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Well hello there and happy Friday! It’s time for another edition of “Friday Five” where I share five things going on in my life lately, no recipes required. ;)
August has come and gone already (how?!), school has started, and fall is in the air. I’m sad to see summer go, but have been loving getting back into routines. After the chaos of the last year, school and work routines feel good!
September is already feeling like a combination of back-to-school craziness while trying to soak up every last bit of summer.
Here are 5 things I want to share with you this week….
1. What brought me joy…
When Miles was in the PICU after just getting diagnosed with cancer, he was asleep when a social worker stopped in and left a bag from an organization called Cal’s Angels and told me that they grant wishes for kids with cancer.
When Miles woke up and I explained it to him, his whole face lit up. In that moment, there was excitement in the midst of some really hard days.
Fast forward to August – Miles’s wish came true. He got to go on a shopping spree at Abt Electronics. If you’re in the Chicagoland area, you’ve undoubtedly heard of them. I don’t even know how to put into words everything that happened. Abt and Cal’s Angels went above and beyond to bring him so much joy. Miles got the VIP treatment and couldn’t stop talking about the massive displays off of 294 with his name on them!
This is a day we won’t soon forget and I have a whole new appreciation for both Cal’s Angels and Abt. Miles said it was the “best day ever” and he meant it!
Highlights from our day there:
- The signs off of 294 and throughout the store
- Shooting hoops in their basketball court
- Climbing up the ladder to feed the fish in the 2nd largest salt water tank in Illinois (next to the Shedd Aquarium)
- Testing out all of the fun gadgets in the store
- Getting zipped around their massive warehouse in a golf cart
- Selecting the song for the water fountains to dance to
- Seeing behind the scenes in their security room
- Getting a fresh batch of Abt’s delicious chocolate chip cookies
- Shopping! He is pretty pleased with his purchases!
2. What I bought (and actually use!)
I’ve had my fair share of late-night Amazon scrolls that end with a package on the doorstep and me wondering if I really needed it. But this month, I’ve picked up a few things that I’m actually using every single day and loving.
Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner – (Amazon link here) I didn’t realize how much sparkle my earrings had until I tried this. A few minutes in this gadget and they look brand new. I also use it for my retainer (trying to keep my teeth straight!), and the head of my toothbrush.
Weighted Vest – (Amazon link here) I think I’ve confirmed that I’m officially considered “middle-age” with this purchase. It came this week and I’ve only done one walk with it so far, but I can already tell that it’s a great purchase. The weight can be adjusted. It’s supposed to burn more calories.
Pizza Steel – (Amazon link here) I finally upgraded from a basic pizza pan to a pizza steel and wow, it’s a game changer! The steels heats up hotter and the crust comes out perfectly crisp on the bottom. It’s a little pricey, but it’ll last forever!
Tongue Scraper – (Amazon link here) Okay, this one feels a little silly to share, but here me out… its works so well. I started using this simple tongue scraper and my mouth feels noticeably fresher. It takes five seconds but makes a big difference.
Sunglasses – (Amazon link here) I will take a $15 pair of Amazon sunglasses over pricey ones any day and these are cute! These feel more expensive than they are.
3. What I’ve been up to…
- Sipping coffee on the patio as the mornings start to feel cooler.
- Smiling with the news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kielce getting engaged.
- Getting back into the swing of things with work.
With school back in session and chemo behind us, I have gotten back into the swing of things with work this month and it has felt so good. I’ve been finding my rhythm again after a little pause. I feel so grateful for all the love and support I’ve received over the years.
As a solo mom, I cherish the flexibility that this job gives me, allowing me to be present for my family while still doing the work that I enjoy. I cannot imagine trying to manage a traditional 9-5 through everything we’ve faced with my family’s health challenges over the years. Being able to balance both worlds has been a gift.
And on that note, thank you for being here, and for making the recipes that I share here. It means the world and I appreciate you so much! <3
4. What I’ve been eating…
- The Best Instant Pot Chili – if you follow me on Facebook, you know I dropped the pot of leftovers and had chili all over my kitchen!
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Tenders – my son requests these at least once a week!
- Easy Broccoli Salad – I made this broccoli salad, along with my Roasted Potato Salad for a Labor Day gathering to go alongside ribs. I have to admit, the ribs were a bit of a disappointment this year — they turned out chewy instead of tender which was a little frustrating after all the effort ribs take!
5. What I’m looking forward to…
- Football season – tomorrow is the Iowa State vs. Iowa game! It is one of my favorite games each year, and now it’s extra since since I went to Iowa State and my boyfriend went to Iowa. Obviously… Go Cyclones! 💛❤️😉
- Dancing with the Stars – is anyone else watching? It’s back and I’m so excited!
- All things pumpkin and soup! There’s something so nice about this time of year — good food, football, and fall traditions.
- Fall flowers and decor – I haven’t done it yet but it’s almost time for allll the fall and halloween decor!
That’s all I’ve got for today! But first, a few questions:
- What’s something that brought you joy this month?
- Did you try any new recipes or meals lately?
- Have you had any purchases lately that you’re actually loving?
- What are your favorite fall TV shows?
Have a great weekend.
❤️Ashley
