July 2025 has been a blend of sunshine, milestones, and those quiet moments that sneak up on you. Rob’s 50th was a highlight, the backyard dream is edging closer to reality, and July brought its share of good meals and social snapshots. Work’s humming along and I’ve been neck-deep in blog tweaks. As August begins, the school-year memories resurface—fuzzy backpacks, early bus stop waves—and the house, though quieter, still holds echoes of those days. Let’s catch up.
We eased into the day with brunch and mountain air, trading city rush for quiet roads and desert views. From Spring Mountains to Pahrump to the glow of the Strip, it was a day of detours, discoveries, and one final spin through Vegas.
Some days come wrapped in setbacks. Others surprise you with unlikely detours that turn out to be the highlight reel. Day 5 started with a limp and ended with lights, laughter, and a couple of unforgettable performances—each one wildly different, both perfectly Vegas. Whether you’re strolling or struggling, the city knows how to show up for you when you lean into the unexpected.
Midday found us hungry and headed somewhere unexpected—a diner-meets-pizzeria with a dash of showbiz flair. What started as a pit stop became a pivot: less hustle, more healing, and just enough spectacle to keep our spirits lit.
Bucket List, Checked. Rob and Drew spent an unforgettable day in Atlanta soaking up the energy of the All-Star Village, followed by an evening at the 2025 All-Star Game—an absolute dream event for any baseball fan. Not only was it a bucket list moment, it turned out to be a history-making one: after a 6-6 tie, fans witnessed the first-ever swing-off tiebreaker in All-Star Game history. The format included three rounds of alternating swings, and the National League edged out the win with a final score of 4–3. Needless to say, this crew was thrilled to see the NL pull…
July was a patchwork of party prep, sweet conversations, and mop-induced motivation—plus one roof-hugging feline and a whole lot of step counts. One sentence at a time, here’s what made the month memorable.
Rob’s 50th was a laid-back celebration with retro flair—a house full of friends, a ‘70s playlist spinning, and a table loaded with festive bites. From chicken fingers to cupcakes, we kept it simple and spirited. The fun rolled right into the next night with a cozy dinner out with the kids, wrapping up the milestone with good food and sweet company.
After a few days of comfort and calm, we traded poolside views for something a little more rugged. With the Vegas Strip still on the horizon, we took a scenic detour that turned out to be one of the most visually striking chapters of the trip. Think ancient formations, desert drama, and a few unexpected encounters that made us pause, laugh, and maybe sweat a little more than planned. Let’s just say—this day had layers. And not just in the rocks.
The last two weeks in July were pure summer scramble—baseball dreams, taco diplomacy, and smash burgers gone rogue. But tucked between the grease clouds and fangirl squeals were ice cream breaks, health check wins, and the kind of selfie moments that remind me why “LyLy” matters. Buckle up.
Day three in Henderson didn’t come with a checklist or sightseeing agenda—and that was kind of perfect. After a slow start at the hotel, I wandered through antique and thrift shops, soaking in the local charm. One vendor’s sprawling camera collection made me pause and linger—it was the kind of simple delight that sneaks up on you. With the afternoon heat pressing in, we made our way to the pool area to visit and take in the view—mountains in the distance, stories all around. If you missed the first post from this trip>>>Boulder City, NV (Vegas Trip Day 2) Our…
I tried The Lift Box after spotting it on Instagram, hoping to discover healthier snacks for my on-the-go days. My box didn’t include a shirt—just consumables—and it arrived looking like it had gone twelve rounds with the postal system. The Lift Box follows a no-choices model: you don’t pick what goes inside, so every month’s a surprise. That’s great if you like sampling new snacks and supplements without overthinking, but it can be hit or miss depending on your taste. The bright side? You can cancel anytime, so there’s no pressure to stick with it if the lineup doesn’t hit…
Day 2 of our Vegas trip led me to Boulder City, where a quiet personal connection added depth to an already charming afternoon. Between burgers, browsing, and camera-clicking strolls, I found plenty worth remembering—and even more worth sharing. If you missed the first post from this trip>>>Henderson, NV Day 0 & 1 Day 2 On day 2, I took the afternoon to drive over to Boulder City. A few weeks before going on this trip, I was looking at FindAGrave.com because I find it so interesting. I was going through linking some of my way back family members to each…
A couple months back, Rob had a conference scheduled in Henderson—just outside Vegas—and I happily tagged along to turn it into a fun little getaway. From delayed flights and airport vibes to hummingbird photo ops and desert walks, our first two days kicked off the trip in the best way—calm, curious, and full of local flavor. While Rob dove into conference mode, I explored, thrifted, and soaked up the sunshine. It was the kind of beginning that eases you right into vacation mode. Day 0 After church on Sunday, Rob and I packed up and headed to the airport. Some…
From fro-yo runs to a 50th birthday bash, here’s what life looked like lately around our corner of Auburn. July 5 LA turned 5 months…I mean how is it going by so fast?!?! My in laws throw a 4th of July party every other year. This year the party was actually on the 5th. You can read about it here>>>Celebrating Independence Day 2025 July 6 We went to visit our friend Marc at his church about 30 minutes away. We got to hear his sermon and then went to the parsonage to visit with him and his family. July 10…
In our corner of Alabama, my in-laws’ Fourth of July party is a biennial celebration complete with fireworks, laughter, and enough food to feed a marching band. But this year, we kicked things off the day before with a brand-new tradition: making the homemade ice cream ourselves. Usually, the churn duty falls to the seasoned pros in the family—but this time, we rolled up our sleeves and took the reins (and the rock salt). We arrived around noon, the house already buzzing with my nieces and nephews and some of their friends darting in and out. The charcuterie boards were…
LIFE Happenings Here’s my weekly posts to catch you up. Week 23 & 24 Week 25 & 26 Loving that I have gotten back into meal planning. Happy when she’s around… Excited to celebrate Rob’s 50th birthday next week. Reminiscing We’ve been talking about what we’re doing for 4th of July next year since its a big one for our country. 250 years!! Its made me think about our 4th of July during Drew’s high school graduation trip in the Pacific Northwest. That day in 2016 we explored Mount St. Helen’s as well as Lava Canyon and the Ape Caves.…
1. What does freedom mean to you? Wow! When I hear this question it evokes so many emotions. Across the country, conversations about freedom are emotionally charged—whether it’s the right to vote, bodily autonomy, what books kids can read, or how history is taught. These aren’t abstract debates; they shape people’s lives and futures. America is a place where “freedom” has meant radically different things to different people. That contradiction—between the ideal and the reality—can be frustrating or heartbreaking. And when the word is used as a shield or a weapon by those with opposing views, it can feel like…
Snapshots from the Past Two Weeks From granddaughter giggles to wedding vows, birthday candles to eye charts — these past couple of weeks have been full of sweet moments. I’ve gathered a few favorite photos, each with a little story to go with it. Thanks for joining me on this small stroll through recent memories. June 18 Time for another eye check. Gave bifocal contacts another shot, but the difference just wasn’t worth it—so it’s back to my usual lenses, plus readers when needed. Getting old is a bummer. June 22 Sunday sweetness. My girl came to Sunday lunch with…
Another month down and I actually kept up with my again. I’m impressed! I think the format makes it easier for me to wrap my brain around each day. I am write them in my Day One journal on my computer and then just copy them over here. Another month down, and I actually stuck with my Sentence a Day Who even am I? The format just makes it way easier to wrap my head around this task each day. I type them up in Day One journal on my computer like a responsible adult, then copy them over here…
Over the past couple of months, I’ve dipped into everything from emotional docuseries and twisty dramas to podcasts that made me laugh, cry, and question what’s real. Whether I was winding down with a cozy show, diving into a mind-bending story, or just letting a podcast play while I cleaned the kitchen, here’s what’s been on my screen (and in my ears) lately. Some hits, some surprises—definitely a few I can’t stop thinking about. Jump to: Movies | TV Shows | YouTube | Podcasts | Music Movies/Docuseries Nonna’s (Netflix) A Deadly American Marriage (Netflix) Sherri Panini: Caught in a…