And She's Back In College (With More Than She Came Home With)

Ah, Natalie.

My daughter isn't what you'd call a light packer. 

She always thinks of all the scenarios where she might need a certain item and decides, you know what, I'll bring it.

And that.

And that.

And THAT!

Which is why her pile to return to college looked like this:

She did not have this much when she came home for Winter Break. It grew. Why?

Well, it's finally getting cold in Texas, so she had to bring all her jackets. And she has several, thanks to Goodwill finds.

Then she has cute pajama sets, because she's in a communal bathroom and needs to be seen a matching ensemble. She has clothes she wears when she bloated. Dresses. Skirts. Shoes. Boots. Purses.

When we carried everything up to her dorm, it looked like this:

She insists she'll find space for it all. Thank goodness her roommate is understanding and knows how Natalie is. 

I am going to miss her but I know she'll do amazing.

If you think Tommy is saying something encouraging or sweet, you are incorrect.

He was making sure she didn't want her leftover pizza. We had gone to Mod pizza to get energy before we moved her in. She didn't eat all her pizza and took the pieces to her dorm to have later. Tommy was making sure she truly wanted them. (She did.)

Tommy's college doesn't start until next week, and I'll move him in Wednesday. He has an orientation for his work study job Thursday and then he's acting in a short film Friday. So it'll be back to a quiet house.

But it's okay, because my daughter especially likes to pop back home when she's missing me. So I'll see them again soon. 

Valentine's Day Tote Bag From Barnes & Noble

I received a gift card to Barnes & Noble for Christmas and I thought, oh yes, I can get new books! 

But then I started seeing this bag all over social media and I was drawn to it. I mean, hello, I'm a girl. Show me gingham and a bow and I'm in.

Plus I loved this message:

It's true. It's very true. I am still traumatized from reading Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. If you've only seen the movie, it's not the same. Still sad, but the book is so much better. (If you need book suggestions, I shared a bunch.)

This bag holds many books as I discovered when I went to the library. I think it held six? I could probably have squeezed in a seventh if I wanted. 

Oh, if you want your own bag, I'm sorry to say it seems to be sold out everywhere. In stores. Online. But there are hopes it'll be restocked. 

I cannot wait to stuff many more novels in the bag. 

Hey, It's Okay

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 be sad that Natalie is returning to college this weekend. I'll miss her, but I'm happy for her. She enjoys college and is looking forward to her classes this semester. And I know I'll still see her as she tends to visit many weekends.

.......to be happy Tommy has another week home--his college gives them one more week! 

.......to have thought the Stranger Things finale was sweet at the very end--but it did seems rather rushed and easy to defeat the villain. 

......to be going to see Labyrinth in theaters on Friday with my Mom and the kids. It's back in theaters for the 40th anniversary! It's the best movie and David Bowie is in it!

......to hope everyone has a wonderful 2026. We enjoyed the firework show in the neighborhood. 

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