Friday Favorites September 11, 2026: Tiki Boat, Good Cleaning Product, Fall Lip Gloss, Autumn Hallmark Movie and Essential Oils

 

Before I get into Friday Favorites, I do want to stop and acknowledge those that lost their lives in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 and the many heroes that helped on the ground the day of the attacks and for months after. We can never forget that day and the sacrifices that were made.

To close out this week, I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites. To lighten the day a bit, I am sharing a very fun night I had last weekend, a cleaning product I have gone back to, and a Good lip gloss to kick off fall. I am also including a favorite fall Hallmark movie that brought us Joy again the other night and some essential oils that are providing me some relief lately. If you need to exhale right now, join me for Friday Favorites.

1. Birthday Tiki Boat

In June, my lovely friend had a big birthday. On Saturday night, we celebrated her on a Tiki boat that cruised up and down the Potomac river on a beautiful September night. It was super fun and we had the whole boat to ourselves. We laughed, we danced and the boat captain said we were the most fun group they had in weeks.

I would follow this group of ladies anywhere. There are ladies in this group who have been there when I cried, loved on Hockey Guy, protected me and always make me laugh. I am truly blessed.

Wednesday Hodgepodge: September 9, 2026

 

I hope everyone had a Good long weekend. We were able to spend some time with friends and also make really wonderful dinners. This Labor Day was just what I needed. I am back today to join Joyce for Wednesday Hodgepodge for some early fall questions.

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team? If you're playing along today, but live outside the US feel free to sub your feelings about futbol for the more American sport of football. 

I would say on football in general, I am about a 3 on the scale of a fan. Since Hockey Guy is now going to a big football school I am probably an 8 for his college team. Running Daddy and I watch every game and now love College Game Day. I personally have a lot to say about their former coach, especially this week. 

Friday Favorites September 4, 2026: Favorite Tennis Shoes, Body Serum, 9 to 5, Lovely Show with Companion Podcast and Dry Eye Mascara

 

Hey there Besties. I am finally back for another Friday Favorites. Writing and sharing things that bring me Joy seems to be exactly what I need right now. I am so looking forward to taking a deep breath and trying to enjoy this weekend. Last weekend felt a little hard. 

Today I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites. This week's list has my favorite tennis shoes of all time, a body serum that will help cut down on shaving (really), and what the movie 9 to 5 taught me. I will finish things up with a lovely show that I needed right now and I think I finally found a mascara that works for my dry eye. Let's jump into this long weekend and enjoy a few Friday Favorites.

1. Tretorn Tennis Shoes

I have been wearing Tretorn tennis shoes since I was probably thirteen years old. The reason why I have always loved Tretorns is that they are not clunky. Some of the trending tennis shoes look rather clunky in my opinion. For a person who is not very tall, my feet are on the larger size. I am an 8.5 shoe size now, and was an 8 before I had Hockey Guy. That means in any type of sneaker, I am in a 9. A clunky size 9 on someone who is not super tall is not super cute.

Monthly Musings August 2026: Cleaning and Life Hacks

 

Hey there Besties! Thanks for your patience with me having to put the July Monthly Musings on pause. If you missed yesterday's post, I've linked it here and it explains a bit why I had to take a break in late July. This Monthly Musings comes at a perfect time, because I could use a little help in the cleaning and life hack area.

Be sure to check in with the other ladies who participate in Monthly Musings as I am sure they will have some Good tips too. I cannot wait to see what the other ladies share. Are you ready for Monthly Musings? I am!

What's Up Wednesday: August 2026

 

It's been a really long time since I have participated in What's Up Wednesday and I know that my posting has been a little sparse lately. This has been a super challenging year and when the things get a little crazy, the words don't really flow for me. Today, I am back for What's Up Wednesday and linking up with Shay and Shaeffer. 

I am going to warn you that this post may be pretty real and raw at times. I try to keep things as real as possible on this site and so many of you comment how positive I stay most of the time, lately things are been hard. Some things I will share but I also need to keep a lot of things private right now.

Ok, closing my eyes, taking a big breath and jumping in. 

Hello Monday August 24, 2026: August Monthly Musings Topics

 

Happy Monday Besties. I am back today to join Sarah and Holly  for Hello Monday and to share the topics for August Monthly Musings. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed lately this will be a Monthly Musings for you. In August, we are sharing tips and tricks for Cleaning and Life Hacks.

I know I am looking forward to coming back here on Thursday learning from the talented women who join me every month. There are quite a few things that I will be looking for help with to make our household and life run a little Better. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge: August 12, 2026

 

I am not going to lie to you Besties, the last few weeks have been really challenging.  I know I have been MIA a lot this year but today I am easing back into things as this space has always brought me Joy. Linking up with From This Side of the Pond is a perfect way to ease back into things.

1. I saw a meme on Instagram that went like this-'The movie Dirty Dancing came out in 1987 and was set in 1963, so if remade in 2026 it would be set in 2002. Now I need a little lie down in a dark room for a while." 

Time is crazy isn't it? So...what were you up to in the year 2002? 

In 2002, I was working in Washington, DC (and I still am) for a member of House leadership in a political roll. At the time I was traveling the country helping to get candidates elected and working on a leadership race. I spent a lot of time in Pennsylvania that election cycle as Pennsylvania is a battleground state.