Hello and happy Friday. It’s a weird Friday, isn’t it? 9/11 is always a tough day and the fires in the west are so unsettling. I hope all of you are safe in your homes and your hearts today.
I had a lovely start to the day with lots of Finn snuggles and a walk with the dogs. I can’t even with how big my boy is getting. I feel so fortunate that he still enjoys riding in the stroller. I mostly attribute that to the fact that they’ve been such a regular part of his routine since birth. I do always make sure that they are preceded or proceeded by time outside running around.
Whew, things at home are a mess y’all! I thought it would be no big deal to refinish the floors one room but it’s turned out to be quite the project. They sanded and stained yesterday and then came today to put the clear coat on. I can’t have the dogs on this floor for about five days until they “cure” so I’ve been leashing them to take them around to the backyard.
Overall, I am really pleased with how the floors turned out and it was worth having to move all of the furniture back out of this room and live through the refinishing process. This is our den/playroom area and we spend a lot of time in this room. It also has French doors to the back patio and yard. The couch I ordered is coming Monday and an area rug later next week. I’ll keep you posted on the progress!
Totally switching gears here but I wanted to share a five podcast episodes/podcasts that I highly recommend giving a listen.
- Almost 30 Podcast: Episode 353 – Mark Groves: Boundaries Are Love + Other No-BS Advice. I loved this one so much that I was stopping to take notes. The line that has stuck with me for weeks is, “Differentiating between who I am and what I was taught.”
- The Goop Podcast – Finding Meaning in Transition. What I really appreciated about this episode was that it normalized life transitions and offered tools for navigating them with meaning, purpose and skill. The podcast guest called these big transitions, “lifequakes.”
- RISE Podcast: Episode 151 – Reclaim Your Magic with Elizabeth Gilbert. Pretty sure I’ve never listened to a podcast where Elizabeth Gilbert is the guest that I didn’t love. There were several things I took away from this episode but the one I’ll mention here is the suggestion to do a writing activity where you write yourself a letter from fear.
- Unlocking Us with Brene Brown – Brene on Anxiety, Calm + Over/Under-Functioning. Just a fascinating look at how patterns of managing day-to-day anxiety, and very relevant to this world we’re living in.
- Pantsuit Politics – I’m not going to recommend a particular episode but I do want to recommend this podcast. It’s hosted by two women, Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers , who are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. They way they describe their podcast on their website is so eloquent that rather than try to summarize it, I’ll just share the full description here.
“A podcast for real conversations that help us understand politics, democracy, and the news – while still treating each other like thoughtful human beings.
We’re here to create an informative and grace-filled space by respecting each other as people who are sharing insights into the issues and our hearts. Grace is something that everyone deserves, and it allows for greater depth in our conversations and connections.
Because this is about more than your politics. This is how to live your values in all aspects of your life.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the news right now. Our values-driven political analysis blends hard facts with important social and cultural undercurrents, so you don’t miss the big picture.
You’re right to be mad and anxious – but you also have to pay attention and stay engaged, to figure out what you can do about it. Let’s leave the world a better place than we found it!
You don’t have to go to the border or run for office to make an impact. Have the hard conversation with people close to you. Change can start at your dinner table. And that change starts with connection.
So let’s be willing to disagree – with grace. All while staying connected with our people, our community, and our country. “
I have been listening to this podcast since late last year and it’s been a powerful, educational and informative resource for me as I work to understand the current political climate.
With that, I am signing off to enjoy the weekend. I’ll be back on Sunday with a recipe for the apple cinnamon crumb muffins that I mentioned last week.
QUESTIONS
What do you have planned for the weekend?
What podcasts have you been listening to lately?
