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The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

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The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

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Happy Things Friday: 14 August

  • Happy Things Friday
  • Aug 14, 2026
  • 0 Comments

We’re at the halfway point in the month and I’ve been getting texts and seeing posts all week from friends in different parts of the world writing about their kids going back to school. Our little family still has another few weeks of summer left. As always, I’m conflicted. I love the ease of summer….

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Packing for Long-Term Travel: What Worked for 110 Days in Europe

When I first wrote about our plan to spend months exploring Europe, one detail received some extra attention: the fact that we were each taking a single (small, wheeled) carry-on suitcase and one backpack…

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  • Travel, Ask Me (Almost) Anything, Euro Adventure
  • Aug, 13, 2026
  • 18 Comments

Do You Have to Stop at the End of a Chapter? + 3 More Questions for Readers

It was SO much fun to read the comment section on my last bookish question post, so I thought I’d conjure up some more questions for my fellow readers!

Here goes!

DO YOU “HAVE” TO STOP…

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  • Reading
  • Aug, 12, 2026
  • 36 Comments

My Endometrial Ablation Experience: 3.5 Years Later

A few women I know personally are currently considering having an endometrial ablation, and I’ve found myself unexpectedly talking about my endometrial ablation experience a lot in recent weeks.

I’ve written before—at considerable length—about my…

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  • Life
  • Aug, 11, 2026
  • 29 Comments

Best Things to Do in Helsinki: Family-Friendly Attractions, Hidden Gems + Easy Day Trips

We spent a full month living in Helsinki as a family, which gave us time to experience the city quite differently than we would have during a quick weekend visit (though my brother and…

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  • Travel, Euro Adventure, Helsinki
  • Aug, 10, 2026
  • 4 Comments

Happy Things Friday: 7 August

It’s 6:30 am on Friday. John is already downstairs on a work call, Indy is sleeping, Belle is nestled in a cabin at camp (with pre-primary to Grade 2 girls, GOD BLESS HER SOUL),…

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  • Happy Things Friday
  • Aug, 07, 2026
  • 32 Comments

Tween and Teen Allowance and Income: Our System for Giving, Saving, and Fun Money

A few weeks ago, in a Happy Things Friday post, I mentioned wanting to come up with a more robust savings plan for Belle.

She’s been babysitting fairly frequently, and while I love that she’s…

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  • Money, Budget, Parenting
  • Aug, 06, 2026
  • 28 Comments
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    • Happy Things Friday: 14 August

      August 14, 2026

    • Packing for Long-Term Travel: What Worked for 110 Days in Europe

      August 13, 2026

    • Do You Have to Stop at the End of a Chapter? + 3 More Questions for Readers

      August 12, 2026

    © 2026 Freya Theme by Sparrow and Snow | Disclosure Policy | Privacy Policy