I haven’t posted as much this quarter, but I certainly haven’t been sitting still.
I actually started several blog posts along the way. Life just kept happening faster than I could finish writing about it.
This morning I woke up, decided to stop worrying about the unfinished posts and simply write the Q2 roundup.
My word for the year is Curate, and I’m grateful this blog keeps reminding me of that. I don’t know that I consciously thought about curating my life every day this quarter, but looking back, many of the biggest decisions I made were moving me in that direction.
🍃 Quarter at a Glance
Word of the Year: Curate
❤️ Favorite Memory: Traveling with family and friends
🏡 Hardest Decision: Listing our Rowlett house
⭐ Biggest Win: Betting on myself and interviewing
🩺 Most Unexpected: Changing doctors and finally getting answers
📚 Books Read: 18
🎬 Movies Watched: 10
👟 Walking Streak: 329 consecutive days over 10,000 steps
🌄 Looking Forward to Q3: Wherever this house journey takes us.
💼 Trying New Things (Even When I Didn’t Want To)
Interviewing Again…After 27 Years
One of the biggest ways I stretched myself this quarter was applying for a job I wasn’t even sure I was qualified for.
In the end, I didn’t get it.
But honestly, that wasn’t the point.
The real victory was proving to myself that I could still step outside my comfort zone.
After not interviewing since 1999, I survived Teams panel interviews, learned the STAR interview process, spent hours preparing, and made it all the way to the final round.
I also promised myself something before that first interview—I was going to be authentic.
I wasn’t going to become the person I thought they wanted to hire.
Sometimes we present a polished version of ourselves during interviews, then wonder why we don’t enjoy the job once we’re hired. I’d rather someone decide I’m not the right fit than accept a position built on pretending to be someone I’m not.
Whether they found someone more qualified or simply someone who fit their needs better, I’ll never know.
What I do know is that I walked away proud of myself.
And to everyone currently job hunting…
Interviews have become a full-time job all by themselves.
I have a whole new appreciation for what you’re going through.
🏡 Home
After four years of going back and forth, the biggest change this quarter is that our Rowlett house is officially on the market.
That sentence still feels strange to write.
For years I’ve debated selling it. I love the neighborhood, my Al-Anon group, my gym, the movie theater, and the familiarity of living there.
But at some point, constantly debating became heavier than making a decision.
I still don’t know exactly what comes next.
A lake house?
Building on our land?
Something I haven’t even imagined yet?
Movement feels better than indecision.
Whether we build, buy, or completely change directions, at least we’re finally moving forward.
Sometimes curating your life starts by making the hard decision you’ve been avoiding.
🎓 Proud Grandma Moments
One of my favorite moments this quarter was celebrating Iyan finishing seventh grade.
Not only did he pass everything…
He made the A/B Honor Roll.
We also celebrated a huge Boy Scout milestone when he earned First Class and five merit badges.
My own victory?
Finally sewing every patch onto his uniform after putting it off for…well…far longer than I care to admit.
Sometimes productivity looks like crossing something off a list that’s been staring at you for years.
Betting on Iyan
One of the harder decisions this quarter was agreeing to send Iyan back to Boles for eighth grade.
Academically, I’m not convinced it’s the strongest option.
But emotionally?
It may be exactly what he needs.
If going back means fewer daily battles, more confidence, and a better chance to stay on track, then it’s worth trying.
Parenting rarely comes with guarantees.
Sometimes you simply make the best decision you can with the information you have.
✈️ Adventures
This quarter included two very different trips.
Our family adventure through Las Vegas, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon created memories I’ll never forget.
Then Jessica and I headed to Alaska for a girls’ cruise.
Beautiful scenery.
Great conversations.
Wonderful memories.
Somewhere between hiking below the rim of the Grand Canyon and watching glaciers drift by in Alaska, I was reminded how much I love exploring new places.
Travel always has a way of reminding me how big—and beautiful—the world really is.
❤️ Family Updates
Racing season is back, and Ray is currently leading his class.
Watching him race at sixty years old is honestly inspiring.
He says this may be his last full racing season, so I’m cheering extra hard for a championship.
Iyan got braces this quarter, and somewhere along the way he suddenly stopped looking like a little kid.
He’s growing like crazy and will probably be taller than me before long.
Our chickens continue providing endless entertainment.
We successfully rehomed the roosters, bought another hen to keep our lone girl company…and then the new hen promptly died.
So naturally we came home with four baby chicks from Tractor Supply.
Apparently they only sell chicks in groups of four or more.
They’re all supposed to be hens.
We’re cautiously optimistic.
One of my favorite purchases this quarter was a National Park Passport book.
Now I find myself planning future trips just so I can collect more passport stamps.
We even took a taffy-making class in Utah.
The guys—Matt, Ray and Iyan—weren’t convinced at first, but by the end everyone was laughing and having fun.
We also booked our Thanksgiving cruise on MSC.
It will be my first cruise on a non-Carnival ship in nearly fifteen years—and Iyan’s first.
I’m excited to compare the experience.
👟 Moving My Body (More Than I Expected)
I managed to hurt my back while carrying a bag of mulch, so my grand workout plans didn’t last very long.
I’m still trying to find an exercise class I truly enjoy.
I miss step aerobics.
Apparently they’re becoming as rare as cassette tapes.
One accomplishment I’m genuinely proud of…
329 consecutive days of walking more than 10,000 steps.
The goal is one full year.
I’m getting close.
🎬 Entertainment
Movies
I definitely stepped up my movie-going this quarter.
One exciting piece of news is that a Gamescape by Cinemark is supposed to be opening much closer to us.
It doesn’t offer quite as generous a membership program as AMC, but after driving more than an hour each way to the nearest theater, I’ll gladly take convenience.
Maybe spontaneous movie nights will finally become a thing again.
Books
Reading continues to be one of my favorite ways to unwind.
This quarter’s books ranged from thrillers to historical fiction to parenting and personal growth.
Some favorites included:
- Good Inside by Becky Kennedy
- Marsh Madness by Jana DeLeon
- The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
- The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
The only one I didn’t finish was Moonwalking with Einstein. It wasn’t bad—I just couldn’t get into it.
💭 Final Thoughts
Looking back, I think this quarter was really about betting on myself.
I interviewed for a job even though it scared me.
I listed the house after years of indecision.
I changed doctors.
I made difficult parenting decisions.
I kept investing in friendships.
I continued moving toward a life that feels more intentional.
Curating a life doesn’t always mean adding beautiful new things.
Sometimes it means letting go of what no longer fits.
Sometimes it means trying something uncomfortable.
Sometimes it simply means deciding your own happiness deserves a place in the conversation.
I don’t have all the answers yet.
But I finally feel like I’m asking better questions.
Not bad for one quarter.
💜 Something to Ponder
What’s one thing you did this quarter that surprised you?
Sometimes the biggest victories aren’t the flashy ones.
They’re the quiet moments when we finally decide to bet on ourselves.
With love & glitter,
Valerie ✨
📚 For Future Valerie…
Because six months from now I’ll be asking…
“Wait…did I read that?”
“Didn’t we watch that movie?”
So here’s my cheat sheet.
🎬 Movies
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
- The Drama
- The Devil Wears Prada 2
- Michael
- The Sheep Detectives
- Obessesion
- Disclosure Day
- The Breadwinner
- I Love Boosters
- Stars Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
📖 Books
Just because I read it doesn’t mean I recommend it. This is simply my reading journal for the quarter.
- The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives — Elizabeth Arnott
- Good Inside — Becky Kennedy (I want to buy this one in hard copy and use as a reference guide for life.)
- The Nature of Fragile Things — Susan Meissner
- Theo of Golden — Allen Levi
- My Husband’s Wife — Alice Feeney
- Rites of the Starling — Devney Perry
- The Names — Florence Knapp
- Things We Never Say — Elizabeth Strout
- Leave Your Mess at Home — Tolani Alanole
- The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post — Allison Petaki
- Moonwalking with Einstein — Joshua Foer – I didn’t finish this one, but it might be worth reading at some point. I just could not get into it at all.
- Dwelling — Emily Hunt Kivel
- Upward Bound — Woody Brown
- Marsh Madness — Jana DeLeon – I love this series!
- The Midnight Feast — Lucy Foley
- Dear Debbie – Freida McFadden
- Murder by Design – Lee Goldberg
- I’m Not the Only Murdered in My Retirement Home – Fergus Craig
