Bits & Bops

Long overdue bops and bits of this and that

Hey all you bloggers (do you think I’m gunna get sued by Hilary Duff if I keep saying that?)

This week I’ve got some really bopping bits and some really bitting (I made that word up, don’t look it up, yes, I know this is quality writing, I like to take after Junie B. Jones and Eloise & that’s that) bops for you.

On that note, let’s get right into it.

Junie B. Jones Bit

I’m away from home right now which means less distractions, which means that I have a lot more time on my hands right now, which means I get my work done faster, which means I have more time to overthink should I allow myself to, which means I have to find ways to allow myself to enjoy LIFE every single day and not just wait around for rehearsal to begin every evening. It’s been very good for me.

I am soaking in all of the Southern sun that I can while I am here on the days that it comes out, and taking many walks! This week I allowed myself to stumble into a small used bookstore, and as I pretended to be mildly interested in the adult book section (the cookbook and biography section always peaking most interest to me), I was really making my way to the back room where there sat a big comfy chair, and all the children’s books.

I perused for a moment before my eyes landed on Junie herself. And which book caught my eyes first but this one:

Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime (which is how I prefer to say it sometimes).

I sat and read the first few pages in my unintentionally perfect red sweatpants and pink bubble jacket, feeling a moment of sweet warmth and those gushy kindergarten feelings. Should I be a Kindergarten teacher someday?

What I’m thinking about right now: This random photo of a reading corner I found on Pinterest that I would like to make my office look like (can you see the vision, Saw? Can you transform our office before I come home?) ((double parenthesis (I made this up) Sawyer is my husband and he reads every single Substack I post and re-stacks them and he says you should do that too close double parenthesis that I made up))

Scrapbooking Bop:

Growing up, my mama made huge, carefully crafted scrapbooks for my siblings and me. We each have a baby book, a K-8th-grade book, and a high school book. We all cherish them SO much, and they were made with hours of late-night crafting sessions. I always tell her that, without her knowing it, this was her creative outlet! Now she up-cycles quilts, which is equally as cool, if not more so.

ANYWAY! Aren’t we all looking for ways to spend more time off the internet and more time creating things? I know the girls are really loving to knit these days, but it just does not do it for me, and ya know what, I hope one day it will. I love photos so much. I am constantly looking back through old photos on my iPhone and sending them to friends and family. I saw a video on TikTok of a girl who was printing out photos and said something like: “because I refuse to leave my children with 70,654 screenshots and iPhone images”, and THAT got me.

So, I have decided to start with a wedding album for my husband and me before I go year by year! I want to do a first year in New York, and so on, for right now, maybe?

Here’s a sneaky peek. It is really fulfilling for me!

Oura Ring Bop:

Without oversharing, I want to tell you about one of the ways I am becoming a little freer in my life. I have had an Oura ring for over 2 years now, and I can confidently say that it has single-handedly caused me many anxious days. Is it this way for everyone? NO! Okay? This is just me girl girl. I am learning to live free from everyday anxieties and free from overanalyzing my body every day. As you might imagine, the copious amounts of information that the Oura ring gives are not incredibly helpful for someone who struggles with this. (Oura rings are amazing, and I love them for people who can handle so much information. I single-handedly influenced 8 people to purchase one, they are all thriving this is a me issue).

ANYWHO! I am getting rid of it soon and finding a new avenue for the purposes for which I was using it, and I am really excited about that.

Was this too serious for bits and bops, if your my friend, text me and let me know or comment, it’s okay, just don’t be mean.

Me right now:

Egg Bites Bit:

I kept waking up in the mornings, dreading making myself a big breakfast, which I thrive on. So, I decided to make myself some egg bites to eat throughout the week, to which I could just add some fruit and maybe toast on the side! It was actually a game-changer, so here’s my little recipe for this week.

• 7-8 eggs

• generous amount of egg whites

• seasonings

• spinach

• cooked turkey bacon or sausage

• bell peppers

• cheese if you can have it!

I cooked at 350 or 375 for about 12 minutes, I believe!

Valentine’s Bop:

My cute Valentine’s decorations that my step mom lovingly sent me (I cried) were up for about 45 minutes before they all fell down, because I’m limited to Scotch tape right now. BUT LOOK HOW CUTE. It was definitely a serotonin boost while decorating!

If you’d like to hear more about my affinities for the day of love, read them here!

Children’s Book Bit:

It has always been a dream of mine to be a librarian someday. My mammaw volunteered a couple of days a week as the librarian at my elementary school, and it was the actual coziest thing of all time. I will cry thinking about it, because I love her so much, and how pure is that?

I worked at a bookstore in college, and I ate it up. And then I started reading the Christy Miller series in college. As if I didn’t already relate to Christ enough, she works at a Christian bookstore as well. If you have not heard of this series it’s written by Robin Jones Gunn, and it changed my life. I am still currently reading them.

Which brings me to my next point. I have been working on a children’s book for a couple of years now! I am making it a goal of mine to get the ball REALLY rolling on it and hopefully be in the publishing works by the end of the year… or before?

I will keep you updated, of course, but I had to actually tell you first!

Me right now:

That’s all for now! don’t forget to do what Saw says and… (the text he sent after my last article came out)

Me right now:

Ciao for now! TTYL XOX! Bye! Later all you bloggers (sorry Hilary, please don’t sue me)