Thursday, October 29, 2026

Life Lately: Week 43

This is what the past week looked like.

In the couch crack being a silly goose.

This book was interesting and I wish MSU had this course when I was in college.

Favorite quotes:

"If a problem isn't actionable, then it's not solvable."

"Life is a process, not an outcome."

"A perfectly planned life that never surprises you or challenges you or tests you is a perfectly boring life, not a well-lived life."

"Failure is the raw material of success."

"The end result of a well-designed life is a life well lived."

My sweet boy.

Cheers to vacation!

The best part of being at a hotel is eating in bed.

Cutie pumpkins at DTW.

This is how we pass the time at the airport.

Fort Meyers bound!

I adored this movie.

Thankful for an easy breezy flight.

Aldi pit stop in our rental car.

I'm obsessed with the houses in Fort Meyers Beach.

Our sweet neighbors across the lake generously offered their beautiful condo to us for a long weekend.

We spent so much time on this porch sharing meals and drinking coffee.

Girl dinner...er...lunch.

Fort Meyers stole our hearts.

Beach bums.

Ended each beach day with a refreshing dip in the pool.

Loved this sweet little touch of fall in the condo lobby.

An ibis sighting.

Nothing hits the spot like a good pasta dinner after the beach.

Morning vibes.

A bagel and cream cheese is a vacation staple for me.

Swooning over the tropical flowers.

Likes long walks on the beach (with an American Oyster Catcher sighting).

Can you spot the biggest jelly fish I've ever seen?

My watch literally fell apart in the pool - guess it couldn't handle all the salt water after swimming in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf this year.

We had the best beach weather and loaded up the beach wagon every afternoon, ready to make the most of our time in our happy place.

Every cup of coffee is an experience, but there's something extra special about sipping it on vacation.

Drinks at The Whale were next level.

Did I mention how amazing the houses were? ;)

Still not over all the stunning mansions on the beach.

Also not over how many dolphins we saw every day.

That's a big bird.

Legno Italian Kitchen had the most delicious pistachio pizza.

I've never seen dolphins so close to shore or so active.

They swam by us all day long, splashing, playing, jumping (!!!), and even charged to shore once (fishing?). 

A great beach read set on a tropical island, though I was hoping for a few more twists and turns.

Favorite quote:

"You strike me as a book- before-the-movie kind of girl."

That sparkle gets me every time. 

"Only worry in the world is the tides going to reach my chair."

And just like that, we’re back at the airport a little tanner, a lot more relaxed, and carrying home so many wonderful memories.

Be grateful.

I subscribe to this propaganda. 

For more life lately:

Week 43 of 2019

Week 43 of 2020

Week 43 of 2021

Week 43 of 2022

Week 43 of 2023

Week 43 of 2024

Week 43 of 2025

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Life Lately: Week 42

This is what the past week looked like.


An 80 degree October day means I can't leave the lake, so my girlfriend came over and we floated the evening away.


Tuesday was likely our last (but very much appreciated) 80 degree day, so G and I soaked up one last float of the year...


And maybe our last swim of the year, too.


Urban magic.


My favorite salmon dish, hands down, is from People's Kitchen.


Tell me you need to grocery shop without telling me you need to grocery shop.


This guy had a big week between his annual vet visit, a trial day at boarding, and his arthritis flaring up.


On Labor Day, the lake was 81 degrees.

By Tuesday (a month later) the lake had dropped to 61 degrees - and now it looks like the last of the warmth has left the lake.


This video of Ella getting her costume together will never not be funny.


My neighbor let me try her pickle soup and I get the hype.


An impromptu wine tasting, and Jess proved she can tell the difference between New Zealand and California Sauv Blanc.


Selfie with my favorites.


A fun dinner with family friends visiting from California...


Featuring the ultimate carb-loaded comfort meal: my mom's famous lasagna and her cheesy potatoes.


Going, going, gone!


My parent's subdivision really knows how to go all out for Halloween (and Christmas).


Nighttime temps in the 30s... a FIFTY degree drop from just a few days ago.


This book had an intriguing premise only to be a complete nothingburger.

Favorite quotes:

"Everyone, soon or late, sits down to a banquet of consequences."

"A burden shared is a burden halved."


Don't sleep on RHONY.


Sunday supper.

Deer spotting while picking up M from a little boarding trial (and it was a success!).


There's no place like home.


I asked Chat to decorate cake pops based on what it knows about me, and honestly, it's a little scary how spot-on it was.


Well, when you put it that way...


I am such a one.




Still thinking about this.

In elite company, and always happy to be in Leslie's company.


Such a fun idea!

Hahaha.

My girlfriend sent this to me, and it's a little too relatable right now.


A little laugh collage.


I feel seen.


This is extra funny because my mom and I were just reminiscing about the tears shed over math homework.


This is a great idea.


My dad and brother need this sweater.

For more life lately: