The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

My Top Five Favourite Christmas Traditions (Then/Now Edition)

I know I’ve talked a few times about various Christmas traditions, but I can’t find any record of me ever ranking them.

Since we’re talking about Christmas (which I love) and I’m actively trying to…

Christmas, Planning, Top Five/Bottom Five
Dec, 22, 2025
42 Comments

Happy Things Friday: 19 December + Niche Giveaway

Come on down folks, this is the final Happy Things Friday post before Christmas. (I totally said that in The Price is Right announcement voice.)

Well, you already know there was some angst in my…

Christmas, Happy Things Friday, Holidays
Dec, 19, 2025
33 Comments

Let’s Look Back at my “Goals” and “Mantras” for 2025!

At the start of 2025, I didn’t set any traditional resolutions or goals.

Instead, I created two lists: Fun Ideas and Mantras. I wanted the year to feel light and flexible, more about (enjoyable) rhythms and activities than checkboxes and outcomes.

We’re officially…

Goals, Gold Stars, Habits, Life, Personality Insights, Planning
Dec, 18, 2025
45 Comments

Holiday Home Tour 2025: Cozy Christmas Vibes, Thrifted Finds (and Gnomes) Included

I thought it would be fun to take you on a little festive tour of how things are decked out around our place for the holidays. I can’t have all my bloggy friends over…

Frugal Things We Did Last Week

Y’all. My kids are home on yet another snow day (I’m writing this on Monday) and can I just say: I am over snow days. It’s only the middle of December and we’ve had…

Frugality, Money
Dec, 16, 2025
40 Comments

Not a Crisis, Exactly — But It Is Another Snow Day

I don’t generally post twice in one day, but sometimes things pile up on my proverbial chest and need to be unloaded promptly.

Today is one of those days.

When I write angsty posts, I sometimes…

Hard Things, Life, Misadventures, Parenting, Personality Insights
Dec, 15, 2025
51 Comments

My Reading Life: 5 Questions Answered

I love a good reading questionnaire and am taking all these questions directly from this post written by Stephany (who got the idea from the hosts of Sarah’s Bookshelves).

1) Have you always been a…

My Top Five Favourite Christmas Traditions (Then/Now Edition)

Happy Things Friday: 19 December + Niche Giveaway

Let’s Look Back at my “Goals” and “Mantras” for 2025!

Holiday Home Tour 2025: Cozy Christmas Vibes, Thrifted Finds (and Gnomes) Included

Frugal Things We Did Last Week

Not a Crisis, Exactly — But It Is Another Snow Day

My Reading Life: 5 Questions Answered

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