Wow, this Friday sure snuck up on me! Part of me wishes there was an extra day in the week just to spread out all the things on my to-do list. Since that’s not happening, I’ll just tackle as much as I can and be content with the progress. One thing I will make sure to finish—because it’s always so fun—is putting together my Five on Friday post. Let’s do this!
If you are like me and listen to The Next Right Thing podcast, you heard Jen Hatmaker talking about her new book,
Awake. At the conclusion of the podcast, I immediately went to check it out at my library. I'm currently number 19 in line to get it. I might just have to purchase a copy! Here's the summary ~
At 2:30 a.m. on July 11, 2020, Jen Hatmaker woke up to her husband of twenty-six years whispering in his phone to another woman from their bed. It was the end of life as she knew it. In the months that followed, she went from being a shiny, funny, popular leader to a divorced wreck on antidepressants and antianxiety meds, parenting five kids alone with no clue about the functioning of her own bank accounts. Having led millions of women for over a decade—urging them to embrace authenticity, find radical agency, and create healthy relationship—she felt like a catastrophic failure.
In Awake, Jen shares for the first time what happened when she found herself completely lost at sea—and how she made it to shore. In candid, surprisingly funny vignettes spanning forty years of girlhood, marriage, and parenting, Jen lays bare the disorienting upheaval of midlife—the implosion of a marriage, the unraveling of religious and cultural systems, and the grief that accompanies change you didn’t ask for. And, drawing on all resources—from without and within—Jen dares to question the systems beneath the whole house of cards, and to reckon with the myths, half-truths, and lies that brought her to this point.
More than one woman’s story, Awake is a critical analysis of the story given to all of us: the story of gender limitations, religious subservience, body shame, self-erasure. With refreshing candor, Jen explores a midlife renaissance—grieving what’s lost, cherishing possibility, and entering the second half of life wide awake.
I love putting together little goody bags for just about any occasion, and Halloween is no exception. How cute are these festive facial masks?! They’re going to be the perfect addition to the treat bags I’m making for a few friends. After a busy night of trick-or-treating, they can relax, pop on one of these masks, and let the stress of the day melt away. Snag some while they’re still available!
3. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
Pumpkin spice season is in full swing, and Trader Joe’s is fueling the craze with the return of their Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread! Back for a limited time, this seasonal favorite is perfect for spreading on bagels, pumpkin bread, or even cookies. Grab a tub while it’s still on shelves!
4. National Save Your Photos Day Saturday marks National Save Your Photos Day, and it’s the perfect opportunity to give your precious pictures a little extra attention. Think of all the moments you’ve captured over the years—family gatherings, vacations, milestone celebrations, and everyday snapshots that mean so much. Taking the time to back them up might feel overwhelming, but imagine how devastating it would be to lose those memories to a computer crash, phone mishap, or accidental deletion. Whether you save them to an external hard drive, upload them to a cloud service, or make printed copies, the important thing is to take action. Set aside a few minutes this weekend to protect those photos and give yourself peace of mind knowing your memories are safe for years to come.
5. Who's with me...
Have a wonderful vacation! I'm hoping to get caught up on some things and start the week feeling refreshed and energized. See you next week!
