It’s May! The trees are blossoming, the snow tires have been swapped off the vehicles, and the shovels are (hopefully) packed away for good.
Last week was a blur — Easter Monday, two sick days for Indy, and John being away threw everything off. This week? Just as strange. Belle skipped a lacklustre field trip on Tuesday, both kids had Wednesday off (teacher PD), and next week includes a half day. Spring school feels like the season of chopped-up weeks…just as we recover from winter weather cancellations.
That said, there were so many happy things. (Plus, I answer some questions about robot vacuums and ask you some questions about fiber sources!)
CLEANING BELLE’S ROOM
On Monday morning, Belle texted me this:
It DID make me happy. (She knows me too well.)
I didn’t figure before pictures would be sanctioned, but it wasn’t that bad. ONCE I FINISHED TAKING DOWN HER LINGERING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, THAT IS.
She still has that very fun $1 kaleidoscope light we found at a garage sale — it’s been giving her room a party vibe for years.
Oh, and John did her laundry.
HOW TO MONEY/GUEST POST
Of all the posts I write, guest posts are among my absolute favourite. I find learning about other people and their perspectives endlessly fascinating. It was a special treat to hear from Joel this week about his thoughts on the intersection of gratitude and personal finance.
His guest post even made it into their weekly newsletter.
MY HONEST, UNSPONSORED FEEDBACK ON OUR (EUFY) ROBOT VACUUMS
Speaking of cleaning, I adore our two Eufy vacuums. They are faithful workhorses in our household.
Which means it’s time to answer Engie’s questions:
How does it handle transitions between wood/linoleum and carpet/rug?
Seamlessly.
Do you have to move up things like dining room chairs and the stupid guitar case your husband always leaves in the living room (okay, probably not YOUR husband) before you run it?
My husband does not play guitar, but I have two children and they leave a lot of things lying around. The answer is — it depends. We have pretty basic robot vacuums but John was telling me earlier this week you can now buy some that will actually pick up and move items in the way. Newer models can also be programmed to only clean specific parts of a room.
If it’s something small that could get caught in the rotors — like an errant lamp cord or stray hair elastics — that can definitely cause the vacuum to get hung up. We make sure there are no cords that could get tangled and we tend to pick up things like our dining room chairs simply because it makes the cleaning much more efficient since Eufy can go in straighter lines without having to constantly navigate around obstacles. But if it’s not a small, string-like item it will either nudge the item out of the way (say, a rubber ball of Hannah’s on the floor) or go around it (a guitar case).
How long does it take to fill up/how often do you empty it?
This also depends! I generally empty it after every 2 full battery cycles. It’s very easy to empty. Both Belle and I shed a lot of hair. Long, thick hair. That’s a bit of a nuisance to get cut off the brush — but the vacuum comes with tools for just such a thing. If I don’t have to remove hair, it takes seconds to empty it. If I have to remove hair, it will take a few minutes. There are self-emptying options, but we don’t have them so I can’t offer any feedback.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about it?
Favourite? So many things. I love that I can push a button, walk away, and come back to clean floors. I LOVE that it gets under beds and chairs and all sorts of hidden nooks and crannies I wouldn’t normally access with a vacuum. I like that I don’t have to block off the top of our stairs – it will automatically sense there is a ledge and avoid it. I love that it goes back to it’s charging station when it’s running out of battery.
My least favourite? Sometimes it gets stuck under our kitchen cabinets. It can be disappointing to get home and find it waiting to be rescued. I don’t love having to move cords out of the way. And while it gets in many nooks and crannies, it can’t get behind/between narrow areas.
Summary: If both of our Eufys broke tomorrow, we’d replace them immediately.
WORK
The winter/spring semester is officially over, and I finally got my act together and cleaned things up and started thinking about — gasp — the fall term.
I also got ahead on some other paperwork and forms, did our annual corporate registration, paid monthly employer remittance to the government, and otherwise cleared some decks.
50% Off Groceries
When I wrote about saving money on our grocery bill, I mentioned how often we gravitate toward discounted items. This week was a treasure trove!
My favourite lactose-free cottage cheese brand! I bought 3 containers (I eat a lot of cottage cheese). The chocolate was already on clearance PLUS 50% off, and mini bars make for great occasional lunchbox treats. I also bought some fruit snacks and brioche buns 50% off (which went right into the freezer until we’re ready to use them).
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- The sushi chip clips I gave John for Christmas. They’re bright and colourful and also whimsical. These Riceworks crackers are also a 10/10. Dipped into Dill Pickle Hummus, they shoot right up to 100/10.
- Open windows, fresh breezes, and the many sounds of spring (birds, lawn mowers, kids playing outside in the evening).
- More colour on our walks. This looked like a happy door.
- Belle forgot her water bottle at a local coffee shop. I was happy she discovered the problem, and promptly had her call the coffee shop to confirm it was there, and while I did drive her back to the coffee shop, I sent her inside by herself to retrieve the missing water bottle. It felt like a variety of life skills in action. Pay attention to your stuff, track down missing things, be independent enough to follow up. Indy, on the other hand, could lose the clothes off his back. It’s one of his many superpowers.
- Chai tea with a splash of Silk Half & Half. I am having a moment with tea this week!
- The sound of Indy whistling.
- Unexpected carpooling. I was finishing supper and needed to pick up a child at an extracurricular when they called to tell me they could get a ride home. YES!
- Slow cookers — the food is ready and warm right when I need it to be.
- Not having to warm up the car before leaving to drive somewhere.
- Not needing finger gloves on walks anymore.
- Basically, I’m happy winter is over.
- Sunshine for the track meet!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU
- Does anyone add collagen to their coffee/tea in the mornings? If so…feedback?
- I use ground flax daily but recently read a book that discussed benefits of psyllium husk to bump of fiber. Does anyone take either capsules OR add the powder to things like smoothies? (I know it has a high absorption rate and requires a lot of accompanying water!) I think I’m likely to just keep sprinkling ground flax on my cottage cheese, but…inquiring minds want real-life insight!
- I’m really enjoy hemp hearts…does anyone use hemp protein? I know it has less fat and fiber and more protein…any thoughts?
And on that random note, I’ll wrap things up. It mirrors our last week in April — a bit disjointed but full of small wins, (temporarily) clean floors, and a healthy dose of fiber.
Your turn.
- Thoughts on collagen, psyllium husk or hemp protein?
- How was the rhythm of your week — smooth sailing or full of curveballs?
- Have you scored any recent grocery deals that made you extra happy?
- What seasonal change — like opening windows or skipping gloves — is bringing you joy right now?
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Central Calif. Artist Jana
Collagen powder in my coffee daily keeps my hips from hurting and made my hair thicker. I wasn’t sure if it was really doing anything, so I quit for a month or two. My hips hurt then. Oops, guess I need the stuff.
Elisabeth
I think I’m intrigued enough to give it a shot!
MandyB
I take psyllium most days. I tried, and gave up on, powder and switched instead to capsules. I tend to drink a lot of tea (2-3 large mugs) in the morning so I take a couple of capsules with a glass of water while making tea then let it provide the rest of the fluid needed.
Elisabeth
I think the capsules appeal more to me, too!
I also drink two large cups of coffee or tea each morning so like the idea of taking them with water and then letting the tea be the rest of the liquid. (I drink a lot of water throughout the day as well).
I think I’ll give psyllium capsules a whirl! Thanks for chiming in; it really helps to crowdsource results/ideas.
mbmom11
No help on any of those dietary questions.
Smooth sailing this week – schedule worked out. One boy finally us done with play, so less chauffeuring around as well. Though he and I spent a lot of time fussing with a recipe for him to bring into school for foreign language food day. (Bee sting cake- lots nice but my goodness, so many steps. He did most of the work while I supervised.)
I do get a little boost whenever I can find a great grocery deal. Last week I found cases of Seltzer for my husband at about 60% off. Bought 4 of them.
Spring things: I put the gloves and boots and winter jackets away- more room by the coat hooks now- and the open windows bring in the scent of lilacs from the yard .next door.
Enjoy the weekend!
Elisabeth
Yay for smooth sailing. I know you’ve had a string of rough weeks over the last months (and years), so it’s always a small mercy to have a smooth week.
I am excited for all the extracurriculars to wrap up. The end of May is the big time for us – Belle’s play finishes the same weekend Indy has his big honour choir concert. I AM READY FOR IT>
Bee sting cake? I am intrigued. What an unusual name!
Birchie
TGIF!
I used collagen very briefly. I could always taste it just a little bit, and I wasn’t feeling any benefits from using it. I’ve come to realize that the only way for me to eat is “how I wanna eat” and it doesn’t work to try to throw in extra things. It takes eating from a pleasure to a chore.
This was a week of So Much Work, and I’m kind of in shock and don’t know which end is up right now. Blerg!
Elisabeth
Years ago I had a health issue where my doctor recommended magnesium and it made SUCH a difference at the time (I still take it fairly regularly, especially if I’ve been lifting weights), but I’m curious if collagen will help with general aches and pains.
Ugh. Sounds like a tough week, Birchie. I hope the weekend feels restorative. Some extra long snuggles with Doggo and a nice hike, maybe? <3
Nicole MacPherson
I don’t use collagen powder (it’s not typically vegetarian) but I have been using branched chain amino acids to help with menopause-related muscle fatigue. I think it’s working, but I am such a placebo effect person, it’s hard to say. I use a protein powder that is hemp and pea protein. To be totally honest, my daily fibre intake is really high so I really don’t need to add more.
Um, the kids had a day off of school on a Wednesday? That’s weird, isn’t it?
Love love love the colour of the wall in Belle’s bedroom!
The best thing about robot vacuums in my opinion is that they can go under the beds!
My week was really nice and chill, lots of gardening and puttering around. I needed it after all my houseguests/ party!
Elisabeth
Nicole, it is SO random. Sigh. Why they put days off mid-week I will never know. Also, 1/2 days? Such a waste of everyone’s time and it doesn’t help working parents at all because when school ends in the middle of the day they have to scramble to make arrangements. I wish they consolidated all the 1/2 days into full days…and put all of those on Friday. BUT THEY DIDN’T ASK ME. How rude, right?
Yes to the under-the-bed thing with Eufy. Ditto with our couch.
Yay for a relaxed week…and for plenty of delicious cake 🙂
Katy @PracticalWalk
Many seasonal joys here!
– Got the lawn mowed.
– prickly pear are blooming their big yellow flowers.
– disappointed that the single eggplant sprout that survived, doesn’t look like it’s surving transplant. But grateful the squash and cucumbers are doing alright.
– all the wildflowers on my walks.
– My mother-in-law picking wildflowers and bringing them inside for us to enjoy.
– My daughter and I spotted a horny toad running across the road!
– Sunshine and getting to be outdoors
The older I get, the more I enjoy God’s creation and am amazed at the variety and intricacy of it all!
Elisabeth
Love this list, Katy. Thanks for sharing. Happy things become happier when we share them, and reading your Happy Things brings a smile to my face!
Nature is so vibrant and beautiful this time of year and watching the transformation of things that look dead and lifeless come “alive” again is thrilling.
Jen
I take psyllium powder in my smoothies. But just a little bit because I want my smoothies to be drinkable. And I do seed cycling with my smoothies so half of my monthly cycle I put some flax + pumpkin seeds in there too (the later half of the cycle it is sunflower + sesame seeds). My husband uses psyllium powder too so I buy it in 15-pound bags from vitacost.
Elisabeth
I’d never heard of seed cycling before! I just looked it up. Wow; I learn something new every day.
Jenny
I would stick with the ground flax unless you’re having digestive issues. Psyllium can be kind of harsh, and it gets VERY gloopy. If you want to switch things up nutrient-wise, you could use some ground chia seeds. I’ve been putting those in my oatmeal (I grind them myself in a coffee grinder). i just read a couple other comments about psyllium- if you do want to try it, I would definitely go with capsules and not powder!
I love Belle’s text. Ha, nice way to get your room cleaned! I actually wish Angie would send me a text like that- her room needs a deep and thorough cleaning. And- those unexpected carpools are the best. I’ve actually had it happen when I’m grimly getting ready to drive my daughter to an event 45 minutes away, and she suddenly says “Oh, never mind- Barbara can drive me there and back!” YES.
I hope you have a beautiful spring weekend!
Elisabeth
I already use a lot of chia seeds and DON’T have digestive issues, so maybe I’ll hold off on the psyllium or at the very least just buy a small bottle of capsules.
Jenny, you can imagine what her room looks like this very instant. SIGH. But, I know that it’s just messy and all the layers of dust are gone and the Christmas decorations are away.
Suzanne
What is with the random days off school? A WEDNESDAY????? We also have a bunch of random days off this month, and I am pre-irritated about them. Possibly because I just added all of next year’s days off to my calendar and there are TOO MANY. I want my kid to be in school!!!!
Love the Eufy review! We have a Roborock and I adore him so much. But we could definitely use another vacuum in the basement. Maybe a Eufy this time???
I have not tried collagen but am curious about it. I have used psyllium in the past with… unpleasant results. I could never take in enough water to compensate for the added fiber. Fortunately, I get plenty of fiber from my regular diet so it’s no longer an issue.
mbmom11
My kids’ high school moved to a 2 hour late start to cut down on the random half-days and days off, but then they added a week break in the fall. It’s a nightmare – who the heck can take a week in October? And the almost 3 week December break – too too long. I swear no matter what they do with the calendar, it gets worse.
Elisabeth
I cannot get over how many days my kids get off. I had…nothing like that. On the other hand, I’m not keen to homeschool, so days off it is. And, I try to spin it that they are getting a form of education at home those days doing things like dishes, laundry (chores! very adulty) and playing outside with friends (Vitamin D and exercise + social skills). Still. TOO MANY DAYS OFF!
I am curious – do you have one of the models that will also mop? That DOES hold some appeal to me since my floors might be clean of dirt but water stains and other spills drive me crazy and I only mop ~1/month.
Colleen Martin
I put Marine Collagen in my coffee every morning, I used to use bovine collagen but somewhere along the years I read that marine was better because it absorbed better (and it’s vegetarian Nicole!) I like giving myself some protein/collagen first thing and even if it doesn’t work, I feel like I’m making a healthy choice which helps my mind! My husband takes the psyllium husk capsules. I’ve taken Metamucil (which is also psyllium powder) on and off as it was recommended by my doctor for my high cholesterol, but sometimes my brain gets nervous that it’s going to thicken in my throat and choke me. It never has, but choking is one of my biggest fears so I can get in my head a little bit about thick textures.
Central Calif. Artist Jana
@Colleen Martin, do fish not count as meat for vegetarians? I looked up Marine collagen, and it is made from fish. I’m wondering if it would have a slight fish taste.
Elisabeth
I am curious about the cholesterol connection with psyllium because I have a family history of cholesterol issues and manage mine naturally but…could definitely end up on a statin some day which I’d love to avoid.
I think I’m keen to try capsules.
Marine collagen! Headed off to research that…
Lisa's Yarns
It seems like many Canadians use snow tires but that is definitely NOT a thing in Minnesota/North Dakota, even though we get quite a bit of snow/icy conditions! I’ve always found that interesting!
I’m no help on the supplement question. The rhythm of my week was so so. I was in the office M-T, then Paul had a stomach ache W so I WFH since Phil absolutely had to be at the office as his company moved office and Wed was move-in day. Then Thursday I had an infusion appt mid-day and stressed over how soon I would get home as I had a big call in the afternoon. I was home 30+ minutes earlier than expected so that was a relief. Now today it’s a pretty typical WFH day.
Seasonal joys include packing away all of the snow clothes (mittens, hats, boots, snowpants), opening the windows, running without a head band/stocking hat, and family walks after dinner!
Elisabeth
In Quebec, it’s mandatory!! And it’s important for insurance purposes here, too. Everyone I know switches to winter tires. It is a nuisance, though, to switch back and forth each year and then requires a second set of tires and rims.
I still have a bin of snow pants in our front entry and really need to get around to finalizing their storage. I WILL not need those again for many months.
Michelle G.
I love all your happy things, Elisabeth! Belle’s text with you is awesome! And her room is so pretty. I love the wall color. I’m also very happy that I don’t have to warm up the car before driving! Isn’t that the best feeling? Jump in and go! We’ve just reached the point of opening windows for part of the day. I put away my winter coats and boots! It’s bringing me a lot of joy this year – more so than usual!
Elisabeth
I think I appreciate the transition from winter to spring more and more the older I get. I don’t think I was fussed by winter before I became an adult/mother. Having to drive, owning a home so we’re responsible for clearing snow (and paying higher heating bills)…it’s just so much easier to get to warmer months!
I did chuckle over Belle’s text. I gotta give it to that girl – she is a hoot!
It is a happy wall colour, though I’m glad I talked her out of painting the whole thing the teal (Tropical Pool by Benjamin Moore). I think having it as the accent + using teal as accent colours has made it more impactful. She loves her room and I’m so, so glad.
NGS
Okay, you may have convinced me on the robot vacuum. I have been worried because we have so many changes in floorings (rugs, wood, vinyl). We were considering buying a new canister vacuum, but maybe a robot vacuum is the way to go? But maybe not. I’m hesitating because I don’t know how Hannah and Zelda would handle it. Are there any readers with a robot vacuum AND pets? Especially scaredy dogs?
Elisabeth
I can definitely could see pets being wary of it! I know Nicole has one (or multiples) and I think she loves them. I know Stephany had a robot vacuum but I feel like she was a bit Meh about hers. Different brands are definitely of varied quality (and, not surprisingly, different price points). We got one for free and bought the other second-hand for $40. Maybe you could look on something like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to get a used one just to try it out so you haven’t made a bigger investment?
We also have an upright that is SO easy to empty and doesn’t have bags and I love that as much as I enjoy Eufy, just for different things. I feel like I’ms starting a vacuum collection but my floors get SO dirty with two kids coming and going.
Stephany
Yes! I was using a robot vacuum for a while. Lila used to hide under the couch when I ran the vacuum (pre-robot days) but then learned the robot goes under the couch, so she would hide on the cat tower. Eloise didn’t pay it much mind. I’m not sure about scaredy dogs, though!
Stephany
Sometimes I miss using my robot vacuum, but I really need a different and more efficient model. It would take FOREVER to vacuum my small apartment, and even then, it would still miss some key areas. I’m glad it’s working so well for you, though!
I LOVED when my mom would clean and organize my room. But then it would be a mess just a few days later. Why was it so hard to keep my room clean as a kid? I don’t know! That text exchange tickled me, though!
Elisabeth
It IS already a mess again. But, I know the “big” things are tidy so it’s a pretty quick job for her to reset things now that I’ve done a declutter and dusting.
Kate
Love the spring-related happy things!! I absolutely love that perfect outside temp (around 70-75) when we can have all the windows open and don’t require either heat or AC. And being able to spend time outdoors without coats!
It’s been a whirlwind week here. We celebrated Cece’s First Holy Communion last weekend and had a houseful of guests after the service — fortunately the weather cooperated so the 20+ kids could play outside (!). Then a horrible storm passed through and knocked out power throughout the region on Tuesday night. Fortunately we didn’t lose power, but my office and the girls’ school did and there were so many outages throughout the city that the girls were off school Wednesday-Friday. This weekend is the marathon (tomorrow) and I ran the 5K this morning. Busy but good!
We have an off-brand robot vacuum (Yeedi, I think?!) that works pretty well but it does *not* go back to its charging station on its own so I often have to rescue it as it runs out of steam under a couch. It is so nice to come back to a clean room! But sometimes it misses a whole swath of the floor. If I truly want the floors reliably clean (for example, before company comes), I just vacuum myself with our canister vac.
Elisabeth
TWENTY KIDS. Wow. That sounds like a lot of fun (and a lot of noise).
Yikes for the power outage. I’m so glad you didn’t lose power.
I’m sorry your robo vacuum doesn’t do a top-notch job. I think there are vastly different results depending on the brand (Eufy is middle of the line, but we’ve been super happy!)
M. Jean Pike
There was a lot to like in this post 🙂 I’m going to subscribe so I remember to come back and look around when I have a bit more time. (I love the “happy door” I often have that same thought 🙂 )
Elisabeth
Awww. Thanks for stopping by.
Those little bursts of colour or whimsy always make me happy.
jeanie
This is a wonderful, happy post — so very much to love here. For me, this was a good week, a fun one and an easy one. Catching a matinee of 2005 Pride and Prejudice (we visited one of the sites where it was filmed last fall); a road trip to IKEA and lunch out with a friend to celebrate her birthday; meeting a blog reader at a phenomenal used book sale and our grand’s first communion. Only one doc appointment! All good!
Elisabeth
What happy things this week. Hooray.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
LASt week was a bit bumpy with lots of work and a holiday followed by a family reunion. All fun but I am feeling very tired this Sunday night.
I love my robe vacuum Axel who can also mop the floors, and whom I can program so he runs automatically on specific days and times. I still feel like I switch a round a lot and move stuff so it’s a never ending thing but at least I dont have to do it.
I can not chime in on any of the nutrition things but I am interested to follow along.
Elisabeth
Even fun things can be incredibly draining. I hope you get time to recuperate <3
I am tempted by the robot vacuums with mopping capabilities. If and when we are ready for an upgrade, I'll be sure to look into it!
Rebecca (the Farm Wife)
Flowers. All the flowers. That’s my seasonal win, haha … I miss my winter stars already, and the cozy nights. But golden hour is back and the flowers, my friends, the flowers … and we’re just getting started! 😀
Elisabeth
I do really enjoy the coziness of sitting around the table with candles when it’s dark by 5 pm, but I’m also VERY much not missing clearing snow off the car, getting home from kid extracurriculars in the dark, and having to bundle up every time I leave the house!