The One with May 2022

“To be brave is to not turn away. To be brave is to go forward. To be brave is to love.” 

-Kate DiCamillo

May was all about bravery and balance. There were lots of challenges with big emotions like when, all in the same week, our basement flooded from a broke pipe, the AC went out, and a city violation notice came in the mail for improper fence installation. Thanks to a willing pop and an accommodating landlord, all incidents were promptly handled. May also brought so much celebrating. We celebrated a family wedding, Mother’s Day, birthdays, elementary school graduations, sports, and Missouri anniversaries. 

I was happy to make new wedding memories in Warrensburg and had a great time celebrating with my family. 

For the first time in several months we all made it to family book club. And in person, no less. We munched delicious foods, sipped delicious spirits, discussed a classic, and laughed a lot. 

#whereareyer #walkingstick 

My pop celebrated his birthday with presents including a handmade shirt from a fun friend and a low key lunch that my best favorite and I delivered.

For Mother’s Day we ventured up north to the Iron District where we ate lunch and had a mini photo shoot. Oh, and of course we went shopping at Cargo Largo too. 

My best favorite celebrated 6 years of living in Missouri. To celebrate, we had a meal at Jerusalem Cafe, shared a cheers at Kelly’s, and adventured around Kaw Point Park. I also peed on myself in a porta potty and we missed a turn on the way home causing me to sit in my pee pants even longer. Somehow these things happen in many of our adventures and that makes them all the more memorable. 

We hosted, and attended, watch parties for playoff hockey and my best favorite even made it to the Avalanche game in Saint Louis that clenched the series against the Blues. There were also game nights and Sporting soccer games. 

For a friend’s birthday a few of us went to a mixology class where lots of tequila drinks were made, new friends were made, and lots of silly memories were made. 

#IMissUs

 My, not so little anymore, goddaughter had her 6th grade graduation ceremony and celebration. I cannot believe that she’s off to middle school. I’m incredibly proud of her and love that I have had so many opportunities to celebrate her lately. The most fun was the water balloon fight to ring in summer break. It was also a nice way to welcome the holiday weekend and the warmer weather. 

I have been highly anticipating my return to the swim beach for months. Lucky for me, a friend agreed to get a membership with me and we made our first trip on Memorial Day. It was the sandiest and windiest day ever. We counted six inner tubes blow away and we saw one umbrella blow onto the water and promptly sink into the lake. It was a much needed day of relaxing in the sun with good foods and good company. 

It feels oh so good to have warm nights to enjoy grilling and to finally get some outdoor projects done. Now to get some fires going…

It’s impossible to complete a monthly update without pup photos. They’ve been their normal silly and spoiled selves. 

Here’s to being brave and balanced and finding all the things to celebrate. 

The One with April 2022

 “The land is what it is. Life is what it is. God is what God is. You and me, we are what we are. None of it’s perfect. Or, hell, maybe it all is and we’re just not wise enough to see it.” 

-William Kent Krueger 

When your family knows you well and gives you the best belated birthday presents. 

And some even came to celebrate at a very belated birthday party where we watched old home videos and ate different foods dipped in pistachio butter and Nutella. 

Easter was a laid back day of watching Supernatural, eating ice cream, playing games, and creating hashtags. #bunnymoney

My best favorite and I (along with some soccer buds) were invite to a Friends & Family night at J. Rieger Co’s Electric Park before it opened to the public for the season. All the drinks were magnificent, sitting in the sun was glorious, and seeing one of the KC hearts was fun. 

We saw even more KC hearts at Union Station when we went on a Gangster Tour with one of my cousins. After the tour we went for tacos and drinks. 

My dad and I ended up at Royals Opening Day with some family. It was cold, but the win and the memories were worth it. 

The Kansas Jayhawks also had a big fun win. Watching them win the national championship was emotional and exhilarating. We had cookies to celebrate and have a commemorative bottle of J. Rieger to remember it. 

The pups lacked for nothing in April and enjoyed many snuggly days. 

My book buying hobby has resumed, just in time to celebrate National Independent Bookstore Day and to do some thrifting.  

Here’s to finding perfect in the unperfect.