Hi guys. Now that we’re well into Friday afternoon you may be surprised to see me here and I’ll be honest, I’m kind of surprised I felt the urge to sit down at my computer, too. But after I kissed Chase and put him down for his nap, I wanted to blog, so here I am. Maybe it’s the second cup of coffee I downed this morning or maybe it’s the fact that I am so used to blogging every day, but I’m going to roll with it.
I’m not sure where this post is headed but since writing my Things I’m Loving Friday blog post helps me focus on the little things in life I enjoy every week, I’ll stick with that theme for today because, even if tears have come every single day, smiles have surfaced, too, and I’m feeling better. Not healed… not over it… but better. Slowly. And in certain moments.
So let’s dive in.
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Trying to Return to Normalcy
I’ve been trying my best to keep a normal routine this week and it feels good. This means going to the gym, enjoying play dates with friends, organizing the heck out of anything and everything (<— this is an odd side effect of stress and sadness for me, but one I’m embracing) and writing, even if most of the writing I’m doing is for myself and not the internet at this time.
I found joy in meeting up with girlfriends for a going-away dinner for one of my favorite Burn Boot Camp buddies who is moving to Atlanta with her family. I laughed as Chase ran around like crazy at a local park. I was surprised when I loved every second of snuggling a friend’s newborn son when I brought dinner to her house and it didn’t make my heart hurt. I cried tears I needed to cry with my small group on Monday night. I got way too into Big Brother on Wednesday night. I began reading a new book. Life is starting to feel “normal” again even if I’m having some hard moments sprinkled in as our first “should be” due date approaches next week.
I’m hoping to feel the pull toward blogging with some regularity next week again and really appreciate how kind and patient you are all being with me as I’m figuring out how I want to talk about everything and what I want to share in this space.
And now for some more seemingly trivial Things I’m Loving Friday highlights, but highlights I feel like sharing nonetheless…
- CPR Cell Phone Repair
Earlier this week my phone died a slow death and I was pretty sure it wasn’t salvageable and I was going to have to pay for a brand new phone. (The screen was cracked in many places for months and you could see the interior of the phone when one large piece of the screen broke away.) I took my phone into Verizon and totally lucked out with a nice man who encouraged me to walk across the street to the local cell phone repair shop to see if they could possibly replace my screen and save me some money. Within an hour, CPR Cell Phone Repair fixed my phone and I was completely blown away by their service. My phone wouldn’t turn on and looked like I hit it with a hammer when I brought it in and 60 minutes later, I walked out the door with a phone that looked brand new.
I also decided to buy one of those Pop Socket things to put on the back of my phone to hopefully help prevent drops and give me a better grip on my phone. Crossing my fingers that my newly repaired phone will last me for a while now!
I’ve been randomly checking out this website after I picked up a flier about the site at Gymboree a few weeks ago and I’ve been really impressed! It’s a website that highlights local kid-friendly activities and publishes them all in one space, making it really easy to find new, unique things to do with little ones in your area. I’m always looking for fun things to do with Chase and think Hula Frog does a great job of compiling a bunch of neat ideas on one easy-to-navigate website. Just wanted to share this site for those of you with little ones who might be looking for something new to do with them in your area!
My sweet friend Ashley sent me this tea in a care package earlier this week and I brewed up a batch this morning. I’m sipping on a cold cup of the tea as I type up this blog post and it’s incredibly refreshing. I cannot stand sugary-sweet tea (southern blasphemy, I know) but I do like a little bit of natural fruity sweetness in tea and this iced watermelon mint black tea is the perfect combination of fruity and minty. It’s summer in cup! Thank you for sending this my way, Ashley!
- Around the Web
Sales: Last weekend of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (see my roundup of favs here) / Buy one pair of jeans, get one for $9.90 at EXPRESS / Extra 20% off at Williams-Sonoma with code EXTRA / 30% off tops at Ann Taylor with code TOPITOFF
Food: 100 Make Ahead Paleo Freezer Recipes / Quinoa Taco Salad / Baked Chicken Tenders / Whole30 Shepherd’s Pie (This recipe finally got me to eat vegetables this week) / Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
Fitness: Kettlebell Strength and Conditioning Workout / 25 Minute Lower Body HIIT Workout
- Friday Flashbacks
Favorite Beauty Shortcuts (The time I spend getting ready most days is very short and there are a handful of beauty shortcuts I use that really seem to help cut down on time and make my routine easier and faster.)
Upper Body + Core Stack Workout (This workout slowly builds in intensity until you complete the entire stack!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile today?
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Hi Julie, Please take as much time away from the blog as you need. I’m so happy you are starting to heal, even if the healing process will take a while. I loved seeing this post pop up! I’m have a rough day at work and this made me smile. The watermelon mint tea looks so good. Like you, I don’t like sweet tea but fruity tea is my favorite type. I’m going to grab some of this one soon. Also your phone case is darling! I love pineapple shirts, prints, decor, etc. in the summer.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Maureen. I hope your day improves quickly! ?
Glad to hear that things are starting to feel back to normal for you – taking it one day at a time. That watermelon mint tea sounds delicious. Like you I hate super sweet iced tea (or any drink for that matter). Hope you have a great weekend with your boys! <3
Take all the time you need, we’ll be here <3. The tea sounds so good, I need to find it and try it. This Southern gal can't handle the sweet tea either.
Julie,
I agree with Maureen – take as much time as you need. I always watch for your posts in my bloglovin feed and I was thrilled to see this one pop up later this afternoon.
I have the same feeling about sugary sweet tea – yucky! Fruity is great though.
I pray for you often and I think you have the sweetest family.
I’m loving all the electricians who’ve put in ridiculous overtime hours in the last week to restore power to Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands in the Outer Banks!! We have an interesting/probably mostly stressful 8-hour car ride with a toddler ahead of us this weekend, but my family vacation will be happening and I couldn’t be more grateful. I know these guys and gals had to sacrifice time with their own families to make this happen so quickly, and I’m going to do my best to appreciate each moment of this trip! It will be our first trip with my parents and siblings in a few years, and the first since we’ve had our son, so it will be a special time for sure.
(And I’m also loving your popover recipe! Going to try them out this week with my sisters!! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe you crafted with such love <3)
You have been in my thoughts Julie. Please take all of the time you need! I am glad to hear things are starting to get back to normal, that picture of you and Chase sticking out your tongues is just so precious! That yellow dress you are wearing in the picture with your girlfriends is absolutely adorable! Totally something I would have in my wardrobe! That tea sounds yummy, I don’t like sweet tea much either. I am going to have to get some of that asap! Have a great weekend! Xoxo
If anyone is going to rush you back to blogging, they aren’t someone who should be reading your blog in the first place and someone you shouldn’t be worrying about. Do what you need to do.
FYI – If the popsocket doesn’t work out, I cannot say enough good things about a LifeProof case. It’s still on my iPhone 4s and is being abused by my 3yo and keeps going. I have a new one on my 6, the fre model with the screen cover. I don’t notice it at all and think phones feel weird when they don’t have it. They also have awesome customer service. They sent me a brand new case when my old one started to leak for only $5 s&h fee, even though it was out of warranty. And they even gave me a new armband mount (since the old one cannot be removed off the old case) for free as well. My phone looks brand new whenever I have to take it out of the case. At $80 it’s pricey, but it’s worth it as far as I’m concerned.
So nice to see you post, but know we all understand and are sending you love. Speaking of, your yellow dress is darling- love!
One thing making me smile is finding joy in the process of life. Sometimes life can be hard. You’re hit with difficult thoughts or setbacks or rough days, but remembering that it’s a process brings me comfort.
Also, I appreciate your unwavering honesty and rawness. Take all of the time you need.
That tea sounds amazing! Since you love reading I would recommend “A Man Called Ove” I picked up this book last winter when I was going through a rough time to distract myself and fell in love with it. I’m not sure why but it made me sad and happy all at the same time, maybe because “Ove” knows exactly what to say. Sending prayers to you and your family!
I’ve been meaning to read that book for a while now but haven’t yet because I’ve heard it’s so sad… one day!!
Julie that author wrote another book, Beartown, that I have heard great things about. I think it’s a mystery of sorts. I just reserved it from library!
It’s sad but it’s more heartwarming sad if that makes sense? Once you’re able to read it I hope you like it! I’ve got Beartown on my reading list too!
um, you watch Big Brother? We need to chat! I don’t find many people who do watch that show and this past week has been a rollercoaster and I almost cried because of the bullying (people who watch the feeds said it was 1000% worse than what they showed) ….I hope it gets better.
Praying and thinking of you, Julie!
YES!! Ryan and I never watched it before last season but after diving in last season we couldn’t wait to watch again this season. Definitely a guilty pleasure. And I was also really cringing at everyone and how horrible they were towards Cody & Jessica.
Hey Julie,
Just swinging by to say that I’ve been thinking of you and your little family! Please take your time getting back to the “normal” in your life, there is no rush!
Organizing and cleaning is a “side-effect” for me too. Last year when my dad passed away suddenly from a heart attack (he was only 49) I completely cleaned out our pantry and painted the upstairs hallway. At my parents I cleaned out and organized their pantry, linen closet and under the sinks… I figure being productive gives you some sense of control in your life. Sending hugs your way <3
I think it’s excellent and necessary that you’re following your own inner guidance about what you want to do, and when you want to do it. Including blogging. Wayyyyyyyy down the road, months upon months away, a post idea could be on the topic of self-care. STuff that worked/stuff that didn’t. Or tips etc. I suggest it since you wrote such excellent posts about The Happiness project (and happiness and gratitude in general) and I still refer back to those posts. I just told someone the recently about your post about “abstainers versus moderators.” 🙂
I’m so so happy you have been surrounded by wonderful people and wonderful opportunities to connect with help. I hope your private writing is giving you some solace and comfort too.
Wonderful post as always. You will make it, one day at a time. <3
I am going to check out the Hulafrog. So neat!
I’m glad you’re finding joy in some of the normalities of life–I have been praying for you and that you would have support from friends and family to hold you up during this time. I also love the idea of a flyer that highlights activities for kids and promotes families! Sometimes things are such great ideas, but don’t get promoted well.
Happy Friday!
I’m so feeling you on the phone thing. Mine died a few weeks ago. I would turn half way on and then restart again and again until the battery died, no matter what I did. I ended up having to get a new one. Luckily I had the one that broke for nearly 4 years, so it was time for a new one anyways. It had been on it’s last legs for months. The lady at the store where I bought my new one was surprised I was still using such an old phone! Needless I had to spend a lot of $$$.
Echoing several others, you take however long you need re blogging. We’ll be happy to have you writing more regularly, but understand you may not be the right now and will be waiting for you when you are. Hugs to you, Julie.
As for things making me smile today – catching up with a sweet acquaintance this morning, how excited my two year old was to see me when I showed up at his class party, and knowing that the babysitter is coming in a half hour for a fun double date night ahead!
I’ve been watching Big Brother for I swear 12+ years. Which is maybe kind of embarrassing LOL. This summer is hilarious! So many meatballs! Maybe it’s because I’ve finally surpassed the median age of the Houseguests but they just crack me up. A couple years ago my husband got into it and it ADDICTED. Like “I’m going to audition for this” addicted. It’s great and one of my favorite parts of summer. I’m glad it’s making you smile during tougher days! Who’s your favorite outside of Paul (he’s hard not to enjoy)?
How do you like the pop socket?? I’ve had one in my Amazon Cart tooling due to being wishy-washy about it…
:-/ should’ve said I’ve had one in my cart TOO Long! Lol
What book are you reading?
We love you Julie. Been a reader and lover of you for over 7 years. Sending you big hugs and a good thoughts for a happy weekend!
We’ll be here when you’re ready! No rush 🙂
Seeing this post see made me happy! It was also absolutely pouring today and I decided to embrace it and dance in the rain. I had a 2 mile walk and couldn’t avoid getting soaked! Might as well enjoy it.
Xoxo
Just a heads up- there is also a big sale at Aeropstale with their activewear. Their muscle tees are like $7.50! I hope you get to enjoy your weekend with your family,
The Great British Baking Show on Netflix!!! My friend told me “it’s like a spa for your brain” (if you like to bake), and boy am I loving it!! I whipped up a batch of banana muffins while watching it. The contestants are so nice to one another & the creations are inspiring! Hope you like it!
I’m glad you felt like blogging and that you’ve been able to get back a small sense of normalcy. I recently got a Pop Socket on my phone and I love it. Plus it’s fun to play with! I’m glad you were able to get yours put back together!
Thanks Amanda 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend! <3
Okay that tea looks amazing…
Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Julie! Who do you like on Big Brother?! I only like Jessica, Cody, and Mark. I hate how everyone else is acting. I do think Cody putting up Christmas was a huge mistake weeks ago, and if only Jessica had saved Ramses!!! Thank goodness she didn’t take “the deal” – ugh! She is right that she can only really trust Cody! I can’t wait for tonight’s episode! Hoping one of them wins safety and one of them wins the veto, but I still think one of my favorites will go home this week 🙁 They HAVE to win HOH! So glad you are a Big Brother fan! I’ve watched every season except for the first one and no season has ever fired my up more than this one. I don’t think I’ve ever disliked so many people!
Watched Sunday’s episode and I honestly don’t know who I am rooting for! I am socked at how well Alex was able to recover from her foot-in-the-mouth moment in front of Mark — I feel like she has a decent chance at winning. I am curious to see whether or not Josh will be able to rally people behind his hope to eliminate Elena… I could see that happening, especially if Christmas gets involved but since everyone seems to listen to Paul so much, I don’t know! Can’t wait for Wednesday!
I laughed out loud at what Alex did – it was epic! I can totally see myself doing the exact same thing but man did she recover so nicely! I still can’t stand Cody or Jess. My husband and I said we could see Christmas and Matt making final two. If Christmas makes it to the finals with a broken foot – she should win – hands down.
you live in SUCH a bubble. People have miscarriages, divorces, child deaths, and other tragic events and they still have to get out of bed every morning and be at a real job. You have the privilege of grieving on your own time, in your own way, and you never express gratitude for that. Wake up! Its a slap in the face to all us normal people dealing with this kind of stuff every day! You are not a special snowflake.
If you feel that way, then just don’t come to her site…easy fix. Everyone lives in their own kinds of bubbles and just because hers is different, doesn’t make it any less important than other peoples.
What gives you the right to diminish another person’s pain simply because they work from home? That doesn’t even make sense. Going to work or not grief is painful no matter what and I’m sure this comment didn’t help.
Rose, your comment about me not expressing gratitude on this blog is what upset me most — I am so, so grateful for this blog, the amazing people who read this blog and the life I have and I do feel like I express this constantly. (I specifically addressed gratitude related to blog readers in this post you may have missed: https://www.pbfingers.com/sharing-a-second-time/ ) I’m very aware how lucky I am to have this blog, my friends and my family. Truly gratitude is something I focus on every single day and it is something that impacts my entire outlook on life and I’m sorry if I did not convey this well to you. I KNOW the ability to work and blog from home is unusual and something I am very luck to be able to do… and I’m so, so grateful for it. I do feel like grief is a personal thing and doesn’t happen “less” for people in different circumstances, nor do I think comparing grief and pain is a fair, productive or kind thing to do. Again, I’m sorry if the way I convey gratitude on this blog wasn’t prominent enough to you, but I do hope you know that I am so incredibly grateful for the blessings in my life every day.
Julie you are such a sweet, kindhearted person. I have gone through two periods of grief/depression…one while working and one while being a stay at home mom. Everyone is different but I found it much easier while working and having work I had to focus on. Being at home was harder because I had more time to think.
I will never, ever understand why or how anyone could send a mean comment to a person in pain.
Rose – I’m shocked at your rude and thoughtless comment and I don’t know why you thought it would be okay to unload it here. There’s that old adage – if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. You don’t get to decide how someone else grieves or what they do or how they work (either when they’re grieving or at any other time). In fact, if you’re not paying their bills, or living their life, you don’t have a say in any part of how someone else does it.
I don’t know how long you’ve been reading Julie’s blog, but me and many others have been reading for years and years and years, and Julie has always conveyed tremendous gratitude for the blessings in her life. If you don’t think so, you haven’t been paying attention (and if that’s the case, you’ve really missed out on a wonderful blog.) I’m very disappointed to read your comment. Words can hurt people, and you didn’t think about this at all before you posted. Not ok.
Wow, Rose. You must be fun at parties.
I don’t ever comment on blogs, but I just felt the need to defend Julie. I’m not sure how she’s living in a “bubble” because she works from home. Grieving never ends. Everyone grieve in their own way and time. If you didn’t have the opportunity to grieve because you had to go to work at your “real job” then that’s on you for not saving up your sick days to stay home to grieve.
I lost my first born son at 35 weeks. He was stillborn. Excuse my language, but you can bet your ass I still grieve for him till this day. It’s been a little over 3 years and I will grieve for him till I die. Julie’s doing the best she can. I’ve done worse when my dog died.
I never comment on blogs but I felt the need to say something. Rose, your comments were hurtful, disrespectful, and completely unnecessary. What the hell gives you the right to judge the way someone else grieves a loss? I literally had to read your comment 10 times because I couldn’t believe someone would take the time to post something so hurtful. It’s clear that you must be unhappy in your own life, it’s the only reason I could think that you would lash out at someone like this. Spend your time and energy on making your own life more happy instead of making others more sad.
ps. Your comment was also straight up wrong. She expresses gratitude all the time.
Sending prayers your way Julie!
Actually, Rose, I would argue that Julie spending her time and energy on her child every day is in some ways harder than someone’s going to a “real job”, as you call it. Getting to leave the house and do something completely unrelated to your home life can be a welcome distraction from your grief and a slightly easier turn towards normalcy. Julie does not have that luxury, and in fact has the added pain of mixing her joy over being with Chase with the fact that her child reminds her of those she should have had.
You really comment was selfish and unnecessary, and I am very sorry for whatever you went through that hardened your heart.
Julie, I look forward to reading your blog every morning, and even when you’re sad, you’re a little bit of sunshine for me.
Keep taking care of yourself girl. That tea sounds delicious.
Thank you, Emily <3
Hi Julie, I have been following your blog for years and I LOVE your blog posts. I had a miscarriage a little over a year ago and it is very hard to go through, but God has a great plan for you and your future family. It seems like you have a wonderful support system of friends and family! I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Your positive attitude on your blog is truly inspiring! P.S. Where did you get your adorable phone case? 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Morgan, and for reading for so long! I am so sorry for the loss you experienced as well. <3
And, to answer your question, my phone case is from Casetify. I got it a year or so ago!
So glad you sat down to blog, girl. It probably helps to just do things that feel natural and normal to you… thank you for sharing these Friday finds and please keep doing whatever feels good to you that makes your heart a little less heavy. Sending you love!
Thinking of you, Julie, and rooting for you and your family.
I’ve already commented but I wanted to add extra support and encouragement – I saw that negative comment you received and I just want you to know that that one negative person does not speak for other people. As humans, if we hear 1,000 positive comments and one negative comment, our minds zero in on that negative comment and replay it over and over again, ruminating on whether the criticism is just. Let me tell you right now: it’s not just. You’re a wonderful blogger (my favorite! I read every post!), and you’ve always been a joy to visit. You’ve been nothing but gracious and wonderful, and your positive attitude paired with your realness (because you’re both positive and real when things have been tough) is so refreshing to read. You’ve shared such wonderful tips over the years, and you’ve always shown gratitude and empathy and all the wonderful qualities that are such a seamless part of your make up. I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t want you to second guess yourself based on someone’s rude comment. If someone is capable of unleashing their anger on you in such a way – their opinion is not very valuable. All the people I love and respect the most in the world would never do something like this. So don’t value the opinion of someone who is capable of this. What you’re doing and how you’re blogging is great.
If this helps you feel any camaraderie – last week an acquaintance of mine got extremely enraged at a mutual acquaintance of ours, and because I’m friends with that mutual acquaintance, she decided to direct and unload all her rage on me too (because I was still friends with the mutual friend, I guess??? I was not even involved, but I think she had so much rage at the first person, that she still had some leftover and I was as good a target as anybody). The stuff she said to me was not only cruel, but also untrue. And then I saw a really good friend post about a difficult altercation she suddenly had with someone too. And the comments were filled with people having difficult conversations with angry people all week. So……I don’t know what’s going on in the universe right now, but a lot of people have been touchy and angry. So don’t take this personally. I’m sorry you had to see that. And I’m upset myself that my own acquaintance was so careless with her words. It’s gonna be okay. You’re doing great!
In your corner,
Kim from MN
Just wanted to drop in and say I’ve been praying for you and your family! One of my best friends just had a miscarriage and it brought back the flood of emotions from my two miscarriages prior to having my sweet baby boy. There are no words anyone can say to make it better; point blank it just stinks! But I pray that you can find peace in the midst of heartache! There’s a tribe of women reading your posts that are so grateful you’re sharing your journey because no one should have to walk this journey alone! Keep up the great work and thanks so much for including my KB workout in your fitness favorites! xo-Lindsey
That tea sounds amazing! I don’t like sugary sweet teas either.