The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Who’s the Dentist in Your Family?

A few weeks ago, Lisa texted a group chat about one of her sons losing a tooth, and how she helped with the final extraction process.

Kae immediately replied that tooth removal grosses her out….

Happy Things Friday: 13 February

Hi friends.

This week was a wild ride. John left in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday to head to South Korea (his first time!), I woke up to say goodbye and…

Frugal Things Lately

A random assortment of frugal things.

For the last four-plus years, we’ve been collecting water for our cooler from a local, freely accessible spring. The water is so good, and the price tag can’t be…

Frugality
Feb, 12, 2026
35 Comments

Fresh FIGs: Gratitude Collective Week #1

In the words of my friend, the Grinch, IT. IS. GO. TIME.

I think February is a wonderful month to lean into a gratitude practice. At least in my part of the world, life starts…

My First Grey Hairs

I never know whether to spell grey with an “e” or an “a.” I think grey is more common in Canada/Britain, but I also see gray constantly. I mostly go back and forth and…