The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Following Up, 2023 Blog Top Fives, and More Randomness

I finally feel like Christmas break is over. There are so many layers involved in preparing for the holiday, and just as many layers involved with dismantling things. I was behind on laundry and…

On Stickers, Workouts, and Gold Stars: Rewarding My Inner Toddler

Sometimes I am convinced I am a fully-grown toddler (for many reasons, but today we’ll only discuss one) – I love stickers.

There is something so fun about stickers. A few years ago -…

Creativity, Gold Stars, Organization, Personality Insights, Planning
Jan, 03, 2024
38 Comments

Random Things: Good Books, Recipe Recommendations, and A Digital Sabbath

This is one of those smorgasbord posts that is a jumbled heap of ideas, questions, and reflections. There is no neat and tidy way to move between items (I do love a good segue),…

Food, Life, Random, Reading, Year of Shmita
Jan, 02, 2024
45 Comments

Thirty Reflective Questions As I Leave 2023 (Thank Goodness) and Enter 2024 (Bring It On?)

I’m a bit behind on pulling together a reflective 2023 post; I don’t think I did anything like this in 2022, but it feels like a helpful exercise. To sit and ponder; to reflect…

Life, Mental Health, Personality Insights, Planning, Random
Jan, 01, 2024
21 Comments

My 2023 Ta-Da List (Or, It’s Okay to Pat Yourself on the Back)

It’s December 31st. I’m stoked; tomorrow I get to turn the page on my calendar, crack open a new planner, and start fresh. For the briefest of moments I’ll be able to channel my…

Goals, Gold Stars
Dec, 31, 2023
32 Comments

Christmas 2023: A Gift Recap

I feel a bit embarrassed by the number of gifts that get exchanged each year at Christmas within our supposedly minimalistic home. That said, Christmas is our main gift-giving event of the year. Mother’s…

Happy Things Friday: The Christmas Highlights Edition

This is my last Happy Things Friday post for 2023!! It’s hard to believe that Christmas and all the related events and experiences are behind us for another year.

We had a long day…