Life at a "Swell's" pace: July 2025

Five Simple Things (July 18)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This addition.

We picked up a new something for No Rain the Bus this week. We are still working on the exact solar panels that we want to mount on the top of the bus, but for now, this Jackery will definitely be great!

2. This update.

Along with the Jackery, we started getting the bus ready to rip out the old flooring and lay down new flooring. There is still that certain "school bus" smell in the bus, and we are thinking it might dissipate once the original flooring is gone. I also want to keep a small piece of the old floor for nostalgia. I do love the bus with its original flooring, but it is pretty beaten up and needs a lot more care than we first thought. You can keep up with our bus conversion progress on the blog here, or through our Instagram or Threads.

3. These flowers.

Another week of bringing fresh flowers into our home to boost my mental health, and everyone else that sees them.

4. These gifts.

One of Jeff's gifts from a coworker after retiring. This was such a thoughtful thing to do for him. He misses some of his coworkers, but he is glad to be able to relax and not worry about airplane dimensions and military contracts.

5. This post.

"Feel anyway. That's how we stay human." I love this so much. I've always been called oversensitive, or too sensitive, by, honestly, jackass people who came through my life. What's disturbing about their saying those words is the fact that how can they not be sensitive in a world full of things that we should feel more deeply about? Whether they were saying it out of meanness or because they really can't feel things on a deeper level, I am proud that I can. I will embrace my sensitivity because if it sets me apart from people who don't, I feel really good about that.

One last thing:

These brass ornaments are available in the shop right now. They are made from solid brass and are a cute statement on a desk, a bookshelf, or as a clever gift to give. The praying mantis is 78mm x 23mm in size and the snail is 17mm x 60mm in size. They are priced under $11 and would be a perfect addition to anyone that loves a statement piece. You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.

Positive affirmations this week:

The main thing to remember is, it's okay.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (July 11)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These blueberries.

Straight from out own blueberry bushes. The best thing is being able to walk out of your own door and pick straight from your own garden.

2. This face.

I just love this face. I am so proud of him every single day. I am a lucky mom.

3. This moment.

After 25 years at the same company, it was his time to relax. We love how hard he has worked in those 25 years, and not a day goes by that we are not grateful and appreciative of how much time he has scarified for us. I am happy that he will get some downtime and be able to sleep in a little from waking up at 4:00 a.m. each morning. Retirement looks good on you, Jeff!

4. This kitty.

She's so pretty. She loves looking out the window and talking to the other kitties in the neighborhood.

5. These covers.

New mattress covers for the beds on the bus. We are slowly getting things finished in No Rain the Bus. Slowly but steadily everything is coming together.

One last thing:

This Organic Surf Wax is now available in the shop. It's made from all natural ingredients (organic beeswax, organic coconut oil, lemon essential oils). Each wax comes individually wrapped as a package of three. Three bars weigh 3.4 oz. It's handmade in small batches in Hawaii by My Manoa.

You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.

Positive affirmations this week:

Child abuse at a young age affects more than a child's mental health; it also affects their physical and emotional well-being over time. Children growing up in violent households can become oversensitive, emotional, violent, or even depressive. Children are resilient, but when abuse, whether physical or verbal, never ends and continues into adolescence, it leads to damaged adults. The worst thing about growing up in an abusive household is feeling like there is no one to tell you that it's going to be okay. Because of that, you suffer alone. As someone who has been in that environment, the best thing I do now is stand up to any form of bullying. Child abuse stems from a form of bullying, and feeling alone as a child has created the person I am today. Therapy helps process some deep emotions, but the external emotions are difficult to handle on some days. One thing I am thankful for is how kindly I treat others because of the abuse in my past. Some people turn to violence after abuse, but I ended up with feelings of kindness that allow me to make everyone feel included and important. The downside of that is being taken advantage of because kindness is seen as a weakness. It took years of therapy for me to understand that being taken advantage of and being thought of as weak because of it had nothing to do with me or who I am as a person. Familial abuse is the hardest abuse to accept and work past. Cutting ties, even with blood relatives, is sometimes necessary to end that cycle. Not feeling guilty about cutting ties and setting boundaries is another hurdle to work through, as well, but it is doable. If you are working through past abuse, be it childhood abuse, domestic abuse, or family abuse, remind yourself that you are worth so much more and you are strong.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

July Fourth

We kept it lowkey this year with the fireworks and just bought a box of poppers/snappers, and sparklers. It was an early night of doing stuff and we were in bed by 10:00 p.m. because of a busy day the following day. It was still a lot of fun! I found this bulk box of snappers at Costco and Skylar paid a lot of them across the road to hear the cars driving over them through the night. Our secret "weapon."🎇

Five Simple Things (July 4)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These shoes.

Because everyone needs a pair of Chuck Taylors at least once in their life. Of course, with our house it's many times in our life, but nothing is better than a new pair. I look forward to Skylar wearing these out. And if you don't know who Chuck Taylor is, are you really a Converse fan?

2. This Necessaire.

I am loving this brand and every time it comes as a gift in the mail I am excited. I am loving the soap bars lately, too.

3. These items.

Kiwi Eco Box came this week and I am loving the candle and the scent sachet. This start of summer scents always boost my mental health. Hopefully, this summer will be better than the last. Get on the mailing list for this box here, and snag the next month's shipment.

4. These cookies.

Homemade chocolate chocolate chip cookies are the best. I have an entire blog post on chocolate chip cookies. This weekend is the time to make some, so snap to it!

5. This moment.

We made the shift today from Hardy's bowl to know Eleven's bowl. We try to hand-me-down pet things as we need to. We save a few things that go into the "pet box," but some things go onto the next in line. Poor Eleven has been just as heartbroken and depressed as we have been over Hardy. He was just a spark of happiness in our house. We all are feeling the loss.

One last thing:

I've been working on a recipe book for Skylar. I don't cook a lot, and honestly, I really hate it, but I have created some recipes over the years that are mine, and I want Skylar to have a keepsake that he can use later on and remember happy times together in the kitchen. I have been making little side notes for him, too, so that he can have a lot of good things from me. This will be a work in progress, but he will really enjoy it when I do finish it and gift it to him. I don't remember where I picked this one up, but Amazon has some great options. I recommend getting a hard-backed book, because of the wear and tear it might go through when used a lot.

Positive affirmations this week:

Stay on task with your mental health. If you start to see a dip in how you feel, reevaluate what took place shortly before that dip. Think back to maybe it being something that has compounded through the last few days or weeks. If you see a pattern that is affecting how you feel, try to regain some positivity to help you through it. Definitely cut ties with toxicity if that is the case, and remember you are the captain of your life. Here are some quick things to do to help you get back to center from the image below. But always remember, no matter how many things you do that will help you stay on a positive climb out of mental health issues, some days just hit hard, and that's okay. Push through and love yourself through it, and tomorrow we try again. There is no shame in struggling. Never beat yourself up. Always allow yourself to feel how you feel. You're going to be okay.

You can do this!🌈