’ll graduate in December with my MDiv, and then linger around for another 2 years to get my certificate. It feels very exciting to finally figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
I turned 34 last week. My husband and I ordered in pizza and watched the season 2 premiere of The Kardashians 😂
I love Penny & Sparrow with my whole heart, so your story today Erin was PERFECT FRIDAY MAGIC. (And thank you Rebecka!!!)
It's been a hard but ultimately good week. My college daughters both had some mini crises that we were able to work through (gah, it's SO hard to have your kids suffering when they are far away!), but I got a second interview for a new role at my organization, so I have that to look forward to next week. We are expecting a beautiful weekend here in St. Paul, MN, so I'm excited to do some outdoor projects, particularly trying to refurbish an old playhouse structure into a she shed for myself. My construction skills are not great, but YouTube and Google were my go-to resources when I had to rebuild a storage shed this summer, so we'll see how it goes!
Praying for Floridians, and now folks in the Carolinas. Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Morning, swipes. I took last week off from commenting because I was crazy busy, but I missed you all!
Thinking of all you Floridians. Yesterday I texted and checked in with the ~10 people I love who live in the state. Setting up a monthly donation to Convoy of Hope!
I have been in Vernal, UT for two days for a work conference. Today, I pack up my stuff and as soon as I can, I am leaving and driving straight to the SLC airport (3 hours) to fly to Anaheim for two days. I don’t particularly want to go to Disneyland right now, and I am anxious about seeing my in-laws because every time it seems like some tough drama happens, but I am trying to keep my spirits high.
I have made a Fall checklist so we can accomplish all of the things I want to do and eat and see so that it doesn’t slip by. I love Fall, and last year I didn’t make an effort to savor it, and before I knew it it was dark at 4 pm and snowing.
Wish me luck on my drive - I am cutting it extremely close and don’t want to miss my flight!
I’ve never done Fall checklists because I always see moms doing them for families, but you’ve just reminded me that it’s *perfect* for a single/non-parent, too. I always have a few seasonal habits and I really just need to write them down and make them a priority. Thanks, Shelby! You’ve inspired me yet again!
I work for a large disaster relief organization and we estimated over 33,000 people in evacuee shelters pre-landfall. We are preparing to have team members assisting Florida at least through Christmas. This will be a long, slow recovery. Please continue to give (if you can) to reputable organizations. They will definitely need it!
We had a trip planned to Universal Orlando to start this Sunday, but we've decided to move it, and although it's a little disappointing, I'm going to suck it up and not be a baby about it.
If any of you are local to Bham, we are having a telethon fundraiser with WVTM next Wednesday! Check it out! You might see me on TV! Telethons are my absolute favorite part of my job! One minute a little old lady will call and donate $5 and then someone else will call and donate $15,000 and they are equally exciting. And then sometimes local celebrities will come to the station and do a live check presentation and it's just so much fun! That's how I got to meet Governor Kay Ivey. If you ever get the chance to volunteer at one, DO IT!
My husband has been out of town this week, but we decided to have a Hocus Pocus 2 party when he gets home tonight and it's going to be just like an elementary school sleepover. I've decorated the living room with my Halloween decorations and bought some candy, and we're going to order pizza and drink soda and stay up late. I'm excited.
Okay, that's it. I'm praying for all of you affected by the Hurricane. Can't wait to catch up in the comments!
Thank you for praying for us! Just a heads up, some parts Universal Orlando received a bit of damage and I’m not sure if or how long certain attractions will be closed. There’s a giant hold inside the Jurassic River Adventure building, parts of the Hulk coaster are underwater, and some parts of the Hogwarts castle spires got damaged. I don’t know when you plan on moving it to, but it’s definitely a good idea.
As a mom raising four “little buddies”, that Cup of Jo post is my song now. It’s exactly how I am trying to raise my boys. My 8 year old is loud and enthusiastic, but also extremely empathetic and has such a tender heart (Florida is his favorite state and he has been so concerned about y’all this week). I recently finished Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys and the authors emphasize Cup of Jo’s points, too.
Rapid fire treasures:
🍁: fall weather
🚜: Kaw Valley Farm Tour this weekend
📖: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
📚: free, fun events at our public library for all ages (ugh, I love our library so, so much)
🧁: after 5 years in our co-op, finding a mom I really connect with (making friends is hard, especially when you feel too liberal for your conservative homeschool co-op, but too conservative for your liberal city).
Love you all. Praying and thinking of all of you in Florida 😘❤️.
Good morning from the hurricane shelter where I've been working and sleeping since 6am Tuesday morning. My family is safe and our house is dry, but our county is completely devastated. Two islands are inaccessible because their bridges are gone, our downtown is completely flooded, and no one has running water. No word yet on when staff will get to go home; we'll be working as long as they need us.
We are in Virginia this weekend to see family and to watch my sister in the marching band at JMU on Saturday, so hopefully we don't get too wet!
Treasures:
🐶 Bluey. Is. Magical. We started watching when all of us were sick a couple weeks ago and now we can't stop. Sleepytime (2.26) made me sob like a tiny child. Anyone else have favorite episodes?
🥯 There is a tiny bagel shop in Harrisonburg, VA that makes egg everything bagels. One time my sister sent me a box of them for my birthday. And we get to eat them tomorrow. I'm SO happy.
🌮 Made these skillet enchiladas this week and YUM. Highly recommend a side of your favorite salsa, some good chips (we like the TJs ones that have a hint of lime), and a cold cider. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chicken-tinga-enchiladas/
Floridian here who just went through Ian. I am lucky that I live further enough inland in the Orlando area and in one of the nicer inland suburbs that I never lost power or internet or my life, but there are parts of downtown and several other areas that did not fare so well, and we got off easy compared to the gulf coast. Please pray and give where you can. ❤️
Y’all I’ve watched this enough times that I’m pretty sure AT&T is about to cut my internet speed. Pls enjoy or at least don’t judge me for cry-laughing https://www.instagram.com/tv/CjJ3hlRp68I/?igshid=Y2ZmNzg0YzQ=
I got back from the UK on Sunday. It was such a good trip, national mourning and all. I did manage to come down with a horrendous cold 48 hours before departure, so that was less of a good time. But, I had mostly gorgeous weather, got to see a dear friend from vet school (twice!), and between the cold meds and the sleep meds, had no jet-lag whatsoever.
I was extremely worried about the rodents in my walls (eventually diagnosed as rats) taking the opportunity of no human and no dog to breech the defenses and storm the house, but that thankfully did not happen. They're still around, but things seem to be improving. I finally got to talk to the exterminator myself yesterday (this has all been run through the landlord), and he seems confident that he will eventually prevail, by hook or by crook.
I may have an opportunity to go full-time at my main job sooner than I had anticipated. I'm meeting with my boss on Monday and I really have no idea which way it's going to go. I'm really hoping that it works out, because benefits, but it would mean that I would have to cut back at my other job, which I would definitely feel guilty about because they are SO short-staffed and I'm finally getting enough of a handle on everything to feel like I'm actually helping.
I'm so glad you had a good trip and that the rats didn't take over your house while you were away!
Well, hello friends. It's been a month. Maybe just in today.
I've mentioned before that I run a nonprofit that helps heart transplant patients with the costs (mostly housing) that insurance doesn't cover. The stories I hear every day about these families in need would break your heart (no pun intended).
We're running a fundraiser right now (a virtual 5k) and there are 10 days left to register, but we're behind where we need to be in registrations in order to keep saying yes to patients who need us to keep saying yes.
I'm not sure it's allowed, so I'm not going to post the link to sign up, but if you're at all interested, reply and I'll message you the information.
On the treasure side, I get to see friends tonight! It's been a lonely season for me.
My treasure is finding elephants ears on Facebook marketplace (really cheap) to plant in my yard - I'm obsessed. Turd is discovering the ground in my yard is so hard I had to buy a pickaxe to dig the hole to plant them.
There's a lot more going on but if I start writing it out I might cry and I'm waiting for students so - can't do that. If you're a praying person, I could use it.
Praying for you! ❤
Praying MJ! Also, my mom always had elephant ears in her flowerbeds and they are so beautiful!
Hello friends! I haven’t gotten through all of the comments yet, but here are my quick treasures:
🎉 for the first time since LAST Thursday, both kids are in school today. I had the 4 year old home all week while I tried to work, and listen... JJ & Mikey Minecraft videos on YouTube raised him. He doesn’t even play Minecraft. I am not sorry.
🎥 to celebrate, I’m taking off work early to go see a movie alone! The Woman King isn’t out where I live yet, so going to do Don’t Worry Darling just because I need to see what came of all that drama. I am wearing stretchy pants for this activity (duh).
🍁 we have the tiniest bit of cool weather here (Houston) and I’m going to max it out with a Hocus Pocus 2 viewing tonight with The Popcast, pumpkin bread this weekend, and maybe even some fall candles!
A small turd (ew):
🩹I rolled my ankle HARD last weekend when my husband and I were on a night away. Like I thought I broke it at first. It’s very swollen and bruised but I am slowly able to put more weight on it. Been icing it a lot, starting to do some mobility exercises so I am on the road to recovery but man it hurts when you get injured as you get older. ☹️☹️
(ew) made me laugh. Hope your ankle feels better soon!
North Texas is also seeing a *tiny* break in the heat, so I’m thrilled it’s happening in the south, too. Healing wishes for your ankle. I’ve done that so many times and it’s true that healing gets slower as you age. My ankles are weaker in my 50s from all the bad sprains in my 30s. Good luck!
Sorry you are worn out Erin. Hope you have a good weekend! These tweets = bangers as usual. 😄 And that flute music was enchanting! How fun that Lizzo got to do this. I would also watch that travel show.
✨️It has been a beast right to the bitter end, but today is my last day at The Project that Tried to Kill Me. 🙌 Jesus and I (and my sweet husband) made it out of this toxic, abusive, dumpster fire.
✨️Tomorrow I leave for 3 nights in Napa ALONE. A whole king bed all to myself? Yes ma'am. No dishes, laundry, tidying, cleaning, repairing, maintaining or managing anything? Yes ma'am again! No one - not even a dog requiring anything of me at any time for 4 days and 3 nights? Glory! I am not a mom, but I also am barely making it. So I am going to sleep and nap and doze in between meals and snacks. I may never get out of my pajamas.
📚 I read Where Goodness Still Grows and liked that one. The chapter on Purity culture was insightful. Will read again during a less hectic/brain dead time when i can glean more.
📚 Also read The Enchanted April, which I had not read and found charming, but I still have mixed feelings about. Now I need to see the movie.
📻 Lstening to fall spotify lists when I can, but will really start listening this weekend on my trip. Thanks for all those links last week!
📺 Still working through All Creatures Great and Small. It keeps me company while I clean the kitchen and make dinner. When I get back GBBO, and finally making my husband watch Schitts Creek all the way through.
I probably won't get to read comments til tomorrow, but I hope you all have the best Friday available to you!
Napa! I’m so envious! What you described for your getaway is exactly what I loved about my own little hotel stay in June: the solitude and the letting-go of responsibilities. I didn’t have a gorgeous landscape, though. I need to do better next time. Wishing you allll the rest. 💗
Thank you, Jules. I'm so exhausted. And so thankful. I have never done this before. I feel like I'm living in a movie.
I have stayed by myself at a hotel for a couple of nights and it is glorious. 3 or 4 nights? You are truly living the dream!!!
I could sob. My husband had to work very hard to convince me. "I was going to make a slide deck." 😆 Now that it's here, I am so, so thankful.
You absolutely deserve it! Enjoy!!!
Yes, finally the last day! I'm so happy for you. Enjoy your trip and the large bed! Your post reminded me of a few lines from a poem by Lucille Clifton:
"Come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed."
Thanks for reminding me of All Creatures, it's such a good comfort watch.
Oh man. I love that line. That is exactly how I feel. Thank you!
Hello lovely people!
We're barely hanging on, indeed. I feel like I don't know who I am, where I am or where I'm going and I definitely don't what I'm doing. Just me? 😵😅 There are still treasures though:
British television is saving my life right now. GBBO is a balm and the new season of Taskmaster started last night, and for that we give praise. 🙌
This morning I found out I got a scholarship to attend Evolving Faith. I am incredibly grateful!
Last week our very own Karen gave me the sweetest compliment that really warmed my heart. (Thank you again, Karen!!!) ❤
The linguistic loving word nerd that I am enjoyed this video breaking down the accent of King Charles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT16yUEh7-0
This article with excerpts from Alan Rickman's diaries during the Harry Potter years was really fascinating. (Even if I do feel a bit icky reading the private notes of someone who's no longer with us. Please don't publish my diaries when I'm dead.) https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/24/alan-rickmans-secret-showbiz-diaries-harry-potter?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
I'm loving your reactions to the Penny and Sparrow video! 😀 Thanks for posting it, Erin.
Also, coffee. Coffee is always a treasure!
Take care, friends! Praying for you in Florida and on the East Coast. ❤
Ok, so that video is fascinating. I have a vague memory of reading/hearing somewhere that the "royal accent" of the Queen, etc. was because of how much Germanic influence there was across several generations of the monarchy. The thought had also occurred to me recently that Harry and William's accents are more what I think of as "generic posh British" (SSB, apparently) instead of how their elders speak, so it's interesting to know the reason. Also, did I just look up clips of all of Charles' siblings to compare accents? Yes. Yes, I did.
I love this so much!!!
I’m DYING at the King’s Speech videos. Let’s always watch Charles in repeated loops of phrasing. 😂 (The reasons behind language are utterly fascinating!)
I’m okay with having my journals published when I’m dead. I’d like my family to know how spiteful and hateful they could be toward me and to feel guilty about it forever after. 😜
Ha, that's a good reason to have them published! 😂
This is why I don't write stuff down. If I wanted people to know my thoughts, I would tell them. I may be a type 7 but that doesn't mean I trust people, nor would I want to hurt people's feeligs.
Not writing anything down is probably the safest bet!
My pleasure, my friend! So honored to be a part of your treasures this week. 🙂 And I could not agree more about the “please don’t publish my journals” comment. There’s a whole lot of people who might think much worse of me if they could read my temporary inner thoughts. 😬
Haha, yup, same. 😬
I'm expecting a pretty quiet day at the library as NC has battened down the hatches in preparation for the storm. We has so many older patrons come yesterday to get books so they'd be ready to stay inside.
✨I really only have an Instagram level knowledge about the Enneagram, so listening to Jamie and Erin's conversation with Susanne is sending me down the rabbit hole. I am ready! I'm so glad to be at a place in life where learning about myself is exciting and not terrifying.
*side note * old man coworker just got the keys to the filling cabinet out of the fridge... is this a thing other people do? There is a little box of keys in our office minifridge.
✨Lizzo's visit to LOC is so incredibly cool! I would imagine that her playing of the flute would also now be added to the archive which is just a wonderful nerdy delight!
👕My little friend Bea asked me to make her a shirt and it's the cutest thing! Why are tiny things so cute!
🍂 I finally put up some fall decor at home and it's feeling nice and cozy. I need to do a little more this weekend and it'll be all set.
Happy weekend, friends!
I need you to publish a Diary of Old Man Co-Worker. It just gets weirder and weirder! 🤯
I am so confused. Keys in the fridge??? Since when do keys need to be cold?
Hi friends! 👋🏻
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve popped into the comments section.
Praying for all of you who’ve been in Ian’s path. 🙏🏻 Please keep us posted on how we can help!
I am LIVING for Lizzo with that crystal flute. I love her so much and this was just magical.
Confession, I’ve never watched The Great British Baking Show. I think I need to remedy that. What’s your favorite streamer to watch it on? What do I need to know going in?
I’m in my last Semester of Seminary!! 🥳 And this semester I started my program to get certified in Spiritual Direction! So I’ll graduate in December with my MDiv, and then linger around for another 2 years to get my certificate. It feels very exciting to finally figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
I turned 34 last week. My husband and I ordered in pizza and watched the season 2 premiere of The Kardashians 😂
I love Penny & Sparrow with my whole heart, so your story today Erin was PERFECT FRIDAY MAGIC. (And thank you Rebecka!!!)
Can’t wait to see what y’all have been up to!
The beauty of GBBO is that there's nothing you need to know before watching. It's a beautiful thing.
Happy Birthday, Mandi! And, yay, I'm so glad you liked the video.
Good morning, beautiful Swipes!
It's been a hard but ultimately good week. My college daughters both had some mini crises that we were able to work through (gah, it's SO hard to have your kids suffering when they are far away!), but I got a second interview for a new role at my organization, so I have that to look forward to next week. We are expecting a beautiful weekend here in St. Paul, MN, so I'm excited to do some outdoor projects, particularly trying to refurbish an old playhouse structure into a she shed for myself. My construction skills are not great, but YouTube and Google were my go-to resources when I had to rebuild a storage shed this summer, so we'll see how it goes!
Praying for Floridians, and now folks in the Carolinas. Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
I'm really glad you daughters are ok. Good luck with the interview and with the shed!
Morning, swipes. I took last week off from commenting because I was crazy busy, but I missed you all!
Thinking of all you Floridians. Yesterday I texted and checked in with the ~10 people I love who live in the state. Setting up a monthly donation to Convoy of Hope!
I have been in Vernal, UT for two days for a work conference. Today, I pack up my stuff and as soon as I can, I am leaving and driving straight to the SLC airport (3 hours) to fly to Anaheim for two days. I don’t particularly want to go to Disneyland right now, and I am anxious about seeing my in-laws because every time it seems like some tough drama happens, but I am trying to keep my spirits high.
I have made a Fall checklist so we can accomplish all of the things I want to do and eat and see so that it doesn’t slip by. I love Fall, and last year I didn’t make an effort to savor it, and before I knew it it was dark at 4 pm and snowing.
Wish me luck on my drive - I am cutting it extremely close and don’t want to miss my flight!
I’ve never done Fall checklists because I always see moms doing them for families, but you’ve just reminded me that it’s *perfect* for a single/non-parent, too. I always have a few seasonal habits and I really just need to write them down and make them a priority. Thanks, Shelby! You’ve inspired me yet again!
Good luck! I hope you make the flight and that the trip will be free of drama.
I will be in Anaheim and Disneyland this weekend too with a friend!
JACKIE!!! We gotta hug!!
YES WE MUST. Email me at jachampi@mail.usf.edu so we can exchange info! 😁
Good morning, swipes!
I work for a large disaster relief organization and we estimated over 33,000 people in evacuee shelters pre-landfall. We are preparing to have team members assisting Florida at least through Christmas. This will be a long, slow recovery. Please continue to give (if you can) to reputable organizations. They will definitely need it!
We had a trip planned to Universal Orlando to start this Sunday, but we've decided to move it, and although it's a little disappointing, I'm going to suck it up and not be a baby about it.
If any of you are local to Bham, we are having a telethon fundraiser with WVTM next Wednesday! Check it out! You might see me on TV! Telethons are my absolute favorite part of my job! One minute a little old lady will call and donate $5 and then someone else will call and donate $15,000 and they are equally exciting. And then sometimes local celebrities will come to the station and do a live check presentation and it's just so much fun! That's how I got to meet Governor Kay Ivey. If you ever get the chance to volunteer at one, DO IT!
My husband has been out of town this week, but we decided to have a Hocus Pocus 2 party when he gets home tonight and it's going to be just like an elementary school sleepover. I've decorated the living room with my Halloween decorations and bought some candy, and we're going to order pizza and drink soda and stay up late. I'm excited.
Okay, that's it. I'm praying for all of you affected by the Hurricane. Can't wait to catch up in the comments!
Telethons are a blast! And I love your slumber party idea! 😊
Ok, both the telethon and the Hocus Pocus party sound like a lot of fun, enjoy!
Okay this slumber party with your husband is the cutest thing.
Thank you for praying for us! Just a heads up, some parts Universal Orlando received a bit of damage and I’m not sure if or how long certain attractions will be closed. There’s a giant hold inside the Jurassic River Adventure building, parts of the Hulk coaster are underwater, and some parts of the Hogwarts castle spires got damaged. I don’t know when you plan on moving it to, but it’s definitely a good idea.
As a mom raising four “little buddies”, that Cup of Jo post is my song now. It’s exactly how I am trying to raise my boys. My 8 year old is loud and enthusiastic, but also extremely empathetic and has such a tender heart (Florida is his favorite state and he has been so concerned about y’all this week). I recently finished Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys and the authors emphasize Cup of Jo’s points, too.
Rapid fire treasures:
🍁: fall weather
🚜: Kaw Valley Farm Tour this weekend
📖: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
📚: free, fun events at our public library for all ages (ugh, I love our library so, so much)
🧁: after 5 years in our co-op, finding a mom I really connect with (making friends is hard, especially when you feel too liberal for your conservative homeschool co-op, but too conservative for your liberal city).
Love you all. Praying and thinking of all of you in Florida 😘❤️.
Florida being his favorite state. My HEART.
His fourth birthday was celebrated in Florida and he has NEVER FORGOTTEN. 🥰😂
Honestly this is angelic.
Good morning from the hurricane shelter where I've been working and sleeping since 6am Tuesday morning. My family is safe and our house is dry, but our county is completely devastated. Two islands are inaccessible because their bridges are gone, our downtown is completely flooded, and no one has running water. No word yet on when staff will get to go home; we'll be working as long as they need us.
Oh man, that is rough. I'm glad you're okay!
I’m glad you’re okay. Praying for special strength and energy for you as you work.
Melanie! Praying for your community! What a gift you must be to all the people right now. ❤️
so glad you’re okay but devastated for your area. hope you get to go home soon. ♥️ (don’t run into any sharks on the way either!)
I'm so thankful you are in a safe place! Shelter life is tough.
I’m so glad you are okay! And I hope you can get some relief soon. ❤️
Happy Friday Friends!
We are in Virginia this weekend to see family and to watch my sister in the marching band at JMU on Saturday, so hopefully we don't get too wet!
Treasures:
🐶 Bluey. Is. Magical. We started watching when all of us were sick a couple weeks ago and now we can't stop. Sleepytime (2.26) made me sob like a tiny child. Anyone else have favorite episodes?
🥯 There is a tiny bagel shop in Harrisonburg, VA that makes egg everything bagels. One time my sister sent me a box of them for my birthday. And we get to eat them tomorrow. I'm SO happy.
🌮 Made these skillet enchiladas this week and YUM. Highly recommend a side of your favorite salsa, some good chips (we like the TJs ones that have a hint of lime), and a cold cider. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chicken-tinga-enchiladas/
🍪 Planning on making these pumpkin snickerdoodles as soon as we get back https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/pumpkin-snickerdoodles/
🍪 Or these double chocolate pumpkin cookies https://everyday-reading.com/double-chocolate-pumpkin-cookies/
I hope everyone stays safe and as dry as possible, happy (almost) October 🎃🕸️🕷️👻🍂
We measure time in episodes of Bluey.
We do this too. Glad I’m not the only one. 😂
Should I be watching Bluey? (I don't have kids.)
YES.
We love Bluey! And I hope you stay dry for the game--this forecast is looking pretty wet.
Bluey is therapy.
Oh man, we love Bluey in our house. Baby Race made me sob. Other favorites: Calypso, Bin Night, Omelette, and any with The Grannies.
Floridian here who just went through Ian. I am lucky that I live further enough inland in the Orlando area and in one of the nicer inland suburbs that I never lost power or internet or my life, but there are parts of downtown and several other areas that did not fare so well, and we got off easy compared to the gulf coast. Please pray and give where you can. ❤️
I'm so glad you're okay, Jackie! ❤
Me too! My inconveniences are more comical than anything, but I know our gulf coast neighbors need a lot of help. ❤️
Praying Jackie. So glad you're safe.
Thank you, I am so grateful too.
Jackie, I'm so glad you're safe.
Thank you thank you so much. ❤️