Just Five Things

1. Saturday was an amazing day because it was Independent Bookstore Day and the first day of my city's Spring Festival. We had so fun at the festival. Raphael loved the bouncy houses. We all devoured fried Oreos. I also bought a few things from some new-to-me small businesses. I absolutely love supporting small businesses and have noticed that I'm definitely trying to buy from more local shops as well. One of my new favorite bookstores, Sincerely Yours Bookstore, collaborated with a mobile coffee bar, Frothy Coffee Experience, on Independent Bookstore Day. After we left the festival, I stopped by the bookstore and bought some coffee for John and me. I loved the book-themed coffee menu and tried the Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Latte inspired by the character Xaden Riorson.

2. I've been reading Mr. Boddington's Dispatches and have been enjoying them. Mr. Boddington is Rebecca Ruebensaal's imaginary friend and the inspiration for her book and stationery shop. 

3. Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is coming up soon. I loved seeing some of the teacher gift displays (even though most were small) in stores. I've already started getting some goodies together for Raphael's teachers, and I'm glad that I haven't waited until the last minute because there weren't a lot of items available at most of the stores. Maybe I started shopping too early, or perhaps I am a little late? Who knows?

4. I got my first mail club package from Haley Weaver. The mail club is a subscription service for those who subscribe to Haley's Substack newsletter, Haley Wrote This. I received a few goodies, including a couple of postcards, which I'm excited about because I've been really into postcards lately. I may add one to my journal or Project Life (pocket pages) album.

5. Very relatable:

Today won't be like yesterday, you tell yourself. 

You won't reach for your phone first thing,

but maybe a quick peek is okay —

to check notifications,

to make sure the world is still whole.

Of course it's not; every headline fractures

the ground beneath you.

But that reality tv star had her baby

and your mom got Wordle in three tries

and you've received a discount code

to that online shop, a reminder that maybe

 a waist-cinching bathing suit could fix it all:

your body, your summer, your life!!!

—from Haley Weaver's #111: Today will be Different

What have you been up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash