Life at a "Swell's" pace: August 2024

Five Simple Things (August 9)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This sweatshirt.

He is so proud to finally get a sweatshirt to the college he has been eyeing.

2. These lights.

We drove through Bend this week and as we were driving these lights caught my eye. I had to turn around and check them out.

3. This sign.

I want to believe, too.

4. This moment.

As we drove back from Bend this week a storm rolled through during our drive. We stopped at a rest stop and as Skylar and Jeff were watching the sky, it lite up so bright that both of them ran back to the car in a rush. It was good that they did, because the clouds opened up and dumped so much rain we were stuck at the rest stop for about 30 minutes before the rain let up enough to see to drive. I love moments like this. The unexpected little joys that don't hinder anything and allow you to pause for a moment and realize how small your issues are on the grand scale of things.

5. These boxes.

This week Mighty Nest, and the first box of resubscribing to Birchbox came. I had Birchbox when they first started, but ended up canceling because I had other subscription boxes that I enjoyed more, at the time. I decided to resubscribe to them because honestly, I love them, and I have a subscription box habit that I can't kick. Not yet, at least.☺

Mighty Nest was a great delivery this week. We got our boxes of bamboo toilet paper, and paper towels, as well as the Might Fix for this month. These scrub brushes are starting to earn their place in my cleaning supply bucket. They are eco-friendly and hold up under the most vigorous scrubbing. Plus, the samples that came with everything was perfect timing, as we ran out of laundry soap that morning. And, Dirty Labs smells amazing! Side note: My favorite product in the Birchbox shipment was the Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle spray. This was my go-to during my breast reduction surgery in 2020. I loved how it smelled, and I loved even more that it works!

One last thing:

This is my love post for the last Blockbuster located in Bend, Oregon. It is the last in the nation and is still overflowing with old school nostalgia. Even the smell is a core memory locked in.

Positive affirmations this week:

Listen to your supporters, not your critics, no matter who they are.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (August 2)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This salad.

We've been running back and forth a lot this week and a quick meal has been a salad more than anything else. We have been trying to incorporate some healthy ways to make salads better and peaches have been the side of those salads a lot. Plus, they are just delicious and in season right now, too.

2. This paper.

I've been a subscriber to The Good Newspaper for almost three years now. I love seeing my name in the supporter's section of the paper. The Good Newspaper was founded in 2017 to put a spin on news being reported that was always bad, or gave people a sense of hopelessness. The Good Newspaper is always about news that brings a bit of hope to a chaotic world that we live in. It has articles on everyday life, politics, as well as world wide good changes. These articles help give a sense of purpose in the world. With every day being something negative or disappointing, The Good Newspaper is trying to hold onto the great things happening around the world that help our mental health stay grounded. The print newspaper is $8 a month and the digital edition is $5. You can sign up here and get your name added to the subscriber section of the paper, too!

3. This moment.

I just love them so much! Animals have helped me with my past trauma and abuse. All of my pets, past and present, have shown me so much love and affection that I don't think I would have turned out the way I did from my mental health issues. The love I give them they give back double. The world is such a wonderful place with animals in it. Both of them came from abusive situations, just like me. We are bonded on that aspect and we respect each other's healing. Plus, you can tell a lot of someone by how they treat animals.

4. These roses.

Our neighbors, that always do the most ridiculous stuff, built this haphazard fence to stop foot traffic through our yard. When the wind blows the fence rocks a little, so we decided to place yellow rose bushes on our side of the fence to help with the movement, and to brighten up the area. I'm looking forward to seeing them grow taller and bloom this coming spring.

5. These cover.

This magazine started coming to our house about a year ago addressed to someone else. I normally just flip through them and then throw them away. But this one, I will be keeping. I hope Jill Biden knows how much of a role model she is to women of all ages. I loved all of the first ladies, until Melania. I don't like talking politics on my blog, but she seemed to be the only first lady that didn't really know what to do. Her "Be Best" campaign is strange. I get the message, but the delivery should be better. I loved Laura Bush and Michelle Obama, and I am loving Dr. Jill Biden. I hope we continue to have great first ladies and the time of elegance hasn't ended.

One last thing:

I found these ice cube trays as was going to keep them for myself. I am working on building a bar cart and I thought these would be great additions. But, I decided to give them as gifts this year instead. Since working on the bus and deciding to maybe live in it for a time while we travel, the bar cart is being downsized. I am still going to have one on the bus, but I am working on a new strategy for it. I will share all of those plans soon.

Positive affirmations this week:

Be sure to always give yourself some positive feedback every day. These mantra cards from Dae are a good start to remind you of self talks you should be saying to yourself. These cards are