Currently: July 2017

Currently: July 2017

Even though it’s August (my birthday month!) today, let’s wrap up July, shall we?

Things of note:

Went to Carmel for my friend Amanda’s birthday weekend. Celebrated my Dad’s birthday. Went to a few blogger events. Cooper had a pretty bad case of poison oak that left us grounded for a few days. I got my first bee sting as an adult on the top of my head and acted like it wasn’t a big deal and ended up going to the doctor with swollen lymph nodes because AHHHH. Cooper went to the dentist, I made doctor’s appointments! Cooper went to baseball camp and football camp. I had dinner above the Marin Headlands with friends.

Around the house, Casey worked on building a wine cellar in our garage. I straightened up/organized my prop closet, the garage and Cooper’s closet. These were projects I finally got around to doing and I’m so relieved they’re done. We’re in maintenance mode and I’m hoping it will stick for awhile so I don’t have to overhaul things and clean them out anytime soon.

Our budget has been tight this summer and as stressful as it’s been at times, I am always reminded that:

We’ve definitely been appreciating what we have while working hard for what we need.

And through the process, it’s easier to see what we need and don’t need during this season of our life!

Inspired By:

Making zines! I learned how to make one on Skillshare earlier in the month and got hooked. I’ll share more about it soon, but I now carry paper in my purse so I can make little “books” while I’m waiting to do things (like sitting in the doctor’s office or at the DMV). It’s a great creative challenge if you want to do something with your hands (while waiting!) that doesn’t involve a phone.

Our trip to the Color Factory was pretty awesome.

COLOR!!

I’ve been working on this zine (which will be in my Etsy shop soon!), so it was awesome to see so many colors and understand the psychology behind them. It definitely added to my experience.

Making zines (like this one above) reintroduced me to one of my favorite tools- THE COPY MACHINE. I love the smell of them…and the sound they make and I love how some of them make double sided copies! Don’t get me started! The copy machine was my basically my photoshop when I was a kid…sitting in my dad’s office messing around with them and making fun things.

While I was standing at Kinko’s listening to some dude go on forever about politics on a phone call, I remembered how I brought a photo of me into this particular Kinko’s at age 16 to BE SCANNED ON A FLOPPY DISK SO I COULD PUT IT ON AOL and send to boys. Crazy, huh? I am thankful that I didn’t have a cellphone when I was in high school.

Watching:

Glow– Casey and I watched the series on Netflix and REALLY enjoyed it. Did you watch Glow (Glamorous Ladies of Wrestling) when you were younger? I remember parts of it from my childhood. The writing on the show is hilarious and I loooove seeing some of the 80s fashions. It takes me back!

Kedi – We watched this last week for our family movie night. We’re cat lovers and if you are too, you’ll love this movie.

Ozark– We are on episode 4 and we’re HOOKED. I adore Jason Bateman. I love how deadpan he is (is he always???) and this show totally caught my attention on the first episode.

Given– A very beautiful film (on Netflix) about a surfer/nomad family. The cinematography is pretty amazing. I loved how the story is from the perspective of the son. I dreamt about water and the ocean for days after watching it. If you’re looking for something to relax you, I recommend it.

Fight Club– watched this one with my niece (who didn’t get it!). Boy, did it bring back a lot of memories! It’s one of my favorite movies of allllllllllllll time.

Masterminds– watch it if you love Zach Galifianakis + Kristen Wiig. Definitely silly!

Cooper and I have been enjoying some documentaries together this Summer. We watched a few animal documentaries and one about the Titanic. I love how he absorbs information.

Reading:

Cheaper by the Dozen – love reading about the efficiency of this family of 12!

Active Dreaming – trying to control my dream life/learn more about it

Hot Dog Taste Test – her illustrations and use of color inspire me- plus she’s hilarious.

I have a total of 25 books checked out from the library… So….I HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

Thinking About:

Vacation trip to Tahoe with family. Very excited about that.

My birthday is coming up. I didn’t remember that until I bought a gallon of milk that expires on my birthday and had to do the math to see how long it would last. Funny how your birthdays change over time, huh?

School back up at the end of this month! At times the summer has felt super short and then LOOOONG. I am very much looking forward being back into the routine, although I am going to miss not rushing off to school in the morning. We really savored our mornings together this Summer.

Listening To:

There are two songs that I got hooked on this summer:

The beat is really good on this one. Cooper and I call it the “armpit fart” song.

A very catchy song.

This one could be the soundtrack of my Summer:

If you need to chill out and relax, this is what I listen to while I’m working lately:

Also re-listening to Madonna’s Ray of Light album. It brings me back to my early 20s and now listening to it 10 years later is such a trip. I’m pretty close to Madonna’s age when she made the album, so it resonates on more of spiritual level. Also, it makes me remember how depressed and confused I was in my 20s, and I am so happy I am not in that particular headspace anymore. I wonder who I will listen to 10 years from now and what I’ll think of my late 30s…

Dream Life:

Don’t remember that much about my dream life. I know that a lot of it has taken place at a beach- probably because I watched that movie Given. I’ve been getting a LOT of deja vu lately and I wonder if it has anything to do with what I’ve been dreaming lately.

Eating/Drinking:

We have a little bit of frozen mocha mousse left in our freezer right now. I think we’ll finish it off tonight!

Definitely enjoyed this pizza cookie situation.

Made this Epic Cheeseboard for my parent’s 4th of July Party. It was a hit!

Casey and I enjoyed a few Salmon dishes. I wish Cooper did too!

Eating a lot of frozen fruits. It’s one of my Healthy Habits instead of eating ice cream at night!

July self-portrait:

We have reached ponytail status. This is me standing on my parent’s balcony…trying not to look down.

How about you? How was your July?

What are you looking forward to in August??

Caitlyn August 1, 2017

OMG I am embarrassingly excited that you are reading Cheaper by the Dozen. I read it multiple times as a kid and I still think about it ALL the time as an adult (like literally every time I have to take extra steps in my kitchen because my stove, fridge and sink don’t make a good triangle). I’m a very process oriented person and I think as a kid learning that someone out there thought the way I did was so reassuring. I was just explaining the book to my husband – I barely remember the family stories – but the idea of playing foreign language records while taking baths so that you weren’t wasting your bath time? I will never forget! I might need to dig out my old copy and give it another read 🙂

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- Tracy August 2, 2017
  
  Yes yes yes! It’s soo good. I just love the dad’s spirit. He sounds like my kind of person.
  
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Tiffani August 1, 2017

I loved this! When you talked about your tight budget & that Restriction Breeds Creativity it really hit home for me. We have been on a tight budget this summer too, but I feel that we have gained so much from it. Our family has spent our days at home painting, going to the gym (our son goes to the childcare room while our daughter exercises with us), creating a cleaning schedule, cooking together… & I agree with you, we see what we need & don’t need. Thanks for sharing!

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- Tracy August 2, 2017
  
  And you sent me awesome mail too 🙂 Thank you, Tiffani!!
  
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Danielle August 1, 2017

Hi Tracy! I enjoy your currently posts so much (actually I enjoy all your posts : ) Your creativity inspires me more than you know! I am currently in the middle of moving and it’s stressing me out so badly. I have a similar situation that you had where my husband, son, and I are moving back to my childhood home. It’s all good as I love the house and I’m super excited about it but packing up a house that I’ve lived in for 18 years has me overwhelmed. How did you cope? Packing, working, momming, wifing…all while maintain a blog?? How did you juggle it all? Aside from alcohol….I’ve got that covered ♥

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- Tracy August 2, 2017
  
  I barely held it together, to tell you the truth! It was very stressful because we had to move all of my parent’s stuff out so we could live here.
  I made a bunch of lists and reminded myself that this will be a house we’ll be in for a long time. Things take time. You have to live with a space before you can go and decorate the heck out of it.
  
  Focus on getting stuff done and settling in!
  
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Bethany August 2, 2017

You look really pretty. I like the dark hair and the tendrils.

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Rebeca August 2, 2017

July was really stressful for me, so much that it included a panic attack. To counteract everything that was going on, I made it a point to include things that bring me joy/relax me every day, including:
– picnics
– looong evening walks
– rewatching The IT Crowd
– drawing with my niece. The mind of a 4-year-old is amazing.
– getting a massage
– journaling
– getting love from the handsome dude I live with
– bringing flowers to my grandma’s grave. She passed away 4 years ago, but boy, so I miss her like it was yesterday.

I love the look on your face in your selfie – you look so pretty!

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- Tracy August 2, 2017
  
  oh this is so good!!! I am glad that you are figuring out helpful ways to counteract a panic attack. They’re no joke!
  I miss my grandma too. I wish I could watch her in the kitchen. Sighhhh.
  
  Hoping your August is fab! xo
  
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Sara August 2, 2017

Love, love, love your blog as always! It’s a top favorite and I’m so glad you keep writing and sharing in an age where people seem to be forgoing blogs for faster social media methods.

Anyway, I am on a huge memoir kick this year. I literally cannot stop reading them. I have about the same number of books checked out as you, but some are cookbooks, my other love. Have you read The Glass Castle? The movie comes out next week!

I adore your handwriting and your zines! How do the letters work that you send out? Can anyone send you a letter? I keep thinking I need to.

Also, the fact that your food looks so amazing and your photos are gorgeous and your kiddo is kinda picky makes me breathe easier each meal at my own house. I’m a good cook with a picky kid.

Last random thought for the night-you should try a Live Kombucha Revive Rootbeer!
Tastiest drink ever.

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- Tracy August 2, 2017
  
  anyone can send me mail!
  po box 604
  san anselmo, ca 94979
  
  thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I haven’t read The Glass Castle yet! Do you recommend it? I haven’t tried a kombucha/root beer before. Now you’re making me want to!
  
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dana828 August 3, 2017

How is it even August?! I honestly don’t remember June. Did it happen?
We spent the last 2 weeks of July traveling. Twelve magical days driving around Oregon (with the last few just across the river in Washington), doing lots of hiking, beer drinking, some cave exploring and whitewater rafting. Trying to hit up all the food carts in Portland. Finally visiting my first National Lark (Crater Lake). This trip has been a dream of mine for years, and it didn’t disappoint. The PNW has my heart. Now to convince my family we should live there…

Ozark. Yes. Just started it the other day and am hooked.

20 days til school starts up again and OMG. I already can’t keep all the schedules straight. Having 2 high-schoolers this year is going to be an adjustment! At least one can now drive, so that helps.
Also, I totally don’t feel old enough to have 2 kids in high school (junior & freshman).

Your selfie is fab. Seriously.

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Sara August 6, 2017

YES, GLOW was amazing and funny! Excellent cast, excellent writing, excellent 80s nostalgia! I think watching the series inspired me to re-read Ready Player One this week – great book and in large part an homage to 80s pop culture. I highly recommend it.

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- Tracy August 6, 2017
  
  A few people have recommended that book to me! I’ll put it on my library list. Thanks!
  
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