Recurring Series

One Photo Per Hour: Monday, April 21, 2025

6:33AM: It’s an early start to my day since I need to run errands before I start my workday. This is the first thing I see when I open the shower curtain after my shower. Eloise keeping watch on my bathroom counter! Gotta make sure Mom doesn’t drown herself doing this weird water ritual every other morning.

7:25AM: I’m finishing up breakfast (three scrambled eggs, sourdough toast, and coffee) and enjoying my NYT games. I get Wordle in 4, continue my streak with Connections (day 12 – my best streak is 18 days, which tells you how bad I am at that game ha), solve Strands with no hints needed, and get the Mini Crossword done in 1:40.

8:24AM: I’m at Publix! Yes, I’m trying not to shop at Publix, but I don’t really have time to run over to Trader Joe’s for groceries (and everything was closed on Sunday for Easter yesterday, which is when I typically do my grocery shopping). I get lots of good food for the week and spend $125.

9:22AM: It’s finally time to start working! (I very much value a flexible job where I don’t have to be at my desk at a specific time each morning.)

10:18AM: One of my coworkers stops by my cubicle to chat! I tell her how much I love her and she rubs herself all over my monitor. I’m sure your coworker interactions are similar.

11:48AM: I’m starving and ready for lunch, which is a Pub sub. Mmm! I use my brand-new reading stand that I impulse bought this weekend. I AM NOT PROUD OF THIS. But I really want to start reading while I eat (rather than scrolling Reddit forums) and this was a somewhat necessary purchase.

12:57PM: My coworkers are napping and I’m working. I’m trying to build a fancy spreadsheet to show capacity metrics for our content team, which I find oddly soothing and fun. I don’t know who I am anymore. I also work on meeting prep for some afternoon meetings I have.

1:39PM: Like my shirt? Stay salty and resist, friends! Nothing exciting is happening in this hour, aside from the 10-second panic I had that I was late for a meeting with one of my writers, but then I realized the meeting was at 2pm, not 1pm. Whew.

2:41PM: After my one-on-one meeting with my writer, I take a break before my next meeting. I take care of some tasks—putting in a maintenance request for some lightbulbs that need to be replaced in my apartment, dealing with a bill, and taking photos for an Instagram post. The time goes by very quickly!

3:00PM: I have a one-on-one with my boss and we have a very productive meeting, mostly discussing the capacity metrics I’ve been working on so we can justify opening up a few more writer roles in our department. There’s a lot of data that goes into decisions like this, and it all feels very scary to be the one in charge of it. I’m trying to work towards a more operational role this year, though, which means opening myself up to scary growth opportunities!

4:10PM: What’s the first thing I do when I realize all of my meetings are done for the day? I run over to my bathroom to pull up my hair in a messy bun, that’s what! I can’t stand having my hair down when I’m at home. I don’t know what it is, but it bothers me to no end, and I will just play with it obsessively. So it needs to be up (and in a bun because I will still play with it if it’s in a ponytail) and out of my way. Anyway, I spend the next hour after my meeting working on May assignments for our content department and clearing out my inbox.

5:37PM: After finishing up work for the day, I fold laundry and vacuum my bedroom… and then since I have a few minutes until I need to start making dinner, I plop myself down on the couch to play some games on my phone while listening to a podcast. Yesss! Eloise is snoozing in this cat scratching… bowl?… that I found at Homegoods in February. The cats go crazy for this thing! I will never understand how sleeping on a rough scratching pad feels good.

6:27PM: Cooking! It’s spaghetti night. This is the kind of spaghetti we always had growing up: a jar of spaghetti sauce mixed in with ground beef and then any kind of noodles we want. Typically, I go for spaghetti noodles, but tonight I felt like large shells.

7:10PM: I eat dinner while watching last week’s episode of The Floor. Why is this show so addictive?! Once I finish eating, I sit down on the couch to finish the episode while working on my latest coloring page.

8:52PM: Tapping away at the laptop! I’m responding to comments on my blog (hi, Tobia!), reading and commenting on blogs, and working on this post.

9:21PM: Finishing up a phone call with my mom. <3 You’ll noticed that I called her at 7:30PM and she did not call me back until nearly 9PM. Thankfully, she texted me after I called her that she was getting her nails done so I didn’t spend an hour and a half panicking that she was dead. Hooray!

10:49PM: Looks so comfortable, doesn’t it? I promise that it looks more uncomfortable than it really is. For some reason, I fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply when I have this crazy contraption on my face than when I do not. Anyway, it is time for bed. I am getting to bed SO LATE, considering I have an alarm set for 5:30AM tomorrow so I can go to a 6am spin class. I really need to figure out how to get to bed at a decent time, sigh.

What did you have for dinner on Monday? If you have long hair, do you keep it up or down during the day?

Categories: Recurring Series

TGIF (v. 74)

The high of my week was spending two days with my leadership team at an off-site meeting. To be honest, I was dreading this meeting because I wasn’t really sure what to expect and I was feeling very apprehensive about needing to be “on” for two full days. And that was tough! Tuesday was a 13-hour day for me that was filled with brainstorming sessions, making small talk with people, and being social. Wednesday was a little easier since the people who had flown in to Tampa had afternoon flights, so we finished up around 1pm. But it was also a really productive time where we got to air our grievances, figure out solutions to long-term issues we’ve been dealing with, and just commiserate with each other. And now I have some strategic goals to work on, which I’m looking forward to!

The low of my week was the news. Things are bad here in the United States and I’m starting to feel like I need a full week off from the news (which means a full week off from Instagram) because it all feels so dark and scary and I feel so helpless. We’re disappearing people off the streets and sending them to prisons in foreign countries—no due process, no way to communicate with their families. It’s horrifying. And it’s not going to stop here. It’s just going to get worse. (<– I feel so redundant saying all this, too, because I feel like I just keep repeating myself. Ugh.)

I’m currently reading three books. On audio, I’m nearly halfway through The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny, which I’m enjoying. I just keep thinking about how much I love Gamache and how I wish we had a leader in our country who was half as amazing as him. In print, I’m reading Icebreaker by Hannah Grace (romance) and while the book is not well-written at all, I can’t help but love it. I don’t feel smarter by reading it, but I do feel entertained. I’m also working my way through Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll, which is our April book club pick. This was a selection I added to our jar, but people are not enjoying it, oof. My bad!

A Reel I loved was this very relatable video about how much we remember about a book after finishing it.

A podcast episode I enjoyed was Best Spouse/Worst Spouse Again on The Girl Next Door Podcast. While it was fun to laugh along as Kelsey and Erica grumbled about the annoying things their spouses do, it was also really sweet when they talked about the good things they do. It also made me think about the annoying things I probably do when I’m in a relationship, although I haven’t lived with someone since 2016 so I’m in for a rude awakening if that ever changes.

The best money I spent was on a few pairs of sandals to try on at home. I ordered two pairs of orthotic-style sandals that were less than $30 each and then an expensive pair of nicer sandals (Vionic, $125). I ended up really liking one of the orthotic sandals—good structure, great support for my high arches, and a cute style. I expected that the Vionic sandals would be my favorite, but they were actually a bit too big (I usually wear a size 7 and I’d need to size down to a 6.5, I think) so I couldn’t give them an honest review. Since I really liked the cheaper pair, I decided to save myself some money. (For now. It’s entirely possible these sandals won’t last long.)

My plans this weekend include not too much! I don’t have anything going on tonight. Tomorrow, I have a writing date with Mikaela and then game night with the fam. And Sunday is Easter! We’re not doing anything big, but will probably go out for breakfast.

What was the high of your week?

Categories: Recurring Series

Monday Morning Coffee Date

Let’s have a coffee date this morning! It’s Monday so we probably both need a larger-than-usual mug, huh? I’m sipping on a mocha, by the way.

If we were having coffee today… I’d talk about the Fight for Air Climb I did with my mom on Saturday! We climbed the Bank of America building in downtown Tampa. It has 42 floors or 914 steps. This climb was brutal. I wanted to quit at multiple points but my mom wouldn’t let me. She knew I would have been so disappointed in myself if I had given up, but oh man, did I want to. We took breaks frequently (probably on every floor, if I’m being honest). Floors 10-30 were the hardest to get through because there were so many flights to go, the end wasn’t anywhere in sight, and that’s when my back started to hurt. I had this searing pain from my right hip down my leg, and it made the climb so painful for me. It would have been hard enough without this additional pain, so thanks a lot, body. On floor 31, there was a stop-off point with volunteers handing out water and a few chairs to sit and take a break, and I didn’t realize how much I needed that. (There was also a stop-off point on floor 15, but it was empty.) The volunteers were so encouraging, and they gave me that extra push I needed to get through the next 11 floors. Being able to sit for a few minutes also seemed to help my back pain. We stopped every two floors in the last section, and I would take a break until my heart rate had come down a bit (the highest it got was 171 bpm, but it was regularly over 160 bpms after climbing two floors; I waited until my heart rate was down to the 140s to start climbing again). Was it fun? Not a bit. Am I glad I finished? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Nope.

If we were having coffee today… I’d excitedly announce that my mom and I booked our flight to London! There was a great deal on flights last week and we couldn’t resist. We will spend the first week of October in London and I’m so excited! Ultimately, we nixed the idea of doing a London/Paris trip because I felt like it could be a little anxiety-inducing for me with all the extra traveling back and forth between the countries. This way, we have plenty of time in London to enjoy all it has to offer. I’m also really excited to work with my friend Amber to plan this trip because she’s an expert on international travel and I know she’ll be able to put together an itinerary that makes sense. (I put together a loose itinerary since I do like that aspect of travel planning, but I’m going to have her handle the logistical details—finding us a centrally located hotel, booking tours/excursions, finding restaurants for us, helping us with public transportation, and just making sure our itinerary is logical.) It will be really nice not to worry about those details. Let the countdown begin!

If we were having coffee today… I’d tell you that I had my first Aldi experience last weekend! First, I would have to pull out my keys to show you the cutest keychain that Sarah sent me! It’s a little pouch for quarters! I immediately added a few quarters to the pouch and hooked it onto my keychain so I would be ready for my shopping experience. My first visit was an interesting one, but I was pretty pleased to get a whole cart of groceries for $60! There are some things that Aldi doesn’t stock so I’m not going to be able to fully boycott places like Publix or Target. (For example, I still need to use Target for toiletries and will need to use Publix for things like my specific low-sugar oatmeal, high-protein shakes, and the Waterloo seltzer I love.) But I like the idea of using Publix to stock up on these items when they go on BOGO sale while using Aldi as my main grocery store. It means putting a little more effort into my grocery shopping than I’m used to, but that’s a small price to pay.

If we were having coffee today… I’d tell you all about my plans for my reading retreat, which starts on Wednesday! I am really looking forward to this retreat, even though I am not looking forward to the prospect of getting both cats into their carriers. Ellie is easier than Lila, but I’m already dreading it. Anyway, I have a whole stack of books ready to go. I have an audiobook cued up to listen to during my non-eyeballs-reading time. I have my food/snack ideas lined up. I’m in the process of making an itinerary for Thursday and Friday to ensure I get in the reading time I’m aiming for. It’s going to be a good time!

If we were having coffee today… I’d admit that I’m really nervous about getting follow-up bloodwork at the end of this month. It’s nearly time to re-test my A1C and glucose to see if the changes I’ve made to my diet over the last three months have brought down those numbers to a normal range. If not, I will be officially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and have to go on medication. And while I know genetics can play a role in a diabetes diagnosis, I really hope that the changes I’ve made to my diet and lifestyle since January will move the needle in the right direction. I have a lot of anxiety about getting yet another medical diagnosis added to my health record, and I just want this one thing to work out for me. Yes, I know it’s not the end of the world if I’m diagnosed with diabetes. I know it is not a punishment and it does not mean I have failed as a human. But I just really do not want to deal with all of the shit that comes with something like this—the treatment, the doctor’s appointments, the extra medications, the expense. So any good vibes you can send my way will be greatly appreciated.

If we were having coffee today… I’d tell you that I have hope for the first time since early November. First, there was Cory Booker and his 25-hour speech on the Senate floor. I am amazed at his stamina, his ability to be coherent for so many hours, and the fact that he had actual words prepared for every minute he was up on the floor. We needed this as a society. Then, there was the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and nothing filled me with more glee than knowing Elon had lost millions of dollars on this race. We had our own election in Florida and while Republicans won those seats, the margins were so much closer than they had been in November. I didn’t expect to win those seats so it wasn’t a surprise to me (Florida is very much a red state; please remember this!), but it does give me hope for the future. Can we turn purple for the mid-terms? I really hope so.

What would you tell me during our coffee date?

Categories: Recurring Series

Five for Friday (v. 114)

1) Reading retreat

A few weeks ago, I called my leasing office to see what could be done about my peeling tub. The peeling started a while ago and is getting noticeably worse, and I do not want to be charged for it when I move out. They told me that they can bring someone in to refinish it, but that I’ll need to be out the apartment for one day due to all the fumes. Which means my cats need to be out of the apartment, too. I thought about holing up in a room in my mom’s house, but then I had a better idea: A reading retreat! I have had this idea in my head for so long to spend a long weekend by myself in an Airbnb with a stack of books and snacks and the challenge to read as much as possible.

My tub refinishing is happening on April 10th, which is a Thursday, so I booked a cute little house about 30 minutes from me from Wednesday – Saturday. I’ll work a full day on Wednesday and head over to the house in the late afternoon. I’ll have 2.5 days to myself (I’ve already asked for the days off work!) to read, read, read. My goal is to read for 24 hours in total, which is an aggressive goal but I like having something tangible like this to strive for. I’m already thinking about the books I want to bring and the snacks to buy. And the best part is, I’ll have my girls with me to keep me company! That’s a win/win.

2) Rookie mistake

There I was at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning, armed with my reusable bags and Reddit research of how Aldi works and my quarter to get my shopping cart. I slipped the quarter into my purse the night before, knowing I’d probably forget it if I didn’t do it right then and there. I drive to my nearest Aldi, which isn’t far but isn’t as close as Publix (10 minutes opposed to 5 minutes). And then I’m ready. I reach into my purse to make sure I have the quarter in hand, prepared to not look like a newbie. Except the quarter is not where I put it. The quarter is gone. It just disappeared from my purse! I searched everywhere in my purse, but I am quarter-less. And while I probably could have waited outside of Aldi for some kind soul to take pity on me, I have social anxiety and that’s not the way I operate. So instead I sadly pulled out of the parking lot and drove to Publix for my weekly grocery shopping. Hopefully I have better luck this weekend.

3) One week from tomorrow

Next Saturday is the big day! My mom and I will be doing the Fight for Air Stair Climb, and I am so very nervous about it. I was trying to train for it by using the stair stepper at the gym, but y’all, the stair stepper is no joke. The most steps I did at once was 300 and it felt like agony, which makes me really excited about climbing another 600! At this point, I am going to trust that I have the fitness level to complete it (I climb three flights of stairs with groceries weighing me down on a weekly basis, so I can handle this, right?!).

I am pleased to announce that I surpassed my fundraiser goal threefold (a massive thank you to everyone who donated – thank-you cards are in the mail!). If you wanted to donate but haven’t yet, can I ask you to donate to my mom’s fundraiser? She’s trying to raise $100 as well!

4) Dinner fail

I had my first dinner fail in a while! I couldn’t see how I could fail at a recipe that called for adding a whole head of garlic to the pot, but apparently, I made a very bland chicken dish from those instructions. I don’t know if it was just the recipe that failed me or if I missed some crucial step that would have taken things up a notch, but the meal was not nearly as flavorful as I expected. I ate my portion for dinner but threw the rest away. Win some, lose some.

(What I didn’t fail at this week was my beloved Italian chicken, in which I dump a whole bottle of Italian dressing into a bag, add some chicken, and let it marinate for a few hours before throwing it in the oven to bake. Yummmm!)

5) Weekend plans

I have a great weekend planned! Tonight will be a low-key one at home. Tomorrow, I have writing with Mikaela in the morning and then I’m going to my mom’s so we can celebrate Lucy’s birthday (she’s turning four, omg). The dogs are going to their favorite place for a bath and then afterwards, we’re going to our favorite ice cream shop that specifically makes ice cream for dogs. Yay! And on Sunday, I will go to a yoga class and then in the late afternoon, I’m finally giving my mom her birthday present (from last July, ha): We’re going to a paint-your-pet event at our local Painting with a Twist! She’s going to paint Lucy and I’m going to paint Eloise. (Which means I will need to go back to paint Lila!)

What was your last dinner fail? What are your weekend plans?

Categories: Recurring Series

TGIF (v. 73)

The high of my week was having dinner with my friend Amber, who happens to have a thriving travel planning business, to talk about a potential trip my mom and I want to take in the fall: Paris and London. I have wanted to do a trip like this for so long, and I think it’s finally time to make it happen! My mom and I chatted with Amber about the things we want to do in each city and she gave us so many recommendations on how to build an itinerary that will work for us. I am so glad to have Amber’s expertise to help us create an ideal itinerary and handle all of those annoying tasks of planning a trip like booking accommodations and excursions. She is going to be an invaluable resource for us!

The low of my week was finding out that I owe on my taxes for the first time ever! I had a feeling this was coming since I’ve been getting less and less back every year (it’s usually enough to cover the cost of TurboTax, but nothing more, lol). It wasn’t too bad ($182) but it was quite the bummer. I miss those years when I got a four-figure tax refund, but I also enjoy making a decent salary now, so ya win some, ya lose some.

I’m currently reading three books! On audio, I’m halfway done with Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell and I am loving it so much! It’s the kind of audiobook I don’t want to stop listening to, which very rarely happens. In print, I’ve got about 100 pages left of Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom, which has also been an excellent read. And my e-book right now is Caught Up by Liz Tomforde, which has also been a good read. So my reading life is BANGIN’ right now!

A recommendation I have for you is the Big Feelings Substack by Sarah Jacobson. I’m not even sure how I started following this Substack, but I love Sarah’s honesty about life as a single, childless woman at 39, setting boundaries at her corporate job, and more. She has a beautiful writing style and I look forward to reading her words every week!

A podcast episode I enjoyed was Behind the Scenes of a Book-to-Screen Adaptation with Georgia Hunter on Sarah’s Book Shelves Live. This was a really fun conversation with Sarah and Georgia. Georgia wrote We Were the Lucky Ones, which is now a Hulu miniseries, and she talks all about what it was like trying to get her book adapted and being an executive producer for the show. It was an excellent discussion!

The best money I spent was $3,048.81 to pay off my LASIK bill! While it felt really scary to make such a large one-time payment (and I had to do it over the phone to an automated system), it feels so good to finally have this debt paid off and not looming over my head anymore. I’m so, so, so happy I got LASIK (it has been LIFE-CHANGING) and even happier that I paid off the surgery within 18 months!

My plans this weekend include a very low-key Friday (I think I’m going to finally curl up on the couch and watch Dirty Dancing!) and then a very busy Saturday (an early-morning gym workout, a writing date with Mikaela, recording two podcast episodes with Bri, and then game night!). And I’ll follow it up with a restorative Sunday – the only things on my agenda are yoga and grocery shopping.

What was the high of your week?