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.
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!
Today I’m sharing my favorite moments, lessons, posts, funnies, etc. from the past month.
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!
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.
Stephanie has revamped her blog and it looks so good! Check out Simple by Stephanie!
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.
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.
That’s all I’ve got- a relatively quiet month with lots of family time. How about you?
Today I’m sharing my favorite moments, lessons, posts, funnies, etc. from the past month.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Erin’s newest book challenge starts TOMORROW and I shared my picks.
This month my baby turned SIX MONTHS OLD. And I blogged about it.
I’ve posted that last one before but it is Enzo through and through.
Let’s cross our fingers for no alien attacks or meteors in July.Â
It feels odd to start a series in the middle of the year, but that’s what I’m doing.
Today I’m sharing my favorite moments, lessons, posts, funnies, etc. from the past month.
We went back to work this month. There are only a handful of us in a very large office/warehouse and we all keep our distance, but it’s nice to be within conversation-shouting distance of other adults.
We took M swimming last weekend and SHE LOVED IT just like I thought she would! She loves baths and doesn’t mind water on her face one bit. I’d hoped to have her in swim classes by now but COVID ruins all the things. Oh well, swimming with Mama is the next best thing.
K has been cooking more and I AM A-OK WITH IT. Our grill took a poo so we splurged on a new outdoor griddle and K is making sure we get our moneys worth! Yay!
Worrying about tomorrow steals today’s joy. Often when my anxiety creeps up I tell myself that it’s a waste of time and energy to worry about something that’s 100% out of my control… but lately I’ve been struggling. And I’ve been trying to “anticipate” bad habits that K or M might form and then reacting to them long before it’s an issue… which just creates an issue. Essentially I just need to chill.
My sister-in-law Christina is one of the cutest humans I know. This Easter was a bust as far as family get-togethers go but you need to pin/save/bookmark these adorable cupcakes for next year!
This collection of meals from new-mom Carolann is so impressive. She and her husband put in the time and effort before baby M was born and it paid off SO MUCH for them. And then she shared their recipes and tips for other folks!
Pixar released a new short on Disney + called OUT. It’s so adorable and heartwarming. 10 out of 10, would recommend ♥
I didn’t post much this month.
I shared my favorite Aldi finds at the beginning of the month.
I also shared my initial discomfort and anxiety about becoming MOM.
Typically I will include funnies but it’s late and I don’t have any saved so I’m wrapping this up for now.
What was your favorite moment from the month?
