Category: Family

Workcation in Naples, Florida: My Remote Work + Vacation Combo

One of the perks of my new job (okay, not that new, I’ve been there since October 2024) is that I get to work remotely most days. This summer, we decided to take full advantage of that flexibility and head back to a VRBO we previously enjoyed in North Naples, Florida.

We flew down on a Wednesday evening, right after I wrapped up my workday. My plan was simple: log in from the house for two days, enjoy the Florida sunshine from my laptop, and then roll straight into a vacation. The house has its own pool and hot tub, complete with a lanai, so I could set up my workspace in the kitchen overlooking the pool. While I worked, Travis and Jack lived their best pool life, hopping in and out of the water all day long.

By knocking out two full workdays remotely, I only had to take two additional days off to stretch a long weekend into a full week of Florida sun. We flew home early the next Wednesday, and I was logged back in that morning. So yeah, I’m loving the work/life balance!

What We Did:

When I say we had the laziest vacation ever, I mean it. Most days we alternated between reading on the couch (me and Travis), playing video games from a bed nest (Jack), checking out the local thrift stores, eating all the food, going in and out of the pool, and walking along the nearby beach. One night, we enjoyed both a rainbow AND a sunset at the Delnor-Wiggins beach.

Where We Ate:

We revisited: Turco Tacos, Michaelbobs BBQ and Kilwins for ice cream. New places we enjoyed: Steamers Seafood, Mystic Lobster Roll Company, and Naples Brunch Restaurant.

Where We Shopped:

Most of our thrifting luck was had at the nearby Goodwill locations. However, I also found a couple fabulous scores at the St. John’s Shoppe consignment store.

I barely changed out of my swimsuit all week and it was PERFECT. I actually ended the week feeling rested and refreshed!

Back to School: 4 Tips to Make Your Life Easier

Source: Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again – we just received our class assignments and school supplies lists for the upcoming year. We don’t go back to class until after Labor Day, but according to my social media timelines some kids are already starting to head back!

Here are a few of my tips to help make the back-to-school craziness go a little bit smoother:

Tip #1: School Supplies Upgrade

Order these labels and stick them on EVERYTHING: Avery Durable Labels.

I’ve been using them for years on school supplies, lunch boxes, water
bottles, plastic containers, ice packs, etc. They are dishwasher safe and hold
up really well after dozens and dozens of washes. I even have a water bottle
from 3 years ago that STILL has the label on it with Jack’s name. These things are invaluable, so keep a pack on hand!

Tip #2: Throw in a Load of Laundry

Hunt down the backpack and lunchboxes your kiddo(s) used last year, throw them in the washing machine and wash them on cold (add a few towels so you don’t waste any space). Then, let them hang dry so that they’re all ready for the coming year. Even if you bought a brand-new lunchbox and backpack, DO THIS ANYWAYS with the old ones. That way when a container of peaches opens up inside their lunch bag and makes everything sticky, you’re prepared with a backup until the new one is clean again. If you have a hard lunchbox (rather than the squishy kind), stick it in the dishwasher for a nice back-to-school bath.

Tip #3: Reintroduce Shoes

If your kid is like mine, they’ve been wearing sandals, flip flops, or crocs
all summer long. However, at our school it is required to wear sneakers on PE days. Well, Jack hasn’t put on socks and sneakers in months, so each August I have him try on his sneakers to make sure he hasn’t grown out of them.

Flow Chart 1: If they’re too small, you now have a couple weeks to
find a new pair. Find them, buy them, start wearing them to break them in so they are ready to be worn for a full school day.

Flow Chart 2: If they still fit, reintroduce shoes and socks to your kid.
According to Jack, socks are evil and so hard to put on after three months. So, we start wearing them sparingly before school starts to get the whining out of the way early.

Tip #4: Do a Clothing Fashion Show

Yes, I know it’s still 90 degrees in Maryland. However, when you realize
your kid grew out of all their pants and long sleeves it will be cold outside
and you’ll be stuck sending your kid to school in capris. Do a quick try-on of
pants, long sleeves and jackets so that you have a couple months to hunt out
sales and gather what you need.

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That Time I Went a Little Viral on Threads: The Big Bopper

For those of you not familiar with Threads, it was launched by Instagram in July 2023 and allows users to post text, photos and videos, and interact with other’s posts through likes, reposts, and replies. It’s basically a nicer version of Twitter (aka X). I’ve been over there since the beginning and enjoy reading other peoples Threads. Occasionally, I share thoughts. Or longer Thread stories… which are like free-form mini blog posts (I also curse over there, so… sorry). Anyways, I shared a story last week that kind of blew up.

And by blew up, I mean my account had over 295,000 views. I also had over 600 comments on my various posts, which I tried to keep up with over the few days that things were going crazy.

Anyways, one of those comments suggested that I write this all down somewhere, so I thought I’d add it over here on the blog too! I’ve been posting since before I was even pregnant with Jack, so for me it’s a fun little look back at many of the highs and lows over the past 14 years of my life.

So buckle up… here is the story of The Big Bopper.