Five Simple Things (August 1)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These books.

I picked up these books to read and add to the blog's Read with Me page. I mostly pick thrillers, crime, or horror. If that is your genre, too, follow my reading picks here on the blog.

2. This bra.

I already had this bra from Anthropologie that I picked us shortly after my breast surgery and I love it! This week I went back to Anthropologie to pick up another one. I love how the straps don't dig into my shoulders and the band at the bottom holds where it needs to hold. It's one of my favorite bra brands that I love.

3. This moment.

It's been a rough two months without Hardy. We had him for so long that it feels like something is now missing from our everyday life. Losing a pet is a hard blow to our hearts, but the times we had with Hardy are times we will always talk about. My love for animals is deep. Pets seem to have a way of showing us what love is really like. These paw and nose prints came this week in a card signed by everyone who helped Hardy the day we brought him to the Willamette Veterinary Hospital. They have always been wonderful to us when we bring our pets in during their final moments. We will always be so grateful to all of them for everything they do during those emotional moments. I hope Hardy and all of our pets feel loved during the time they are transitioning from this life.

4. This update.

We have been working hard on removing the old flooring of the bus to clean it and prepare it for a new floor. It hasn't been tough work, just time-consuming, but it's getting done, and we are excited about the progress. You can follow our bus's progress here on the blog or on our Instagram or Threads.

5. This heater.

While working on the bus floor tear out, FedEx delivered our Camplux portable water heater. Jeff was pretty pumped when it showed up and we are going to try it out this weekend with our outdoor shower.

One last thing:

A lot of people don't know that I struggle with large amounts of anxiety and have been diagnosed with panic disorder, OCD, and ADHD. The combination of these causes me to experience depression at certain times too. I have always had these mental health issues my entire life, but only learned what they were until about 15 years ago. Since that time I have been an advocate for people to reach out and seek understanding about what is happening with them emotionally, physically, and mentally. Living a life in the dark about what is happening with your body is a form of self punishment. Everyone deserves to live a good life and understand their own individual symptoms. Since the time I have learned more about mine I have created a mental health profile on Instagram to help those that are struggling through theirs. It's named The Color of my Anxiety. I post six mental health positives each month and change the color based on that month's shade. If you are needing a boost for the day, or just want to scroll through and feel like you are not alone, please visit me there. And for everyone that is struggling with us, we are going to be okay, and I hope these positive memes on The Color of my Anxiety Instagram helps you.

Positive affirmations this week:

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (July 25)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These chimes.

We have been in a holding pattern of grief lately because of the loss of Hardy. We have never been a family without a dog, and right now, things are weird for us. Eleven has been showing signs of depression and loss as well. Having this grief that you hold onto for an animal is hard to describe to people who do not have pets in their lives for a long period of time. Hardy was with us in our family for over 15 years. It's an incredibly hard loss to even attempt to articulate to anyone. My sister took this opportunity to give us something into which we could put our sadness into sound. These wind chimes were specially engraved with our dear Hardy's name and bring us a bit of comfort when they chime. Right now, we are not in a good place with our sadness, so anything is a help, especially something we can hear besides people saying, "I'm sorry" as if that's all anyone can say. Sometimes "I'm sorry" isn't necessary and at times isn't the right thing to say when someone is dealing with a hard loss in their life.

2. These bracelets.

A few bracelets we have been wearing lately. Beaded Rainbow Bracelets that let LGBTQIA+ people know that we are advocates and that they are safe around us. The last bracelets are made by indigenous Americans in order to raise money for those needing legal representation against what is happening to every brown and black individual right now. Native Americans are the first inhabitants of the United States of America and to have a white man say that they need to prove their citizenship is disgusting. People that support the current administration during these state-sponsored discrimination or systemic/institutional racism have no place calling themselves patriots, or Americans. The America I want to be proud of is one that allows everyone to live their life free from racism, discrimination, prejudice, and cruelty. One that allows anyone to live here, no matter their skin color, or nationality. One that other countries want to do business with and one that doesn't have a president only serving what is right for him and not the entire country. With what is happening currently, there is no such thing as the United States. It's getting killed every day by selfish, ignorant, unqualified people who are loyalist only.

3. These stickers.

With Skylar being part of The Commuter at Linn Benton Community College we always get to see the cool stickers they pass out of the college, or add inside the magazine. I love reading his articles in the magazine and I am so glad he decided to be part of the editors.

4. This bowl.

We found this tray this week when we did our weekly errands. Skylar is going to use it in his room for his watch, and jewelry. It's a beautiful tray made of mango wood and tells a story. You can pick up this tray here from Birdmoss.

5. This book.

I recently picked up this book at a bookstore. I love honey bees and all bees, as a matter of fact. I love how they go about their lives and do their everyday tasks without even having a blip in their routine. I love how they work as a community, but also mourn the dead when their time comes. Humans could learn a lot for bees in a way where everyone is included and has a job without casting judgement or discrimination on each other. I am excited to read this book cover to cover to learn more about how amazing bees really are.

One last thing:

Always the best foot warmer.

Positive affirmations this week:

Never believe that you are too hard to love no matter who tells you that. Anyone that states those words isn't in control of their own emotions or feelings. It's a projected statement that falls completely back on the person that said them. Your worth isn't determined by someone else's insecurities and immaturity. You are so much more than that.

You can do this! 🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (July 18)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This addition.

We picked up a new something for No Rain the Bus this week. We are still working on the exact solar panels that we want to mount on the top of the bus, but for now, this Jackery will definitely be great!

2. This update.

Along with the Jackery, we started getting the bus ready to rip out the old flooring and lay down new flooring. There is still that certain "school bus" smell in the bus, and we are thinking it might dissipate once the original flooring is gone. I also want to keep a small piece of the old floor for nostalgia. I do love the bus with its original flooring, but it is pretty beaten up and needs a lot more care than we first thought. You can keep up with our bus conversion progress on the blog here, or through our Instagram or Threads.

3. These flowers.

Another week of bringing fresh flowers into our home to boost my mental health, and everyone else that sees them.

4. These gifts.

One of Jeff's gifts from a coworker after retiring. This was such a thoughtful thing to do for him. He misses some of his coworkers, but he is glad to be able to relax and not worry about airplane dimensions and military contracts.

5. This post.

"Feel anyway. That's how we stay human." I love this so much. I've always been called oversensitive, or too sensitive, by, honestly, jackass people who came through my life. What's disturbing about their saying those words is the fact that how can they not be sensitive in a world full of things that we should feel more deeply about? Whether they were saying it out of meanness or because they really can't feel things on a deeper level, I am proud that I can. I will embrace my sensitivity because if it sets me apart from people who don't, I feel really good about that.

One last thing:

These brass ornaments are available in the shop right now. They are made from solid brass and are a cute statement on a desk, a bookshelf, or as a clever gift to give. The praying mantis is 78mm x 23mm in size and the snail is 17mm x 60mm in size. They are priced under $11 and would be a perfect addition to anyone that loves a statement piece. You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.

Positive affirmations this week:

The main thing to remember is, it's okay.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.