oh katie joy

44 .

  1. Stay cigarette free. (Two years+ and counting!!)
  2. Finish Chicago embroidery project.
  3. Frame & hang embroidered cities.
  4. Knit a sweater.
  5. Knit the sheep pillow.
  6. Continue to practice unapologetic self-confidence.
  7. Complete the second floor update.
  8. Hang family picture wall.
  9. Celebrate my people.
  10. Take impeccable care of myself.
  11. Get a mole screen.
  12. And a mammogram.
  13. Tend the garden.
  14. Try canning.
  15. Go to Colorado.
  16. And Michigan.
  17. And NYC.
  18. Renew passports.
  19. Take the summer off Instagram and Facebook.
  20. Have a yard sale.
  21. Make a NYC picture book with V.
  22. Celebrate 20 years of marriage with Jesse.
  23. Continue to cultivate a cozy, welcoming home.
  24. Practice boat (and boat trailer) proficiency.
  25. Get Abram through boater’s safety.
  26. And V through driver’s ed.
  27. Refine the home binder & checklists.
  28. Write a short story.
  29. Unsubscribe from email lists/catalogs.
  30. Read.
  31. Go on a picnic.
  32. Purge kitchen cabinets.
  33. Use the state park sticker.
  34. Eat at home for a month challenge.
  35. Make artistic messes.
  36. Donate my time to a cause I care about.
  37. Start planning the deck/patio/garden update.
  38. Complete a 100 day challenge.
  39. Take a ski lesson.
  40. Ride 1500 miles.
  41. Work on flexibility.
  42. Set up a game cart.
  43. Get a birdbath.
  44. Reacquaint myself with my big camera/manual.

Past years: 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43.

Tuesday Things

You know when you have so many words that you have no words? Is that just me? Either way, I have lots things, but too many words for words* so let’s just talk things.

Reading: I found out about Libby and put it to use reading The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy which has been on my list for ages. I missed my window. I would have loved it in my 20’s but couldn’t force myself to finish it. I’m so far behind in my reading goal. I hope a IG and FB break over the summer will help me catch up.

Watching: I started watching Anne with an e (Netflix). I initially resisted it (I loved the original and first few books so much) but my sister kept telling me I would love it and I do. I can see purists not loving it, but I find it a lovely deviation. The Flight Attendant (HBO) is another that I’ve put off watching but really have enjoyed. I’ve found that Kaley Cuoco’s acting makes the character so much more sympathetic/enjoyable than the version in the book which was my biggest complaint.

Listening to: A couple of really good Ezra Klein podcasts. One with Margaret Atwood on stories, and another with Matthew Continetti regarding the GOP. My newest favorite song (thank you, Jules). The soundtracks to Come From Away (V introduced this to me after their trip to NYC and I cry every single time I listen to it) and Moulin Rouge (V also saw this in NYC and I have tickets to see the touring show for my birthday and I’m so excited). And this throwback. I’m so glad I got to see Tom Petty in concert.

Making: I’ve been working on my coziest memory blanket and (as always) a pair of socks. I’ve also been stitching on Chicago because I really want to finish this three city project. I got V a diamond art painting and myself a paint by number so we sit and listen to musicals and work on them together. My goal is to fill the blank walls of the basement with pictures/craft projects that the kids and I have completed over the years.

What are your current -ings? Hope you’re all well!

*I feel like I should clarify that the lack of words isn’t attributable to a negative. I mean, it’s 2022 and it’s been years of heartbreak on a global level and an incredibly difficult year on a personal level, but it’s also been one of the best years of my life (if not the best).

Friday Finds

Source
  1. We are a “please take off your shoes” home.
  2. These infographic maps fascinated me.
  3. Which Mrs. Maisel character are you? Do you agree? (I’m Zelda, and I do.)
  4. Wow.
  5. How everyone got so lonely.
  6. Are your eggs edible?
  7. Homophones. (I always have to look up compliment/complement.)
  8. Eerie.
  9. Things to buy generic. (I’m not convinced. I might be a rube.)
  10. Reading is magic.
  11. I’ve been daydreaming about the garden.
  12. I loved The Gilded Age and now I’m following Keith’s IG which is also fascinating.
  13. Don’t Say Straight.
  14. Also wow.
  15. This is my cleaning playlist. (I’ll be listening to it all day today.)

Hope you have a happy weekend!!

Marco Island 2022

Abram and I decided very much on a whim to head to Marco Island, FL for spring break. Jesse had to work. Violet was going to NYC for a school trip and Abram’s basketball tournament plans were foiled by a mallet injury. My largest take away from this vacation was that I really want to make an effort to take one on one trips with my children.

Stayed: JW Marriott
Memorable Eats: Snook Inn (the jerk chicken wings were SO good), The Oyster Society, Marco Island Farmers Market (we visited a few stands here for breakfast and I definitely recommend).
Activities: Everglades Excursions (U.S.’s smallest post office, airboat tour, Everglades information), Calusa Spirit Tour (dolphin, shelling, dome house)
To remember: My favorite part of the whole trip was walking down the beach looking at all the different shells and if we have the opportunity to go again, I’d love to incorporate a kayaking trip. The Farmers’ Market is a do not miss, but get there early for parking and to avoid crowds.

*Yes, this a post-dated post. Re-entry got hectic so I didn’t get around to sharing when I got home, but with the magic of technology I get to post it where I want it to be archived.

Tuesday Things


The calendar is filled with track practices and choir concerts and pick ups and drop offs and on the nights when someone says, “Should we watch an episode of TNG?”, I savor it. I want to slow down time.

Here are some things:

Knitting: I finished the socks from socks, blocked them and mailed them out to their recipient as a belated birthday gift and added a few more squares to my blanket. My to do list says that I’m going to start knitting my sheep pillow this week, but I’ve cast on another pair of socks.

Reading: I finished The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow. It took me forever to read and I don’t know why. I just couldn’t stay engaged in it despite loving the story and the writing. Has that ever happened to you? I’ve just started Matrix by Lauren Groff (Rita‘s recommendation, I think) and I think I’m going to like it. I need recommendations. I’ve fallen behind in my goal and need to catch up.

Watching: I’ve been watching a lot. Euphoria (HBO) is dark and heartbreaking but also sweet and good. I could talk about it for hours. I’m loving The Gilded Age (HBO) and found Inventing Anna (Netflix) absolutely fascinating. I feel like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime) has seemed darker this season. Still funny. Just heavier. Anyone else watching – do you feel that way too? I’m looking forward to the newest season of Bridgerton (Netflix).

Making: Vacation plans. After years of being home bound we all are excited to stretch our wings a bit. We took a family ski trip to Lutsen, MN in the end of February and I don’t know that there is a much better view than snow, Lake Superior, sky. I got back on skis and enjoyed it enough to go again last Saturday at a local hill. V will heading to NYC for a school choir trip over spring break while Abram and I are going to Florida for a few days to get some sunshine. A spring bucket list. I managed to finish 6/10 of my winter list. My workbook is a bit of a mess and full of “kindergartener art” but I like having a place to play and jot things down. (Random aside: I definitely feel like I’m getting younger as I get older.) Headway in my spring cleaning. I crank a playlist and get to work deep cleaning. It’s so satisfying. I’m going to have an epic yard sale this spring.

That’s most of my news. I hope you are all doing well. Would love to hear what you are -ing if you have the time.

Little Boxes

The other day, the Pete Seeger version of this came on in the car.

V: Wow. This song is DARK.
Me: Yeah. It really is.
A: I don’t get it. What is it about?
Me: I hate saying you’ll understand when you’re older, because I hated when people would say that to me, but I also don’t know how to explain it. You’ll get it, when you get it, I guess. I’m glad you don’t get it, yet.
A: Well, you can be glad, ‘cuz I don’t get it.


I know it’s wishful thinking, but I sure hope he never gets it.

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