The Weekly Ramble – July 17, 2026
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Hello and Happy Friday! Are you ready to ramble?
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Hey, hi, how are you?! Remember last fall when Bryan collected Funko Pops that looked like our kids? Well, he slyly snuck in one of me. 😜
The Incredibles (seriously the best classic Pixar IMO) was one of the first movies that our family really fell in love with. We even had an Incredibles birthday party for one of the boys back in the day, and to this day we quote lines from that movie.
At the time, Bryan even had my number labeled in his phone as “Super Ultra Lightning Babe”. haha! So this was a fun surprise to find it on the shelf one afternoon.
Here’s what else I’ve been doing, eating, listening/watching, and/or reading this past week:
What I’m Learning
I did a little checkin with myself this week, reflecting on the fruits of the spirit and if I can see them in my life. This is my report card, so to speak.
I spent some time digging into different passages that feature those concepts and it was really good. James 1, John 15, and Philippians 4 were really helpful in wrapping my brain around the things that have been bothering me.
I’ve missed doing that kind of deep study/prayer/journal, and am hoping to make it more of a daily practice.
What I’ve Been Doing
I finally got after that dejunking I’d been talking about doing. Sunday afternoon found me spontaneously sorting and organizing the pantry. It seems like I just did it, but it was due again.
That was a great nudge to tackle things a little more purposefully. So I started with my worst space, the linen closet that houses all my office storage as well as old photos, tax records, home decor, and of course linens.
It took several hours and a few texts to local homeschool mom friends to come get the old school stuff we don’t need anymore. It is truly the end of an era.
I had cleared this closet last summer but it appears I put lots of empty boxes back in there. Huh. I was stunned how much space I got back by consolidating and shifting things.
In addition to getting rid of four boxes of school stuff, I also shredded three years of out dated tax papers. That feels so good to shed some baggage!
I have no “before” picture, so I’ll just say that it was impossible to walk in here when I started, so things are definitely improved even if they aren’t Pinteresting.
What I’ve Been Eating
I fell completely off the nutrition wagon. I got discouraged that last week’s hard work didn’t give me any visible results, so I went on a binge, eating potato chips, baking lots of bread, grabbing Taco Bell, and sneaking ice cream. Yolo and all that…
Not my best choices. Sneaking is a tell that I’m not in a good place emotionally about food. Praying about that also…
I think some of the issue is that I’m not grocery shopping all that much. Without regular errands to run now that Miss 17 can drive, I really don’t have to leave my house. So, we’re just eating what we have.
This is good for the budget, but not so good for my nutrition goals, especially when “what we have” includes plenty of less-than-nutritious options.
What I’ve Been Listening/Watching
Miss 17 and I are working through all the seasons of Death in Paradise as she’s never seen the show from start to finish. We will not finish all 15 seasons obvi before we end our channel subscription ends, but it’s a fun lunch break watch until she starts college at the end of August.
While the show always involves murder, rarely are the episodes dark or scary, so it works for us.
For movie night on Friday, Bryan, Mr 24, and I watched Project Hail Mary and it was amazing. Laugh-out-loud-funny with plenty of surprises and apt plot twists along the way.
11/10 recommend.
What I’ve Been Reading
CS Lewis never fails to amaze me. He has a permanent spot on the Summer Reading Bingo card for good reason. The man seriously was so brilliant.
I am in the midst of The Four Loves and wow, his prescience is uncanny! Each chapter so far has included him addressing an issue that has become problematic since his death. He saw the writing on the wall and he gave us a head’s up!
Also of note: my reading level definitely needs a boost as I sometimes have to read the same sentence more than once. His eloquence is definitely challenging me.
Which is probably understandable, based on the cheesy fluff I’ve been reading lately. Those books aren’t even worth mentioning in the same sentence as Lewis.
The Bible is, of course. I finished the Old Testament this week (started it in mid-November) so that’s not a bad pace. I’m really looking forward to digging into the gospels.
Note: the rom com I also read this week was fine, just not much depth. These kinds of books are easy to read and generally have happy endings, so there’s that. (And yes, I’m still a bit embarrassed by my tastes in books, so I’m reflecting on that.)
What I’ve Been Writing
I’ve done a little bit of writing in and amid the cleaning and other things.
I still have a dream to write fiction. I’ve been feeling like I just need to figure out the rest of my life first.
Mr 24 disagrees. He thinks working on it might be the fuel my engine needs to get the rest of things sorted. So, I dug out my manuscript earlier this week, and gave it a read through. That’s a start.
I really love my characters and the world that I’ve built, but I’m afraid my exposition is all over the place. Like I’ve overshared in so many ways.
This makes me think that a little more study is in order. I have a reading list to work through, so you may see more of those books pop up here.
Also, here’s what’s new on the blogs:
Also this:
Okay, then, that’s it for me. Have a great week!
How was your week?
What’s up in your world? Leave a comment or a prayer request. We’re all in this together!
Oh, and great job with the debunking!
I started Project Hail Mary on a flight. I’ve heard lots of great reviews but I somehow didn’t really get into it. I think I will try again on the way home.
The beginning was a little slow. I was skeptical at first.
1. I completely relate to getting discouraged when last week’s hard work didn’t yield any visible results. All I can tell myself (and you) is to keep it up. I have tried keeping a log so I have data to support my feelings – and also work toward healthy habits that are sustainable, rather than a “diet” from which I crash out. Also, as my husband reminds me, I am the gatekeeper of the food in the house since I do the majority of the grocery shopping. If we are going to have healthy choices in the house, I can’t buy the unhealthy stuff!
2. With regard to your writing – I like Mr. 24’s advice. May I also encourage you to write what you know. I like to come away from a book feeling like I’ve enjoyed my time with the characters in the setting, and also that I have learned something or been challenged to ponder some ideas. You share your wisdom through your blogs now, you can share it through your fiction as well. Is it time to have someone else read and offer suggestions? Or at least to discuss with someone else?
yes and yes. 🙌🏼