Monthly Medley (August 2022)

Writing

I'm so excited to have had my first article in a local (local to me - I've had publications in other local publications elsewhere in the United States) magazine! Check out August's issue of Insite Brazos Valley Magazine for my piece, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work about how parents can help teachers - and their own students, by default - succeed throughout this coming school year.

Thank you to Brook, Robyn, Rebecca, Kara, and Natalie, all of whom helped me make it happen with quotes and pictures! 

 

Reading

When I picked up That Summer by Jennifer Weiner, I wasn't prepared for the story I discovered between the covers. I almost always read books' synopses, but I must have skipped it this time because where I was expecting an easy beach read, I instead found something much darker, more mysterious, and more captivating. I definitely recommend this one - it would be great choice to fall into as summer comes to an end!

Watching

Lots to share this month... 

• Our whole family was captivated by Netflix's The Rescue, about the youth soccer team stranded in a flooded cave and the dangerous and heroic efforts made to bring these kids and their coaches out alive. 
• Hallie and I watched Wedding Season on Netflix, and while it was incredibly cheesy, we both laughed and "awwww"-ed out loud enough times that we considered it worth our while. (I can best describe Wedding Season as a 27 Dresses and My Big Fat Greek Wedding hybrid.) 
• Hallie and I are also enjoying New Girl on Netflix. I adore Zoey Deschanel, and would happily watch just about anything in which she acts.
• On my own, I watched LuLaRich (the documentary about the clothing company LuLaRoe), which was interesting and somewhat aggravating...as I expected it would be. I of course don't know the founders of the company, but they seem pretty darn slimy.
• Last but not least, I dove headfirst into Inventing Anna on Netflix. ("Dove headfirst into" because this story feels like a complete commitment and one that, once you start, you have to see through until the bitter end.) Having already watched an interview with the actual Anna on The Today Show, I started the series with a (negative) opinion of Anna the character...and that opinion of her grew worse and worse as the series played out. But there were moments when I - just like the many people who socialized, worked, and even just interacted with Anna - felt a hint of understanding toward and compassion for her. It was a strange story about a bizarre young woman, and I couldn't look away.

Listening To

I mentioned Sharon McMahon and her Sharon Says So instagram back in April's Monthly Medley post. I knew she had a podcast as well, but I hadn't yet listened to any of her episodes because regardless of how great the podcaster or the content, listening to history, government, and/or politics for an extended period of time sometimes starts to sound like mush to me. However, after multiple people recommended her series called Momentum: Civil Rights in the 1950s, I knew I had to give the podcast a try. Both fascinating and heartbreaking, Momentum is about "the ripples made by ordinary people" and comes - from me and others - highly recommended both from an educational perspective and an entertainment perspective. (I wouldn't necessarily call it entertaining in a pleasant way, but it's definitely interesting and it will keep your attention.)

Wearing

I bought this dress in both maroon and navy blue, and I love it both as a swimsuit cover-up and/or as a casual dress option. There aren't many sizes left, but I thought I'd share anyway, as Old Navy on occasion adds more sizes or stock.

I also purchased two new pairs of athletic shoes because #feetproblems. I like the pairs I currently have and regularly wear, but I need to switch up my shoes every couple of days to keep my feet healthy. First up, the Brooks Launch 8 Running Shoe in gray/pink, and second in the cart, the New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V7 Running Shoe in white/gray. Both are incredibly comfortable, and Will even told me the second pair was cool!

Trying/Using

We've been experimenting with cat dishes, toys, trees, beds, etc. to find out what Plié and Popeye like best. I've definitely purchased a few duds, but this window perch hammock has been a HUGE success. Both kittens love it, so much so that I'm considering a second one so we have two side by side in the office windows. 

I updated my desktop file folders (these are the folders I use daily so they stay easily accessible...and wear out after a couple of years) with this set from Amazon. They're actually fairly sturdy, and they look pretty too!

Eating/Drinking

The only new recipe I tried this month was a good one! We made this Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta, and with a few adjustments, it went over well with everyone. First, I didn't measure any of the spices and I suspect I used close to twice as much of each as the recipe called for. Second, I also added a couple of teaspoons of garlic powder, because I think garlic belongs in all Italian dishes. And third, I only put cheese on half of the dish because (insert eye roll here) Hallie still won't eat cheese. This recipe makes A LOT, which I appreciated because we were able to eat leftovers for another dinner later in the week.

Feeling Good About

• This elephant, who returns a child's shoe to them after it falls off and into the elephant's enclosure. 
• This artist, who sketches people on the subway and then gifts his portraits to their subjects. 

Farewell, August...welcome, September! (Fall is near!)

High Five for Friday (9.2.22)

 

One

Our orthodontist's annual pool party - Elms' Splash Bash - is one of my kids' favorite nights of the year. Swimming under the lights as night falls, indulging in endless pizza and desserts (remember, this is a party thrown by the orthodontist, not the dentist 😉), and excitedly hoping to win one of the many extravagant door prizes. They all had a great time - as always - with their friends, and Will won a pair of AirPods! Thanks, Steward Elms Orthodontics!

Two

This kid has had a great few days. Not only did he win a pair of AirPods at the above-mentioned pool party, he was chosen as his high school's first "player of the week" for this school year. I beam with pride whenever he's called a leader...he has worked SO hard to find that part of himself.

Three

Celebrating the last of these sweet girlies to turn 13 - with a date to the ice cream parlor - was the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Four

Labor Day weekend has arrived, and as always, Labor Day itself is such a welcome day off at the beginning of the school year. I realize that when the holiday rolls around the kids have only had one three-day week and two full weeks of school, but readjusting to the school day/night routine seems to get harder every year (I think it's because their sleep cycles have to change so dramatically) and they NEED that extra day to bank sleep and refuel for the next stretch of the semester. 

Five

Last but not least, nutcracker costume fittings are done and actual rehearsals start tomorrow! 

No pictures from costume fittings - you'll have to come see the costumes in person on December 2nd and 3rd... 😉

Happy weekend, friends!

You Know What Happens to People Who Keep it All Inside?

They get old and they get sad and they get weird.   ~ Jessica Day

~

Hallie and I have been watching New Girl, so when I was looking for a quote about sharing information with other people and this one from New Girl's Jess popped up, I knew I had to use it.

So, without further adieu, today's post...in which I share a little about myself so as to not get old, sad, and weird.

~

I generally gain a few new readers around this time of year, and since I've started writing for a couple of new publications that share my bio and the blog web address at the end of my articles, now seemed like as good a time as any for a quick update. 

I've completed this kind of questionnaire before, but when I saw this one - which included a few unique questions - shared a couple of weeks ago, I decided to use it as my introduction. Here we go!

~

1. Dream Job

What I do now: Wife, Mom, and Writer...and someday I'd like to add Author to that list. 

I also think I'd be good at helping people organize their lives - not in a "The Home Edit" way, but in a "we can reasonably maintain this level of organization in our home" kind of way. I'll probably never pursue this line of work though...the first step in the organization process is to purge, and since I'm a ruthless purger, I'd don't think I could behave as sensitively as would be necessary (to be successful in the job) when working with people for whom purging is difficult. In past lives I wanted to be a doctor, a PA, a Child Life Specialist, and a Speech Pathologist, but none of those jobs interest me much anymore.

2. Hobbies

Exercise, soccer (watching Will), dance (watching Hallie), reading, baking, singing, volunteering, and organizing. 

3. Favorite Dessert

Strawberry shortcake, chocolate chips cookies, and brownies. 

4. Dream Vacation

It depends on the time of year...right now I'd love to visit anywhere cooler than Texas. 

I'm lucky to have visited a lot of the United States, but I've never been to the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, Seattle, Northern California, or Maine so those places are on my list. I'd also love to go back to northwest Oregon, upstate New York, Park City, and San Francisco. Ultimately I'd like to vacation in a place that isn't too hot, with hotel accommodations, where I can enjoy both touristy activities and outdoor adventures that fall into the "not too dangerous" category. Suggestions? 

5. Favorite Class

NOT English, interestingly. Probably algebra or biology, along with choir.

6. Favorite Piece of Clothing

JEANS. I have favorite brands or styles in other categories of clothing, but jeans are an easy overall winner for me here.

7. Dream Date

Sports bar for beer, appetizers, and assorted sporting event watching. Movie theater for popcorn, soda, and a clever mystery or heist movie. Hiking somewhere new (in an area where there aren't animals I'm afraid of and the weather is nice). Getting dressed up to go to an event (likely something we don't really want to attend in the first place)...and then sneaking out to go to dinner just the two of us. I love to dress up from time to time, but for the most part we're just not that fancy...

8. Weird Fact You Know

It's impossible to hum while holding your nose. (You just tried it, didn't you?)

9. Least Favorite Food

Split pea soup, beets, and weird things - oysters, clams, mussels, caviar - from the sea. 

10. Comfort Show/Movie

Friends on television. Anything sports related (Cool Runnings, The Rookie, Miracle, McFarland USA, etc.) on the big screen.

11. Most Used App

Messages, Instagram, and Facebook are probably tied for first (because I use Instagram and Facebook messaging for some of my regular communications), followed closely behind by my email and clock (my alarm goes off close to 20x/day) apps.

12. Coffee or Tea

Coffee. 

13. Bedtime

11:30pm. Ish.

14. Favorite Restaurant

This is too hard... But if I had to choose, I'd go with Josie's Spaghetti House and Andy's Restaurant, both in Madison, Wisconsin, and both long ago closed. 

15. Blood type

A-

16: Do You Like Museums?

Yes, but not all kinds of museums. I like interactive museums, and museums through which I can move at my own (relatively quick) pace. 

17. History or Math?

MATH.

18. Languages You Can Speak

Besides spoken English, a little signed English and a little French. 

19. Favorite Thing about Yourself

Personality trait: I'm good at helping. It's the Girl Scout in me: "On my honor, I will try, to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law" and "leave every place cleaner than you found it." I try to recognize when people need help and reach out. 

Physical trait: the color of my eyes.

20. Most Played Video Game

I don't like video games at all now, but back in the day I ruled at Tetris.

21. Sports You've Played

Recreationally: soccer, swimming, diving, volleyball, tennis, baseball, dance

Competitively: soccer, swimming

22. Ever Been to a Concert?

Yep. My favorites were James Taylor, Sophie B. Hawkins, and The Chicks.

23. Instruments You Play

The piano and my own voice. I wish I knew how to play the ukulele.

24. Pens or Pencils

Pens, specifically Emily Ley's Simplified Pilot Precise V5 pens and Pilot's gel pens.

25. Favorite Animal

Kittens

26. Pet Peeves

I know I have more, but in this moment, the only one I can think of is insensitive and inconsiderate drivers. I'm sure my mom, husband, kids, and besties will remind me of what my other pet peeves are as soon as they read this post and then I can report back. 😉

27. Horror or Comedy

Comedy, but I love suspense/mystery/heist movies even more.

~

If you're new here, welcome! 

I spent far too long trying to find a picture to share at the end of this post.
Finally, I randomly picked one of the 20 I'd considered...this is that one.
But looking at it now, I feel ridiculous for even throwing it into the mix so
I'm also sharing the one below, in which I look better and you can see
my family instead of just three foster kittens napping on me.

That's a little better, right?

High Five for Friday (8.26.22)

One

They're so old and big. I wish I could stop the hands of time.

Will HATES taking first day of school pictures. I had to bribe him to participate in this photo session, and to allow me to share one agreed upon image from the morning. Hallie, on the other hand, is still happy to have her photo taken. 

She's also wearing my shoes, so I guess we've reached that stage of life...

Two

My camping cousin got married last Saturday, and while I wished I could have been there, I so thoroughly enjoyed the many photos my mom and sister sent to keep me connected throughout the day. Congratulations, Adam and Angie!

My dad is temporarily using a cane because he had his hip replaced
two weeks ago. He's ROCKING his recovery and will be back on the
soccer field, the disc golf course, and water skis in no time!

My sister and BIL ALWAYS look cute and coordinated
at weddings. Meanwhile, I think both Tom and I have
forgotten how to truly dress up...

Sad to have missed the fun, but happy so many from the
camping family were there to celebrate Adam and Angie.  

Three

Nutcracker auditions were held last Saturday, and the cast list came out on Monday. For the first time ever, Hallie received two roles, both of which she was pleased with. (She'll be in the Party Scene and the Spanish Corps.) We're thrilled for this Nutcracker season to get underway, and we hope to see you at one (or more!) of our three shows the first weekend in December!

Four

When I mentioned in Tuesday's post that Tom is Plié's favorite, I wasn't joking. And since I wrote that post, she's become even more enamored with him. She only snuggles and sleeps with him, and she constantly grooms him (which is generally considered one of the ways cats show affection). She stays nearby when he works from home, whether he's in the playroom or on the back porch, and she cries at the screen door when he putters around the backyard and won't let her out with him. It's adorable and sweet.

I keep forgetting to take pictures of the grooming, but here they are napping and attending a conference call together.

And because I just can't quite get over it yet, here's a friendly reminder that I was the one who kept her alive through MANY struggles during her first three months of life...and Tom gave her one gentle butt bath.

Five

We've started letting Will drive Hallie (with one of us in the car, of course). This picture felt almost as surreal to me as the one of Will driving for the first time. He did a great job behind the wheel, and she was a model passenger!

Happy Friday, friends!

The Adventures of Plié and Popeye, Episode 1

When Tux was young, I regularly wrote about him as part of his own series called "Tuesdays With Tux". I decided that Plié and Popeye should have their own series too, but since there are no days of the week or cute words/sayings related to storytelling ("chronicles", "tales", etc.) that start with the letter "p", I chose - at least temporarily, while I wait to see how I like it - "The Adventures of Plié and Popeye." 

I'm still considering "The Adventures of Pleeps and Pops", since those are Tom's nicknames for them as a pair.

In today's episode, brief introductions.

Foster Fail

Foster Fail. Again.

Plié definitely behaves like the older sister she is: she takes charge of playtime, and because she's still bigger, stronger, and slightly more able-bodied than Popeye, she usually wins their wrestling battles. She doesn't care much for actual cat toys, but she LOVES rubber bands - specifically the more expensive ones I keep in a drawer in my bathroom. Every time I go into the bathroom, she joins me. She sits on the bathroom counter, waiting patiently for me to open the drawer for something else, and then she swoops in, grabs one of her favorite rubber bands, and takes off. Her second favorite toy is a plastic mask "expander" (something you'd wear over your mouth and nose but under your mask, one of which we have but never used from the beginning of the pandemic) - she can bat it around for hours...if I'm unwilling to open the bathroom drawer for her to get a rubber band. Plié also loves cabinets and drawers. If one of the kids leaves a cabinet or drawer open, she WILL explore it; no matter how high the cabinet or drawer is off of the ground, she will find a way. One evening Hallie was in the kitchen baking with a friend, and when they opened the (rather small) drawer where we keep the ziplock and trash bags, they found Plié sound asleep inside. 

Despite my months-long efforts to keep Plié alive, Tom is her favorite person...all because of those gentle butt baths, I guess.

Butt baths.

Popeye definitely behaves like the younger brother he is: he's full of mischief, and while he likes to rile his sister up, he usually loses their wrestling battles and then comes to cuddle with me...it feels a little like he's tattling on her. He isn't much of a jumper, given that he only has one back leg, but what he lacks in jumping ability he makes up for in climbing ability. While I frequently find Plié on the counters, I frequently find Popeye climbing his way up pieces of furniture, drapes, cat trees. Most of the time he can make it to his intended destination without help, but when he can't, he just hangs there and cries for me to come rescue him. Popeye prefers toys he can chase or bat around on the floor, and when he's tired from playing and settles in to rest, he still "scratches" his head with his phantom leg, which is adorable to us and confusing for him. Popeye's absolute favorite thing/place in the world is on someone's shoulder. He doesn't so much sit on our shoulders like a perch or lay across our necks like Tux did though - he likes the front half of his body to be hanging over our shoulders, and the back half of his body to be supported by our hands or arms. And he wants to stay like this for...well, for forever (or until his next meal)...which is actually kind of exhausting (see two of our solutions in photos below). When Popeye wants "up", he sits down next to us and nuzzles our legs, ankles, or feet with his nose. And once he is "up", he IMMEDIATELY begins to purr and snuggles in. 

I think I'm currently Popeye's favorite, but the kids are a close second. He's not Tom's biggest fan though...I suspect he senses that Tom - as Plié's favorite - is already taken. 😂

~

We still miss Tux terribly, but these sweet babes have helped us transform some of our passive sadness into active love.

High Five for Friday (8.19.22)

 

One

Last week we visited our community's new Big Shots Golf for the first (and second) time. As a non-golfer I wasn't all that excited to go, but it was Will's last "please can we fit this in before we go back to school" request so the other three Ferri agreed to make time for the outing. And I'm so glad we did, because it was a blast. The boxes/booths are as comfortable as they can be, given the fact that they're outside...in Texas...in August. The technology is impressive, and the interactive games you can play (I mistakenly thought we'd just be hitting balls off a tee and into a giant field) were fun for everyone, regardless of skill level. And they were still offering their summer/grand opening pricing, so we played for an hour for a ridiculously small amount of money. 

Will had such a good time that he begged to go back, this time with friends, later in the week. So I transported a bunch of teenage boys (discovering along the way that while my car feels decently sized when driving 13yo girls, this is not the case when driving 15yo boys) to Big Shots and then sent them out to play while I worked in the air conditioned bar for three hours. Another plus? The bartender kept my Diet Coke full - and didn't charge me for it - while I worked. 😉

Two

Out with the old, in with the new! We sold almost all of our bedroom furniture and purchased a new bed, dresser, and nightstands. The dresser and nightstands arrived this week, and so far we really like them. 

Our bed will arrive...in late November. (More pics when the room isn't in shambles...)

Three

Speaking of "out with the old, in with the new"...my girl is in her second pair of pointe shoes! It's been fun - and challenging, in a good way - for Hallie to adjust to a new pair of shoes. I can't seem to remember to take a picture of her in them though, so instead (and in honor of Nutcracker auditions taking place tomorrow), here's my ballerina at six years old and on her way to her very first Nutcracker audition.

New seasons of dance and soccer are already underway, and both kids (and me, as their driver) are trying to get a handle on our new extracurricular schedules. I miss the relaxed(ish) pace of summer, but I'm not upset about our days feeling a bit more routine and predictable...our days WILL feel more routine and predictable once we figure out this new semester, right? 

Just for fun, zoom in on his left
leg. Holy quad muscle, Batman!

Four

Hallie's friend Tessa, who Hallie hasn't been able to connect with nearly as much as she'd like since COVID (and as they've both gotten a little older and busier at school and with sports/dance), was able to come for a sleepover. 

Tessa has had an especially difficult year, and in different ways Hallie has had a tough few months herself. It was really lovely to watch them come together and work on their friendship... to see them just be there for each other, even if they didn't talk about the really hard topics. My hope is that they can stay friends as they get older, despite the physical distance that separates them.

2019 (I think)

2022 (Maybe next time Tessa comes over we'll
order something other than pizza for dinner...) 

Five

Happiness Highlights

New glasses!

Disc golf with the kiddos. I only embarrassed myself a little bit.

The blow-up tent has reappeared. It's SO easy to set up,
SO easy to clean up, and legitimately fun to hang out in. 

Everything beautiful reminds me of Morgan.

Both Hallie and Avery assisted for Miss Emma, and she taught them
so much about teaching young dancers. "Miss Candy" and "Miss Ladybug",
as Miss Emma calls them, will miss her when she moves away this fall! 

Happy weekend, friends!