Airing My Laundry, One Post At A Time...

Hey, It's Okay

2026-04-13T18:05:00.002-06:00

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. You can link up any day of the week. All you have to do is make a list of what you're okay about. Simple! Please do not link up a post that has nothing to do with Hey, It's Okay. It's rude and I'll delete the link.

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

.....to have gone to a clowns event with Natalie over the weekend. She dressed as Pennywise and won 2nd place in the costume contest.

.....to be enjoying the new series on Hulu called The Testaments. It's the continuation of The Handmaid's Tale and is based off the book with the same name. HOWEVER, there are many changes, so don't expect the show to be exactly like the book.

......to have watched Coachella videos on TikTok and was reminded that I could have never done it. Even when I was young. Too many people. I'd be overstimulated so quickly.

.......to be going to see Bridesmaids with Mom and Natalie on Sunday. It's back in theaters for the 15th anniversary I think it is? So if you want to re-watch, check to see if it's showing at your local theater. The movie is hilarious!

.......to have ordered this Frankenstein ice cream at The Grim Bakers. The pink whipped cream is supposed to be the brains. It was tasty. I shared with Natalie because there was A LOT of ice cream packed in the cup. And yes, we get to keep the cup.

Clown Costume Contest As Pennywise

2026-04-12T18:29:00.001-06:00

Over the weekend there was a clown event.

And when there's a clown event, there is Natalie.

She has loved Pennywise the Clown from the It movies for years.

Kings Of Horror, who have put on so many cool events, had a Clowns, Clowns, Clowns one over the weekend at the Wonderland of Americas mall. Natalie was like, heck yes! She'd have loved if actors from It or Welcome To Derry was there (Casey Hartnett and Sarah Voight from Terrifier 2 were though!), but she was still thrilled to attend.

There are fabulous small businesses set up. If you know this movie, you are cool.

We also were amused by this Elmo.

Natalie wants to collect all the It Funko Pops and was thrilled to add Ben & Mike to her collection. She's aching for Richie but he's the most difficult to find.

Natalie also decided to enter the costume contest. She had made her Pennywise costume bloodier this time.

And yes, she does her makeup. I wouldn't know how to do it.

There wasn't a lot of competition on a Sunday. There was 4 total.

She got 2nd place! She got an autographed photo from the Terrifier movie, a t-shirt, and a free poster. She was so happy.

For Mother's Day weekend, Kings of Horror will be having a Queens Of Horror event, and the guests will be announced soon. It'll be held at the Wonderland of Americas mall, so stay tuned. We cannot wait.

And who knows, maybe Pennywise will make another appearance.

Vera Bradley Tumblers At Target

2026-04-08T19:06:00.000-06:00

I do love a pretty tumbler.

Do I need anymore tumblers?

No.

But am I still drawn to them?

Yes.

I mean, LOOK.

How anyone can walk past and not look at this beautiful Vera Bradley tumbler is beyond me. And even better, this is only $24.99. I nearly fell out of my seat when people would tell me how expensive Stanley Cups were.

Oh, and they come in different sizes too. These are the kid tumblers, but honestly, it's the perfect size to pour a cocktail in.

There were Vera Bradly tumblers with handles as well!

And again. The designs! Mother's Day is approaching and these would be a fabulous gift. I forgot to swoon over the toppers!

Oh, and there are also mini totes that you can clip onto purses. I'd shove change or a chapstick in there. I'm forever losing those things.

These are all at Target. In store and online. Some designs are selling out quick, so if you want one, I'd get it.

You can click HERE to shop. Just type in Vera Bradley tumblers and they'll all pop up.

Which design is your fave?

Hey, It's Okay

2026-04-06T17:26:00.000-06:00

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

......to always love having my kids home for the weekend--they were here for Easter, and we had the best time. They did get baskets, and we had brunch with my Mom.

......to have taken them to see Project Hail Mary--I had already seen it, but they hadn't, and I didn't mind watching again. They loved the film as I do! Natalie wants to try and make a mini Rocky one day.

.......to currently be reading The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage. It's about Lexi, who was born into royalty, but broke away from it to live her dreams. She's off in Australia when she hears that her father and brother, who had been heir to the throne, has died. Suddenly she has a choice to make: will she accept being the next heir, or will she give up the crown to her awful Uncle? Reading this reminds me that it would not be easy being a royal. I'd miss my privacy and I'd lose it with all the rules.

......to be going to a Clowns, Clowns, Clowns event with Natalie over the weekend. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. She will be going as Pennywise.

......to have gotten this outfit for Tommy in celebration of the new Spider-Man Brand New Day movie coming out in July. (Get the shirt here and the bottoms here.)

Confused? Well, Tom Holland was pictured in it a few years back:

HUNTRIX KPOP Demon Hunters Happy Meal

2026-04-05T19:44:00.000-06:00

I am a sucker for trying new foods even when I have no idea what movie the new foods come from.

I mean, yes, I have heard of Kpop Demon Hunters--I do not live in a cave. I know that popular song because it plays everywhere. But I've never seen it. Still, when McDonald's announced a collab, I was like, you know what, I'm in!

The box was pretty cool and colorful. I'm not sure who the characters are, but they seem like fun ladies.

Here's what the box contained. I got the 10 piece chicken nugget meal, and it came with the shaker fries, sauces, nuggets, and that shaker bag.

Here are the sauces. The demon sauce was purple and spicy and the hunter sauce is like a spicy sweet & sour.

I am not joking when I say purple. And I like it! I'm a fan of spicy foods, so I thought it was tasty. I preferred it over the hunter sauce.

And the shaker fries? Well, the flavoring did taste like ramen, and I like ramen, so I was happy with them.

I don't think I need this meal again, but I WOULD order nuggets and the demon sauce. I did enjoy the combo.

Oh, and here were the cards that I got. Again, no idea who they are, but the cat creature reminds me of how I look after I guzzle down my crisp Diet Coke from McDonald's.

This meal is available for a limited time, so if you want one, I'd stop in as these kind of meals sell out quickly.

All You Can Eat At JPot San Antonio

2026-04-01T18:21:00.001-06:00

If you tell me a restaurant is All You Can Eat, I'm game.

In this economy, I need to get my money's worth and I feel I can do that when I can keep ordering the food.

JPOT is a spot like this.

And even better, on select days, kids eat free. I think kids to them are 10 and under. If Natalie looked younger, I'd have been all, "You're 10 today." I'm kidding. It's best to be honest. (*Shifty eyes*)

Anyhow, Natalie picked this spot to celebrate her birthday. You create Hot Pots. And for $5 more, you can grill meats and seafood in the center of the table.

Oh, and it's lovely inside.

We liked the Cherry Blossom decor. I hope to see them live in Washington one day. I know the real things are gorgeous!

Here is one side of the menu. If you want to see the full menu, check it out here with current prices. This is the grill side, and look at all the choices. And yes, they are NEVERENDING.

Plus there's even more choices on the line. Like nuggets and fries for the picky kids, plus other selections.

Plus we found veggies, spices, and ice cream bars. Also all you can eat.

And a bunch of sauces for the Hot Pot and meats and seafood. Yup, there's seafood as well. Natalie tried the octopus and said it was good. Warning: it does arrive with the tentacles. We should have sang Poor Unfortunate Souls with it. Next time, I guess.

I'm not joking when I saw there is A LOT of food. We were surrounded by it. We joked that this was how Henry VIII dined. Every area of the table had some sort of meat on it.

And how did the hot pot come out? I picked a spicy broth, and I liked it. Natalie tried the miso and said it was tasty. I put chicken, pork belly, and veggies in there. Plus other sauces and spices. I can't recall. I felt like a witch making a potion. It was fun.

Would we go back? Yes! We can't afford to go ALL the time, but on special occasions, yes. Because as I mentioned, you will get your money's worth. And yes, they do military discount as well.

Have you ever been to a restaurant like this?

Hey, It's Okay

2026-03-31T09:32:00.000-06:00

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

.....to be excited to have both my kids home for Easter weekend. Yes, the Easter Bunny still visits.

......to have enjoyed Project Hail Mary. I mentioned I was seeing it last week with my Mom, and we highly recommend the film. I want to read the book now.

.......to still have a giveaway for a $20 Amazon eGift card here. It ends on Friday!

.......to have picked up this Strawberry Sando at H-E-B. They make sandwiches like these in Japan and have become popular over here. So what did I think? I was a fan. The strawberries tasted fresh, the whipped cream was delish, and the milk bread finished it all off perfectly. I'd get this again!

Easter Gift Ideas For Twenty-Somethings

2026-03-29T18:09:00.000-06:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I still do Easter baskets for my kids. And they aren't exactly kids anymore. My son is 24 and my daughter is 19. But I enjoy putting baskets together for them and they appreciate the baskets--so I might keep doing it until I'm bedridden.

Oh gosh, I hope I'm never bedridden.

Dang.

ANYHOW.

If you're like me and also do baskets for older people, I have suggestions. And this doesn't include candy, because different candy is a given. Unless you're one of those households who do not do candy. I cannot relate though. We cannot go without Cadbury Cream Eggs.

Onto the basket goodies.

Natalie plays guitar, so I had to get this guitar Bum Bumz. It's from the show Friends, which she also appreciates. Bum Bumz has many adorable options for under $10.

Okay, yes, maybe a face mask is odd, but the flu is going around and I just read that there could be another Covid variant, so yes, I will still wear masks sometimes. Makana Masks are incredibly comfortable and hey, I haven't gotten sick *knocks on wood*

I found these at Target, and I thought they were adorable. Life can be crazy, and these would be cute to have displayed nearby. Who doesn't love chocolate?

Hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works are an affordable choice. As I mentioned above, there are germs going around, so these are nice to have.

Fugglers are popular, and now you can get a Baby Fuggler, PLUS a car seat that attaches to a car vent. My daughter has him (he's named Gus) in her vehicle and he's an adorable companion.

Okay, so this Gilmore Girls sunshade is bigger than a basket, but it can go beside it. It's perfect for Gilmore Girls fans and under $20 at Boxlunch.

Apparently Nee-Doh is all the rage these days thanks to social media. We always had a few in the house--they are fun to squeeze and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you're stressed, grab the Nee-Doh. If you're mad, chuck the Nee-Doh. Kidding. (Kinda.) But I was lucky to find the egg after they were put on the shelf. If you manage to find one, you might be a hero. I just grabbed one by the way. All the resellers, I hope both sides of your pillow are forever warm. Shame on you.

I hope you were able to find some ideas and if not, well, just stick to the chocolate bunny I guess. I can never say no to a chocolate bunny. (Or, as mentioned before, a Cadbury Cream Egg. Or PEEPS.)

PerfectGift Review: A Gift Card That Doesn't Feel Like A Cop-Out

2026-03-27T15:19:00.000-06:00

Let me just say upfront: I am notoriously bad at gift giving.

Not because I don't care. I care enormously. I spend an unreasonable amount of mental energy thinking about what to get people. And then I panic, run out of time, and end up buying something generic off a shelf that says "I thought of you in the checkout line." Which is not the vibe I'm going for.

I actually stumbled across PerfectGift.com through their Instagram, and I'm glad I did — because this reel stopped my scroll immediately. A gift card. With a photo on it. That ships same-day. I had questions.

My kids are mostly grown now, which makes this worse. Natalie has opinions about everything (you may have heard me mention this once or twice) and Tommy keeps busy enough that figuring out what he actually needs feels like a research project. My husband? Don't even get me started. The man wants nothing. He'd be happy with beef jerky and a nap.

Gift cards have always felt like the safe punt. Practical, sure. But they can also come across as "I couldn't think of anything so here's some money but make it a card." There's something a little impersonal about handing someone a plain plastic card with a drugstore bow on it.

So when I found out about PerfectGift.com's personalized Visa gift cards, I was curious. Because the concept is genuinely different: what if a gift card could actually look like it came from you?

Upload your own photo and turn a gift card into something they'll actually want to keep. That's the whole idea.

What Is PerfectGift.com?

PerfectGift.com is a gifting platform that lets you create customized Visa gift cards — either physical cards you mail to someone, or digital ones you send instantly by text or email. You upload a photo, write a personal message, choose the dollar amount, and they do the rest.

The physical card gets printed and shipped same-day if you order before 4pm ET (Monday through Saturday). That last part is important for people like me, who remember birthdays approximately 36 hours before they happen.

The digital version can go out in minutes. Like, actual minutes. Which is either a lifesaver or enabler of my procrastination, depending on how you look at it.

They also have something called PerfectGift+, which is a step up — instead of a straight Visa card, the recipient can choose how they want to use their gift: pick a specific brand from hundreds of options, activate it onto their own debit or credit card, request a physical Visa card in the mail, or even send the balance to their bank account via Zelle. It's basically the gift card version of "you can have anything you want."

But the one I kept coming back to — the one that genuinely excited me — was the personalized Visa card with a custom photo.

Physical vs. Digital: Which One Is Actually Better?

This is the question, right? And the honest answer is: it depends on what you're going for.

Here's how the two options break down:

Feature
Physical Card
Digital Card
Delivery
Mailed (same-day shipping by 4pm ET)
Email or text, instant
Customization
Custom photo + message on the card
Custom photo + message in delivery
Where used
In-store and online
Online only (can swap for physical)
Best for
Birthdays, milestones, keepsakes
Last-minute, long-distance
Wow factor
High
Medium
Amount range
$10 – $1,000
$1 – $1,000

My take: the physical card wins for anything that matters. There is something really lovely about a gift card that has a photo of you and the recipient on it — or a picture from a shared trip, a pet, a milestone moment. Multiple reviewers on Trustpilot mentioned keeping the cards long after the balance was spent, which is not something anyone has ever said about a plain green Amazon card.

The digital card wins on pure logistics. If your college kid just had a rough week and you want to send them something right now — not in three days, right now — that's what the digital version is for. (I may or may not have a use case for this involving Natalie.)

The Pros (There Are a Lot of Them)

Let me count the ways:

The photo customization is the real thing. You're not picking from a generic "Happy Birthday" design. You upload your own image. A family photo, a wedding picture, a shot of someone's dog — whatever is actually meaningful. The card printing quality is high. People aren't reporting that their faces look like they were printed on a receipt.

Okay but someone put their cat on a gift card and now I need to do this immediately. (My cat gives insulin shots — she deserves a card.)

Same-day shipping is not a marketing exaggeration. They have their own in-house fulfillment center, which is apparently unusual in this space. Orders placed before 4pm ET ship the same day. That's legitimately useful for the gift-giving-challenged among us.

The Visa card works almost everywhere. It's a real Visa debit card, issued by Sutton Bank. It works in-store and online anywhere that accepts Visa. According to The Nilson Report, Visa is accepted at over 80 million merchant locations worldwide. So this isn't a "good luck finding somewhere to use it" situation.

The funds don't expire, even if the card does. The card itself has an expiration date (like any card), but if there's a remaining balance after it expires, you can get a replacement card issued. That's a genuinely consumer-friendly policy that a lot of gift card companies do not offer.

The personal message is included. You write a note, it comes with the card. Physical or digital, the sentiment travels with the gift. It's not just "here's money" — it's "here's money and here's why I'm thinking about you."

The PerfectGift+ option is legitimately clever. For anyone who's ever agonized over what store to load a gift card for, this solves the problem entirely. The recipient picks. They're not stuck spending $50 at a store they never shop at. Research on gift giving consistently shows people value flexibility — getting to choose beats getting something specific, almost every time.

The Cons (There Are Some, I'm Not Going to Pretend Otherwise)

There's a fee involved. Personalized Visa gift cards aren't fee-free — there's a purchase fee when you buy the card, which varies depending on the amount and type. It's in the same neighborhood as what you'd pay at a grocery store or bank for a prepaid card, but it's worth factoring in. One reviewer noted paying $6.96 per card on $500 cards, which works out to about 1.4%. Not outrageous, but real.

The card is US-only. If you're sending to someone outside the United States, this won't work. The Visa cards are only valid for use within the US.

The digital card can only be used online — not in-store. You can exchange it for a physical card if you need brick-and-mortar access, but that takes a few extra days. Worth knowing before you send someone a digital card for use at their local grocery store.

The card is not reloadable. Once the balance is spent, that's it. Which is fine for a gift, just not something to use as an ongoing account.

Pros	Cons
✓ Genuinely personal — your photo, your message	✗ Purchase fee applies
✓ Same-day shipping on physical cards	✗ US only
✓ Accepted almost everywhere Visa debit works	✗ Digital card online use only (can swap for physical)
✓ Funds don't expire, even if the card does	✗ Not reloadable
✓ Digital option delivers instantly	✗ Restrictions at some merchants (gas stations, hotels)
✓ PerfectGift+ gives recipients total flexibility	✗ Card design subject to content approval
✓ High print quality — not a blurry mess

Who This Is Actually Perfect For

I'll be real with you. This isn't the right move for every occasion. If your five-year-old is going to a birthday party and you need something cheap and fast, just grab something off a shelf. No judgment.

But for actual meaningful gifting? The cases where PerfectGift.com genuinely shines are:

Graduates. You want to give them money (because they need money) but you also want it to feel like you're celebrating them. A card with their graduation photo on it hits both. There's a reason economists note that cash gifts for graduates are among the highest-utility gifts you can give — and this makes cash feel personal.

Long-distance family. You can't show up. But you can send something that has a family photo on it and a note that says "I'm thinking about you." The physical card sitting in someone's wallet is a small but real reminder that you exist and you care.

People who are impossible to shop for. My husband. Possibly your husband. Definitely your dad. "Get whatever you want" is an honest and loving gift when wrapped in a personalized card with a photo he'll actually appreciate.

Last-minute gifting emergencies. A birthday you forgot. An anniversary that snuck up on you. A digital card sent in minutes with a real photo and a real note is infinitely better than "sorry, I forgot, I'll get you something later." We all know how "later" goes.

ℹ️ Quick tip: If you order a physical card, keep an eye out for promo codes on their site — they regularly run deals on free shipping or free greeting card upgrades. Worth checking before you check out.

My Bottom Line

I've given a lot of gift cards in my life. They've all been fine. They've never once been something anyone mentioned again after the fact.

The difference with PerfectGift.com is that the card itself becomes the thing — not just the vehicle for money. People are keeping these cards after the balance is gone, which says something. The combination of practical flexibility (it's a Visa card, spend it anywhere) and genuine personalization (it has your face on it, or your dog's face, or whatever makes the person feel seen) is genuinely different from anything else in this category.

Is it the right gift for every person and every budget? No. But for the people in your life who deserve more than a generic plastic card in a paper sleeve — and there are more of those than you think — it's worth checking out.

I'll be using it for Natalie's next birthday. She's going to have Opinions about the photo I choose. I can't wait.

Oh, and one more thing — their team is based out of Pittsburgh. How cute is that? I feel like I need to support them on principle now.

This post contains a sponsored collaboration with PerfectGift.com. All opinions are my own. Links may be affiliate links.

Max & Ruby Birthday Cake

2026-03-25T18:08:00.003-06:00

Max & Ruby was this show that aired on Nickelodeon from 2002-2019. It was about brother & sister rabbits who went on adventures. Ruby was always watching Max. The running joke was the parents were never around. Like, why is Ruby stuck watching Max all the time? That's not her job. She needs to be a kid but instead she's always with Max.

Both my kids loved the show.

When my daughter decided to throw a Childhood Birthday Party, she wanted the cake she had seen on one of the episodes.

This one:

I mean, technically they had their own, but most people decide to combine them. So I brought in a photo to Haby's Bakery in Castroville (no way could I make it) and the decorator knew the show.

"I used to watch that!" she exclaimed.

Many people still remember the show. And you can still watch the episodes on Apple TV.

Anyhow, the cake came out amazing.

We added the sprinkles, the raspberries, the crushed Oreos, and the gummy worms. Natalie opted for a chocolate cake. The icing was buttercream and chocolate buttercream. It was scrumptious.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the cake and it truly was a fun design.

Have you ever seen Max & Ruby?

Hey, It's Okay

2026-03-23T16:29:00.002-06:00

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

......to be going to see Project Hail Mary with my Mom this week. I keep hearing how fabulous it is, so I'm looking forward to it. I need to read the book!

.......to think the show Company Retreat on Amazon Prime is hilarious. It's about a guy who is hired for a fake company, and all the workers are really actors. It's by the same people who did Jury Duty a few years back, and that was funny as well. The first 3 episode are out!

......to currently be reading The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill. It's about the Ryan sisters, who return home for Thanksgiving. Life got tough a few years back with their brother was involved in a boat accident that got someone killed. Each sister is has a secret, and those secrets just might come out in front of their Catholic mother. I'm almost done, and whew, there is a lot to unpack with this family.

.......to have a giveaway for a $20 Amazon eGift card here. Go enter!

........to love that Homegoods had a Pride and Lesbian bird house. With the US a bit cruel these days, it's always nice to see representation.

She Got A Byler Blanket For Her Birthday

2026-03-22T21:14:00.000-06:00

So on Natalie's real birthday, she had class. She wasn't able to come home until the evening. Such is the life of a college student. So she finished her classes and battled rush hour traffic. And rush hour traffic in San Antonio is horrid.

But she eventually made it.

And she got to open her gifts.

Now, she was so hopeful for Byler to happen in Stranger Things. Byler, for those who do not know, is the last name combo of the characters Will Byler and Mike Wheeler. Everyone was hoping they would get together. Alas, the show took the easy way out and it didn't happen. But many people still wish. On Temu, there is Byler gifts, so I got this blanket, and Natalie loved it. You can check out the birthday video here of her opening gifts for her reaction.

She also got this Loungefly mini Spider-Man purse. Yes, we are excited for the new movie Brand New Day in July.

She also received a Pennywise Funko Pop:

She also got this EMF device for detecting ghosts. Her dorm building was built in the 1800s so she knows it is haunted. (And yup, the device picked up energy. But nothing was going on in our home, thank goodness.)

She requested a cookie cake from Great American Cookies for her birthday:

Oh, and we ate at Jpot for dinner--I'll do a blog post about that soon, but it was delicious. All you can eat hot pot and BBQ!

It was nice seeing her on her birthday! She had to return back to the dorm in the evening since she had morning classes the next day, but we managed to celebrate her.

The Faithful: Women Of The Bible Premieres March 22nd

2026-03-18T17:57:00.008-06:00

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for FOX Entertainment Studios.

I am not religious, but I am never opposed to watch a show or movie that depicts religious figures. I grew up going to Vacation Bible School, so I understand the characters and stories. While I might not believe in them, I still appreciate a good plot and a story of hope.

This is why I am excited to watch The Faithful: Women of The Bible. It stars Minnie Driver, who is a fabulous actress. It is another reason why I will be tuning in.

She plays Sarah, who is learning to trust God's promises even when hope feels impossible. I am sure we have all be there. Life can be tough and sometimes we need that hope and faith to get through it.

Natacha Karam, Jeffrey Donovan, and Tom Payne also appear in the show. Remember Tom Payne from The Walking Dead? He played Jesus then, and now he plays Jacob:

Filmed in Rome and Matera, Italy, you'll discover stories from The Book of Genesis through all the women. You'll meet Sarah, Hagar, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel.

The Faithful: Women of The Bible premieres this Sunday, March 22nd (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on Fox in a three part television event culminating on Easter Sunday, April 5th. You can also watch episodes the day after their air on Hulu.

You can win a $20 eGift to Amazon to celebrate! Open to US only. Note: if you won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Closes April 3rd. (If the widget will not load, enter the giveaway here.)

Hey, It's Okay

2026-03-16T21:10:00.000-06:00

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

......to have had a wonderful Spring Break with my kids. They both came home from college and we just stayed local.

.....to be glad that Michael B Jordan won the Oscar over Timothee. He deserved it. He played TWO people in Sinners!

.....to think the weather in Texas is broken--it was 90 one day, and dropped to 30 the next.

......to be celebrating Natalie's birthday on the 19th--she has class, so she'll come home after, open her presents and we'll go out to eat. She already had a party with friends last weekend.

......to hope Ruby forgives me for taking her to the vet. She has diabetes, and the vet wanted to check her glucose levels to be sure she's getting enough insulin. I had to drop her off for a few hours so they could do several checks. She was meowing the entire ride over.

How To Throw A Childhood Birthday Party

2026-03-15T17:50:00.001-06:00

I still remember the toys that made my childhood.

Teddy Ruxpin.

My Little Ponies.

Rainbow Brite. (I had the sheets and toys!)

I think about them and they bring me comfort.

My daughter has her own favorites from her childhood, which is why she decided to have a party based on her favorites.

She had Disney Princess placemats, Dora cards, and the Blue's Clues mailbox.

She brought out many of her favorite stuffies--yes, she still owns most of the ones from when she was tiny. She says she feels too bad getting rid of any of them.

She had games that even I played as a kid. Remember Mash?

There was decorations from The Very Hungry Caterpillar hanging from the ceiling. I read the book often when the kids were small.

She had bubbles and chalk for her guests to play with outside.

There were more toys sprinkled about the room:

She even had other books and magazines available to flip through:

And naturally, there was beloved childhood snacks like animal crackers:

And she picked a Max & Ruby cake. She used to watch the cartoon and this was a cake featured in it:

Natalie ended up having an amazing time. Her friends seemed to like all the decor. I'm sure they all remembered being small. When things weren't always so complicated.

Sometimes you just have to rest and color with chalk.

And play with bubbles:

Flowers Are Forever With FreshCut Paper

2026-03-11T17:27:00.000-06:00

I absolutely LOVE flowers, but I hate that they begin to wilt and die.

I always wish they could stay vibrant forever.

With FreshCut Paper, it can happen. They turn regular greeting cards into works of art.

I mean, look:

Gorgeous, right?

You can find all sorts of beautiful pop-up flower bouquet choices at FreshCut Paper. With Easter coming, they even have bouquets specific to the holiday. Plus, they're all made from 100% recycled paper, so you can feel good about ordering.

These are the Dahlia Sunrise bouquet, and they arrive in an eye-catching envelope:

And yes, it's easy to set up. They come with instructions & a card:

And then, ta-dah!

You can display your bouquet forever! And you can save 15% with the code AMBER on orders of $30+

To learn more about FreshCut Paper, check them out here:

their website

TikTok

Instagram

Hey, It's Okay

2026-03-09T19:29:00.000-06:00

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

......to be happy my kids are home for Spring Break. We're just hanging around the area.

......to be throwing a birthday party for Natalie this weekend. Her real birthday is the 19th, and she has classes, so it's easier to have it over the weekend. She invited a bunch of friends over. She's doing a "kid" birthday, so she'll have bubbles and sidewalk chalk and other activities that she did as a child.

.......to have ordered Tommy's college graduation gown. Ack! I can't believe it's almost time.

.......to hope we don't lose power from the storms that are going to be rolling through this week. Sometimes it happens. Luckily I do have flashlights!

......to have tried these mini empanadas from Taco Bell. They come in a pack of 2 and you'll get a chocolate and caramel one. I preferred the caramel--the chocolate had an odd taste. These are available for a limited time if you want to try!

The Optimist Will Tug At Your Heartstrings

2026-03-08T18:41:00.000-06:00

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Trafalgar Releasing.

I always love a true story. And I love history. So I knew I was going to like THE OPTIMIST. The movie is about Herbert, who survived the Holocaust at only 15. His entire family is murdered. As he grows, he refuses to speak about his experience--until he meets Abby, a teenager going through her own turmoil.

I was lucky enough to watch an early screening, and let me tell you, this movie will grab at your heart strings. It'll hit you right in the feels. Fans of Tuesdays With Morrie will be sure to enjoy THE OPTIMIST. I always believe you can learn a lot from experienced adults--and yes, this is my kind way of saying older. They have beautiful stories to tell, and we need to be willing to listen. Because who knows? It could end up being what we need to heal.

THE OPTIMIST stars Stephen Lang and Elsie Fisher. It is directed by Finn Taylor.

The movie will release in theaters March 11th through Trafalgar Releasing. It is a perfect family film.

Even better, the movie gives back to the following: KAVOD, supports Holocaust supporters living in poverty, and Bring Change To Mind, a national nonprofit empowering youth to end the stigma around mental health.

There is a fabulous Faith & Family discussion guide to dive deeper into the movie. Click the image to access it!

To learn more about Herbert from THE OPTIMIST, you can click here. His story is truly remarkable and miraculous. Be sure to watch on March 11th.

You can learn more about THE OPTIMIST at the following:

THE OPTIMIST website which will tell you which theaters it'll be playing at

TikTok

Instagram

Facebook

Book Gift Ideas From Rifle Paper Co

2026-03-04T18:08:00.001-07:00

If you are a book lover or have one in your life, Target has this fabulous line of gift options. It's from the Rifle Paper Co, and I adored everything. I found everything on an end cap. It was NOT in the book section as I thought it would be, so search around and if you cannot find it, ask a worker.

The colors were beautiful, and these note pads with a pen would be perfect for writing down books you want to be sure to read.

Or, if you'd prefer to keep a list in a journal, there's one of those:

This candle smelled incredible--I'd burn it while curling up with a book. I'm currently reading Remain by Nicholas Sparks. (It's also with M. Night Shyamalan, so I know I'm in store for a twist.)

There were pens and this marvelous tote bag:

And yup, there are other pen options. This one had classic books all around.

Need larger note pads? Here you go! And I'll be honest, I have not read all the classics. Some of them bored me. Wuthering Heights? Yeah, pass. I hear the movie is good though. But I could not get through the book, try as I might. Jane Eyre? Eh. But Anne of Green Gables? Yes!

Need a hat with books on it?

Finally, cuddle up with books while you read one:

Do you have a favorite classic book?

Hey, It's Okay

2026-03-02T18:00:00.001-07:00

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

.....to have celebrated Tommy's 24th birthday over the weekend. He picked McDonald's and Texas Roadhouse as his meals.

......to be happy that both kids will be home for Spring Break next week. We are just staying in the area.

.......to hope everyone in Texas goes out and votes. In this day and age, it's important.

......to be glad that Natalie had fun at a Heated Rivalry party over the weekend. She said they played clipped from the show, along with music from the 2010s. She screamed so much she was hoarse when she came home. If you don't know, Heated Rivalry is this show based off books about hockey players who secretly love each other. It's become extremely popular. I loved the show and so did Natalie. You can watch on HBO Max.

.......to have enjoyed the Scrubs reboot. It was nice to see all the characters again. The show is still a wonderful blend of amusing and touching.

......to have picked this shirt up at Walmart for Tommy's birthday. They had an entire area set up with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie merch. He's looking forward to the movie in April.

Tommy Turns 24 At Texas Roadhouse

2026-03-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

Tommy is 24! And as I always say when it's one of my children's birthdays, no, I cannot believe it.

I was glad he was able to come down from college to celebrate.

Having him home always makes me happy. He's always been my happy guy. I always thank him for being a wonderful patient baby--because as I've said before, I had him at 19, and I had no idea what I was doing. He had (and still has) the prettiest blue eyes.

He wanted to celebrate at Texas Roadhouse, one of his all time favorite spots. I asked if he wanted me to tell the waiter it was his birthday--it would mean he'd be put on a saddle and sung to--but he declined, saying he just wanted "to eat his food." He did not want to be interrupted.

He was so happy to get the rolls.

You cannot beat the rolls from Texas Roadhouse.

Afterwards we went to the house for cake & presents.

Tommy loves the chocolate bundt cake from HEB, so I picked that up.

He got a lot of tshirts and a video game for his birthday. We're all procrastinators, so I had to get him this shirt:

He said he had an amazing birthday. I am so lucky to have him. He's not on intelligent, but he's also a kind human.

Happy Birthday, Tommy!

Disney Princess Collection At Bath & Body Works

2026-02-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

I am a sucker for things that light up.

Or play music.

I am the annoying person who presses all the buttons in the toy aisle. I am sorry. But not really.

Bath & Body Works released another Disney Princess collection and yup, there were things that lit up. There was even a music box, but I didn't need another one of those.

So they had Aurora, Tiana, Mulan, Snow White, Belle, and Life Is A Fairytale.

And yes, I got the Pocketbac that lit up. I mean, I had to! I had a coupon and everything.

My daughter is obsessed with Rapunzel, so I had to get her this Pocketbac.

AND IT LIGHTS UP!

So were the scents any good? I mean, they aren't spectacular, but they all have that unique scent. I picked these up during the $5.95 sale. I would NEVER pay full price.

My fave scent? Aurora. I like the floral vibe going on. Plus, I sparkle when I spray it for extra fun. I can fill like an extra in Twilight.

I picked up these hand sanitizers to go in the Pocketbacs:

I also picked this up for my daughter's room. It truly is beautiful.

Many of these items are sold out, but they periodically come back in stock on the website. There are still hand sanitizers in many stores if you were curious what everything smelled like.

So, are you a sucker for things that light up?

Hey, It's Okay

2026-02-23T21:17:00.003-07:00

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

......to be celebrating Tommy's birthday over the weekend. He's real birthday is Monday, but he has class, so he is spending the weekend at home. He picked Texas Roadhouse for his birthday meal.

......to have had a blast at the Children Of Horror event over the weekend. Natalie got to meet an actor from the It movies!

......to hope everyone on the East Coast is doing okay with all the snow. In Texas, it just dropped from the 80s to the 60s.

......to truly hope Nancy Guthrie is found unharmed. I can't imagine how frightening it must be for her family.

.....to be excited for the Scrubs reboot. It returns February 25th. It picks up 16 years after the last episode aired. I was thrilled to find Scrubs Funko Pops in a store:

Meeting An Actor From It At The Children Of Horror Event

2026-02-22T20:30:00.003-07:00

Good gracious, my daughter has always been drawn to evil clowns. I do not know why. I am not a fan, but she loves them. She dressed as one for several Halloweens.

And of course, she was Pennywise.

She watched the It movies when they first premiered. She was around 11? I thought she might be afraid, but no, she was an instant fan.

She has made it her goal to meet the actors from the film.

She was able to check one of that list over the weekend.

There was a Children of Horror event, so she decided to tug out the Pennywise costume and go.

She was nervous to meet the actor, so before we went over, we checked out the booths that were set up. She was thrilled to find some original LPS toys.

She was one of the few people who dressed up for the occasion, she many people asked for photographs with her.

We ran into Art.

And Jessica the Nun.

Natalie spotted the actor set up from afar, and screeched. She had to wait to calm down before she said hi.

We looked at more booths and she freaked out when she saw a signed Billie Eilish vinyl. It was $350. Way out of her price range.

She took a deep breath after and said she was ready. She was ready to meet the actor.

And who was the actor?

GEORGIE!

Well. Jackson Robert Scott, who played Georgie in the It films. And he was so kind and sweet. Natalie was able to tell him that she loved the movies and enjoyed watching the videos he would post from the set.

(You can see the video of meeting him here.)

Natalie brought her It book for him to sign:

She's still excited over the meeting. She keeps looking at this page in the book. And as I mentioned, she's hoping she can get the autographs of other actors in the film. Will be she anxious to meet them if they do come to town? Of course. But she'll gather her wits and eventually make her way over.

Oh, and we stopped off at a booth on the way out and look who we found? The mailbox from Blue's Clues. He was made by Andie, who runs queer_hercules, and she said she had him for over a year, so she lowered the price to $20. He'll be well loved with us.

Have you seen the It movies? Or read the book?

Hey, It's Okay

2026-02-18T20:42:00.001-07:00

HEY, IT'S OKAY....

......to have had the best time meeting Gilmore Girls actors over the weekend. We were talking to someone and they were saying since the gathering was popular, it will most likely return next year. Yay!

.....to be returning this weekend to meet Jackson Robert Scott, who played Georgie in the It movies. There's a Children Of Horror con. It was supposed to be earlier in the month but was rescheduled due to freezing temperatures. My daughter is obsessed with all things It and cannot wait.

......to currently be reading The Other Brother by Tierney Page. It's about April, who is set to marry Lucas. Then she discovers a terrible secret. Betrayed, she turns to Lucas' brother James. James is different from Lucas. And maybe he's the brother April should have been with all along. I just started the book and I'm wondering how it's going to go down. You know there will be drama!

.......to be excited that the Shamrock desserts are back at McDonald's. If you like mint, you'll enjoy the treats. You can get a Shamrock Shake or an Oreo Shamrock McFlurry--I always add hot fudge to mine to make it extra chocolatey.

Feature	Physical Card	Digital Card
Delivery	Mailed (same-day shipping by 4pm ET)	Email or text, instant
Customization	Custom photo + message on the card	Custom photo + message in delivery
Where used	In-store and online	Online only (can swap for physical)
Best for	Birthdays, milestones, keepsakes	Last-minute, long-distance
Wow factor	High	Medium
Amount range	$10 – $1,000	$1 – $1,000