Category: Life

No Room for Hate.

Published on by Louise13 Comments

I know it’s all over the internet and many of us have the same opinions and are saying the same things, but that’s the point.

Hate isn’t ok. You aren’t born with hate in your heart and your children aren’t either. From a Christian perspective, hate is extremely toxic to your body. (If you’re a racist “Christian” you can GTFO or pray on it and change your tune.)

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
1 John 2:9

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Proverbs 10:12

This isn’t going to be a long post because I don’t think it needs to be. I don’t tolerate racism. I don’t tolerate religion-based hatred. I don’t tolerate homophobia. I won’t tolerate it on my blog or in my life. Love is stronger than hate, especially when there’s no room for hate here.

I know I have the privileged (for now) to do nothing and sit on my behind. But I won’t.

Also, if you think this POS president isn’t somehow directly related to the increase in domestic terrorism and hate crimes then you need to open your eyes. These vermin have crawled out from under their neo-nazi and racist rocks because they believe it’s safe for their hate under this presidency. Don’t prove them right.

Borrowed this from Chelsea’s post.

-Audrey

Currently…

Published on by Louise42 Comments

Let’s get into this life update, shall we?

Thinking about 100% of the time… selling the house. When the buyers (who’d put in an offer 2 days after our house was listed and had us cancel our first Open House) backed out of the contract K and I felt pretty defeated. We’re not discouraged, just let down. I promise we’re trying to bounce back and stay positive.

Working on… Chelsea and Ryan‘s 31 Days of Kindness! It’s not too late to join in!

Reading… four different stories at the moments… I’m making my way through Erin’s Challenge, slowly but surely.

Listening to… a lot of country music. Especially Kenny Chesney. He’s my feel-good artist of the summer. We saw Incubus & Jimmy Eat World last week so I’ve been mixing a little alternative rock in, too.

Watching… nothing really. I’m getting my film list ready for Jenn’s challenge and I just shared the Fall shows I’m looking forward to.

Loving… the cool evening temperatures around these parts. I sleep with the windows open when it dips below 70* and I love it!

Hating… loud neighbors, contrary house hunters, the p.o.s. potus, half-ass sunscreen, drama, stress, ticks, keeping the house in pristine condition for last minute showings.

Experiencing… summer concerts, races at Mid-Ohio raceway, outdoor parties and bar-hopping.

Planning… so many things. Bridal showers & Bachelorette parties, a potential lake-day, business trips for this fall & winter, a Halloween party (WOO!), Christmas gifts, etc.

Wanting… kayaks for the husband and I.

Craving… a fall getaway. I’m thinking maybe a girls’ trip, but I haven’t reached out to anyone yet…

Eating… cherries! I freaking love cherries.

Drinking… sweet wine or amaretto & rootbeer because my aunt-in-law has me hooked.

Looking forward to… being in a new house with some warm sunlit rooms and quiet neighbors 😉

Linking up with Kristen & Gretch for What’s New With You?.

What's New With You

Exhausting Musings

Published on by Louise33 Comments

I had a different post lined up for today but a) I just want to ramble and b) I haven’t quite finished it yet…

Last month I read ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ and it mentioned Formula One race tracks all over the US/world. One of those tracks is about two hours from me but we’ve never been there. Then, at the beginning of this week, my brother called and said his work gave him 8 tickets to the Indy car races at that track! I don’t know why, but it feels so cool to have read about the sport and the tracks, and now I get to go to one!

K and I are obsessed with Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean. We watch the new episodes on Tuesday nights and we know all the crew members’ backstories and we actually discuss the show. It’s embarrassingly satisfying. Hahaha.

I didn’t know it was possible to be this mentally and physically exhausted without the involvement of college, children, or holidays. July has 100% kicked our bootys- professionally and personally.

Our dogs killed a nest full of rabbits on Friday. The main reason this sucks is because 6 bunnies lost their lives. Secondary reasons this sucks are because a) I can’t tell if Enzo is moody or if he’s sick from noshing on bunnies and b) trash day is on Thursday… so our trashcan is not smelling its freshest and it makes the driveway area quite heinous.
*Fortunately the trash truck came today.

A few days ago I went to Starbucks to get K and I drinks. I also had a free reward. Well, they 100% botched mine. The guy scanned my phone at the window and then tried to hand me the wrong drink order. I corrected him and he blushed and admitted he was flustered and handed me the two I’d ordered (although one was totally wrong). Regardless, I asked if I still owned him since he only scanned for the reward drink. He shrugged and told me to forget it. Lol. I still feel like my experience was a win.

Guys. It’s so hot & I hate summer. (Don’t stone me- I’ve tried to like it, I swear.) I just want to sit in front of an a/c vent in a sports bra and underwear and drink icy drinks. (Let’s remember I live in Ohio. If I was a southerner I think I’d actually die.) Please, oh please let fall kick in early this year…

*My grandparents had a large in-ground pool when I was growing up. When they sold that house my hatred for summer was born. I know that makes me spoiled. Sorry.

At the end of August K is playing (in a band) with an Elvis impersonator. I don’t know why I find that so amusing (especially since he’s done it before), but I do. Also, it’s an outdoor concert at our local park and I’m really excited to fill a water bottle with wine and sit on the lawn and listen to him 😉

Ok. That’s all I’ve got. Tell me about your weekend plans! I’m hoping in the car with one best friend to go celebrate another best friend at her engagement party! Woot woot!

Au Revoir

Published on by Louise24 Comments

Summer is a time of “breaks.” Kids get out of school, families go on vacations, and even blog-land slows down a bit. I’ve been very content with my Tues/Thurs weekly posts, but I need a break sometimes, too 🙂

This was planned. I’m not burnt out. I’ll probably still bounce around all my usual blogs this week. I just want to decompress my brain for a bit. (Maybe catch me on the Insta 🙂 )

( I hope everyone has a Happy Independence Day! )

I’ll see you back here on July 11th with a #ShowUsYourBooks post!

Au revoir!

Blogger Favorites (and more!)

Published on by Louise31 Comments

Happy Tuesday ❤︎ It’s been a really long time since I’ve written a “favorites” post and I’ve been collecting some awesome blog posts over the last month or so.

life_as_louise_favorites

Before I get into blog posts, here are some recent tangible favorites!

circle towel | Old Navy Fit&Flare cami dress | 48oz. Bubba mug

Can you tell I’m 100% in vacation-mode? Ha.

Ok… on to the posts:

What are some recent favorites- online and off- that you’ve discovered lately??

*Totally forgot about the link-up with Lauren & Bre! Counting this as an ‘Add It To My List’ post!!

Eat, Drink, and Be Lauren

Coffee & Conversation

Published on by Louise26 Comments

Hello, beautiful friends. It’s been a while since we just “chatted.”

First and foremost, can we sit inside? The temperature has been tickling 90 degrees and I’m just not having it. Is it before 10am? If so I guess I can handle outdoor seating.

If we were sitting down for coffee I’d probably smell a little like mint (Biofreeze) and look a little stiff. Tuesday was one hell of a day- then, to top it all off, I went home, vacuumed, and pulled a muscle in my shoulder. I’ve had back problems all my teenage/adult life, but my shoulder aches SO BADLY. Fortunately it’s a bit better than it was on Tuesday.

If we were having coffee I would talk for at least a half hour about last weekend’s Buckeye Country Superfest! I went with my best friend and my elementary school best friend. (We amicably went separate ways in our teens years but stayed distant friends and our parents are pretty good friends and, as it turns out, we still have a lot in common.) GUYS- if you like country music you need to see Miranda Lambert live. The rush of female badass-ery that flowed through the stadium was unreal. She was so, so good!

Also, Kenny Chesney puts on a fabulous show. There was one moment when I was dancing and I just stopped and looked up to the star-dotted sky and felt so happy and at peace and euphoric. (Yes, I’d been drinking. No, I wasn’t fall-over drunk.) It was just a really fun weekend surrounded by wonderful people.

That said, if we were drinking coffee, I’d admit that I’m still recovering from the weekend. Two nights of music and drinks and little sleep tend to do me in. I’m no longer the 21 year old night owl I used to be… The Monday morning drive and workday was rooough.

If we were drinking coffee I’d admit that I’m counting down the days until vacation. I’m also craving ice cream every dang day. And I’m currently reading The Sisters Brothers (sent to me by Erin)! And I think that about wraps up my life right now.

So refill your cup and tell me what’s going on in your life!

My Summer Bucket List

Published on by Louise32 Comments

Between Jessica’s summer list and Chelsea’s monthly to-do lists, I decided I need a summer bucket list to get me in the right mood. (If you’re new here, I hate summer. But I’m going to give it a shot this year.)

I did a seasonal bucket list for fall and I felt very accomplished and fulfilled by the end. Fingers crossed summer ends the same way!

  • Go on a mini-golf date with K
  • Finish Year 3 scrapbook
  • Beach house vacation with the whole family
  • DCI Championships with K in August
  • Finish backyard landscaping
    • & host a cookout for the company
  • Take Enzo to the dog park
  • Outdoor concert with K & friends
  • Garage Sale (#2)
  • Visit the farmers’ market
  • Make a serious dent in Erin’s reading challenge
  • Drink more water
  • Make homemade ice cream
  • Take the pups on an adventure

So to clarify… the beach vaca. and DCI trip are already planned, but I don’t care. Also, I’m doing a garage sale tomorrow, but my mom is doing one in July with my grandma so that’s why it’s #2- whatever I don’t sell tomorrow I’ll try again with in July.

I feel like my summer bucket list is kind of lackluster. Maybe it’s because summer just isn’t my thing… If you have any suggestions or additions to spice it up, I’m all ears!