coffee date.

i have been missing this space more and more the longer i've been away from it. it's not that i need this space for any tangible reason - i don't make money from it, aside from the occasional product freebie - but i feel like it's one of the only ways that i can channel and share my creative energy in a way that fits my life right now. not to mention all of you wonderful people i know because of this blog. i can't tell you the amount of times i'm talking to someone in real life, and i reference something that my friend did, only to have to explain that i haven't actually met said friend in person, i just know them from blogging. and yet some of my internet friends know me better than most people. we text and we comment and we share our day to day lives, and i know if i needed anything, i'd be able to ask any one of them for help. i've been feeling a little sappy about friendship and stuff lately, so in honor of friends both here and on the internet, i'm doing a long absent virtual coffee date.if we were having coffee (or tea, you do you) i'd be drinking an americano with sugar free vanilla and a splash of cream. It's like the caffeine kick of a latte but not as heavy. and also way cheaper. i may be drinking one right now...i'd start out by asking about your fun summer stuff. any trips planned? do you have way too many weddings? are you able to just chill out? we have a couple cabin trips on the books, and i just got back from a girls weekend in colorado, which was nothing short of miraculous. we have a couple weddings, a record low for us. my brother-in-law is marrying the sweetest girl, i've known her since she was in middle school so we have lots of fun events planned for that. both kids are in the wedding (oh my gosh it's going to be cute), Mister Man is co-best man and i am singing at the ceremony - eep! I can't wait!i'm obviously going to talk to you about my tiny little venture of love i started this spring, everything with love co. if you haven't heard, i started an etsy shop making essential oil diffuser bracelets, keychains and baby accessories. i haven't had a minute to update the shop or my instagram, but i've been selling them to friends, family and people in the community, and just loving it. if you don't know what a diffuser bracelet is, it's basically a bracelet that you apply a few drops of essential oil to so you can smell it and benefit from the scent throughout your day. i make leather and faux suede bracelets, and i've also branched out into keychains, stroller&crib charms, and pacifier clips. i wear my bracelet every day, and it's been such a great thing to have in my "more stressful than normal" work environment. it would mean the world to me if you visited the shop or sent me a note if you'd be interested in learning more!speaking of essential oils, i've been on a natural cleaning kick like whoa lately. i've been switching out as many cleaning products as i can with homemade versions. my glass cleaner works like a charm, as does my wood floor cleaner. i use the young living thieves cleaner for all purpose cleaning, and although i can't get Mister Man to give up his scrubbing bubbles for cleaning the shower, i won't be buying any commercial cleaners anytime soon. i do have a question for all of you. so i have recipes for all these natural cleaners that i use...would you want to see posts on those recipes? i know that not everyone is into the so-called "crunchy" life, but i don't think you have to be crunchy to want safer, more natural cleaning products, so if there's interest i'd love to share! i know lots of you love my soup recipes, so maybe you'd love my cleaning recipes too? let me know!do you ever just sit back and wonder how life can possibly pass by so quickly, and also drag by like it's not even moving? i've started to realize this more and more as our lives fill up with the activities and minutiae that come with being the mom of two growing children. Amelia is starting preschool in the fall, and i must be in denial, because 1) i have no idea when the first day of school is (literally, i have no idea), and 2) i haven't given any thought to how our schedule will change once that starts, or what she'll wear (she's almost grown out of 90% of her clothes), or even entirely how to prep her for this change. basically what i'm saying is that i thought i had a million years before i had to spend time thinking about this stuff, but it turns out i have about a month to do it all. it's a pretty good analogy for how i live my life. and it maybe explains why i never send out birthday cards...my intentions are good, my execution is so, so bad. also: HOW DO I HAVE A CHILD WHO WILL BE THREE AND GOING TO PRESCHOOL THIS CANNOT BE MY REAL LIFE.

[one day old. this is how old my baby is, and how old she shall always be in my mind.]

thanks for having coffee with me on this muggy, gloomy (at least where i am) friday. i hope you have the best friday ever, and enough coffee to keep you buzzing from the caffeine, but not so much to give you the shakes. i love you and i smooch you.

love, me.

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