I’m girding my proverbial loins for the next 36 hours; it’s going to be a doozy. A church event our family is volunteering at is happening this weekend and it’s sure to be a lot of very intense fun. It will be overstimulation to the nth degree (for me), but I’m excited, too.
A few weeks ago I mentioned something in one of my posts about a youth event I had volunteered at, and Michelle’s comment made me so very happy.
I believe this to the core of my being. This group of teens is poised to do great things for God and in the world at large. Part of our weekend will be spent volunteering to help seniors with lawn care and other home maintenance tasks, along with collecting hundreds of pounds of non-perishables for the local food bank. We’re going to play games, jump on giant inflatables, worship, and bond and talk about very real (sometimes hard!), prescient topics in their lives.
And then I will take a very long nap on Sunday afternoon, or such is the hope.
I came down with a head cold in the middle part of the week which… wasn’t what I wanted. Since then, I’ve done the bare minimum in terms of keeping life, work, and house things afloat, with lots of support from John. There was an afternoon nap, and a few optional things fell by the wayside. But it was relatively short, as these things go, and after about 48 hours, I was mostly feeling back to normal.
My father-in-law’s visit was lovely; there was also a sense of relief when he left. Not because he’s an imposition in the least, but there is always a sense of being “on” that’s impossible to shake when any company is in the house. But we had a delightful visit with a lot of very special memories, good food, and plenty of laughter.
Okay. Let’s talk Happy Things from the last week.
CANDY FUN
I had so much fun reading all the comments on the Top Five/Bottom Five Halloween candy post. (If you haven’t had a chance to check out Kristen’s related blog post, make sure you do that; the comment section is a treat!)
Side note: this picture of the kids peering into our carved pumpkin (many years ago, now) is one of my all-time favourites!
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
So… an interesting thing happens when your teen daughter starts dating a player on one of the high school volleyball teams.
You (as the parent) start watching boys’ high school volleyball.
To be fair, she’s done most of her cheering without me, but needed a ride to a tournament last weekend and begrudgingly let me stay since she NEEDED ME FOR TRANSPORT.
Eventually, she moved to the other side of the bleachers into greener (and younger) pastures, which left me to have some lovely conversations with moms I knew.
Volleyball is a lot of fun to watch.
That said, it was literally like walking into a brick wall of sweat and teenage B.O. when I went into the gym. I have NEVER experienced any exercise-related scent that overpowering before. Belle had been to the tournament the previous day and told me I’d get used to it, which I was sure I most certainly would not.
Lo and behold, within 15 minutes, I couldn’t smell anything. It was actually a bit concerning that I acclimated that quickly.
Even closer to home, Indy has signed up for middle school volleyball. His season hasn’t started yet, but I’m excited for that (I really enjoyed watching Belle when she played volleyball).
SUNNY DAYS
It has been an abnormally chilly fall for us. We’ve already had temperatures BELOW zero, and it’s not even the end of October.
But, after a stretch of gloomy, overcast days with near-constant wind, we have seen a fair amount of sunshine this week which has been delightful.
HEATED SEATS + HEATED STEERING WHEEL
I know I’ve mentioned this as a Happy Thing before, but it bears repeating: living where we do, having heated seats and a heated steering wheel are such a delight.
WARM FEET
Speaking of heat… my package from Nicole arrived with multiple pairs of like-new slippers that she graciously gifted me. We happen to wear the same shoe size, and she found they made her feet too hot! I have been BASKING in the delight of very warm toes.
When I put out a call for suggestions of how to keep warm this winter, UGGs came up repeatedly and one of the pairs Nicole sent my way was indeed UGGs and I can confirm they are very toasty, indeed.
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES
I couldn’t decide whether to publish all my gift guides at once (what most “influencers” seem to do, a category I don’t really fall into), or just sprinkle them into my regular posting routine over the coming weeks. I’ve decided on the latter because it seems more fun and a lot less cumbersome for me (preparing them) and you (reading/skimming/ignoring them… whatever the case may be).
The first guide (for men) went live this week. I had a lot of fun putting it together and received such enthusiastic feedback, so thank you!
I have 15 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for men coming tomorrow, and next week women will get their turn.
A BEAUTIFUL SKY
We were driving in the early evening one day this week and the sky was stunning. Pictures don’t do it full justice!
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- My father-in-law brought some of my mother-in-law’s jewelry down for Belle and me to share. I was especially thrilled to receive some simple golden knot studs and have been wearing them almost every day.
- We got a good chuckle out of this meme!
- And this one. Go for it, girl! Godspeed.
- Belle went to a corn maze on the weekend with her friends. I didn’t make any arrangements, didn’t pay for her entry ticket… I just dropped her off and went home. Big fan!
- The picture isn’t overly appetizing (food photography is not my thing), but I literally put the remainder of our Thanksgiving leftovers together, added some homemade chicken stock, and created a soup. A few spoonfuls of leftover gravy? That goes in! The remaining cranberry sauce? Also in. Turkey! Potato! Carrot! Stuffing! Corn! A handful of peas. Done and done.
- Speaking of food. This is one of our family’s favourite dishes. It… also doesn’t look particularly appetizing. We call it Bacalhau (Portuguese for salt cod) and it includes chickpeas, hard-boiled egg, broccoli, cod (soaked for over a day to remove the salt, and then boiled), potatoes, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. My father-in-law keeps everything separate and the rest of us mash it. So good!
- Catrina was invited to register for the Tokyo Marathon (which is almost impossible to get into as an international runner)!!
- Pickleball as a family. We all went and there was so much light-hearted trash talking and some incredibly close (and fun) games. I really enjoy doing this together. Not going to lie: I also prefer when I’m on the winning team!
- This text from Belle. The cynic in me—seeing as this arrived randomly on Wednesday morning—immediately thought: What does she want?? But there was no follow-up request and it warmed my heart to receive this message. She’s a great kid, really and truly.
- Vacuumed floors. It never lasts, but when we left for pickleball we set up Eufy to run while we were away. What a joy.
- Morning coffee. Still loving the auto function on our coffee machine, and still LOVING this mug.
- My Dad needed some tech support (read: he had some documents in his inbox and had no idea how to print them off). Sometimes trying to help him over the phone can be the very definition of an exercise in futility. This time, things went remarkably smoothly. The forms got printed with virtually no hassle. And, he’s been asking for me to arrange something for months now and for various reasons it didn’t work… and in the span of 24 hours I got it all sorted and he was SO happy. Hearing his happiness in turn made ME happy.
That’s it from me this week.
Happy Weekending, friends.
Your turn.
- Tell me all about the Happy Things happening in your life!
- Do you offer tech support to any seniors in your life?
- Best meal you ate this week?
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Oh, gracious , tech support for seniors. My father-in-law will call, and my techie husband often will turn it over to me because it’s so frustrating and usually a simple fix. Not that I know much, but I’m used to windows stuff and my husband functions on a much higher plain than that.
Best meal? I’ve cheated and used rotisserie chicken or it’s leftovers 4 nights. But I made an absolutely delicious birthday cake that everyone loved.
The weekend of service sounds wonderful- have fun but find time for that nap!
Ha! Yes, it can be SO frustrating. To us younger folk it’s so obvious.
I LOVE a rotisserie chicken. So delicious, so easy. Win, win.
That text from Belle, with NO strings attached! Really lovely.
I hope the big church event goes well, Elisabeth! Just keep that heavenly nap in mind as your big reward on Sunday afternoon, it will help to keep you to power through!
Kai sometimes tells me after a run that I smell (sometimes I don’t shower immediately when I get back home but have a cup of tea first). It’s amazing how quickly we can NOT smell horrible sweaty smells! Oh, and I am looking forward to “meeting” Volleyball Guy!! (one day… and only if and when everyone feels comfortable, of course!)
And thank you for including my Tokyo news in your happy things! My brain still can’t fathom it!
Heavenly nap… haha. Yes, I like that framing and I am already counting down the hours 😉
Volleyball Guy. All young people on my blog have nicknames, so maybe that should be his???
I am SO proud of your hard work and efforts and what an accomplishment. I can’t wait to follow along with your journey in prepping for and getting to such an epic race.
Good luck with your marathon weekend! The nap is waiting for you at the finish line!
We haven’t gotten too cold yet and we’ve had day after day of sunshine. Don’t worry, I’m enjoying it on your behalf! I did a long day of hiking on Tuesday and I’m going to do another one today.
Enjoy your Uggs! Warm feet FTW!
Day after day of sunshine. Thanks for rubbing it in!!!
Enjoy the hike. I need to see pictures!
And I’m wearing the Uggs right now and my feet are deliciously warm and toasty 🙂
I’m starting to feel like I AM a senior who needs tech support, ha ha (wait- that’s not funny). Anyway… so many happy things here! Belle’s text… yes, I totally thought it was going to end with “Can I have $20?” But no! That was sweet. Also sweet… what a nice reason to be watching high school volleyball!!! <3
I love those memes. And I love that you’ll have warm feet for the winter! Good luck this weekend- and I’m rooting for that Sunday afternoon nap.
Eagerly anticipating the gift guide- I DEFINITELY need stocking stuffer ideas for men.
I felt bad about my cynical response (I texted it to a friend and she said her first response was “oh, that’s so sweet”…), but it makes me feel better to know you anticipated a request as well.
I was NOT expecting to be navigating teen dating anytime soon but… here we are.
I had a little nap just now. I might be out until almost midnight tonight and I was at the church all morning helping prep, so I am doing everything I can get some extra energy in the tank 🙂
I’ve felt so tired the past few weeks! I went to Venice with my sister a couple of weeks ago – it was beautiful and we had a wonderful time, but there was SO MUCH walking and it was very busy (although presumably less so than in summer!) Then work ramped up and this week I had something happening every evening, apart from one thing which got cancelled, and then last night I hosted dinner for my friend (I used the unexpected free evening to do housecleaning). We had a lot of fun but I am very tired today, and I have bookclub later!
So my happy things are a holiday and seeing friends, but I will be VERY happy to do nothing this weekend!
Venice! How delightful. We loved it there. But yes to all the walking.
I hope bookclub is fun and then you get to really relax (and hey, at least your house is clean after that free evening of work).
Enjoy the weekend! I find things come in bursts and I make it through and then collapse.
Yes, to helping seniors with tech! Just yesterday one of the ladies I meet for coffee on Thursdays thanked me for being her tech support person after I showed her how to do something on her phone.
My happy thing this week was my daughter’s wedding on Tuesday – I am still riding the high from that lovely event! It was a small, intimate affair with only 15 immediate family members and a few close friends for a ceremony and dinner. Oct. 20th was their 10th anniversary of the day they met and that’s why they had it on that day. The room was beautiful and I would say my favourite meal this week was the beautiful dinner we shared together.
What a beautiful sky photo and to receive that lovely text from your daughter is so special!
YOUR DAUGHTER GOT MARRIED. Jacquie, how delightful. And a small, intimate celebration on such a momentous date sounds absolutely lovely.
Another list, because apparently, that’s how I think. (Not very creative—I might be a fake artist).
1. That red leaf photo is most totally excellent coming from Canada!
2. FANTASTIC to have so many youth (or is it “much”) at your church. Sounds like a great event (for them).
3. You are “an influencer” in my life —sent me my latest favorite song, influenced me to buy a mug like yours, and helped me find a blog repair person—THANK YOU!
4. WAIT! Why does your mug have an interior flower and mine does not? I will resist the urge to go shopping again. Please commend me on my remarkable restraint.
5. Apparently I am a senior needing help with tech since the photos on my laptop are all locked up and inaccessible (Apple could not help, either on the phone or in their store) AND since my website got messed up several months ago and I am just now figuring out it is a Real Problem that requires Real Hired Help. Dang it.
6. I think that meme is scary.
I have always been part of very small churches (think a handful of youth, at most). It is quite a change to have so many. Our youth group has doubled in the last year, and this conference pulls in youth from all around our province (and maybe from some other places as well). Last year we had to turn people away, so many wanted to attend. It is very special and I am so honoured to get to be a teeny, tiny part of it. That said, I will be exhausted for a week, I know it.
Ha. I’m a mug influencer 🙂
I LOVE the little feature of having an interior flower. I am genuinely impressed by your restraint. We’ll see how long it lasts…
Argh. Despite being relatively proficient with some things, I still feel like technology gets the better of me… a lot. John is so good at that sort of thing, so I often defer to him.
The meme is one of those scary (but prescient) things. If you don’t cry, you laugh. I chose to laugh… but, yes. AI/tech. All of it is genuinely scary.
Ha! I open the door to that boy smell every morning… Sometimes I have concerns that my whole house smells like that and I’ve become nose numb. Which then puts me in to bouts of burning essential oils. God bless you for helping in this weekends festivities. I think last year I was overstimulated just by drop off! lol
Have fun!!
Haha. Overstimulated by drop off.
My ideal job is to be in the kitchen helping with prep and behind the scenes. That sort of busy doesn’t tire me out in the same way as being an introvert in an extroverted world.
Alas, I’m done my kitchen duty and now I will be in the chaotic fray. PRAY FOR ME.
Also, it will be great, and I am so excited to see what God does in and through these kids and, quite honestly, am praying He restores my heart in fresh, exciting ways, too.
I meant to answer this earlier this week!
Top five:
Heathbars
Peanut M&Ms
Butterfingers
Mini Reese’s PB cups
Tootsie rolls (see below)
Bottom five:
The weird-flavored tootsie roll imposters
Chips (I prefer candy)
Nerds
Milk chocolate
Fruit snacks
Tootsie rolls have been favorites of mine since I was a very little girl. My grandfather owned an ice cream and candy store and when I visited, I could choose one thing from the penny candy counter and always chose tootsie rolls.
So, his nickname for me was Tootsie and my mother always called me that, too. I still like them and the memories just add to my enjoyment. 🙂
I can agree with all of your tops EXCEPT Tootsie Rolls. They do not seem to be neutral for anyone! But that story of your grandfather, his store, and your nickname is absolutely precious. I love it and can see why eating Tootsie Rolls bring you pleasure both in terms of the taste but also all the wonderful memories tied up with the experience.
I would love anything to keep my feet warm, although for so many years, AC makes me happier and over the years I need colder and colder rooms to sleep.
Happy meals for me a simple meals, oatmeal is my comfort food, and I am also happier when there’s food I the freezer for me and the family. This week has been a frozen pasta dish I made with tofu sauce and for the girls are chicken nugget and gyozas. I don’t mind eating the same thing for repeated days, but they are picker and need some variety.
I love the red leaf! I hope to see some falls leaves next week in NY.
Oatmeal was a comfort meal for me for years; I eat it a lot less now, but as the colder, winter weather comes along, I suspect I’ll go back to it!
I hope your weekend goes well. Youth group events are always such high energy, high stimulation times. That text from Belle is so sweet. G and I went to meet H’s new puppy today; she will take it home next week. It is Goldie, related to Riley, and I’d forgotten how cute puppies are.
Yes! High energy! High stimulation! Big feelings and also… a lot of delight. At one point I was imaging heaven and WE GET TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME.
I saw your puppy pictures and about fainted from the cuteness!!! And I just love, love, love that it will be related to Riley.
Praying! Love light joy and peace! 💛
Thanks, friend! It was a lot of. Exhausting and joyous, but more joyous than exhausting 😉
Ahhhh! I love all the happy things! I cried from laughing at the boys’ volleyball game smell – I could actually smell it in my head! Gah! Also the Google meme. I feel like that too. All I have to do is mention something, and I’m getting an advertisement for it on TV or on my computer. I am tech support for my parents, and I’m needing tech support for myself. What a weird place to be!
It smelled SO BAD Michelle. Like I said, the worst I’d ever experienced walking into a gym before.
I saw Simone Biles live today!!! Not performing gymnastics, but who cares??? I saw her live!!! We were at the world championship gymnastics in the Netherlands this afternoon, and she gave a brief interview as part of the opening ceremony.
Also, there was a Canadian gymnast by name of Elisabeth Black! Maybe she makes your spelling more common now 🙂
Other happy things: visiting the Efteling, always a highlight to go to a theme park. Delivering two very complex reports and getting through a tough presentation. Going for a run this morning, there was sunshine and I feel quite a bit better! Meals: I have mostly not been in charge,only for groceries. I will be back to normal in chargeness next week, when our half term holiday is over.
Yes! She goes by Ellie, I think, and she’s from Halifax… so about an hour from where I live!
Hooray for getting through to the other side on some challenging work projects.
All the best with the transition back to school (and meal prep). Hooray for sunshine.
When you wrote about a church event I thought it might be trunk or treat. I attended one last night that was indeed overstimulating! I am only cut out for daytime trunk or treats. But WOW, your event sounds so much better and I hope you enjoy that nap! Agreed volleyball is so fun to watch!!!
I have never done a trunk or treat, but I secretly love the efficiency (and safety!) of it all!
That text from Belle! Oh, my heart. What a sweet message to receive. She’s a great kid and YOU are a great mom.
Those earrings are soooo pretty.
I’m glad your head cold didn’t last too long. Sometimes they can linger around, so phew!
I am definitely text support for my mom, and whenever I make a comment about it, she reminds me that she taught me to use a fork. Ha!
She taught me how to use a fork… Haha. I LOVE THAT and need to start using that line with my own kids.
I am so woefully behind on blog reading/commenting so I am trying to catch up on your Friday posts as it’s a good way to get a sense for what is going on in your life. I love that you have such a strong and uplifting church community. There’s a lot of doomsday vibes out there so it’s great to be somewhere the gives you hope for the future of our youth. I feel similarly about my church community. It was a big deal for me to change faiths (although it was a very small side step) and churches but it’s been so good for our family. There’s a huge youth program, including a huge 60+ person HS choir that performs as 1-2 services every weekend. I’m glad we found out faith home after feeling out of sorts for years about where I/the kids belong.
I’m sorry to hear you had a head cold! Those can really take a person down. Phil has had two in the last 6 weeks. I have magically avoided it. I told him he should consider not licking door knobs anymore. LOL. That is obv a joke. But our kids constantly have their hands in their mouths and then they touch everything so there is a lot of germs circulating in our house…
We are finally getting hit with bugs. Gah. There are colds AND a flu-like bug circulating. Tis the season.
I am so happy you’ve found such a great friend and faith community.