The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Happy Things Friday: 13 March

My first (of many) Happy Things Friday posts from Europe.

It’s hard to believe that this time last week the kids were at school and I was madly dashing around our house (and our town)…

Euro Adventure, Happy Things Friday, Munich, Travel
Mar, 13, 2026
40 Comments

We’re Here!

I’m hoping to get a Happy Things Friday post up this week because, as you can imagine, my gratitude list is quite long right now.

At the very top: everyone is healthy, and we are…

Happy Things Friday: 6 March

OH MY WORD, FRIENDS. THIS IS MY LAST DAY IN CANADA.

(I know some people dislike all caps, but I have a feeling I’m going to be leaning on this technique heavily in today’s post.)

IT…

On My Shelf: Books Read February 2026

Books definitely took a backseat for me in February.

I was living in a low-level state of continual panic. There were lists EVERYWHERE: things to pack, things to buy, chores to do, people to call….

Reading
Mar, 05, 2026
27 Comments

Fresh FIGs: Gratitude Collective Week #4 + 2026 Wrap-up

Full disclosure: I’m writing this while emerging from 24 hours spent in a fairly deep pit of despair. Friday involved a deluge of hard, non-bloggable stuff, and it took the wind out of my…

Frugal Things: Travel Edition

I decided to split my frugal thoughts into two posts this week. Yesterday was all about using things up; today, I’m shifting gears to travel frugality.

TOILETRIES

I’m decidedly low-maintenance when it comes to toiletries. I’ll…