Friday funny: Helpful info

Three things ~ 5.25.23

Things I’m loving this week

Harbor Creek’s Try a Tri for Kids. My friend, Donna, who is and avid triathlete and the principal at a Harbor Creek elementary school, put on a mini triathlon for elementary school kids in HC township to try a tri. I volunteered to work at the finish line, which did not disappoint, even in the pouring rain. Those kiddos were tough and inspiring.

Bubble gum. My boss frequently tells me that I’m the only grown adult he knows that chews bubble gum, but I don’t care…I love it. It’s just the sweetness I need in the afternoon and I love blowing bubbles. Sorry not sorry.

Dairy Queen Pup Cups. Monday was Hadley’s first birthday and we celebrated by taking them to D.Q. and getting them both pup cups. They were $1.50 for a small vanilla ice cream with dog bones and they were worth every penny. The pups agree.

Things I’m not loving this week

Pixel 7 battery life. I knew this was one of the complaints about the Pixel phones when I bought it, but I’m sad to learn it wasn’t just whiners exaggerating. It really does have pretty crappy battery life. I HAVE to put it on the charger by the end of the day and, if it’s a day I’ve used it a lot — like taking photos of every finisher at the kid’s tri — it won’t even make it to the evening. This is frustrating because now I need to be sure i have a car charger and a portable charger on hand. Annoying AF.

Insurance Companies Dictating Care. I had an annual eye exam and I need new glasses, but my insurance company says that I do not…at least not until December.  I had a doctor call in a prescription that i needed, but the insurance company said “Try again.” I absolutely hate that I am at the mercy of some suits (or probably millennials in joggers working remotely) deciding when I can get the care my doctors say I need. ‘merica!

Worth Reading ~ 5.24.23

A few articles, blog posts, and other things I think are worth your time.

Washington Post: When too much exercise is bad for your heart

“A growing body of science, including a new report of the health of almost 1,000 longtime runners, cyclists, swimmers and triathletes, finds that years of heavy endurance training and competition may contribute to an increased chance of developing atrial fibrillation, especially in men. Atrial fibrillation, or AFib as it’s commonly called, is an irregular heart beat that can lead to blood clots and a higher risk of stroke.”

Vox: The hidden force that shapes everything around us: Parking

BBC: Is there such a thing as an addictive personality?

Rolling Stone: The Biggest, Messiest Band Breakups in Music History: From the Beatles to N.W.A to Fifth Harmony

Words to start your week: Just be you

Friday Funny: Frizzle is sus

Worth Reading ~ 5.17.23

A few articles, blog posts, and other things I think are worth your time.

Notre Dame Magazine: The Fourth Virtue

Quartz: Career pivot? You’re more prepared than you think: Preparing for a career change: how to know and leverage your value

“Our Missing Hearts” by Celeste Ng. I got this book for Christmas and finally had time to read it. It’s a pretty powerful book and is definitely worth your time.

Stylist: 9 Women on the Best Piece of Mental Health Advice They’ve Ever Received

Words to start your week: 1 year from now

Friday Funny: A cat walks into a bar…

Three things ~ 5.11.23

Things I’m loving this week

Google Keep. I used to use a “notes” app on my phone, but then I got a Google Pixel phone and discovered “Google Keep,” which is much better. You can access your notes from any device and you can check items off, set up labels, and set reminders. This is where I keep lists or notes of things I might need on the go (shopping list, etc.)

Headwaters Park. Even though one of my close friends works there, I forget about this park which is only a few miles from my house and offers trails, picnic tables, benches, and easy access to water for my old boy who loves to swim year-round.

Cleaning Lauren’s room. Lauren wants a bigger bed, which I told I cannot buy until she cleans her room. She worked on it for days herself until she got stuck and overwhelmed. That’s when Kelly and I (and Haddie, who is not much of a helper) came up to help. Once we had a plan (what goes where), it was easy to put away the six baskets of laundry and, believe it or not, we had a ton of fun doing it.

Things I’m not loving this week

You know what….I’m not in the mood to dwell on the negative. So, I’ll just make a short list: Donald Trump and his endless and ridiculous lies, George Santos (see Donald Trump), the death of Dooce.com author Heather Armstrong, the migrant situation at the southern border, grumpy/angry people, the debt ceiling fight (they didn’t care when they raised it three times when D.T. was in office), another mass shooting (or was it three last week?), I could go one, but….I don’t want to.

Worth Reading ~ 5.10.23

A few articles, blog posts, and other things I think are worth your time.

MEL Magazine: Inside the World of Guide Dog Dropouts

Smithsonian Magazine: The Accidental Invention of the Slip N Slide

Guardian: The secret to saving your relationship: eight lessons from a couples therapist

Business Insider: Clarence Thomas — who let a GOP megadonor foot bills for him for years — said being a Supreme Court justice ‘is not worth doing for what they pay’ ( He makes almost $300K a year).