Laundry, Loneliness, and Cosmic Teasing

May 3, 2026May 3, 202620 Comments

Medical Disclaimer: This post discusses personal experiences and emotional states for narrative purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or mental health distress, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•

I was sitting by my window at 9:30 PM, and the view was doing absolutely nothing for my soul. Usually, this is the time of night when I can find a bit of peace in the stillness, but tonight, the quiet feels restrictive. It feels like the universe is dangling a massive carrot right in front of my face—showing me exactly the kind of freedom I’m missing while keeping me tethered firmly to the ground.

Across the street, there’s a glow I recognize. I saw a delivery guy arrive earlier, and I knew exactly what was happening over there. They’re entering that “other” space—that expansive, unhinged playground of the mind. I can practically feel the shift in the air from my house. And yet, here I am, relegated to the sidelines, a spectator to a journey I wasn’t invited to join.

It’s a jagged realization when you finally see that your neighborly efforts have been a one-way street. I’ve been the one to reach out, to give, and to play the part of the “good neighbor.” But when the real connection happens, the kind that goes beneath the surface level of suburban small talk, I realized that I’m not even an afterthought. That so called “nice neighbor” didn’t mean a damn thing, and that hurts deeply.

Since my close friend moved away last October, that void hasn’t been filled. She was the one who met the “unhinged” side of me, the one I didn’t have a filter for. Now, I’m surrounded by people who only see the “mom” version of me. The utility version. The boring version. I’m craving a companion who can sit in the mess of the universe with me without judgment. Because going about it alone is well, boring too.

“I am a restless traveler of the mind… I am restless. I am at home nowhere.” —Anaïs Nin

Tonight, that restlessness is screaming. My husband suggested I just do my own thing tonight, but it reminds me of that Arthur episode where his mom tries to deflect what was on everyone’s minds by trying to distract the family: they weren’t invited, yet they too had severe FOMO! 😭

•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•

Arthur walks Pal past the Molinas’ yard. Mr. Molina is barbecuing while Alberto plays with two boys of his age. He goes into his house.

Arthur: Hey, everyone. There’s a party at the Molinas! I’ll just change my clothes!

Mrs. Read: Arthur, I think it’s a private party.

Arthur: What do you mean?

D.W.: It means we’re not invited! Probably because you’re always bugging Alberto!

Arthur: I don’t bug Alberto… Do I?

Mrs. Read: Maybe they just wanted to see some other friends for a change.

D.W.: I don’t care if I ever see that Vicita again! Some people are so bossy! No, Kate, like this!

She takes Kate’s rattle and shows her how to shake it.

Arthur and his dad look out of the window.

Arthur: Alberto’s showing off some kendo moves. I bet they look really cool!

Mr. Read: Smells like chicken. I wonder what Ramon’s seasoning it with.

Mrs. Read: Why don’t we go to the movies?

She closes the window.

•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•

More Spiritual Static…. Hello?!

My spiritual journey has been nothing but white noise lately. I’m searching for a signal, but tonight the universe is just trolling me. It’s like being shown the door to something deeper only to find it deadbolted, leaving me shouting into the void. How are you supposed to feel “at peace” when you’re the only person tuned into your own frequency?

And then, as if the universe wanted to drive the point home, my husband just casually asked if I could get a head start on the laundry….

Image created using AI: How AI envisions me doing laundry on a Saturday night.

Nothing kills a spiritual existential crisis faster than a basket of dirty socks. While the psychonauts across the street are likely having a great time, I’m navigating the rinse cycle in the laundry room. Honestly, the contrast is so sharp it’s almost laughable. It’s a physical reminder that while my soul is screaming for an escape, my reality is tied to household chores that have me in a chokehold. I’m expected to be the anchor while everyone else across the street gets to ride the waves. 🌊 ✨

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS

There is no polished blog post tonight. No mantra that makes the laundry feel like meditation. I just have the raw reality of being a boring Millennial mom with a big spirit, currently restricted by the mundane. I wish I had a trip buddy tonight instead of being stuck in my own head. I wish I had a safe space to just be, without being needed. But instead, I’m matching up socks and waiting for this heavy energy to lift. 🍄🌿✌️💕

ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍʏ ꜱᴘɪʀɪᴛᴜᴀʟ ᴡɪᴇʀᴅᴏꜱ ᴀᴛ?

Image source: A meme from the internet, original source unknown.

♡ What about you? How do you handle it when your reality feels constricted? Let’s vent in the comments below ↓ I’ll do my best to reply to your comments within the next 24 hours.

♡ Enjoyed this post? Please consider supporting my writing to help me keep this blog alive. Your support means the world to me! 🌸☕💕

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Finding Motivation in my Daily Life

August 20, 2025August 20, 202516 Comments

Daily writing prompt

What motivates you?

View all responses

Motivation isn’t some grand, glowing epiphany for me—it’s more like catching flecks of glitter in the wild mess of my life as a 30-something Millennial wife and mom. Glitter and PlayDoh are strictly banned at my house because I have a #destructivetoddler. Motivation, specifically intrinsic (aka. internal) motivation, mostly comes out of nowhere, and it’s often spontaneous and unexpected. Between finding time and energy to write, getting lost in way too many hours on my computer or iPhone, cuddling my cat Timon, chasing after my kids, and chugging orange pekoe tea to stay awake like it’s my full-time job, here’s how I tap into motivation.

“Wherever the music takes you, kitten.” —Sheldon Cooper

Swaying with the Ebb and Flow of Life

I don’t have a clear-set structure or system for finding motivation. More often than not, it’s “wherever the music takes [me].” In other words, it’s like letting the bongo music guide me wherever it wants. I don’t know why, but that scene from The Big Bang Theory always makes me laugh. I thrive on those brief moments that make me feel like I’ve got it together, even if just for a second, and they usually hit when I’m not stuck to a routine or checklist. Instead of following influencers’ advice to make lists and “do this, do that” for motivation, sometimes tossing out the plan and letting the moment guide me, like following a song’s rhythm, pushes me to do something surprising, like dusting off my blog after months of neglect. 🙈

Some might not see it my way, but those little, unexpected moments of randomness are totally a form of motivation for me, grounding me fast when I realize I’m giving my all as a wife and mom. To all the moms out there, #IYKYK.

Personal Growth is a Whole Mood

Working on yourself, whether that’s personal growth and development or another sector of your life, is a vibe of it’s own. I often listen to self-development podcasts or watch youtube videos about psychology, philosphy, etc. to learn more about the world and seek truth about what’s real and what’s not. There’s a lot of distractions these days, and I just want to understand things a little better each day. I like diving into some podcast I didn’t need but couldn’t resist. It keeps my mind happy and stimulated. Blogging on http://www.sereneluna.net, is where I pour out my thoughts and feelings. Every post, even if it resonates with just one reader who vibes with me, keeps me anchored and fuels me to write more. That’s motivation right there.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

When the house gets quiet and Timon’s purring away without a care in the world, I ask myself: What keeps me going? Easy—I want to grow, keep love at the heart of it all, and make something that lasts, even if it’s making my family happy or publishing a blog post every now and then. Motivation isn’t a destination; it’s so many little things that give me a reason to keep going.

What motivates you? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below ↓ Maybe my blog post will motivate you to write something today. If you do answer the Writing Prompt, please tag me or let me know so I can read it! 🙂 I got the idea to respond to this Writing Prompt after reading Sajida’s response at https://mymindfulnessjourny.wordpress.com.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Fire Safety

November 18, 2024November 18, 202410 Comments

A few weeks ago, my husband and I took our children to the local fire department in our community where they had engaging activities for the kids, aimed at teaching them about fire safety and prevention. We got some informative brochures and colorful booklets that contained various tips and guidelines on how to stay safe in case of a fire emergency. I wanted to share the important information and key takeaways from what we learned, as I believe this knowledge is vital for everyone. Everything here can be found at www.fwp.org, where you’ll find resources and additional information to help keep your family safe.

Photos are my own. Baby Aaron with big sister Rebecca.

Some Facts About House Fires

⟢ Fire moves FAST. You could have as little as 2 minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

⟢ Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.

⟢ Roughly 60% of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you!

1️⃣Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
2️⃣Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on each level of the home.
3️⃣Be sure to change the batteries at least once a year.
4️⃣Replace smoke alarms when they are 10 years old and don’t respond when tested.

🔥🔥🔥

A Quick Review for Kids: STOP, DROP & ROLL!

Stay away from fire. Fire from a match, lighter, fireplace, or BBQ could catch clothes on fire. If your clothes catch fire….

STOP where you are. DROP to the ground. Lay flat with your legs out straight and cover your eyes and mouth with your hands.

And…ROLL over and over, back and forth until the flames are out!

🔥🔥🔥

Life Saving Tips for Families

⟢ Crawl Low Under Smoke. If you must escape a fire, crawl low to the ground and go under the smoke to your nearest exit. Get out and stay out! Call 9-1-1 ASAP.

⟢ Plan Your Escape Route. Always have 2 ways out of your home and remember to practice your plan at least twice a year.

⟢ Plan ahead and make a meeting place. A meeting place is a safe place outside for everyone to meet at.

🔥🔥🔥

You’re the hero if you stayed and read the whole blog post. I know you’re probably wondering why I haven’t posted in months. The routines that once excited me felt mundane, and I started questioning the purpose of sharing my thoughts online. Despite spending time on other social media, mainly Twitter/𝕏, it felt impersonal, and I missed the connection of writing longer blog posts. It dawned on me that I still had so much to share—stories and insights that could bring value to others, reigniting my passion for blogging and meaningful interaction, was was clearly lacking on other social media platforms.

♡ Quick Link: https://mobile.twitter.com/serene_hilz

Thanks for checking in! ♥

When Everything Goes Wrong

November 24, 2023November 24, 202336 Comments

Have you ever experienced those days when it feels like the world is against you, and everything, from the smallest details to the biggest challenges, seems to be going wrong? It can be incredibly demotivating when nothing seems to be going your way.

Drowning in a Sea of Sadness

Why is this happening to me? Who knows! 😖 And please don’t tell me that this is happening for me instead of to me; that is a bunch of BS created by self-help gurus to reframe the situation. No amount of self-help is helping me right now, which is worth mentioning because I listen to a lot of self-help guru advice. But I digress.

I could have also been been influenced by the news, something I read online, or a combination of various factors that are completely out of my control, all of which are highly likely. Either way, I’m struggling with depression and anxiety this week.

Image source: https://www.deviantart.com/

A Stressful Weekend

It all began last Friday when I went to work. The following days, Friday through Sunday, were incredibly busy, leaving me with no time to eat during the few breaks I had. By Sunday, my nerves were on edge and I desperately needed a steeped tea. However, my husband informed me that the line was too long, and I would have to go without it.

Over the weekend, my plastic Nalgene water bottle completely shattered into pieces. Can you believe it? I’m just as puzzled as you are. How does a plastic water bottle smash like that? RIP Nalgene water bottle ☠️

A Stressful Monday

Due to a stressful weekend, I ended up with a migraine on Monday. As a result, I wasn’t able to do piano practice with Rebecca, and I also forgot my swipe card by the time I arrived to the YMCA. Despite having my gym bag with me, I couldn’t sign in. Eventually, the kind lady at the front desk allowed me to enter, but it was a waste of valuable time and I felt rushed. Moreover, I didn’t get to enjoy a cup of steeped tea that day either.

When I feel stressed out, I like to create digital vector designs which I then turn into stickers and other merch for #Redbubble. On Monday night, I uploaded a seemingly innocent design, only to have it temporarily suspended, which kept me up all night. Karalee, who runs a blog called Tales of Belle, pointed out that there were similarities between my design and LOL Surprise Cats, specifically the one called Royal Kitty. This connection might be the reason why my design was flagged for review.

A Stressful Tuesday

On Tuesday morning, Redbubble unsuspended my Kawaii Royal Kitty, but the whole ordeal was still nerve-wracking, to say the least. Unfortunately, due to my chronic insomnia, I ended up sleeping in late again. However, yesterday I made it my mission to treat myself to a steeped tea and take Aaron out for a stroll. But to add to my frustration, the zipper on my jacket got jammed, and I ended up looking like a fool wearing this jacket with an uneven, stuck zipper. You know what I’m talking about, right?

Photo by Danik Prihodko. Link: https://www.pexels.com/photo/

This Week Continues to be Crap-tastic 🧻💩🦄

The rest of the week hasn’t gotten much better. On Wednesday evening, something unfortunate happened – I consumed an almost lethal amount of erythritol. Who puts erythritol in their beverages? It’s a bad idea, guys. I didn’t realize there was erythritol in it when I purchased it.

I should have known better than to consume erythritol again. At the time, I didn’t know it was in my energy drink and now I’m pooping rainbows 🌈💩

In very tiny writing, it says not to consume more than 2 bottles per day. Oh I definitely consumed 2 bottles today.
— нιℓαяу (@serene_hilz) November 23, 2023

Yesterday morning, I woke up with yet another migraine. In an attempt to alleviate my discomfort, I decided to pour myself a glass of freshly squeezed juice. As I went to pour myself a glass, beet juice splattered all over my kitchen, resembling a crime scene. The kitchen island, baseboards, and floor were covered in beet-stained splats, creating a truly dreadful sight. Cleaning up the mess was even more dreadful. ಠ෴ಠ

Which brings us to Friday. Well, it’s Friday, so only time will tell what challenges I’ll be dealing with today. Unfortunately, my toddler is sick, so he will be staying home. On top of that, I have a 6-hour online seminar scheduled for today, and I haven’t quite figured out how I’ll be able to take care of him while fully participating in the seminar. However, I am confident that I will find a solution because there is always a way.

Do you ever have those days where nothing seems to go right? How do you handle it? Feel free to join the conversation below ↓ and I’ll do my best to reply to your comments within the next 24 hours.

(っ◔◡◔)っ FYI: If you’re not already following me on Twitter/𝕏 (@serene_hilz), you can get real-time updates about my day-to-day life there.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

How to Snack Smarter

September 14, 2023January 6, 202413 Comments

I am unsure whether to put this blog post under my recipe page since it includes more than one recipe. To avoid redundancy, I will publish it as a stand-alone blog post. If you’re looking for more delicious recipes, be sure to check out my recipe page:

Recipes 🍌

Got a Snack Attack?

When you’ve got a snack attack, you bite back! #chomp

Disclaimer: I did not come up with these recipes – I found them in a magazine, and these recipes were written by Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D. I cannot take credit for any of these recipes. I am unsure which magazine it was, but it contained these “recipe cards.” However, I decided to recycle my collection of magazines, including these recipe cards. The reason behind this decision is that I am aware they would likely end up sitting in my drawer indefinitely, without being put to use.

It is similar to how I hardly ever use the Pinterest recipes that I save 🤦‍♀️ I have good intentions but buy the time I pin them on Pinterest, I had already forgotten about the recipe I wanted to try. Oh yeah, if you are new here you might not know about my Pinterest account that I seldom self-promote. You can find my Pinterest account here:

👉 Follow me on Pinterest: @serene_hilz

Before I get started, I also want to mention that these recipes include calorie counts. Although I personally don’t adhere to the concept of counting calories and believe in a more holistic approach (aka. intuitive eating), I understand that some of my readers do count calories. Hence, I have made sure to include the calorie counts in each recipe. Additionally, I understand that a portion of my readers follow vegetarian or vegan diets. Please feel free to substitute ingredients in the recipes to cater to your dietary preferences. Let’s get started, shall we?

1️⃣ Best Morning Booster

Mocha Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients:

instant coffee
low-fat vanilla yogurt
sliced strawberries
low-fat granola
other berries (optional)

Directions: Mix 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee with 6 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt until coffee is dissolved. Spoon half the mixture into a bowl and add 1/3 cup sliced strawberries. Blueberries and raspberries are optional. Top with remaining yogurt and garnish with 1 tablespoon low-fat granola. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? Granola provides a healthy dose of glucose (aka. fuel for the brain) to help jump-start your morning. Calcium-rich foods help increase fat loss.

2️⃣ Best Afternoon Pick Me-Up

Superfood Trail Mix

Ingredients:

dried cherries
golden raisins
sunflower seeds
roasted soy nuts
mini chocolate chips

Directions: Combine 1 tablespoon each dried cherries, golden raisins, sunflower seeds, and roasted soy nuts with 1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips in a zip-lock bag; mix. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? For steady, long-lasting energy, choose snacks with a mix of protein and fiber. String cheese and grapes is another smart combo, as is low-fat cottage cheese topped with fruit. Soy nuts have more protein and fewer calories (just 126 calories an ounce) than most tree nuts.

3️⃣ Best Postworkout Refuel

Blueberry-Pineapple Protein Shake

Ingredients:

low-fat milk
frozen blueberries
frozen pineapple

Directions: Combine 1 cup low-fat milk, 1/4 cup frozen blueberries and 1/4 cup frozen pineapple in a blender; puree until smooth. (140 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? The protein and carbs in milk help repair muscles and replenish cells’ energy stores after a workout. Eat dairy within 45 minutes of exercising, when the recovery process is at its peak. The pineapple contains bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory compound, which may reduce post-workout pain.

4️⃣ Best Stress Booster

Hummus and Red Pepper Bites

Ingredients:

hummus
whole-grain crackers
diced red bell pepper
dried oregano

Directions: Spread 2 tablespoons hummus evenly over 5 whole-grain crackers. Top with 2 tablespoons diced red bell pepper and a pinch of dried oregano. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? Red bell peppers contain vitamin C which has been shown to help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Steer clear of coffee and soda if you’re having a hectic day. Caffeine triggers your body to pump out adrenaline, which can make you feel jittery and agitated.

5️⃣ Best Way to Satisfy a Chocolate Craving

Indoor Raspberry S’more

Ingredients:

raspberry jam
graham crackers
large marshmallow
dark chocolate

Directions: Spread 1 teaspoon raspberry jam on 2 graham crackers (don’t break the crackers apart), Top with 1 large marshmallow and 1/2 ounce square of dark chocolate. Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds until marshmallow begins to melt. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? Don’t deny yourself chocolate. Research suggests that indulging in a little bit can help control your cravings for it. Satisfy your sweet tooth with dark chocolate. It’s made with more antioxidant-rich cocoa beans and less sugar than milk chocolate. Look for bars with at least 60% cocoa.

6️⃣ Best Nighttime Snack

Pear and Almond Butter English Muffin

Ingredients:

whole-grain English muffin
almond butter
pear slices
ground cinnamon

Directions: Top 1/2 toasted whole-grain English muffin with 2 teaspoons almond butter and slices of 1/4 pear. Sprinkle with a pinch of ground cinnamon. (150 calories)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you know? The carbs in English muffins may help you get to sleep quicker, according to recent research. This may be because they help boost levels of the sleep-inducing hormone serotonin. Avoid fatty and spicy snacks at night; they may upset your sleep cycle.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

Make sure to keep these quick and healthy recipes on hand for those moments when you find yourself having a sudden snack attack. With these delicious and nutritious options at your fingertips, you can satisfy your cravings guilt-free while still nourishing your body.

Would you like to ask me anything? Your questions are more than welcome! Please feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment below ↓ and I will do my best to respond. Just keep in mind that I might be super slow replying to comments.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

December Recap | Winter 2022

December 31, 2022April 22, 202329 Comments

I know I said that I wasn’t going to make these diary-style blog posts but I am even less inclined to write anything if I am going to stick with the original plan. So out with the old plan and in with the new plan! And right on time for the New Year.

You can read my blog post about the 6 Most Annoying Types of Blogs, right here.

♡ Related Blog Post: The 6 Most Annoying Types of Blogs

Do I care if this makes me a hypocrite? Maybe. But honestly, who is keeping tabs on me and who cares?! 🤷‍♀️

░J░u░d░g░e░ ░m░e░ ░w░h░e░n░ ░y░o░u░ ░a░r░e░ ░p░e░r░f░e░c░t░.░

(っ◔◡◔)っ Serious Question: Are you familiar with the game, Never Have I ever?

1. Never have I ever written a monthly recap blog post.

I’ve never written a monthly recap before but I think now’s a good time to start. I want to write this post in order to encourage myself and hold myself accountable, but also so others can take something away from what I’m writing.

I am still a little confused about what I am doing with my Medium profile. Traffic has declined a lot but I am still gaining followers. I have currently reached 1,100 followers and it is crazy to me. Whoever is reading my articles, thank you for your support!

In case you haven’t been following me on #Twitter or #Medium, I forgive you. Seriously though, you haven’t been getting updates from me if that’s been the case.

2. Never have I ever had COVID-19 😷

December sure didn’t start out that well for me. I got sick the first week of the month and had to call in for 5 shifts. That’s a lot of work! I ended up getting laryngitis and bronchitis, which resulted in this awful cough that wouldn’t go away. I’m glad I’m finally feeling better, though, and haven’t had a coughing fit in three days now.

One would think that I had been diagnosed with the COVID-19 plague, but I still haven’t been diagnosed with COVUD-19! It annoys me when people incorrectly claim to have had COVID-19 and refuse to get tested by a medical professional. You don’t actually know IF you have it unless you take the test. Honestly, I don’t know how I haven’t gotten it yet but I have a theory that I may have caught it in the earlier days before we had to get tested. Who knows!

Now that I feel better, I will be returning to work this weekend and need to make some money to cover the expenses this month. It’s a relief that I live debt-free and don’t have to live paycheck-to-paycheck, but now I’m trying not to feel overwhelmed by the bills this month.

Other Life Updates

✿ My daughter got her ears pierced. My husband was hesitant about it, but he quickly got over it. I took my six-year old to get her ears pierced on December 26, 2022, which is what we call Boxing Day here in Canada. My daughter’s earrings are the color of her birthstone which happens to be October.

✿ My kids had a lot of appointments this month. With so much to do on a day-to-day basis it can be a struggle to keep track of it all. My calendar is pretty crappy and I am ready for a new one! Looking forward to some new stationary in January 2023.

✿ I had a massage last week, for the first time in years. The last time I had a massage was 2019 before the pandemic happened. Although the massage was quite painful, I felt so much better afterwards. This weekend, I am less achy than usual. I plan on going back for another massage in the new year.

✿ I started using the treadmill again. I was using it religiously during the summer, but then I stopped for some reason, and noticed that I have been maintaining my weight. This does not make me happy because I have 20 pounds to lose and most of it is belly fat. All I want to do is wear cute clothes and feel good about myself. And being skinny fat does not feel good. There is no denying that, and I do want to mention that “every size is beautiful” is an empty statement which does not change my reality. It’s not enough for me to tell myself that I look great when I don’t feel the same way about myself. The most important thing for me right now is getting in shape.

✿ We did not see family this Christmas, and nobody visited us either. My mom is afraid of flying in an airplane, my dad doesn’t like to fly by himself, and my parents fear COVID-19. There is no convincing them to visit us this year as they are worried about their safety. My husband didn’t want to use his vacation days to visit family in Ontario this year because they would all be gone anyways since most of his extended family weren’t going to be there. Our Christmas was very scattered and uncoordinated. We didn’t do much at all.

✿ My ASUS laptop is dying a slow, painful death. I need a new laptop and am at the point where I won’t even turn my laptop on. I have been having issues with my laptop for a while and know that I need a new one but am having a hard time choosing which brand. I currently have an ASUS and I am not interested in getting a MacBook. In case you missed my blog post about my experience with owning a MacBook, you can read about it here:

♡ Related Blog Post: RIP Old Friend 💀❌

My ASUS laptop got me through nursing school.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I have a feeling that this will probably be the last blog post for December. I don’t typically reply to blog posts on days that I am working, and I happen to be working this weekend.

I really appreciate it when readers take the time to read my posts, and I hope that you found them interesting. I know they were pretty straightforward and uneventful, which is why I want to hear from you. What was your December like? Are you enjoying the holidays so far? Feel free to join the conversation below ↓ And if you don’t hear from me, I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year! 🎉🥂

Thanks for stopping by! ❤️

12 Days of Finals

December 24, 202227 Comments

Disclaimer: This was an older post that I am reposting because I don’t have time to come up with a new idea tonight. As we all know, it’s Christmas tomorrow so I am going to go ahead and wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas elf-ryone! 💚 Thanks, @ElsieLMC for coming up with that clever introduction. It’s very punny and I hope you don’t mind that I used your intro here. This year, I wanted to dress up my son as a cute elf but was unable to find an elf outfit. Maybe it will happen next year! 🎅🎄 I wanted to share with you some photos of our little Christmas tree. Most of the decorations came from Dollarama. As many of you know, this girl is frugal. Even this trademark wrapping paper came from Dollarama. 😊

12 Days of Finals 📖

When I was in university, I wrote a rough outline for a parody of the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas.” I never got around to editing and uploading this parody and at one point, I even forgot that I had the rough draft on my notepad. I figured that there is no better time than Christmas Day to upload this parody for all of my readers. If you enjoyed reading this parody, feel free to check out my other poetry musings here.

[Verse 1]
On the first day of finals,
My professor gave to me
A ton of anxiety.

[Verse 2]
On the second day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 3]
On the third day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 4]
On the fourth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 5]
On the fifth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 6]
On the sixth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Six study parities,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 7]
On the seventh day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 8]
On the eigth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 9]
On the ninth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Nine cram-sessions,
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 10]
On the tenth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Ten people praying,
Nine cram-sessions,
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 11]
On the eleventh day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Eleven temper tantrums,
Ten people praying,
Nine cram-sessions,
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety.

[Verse 12]
On the twelth day of finals,
My professor gave to me
Twelve clocks a-ticking,
Eleven temper tantrums,
Ten people praying,
Nine cram-sessions,
Eight sugar crashes,
Seven Venti coffees,
Six study parties,
Five all-nighters,
Four restless nights,
Three Dunkin’ runs,
Two Advil pills,
And a ton of anxiety!

Fudgy Brownies

November 26, 202255 Comments

(っ◔◡◔)っTreat yourself to some fudgy, chocolatey brownies! Not only that, but they are also perfect for sharing with family and friends ♥

★彡[ᴅɪᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ꜱᴀʏ ʙʀᴏᴡɴɪᴇꜱ?!?!]彡★

https://media.giphy.com/media/Oi6tJtKNThC6I/giphy.gif

Okay, so this recipe isn’t exactly the healthiest but kids love them. I do plan on posting a healthier brownie recipe in the future, but for now, this is the one that I am using. Because these brownies are made with simple, standard ingredients, they’re pretty much guaranteed to be a show-stopper!

If you’re looking for a healthier, plant-based dessert recipe, then I recommend checking out this chocolate cake recipe by Peppa Pig. Kids love Peppa Pig so you really can’t go wrong with this healthier alternative.

Anyways, back to the brownies. The fudgy brownie recipe is fairly simple and straightforward. To make the brownies extra special, you can dust them in confectioner’s sugar or add a few chocolate chips. Another advantage of this recipe is that it’s simple enough for children to help. Let’s get started, shall we?

FUDGY BROWNIES

Servings: 12 Time: 40 minutes Difficulty: easy

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
confectioner’s sugar (optional)
chocolate chips (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-or-9-inch square baking pan.
Using a mixing bowl, mix together the cocoa and sugar. Add in the melted butter and stir again. Finally, whisk in the eggs and vanilla.
Add the flour and salt, and mix just until smooth. Gently incorporate the chocolate chips (optional). Don’t overmix it.
Scrape the mixture into the pan and spread it out n an even layer. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the brownies just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Take the pan out of the oven with oven mitts, then let it cool on a heat-proof surface before cutting. Sprinkle confectioner’s sugar to decorate (optional). Enjoy!

Just so you know, Rebecca is the one who approved this recipe.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Peppa Pig’s Chocolate Cake

November 16, 2022November 16, 20222 Comments

Disclaimer: Please note that I make no money from this blog and I’m not involved with affiliates. This blog post is for educational purposes only!

This chocolate cake recipe is from my daughter’s book, “Peppa Pig Loves to Bake!” I want to share it with you because she tends to destroy everything she touches, and I don’t want to lose this recipe. I want to make this recipe evergreen, and currently, my blog is a good place to do that. We got the book from a book sale at my daughter’s school but it is also available on Amazon. If you scroll down to the bottom of this blog post, you’ll see a video tutorial by no other than Peppa Pig herself. Unlike the video, the recipe in the book is vegan. Alternatively, you can also use gluten-free flour if you’re avoiding gluten.

Did I mention that this recipe is vegan-friendly? 🌱

CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE

Servings: 4-6 Time: 40 minutes Difficulty: easy

INGREDIENTS

1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
3 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
5 tbsp applesauce
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup cold water

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add in applesauce, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, and water. Mix until smooth.
Pour cake batter into an 8″ x 8″ square pan or 9″ round cake pan.
Using an oven mitt, put the cake pan in the oven.
Bake for approx. 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Using an oven mitt, take the cake out of the oven. Let cool.
Once the cake has cooled, have fun decorating it! 🎂

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Will You Come to My Party?

November 11, 2022November 11, 202210 Comments

Disclaimer: Rebecca’s birthday was on October 27th, but her birthday party was on November 10th (it was my husband’s idea). Because Rebecca’s birthday party has already passed, I’m going to write this blog post in the past tense. If you spot any mistakes please let me know and I’ll make corrections. The same article can be found on Medium but is behind a paywall. If you are still interested in checking it out, then you can do so by clicking on the following link:

♡ Medium Article: Will You Come to My Party?

𝕎𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕧𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤, 𝕤𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕨𝕖 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥.

My daughter recently turned 6 years old, and after much thought, my husband and I decided to host her birthday party at an indoor playground this year. Indoor playgrounds are the perfect place for children because they offer fun equipment like monkey bars, climbing walls, and other features that children love!

Indoor Playground for Kids. Image source: https://www.familyfuncanada.com/

My daughter was excited about her upcoming birthday party which is totally understandable. Throwing a party is an important part of childhood and it can create memories that last a lifetime. I wanted to give my daughter the same upbringing that I had as a kid, but unfortunately, our house is too small for large gatherings and I didn’t want the kids to be running around or messing with things. So, an indoor playground it was!

My husband had a good idea when he suggested that we invite my daughter’s classmates to the party. Sometimes, you just need to go big or go home! 😂

I spent all Monday evening working on my daughter’s invitations and it felt like a school project all over again. Fiddling with every last detail, and even ripping envelopes that I messed up not once, but three times, I was exhausted. When I saw the finished product, however, I knew all of the hard work was worth it.

Invitations for Becca’s birthday party. The photo is my own.

Despite all of my work, I spelled Abby’s name wrong and my daughter made a big fuss about it. Meanwhile, she didn’t know how to spell Abby’s name either so I had to guess.

Becca: Abbey’s name is spelled with an eeeeeeeeee!!!

And now I know. I won’t make that mistake again.

Party Anxiety

In many ways, hosting a birthday party sounds like a dream come true for any kid; however, there is plenty of anxiety that goes into planning them. If you’ve ever hosted a kids’ party before, then you know exactly what I mean.

For some people, RSVPs can be a major source of anxiety when hosting an event. As a rule, invitations should go out as soon as possible after being personalized for guests. Since we were still in the early stages with our RSVPs and waiting to hear back is never fun, it would have been much easier to get everything in order if we knew how many kids were coming.

Then we played the waiting game.

Only 2 kids RSVPd on time, which heightened my anxiety even more. I kept telling myself, This is okay. Everything is going to be okay.

It is always helpful to include an RSVP by [date] on your invitation, as it gives guests more time to plan before the party. I got excited every time I got a call from an unknown number because I thought it might be a parent telling me their child would be attending my daughter’s birthday party. However, it was mostly spam or work-related calls.

There was something very stressful about waiting to see who would RSVP to her birthday party. Would her party be a success or would it be a total flop? There were too many unknowns, and without experience hosting kids’ parties, all I could do was eat Cheetos and patiently wait. But here’s the thing:

👉 My vocabulary does not have patience in it, because I am an impatient person.

Being a parent can be challenging, and the worst-case scenario would be to have a “teddy bear picnic” for my daughter if nobody RSVPd. I’m sure she would be just as happy with that, but it’s not the same as having a birthday party. My daughter loves her toy cat and drags it with her everywhere, which is the equivalent of a security blanket for children.

Becca playing with her toy cat at the playground. The photo is my own.

With 10 out of 12 kids who RSVPd attending my daughter’s birthday party yesterday, and with 11 total kids in attendance including my daughter, I’m happy to report that I think it was worth it. If my daughter is still into indoor playgrounds when she turns 7 years old, it’s something that we would consider doing again. If anything, we learned that weeknights do not work for most parents, and that weekends are probably best when planning a kid’s birthday party.

I ask the parents on WordPress, have you ever experienced this? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below ↓ I will do my best to reply to your comments as I am working again this weekend.

Party favors for the kiddos. The photo is my own.

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

Healthier Banana Muffins

December 22, 2021July 18, 20227 Comments

Disclaimer: Now I can officially say that we are all caught up with the recipes! Any new recipes that are posted in the future will be new blog posts. I am happy about that! 😄 This recipe was originally posted as a separate page on June 10, 2019. I changed it to reflect the direction that this blog is headed in. Thank you for understanding! 🙊🍌

Since I am trying to eat as clean as possible by cutting down on my sugar consumption, I wanted a muffin recipe that I could easily grab for a quick, easy breakfast. I crave carbs so if I am going to eat carbs, I would prefer them to be cleaner than what you would typically find at the grocery store or local coffee shop. Finally, I found a recipe that I really like so I wanted to share it with you. I modified the recipe slightly which was based on the original recipe from www.gimmedelicious.com.

My photo didn’t do these muffins much justice but I added a photo anyways. Voila! My family loves these muffins and it is so easy to whip up a batch when you need a quick muffin fix. Let’s get started, shall we?

HEALTHIER BRAN MUFFINS

Servings: 12 Time: 45 minutes Difficulty: easy

INGREDIENTS

1 cup mashed bananas (approx. 2 medium bananas)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
Combine whole wheat flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk the egg. Then add plain yogurt, maple syrup, mashed bananas, and coconut oil to the egg mixture. For a smooth consistency, use a blender to pulverize the wet ingredients. I use my Vitamix blender but a simple blender works too.
Add wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and stir gently with a plastic spatula until ingredients are evenly mixed.
Spoon into well-greased or lined muffin tins.
Bake muffins for 20-22 minutes at 350ºF.

banana-2850841_960_720 — Mind your banana. Photo from www.pixabay.com

Thanks for stopping by! ♥

And Then There Were Four

June 15, 2021March 17, 202269 Comments

May was another busy month for me. I ditched my daily habit tracker which I now realize was a mistake. That journal thing was useful and I was actually crushing big goals when I was using it consistently. My life is a mess without any kind of schedule or normality. Everything in my life is different now – new home, new baby, new location (sort of….) bigger family (totally not used to a family of 4!), and new plans. Some readers even asked about my disappearance on WP and if I was okay – your concerns really touched me. Thank you! 💕 I just wish that there was more time to write/blog.

Re-grounding Myself Again 🌱

I also wanted to update you on my whereabouts. Up until the beginning of June, I was temporarily working full-time from home. We were also in the process of packing and moving to a new home. On May 20, 2021, I went to my appointment as planned, only to find myself in the L&D triage unit at the hospital later that day. I had abnormally high blood pressure a.k.a. gestational hypertension + fluid retention, so they wanted to rule out some things, like preeclampsia. I am grateful for the knowledge I gained from nursing school because I knew what signs and symptoms to monitor throughout this pregnancy. That being said, I became concerned during the final weeks of pregnancy when my BP remained consistently high, which is abnormal for someone who typically has low blood pressure. Ultimately, childbirth was the best solution to quickly alleviate my gestational hypertension.

On May 21, 2021 at 4:48am, Baby Aaron was born weighing 7lbs 1oz, and measuring 20.5 inches. He had some mild jaundice (more medical jargon, see photos below ↓) but the jaundice went away on its own and he didn’t need blue-light therapy. Most of this pregnancy was fairly straight-forward and uncomplicated up until the very end, the delivery went smoothly despite dreading childbirth the most, and Aaron is a healthy baby boy. His big sister welcomed him with open arms! ❤

A sleepy neonate. He will be 1-month old on June 21, 2021 🐵

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥

I am keeping this blog post short and sweet because honestly, I am not in the mood to write today. I am trying to write a blog post in the presence of others and the words aren’t flowing the way I would like them to – and good writing cannot be forced. I haven’t even touched my personal laptop in weeks which I mostly use for WordPress, but I consider it rude to spend hours blogging when we have company over. Also, my phone needs a major upgrade which I don’t see happening any time soon (it barely holds a charge), so I haven’t felt motivated to brainstorm blog post ideas, write rough drafts on my phone, or capture life’s precious moments. Perhaps it is time to revisit that habit tracker journal yet again, before I become a lazy potato.

Thanks for stopping by! ❤

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image.png