Hello, wonderful friends!
It feels like ages since we last connected through a “Friday Thoughts” post, and I’ve genuinely missed sharing these moments with you. I’m making a conscious effort to bring back these posts with more regularity because they truly are some of my favorite to write and, more importantly, to read your insightful comments on. There’s a special connection forged in these spaces, and I cherish it deeply.
How are you, really? Take a moment to reflect on that question. The past few months have been an absolute whirlwind in our corner of the world, and I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you are experiencing similar currents of change and activity. Life has a remarkable way of keeping us on our toes, doesn’t it?
Today, I’m sharing five topics that have been swirling in my mind, offering a glimpse into our recent adventures and reflections. As always, I eagerly await your thoughts, experiences, and advice in the comments below. Your perspective is always valued!
Embracing the Unpredictability of Life Lately
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the weather here has embraced warmth. This shift has brought with it an explosion of green, as pastures and gardens burst into life. While the vibrant growth is beautiful, it also means we’re spending a significant amount of time outdoors – primarily engaged in the never-ending battle against weeds. It’s a true labor of love, requiring patience and persistence, but there’s an undeniable satisfaction in seeing our efforts transform the landscape.
Our established fruit trees are now beautifully in bloom, promising future harvests. We also recently expanded our small orchard by planting five more trees, a dedicated endeavor led mostly by Brian. Our existing collection includes two apple trees, two plum trees, three peach trees, and a cherry tree. With the new additions, we now proudly boast two pear trees, another cherry, two apricot trees, and a nectarine. Growing fruit trees has been a fascinating journey of trial and error. Our soil isn’t ideal, to say the least, but we’re learning with every season. We’re crossing our fingers this year, hoping our efforts will be rewarded with actual fruit, not just a feast for local wasps and earwigs!
This spring has proven to be far more eventful than we anticipated. Life, in its infinite wisdom, has a knack for throwing curveballs when you least expect them. A few months ago, Brian’s position at work was unexpectedly eliminated. This news was certainly a shock and something we hadn’t prepared for. However, amidst the initial uncertainty, we’ve witnessed a remarkable series of unique blessings unfold. This includes incredible opportunities for Brian to pursue working for himself, a long-held dream he’s always wanted to achieve. It’s a testament to resilience and the unexpected paths that life can open up.
Interestingly, within the first few days of Brian being home full-time, I started leaving him “to-do” lists, thinking I was helping him stay busy during the transition. He, in turn, politely but firmly declared that he wanted a new boss! His good-natured humor was a much-needed light during a challenging period, reminding us to laugh even when things are uncertain.
More than ever, I am profoundly grateful for this blogging space. It’s not just a platform for sharing; it’s a vibrant community where I get to connect with all of you. Beyond the personal joy it brings, this blog also plays a crucial role in providing financial support for our family, which has been an immense blessing during this recent period of change. The last couple of months have been intensely focused on several additional blog projects, with tight deadlines pushing my limits. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been this sleep-deprived! But I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, which is wonderful news because my kids definitely need their mom back in non-zombie form.
As for our children, they are as busy as ever. Spring sports are in full swing, summer job plans are being finalized, and they’re helping out with property work – which, given the rate at which weeds are growing, is a constant battle! We’ve also added more cows to our small herd, purchasing them from the cattle auction, which adds another layer of responsibility and learning. Alongside all these activities, they’re navigating the typical ups and downs of kid and teenage life, including the thrilling and slightly terrifying phase of having new teenage drivers. Please send all your prayers and good vibes my way!
We’ve also officially entered the complex phase of parenting a young adult. It feels incredibly daunting, especially since I’m still figuring out the teenage years myself. Sometimes I wonder if someone should revoke my “parenting license” because I certainly don’t feel qualified for this next chapter! My go-to motto, “fake it ’til you make it,” is holding strong, but it’s a constant learning curve filled with humbling moments.
Navigating Hair Loss: A Common Journey
Lately, my hair has been a significant source of frustration and concern. Thanks to a combination of aging, ongoing thyroid issues, stress, and perhaps a myriad of other unknown factors, it’s truly struggling. While I’ve never been blessed with super thick, voluminous hair, it’s undeniably thinner than ever, particularly along my part line. It’s a common issue many women face, and yet it can feel so isolating.
Like many health-related concerns, a quick dive into Google searches quickly becomes overwhelming. The sheer volume of information, from simple remedies to intense medical interventions, can be quite alarming and leaves me feeling more confused than enlightened.
Currently, my thyroid levels and all general blood work appear normal, which is a relief but also leaves the underlying cause a mystery. I even tried Nutrafol, a popular supplement I heard so much about. However, I had to stop taking it after only a few weeks because it severely upset my stomach. I suspect it was due to the biotin content, which tends to cause digestive discomfort for me. It’s just another one of those “fun” side effects of navigating my 40s! While I try to embrace every stage of life, this particular challenge has been a persistent niggle.
If you have any tried-and-true tips, product recommendations, or strategies for managing thin, “struggle-bus” hair, I would absolutely love to hear them! Your collective wisdom is always invaluable.
My Unexpected Love Affair with Weight Training: The Sadie Active App
Last year, after seeing a friend rave about it, I decided to try a weight lifting program called the Sadie Active App. While I’ve always maintained a *fairly* consistent routine of moderate exercise, I recognized the need to incorporate more dedicated weight training into my regimen, something I’d only done sporadically over the years. It’s worth noting that this endorsement is completely unsponsored; I pay for my own monthly membership, which speaks volumes about its impact.
And let me tell you, I am absolutely hooked! This program is, without a doubt, the best workout routine I have ever followed. You can find more information about it on Sadie’s Instagram account if you’re curious. I’ve been consistently following the weight training workouts on the app since September, and the transformation in my strength and overall physical well-being has been remarkable. I feel stronger and more capable than ever before, which is an incredibly empowering feeling.
What I love most about the Sadie Active App is its incredible clarity and structure. It meticulously guides me through each exercise, specifying the exact repetitions and sets, and provides helpful videos demonstrating proper form. This eliminates all guesswork, which is precisely what I need to stay motivated and avoid injury. Furthermore, the workouts are thoughtfully varied each week, a huge plus for my personality, as I tend to get bored very easily with repetitive routines.
The app offers both “gym” and “home” settings. I’ll admit, I have a mental allergy to working out in public spaces, so I exclusively exercise at home. I don’t have a fancy, dedicated home gym; just a collection of various exercise equipment tucked away in our bonus room. I prefer to use the “gym” setting on the app and then creatively modify the exercises to work seamlessly with my minimal home equipment. This flexibility makes it incredibly accessible and convenient.
For those interested in setting up a functional home workout space, here are a few key pieces of equipment I find indispensable. (Please note, the links below are affiliate links from Amazon; I always encourage checking local stores or other online retailers for the best prices.)
- Adjustable Dumbbells: These are a game-changer for saving space and allowing for progressive overload without needing a full rack of weights. They are central to many of the app’s exercises.
- Thick Booty Bands: Sadie incorporates these frequently into her routines for targeted glute and leg work, adding an extra dimension to bodyweight and weighted exercises.
- Thinner Loop Exercise Bands: Versatile for warm-ups, cool-downs, and adding resistance to various movements, these are a compact and effective tool.
- Resistance Bands (Tube Style): Great for a wide range of exercises, from bicep curls to rows, offering scalable resistance.
- An Exercise Bench or Step: I repurpose an old “Fanny Lifter” from the classic “The Firm” workout video days (if anyone remembers those epic routines!). A simple sturdy step or bench will do the trick for step-ups, chest presses, and more.
Optional home equipment that can enhance your setup later, or if you already own them: kettlebells, an exercise ball, a pull-up bar, or a barbell with heavier weights for advanced training.
The standard workouts typically range from 45 to 60 minutes, but they can easily be shortened by simply halving the repetitions if I’m short on time. My goal is to complete 3-4 weight training sessions per week, supplemented with a few low-intensity cardio workouts like walking on the treadmill or riding bikes with my family, whenever my schedule allows. The impact on my energy levels and mood has been profoundly positive.
I cannot express enough how much I adore this workout app. I genuinely look forward to my exercise sessions now, even with the full knowledge that I’ll likely be sore the next day! It has been instrumental in helping me build muscle, increase my strength, and feel more resilient. There are no flexing selfies from me, but believe me, the internal transformation is real and deeply appreciated!
Diving into the Captivating World of K-dramas
Well, it’s official: I’ve enthusiastically jumped aboard the K-drama train! For a long time, I resisted the phenomenon, even as my entire extended family and seemingly everyone else in the world raved about “Crash Landing on You.” My primary reason for holding out was that I don’t watch TV very often, and when I do, I prefer to multi-task. Reading subtitles, as you can imagine, seriously restricts that ability, so I stubbornly resisted.
However, fate intervened in February when I fell quite ill and spent over a week laid up in bed. With ample time on my hands, I finally decided to dive in. I started with “Crash Landing on You” and was completely captivated. I loved it so much that I’ve been rewatching it over the past month or so with Brian and our daughter, Camryn. It’s incredibly adorable to see how invested Camryn is in the characters and their intertwined destinies. Watching this drama has also seriously fueled my desire to travel to Switzerland – the breathtaking scenery is almost a character in itself! For all the romantics at heart, it’s a delightful bonus to know that the two main actors are actually married in real life. My advice: power through the first few quirky episodes, and then the story truly blossoms into something unforgettable.
Surprisingly, after just a few minutes of watching, you barely even notice you’re reading subtitles. In fact, I jokingly swore I was fluent in Korean after finishing the entire series! The immersion is surprisingly complete. For Camryn’s birthday earlier this month, I gifted her this adorable finger heart shirt {aff. link}, a sweet and endearing gesture often seen in K-dramas. She’s practically lived in it since then – a true sign of a fan! 😍
Where I once listened to podcasts or audiobooks while walking on the treadmill or riding the exercise bike, it’s now all about K-dramas. I have zero regrets about this shift. I’ve since watched “Business Proposal,” “Hometown Cha Cha Cha,” and “Crash Course in Romance,” all of which I found fantastic for different reasons. “Business Proposal” offered delightful office romance and comedy, “Hometown Cha Cha Cha” was a heartwarming slice-of-life romance with beautiful coastal backdrops, and “Crash Course in Romance” blended humor, drama, and a touch of mystery. I wasn’t as drawn to “Forecasting Love and Weather” or “Her Private Life,” and didn’t finish either of those, proving that even within K-dramas, personal tastes vary.
Camryn and I just started watching “Start-Up” and are thoroughly enjoying it. So far, the K-dramas I’ve encountered have consistently been clever, funny, and refreshingly clean, making them a joy to watch. It makes me wonder if I’ll ever watch a non-subtitled show again! One crucial piece of advice: if a K-drama offers the option to watch it dubbed over in English, resist the temptation. I tried that with “Business Proposal,” and the dubbed voices were so jarring and distracting that it completely pulled me out of the experience. Stick to the original audio with subtitles for the authentic and most enjoyable viewing.
Have you joined the K-drama craze yet? If so, what are your absolute favorites? “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” is next on my watchlist, and I’d love to hear your recommendations!
My Current Favorite Finds: Things I’m Absolutely Loving
To wrap up this edition of Friday Thoughts, I want to share a few recent discoveries that have genuinely enhanced my daily life. {Please note: Affiliate links are included for items I’ve purchased on Amazon. Nothing here is sponsored; I genuinely buy and love these products myself!}
- This flowy summer dress has become my absolute favorite. After trying the much-hyped Somerset dress, which, honestly, made me feel a bit like a frumpy pioneer, I was thrilled to find this gem. It’s incredibly flowy, lightweight, and significantly more affordable. I currently own it in a beautiful green and a charming floral pink, and I highly recommend it for effortless summer style.
- I religiously use this amazing foot cream every single night before bed. It works wonders, keeping my feet incredibly soft and smooth. It’s a small ritual that makes a big difference in comfort.
- Do you, like me, despise the messy process of melting butter in the microwave, often resulting in explosions and sticky clean-ups? I recently discovered these microwave butter melters on Instagram, and they have been a game-changer! So far, they are definitely saving my sanity (and my microwave’s interior) from buttery mishaps. They melt butter perfectly without any fuss.
- A while back, I polled my Instagram stories followers for recommendations on non-smearing mascara, and I received hundreds of responses. The overwhelming suggestion was “tubing mascara,” a concept I had never heard of (clearly, I’ve been living under a rock!). Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. I first experimented with the L’Oreal Double Lash mascara, which was frequently recommended, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Next, I tried Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara, and I absolutely LOVE it. I’ve been using it for several months now and am a super fan. While it’s definitely more expensive than the everyday waterproof mascaras I used for years (and it’s not waterproof, which I’ve adjusted to), it lasts an incredibly long time without smudging or flaking. Yay for fantastic lashes!
- I originally purchased this ceramic baking dish for a recent food photoshoot, but it quickly became one of my most cherished baking pans. Its elegant design and excellent heat distribution make it perfect for everything from casseroles to roasted vegetables. It would make a truly thoughtful and beautiful Mother’s Day gift – whether for yourself or a special mom in your life!
- This is my all-time favorite self-tanner. What sets it apart is its subtlety; it works gradually, giving my lily-white legs just the hint of natural-looking color I desire without any orange streaks. While the classic self-tanner scent is present, it’s not overly strong or offensive. I apply it a couple of times a week in the morning. Once it dries, I follow up with a layer of the body lotion I use daily, and then I hardly notice the scent at all. It’s perfect for a healthy glow.
- My siblings and I collaborated to buy this digital picture frame for my mom’s birthday earlier this year. She had an older model that she kept on her kitchen counter, but we couldn’t add pictures remotely, so all the images were at least a decade old. This new frame is fantastic because it allows all of us kids to upload pictures directly via an app on our phones. This feature is especially awesome since three of us live several states away from my mom. She absolutely adores seeing new photos of her family pop up regularly, bringing joy to her everyday.
- I invested in this vacuum mop a few months ago, and I’m still incredibly impressed by the value it adds to my life. Its main appeal is its ability to vacuum and mop simultaneously. While I still give my floors a quick pre-sweep to minimize the debris I have to clean out of the machine later, it’s a huge time-saver. Our downstairs is primarily LVP flooring, and living off a long, dusty driveway on 25 acres means my floors get incredibly dirty, very quickly. This mop makes cleaning as easy as vacuuming, and I love the efficiency. While it is a bit of a pain to clean the device itself after each use, the sparkling clean floors it delivers make it entirely worth the effort for me. I don’t use the special cleaning solution sold with it; plain water works spectacularly well for a thorough clean.
Thank you, dear friends, for taking the time to be here and share in these moments. Life, in its beautiful complexity, has indeed been a bit messy and heavy lately, particularly with the ever-evolving challenges and joys of motherhood. Navigating the ups and downs of raising children and young adults is a journey filled with every imaginable emotion.
Yet, even amidst feeling all the feelings, shedding tears, and sometimes screaming into pillows (metaphorically, of course!), I am consciously striving to seek out and acknowledge the abundant blessings that surround us. And I can truly say, there are many. This blog, and this community, remains one of my happiest places, and I am profoundly grateful for each and every one of you. Your support and engagement mean the world.
Next week, I’ll be back on the blog with a fun and free resource designed for kids who are graduating and preparing to leave home, offering some helpful insights for this significant transition. Additionally, keep an eye out this month for several phenomenal new recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds!
Love your guts, my friends! 💗