Category: list

hey, hey, it’s the weekend…

Published on by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

The weekend is here, (Hurrah!) and I feel like, as of late, everyone has been heading to the mountains but me. It isn’t that I love the mountains more than anyone else, just that my soul is a little jealous…

Friday came and went, this week. Having Chw out-of-town with a weird schedule, and a couple of fibro flare up days, I found myself a bit behind. Thanks to my beautiful people though, I received half a dozen inquiries asking where my friday five post was. Is that what we’re calling it? ok then… You asked-

1.) I took a Tai Chi class earlier this week. It was amazing on so many levels and helped me address issues in a few key problem areas within my body. (Full discloser, I did follow a yoga class with it, back to back, which likely helped.) I went in a skeptic and with one session it won me over.

2.) A fellow K-drama loving friend (and AWESOME writer) got me turned on the series Goblin. It is unlike any K-drama I’ve watched before. Confusing at first, and now so compelling.

3.) I am reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and loving it. Really great read and I highly recommend it!

4.) Yesterday evening felt like Autumn. I had all of my windows wide open, breeze blowing my curtains. The air felt AMAZING and I just sat there wrapped in a blanket, watching Goblin and waiting for Chw to make it back to town. It was pretty perfect! I do hope, however, that this does NOT mean we are going to have an early/harsher winter.

5.) Day dreaming about vacationing here. Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Chw and I have talked about it more than once, and I’m not kidding when I say it randomly enters my mind at unexpected times throughout the day. We are just under two years away from our 25th anniversary. Maybe this will be our destination getaway? (perhaps once the change jar equals a puppy we can turn it from Project Puppy to Project Mexico???)

So there you have it… What would you like to share about the week behind us?

why hello there, August…

Published on by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

While I wish that my August was going to include some amazing beach time, I know someone out there will sink their toes in sand this month and I will practice being happy for them. (and count the days until I’m doing the same, 10 months from now!)

In questing to be more intentional, I like to keep a little list here of goals I have for the month ahead. I really love the emails and interaction I have with you about your hopes and plans, as well! What are your August hopes/plans?

Home:

  • make jam.
  • can peaches so that I can make my grandmother’s amazing Peach Cobbler as the weather turns cool.
  • Finish sorting out our garage.
  • Cook with my instant pot more.
  • Learn to mix four new cocktails.

Health:

  • Begin a Tai Chi class, for peace and balance.
  • Meet with a personal trainer to reassess the current state of things, where my health and body are concerned.
  • Go hiking at least 6 times, before month’s end.
  • feel happier with my strength, what I’ve accomplished and what the scale reads, than I am today…
  • Practice yoga weekly

Marriage:

  • spend as much time with my husband as possible, before he hits a heavy travel season.
  • bike rides and picnics.
  • Have intentional dates, with a dress and everything.
  • Go dancing.
  • Taco fest! <3
  • the drive-in before summer ends.

Creative:

  • Not only read this book, but spend my August putting Dear Stranger letters into practice.
  • Shoot a photo series.
  • Write a collective 40,000 words.

Personal:

  • Read Chasing Slow
  • Establish a new quiet time routine.
  • Get lost in one more good summer novel. (suggestions?)
  • This book will FINALLY be available! (i LOVE Flow! i just wish the magazine was more accessible here in the states!)
  • Have coffee with a new friend.
  • Step out of my comfort zone in a social setting.

It’s friday, I’m in love…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay2 Comments

Hey, you guys!

How was your week? Mine was a week. I had a court hearing regarding the care of my mom that simply illustrated why it is so important to watch what we say and only speak from a place of thoughtful intention. In a nutshell, a couple of years ago my mother said some steep things, on record, based out of anger that haunt us to this day… Beyond that, it was not a horrible week, really.

Here we are, approaching another delightful summer weekend! Big plans? My weekend hopes involve a bike ride, picnic, visit with my mama and finally seeing A Ghost Story. (If it is as good as I’m hoping it will be, it may end up on my list next week!)

This week found me with a few low-fibro days. There was a fair amount of down time, which isn’t a bad thing sometimes. My list of favorites might reflect that a little…

1.) If you know me at all, you will know that I LOVE all things Flow. (everything except how hard it is to get, here in the states.) Their app is really great and I love it so much that I wanted to share it with you! It is intentional, thoughtful and often thought-provoking.

2.) I’ve talked about Chocorite before. We really love most of their products that we have tried. I have fallen in love with a smoothie using their Vanilla Bean powder. (i also love their PB and their cappuccino, FYI) I use a nutri-bullet and I take 1 banana, 5 chunks pineapple, 1/2 cup orange juice, handful spinach, serving of vanilla bean powder and blend. CRAZY delicious and carried me throughout my morning AND a zumba class!

3.) Like I said, I’ve had a fair amount of downtime, as of late. It was in that, which I found that our family’s FAVORITE board game has an awesome app. Ticket to Ride is so fun, and the app is no exception. Chw and I playedd in pass-n-play, I played it solo mode and tried online with others. (That option was my LEAST favorite.)

4.) The new album Ti Amo by Phoenix! I have loved them for years, but this album really is a great listen. (It is filling up my spotify time!)

5.) This Ava & Viv Tankini top! I had to buy a new bathing suit earlier in the year and I have had issues falling out of it constantly. Recently I got fed up and decided the stress over worrying whether or not I was going to give the lifeguard a show was not worth it, and so I found this. It is flattering, comfortable, cute and super supportive!

What things did you really love, this week?

It’s Friday, I’m in love…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay1 Comment

It has been quite a long time since I have written a weekend post. I am trying to be present and intentional and retrain myself in such things, and I really love things which help me do this. These days I find I am getting back to a healthy place and wanting to share wonderful things from my life, with you! (This is that place, and in turn, I would love for you to continue sharing really great loves with me!)

1.) Forest. Forest is an app that is designed to help us focus on what we are doing, without the distraction of a phone. We grow trees the more we ignore our phones. In time you can do this enough so as to plant real trees. It is all very cool and I LOVE it!

2.) The Big Sick. This film is not only a true story, but it is really, REALLY wonderful! *insert major hearts here*

3.) Storyville coffee. I may have mentioned it before (I love it so much!) But Storyville is my FAVORITE coffee. Not only is it amazing, but this company definitively supports the rescuing of human trafficked individuals.

4.) This week I’m reading My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella. While I haven’t loved most of her books, outside of the first three in the Shopaholic series, I am really enjoying this one. It’s a good middle-of-summer read!

5.) My toes are LOVING this line. Specifically, at this time, I have on Bubble Bath. Perfect summer fun, now all I need is some sand to sink my toes into.

Here’s to an amazing weekend, where we take time to really enjoy these summer moments!

intent & loving…

Published on by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

Happy Friday!

Things have been fairly quiet around here. Turning 41 and having my youngest turn 18 has been serious business. Add to that my 23rd wedding anniversary and WOW, busy busy. Plus the fact that I spent the upwards of twenty days with an upper respiratory infection. Thankfully Gen contracted whatever nasty virus I had, but in her it seemed to only live a day or two. Chw, thus far, is in stellar health. Minus being a little sleep deprived from sweet Mr. Knightley, we are doing pretty grand.

I have been thinking, over the past few days, about wanting to blog and connect with you a little bit, but perhaps it’s the combination sleep deprivation, our blustery weather outside and just beginning to feel human again, which had me unsure of what to write. Then, this morning, as I was making a small pot of tea- it hit me…

As of late, I have stumbled upon a few things I am really loving. Some have been at the suggestion of friends, some have been by chance and I wanted to share them with you.

  • I love tea. I have likely always loved tea, but sometimes I just get a little forgetful of how much I truly love tea. Then, I wind up being invited to tea somewhere and my love is rekindled. This past weekend I was introduced to a tea flavor by Harney & Sons named Paris. I have to preface the furthering of this subject with a confession. I pretty much detest bagged tea. I am a loose-leaf girl, all the way, for a variety of reasons. My only exception is Harney & Sons. I went to tea on Saturday and this flavor sounded interesting. (don’t get me started on how caught off guard I was that a tea house used bagged tea, because I will come across as a total tea snob and I really am not. I promise) This flavor is AMAZING! I immediately purchased a tin of Paris because- DIVINE.
  • Last night for dinner, I tried this recipe. While I did a couple of things differently, I have to be honest- it was DELICIOUS!
  • My friend Jen told me about the book Big Girls Do It Running. I really enjoy it because, for the most part, I find the Author’s story and approach really relatable. I am inspired to give carb cycling a try.
  • We really don’t watch a lot of TV. Occasionally Gen and I get caught up watching entire series (Currently it is 90210. The girl has a healthy obsession with the 90’s… I am so proud!) There really isn’t much that all three of us really enjoy together, but this new sitcom on NBC called Trial & Error is one we adore. So funny, we LOVE it.
  • I am not sure how familiar you are with Essential Oils. I Swear by them! Over the past few months my dear friend Debbie has turned me on to a few products (that go a bit beyond Essential Oils) that have literally changed my life. They are both in this brand, the ON Guard line. One is the throat drops. While I was sick, these made an amazing difference! Two is the toothpaste. Listen for a moment, this toothpaste, after just ONE use, became something truly special for the three of us, as well as my older daughter and her family. Amazing does not begin to cover it. (I already loved the hand soap, all-purpose cleaner and oil itself.) I am honestly not trying to sell you, just sharing what I love and am willing to elaborate if asked! :)
  • Word searches… No, I am not joking. a couple of months ago I picked up a pretty little Word Search book at Barnes & Noble. (who knew they could be cute and pretty???) I used to love them, was giving up most phone apps (time wasters) for Lent and decided to use this as a substitution. Talk about rekindling a love! For my birthday I received another pretty Word Search book and my spare moments often include doing a quick WS puzzle.
  • Our pet store (which is awesome) told us about these teething rings. They promised a life saver, and they weren’t kidding. Knightley loves them. (he loves chewing on toes, feet, fingers, chins and any other visible flesh more, but these serve as a good distraction!)
  • I received a bag of this coffee, as a gift. You guys, if you are wanting an indulgent weekend coffee, this is the one for you. It is amazing. It is too decadent to drink every day, but it is absolutely our new weekend treat!
  • Rising well before the sun. Having a chronic illness has made early mornings, over the past few years, a struggle. I won’t pretend something changed, because it hasn’t. Because of Knightley, early mornings are a necessity and I have been using that time in more intentionally positive ways. I make a homemade breakfast for my family, play with the puppy, read a little. Whatever I need to do to think less about how crummy and sore I feel, and more about the people I love. It’s not always that easy, but I have seen it shaping my days/week a little differently.
  • If you pay any attention to me at all, you’ll know that I am a huge fan of face masks and skin care. I stumbled upon this mask, and what I loved about it were the ingredients and the price. I used it this past Monday (while sipping my Godiva coffee) and it was heavenly. Five days later and my skin is still amazing. (plus, you guys, we went to dinner for our anniversary and the entire staff REFUSED to believe that we’d been married 23 years and that our youngest was 18. There is really something to be said about an intentional and healthy skin care regimen!)

I am always interested in book, show, music and product recommendations! What are you loving lately??? PLEASE SHARE!