Hello, wonderful friends! It has truly been quite some time since I last shared a “Friday Thoughts” post, and I’ve genuinely missed connecting with all of you. These posts are among my absolute favorites to write, and I cherish reading your thoughtful comments. I’m determined to bring back this series with greater regularity because the dialogue and community they foster mean so much to me.
How are you doing? I mean, truly, how are things going in your world? The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity and unexpected turns here at home, and I imagine many of you can relate to that feeling of constant motion and change.
Today, I want to share five topics that have been on my mind lately. As always, I’m eager to hear your perspectives and experiences in the comments below!
Life’s Latest Chapters: Embracing Change and Growth
Spring has finally brought warmer weather to our corner of the world, transforming our pastures and garden into a vibrant, rapidly growing landscape. This means we’ve been spending countless hours outdoors, primarily engaged in the never-ending battle against weeds – truly, so many weeds!
Our established fruit trees are gloriously blooming, promising a bountiful harvest. Inspired by this beauty, we recently planted five additional trees! When I say “we,” I mostly mean Brian, who tackled the majority of the planting. Our existing orchard includes two apple, two plum, and three peach trees, plus a single cherry. Now, we’ve expanded our collection with two pear trees, another cherry, two apricot trees, and one nectarine. It’s a true labor of love, and we’re excited to see them flourish.
I have to admit, I have absolutely zero expert advice on growing fruit trees. Our soil isn’t ideal, to say the least. But we’re embracing the learning process, adapting as we go, and optimistically hoping that our efforts this year will reward us with actual fruit—fruit that isn’t entirely devoured by wasps and earwigs, that is! It’s a constant experiment, but the dream of fresh, homegrown produce keeps us going.
This spring has proven to be far more eventful than I anticipated. Life truly has a knack for throwing curveballs when you least expect them. A few months ago, Brian’s position at work was unexpectedly eliminated. It was a significant and unforeseen change for us, yet amidst the uncertainty, we’ve encountered so many unique blessings. One of the most exciting outcomes is the opportunity for Brian to finally pursue working for himself, something he has always dreamed of doing. It’s a daunting but exhilarating new chapter.
Interestingly, within the first few days of Brian being home full-time, and after experiencing the “helpful” to-do lists I’d leave to keep him busy between job searches, he politely but firmly declared he wanted a new boss. 😂 We had a good laugh about it, and it really highlighted the shift in our daily dynamic!
More than ever, I am profoundly grateful for this blogging space. I genuinely adore being here, not only because it allows me to interact with all of you, but also because this blog provides crucial financial support for our family. It has been an immense blessing during this transitional period. The last couple of months have seen me intensely focused on several additional blog projects, driven by tight deadlines that have pushed me to new levels of sleep deprivation. I truly don’t think I’ve ever been this tired in my life! However, I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, which is wonderful, because my kids definitely need their mom back in a non-zombie state.
As for our children, they remain as busy as ever. Spring sports are in full swing, summer jobs are being lined up, and they’re actively working on our property, trying to keep pace with those relentlessly growing weeds. We’ve even added more cows to our herd after a recent cattle auction, adding to the constant ebb and flow of kid and teen life. And yes, a new milestone: we now have NEW TEENAGE DRIVERS in the house. Please send all your prayers and good vibes my way!
We’ve also officially entered the complex phase of navigating how to parent a young adult. Considering I still feel like I’m trying to figure out the “teenager” chapters, I sometimes wonder if someone should revoke my parenting license! 😉 Seriously, I do NOT feel qualified for this next level of parenting. My personal motto of “fake it ’til you make it” is holding strong, and I’m counting on a lot of grace and humor to get us through.
Tackling Thinning Hair: My Quest for Solutions
Lately, my hair has been a real struggle. A combination of aging, ongoing thyroid issues, stress, and frankly, who knows what else, has left it noticeably thinner than ever before, especially along my part line. I’ve never been blessed with super thick or voluminous hair, but this new level of thinning is definitely disheartening.
As with anything health-related these days, a quick Google search on hair loss leaves me feeling completely overwhelmed and, frankly, a bit alarmed. Some of the proposed solutions are incredibly intense and frankly, quite scary! It’s a rabbit hole I try not to go too far down.
My latest blood work and thyroid levels are currently within the normal range, which is good news, but doesn’t solve the hair puzzle. I also gave Nutrafol a try, after hearing countless positive reviews, but unfortunately, I had to stop taking it after just a few weeks. It caused significant stomach upset, which I suspect was due to the biotin, an ingredient that often doesn’t agree with my digestive system.
So, here I am, navigating yet another “fun” side effect of my 40s. Hooray! It’s a journey of trial and error, and I’m always on the lookout for gentle yet effective solutions.
If you have any tried-and-true tips, product recommendations, or insights for helping thin, struggling hair, I would absolutely love to hear them! Please share your wisdom in the comments!
My Newfound Love: The Sadie Active App for Home Workouts
Last year, I finally committed to a structured weight lifting program after seeing a friend rave about the Sadie Active App. While I’ve always been reasonably consistent with moderate cardio and general exercise, I really wanted to incorporate more dedicated weight training, which I’d only done sporadically over the years. This isn’t a sponsored endorsement; I happily pay for my monthly membership because I genuinely believe in it.
And let me tell you, I am absolutely hooked! Without a doubt, this is the best workout program I have ever followed. You can find more information on Sadie’s Instagram account if you’re curious. I’ve been consistently doing the weight training workouts on the app since last September, and I honestly feel stronger and more capable than ever before. It’s been a transformative experience, not just physically but mentally as well.
What I appreciate most about the Sadie Active App is its incredible clarity and guidance. It tells me precisely what exercises to do, how many repetitions, and provides clear video demonstrations for proper form. There’s absolutely no guesswork involved, which is exactly what I need to stay motivated and perform exercises correctly. Plus, the workouts change every single week, which is a huge bonus for my personality; I tend to get bored very quickly with repetitive routines.
The app offers both a “gym” setting and a “home” setting. Personally, I have a mental allergy to working out in public, so I always choose to 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 within the app and then creatively modify the exercises to suit my minimal home equipment. It’s surprising how effective you can be with just a few key pieces!
Here are a few essential pieces of equipment I rely on for my home workouts. Please note, the links below are Amazon affiliate links; I encourage you to shop around locally or explore other online retailers for the best prices.
- Adjustable Dumbbells: These are a game-changer for saving space and allowing progressive overload.
- Thick Booty Bands: Sadie incorporates these frequently into her exercises for glute and leg work.
- Thinner Loop Exercise Bands: Versatile for various warm-ups, activations, and lighter resistance exercises.
- Resistance Bands: Excellent for adding resistance to bodyweight movements or assisting with pull-ups.
- An exercise bench or step: I use an old “Fanny Lifter” from “The Firm” workout video days – does anyone else remember those epic videos? They were truly ahead of their time!
Optional home equipment that you can add later as you progress, or if you already own them, they’re a bonus: Kettlebells, an exercise ball, a pull-up bar, and a barbell with heavier weights.
Each workout typically ranges from 45 to 60 minutes, but they can easily be shortened by cutting all the repetitions in half on busier days. My goal is to complete 3-4 weight training sessions per week, complemented by a couple of low-intensity cardio workouts if my schedule allows. This might include walking on the treadmill, or enjoying bike rides with the family, which keeps things balanced and enjoyable.
I truly cannot speak highly enough about this workout app. It has transformed my relationship with exercise; I actually look forward to my sessions now, even knowing I’ll likely be sore afterward! It’s been instrumental in helping me build significant muscle and feel profoundly stronger. No flexing selfies, I promise, but the results are definitely there. I absolutely love it and recommend it to anyone looking for a structured, engaging home workout routine!
Diving Headfirst into the World of K-dramas
Well, folks, I’ve officially, and wholeheartedly, jumped onto the K-drama train. For a long time, I resisted, even though my entire extended family and seemingly everyone else in the world waxed poetic about “Crash Landing on You.” My main reason for holding out was simple: I don’t watch TV very often, and when I do, I prefer to be able to multitask. Reading subtitles, as you can imagine, seriously restricts any attempt at multitasking, so I stubbornly resisted for quite a while.
However, fate intervened. I became quite sick in February and spent over a week confined to bed. With nothing else to do, I finally decided to dive in and see what all the fuss was about. That’s when I started “Crash Landing on You,” and I absolutely adored it! It captured my heart so completely that I’ve been rewatching it over the last month or so with Brian and Cam. It’s incredibly endearing to watch how invested Camryn has become in the characters and their story.
Watching this drama has also seriously fueled my long-standing desire to travel to Switzerland – the breathtaking backdrops are simply stunning. And for all you romantics out there, here’s a fun fact: the two main characters are actually married in real life! My advice for anyone starting this series: push through the first few quirky episodes; that’s when it truly hits its stride and becomes utterly captivating.
Surprisingly, after just a few minutes, you barely even notice you’re reading subtitles. In fact, by the time I finished the series, I genuinely felt like I was fluent in Korean! 😂 It’s amazing how quickly your brain adapts.
For Cam’s birthday earlier this month, I gifted her this adorable finger heart shirt {aff. link}, a sweet gesture commonly seen in many K-dramas. She’s been so thrilled with it that she’s worn it almost every single day since! 😍
My routine for treadmill walks or exercise bike rides used to involve listening to a podcast or an audiobook. Now, it’s all about K-dramas. And I have zero regrets. They’ve become such a delightful escape and a perfect way to make my workouts fly by.
Beyond “Crash Landing on You,” I’ve watched “Business Proposal,” “Hometown Cha Cha Cha,” and “Crash Course in Romance.” Each of them was fantastic in its own unique way, offering diverse storylines and memorable characters. I wasn’t as big a fan of “Forecasting Love and Weather” or “Her Private Life” – I didn’t end up finishing either of those, as they just didn’t quite capture my attention like the others.
Cam and I have just started watching “Start-Up,” and we are absolutely loving it so far. Generally, K-dramas have impressed me with their clever plots, witty humor, and refreshingly clean storytelling. I’m honestly wondering if I’ll ever go back to watching non-subtitled shows again! One crucial piece of advice: if a K-drama offers an option to watch it dubbed over in English, don’t do it. I tried that with “Business Proposal,” and it was ridiculously jarring and completely lost its charm.
So, tell me, have you jumped on the K-drama train yet? If you have, what are your absolute favorites? “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” is next on my must-watch list, and I’d love to hear your other top recommendations!
Current Obsessions: Things I’m Loving Lately
To wrap things up, I want to share a few miscellaneous items I’ve been absolutely loving recently! {Affiliate links are included for items I’ve purchased on Amazon – please note, nothing here is sponsored; I genuinely buy and love these products myself.}
- This is hands-down my favorite summer dress. I tried the famously raved-about Somerset dress, but it honestly made me feel a bit frumpy and like a pioneer woman. This dress, on the other hand, is wonderfully flowy, incredibly light, and significantly more affordable! I own it in a beautiful green and a lovely floral pink.
- I use this amazing foot cream every single night before bed. It works wonders for keeping my feet soft and smooth, truly a small luxury.
- Do you dread melting butter in the microwave because it inevitably explodes everywhere? Yes, me too! I discovered these microwave butter melters on Instagram, and so far, they are genuinely saving my sanity (and my microwave!).
- A while back, I asked on Instagram stories for recommendations for non-smearing mascara, and I received hundreds of responses. The top suggestions consistently pointed towards “tubing mascara,” a concept I had never heard of before (truly living under a rock here!). So, I decided to give it a try. I first tried the L’Oreal Double Lash, 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 LOOOOOVE it. I’ve been using it for several months now and am a super fan. It’s definitely pricier than the everyday waterproof mascaras I used for years (and it’s not waterproof, but I’ve adjusted to that), but it lasts an incredibly long time and truly performs. Yay!
- I bought this beautiful ceramic baking dish for a recent photo shoot, and it has quickly become one of my absolute favorite baking pans. Its elegant design and excellent functionality make it a perfect Mother’s Day gift (for yourself or someone special!).
- This is my go-to favorite self-tanner. It’s incredibly subtle, works gradually, and provides just the hint of color I desire for my lily-white legs. While the classic self-tanner scent is present, it’s not overly strong. I apply it a couple of times a week in the morning. Once it dries, I add a layer of the body lotion I use daily, and then I hardly notice the scent at all.
- My siblings and I purchased this digital picture frame for my mom’s birthday earlier this year. She had an old one constantly displayed on her kitchen counter, but we couldn’t add pictures remotely, so all the photos were at least a decade old. This new frame allows all of us kids to upload pictures directly via an app on our phones, which is fantastic, especially since three of us live several states away from her. She absolutely adores receiving new, updated photos regularly!
- I bought this vacuum mop a few months ago, and after consistent use, I am still genuinely, truly appreciating the immense value it adds to my life. Its main appeal is its ability to vacuum and mop at the same time. I still give my floors a quick sweep beforehand to minimize the debris I have to clean out of the machine afterward. Since our downstairs is primarily LVP flooring, and we live off a dusty, long driveway on 25 acres, my floors get incredibly, relentlessly NASTY. This mop makes cleaning as easy as vacuuming, and I love it so much for that efficiency. While it is a bit of a pain to clean out after each use, for me, it is still very much worth the effort. I don’t use the special cleaning solution sold with it; plain water works spectacularly well for me.
Thank you for being here, my dear friends, and for taking the time to read these thoughts.
Life has certainly felt a bit messy and heavy lately, particularly with the complex joys and challenges of motherhood. But even amidst navigating all the emotions, shedding some tears, and perhaps occasionally screaming into a pillow, I am also consciously striving to seek out the blessings. And in doing so, I find that there are truly so many to be grateful for.
Next week, I’ll be back on the blog with a really fun, free resource specifically designed for kids graduating and leaving home – it’s full of practical tips and heartfelt advice. Plus, keep an eye out for several phenomenal new recipes coming your way this month!
This space, this community, is one of my genuine happy places, and I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. Love your guts! 💗