3 Things 8/19/2026 (a good work day)

Something that went well 

The SEO agency my company hired sent over optimization recommendations for a page that I had written new copy for in April of this year. The only ideas they offered were to add internal links. They couldn't think of anything else that would improvement what I had done.

Very validating.

Something to look forward to 

Today was a very good work day. Lots of validations from different sources. I'm kinda looking forward to seeing what tomorrow looks like.

Something nice about me 

Again, the maintenance guys at work like me. Passing in the hall, I asked one of the guys about a project they were working on, and he delighted in telling me all the details. No one else knows what's going on behind the tarps, but I do! 😁

3 Things 8/18/2026 (a yarn project & a manager who tries)

Something that went well 

I finished a big project I'd been dreading. Needed the help of a manager who isn't my manager. She enjoyed the collaboration and did her best to prop up the pieces of my ego that had become warped and bent from years of poor management. I appreciated it, but also felt embarrassed by it, but also appreciated it.

I mentioned she's not my manager.  Yet, she's tried harder to make me believe I have value than anyone else I've worked for over the past decade.

Something to look forward to 

The yarn project I've been working on for a library event is nearly finished. The only thing left is to attach a small embellishment. Despite the errors I made that no one else will notice, it turned out pretty nice. I get to submit it for the show next week. I will be happy to be finally done with it. It was harder than I thought it would be; it wasn't as enjoyable as crochet projects usually are.

But, I did it, and I finished it, and it's nice.

What's the best that could happen?

I could get a good night's sleep tonight, and tomorrow me could have a great day.

Dangerous Game for Couples

He says, "I got a surprise for you. I was going to install it and see how long it took you to notice, but you came home before I had the chance."

I reply, "Oh, nice! Is it a replacement window crank?"

"No. But, I do need to fix that. Guess again."

"Is it that shelf we talked about for the reading corner?"

"No, but I should order that. I'll give you a hint: It *is* something broken, and I only spent two dollars."

"A new cover for the bedroom light switch?"

"Oo, I forgot about that, but nope!"

"Is it glue for the loose kickboard in the kitchen?"

"Nope. Keep guessing!"

I thought hard about what other broken things in the house might cost only $2 to fix, trying to decide which one to pick next, it dawned on me. If I list one by one each broken thing in the house, I will slowly watch the spark in my wonderful husband's eyes dim as he realizes just how many things in the house I think need to be tended to. 

I didn't want to play this game anymore.

All he wanted to do was surprise me with a little something thoughtful. 

3 Things 8/11/2026 with BLTs

Something that went well 

Elder Son has been growing tomatoes and lettuce on his apartment balcony this summer. This is his first garden. The first tomatoes became ripe today, so he brought those, some of his lettuce, bacon and bread to our house and made BLTs for his parents, Younger Son, and YS's girlfriend. He was so excited to have grown his own stuff and said enjoying it with other people would make it even better. It was magnificent and delicious. ❤️

Something to look forward to 

- Maybe a midweek movie after work tomorrow with The Husband

-  Big library social event this weekend

- Big community social event *next* weekend

- Camping with friends a few weeks from now

Something nice about myself 

I have interesting stories to tell, and today someone at work thanked me for sharing one about a college social experiment I participated in. She said she wants to try it on someone (her husband, specifically) to see if it really works.

3 Things 8/9/2026

Something that went well 

Had a half hour chat with a singer/songwriter this evening. She said she liked the concept of the song I had in mind, and she had immediate suggestions. She's going to toy with some ideas and wellchat again later.

Something to look forward to 

- Library social event this week

- Chiropractor appointment later this week

- Curious to hear what this song in my head will sound like

Something nice about me 

I'm not the only one who thinks my ideas have value.

3 Things! with an update on the song in my head!

Something that went well 

This morning I emailed the singer/songwriter I know. Found an email thread where she and I had already discussed the song in my head 6 years ago. She emailed back already, and she'd like to collaborate with me, asked me to send any updated notes I have.

Holy sh!t. I might cowrite a song.

Something to look forward to 

I might actually cowrite a real fricking song!!!

Something nice about me 

Someone is willing to actually cowrite a real fricking song with me!

Bad Choices & Bad Lettuce

I made a series of poor life choices today. The first was consuming a large sugary drink first thing this morning and skipping breakfast completely. Then, when I started feeling hungry, I ate candy.

That hadn't been the plan. I'd packed healthy snacks because I had expected to have the sugary drink, Thursday being Treat Day and all.

I knew better. I just didn't care in the moment.

But probably the worst thing I did was forget there's a horrible virus circulating.

Over my lunch break, I ran some errands. On my way back to the office, I grabbed some fast food from the handiest drive thru. Ate it in the car.

Halfway through the second taco, I remembered about the lettuce.

Damn.

In my favor here, the restaurant chain I had visited had insisted publicly they'd gotten rid of the bad lettuce. Also, I'm not in any of the states hit hardest by the Cyclospora. 

So, chances are good I'll be fine. But, still, there *is* a chance.

According to Google AI Overviews, I'll know in 2 to 14 days if there's going to be a problem. 

Clock starts now.

3 Things 8/5/2026 including the song in my head

Something that went well 

- I got a fairly decent night's sleep

- I got an apology at work! Well, not so much a full blown apology as much as an acknowledgement that more consideration should have been given to me. Still, it was sincere, it was rare, and it was worth noting.

- I participated in an activity that will help feed 1000 school kids this fall

- On my way to work, thinking about an unwritten song in my head, I had an epiphany that makes the whole story come together. I know a songwriter. I'm gonna connect with her and see if she'd be willing to collaborate. 

Something to look forward to 

- Tomorrow is Thursday and the last day this week that I have to work in the office.

- Tomorrow is Thursday and my self- declared Treat Day. I'm thinking cream filled donut.

- Might finally give life to the unwritten song in my head

Something nice about me 

The building maintenance guys at work treat me special because they think I'm funny.

Under Where?

To the lab tech who paused ever so slightly while adjusting the back of my hospital gown: 

Yes, I am aware that my underpants are inside out. It is intentional. The seams and hems facing outward is much more pleasant than having them press into my skin. Been wearing them this way for years and have been happier for it.

Happy National Underwear Day, everyone!

Monday Night as an Adult

Staying up late reading.

Just because I don't feel like sleeping yet.

Because sleeping is boring.

That's an okay way to start a new workweek, right?

Probably just fine.