Audrey Link-Ups, Positivity

A Grateful Heart

I’m not trying to kick a limp cactus here, but 2020 has been a weird year.

It feels like my insides are a big ball of tangled yarn that just keeps getting bigger & messier. Pretty much like this:

I’m struggling with isolation, social and civil unrest, interpersonal problems, parenting hurdles… but at the same time I’m trying to find serenity and routine and contentment. As K put it last night, “Your [my] brain is not a fun place to be right now.”

But sometimes I can straighten out a squiggly line or two with a little gratitude. So that’s what we’re doing today.

This week I am grateful for:

My husband. Forever and always. That guy is always in my corner and I know how special that is. I am so grateful for his love and trust and loyalty. M is one lucky girl to have a dad like him.

My small town. Every time I go to a large city I feel grateful to live in a small town. Roadside ice cream stands, town square car shows, a lively and beautiful park. It feels like our town grows and improves every year. I feel lucky to raise M in a relatively safe community like ours.

Friends who help carry burdens, encourage growth, and celebrate little moments. 

My “new” car. K traded in our work truck and my daily driver for a new pick-up. So I got the Jeep Grand Cherokee that he’d been driver. I love it soooooo much!

Family members who watch M during the week. I work M/W/F and M hangs out with family on those days. It’s a relief to know she’s safe and loved and snuggled while we’re earning a paycheck.

Healthy communication. The ability and freedom to speak my mind, the education and patience to discuss my opinions and beliefs, and the humility to listen and learn from others. (Granted, I’m always working on humility and education… lol.)

I was going to say my dogs… but then Bristol got into the grill grease trap and vomited all over the carpet Tuesday night. But still, I guess they can be on my list. Bristol’s love for M has been there since day 1 and I’m excited to watch them grow up together.

Of course a handful of other things: family, our healthy & safety, comfort, our jobs…

And that about sums it up for today! How about you?

I’m linking up with Rebecca Jo today for Thankful Thursday!

Audrey Goals etc., Link-Ups

Q3 Goals

I don’t mean to be that guy, but how the eff is it July?

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

Welp… that quarter of 2020 was an interesting one, eh?

I would love to blame the items I didn’t check off on the state of the world, but I would’ve been equally successful (or… not, rather) either way. Oh well.

  • Photograph & post nursery (you can peep it HERE )
  • Summer trip (har har har)
  • Pay off one credit card/no spending on it
  • Move scrapbooking supplies to the basement
  • No fast food
  • Start an exercise plan

Let’s pretend like the last two bullet points don’t exist, k?
And truthfully, I photographed the nursery before my last goals post went live. *shrug* I actually thought I failed the credit card one because I thought I specified which card. I didn’t, though, and I did manage to pay one off over the last three months! And nearly all my scraping stuff is in the basement. I just need to move some stacks of paper down there. Woot woot.

Now moooving on…

Q3 Goals

  • Finish Year 5 scrapbook
  • Read 3 books each month
  • Drink 2 glasses of water per day
    (I know this sounds low but it’s better than the zero I drink now…)
  • Visit dermatologist for hands/skin
  • Start planning Halloween party (hopefully) & M’s first birthday (Dec.)!
  • Get the pups groomed

This quarter I’m giving myself a little break. These aren’t tough tasks and most of them are pretty fun 🙂

What are your goals for the summer?

What's New With You
Audrey Coffee Date, Link-Ups

Coffee Date

Hello, friends.

I’m linking up with Kristen today (What’s New With You?) for a casual, relaxing coffee date.

If we were sipping our coffee (while sitting 6 feet apart still, of course)… I would admit that I love having two dogs that could not care less about storms. Lylee was a p s y c h o when it came to thunder and lightning. I used to love storms until she made me hate them. Now I love them again.

As we nibbled on scones it would remind me to tell you… M is starting baby-led weaning! She’s 6 months old today (hoooooow!?) and that means we can safely start on soft solids since she’s a) 6 months, b)interested in food and c) sitting up on her own. I am SO excited. We’ve already given her a few things and she loves it.

Like everyone else under lock down… I would share that I gave my closet a little revamp. I bought a few drawers for my socks (to free up the one in the dresser) and I purchased a shoe cubby. I LOVE how it looks in there now. We’re going to tackle K’s side next. And all the clothes we never wear.

As we were draining our mugs I would ask how you’re handling life lately… It seems like we’re existing in this Limbo between “normal” and quarantine life. Mix in the violence and protests… and I will openly admit that I’m not sleeping well. I feel stressed and out of control, then guilty because I KNOW I have more control and comfort in my life than many, especially many people of color right now.

I think it’s just a stressful time in our world. I hope you’re doing alright ♥

What's New With You
Audrey Currently, Link-Ups

Currently…

Happy Birthday to my baby brother (tomorrow)!

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

Here’s what I’ve been up to…

Reading… The Great Train Robbery (Crichton), A Heart So Fierce and Broken (Kemmerer), & A Dangerous Engagement (Weaver)

Watching… The Voice is a staple in our house. Although it’s weird watching live performances in the contestants’ living rooms. I’ve also been watching a lot of Mickey & the Roadsters, Mina Royal Detective, & Puppy Dog Pals. LOL

Listening to… my country playlists. They always get me jazzed up for summer.

Eating… lots of home cooked meals from K! He’s taken an interest in cooking and he has made some incredibly delicious dinners!

Drinking… lots of coffee. And I’ve been having an afternoon San Pellegrino. We have Blood Orange and Lemon. Aubrey got me hooked on these while we were visiting her in Tampa!

Wondering… what the country will look like in a month. Or two. Or six. It will be a different world, I think.

Praying… for family members that are battling health issues & trying to stay safe from this virus, blog friends who are going through rough times, and also patience, wisdom, & strength when it comes to raising M.

Planning… not much. Haha. Hopefully a trip to Dallas in September for a wedding reception, a trip to Florida to see Aubrey & Meg, and an October trip to celebrate my 30th.

Protecting… Enzo from Bristol the Pistol. She has so much energy since we’re stuck at home. She is always in the mood the wrestle. He is NOT. Lol

Playing… Animal Crossing: New Horizons on my Switch! (Does anyone else play??) Also playing online boardgames with my mom and brother nightly.

Looking forward to… leaving the house 😉 Trips to Target, meals in restaurants, coffee dates with friends, playdates at the park, family dinners… Some day, some day.

What’s currently going on in your life?

What's New With You
Audrey Link-Ups

Let’s Have Coffee

Good morning. Let’s pretend M is napping and my cup of coffee is still warm ☺️

Is your cup full? It’s a high of 52º today so maybe you’d prefer something iced. This is Ohio, though, so we’re still kicking the day off with freezing temps.

If we were having coffee I’d ask about your upcoming travel plans. We’re supposed to fly to Dallas this month and bring M along but… I’m starting to buy into the whole coronavirus frenzy on top of flu season crude. She was fine during our San Antonio trip so I might be overthinking it. I don’t know… Jury’s still out.

If we were having coffee I’d keep on the travel topic and see what summer plans you have! We have been throwing around the idea of renting a beach house with my family & K’s family (at least his parents). We haven’t pulled the trigger on any of that yet. My hang up is spending money… we should really be saving money right now.

If we were having coffee I’d ask how your 2020 budget is going. My spending was so controlled during my maternity leave- it was great! Now that I’m back to work and out of the house more it’s been awful. For Lent I actually gave up frivolous spending. All groceries (except dog food & formula) must come from Aldi. No random purchases.

If we were having coffee I’d ask about your Easter plans. We always host a meal and I’m so excited for M to experience her first Easter! I mean… let’s be real: she has no idea what Easter is nor does she care that it exists, but I can overindulge in the holidays under the guise of her 😁 I broke my Lent spending freeze to help the Easter Bunny stock her basket (and the pups’). I want her to know Easter isn’t about a bunny & a basket, but I also want her to get a basket and believe in the bunny for a while. Lol

If we were having coffee I’d ask what you gave up for Lent. Or maybe what you took on for Lent. Or maybe you don’t celebrate Lent and you’ve got some spring cleaning chores you’re hoping to tackle. Share with me & we can try to keep one another accountable. Ha.

If we were having coffee chances are M would be starting to stir. You probably have things you need to get to, too. I’d offer you a to-go cup (you can return it on our next date) & send you off with a hug (viruses be damned).

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

What's New With You