The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

20 Gifts for Tween Boys (Tried-and-True Favourites)

Shopping for tween boys can be tricky. They’re getting too old for certain toys (Mom! That’s for babies!) but aren’t quite ready to leave childhood behind.

Thankfully, I have an 11-year-old boy in my household…

Never Have I Ever… Part 21

I keep coming up with fresh Never Have I Ever prompts, so I’m back with ten more. Apparently, this list is going to make it well past 200!

(For anyone just joining this series, here’s…

15 Stocking Stuffers for Teen Girls (Approved By a Teen Girl)

I think finding stocking stuffers for my teen girl is pretty fun! I want to come up with items she’ll actually use, not just random little knickknacks that will end up collecting dust in…

20 Gifts For Teen Girls (Approved By a Teen Girl)

I feel like I need David Attenborough narrating a little intro for me.

Ah, the teenage girl. A fascinating creature of extraordinary complexity. One moment, affectionate and charming. The next, deeply offended by the sound…

Life
Nov, 02, 2026
17 Comments

I’m on the Amateur Traveler Podcast! Let’s Talk About Nova Scotia

Well, this was fun!

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down (virtually) with Chris Christensen, host of the Amateur Traveler podcast (recently named by The New York Times as one of…

Happy Things Friday: 30 October

Hi friends. We are officially on the precipice of November.

I texted this meme to Belle the other morning while she was getting ready for school. I knew she’d received it when I heard…

Cool Bloggers Walking Club: Week 4

It’s hard to believe that we’re almost to the end of another month which means, sadly, we’re nearing the final days of this October 2026 edition of the Cool Bloggers Walking Club.

I haven’t been…

20 Gifts for Tween Boys (Tried-and-True Favourites)

Never Have I Ever… Part 21

15 Stocking Stuffers for Teen Girls (Approved By a Teen Girl)

20 Gifts For Teen Girls (Approved By a Teen Girl)

I’m on the Amateur Traveler Podcast! Let’s Talk About Nova Scotia

Happy Things Friday: 30 October

Cool Bloggers Walking Club: Week 4

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