It’s not lost on me that this week has been heavy and full of changes that have been challenging for many. Uncertainty can be tricky to navigate. Even though I’m keeping the mood of my weekly check-in with you via email light, it doesn’t mean I’m not constantly thinking about the current state of politics and humanity in America.
Can you tell I’m feeling a bit off? I forgot to publish this newsletter on a Sunday! This past week was a doozy for my family due to the winter storm that came through the Southeast. My office was closed Monday and the kids were out of school for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. On Tuesday, we all came home early when the snow started to stick. Things got a bit icy overnight so we all stayed home and off the roads on Wednesday. Wednesday and Thursday were e-Learning days for my oldest but I had to get back to work on a delayed schedule Thursday morning. Friday my youngest was still out of school, my oldest had a delayed start to school, but I had to be at work at my regular time. Are you keeping up?! How do you manage so many different schedules in your household? It would be difficult for us if my mother-in-law wasn’t available help with childcare drop-off and pick-up!
R - Reading
Audio: I finished listening to Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, the 2nd book in the Letters of Enchantment duology. I found it more enjoyable than Divine Rivals because the magic system is more fleshed out.
Kindle: I finished Manacled by SenLinYu, a Dramione fanfic, Carys Davies’ book Clear, about the Highland Clearances in Scotland, and started Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, a romantasy novel which needs no introduction if you’ve read the news this week. I’m surprised by how slowly I’m savoring the 3rd book in The Empyrean series. I’ve been avoiding scrolling on social media so I don’t see any reactions or spoilers. I’ll try to keep this a spoiler-free space as well!
E - Eating
I also thought ahead before our snow day(s) and bought a big box of pastries from our local bakery to have for breakfast.
My daughter’s Girl Scouts troop had a field trip at a local nature reserve that is on the way to one of our favorite Indian restaurants. After a week of scrapping together meals from our freezer and pantry, it was so nice to have someone else cook!
We went out to dinner this weekend to celebrate my younger sister’s birthday at a local Creole restaurant. It felt good to support a local restaurant after the snow unexpectedly closed businesses for several days. It’s one of my favorite places to eat and it’s been too long since our last visit! They have a great avocado or Pontchartrain house dressing and honey pecan-crusted chicken that is divine!
P - Playing
XO Kitty, Season 2 on Netflix
In the SNOW with my kids. We built a snowman using snow collected from our cars. It was a little too powdery for snowballs so they went sledding with our neighbors down a big hill at our community soccer complex. Our cheeks were nice and rosy (and a bit chapped) by the end of it all.
O - Obsessing over
Shoe charms. I’m hoping to add a set to my sneakers this Spring. They’re such a fun way to customize your wardrobe.
R - Recommending
Adding a saline spray to your nightly skincare routine. My nose is so dry from running the heat more than usual this winter. It’s a huge help to keep my sinuses moisturized overnight.
T - Treating myself to
Hot breakfast, extra time in bed, fresh air, and mindful journaling.
If you'd like to support this free newsletter, here are a few ways:
👍 Comment and like this post here on Substack!
☕ Consider buying me a coffee or upgrading your subscription to paid.
📲 Restack your favorite part and share it as a Note on Substack.
📧 Forward this email to a friend (if you're the friend, subscribe here)
📸 Catch me on IG @overbookedmama
Hope you had a great weekend!
Elsewhere on the Internet: Goodreads / Storygraph / Pinterest
Love that you received snow and the kiddos had the opportunity to play in it! Our kids were bummed that it didn't quite make it to us, but they were quickly comforted by the fact that school remained closed on Wednesday =).
Good point on “fleshing out the magic system.” I felt like Divine Rivals was fantasy-adjacent, which I kind of loved. Like everything is sort of normal except we’ve got magic typewriters and gods.