Blog Stuff – Life as Louise

December 1, 2020November 25, 2020 Audrey Blog Stuff

Home for the Holidays

…as in I’m back home. Here. On my blog.

Before I stepped away I was feeling overwhelmed, overexposed, overly sensitive, & s t r e s s e d. Don’t get me wrong- I’m still those things- but I feel a renewed sense of hope and gratitude.

Between the election, quality time with K & M, contracting and recovering from COVID, and spending a little time working on myself, I think I’m ready to get back to blogging. (I have a post about getting COVID coming- didn’t mean to drop that bomb and walk away.)

I hope you had a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving. We have a small circle (a.k.a. our parents) who watch Moo weekly and we consider “safe.” I’m grateful to have them on our quaran-team when so many are missing their parents and raising babies with NO assistance. Very grateful. We saw them for thanksgiving but that was it.

Christmas is looking very much the same. 🎶 All I want for Christmas is a vacciiiiiine. 🎶 (I’m kidding- I’d also like a kitten.) How are you safely celebrating the holidays?

What’s new with everyone? I’ve missed being in this space. Blogland seems a little quiet but I know we all typically step back for the holidays. Happy December, everyone 💙❄️

September 2, 2020September 15, 2020 Audrey Blog Stuff

Where You Can Find Me Today…

Happy Wednesday!

I wanted to share a link to Lindsay’s blog Bourbon & Lipstick where my contribution is live for her Whiskey in a Teacup series.

As always, you can also find me on my travel+book instagram, @ToReadAndToRoam.

And I’ll be back here for Show Us Your Books and M’s 9 Month Update later this month.

August 25, 2020August 22, 2020 Audrey Blog Stuff

It’s Not You, It’s Me

The internet is strange. I’ve been blogging here for almost 6 years and I’ve made some absolutely wonderful, caring, supportive friends (whom I’ve never met & may never meet). I’ve also been putting my life, my family’s life, my hobbies, and my opinions out into the universe for the past 6 years. Oddly enough, that doesn’t really bother me.

Lately I’ve felt like a stranger in my own home, though. I feel like I’m tip-toeing around and I’m anxious about every interaction. It’s not how I want to feel when I’m just trying to a) express myself and b) unwind. So I need a break from the traditional blogging content.

Many of you guys follow me on IG and I love that we’re able to connect and catch up and interact there. 😊 I’ve never been and will never be about numbers- I don’t care about quantity of readers, only the quality.

I’ll show up for Show Us Your Books with Steph and Jana.
I’ll still be posting M’s 9 month and 1 year updates.
I’ll keep track of & update my 101 in 1001 list.

I’m also going to keep writing. I’m hoping to come back to this space more regularly in December. (I will reevaluate then.) I should have lots and lots and lots of drafts by then.

I’m not shutting anything down… I’m just going from part time to part-part time. So I hope you’ll still check back here every so often. I just need a little solace. A little privacy. A little break from being an open book.

And I know I don’t need to explain or justify myself to you guys 🖤 but I wanted to address my quietness.

I’m not as on top of it with reading blogs as I used to be, but I promise I’m still keeping up with you guys, too.

See you in September for M’s update!

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020 Audrey Month Recap

That’s a Wrap! [July]

Today I’m sharing my favorite moments, lessons, posts, funnies, etc. from the past month.

Favorite Moments

It was a quiet month, but we (safely) went to the zoo, went to weekly swim lessons, and socially distantly visited with family. Little moments that seem SO big right now.

We took M camping in a travel trailer last weekend and had a much much much better time than I anticipated. I’m not a pessimist, but I am a realist… and I anticipated camping with a 7 month old to be miserable. Turns out it was a lot of fun and totally do-able for our family!

Favorite Lessons

I am not in control of other people. I can’t control how they think or react. I can’t control what they do or say. And I won’t always like how things shake out. But confidence is key & knowing that I am in control of my own behavior is a big deal on the pathway to happiness.

K is the most loyal partner & person I know. My husband is excellent at letting me fight my own battles and informing me (privately) when I’m wrong in certain situations, but he is a true partner, forever in my corner. He has my back, lends his shoulder, and tags in when I flounder.

Favorite Posts

Stephanie has revamped her blog and it looks so good! Check out Simple by Stephanie!

Other Favorites

One of my all time favorite books, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, is on sale for Kindle on Amazon right now. If you’ve been meaning to read it (or read a Christie novel), this is the one!

COVID-19 is keeping me from Target & limiting accessibility to my favorite restaurants, but it’s not starving my family. The same can’t be said for thousands around the world (including approximately 10,000 children per month). If you have the funds to donate to the food banks and organizations who are responding to this crisis around the world, you can do that HERE.

From My Blog

My favorite post from this month was my letter to new moms. A close tie for second? These conversations with K and my 101 in 1001 list! And of course, all the things more uncomfortable than wearing a mask.

Funnies

That’s all I’ve got- a relatively quiet month with lots of family time. How about you?

June 30, 2020June 29, 2020 Audrey Month Recap

That’s A Wrap! [June]

Today I’m sharing my favorite moments, lessons, posts, funnies, etc. from the past month.

Favorite Moments

Kristen inspired me to look into Mercari to resell some of M’s clothes AND I’VE ACTUALLY HAD SUCCESS! I’ve never sold anything online before but I love hosting garage sales… and this feels so similar. I get so excited when I make a sale!

K is still cooking. He told me that helps him unwind after a day at work or gets him motivated for the day on weekends. I love that a) he’s found an outlet at home for stress and b) I get to eat his feelings. LOL. We bought an outdoor Blackstone Griddle and I truly believe it’s K’s new best friend.

Favorite Lesson(s)

I need to work on becoming a type-lower-case-a. My best days (as a mom, as an employee, as a human) are when we have a very loose schedule and I more often than not just go with the flow. I’m a controlling person but I’m learning to have a little patience & grace with everything and everyone around me- including me.

Favorite Posts

Steph shared a link to BuzzFeed with Black Bookstagrammers to follow! I wanted to share it, too, as well as a link to top rated books by black authors. I’ve only read THUG but I’d like to read more of these.

Other Favorites

K and I are watching Letterkenny on Hulu right now and if you’re not, you should be. It’s crass and raunchy and profane… but also PC and hilarious. It’s a weird show with weird humor but if that’s your thing, give it a try.

I joined a book club this month that focuses on and discusses racial literature. I have high hopes and I’m happy to keep the conversation going- I don’t want to become complacent once the hashtags are no longer trending.