The high of my week was my grandma’s successful surgery. A few weeks ago, my grandma had a PET scan and found out the chemotherapy she’d been on for the past months and months had not been working. (Her tumor had not shrunk at all.) Her options were surgery or a more aggressive form of chemo (which, with the way the less aggressive chemo she had been on had affected her wasn’t really a viable option). So, she opted for surgery, which was yesterday. Her tumor was wrapped around her pulmonary artery, so it was very likely that the surgeon would go in and find out he couldn’t remove the tumor. Thankfully, though, the surgeon was able to remove the tumor, but he had to do so by removing her entire left lung. So that’s a little scary, but it was the best option and hopefully, once the recovery process is complete, my grandma is back to her old self!

The low of my week was dealing with a stuffy nose every morning! I don’t know what’s going on, but every single morning this week I have woken up with a completely stuffed-up nose. I even bought some nasal decongestant spray because it’s been so bad. Just a few sprays completely clears me up… until the next morning. I don’t know what’s going on because I don’t have a cold… I’m not sure if it’s just the new place and getting used to new air? (Is that even a thing?!) I hope it clears up (ha) soon because it’s very annoying to deal with.

I’m currently reading Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. I’m reading it for the poetry category for the Book Riot reading challenge, but I’m not really enjoying it. It’s beautifully written, but I’m just not a poetry person, I guess.

An article I really enjoyed was this story about a man who has built a train for his rescue dogs. I mean, really. Could this story be any cuter? The video slayed me.

The best money I spent this week was $12 on a hook rail to hang up keys and Dutch’s harness/leash. My roommate and I needed something to keep that stuff in one convenient location, so I’m very happy with the purchase. Bonus: it’s super cute!

My plans this weekend include a pedicure and dinner date tonight with my roommate and her friend that is coming into town this afternoon. Tomorrow, I want to spend some time at the pool, finish decorating the apartment, visit my grandma, and have dinner with my mom and stepdad. And then Sunday, I’m meeting up with my friend to write and spending the rest of the day watching football with my brother. Happy Friday!

What was the highlight of your week?

The high of my week was Dutch adjusting easily to his new home. I’ve had a few people ask me how he is doing and I’m happy to report he is handling this change much, much easier than me. I was worried he was going to spend his days crying in my apartment and annoy the neighbors, but he’s been on his best behavior! He’s bonding with my Roomie and it lessens my anxiety tremendously that he has taken this change in stride.

The low of my week was dealing with this adjustment period of living with a roommate. My roommate herself is amazing and I love her to death. She’s been very accepting of my anxiety and given me a lot more grace and kindness than I’ve been giving myself. Still, this week has been a very tough one and there have been many, many tears. This is a big life change for me, and change is my #1 anxiety trigger, so I should have expected this to be a lot harder than I anticipated. But there’s just something about being in the anxiety and living through it that feels so discouraging. I am doing better today than I was on Sunday/Monday, so I can only pray this new life situation starts to feel more normal and less terrifying as the days and weeks go on.

I’m currently reading Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park. I was reading Stiff by Mary Roach to fulfill the microhistory category for the Book Riot reading challenge, but it wasn’t grabbing my attention and was just putting me in a downer mood. That’s when I realized that what I really need right now when it comes to my reading life is books that are fun to read and light-hearted. AKA, all of the romance and YA I can get my hands on. This book is exactly what I need.

A blog post I enjoyed was 7 Ways to Calm Unemployment Anxiety by my friend Linda. This post was perfect timing for me (you could honestly retitle this “7 Ways to Calm New Living Situation Anxiety” and it would just about work perfectly). This post was so insightful and it has helped me take a step back and reevaluate things.

The best money I spent this week was $3 on my new favorite mug (pictured above)! Isn’t it perfect?

My plans this weekend include spending Friday afternoon with some of my favorite coworkers to celebrate two birthday girls, writing with my friend on Friday evening, unpacking and reorganizing all day Saturday, going to my nephew’s birthday party on Sunday afternoon, and taking my roommate out for dinner to celebrate her birthday on Sunday evening. Whew! It shall be a busy weekend indeed.

What was the highlight of your week?

The high of my week was my mom coming home from her honeymoon! I was so, so, so happy to welcome her back after 9 days gone. She went on an 8-day cruise (yes, two cruises in one year! This lady lives the high life.) and had a good time, but Dutch and I missed her a ton. And I also appreciate not worrying about being murdered every night. There’s just something about being alone at night…!

The low of my week was being so sick. Ugh, I started to feel ill on Monday afternoon, but it wasn’t until Tuesday that I felt like I was coming down with… something. I ended up calling in sick to work on Wednesday, and it was actually nice because my mom was home so I got some good, ole Mom TLC. And, luckily, I scheduled one of my work-from-home days for the month for Thursday, otherwise I probably would have had to call in again, seeing as I got maybe four hours of broken sleep. I’m still not feeling 100%, and I am very glad for a short work day and a whole weekend to recuperate!

I’m currently reading two different books. First, I’m reading Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes, which has been an eye-opening experience for me thus far. I’m about halfway through and it’s very detailed and involved, but I’m hanging in there! The other book I’m reading is Room by Emma Donoghue, which I’m reading for the Book Riot reading challenge. I’ve been dreading reading this book because I know it’s a heavier type of book (at least for me), but that has seemed to be my theme of July reading thus far! I’m going to opt for much lighter novels in August. Gimme all the trashy romance!

A podcast episode I enjoyed was Judy Blume Forever by Stuff Mom Never Told You. Oh, this made my little reading heart go pitter-patter! Judy Blume was one of my favorite authors growing up and I loved learning more about her books, her personal life, and the censorship battles she went through.

The best money I spent this week was $17.50 to see Joe Machi perform stand-up at Side Splitters in Tampa. I followed his journey on Last Comic Standing last season and adored him. Dear God, he’s adorable. His stand-up was pretty funny and I was so glad I got a chance to meet him! I was totally geeking out!

My plans this weekend include looking at an apartment to rent this afternoon (we’re trying not to get our hopes up about this place since the move-in costs and monthly rent are lower than average for South Tampa). The rest of the weekend will be spent recuperating and trying to get myself back to my normal healthy self!

What was the highlight of your week?

The high of my week was obviously my mom’s wedding. A close second, though, was how my six-year-old nephew wanted to be my buddy during the wedding. He wanted to help me with some of the photography I was doing (a special project for the guestbook!), and then to drive in my car to the reception. I’ve never actually driven alone with my nephew before, so it was really fun and we chatted the whole way there. Then, at the reception, he asked if we could sit together at a table a little bit away from all the action. I was more than happy to oblige! So, lots of one-on-one nephew time? Definitely a highlight for me!

The low of my week was not exercising. I just have been supremely lazy this week and haven’t been able to get my butt to the gym in the morning. I’m trying not to beat myself up about it because sometimes, we just need weeks like these. I’m planning to get back to it this weekend, though! No more slacking off!

A blog post I enjoyed was Confession: At Age 30, I’m Scared to Move Out of My Mom’s House by Kate of Greatest Escapist. I actually have a blog draft in the works that is eerily similar to her statement (just change “age 30” to “age 27”), and I have been debating publishing it because I don’t want to seem suuuper lame. Which I know is silly. I was so grateful to read Kate’s words and realize fear is such a common symptom for so many of us. And that the things we are struggling with aren’t unique only to us, even when we think they are. Someone can relate, in some way.

A podcast episode I enjoyed was Skate Like a Girl by Stuff Mom Never Told You. I had really never thought of the world of skating and how hard it’s been for women to break into the sport. It opened my eyes a lot!

My plans this weekend include signing papers for my car loan refinance (!), a lady date with two girlfriends on Saturday night, and a Sunday pool day. Sounds like the perfect weekend to me!

What was the highlight of your week?

The high of my week was my mom’s surprise bridal shower. In late May, two of my mom’s coworkers contacted me with the idea of surprising her and I thought that was the sweetest idea ever, so it’s been a long few weeks of helping them plan and trying not to spill the beans. But it went off without a hitch and my mom was indeed shocked (<– link to the Instagram video!) I feel so grateful to her coworkers for making her feel so loved and special. She deserves that more than anyone I know!

The low of my week was finding out one of my favorite coworkers is moving away. She got accepted into grad school, and I am so happy for her while simultaneously devastated that she’s leaving. It’s no fun when friends move away!

I’m currently reading Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas. It’s a historical romance novel and it’s light and fluffy and exactly what I need.

A blog post I enjoyed was Every state flag is wrong, and here’s why. It begins with Alabama’s flag and this made me laugh right out of the gate:

Someone gave the state of Alabama a box to check with the question “DO YOU WANT TO CREATE A FLAG” and this was the response. That or Alabama is unable to write its name and has to sign everything with a big red X. In general, it is a poor idea to pick as your flag an image that could be regarded as a negative answer to the question, “Should you visit Alabama?”

The best money I spent was $15 on beautiful pink roses and a vase to bring to my mom’s bridal shower. Everyone kept commenting on how beautiful they were and how good they smelled!

My plans this weekend include ice skating tonight (I haven’t been since I was a kid so this should be interesting!), lots and lots of final wedding prep, and doing some home organization in preparation for my move soon. And maybe some pool time? It’s been forever since I spent an afternoon at the pool!

What was the highlight of your week?