The crunch is on, friends. Two weeks from now is our final full day in Canada. Eeks! This is really happening.
I feel like I’m overloading everyone with with Happy Things/FIGs, so I’ll try to keep this post on the shorter side. Ha!
BRACES ARE OFF!!
After 2+ years of braces, Belle has a metal-free mouth. What a special day. She is beyond relieved and, once again, I have to give her full credit for handling this very responsibly (I think she had a total of 3 brackets break over that time span).
I am feeling relatively optimistic about her adherence to the retainer.
It really did feel like a momentous occasion even though it was just a regular ol’ Tuesday.
We did Starbucks (OBVIOUSLY!) and she got to miss lots of school since we had a morning appointment (to take off her braces + create molds for her retainers) and then went back at the end of the day for a final fitting.
She approved of me posting the before picture, but not the after so just imagine no braces and STRAIGHT, SMOOTH TEETH!
MAPS ARE PRINTED
I know in the digital age hardcopy maps might seem like a horrific waste of paper, but there is something so helpful to me about being able to manipulate a map in my hand.
For every place we go, I map out the spots for us to visit…
This time I went a step further; on the back of each city map, I printed out the DETAILS. I am GIDDY about having this information in one place. While I don’t really use the maps when we’re out and about, I reference them all the time, especially the first day or so in a new place when I’m getting my bearings.
I kept thinking about how this felt like a lot of work… and then it dawned on me that it IS a lot of work. I plan trips in a very specific way and even though this upcoming trip will be dramatically different, I’m still trying to develop a general scaffolding for what we can do. There is… a lot to this.
At this point, I would say I am finished everything that I can/want to do before we leave in terms of thinking through itineraries and that feels like a MASSIVE relief.
HOUSE SITTER
A few people have asked about what’s happening with our house while we’re away. I had a dear friend who was willing to come stay a few nights each week, check the mail, and generally keep an eye on the place. I’d found a spot for our plants to go.
And then… a family we know had a house issue with severe damage that requires them to be out of their place for about six months. They were looking for a place to stay with their young kids and, well… this was meant to be. So someone will actually be living in our house full time while we’re away. The plants will stay, the water can remain on, they can feed Ferrari (that was one thing I still hadn’t sorted).
VALENTINE’S ROSES
I’ve already written about these, but they’re really beautiful!!
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- Writing these posts. They are, hands down, my favourite thing I ever write on the blog.
- Going to a volleyball game with my parents, Indy, and his bestie. Our team ended up losing, but it was still a lot of fun.
- I would say I get to Inbox Zero once each month. Every time it is SUCH A JOY.
- This brunch: cottage cheese, plain yogurt, drippy peanut butter, fresh raspberries and blueberries, pumpkin seeds, pecans, and a sprinkle of ground flax. It is Shut the Front Door delicious.
- Good books. I just finished In Light of All Darkness by Kim Cross, recommended by Stephany, and it was incredibly immersive and gripping. In terms of fiction, I flew through Inhale Exhale by our very own Nicole <3
- Sunshine.
- The Olympics. It’s been a lot of fun to have something to watch for a little while each morning and then a few recaps each night. Of course, national pride runs deep when we medal, as well!
Okay, it’s your turn.
- Tell me a few Happy Things from your week.
- For anyone who had braces, what was it like to finally get them off??
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Wow, your trip is certainly coming up quickly. I can imagine you have a lot of fun things planned for the spots your are visiting. Having someone you know in the house, will make it easier to be away and what a blessing the timing is for the other family. I did not have braces but S did, but it is about 6 years since she got them off. Her teeth are still looking good, she takes very good care of them. E is coming over for dinner tonight. I’m looking forward to hearing how their couple of days away went.
Oh, my goodness, this is getting real- how exciting to be two weeks out from your grand adventure! And to be so prepared- gold star for you! I like a paper map as well- it helps me stay oriented. I’ve had some bad luck with digital maps; paper never fails because of a glitch or a bad signal.
I swear, everytime I go out to a new place lately, Google maps decides to drop out. And the one time I was in big city by myself trying to do something fun on my way to an airport, my cell phone couldn’t pick up data in the city. I wound up calling my husband to have him get directions back to the subway because I was so lost.
Happy things? The cake I made last Sunday actually came out of the pan cleanly instead of falling to pieces. I got a thank you from someone who included some beautiful hand made cards for me- I’m trying to send a few real letters every week through Lent, and these are just perfect.
Enjoy the weekend!
Well, “so prepared” is relative. It still feels surreal that this is happening and especially that it’s happening so soon. But I have to trust the process and that I’ve done all that I can do to prepare and the rest we’ll just have to make up as we go 🙂
What perfect timing on the handmade cards! I love when things like that happen. And there is nothing more frustrating that turning a cake out and having half of it stick in the pan or fall apart! Very happy indeed.
HOW EXCITING THAT YOUR SON IS MARRIED!!!! Your recap makes it sound like everything went smoothly and I am just overjoyed for you and your family. What a happy time.
What a big milestone for Bella! congrats! Sofia is on braces and really takes more work than usual to keep the mouth clean.
Glad to hear someone will be taking care of your house. I would be worried otherwise.
Happy thing this week: better and better sleep quality as I keep making small adjustments to my evening routine, the great lunch I prepared to celebrate chinese new year, girls playing with their friends, evening walk before the sky turns black with the girls.
Yes, there is definitely a lot of maintenance associated with having braces!
Evening walks are so lovely. I’m looking forward to the longer days and want to make an evening stroll in Europe a habit <3
Two weeks!!! Wow! You’re really in the home stretch! But also how is it March in less than two weeks? It’s always amazing to me how the slightly shorter length of February can feel so much shorter.
It cracks me up that Belle approved the final braces picture but not the post braces picture. Would have predicted the opposite!
Happy things:
– It has been close to/slightly above freezing all week and most days have been SUNNY. Absolutely glorious. Supposed to go below freezing as highs next week but not by much and still be sunny.
– Took C to a free talk about the night sky last night as she’s been very into the moon and solar system and she had a great time and the group had a telescope set up so she got to see Jupiter and three of its moons.
I’m sure there’s more, but have to start my day.
She isn’t used to what the “after” looks like, I guess 🙂 It does take some getting used to. She’s had braces for so long now, and her face has changed so much (she was a “kid” to me when she got them on). But her teeth look wonderful.
Sunny days make such a difference, especially with kiddos in the house.
What a cool adventure with C! I love that you made the time to do that (it takes real effort to leave the house at night), so gold stars. I bet this is something she’ll remember for a long time. And maybe you’ll inspire her into a lifelong pursuit of all things night sky!
That’s wonderful that you found someone who needs a home at a time that your home will be empty. Win-Win!
Two weeks!!! Eeep!!! IT’S HAPPENING!!!!
Question: how are you going to handle reading during the trip? Do you have an ereader?
Congrats to Belle and the end of mouth jail!!! Looking back I think I only had braces for two years, but those were two LONG years.
I have a Kobo and I have been putting things on hold like crazy on Libby. I do feel like I’ll read less overall while there? But we shall see. I do also want to read out loud more to the kids. I think I’d like to make it part of our regular weekday routine? Like 30 minutes of me reading to them? Time will tell – haha.
Belle totally earned that Starbucks. She already looked relieved in the before photo, so I can only imagine the post-braces grin. Must have been pure freedom!
The printed maps are a ton of work, but absolutely worth it. Knowing roughly where everything is saves so much brainpower. No maps needed for Zurich, though!
My little wins this week:
• Today, my dermatologist asked “How did Boston Marathon go?” I couldn’t believe that he remembered that from last year. I was ridiculously flattered.
• Finally escaped my overpriced phone plan. Victory!
• A misty mountain run with Kai yesterday. So beautiful!
I am so excited about having someone to take me around Zurich. I literally am not looking up a single thing to do. Really, the main “goal” is just to meet you. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
Okay, when people remember little details about my life like that, it gives me such a thrill. I hope you told him all about London, so next year he can ask about THAT marathon <3
I hope you post some pictures of the morning run. It sounds gorgeous.
And hooray for being able to get out of that plan. (And I think this means you were able to secure your old phone number, too?)
Yay for braces off!!!! I never had braces, but both my kids did. I also remember how nice it was when we made the very last payment to the orthodontist- that moment was pretty sweet.
TWO WEEKS. That is no time at all! It must feel great to know that the planning is done. AND, what a crazy coincidence that you know a family who needs a place to live while you’re gone! This is one of those situations where initially all the logistics can seem overwhelming- but if you just commit to a course of action, everything seems to fall into place.
Yes, the Olympics have been so fun. I stayed up late last night to watch the figure skating! Now I’m getting sad that it’s almost over. Luckily I have lots of good books- I’m just starting Inhale Exhale!!!
I have really loved the morning routine of watching Olympics at the table on my laptop while the kids eat breakfast. It’s very fun and exciting and I’m really going to miss it.
ALSO. THE NEXT TIME THE WINTER OLYMPICS ARE ON… BELLE WILL BE OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. That reframe of time seems crazy.
No more brace face – congrats!! What a huge transition to young adult. I’m sure her teeth look wonderful. You guys are such a blessing for that family – God certainly provides 🙂
It does feel like yet another milestone on the route to adulthood!!
So close to departure day! I know the excitement has to be building 😀 And personally, I love your map system! When Mr and I went on a few-days jaunt for our anniversary, I had everything listed out with hours of operation + cost + relative orientation toward other items under consideration. 🙂
YAY for no more braces! 😀 That’s a grand feeling, and I know the smile is dazzling.
Olympics, Olympics, Olympics! They’re all I’m watching now, haha 🙂
The Olympics have been such a welcome distraction from winter and certain life stressors.
Okay, I think you and I would make fantastic travel partners. You are clearly speaking my language 🙂
A list for you:
1. How odd that Belle didn’t approve the After photo.
2. I NEED paper maps, NEED to stand in place with North being up and in front of me, and I put paper maps in those plastic sleeves so they don’t get wrecked with too much folding or water.
3. Fantastic that a family needs exactly what you have, and you need exactly what they can provide!
4. Who/what is Ferrari? (How have I missed this?)
5. If those were my roses, I’d hang them upside down to dry. Even dried roses are beautiful, and they last a V E R Y L O N G time.
6. Didn’t you want to put some kind of sweetener on that bowl of brunch?? Yes, berries are sort of sweet, but gimme some honey!
7. No way will I be able to read In Light of All Darkness—too close to Nancy Guthrie right now; too much horrification for my sensitive little self.
1. I think she’s not used to the “look” after so many years with braces.
2. I laughed out loud, Jana. I HAVE THEM IN PLASTIC SLEEVES for transport. We really are twins an awful lot.
4. Ferrari is Indy’s Beta fish. He is getting quite old and we thought he would… no longer be with us by this point. Which was sad, but also convenient when thinking about being away. Now we have someone to care for him while we’re gone.
5. I’m too much of a minimalist to keep dried flowers. If you lived closer, I’d send them your way for drying.
6. I love sweets but take my coffee/tea without sugar and don’t like to add things like maple syrup on honey to plain yogurt or cottage cheese. I’m weird that way.
7. Definitely skip this book if true crime/missing persons/forensics is not your cup of tea. I just find the investigative procedure fascinating and insightful.
Back when I had braces, they were bands that went around each tooth, so there was a lot more metal in there than these days. So horrible. Maya had braces twice, which seems really unfair, but she has a beautiful smile now. What I remember most is that my mouth felt EMPTY. I had braces for 5 1/2 years, partly because my mom was broke and couldn’t afford to keep up my appointments. So my teeth went too far one way and had to be corrected or something like that. I remember running my tongue over my teeth and it just felt GLORIOUS. Congratulations to Belle, what a wonderful day!
I’m so excited for your adventure! And to have a family in need of a home, a family you know and trust, just seems providential.
Oh my goodness. 5.5 years?? That is SO LONG!!!
Providential, indeed.
The happiest thing right now is having co-workers who love to solve a puzzle as much as I do. I cannot tell you how many hours we’ve spent trying to figure out how to figure out something that should be simple and how much fun we’re having doing it. I have had bad jobs and been on dysfunctional teams before, but right now? I am so happy with my job. (Check back in a month when we’re at our busy season. I probably won’t be saying this same thing then!)
Co-workers can make or break a job. It is no small thing to feel at home and in sync with the people around you, so this is a Very Happy Thing <3
How lovely that Belle can go to Europe free from the braces! And how wonderful and reassuring that you’ll have people staying in your house while you’re away. It’s funny how things work out sometimes. I can’t believe your trip is already just two weeks away. I’m so excited for you! I’m also a fan of paper maps. It’s like they help me “feel” my surroundings. I also love analog clocks because I can “feel” how much time there is. Happy thing: I have several analog clocks in our house, and I use one on my Apple Watch!
That makes two of us that can’t believe it’s happening SOON.
Yes! “Feel” my surroundings is exactly it. I find when I turn my phone around to get my bearings it will automatically adjust the map and it throws me off. There’s something very… grounding? about having something I can feel and manipulate with my hands.
Well done to Belle, my eldest had braces for a couple of years and it was such a celebration when she got them off!
Good idea printing out the maps, if I was to travel I would do the same! You are so organised! How wonderful that you can provide a house for a family that need it while you are away!
Those roses are beautiful!
I got in the habit of printing off maps for smaller trips and wasn’t sure if I was going to do it this time, but old habits die hard and I think this will make me feel a bit more confident to have a paper version of things when I sit down to plan out our days? And, when we’re finished in a place, I can just leave the maps behind so my little stack will get smaller and smaller!
Hooray for the braces off day. I’ve not had braces, but my children have and it is always such a fun adjustment.
Happy things: Kay made two baskets in her game yesterday. I wasn’t there, but Coach was and he captured both on video. I’m still excited about Lad’s girlfriend who we met on Sunday and for the musical that we saw Sunday. Plus, I had Monday off and that meant a short work week. The weather the past week has been unseasonably warm and lovely . . . we won’t discuss the temp drop today though, since we’re talking happy things.
I’m SO happy to hear that about Kay. I hope she celebrated in style. She deserves every ounce of happiness that comes her way.
It’s gorgeous, sunny and warm here… but we have a major snowstorm coming next. Sigh.
Awwww your kiddo is so beautiful! I bet she looks and feels fabulous without the braces!
TWO WEEKS!!!! So exciting, Elisabeth! My husband is our in-house travel planner, and he is fantastic at it. He goes the digital route, and uses a website called TripIt in concert with either Google or Apple maps to plot out all our stops and possible restaurants. I think the print-it-out option has a lot of advantages, though, and I love that you added the details to the back of each map!!!!
How wonderful that you have found live-in house sitters who will also benefit greatly from being able to stay in your home. Serendipity for sure.
My happy thing right this second is Leo. It is very windy outside and he keeps prowling from window to window, trying to attack the leaves that are spinning by — OUTSIDE and therefore out of his reach. He brings me so much joy!
I would pay money to watch Leo chase leaves through the window. The mental picture of it alone is making me chuckle.
TripIt! I’ve never heard of this before… going over to check that out NOW!
WAIT WAIT WAIT WHO’S FERRARI???
I feel like I missed something and/ or have forgotten something very key.
Two weeks, holy moley. That snuck up fast (for me). I 100% approve of paper maps, there is something very satisfying about that. As for waste *pfffffffft* there are worse things than having a piece of paper. It can be recycled later!
How perfect about the house situation!
Hmmm happy things, I have lots of those. We had snow for like 3/4 of a day, it’s all melted now but it was pretty while it lasted! Today is Friday which is FRI-YAY (my kids make fun of me for saying that so I say it MORE) (YOLO) and I’m meeting my friend Sandi for lunch. There will be a kale salad and an Aperol spritz involved even if it is minus 5. Kale salad and Aperol spritz is a VERY Nicole-coded lunch. Also I had a phone call with my friend Nicole, we have had monthly coffee dates/ virtual coffee dates through the pandemic/ now long phone calls every single month since January 2018. It was our New Year’s Resolution as Jake had started junior high and prior to that we saw each other all the time on the elementary playground. So we decided monthly coffee dates was the way to keep in touch and now we have never missed a month! Let’s see, what else. Oh! I got my period which isn’t exactly a happy thing but since I sleep poorly prior to my period, I am now sleeping well, so yay for that.
Ferrari is Indy’s beta fish… who we did not think would still be swimming. But he has beat the odds and seems to be in good health. And now we have someone to care for him!!!
This comment is just BURSTING with happy things. And I totally get the mixed blessing of a period starting. Hooray for better sleep!
Congrats to Belle! Must feel amazing!!
I fully support the paper maps and intend to do the same should I ever find myself in a new place. Such a good idea! Can’t believe you’re about to embark on this grand adventure – so exciting!
It is still feeling a bit surreal. This time two weeks from today the wheels will have left the runway (Lord willing) and we will be ON OUR WAY!
You departure date is so soon!! I am very much a tactile person so I would appreciate a physical map. I had a great fold-out one of Paris that I used so so much. It was helpful to get my bearings. Google maps is awesome, but I need a zoomed out view sometimes!
My happy thing was hosting a friend for the weekend and attending the Brandi Carlile concert last night. It was such a wonderful and uplifting show! I am dragging today as I could not fall asleep when we got home and then Taco was up at 6, of course. Paul is not feeling well (upset stomach and headache) so I am crossing my fingers and toes that it’s just a minor bug and he is back at school tomorrow. I fly out for a work trip on Tuesday so I get super nervous when someone does feel well leading up to my trip. Insert stressed out face emoji.
It’s SO SOON, Lisa. I am feeling the stress.
That concert experience sounds amazing. I hope everyone stays well and the trip goes smoothly. We have a bug going through our house right now and I’m trying to stay positive and embrace the fact this *should* mean we’re all healthy by the time we leave??!!
OH! I had to go back a bit to be a bit more informed but wow your trip sounds exciting and really coming up FAST! Amazing adventures await!
I ADORE your trip planning and organization! I love to have a printed copy of a lot of things when I travel. I think the map idea is great too because it’s just easier to get a grasp on the layout before you get into the city. My husband is always just along for the ride, but I have to see it ALL before we actually get to the town.
I do remember getting my braces off and my teeth feeling “slimy” because they were so void of metal! It was a wonderful slimy though, just very odd.
Wow, having someone stay in your house really worked out for both of you. Very cool.
I think we have similar approaches! I basically feel the need to live the entire week in advance and my husband is there to explore wherever the day takes him. That said, I’ve claimed the planning part of travel as my own, so it’s really how I want it to be.
OMG TWO WEEKS??? That came up fast! I just got a printer in December and I am printing EVERYTHING these days. Not great for the environment, I guess, but it makes me happy.
That’s amazing that you could help out a family by having them stay at your house when you’re gone. Helps them, helps you! A win-win.
TWO WEEKS. Less than now, and I am feeling so stressed. Gah. There is a never-ending list of things to think through and do. But, Kyria has validated ALL the feelings and that made me feel so much better! A big adventure takes… a bit amount of work!
Two weeks!! Well, less now since I’m always behind. I’m THRILLED for your family; this will be such an adventure.
I also love paper maps. For some reason, it’s easier for my brain to take it all in!
How lovely that your home will be able to shelter another family. I’m gonna say, this should be added onto your Golden Day post that I read this morning. Just perfect!! XO
Gah. It’s so soon, Suz. I’m ready and also not ready! So many feelings.