It’s been a few weeks since I sat down and had coffee with you guys, so I’m not sure where to begin. Not to suggest that I have something exciting to talk about… you know how it is. Life feels so busy, but that doesn’t mean there’s much to say about it.
We’ve actually been dealing with some different things here at home, mostly kid-related, not super serious, but nothing I can really talk about. It just all adds up, and it’s hard to be a Chatty Cathy online when I’m consumed with juggling a bunch of family-related stuff.
I often wonder how some influencers are consistently on Instagram Stories several times a day. I just don’t have it in me. A lot of days, I’m just too busy with the blog and home life to think about it, and other times, I will pull out the phone to chat and realize I really have nothing to say, so I just put it away.
It’s funny, because I almost always manage to have something to say here. I think that’s because I can write it out and edit it and publish when I’m ready. If I try to talk, I end up a rambling mess.
Anyway! I expect most of you are here because you prefer the long form blog post to the micro-blogging platforms, and that suits me just fine. I don’t think blogs will ever die, or at least, I surely hope not! I think some people will always prefer the written word to the spoken one, am I right?
I’m not sure what the point of all that was, I guess I’m still a rambling mess, even in writing. LOL!
So yeah, my parents were here last weekend. We haven’t seen them since last fall, so that was really nice. They usually drive up from Virginia on a Friday night and back home on Sunday afternoon after church, so we don’t usually go anywhere. They both still work full-time, so we usually prefer to hang out here at the house and enjoy the down time, but this time they flew in early Friday morning. Since we had two full days together, I decided to make some plans.
The kids were busy with school and work on Friday, so I decided to take my parents to Lancaster County for the day. We had lunch in Ephrata at Fox Meadows Creamery, and then we drove down to Lititz and walked around. They have some really cute shops. We made one final stop at the Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop, and then we took the scenic route back home, driving through the farmland. It was so pretty and peaceful.
We decided to go the opposite direction on Saturday, and we went into Philly to do the Constitutional Walking Tour. I highly recommend it if you’re ever in the area. Unfortunately, this is the only picture I got.
It was awkward to stop and take pictures while on the tour, because it moved pretty quickly, but our tour guide needed to stop here by Independence Hall to take care of something, so he told us to take pictures if we wanted to. My mom offered to take one with me in it, and I said we would at another spot, and then that never happened. It was still a great day, and I’m glad I at least have that one shot of the rest of the family. (D and C had to work, so R was the only kid who went with us.)
We had lunch at Fork, and we were going to do a carriage tour after that, but then we noticed a huge police presence in the area. It was kind of disconcerting, and it was getting late in the day, so we decided to wrap it up and head back home.
My dad asked one of the officers about it on our way back to the car, and he said there was a protest happening, and they weren’t sure which way it would go, so they were basically standing around waiting. They didn’t seem overly concerned, but the last place I want to be is on a carriage tour in downtown Philly in the middle of a protest — peaceful or not — so I was glad we had decided to bag it. After we got home, I tried to find info about a protest that day in the news, and I never saw anything about it so I guess it didn’t amount to much. These days, you just never know! Better safe than sorry, I guess.
It actually worked out fine because, as I said, the other kids weren’t with us, so we got home in time to make dinner. D got home from work in time to join us for that, and we played some games afterwards, so it all worked out.
I want to get out and run before church this morning, so I guess I better wrap this up. Before I go, I have to share this picture. R and I were getting ready to go out and and run some errands yesterday afternoon, and she came into my room to ask if she would be cold in a short-sleeve shirt. (It’s been nice, but extremely windy here this weekend.)
I took one look at her outfit and burst out laughing… Yep, we’re a pair! I offered to change, so we didn’t look like the Bobbsey Twins, but first I asked her if I could post this to my Instagram Story.
So that’s about all I’ve got. Oh, wait. One more thing. I think the email comment reply function may not be working again. Can anyone confirm that it was working for a while, after we installed the new plugin that requires you to register if you want to receive replies to comments by email?
We realized that the form was set up to require a first and last name, which was then showing up with your comments. I had them fix that so those are not required fields — the username is what should appear with your comment now.
It seems like when that change was made, the email replies stopped working? Can anyone confirm this for sure?
At any rate, I will submit a help ticket to my tech team first thing in the morning and see if they can sort this out.
I tell you, I am so over technical difficulties right now. It is exhausting and ridiculously time consuming. I’m hoping we can get this all squared away once and for all,.
Okay, I’m off! Our close friends who moved away last summer are back in town for a visit, and we’re going to see them at church and then have them over this afternoon. I’m so excited to see them.
I hope you have a restful and very blessed Sunday!
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50 Responses
Your picture with your daughter was very funny. My 89 year old mother rides to church with me every Sunday. I am 65, we often wear the same colors! When she gets in the car and has on the same colors, she just laughs. I don’t have the same attitude. Lol
LOL! Too funny.
Here!
I had to laugh at your pic with your daughter…my best girlfriend from HS and I used to go out every weekend when we were in our 20s, and more often than not, we were wearing very similar, if not identical outfits. If we met up at one another’s houses, the one whose closet was at hand had to start over, usually with some grumbling, as it had already taken several wardrobe changes to get to that point! Thanks for stirring up a fun memory!
On a technical note, I didn’t notice an issue with the comments, other than in the actual comment section as I’m typing, words will appear with underlining , sometimes it disappears after I finish the word, other times it remains unless I backspace once or twice and retype. Not sure if you see it on your end, or if it’s just my phone doing wonky things.
Oh, yes, my friends and I do that even today. Now I often just ask before getting dressed. 🙂
I don’t understand why the comments continue to do wonky things like that. I have never in any of my redesigns have had these kinds of issues. 🤦🏻♀️ Please let me know if you get this reply in your email. 🙂
Not sure what you are dealing with …..but if it makes you feel any better………….I feel we all have our own crosses to bear. Family is the best support!!! Take care….sending prayers. MJJ
Thanks, Maria. xo
I FEEL YOU. IT’S TOUGH TO TALK ABOUT YOUR DAILY LIFE WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE GOING THROUGH STUFF. WE WERE IN CRISIS MODE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, AND I WAS ESSENTIALLY MIA. I DIDN’T EVEN HAVE THE TIME OR THE ENERGY TO CALL MY PARENTS. ALSO, OUT OF RESPECT FOR MY KIDS, I HAVE TO REALLY FILTER WHAT I TELL OTHERS. I’LL SAY A PRAYER FOR YOUR FAMILY.
I’m so sorry you’ve been going through some rough stuff. Thank you for your prayers.
Hi Jolynne, I just wanted to drop a quick note to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I am definitely a reader so keep the posts coming. Family issues are tough, I hope they get resolved sooner rather than later. Have a wonderful Sunday. Cara
Thanks, Cara, I appreciate that. 🙂
Thanks for your update! Prayers that your family stuff works the way is best for all.
Thanks, Gina. xo
So glad you got to spend time with your parents! Hopefully whatever you are dealing with at home is just a season and will quickly pass! The joys of motherhood:) We are still in our 4 week lock down it’s the highest numbers we’ve seen since all this began and seems to be more of the new variants:( let’s hope things return to normal again soon. Trying to keep positive and find Joy in each day regardless! Prayers to you have a wonderful visit with your friends 💕
Yes, it’s all stuff that we will get through and probably be better for it. It’s just time consuming and emotionally exhausting. 🙂
I’m sorry you’re still in lockdown. Remind me, are you in CA? Are the vaccines rolling out up there? Most people here are vaxxed if they want to be, which I figure is what is keeping our numbers down.
Comment has been working for me since it was fixed after not being able to reply one day last week .. hope that helps. Forgot to put that in my comments earlier
Oh, that’s good!
May I just say your dad’s pleated pants made me smile. Before my dad met Jesus face to face he still insisted on wearing pleats so this touched my heart.
Also I’m loving your daughters jeans that fit close in the hip but have the looser busted knee. Share?
Happy Sunday!
So funny, he’s been wearing pleated pants for 40 years, so I don’t expect he’ll change now. It hasn’t even occurred to me to suggest it but maybe I’ll give him a pair of flat front trousers for his birthday and see what he says. 😉
Becca’s jeans area from AE – https://shopstyle.it/l/buaoQ
So glad you had a nice visit with your parents! I hope things settle down with the family matters. Love the pic of you and Becca! As a mother of three daughters, I have experienced this situation many times! Sometimes it was me and one of them dressed alike and other times it was two – or all of them – dressed alike! ha ha #greatminds
Have a great day and enjoy your visit with your friends!
So funny!
I’m a reader and prefer the lengthier blog posts. I don’t enjoy InstaStories, Vlogs, or even the short written blog posts. I need info! 😂😂 At any rate, thanks for all you do and I throughly enjoy your posts! I know you probably put a lot of time and effort into your work and it shows. Have a great week and enjoy your Sunday!
Thanks, Keena. 🙂
Love the picture with Becca! Have a restful Sunday!
Thanks, Susan, I hope yours was nice too!
I’m sorry you’re going through a storm…it’s never fun, is it? It can seem like no one else knows what we’re going through because hardly anyone shares their pain transparently, and I get that. But we’d likely find many ‘twins’ who’ve experienced, or are experiencing, a similar hard path.
Despite having 1 vaccine shot in April, we traveled 400 miles and worked from 8am to 11pm for days to empty the MIL’s home and prepare it for sale. Her Alzheimer’s is sooooo bad. We did have a nice visit at the Manor but she’s fading quickly. Dementia is a thief that steals your loved one and leaves a shell in its place. If you don’t know it personally, you cannot imagine how hard it is. And family members react differently – some see it plainly and some are in denial and cannot move forward. It was hard, so hard. Now the home is for sale and will of course fund her treatment and care, which is a silver lining.
I wish in this crazy world we could all grant each other a lot of grace (favor, kindness, empathy) because we are all going through things, usually without warning and often life-changing. It hurts. Let’s not ask to be told if there’s something to be done. Let’s take a meal, send a card, pray, send flowers, drop off a lovely book. Let’s care for one another.
Good words Nancy F. ❤️
Yes, a lot of people are going through stuff they can’t really share, either b/c it’s too painful, or it’s not their story to tell. It’s good to remember, especially when tempted to get cranky with people.
I’m sorry to hear about your MIL’s Alzheimer’s but so glad you were able to see her. We have some experience with Dementia, and it’s heartbreaking. Prayers for you and your family.
Good day! I am a reader so I enjoy your blog posts very much. Prayers for your family. Both of my parents are gone so it was lovely to see you enjoying time with your parents.
Thanks, Bev. Yes, I’m so fortunate to still have them both.
I’m a reader 😊
I laughed at you and your daughters expressions. My daughter and I showed up at her son’s school farewell party wearing identical dresses- neither of us was amused! And neither of us has worn the dress since.
I enjoy your blog- the best one out there.
That is hilarious. I think I’d donate that dress. 😉
Love the picture of you and your daughter ❤️ Have a happy and blessed Sunday!
Thanks, Heather. xo
Your expressions are too funny! Love your personal style, blog, and great fashion advice.
Thanks, Sharon. 🙂
Yes, I like the blog! The videos are good sometimes, but often I am not in a quiet place to listen to a video. I feel like we are getting more and more away from written words. I love technology but for goodness sake, I wish more bloggers and influencers would do more than post videos.
Yeah, I like to watch IG Stories, but I hate it when I can’t hear what they are saying and there are no captions. Of course, I rarely provide captions on mine — talk about a huge time suck and an exercise in frustration. iPhone typos and autocorrect drive me bananas; I think b/c I can type so fast on a keyboard, and I try to type fast on my phone and end up with a gazillions typos, or the autocorrect does crazy things.
Video is where it’s at, especially reels… the algorithm loves them so it really helps your IG engagement. I, frankly, hate them. I mean, they’re cute and all, but I get so tired of scrolling through my feed and seeing all videos. I miss the pretty pictures. But anyway, I digress. The written word will always be my favorite way to communicate, so I hope blogs stick around.
I also love your longer blog posts but enjoy your quick Instagram stories as well. Your Philly photo with your parents was very special. Today is the second anniversary of my mom’s funeral service and I am finding myself more emotional and melancholy today than at the one year mark. Enjoy every day together!! I only live 10 miles from Center City Philly and I want to get back to the historical district this spring.
I’m sorry to hear that. Those anniversaries are always hard, I’m sure.
I am still having to type in my first & last name as well as my email address. I did receive your reply the other day regarding how you clip your hair up. I can’t believe that both of your parents still work full time. There’s so many positives about retirement, when you enjoy each other’s company and are able to do things together. Larry and I had a great 4 yrs. before his cancer diagnosis because I retired early, so I would not trade those years for anything. Me being retired has allowed me to be a better care giver and spend so much more time with him, another positive. I’m glad y’all got out of Philly, to be on the safe side. I know that y’all are enjoying the visit with your old friends this afternoon. Have a blessed day!
Glad to know you are getting the email replies. Maybe people not getting them aren’t registered?
My family is full of workaholics on both sides. My dad retired a few years ago, but now he drives a blood mobile for The Red Cross, and he works as many or more hours as he ever did when he was in his career. My mom runs her own business, and I don’t think she’ll ever retire. Her father didn’t – he worked until he had a fall (he was 95.) In other words, I come by it honestly, haha!
I really appreciate your restaurant recommendations!
Oh, good! I figured I’d link everything we did in case people need ideas.
Will keep your family in prayer. It sounds like you had a really nice weekend with your parents. I have fond memories of my girlfriend trip to Lancaster County and our day in Philly a few years ago. We also went to the Bird-In-Hand Bakery. My daughter and I have to consult with each other to see what we are wearing and make sure it’s not similar. These days, it’s also, “what mask are you wearing?” Because I’ve made most of ours and we share the same taste in patterns. Haha
Oh yes! Twinning masks is the newest thing! lol
Love your update. Don’t feel like you have to be on Instagram etc. It’s too much information if you ask me. Your daily blog is so good. Blessings on your family. Keep trusting God. He’s faithful and so, so good. We can trust Him with our precious children.
Yeah, it’s hard not to with my job. Brands require it with most of their campaigns, and I don’t want to only post to IG when I have something sponsored, so I always feel pressured to keep other content going up too. And I truly like Instagram; I’m just not always in the mood to talk on Stories. That definitely feels like “too much information” sometimes. 🙂
Thanks for your words of encouragement and reassurance. xo
I love your blog and have the same “issue” with InstaGram. I don’t know how these girls do it . . . constantly sharing something. My life is pretty boring LOL so I don’t know that very many people would want me to document my day to day life. As to the comments, I’m a faithful reader but don’t comment much so I can’t answer that. Being a mom is absolutely the toughest job in the world. I’m pretty sure whatever it is you’re facing in your family, MANY OTHERS have experienced the same thing and survived!!! Keep praying, keep encouraging, and keep moving forward. Saying a prayer over your family this morning. Enjoyed hearing about your parents’ visit. You are so blessed to have them both, and in great health too!!! I’ve never been to Philadephia but it is definitely on my list. I love history and know I would enjoy all the tours!! Have a blessed day!!
Thanks, Robbin. I appreciate all that. And yes, definitely come to Philly sometime! SO much history, it really is a great place to visit.