Feeling… very ready for fall. While Florida will maintain its tropical climate for the rest of the year, most likely, I am still so ready for pumpkins, football, fall drinks at Starbucks, and all of the holidays. (If only I could add cooler weather, changing leaves, and wearing scarves to that list! Sigh.) The last four months of the year are my favorite, and while I honestly can’t wrap my mind around the fact that we are closer to the end of 2022 than the beginning, I am so excited for what the next few months will bring!
Watching… the final season of Superstore! I usually don’t like the final seasons of shows (which is why I’ve put off watching the last season of this show for so long), but this one has been pretty good. I like the way they are dealing with Covid on the show—it’s not fully realistic, of course, but for a TV show, it’s alright.
Listening to… my own podcast! We officially launched our bebe into the world in early August and it’s been so fun releasing episodes every week and seeing them download into my feed! I listen to every episode multiple times because first I have to listen to write down the show notes I need to add to our description and then I just like listening to the episode when it downloads to my podcast player. It’s so fun and I feel like Bri and I have a really great rapport with one another. You can probably tell why I love her so much!
Grateful for… the people in my life (and that includes you, dear readers!) I am so grateful for friends I can talk to about my life and feel that they truly listen. I am grateful that I can come to this blog and be honest about my struggles and feel heard. I am grateful that I have friends who have brought me into their families as one of their own. In my loneliest moments, I remember all of the people in my life who love me and want to be there for me. It means the world.
Anticipating… a Labor Day getaway with Amber and Bri! We’re spending Friday-Monday at a fun resort in Kissimmee. The resort has a big pool, a lazy river, and lots of fun things to do. We’re planning on taking a sunset airboat ride and playing a round or two of mini-golf in Downtown Disney, so it should be a really fun time.
Loathing… all of this anxiety I’ve been having lately. The anxiety has been worse than usual and Lisa brought up a really great point in my coffee date post that it may be time to look at my medication. I’ve been on Lexapro since I start taking anti-anxiety medication and I’m on the highest dosage available. I’ve always taken my meds in the morning but I think I might try taking them at night to see if that helps. My anxiety is always much worse at night than in the morning/daytime, so it might be useful to have higher levels of the drug in my system at night. I’ve also been contemplating taking some sort of CBD gummy at night to see if that helps me, but I’m not sure how it would interfere with Lexapro.
Thinking about… some little updates I want to make to my apartment. I want to change up the entryway wall to add a mirror and a new shelf that I could display cute seasonal decor. I also want to finish up my picture wall in my living room (I need about 8 more pictures). I’ve been wanting to commission pet portraits of Dutch, Eloise, and Lila to hang in my room, right above my bed. And there are some changes I’d like to make to my dining area, mostly wall decor like a clock, some cute prints, and maybe some of those floating bookshelves that I’ve been eyeing for a while. But all of this costs money and I am in a spending freeze for the foreseeable future. So all I can do is continue to think about what I want to do for my home, make wish lists, and hope that I can start plugging away at these updates soon.
Needing… new sandals. I was very close to pushing the purchase button on a pair of Vionic flip-flops but the $75 price tag makes me wince. I know they will be worth it, but I am so used to paying $20 or less for flip-flops, and my last pair from Target have lasted for nearly 5 years! But now they are coming apart at the seams, and I know it’s time for me to invest in a better pair of sandals. Right now, I’m wearing my knock-off Birkenstocks that I got from Target a few years ago. I have rarely worn them since I got them because the breaking-in process was a nightmare, but I’m finding them to be really comfortable lately. I’ll probably wear these for now, and invest in two really nice pairs of sandals after my spending freeze is over.
Buying… not a whole lot this month! However, every pay period, I have a $30 allowance where I can spend money on anything I want. I’m really enjoying the process of thinking hard about what I want! Last pay period, I bought earrings, a foundation brush, nail polish, and a pedicure foot mask. This pay period, I bought a necklace, some headbands, and a new lip color. So fun!
Loving… the way Lila has to make an appearance on every Zoom work call I make (but hides under the bed when company comes to the apartment), when I wake up from a nap to see Eloise curled up next to me, voting in Florida’s primary that will hopefully lead to kicking DeSantis and Rubio out of office, a weekend away with my fur-siblings, fantasy football drafts, and podcast recordings with Bri.
What are you currently anticipating?
Labor Day is my husband’s family’s big reunion, so I’m looking forward to that, although I have a lot of work to do to get prepared for it!
(Also, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much better your feet feel once you invest in some quality footwear. It’s life-altering!)
I really can’t wait to get some good, quality footwear! I will report back when I finally get the sandals. 🙂
Oh my gosh, these pics of Lucy and Chip! Especially the first one! LOL!
I am loving listening to your podcast! Bri is amazing and I think she and I would get along! (just like you are amazing and we get along!). I am so excited for your Labor Day weekend trip! That sounds fab!
LOL @ Lola showing up for all the calls. How fun! I bet your coworkers love when she does. Now that the cats are more comfortable around Ned, Apollo is making appearances on mine too.
I think that is smart to ask about when you take your Lexapro and if you can try a gummy with it! I hope those small changes help <3
I am anticipating trips to DC and LA. The first one is a work trip and I am really in secure in my new role and am trying hard to prep so I don't look like an idiot!
Oh I forgot to add! I am so stoked for fall!!!! Come visit me and enjoy the cold LOL!
I’m so thrilled that you love the podcast! I think you and Bri would get along so well! Both of you are Enneagram 2s, and very much your types!
And yes, I really need to make a trip to Chicago to experience the fall weather! DON’T TEMPT ME.
I think you will find that the more expensive shoes are worth the splurge. I got Fit Flops before our honeymoon. They were more pricey but they are still in excellent shape. Granted I do not wear flip flops all that often since we only have flip flop weather for like 4 months at most. But they are so high quality and comfy and my feet say thank you!
I think it is wise to talk to your doctor about your medication. It’s annoying to experiment with something new but it’s like trying to find the right therapist – in the end it’s worth the effort. FWIW, I take my lexapro (15mg) at night. But I’ve always taken it at that time.
I’ve been reading your blog for so long and I can remember a time when you yearned for strong female friendships, like pre-Bri/pre-book club. I am so so so happy that you have such solid friends in your life. I know you have a super close relationship with your mom, but female friendships are so essential for me – I think especially so for those of us who don’t get married in our 20s/early 30s. I leaned heavily on my female friendships in my single years and I still really really really value them. So I am glad you have such rich friendships in your life! You and Bri have excellent chemistry, btw. Your podcast has been delightful!
I’ve started taking Lexapro at night and I really think it has been helping! Or its a placebo affect, haha. But whatever – if it’s making me feel better at night, then it’s worth it.
I’m so glad you’re loving the podcast! Delightful is what we’re striving for. 🙂
Oooh enjoy your long weekend at a resort! That sounds delightful! I am enjoying your podcast very much and am SO EXCITED to listen to the astrology one! I had so much fun listening to your last one when you talked about your trip with your mom. I was like, “omg I know this! Yay!”
I am Team Good Footwear. I find as I age I just have to have really good shoes for maximum comfort!
Bahaha, yeah, we recorded these episodes so long ago, it seems! Hopefully we’ll get closer and closer to a more present timeline as we record more seasons. We’ll be about 2 months behind when we release season 2. I hope you enjoyed the astrology one!
Are you sure you’re on the highest dose? 20mg is the regular highest dose but some docs go above that for anxiety. I’m on 40mg of lexapro a day right now (that’s the highest docs who go above the 20 will go), plus a couple of other meds. It could be that lexapro is fine and you need to add something with it. It’s all so hard to say but definitely talk with your doctor to decide the best option for you, whether that’s a new med with it, or an entirely new med in general.
Well, dang! I didn’t realize Lexapro went higher than 20 mg! Everything I see online tells me it only goes up to 20 mg. Do you take two 20 mg pills, or is it one big-daddy 40 mg pill? I’ll have to see what my doc says – I have enjoyed being on Lexapro and I’m nervous to try a different anti-anxiety pill at this point, but I’m also worried that my body has gotten used to this dosage. I’ll have to ask – thanks for the info!
Two 20! I went from 20 to 30 to 35 to 40 slowly overtime (with different smaller pills making the correct dose). Some docs won’t prescribe over 20mg but there are def docs who do! 40MG is the tops anyone will do as above that shows no more helpful then the 40mg dose. Above 20mg is apparently no help re depression but above 20mg up to 40mg is helpful for anxiety!
You might also benefit by an “as needed” pill for anxiety if it gets bad at certain times. I have one because I get panic attacks that I can take 3 times a day on top of my regular daily stuff!
Feel free to email me if you have questions – I think you can see my email with the comment!!
Sorry things have been so tough lately. I was on Lexapro briefly last winter when I simply could not sleep and the anxiety got so high it was debilitating. I had a very bad reaction to the meds, but know others that thrive on Lexapro, but then eventually had to/wanted to go off of it. I agree with everyone else who suggests speaking with your doctor.
I do love fall, but will chime in that scarves and pumpkins and changing leaves – where I live at least – give way to snow storms and ice and lots of winter weather which it’s overly fun! If I could just keep fall conditions for 6 months of the year I would LOVE the weather where I live because fall is my absolute favourite season.
That’s a very good perspective! I don’t think I could handle actual winter conditions – I’m just not prepared for it! Give me 6 months of summer and 6 months of fall and I’d be the happiest!
i am totally with you- the last four months of the year are my favorite, and I’m SO EXCITED for pumpkins and football. Funny that we Floridians are getting so excited about fall, when it will continue to be 90 degrees here for the next two months.
i listened to your podcast! The episode about enneagrams, and I have now labeled myself and everyone in my family., ha ha. It’s a fun podcast- you guys are doing a great job!
Oh, that’s so exciting that you typed yourself and everyone in your family. What’s your number?!
I hope you talked to your doc, too, about your anxiety meds. It sounds like it’s time for an adjustment, if nothing else. Will be thinking of you and hoping the anxiety abates. <3 It sucks, I know.
I love the podcast. Full stop. It's the only non-sports podcast I listen to! That says something. (Your voices are so easy to listen to! I would sound AWFUL…)
I'm so grateful for my (mostly virtual) friends, too. They make all the difference in the world, don't they? And that they are there for you, through whatever whenever, well…
I am also loving football season – it really takes over everything, now until February!
And yes, please do remember that lovely fall weather often gives way to, well, less-than-lovely January. Ha!
Take care, friend.
Anne, you don’t know how happy I am that you not only listened to the podcast but that you’re enjoying it, too! I feel so honored!! I never liked my voice, either, but I had to quickly get over it to launch the podcast, haha. It makes me feel good that people say they like the sound of my voice!