by Ashley
It’s been a very long time since I’ve hosted a digital espresso date catch-up! Pour your self a cup of joe (or tea, or water, or mimosa? – no judgement right here), and let’s catch up! If you wish to dive into weblog archives to see how my life has modified, take a look at these previous digital espresso dates from: 2014, 2015, 2017, or 2023.
Well being
If we have been having espresso, mine could be with simply milk – no sweetener. I’ve been engaged on reducing again on sugar and have lastly skilled my style buds to take pleasure in espresso with out the additional sweetness. Small wins, proper?
This previous yr, I’ve gone by way of a little bit of a health identification shift. After years of distance and path crew working, I’ve utterly stepped away from long-distance working. I wanted the break. Today, I’m into weight coaching, which has been nice – however I miss the camaraderie. I’m toying with the thought of registering for some shorter Fall races to ease again into the working world and absorb a couple of extra path miles with pals with out the dedication of prolonged coaching plans.
Youngsters
The ladies are just some months away from turning 13 – how did that occur?! They’re enjoying faculty volleyball this season, and it’s been such a pleasure watching their abilities and confidence develop! They each began out shy and tentative however are actually coming into their very own. I’ve even discovered a summer time volleyball camp to maintain the momentum going – simply as soon as every week and solely $50/month per child. Complete win!
Household
If we have been chatting over espresso, I’d in all probability get a little bit somber right here. It’s been a heavy yr for my household. We’ve misplaced each my dad and my husband’s grandpa. I’ve an uncle in hospice and a cousin in late-stage ALS – so I count on extra goodbyes are coming. One other uncle is battling colon most cancers, and a uncommon chemo complication led to cardiac arrest. He’s nonetheless in tough form.
On high of that, my stepdad went in for what was presupposed to be routine hip surgical procedure, however it has changed into a nightmare: three surgical procedures in six weeks as a consequence of implant failure and fractured femur. He’s now utterly non-weight-bearing for six weeks. It’s been an enormous toll bodily and emotionally. In case you are the praying sort, we’ll take all of the prayers we are able to get!
Funds
If we have been actually diving deep, I’d dip into the subject of funds. I’d admit that the current market volatility has been actually scary. We’ve misplaced fairly a bit, and it’s been robust to even log into our accounts. We additionally lately inherited a large sum and need to steward it correctly. Whereas some pals have inspired us to splurge, we opted for a tempered splurge: turning our formal lounge right into a devoted residence workplace!
The entire undertaking ought to value about $5,000, with us performing as our personal basic contractor – hiring a drywall contractor, an electrician, and doing the portray and barn door set up ourselves. My purpose is to have it completed by the tip of summer time.
You may marvel why we determined to create an workplace. The reality is that we have been contemplating transferring, however when dabbling in actual property, we realized residence costs (and rates of interest) are simply too excessive for us to compete! We may spend actually DOUBLE what we spent on our residence, and find yourself a house that’s not at the same time as good as ours. So we’re staying put and making this one work higher for us.
The brand new workplace will give me a correct workspace (with a view that isn’t of our trash cans) and my husband will take over the visitor room/workplace area for infrequent use. Win-Win!
Work
Work has been…..tough. Our division has had an interim head for a yr now, with no everlasting alternative in sight. College management has utterly turned over – new president, provost, CFO, CIO, you identify it. Meaning shifting strategic priorities, and numerous uncertainty with price range fashions.
As a long-term planner, this limbo has been robust for me. I’ve dealt with it by making an attempt to lean into aspect tasks – largely writing. I’m presently engaged on a e book proposal and hope to have the proposal completed and able to store round to literary brokers by the tip of summer time. Want me luck!
Summer season Plans
This summer time will look very totally different than the previous. For the primary time, the women don’t really want each day childcare. I haven’t signed them up for any conventional camps (besides the once-a-week volleyball one). As an alternative, I’m flying them to Austin for “Mamaw Camp.” They’ve been begging for a solo journey to go to their grandparents, and this yr it’s taking place! The timing coincides with a piece journey I’ve to D.C., so it really works out for everybody. My mother is thrilled – after all of the exhausting stuff with my stepdad, she actually wants one thing to sit up for.
And the massive one: we’re going to Hawaii! A literal lifelong dream of mine! My mother went to varsity there, and I’ve at all times wished to go. We booked a package deal by way of Costco: 8 days – 4 on the Huge Island, 4 on Oahu. Our high should do’s are Volcanoes Nationwide Park (Huge Island) and Pearl Harbor (Oahu). We’re additionally planning to snorkel and attend a luau, however I do know there’s a lot to do there (greater than we’ll have time for). When you’ve been, inform me what’s to not miss!
Your Flip!
Thanks for hanging out with me and catching up! What are you as much as? How’s your work, your loved ones, your well being? Acquired any suggestions for managing a house transform or planning Hawaii adventures?
I’m grateful for the friendship/readership in spite of everything these years!
Hello, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at coronary heart. Lover of working, running a blog, and all issues cheeeeese. Early 40s, married mom of two, working in academia. Making an attempt to lastly (lastly!) repay that ridiculous 6-digit scholar mortgage debt!
