The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Gratitude Guests: Meagan Francis on Parenting, Gratitude, and Leisure Pursuits

Happy Tuesday, friends. I’m so excited to welcome Meagan Francis to the blog today as part of my Gratitude Guest series!

If you’ve been around the world of motherhood media over the past decade, there’s…

Blogging, Gratitude, Guest Post, Parenting
Oct, 21, 2025
34 Comments

Cool Bloggers Walking Club: Week 2 Recap

For anyone just joining in, I’m cheerleading a group of people (bloggers and otherwise) from around the world who are aiming for 10 minutes of intentional movement each day in October.

(Here is the CBWC…

Brain Dump at Starbucks: Life, Sleep, and Scattered Thoughts

Friends. As I mentioned yesterday, I am feeling scattered lately.

While Belle finishes up at a birthday party I have decamped to Starbucks (help — what monster am I creating?!), and I decided it was…

Brain Dump, Personality Insights, Random
Oct, 18, 2025
58 Comments

Happy Things Friday: 17 October

We have gotten to (and passed) the halfway point of the month. As usual, I am in perpetual shock by how quickly time is flying by.

I am trying to bury my head in…

Exploring the Ocean Floor at Medford Beach, Lunch at Luckett’s, Thanksgiving, and Goodbyes

While Kae and SHU enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the Tattingstone Inn (and snuck in some marathon-watching), I headed off with the fam to church. And enjoyed every well-deserved sip of caffeine in my…