changing—inspired writing Tuesdays

Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm doing something new on Tuesdays, starting today. I've been feeling inspired to write lately, so I want to start sharing some of that here. I hope you enjoy today's post, and the ones I have planned to come in the following weeks. Happy reading! Feel free to leave me your thoughts or suggestions at the end of today's post.

Lately I've been thinking about how much

can change quietly. 

How one day you just realize—

you're no longer carrying what used to weigh you down.

There's a steadiness in me now.

A peace I didn't have before.

I'm not chasing love or approval or the next big thing.

I'm learning, simply, to be. 

Some nights I still miss what was. 

Other nights I sit in the quiet and feel grateful for what is—

the laughter of friends, the long talks with a man I'm learning to care for, dogs curled up beside me,

the soft hum of music filling the space that used to ache.

I don't have it all figured out,

but maybe that's the point.

Maybe life isn't about having answers—

maybe it's about learning to live gently inside this new world that the Lord is teaching me to live in.

Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn 

Hello, Monday

 

Happy Monday, friends! How was your weekend? I'm linking up with Holly and Sarah for today's blog post. 

It was a fun Friday! 

It was so hard to take anyone seriously on this day! Please note my friend's amazing bird costume. We were having a serious conversation, and I literally couldn't stop smiling/laughing. She was burning up in that thing! I was ready to change at the end of the day, so I did that before I went to Chris' after work. 

I'm still loving my Hello Pumpkin sweater! I'll wear this until Thanksgiving. 

I've mentioned it several times, but I love driving a back road in the country! The drive to his town is beautiful, and I love how the road is windy. It's extra beautiful because of the leaves changing. I met him at our favorite Mexican restaurant, and then we went to his house to let his dogs out before leaving again. I started feeling bad again shortly after eating, so we cut the night short on my account. This made me sad, but it couldn't be helped. 

I love a new month, friends! And I love these baby Goldens; they were relaxing with me while I sat in the recliner in an empty room upstairs. Chris came over that afternoon; we went to The Orpheum theater downtown to see The Notebook. It was so good!

We barely managed to get a decent picture of us; there were several fails, but this one was the best of our attempts. He's so tall that I can't ever get a picture at a good angle! It works best if he'd stand behind me. I don't know that Chris loved this play, but I loved it so much more than I thought I would! I cried, and I honestly think I caught him wiping a tear at one point as well.

Sunday was a day full of church and church-related activities. I had to be there by eight that morning for praise team rehearsal, then I went home for a bit for lunch, only to be back by two for a four hour long Christmas music practice. It was a great rehearsal, and Joshua had snacks for us, which was really considerate. He let us go at 5:30, so I grabbed dinner for Jonah and me, then we ate together. Marilyn ended up stopping by for a bit, then I worked on my blog for the week and tried to get a head start. I have a busy week of decorating my house for Christmas after work this week! I'm also getting a new bed for my bedroom (thanks to my Mar!), and I have choir practice as well again on Wednesday. 

What did you do that you loved this weekend? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!


Jenn 

Friday Favorites, Halloween edition 2025

 

Happy Friday, and Happy Halloween, ghoul-friends! What. A. Week! It was Red Ribbon week at our school, so each day involved dressing up and then being around students who were wildly excited about it amidst state testing. It's been nothing short of crazy, with all of this and people dropping like flies from sickness. One morning this week (Tuesday?), I was walking in at 8:20 and our plant manager Scott was running down the hall; right behind him was Nurse Meg, and my immediate thought was, "Oh, boy." That's how it's been all week. 

Whew!

I was in Colorado one year ago today! I was glad to be away for a first Halloween without a husband in the house. Marilyn told me recently about something she heard about Halloween being the loneliest of holidays, because it's so family oriented. It made sense to me because I remember feeling that way last year; never had I been so glad to not be at home on that day. These little angels were my first stop, then we had Mexican food for dinner that night. 

This was such a fun trip with my favorite ghouls! I loved this day that we spent dressed alike in Salem, Massachusetts. 

Okay, now for my favorites from the week...

This week was all about dressing comfortably! I think it was a favorite for every staff member who participated in Red Ribbon week.

Doodling is my favorite, especially during boring testing. 

Sights like these at school will always be a favorite! I love that the teachers I work with are fun; these witch fingers "help" the students read. And speaking of witches, one was spotted during third grade intervention this week! 

These baby Goldens are my favorites. 

Our town hall is one of my favorite buildings! I love the architecture and the landscape leading up to the stairs. I had a library board meeting there this week. Speaking of this night, it was also a favorite getting to see Chris for an early dinner right before this. I love when we can make it work for a quick get together during our busy weeks!

One on one time with students is always a favorite! I love getting to know them; one of them I take to the sensory room each morning for ten minutes; another one I spend fifteen minutes with each day to help her get ahead with school work. This girl above was close to me as she worked on a fourth grade math problem yesterday involving math properties. It's been a hot minute since I've thought about distributive, communicative, and associative properties. 🤣 Math is not my favorite, in case you didn't know.

Home is my favorite place to sit and unwind; I've been enjoying watching Sweet Magnolias all week when I'm watching TV. 

Choir practice and Rotolo's Wednesday nights are my favorite! We spent a good amount of time practicing Christmas music this week, and we have a looonnnnngggg rehearsal for the same on Sunday afternoon. It's a busy weekend for me! 

Please note how adorable my favorite first grader looked on Wacky Tacky day this week! I have serious combat boots envy. 

I ordered a new pair of my favorite sneakers! Here's a link, if you're interested. 

Coming home sick on Thursday was not a favorite; I'm writing this on Thursday night, so I'm seriously hoping it was just lunch that didn't sit right with me, and that I'm back at work today. I had to leave two hours early! 

This was me when I ventured back downstairs for dinner around six last night; I came home and went straight to bed. 

Chris likes for me to send him pictures of me every morning; every once in a while he'll send one back to me, and it's my favorite. 

What was something that was a favorite of yours this week? I can't wait to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn 🎃

P.s. The November edition of Currently is taking place this week on Wednesday, November 5th. We'll be talking about what we're currently loving, looking forward to, smelling, preparing for, and thankful for. I hope you make plans now to join us!

Thankful Thursday

 

Happy Thursday, friends! I am excited to bring back Thankful Thursdays, even if it comes to you late. I am out of the habit of blogging on Thursdays, so it may take a minute to get used to this again. I'll jump right in! Here's what I'm thankful for this week:

• the never ending love and mercies of God, because no matter how busy life gets and routines change, I know He is right there waiting for me to spend time with Him

• The Bible Recap community—my time is shorter now in the mornings, so I like to listen to the Bible being read to me while I get ready

• music—I listen to it all day long when I'm not at work!

• my family, all of them from my sons to my mom and dad to my siblings. I try to talk to all of them regularly! I've got to make a plan to go see my Noah soon. It's been way too long!

• my friends, even the ones I don't talk to that often because of life. I know they're all right there, I just have to make the time to reach out and make plans.

• my friends that are also now my co-workers. I've gotten so close to them all, and I love the bond that we share and have formed during our lunch breaks! I can't remember life without them and don't want to, honestly.

• my job that I love so much. I love the people I work with, and I adore the students! They're always such a bright spot in my day.

• plans after work—I like to be busy after work most nights, but I also love the one night a week I give myself to stay home. That night is tonight and I am here for it, friends! I have grand plans of washing my hair and watching a movie while I work on a blog post for tomorrow.

• Last but not least is Chris—I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this sweet man that's in my life. I love how different he is from other people I've had in my life; he is such a kind man who comes to me like I came to him: a little bit battered and leery. We're figuring things out, though, and we're continuing to move slow. I look forward to the times I get to see him on weekends; he makes me laugh a lot and he makes me feel seen/adored/cherished. All of that is new to me and I love how we enjoy being together. (I love that he's old fashioned and formally asked me to make things official with him last weekend while we sat across from each other at dinner. I also love that he is as affectionate as I am and can't be around me without holding my hand or pulling me close to his side.)

I shared this with him yesterday, because isn't that what we all want? I think that for many years I took my marriage for granted; I just assumed he'd always be there. I think we all do that, after a certain amount of time goes by. One thing I've learned from dating in these middle years is that I can never take anything for granted again. 

Time is different for me now; I don't have my entire life ahead of me, but maybe...just maybe...I have my very best years ahead of me. Maybe this will be the very best phase of my life, the one I never dreamed would be possible a few years ago. Whatever happens, however it turns out, and whoever it's with...I am thankful for the journey I've been on to learn some things about myself. I say this with excitement for my future, even if I don't know what is to come. I was telling this to the Lord yesterday as I was getting dressed: even if I never remarry or if I end up single for the rest of my days, I know that He will care for me far better than any human being. He's my Father, and He's my Husband; He will never leave me or disappoint me. I have this assurance and this hope in Him! He is trustworthy, and I know He is directing my steps.

What's something you're thankful for this week? Thanks for being here to read my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn