The Weekly Ramble – September 25, 2025
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Hey hey hey, let’s chat about quiet weeks, burning tongues, and reflections on the Psalms.
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Ta-da! I mentioned last week that we were collecting Funko Pop’s that resembled our sons. We added some doppelgängers for our girls. Pretty fun!
Who knows? There may be a toy out there that looks like you, too.
Anyway, the week has gone by really quickly. Last weekend we had a nice game night with the kids’ friends. The pasta bar was a hit as always. I made this lasagna, stuffed shells, and a double batch of mac and cheese.
Next month’s theme will be chili so that will be easy and fun.
The weather has been a little bit cooler lately, so it’s been nice to snuggle in bed with covers! I’ve been mostly jammies only for months.
Here’s what else I’ve been doing, eating, listening/watching, and reading this past week:
What I’ve Been Doing
I am currently in the process of trouble shooting my burning tongue. You may remember that this started five months ago, the same week that Bryan got shingles.
So far I’ve been to my dentist, my GP, an ENT, and a head and neck cancer surgeon. The last was a referral from my ENT.
The cancer surgeon had a lot of theories, but nothing concrete. Thankfully, he doesn’t think it’s cancer-related, but possibly linked to my HRT or my thyroid medication.
I messaged my compounding pharmacy yesterday and the pharmacist was adamant that it’s not related to the HRT. I’m waiting to hear back from my endocrinologist.
Personally, I think this is just another fun mystery of perimenopause. I am doing PT for the frozen shoulder so why not throw in a burning tongue for kicks.
I’m thankful that it’s bearable, that it doesn’t appear to be cancer, and that it doesn’t interfere with my taste buds or eating.
Yes, I’ve switched to a natural toothpaste, but if y’all have any other ideas, I’m open to hearing them.
What I’ve Been Eating
I’ve been enjoying all kinds of yummy things this week, including but not limited to:
- cherry skyr from Trader Joe’s
- the best cuties – bought them on sale from Ralphs last week
- Pumpkin Spice Toast – just butter your toast and sprinkle with a mixture of sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
- to celebrate fall and Bilbo’s birthday, I baked a batch of Bilbo’s Seed Cakes.
- we’re still grilling a lot, this week it was chicken quarters, pork tenderloin, and fish. I topped the fish with this Greek Yogurt Tartar Sauce. So good!
- I’ve been making lots of salads to top with this homemade dressing.
It’s been delicious!
What I’ve Been Listening/Watching
So far, I’m still enjoying Castle. I probably won’t finish the series because the internet says it goes down hill in the last few years, but it’s been an interesting distraction.
I’m in a reading lull, so TV is filling the void. I’ll kick the habit eventually.
One thing we watched as a family that was very good was The Last Rifleman, starring Pierce Brosnan. I do recommend that.
What I’ve Been Reading
While I’ve been on a reading lull, I did crack open a new book, Reflections on the Psalms by CS Lewis. The copy that Bryan got from the CSU is an original copy from 1958. I thought that was pretty cool.
I also checked it out from the public library on audio and kindle. Lewis is often so meaty that I have to hear it and see it with my own eyes.
While I like the novelty of a first edition, it’s actually too hard to read compared to the larger screen and print on my iPad so kindle it is!
Alrighty then, that’s it for my week. I hope you’ll leave a comment below so we can chat!
How was your week?
What’s up in your world? Leave a comment or a prayer request. We’re all in this together!
Hey there! Never had burning tongue, sounds terrible. Hope you find a solution soon. I can attest to getting older! Having my gallbladder removed next week. Just started bothering me this past year. And they said:”at your age” you need to just remove it…so here I am. **Insert gigantic sigh here** it is always something!
I’m reading Eight Hundred Grapes, boy the complexities of families, love and life! It is pretty good. We’ve been traveling in Orlando this week for husband’s job and we ate a couple of really good meals at Landry’s, Morimoto’s and Cheesecake Factory. We also finally got to try Shake Shack which we thought was delicious. We often share things to keep costs down, his is covered, mine is not. Anyhow, enjoy the Rambles!
Sounds like a great week! Fun! Cheesecake Factory was a date place for us before we got married. Such fun memories.
That sunset was gorgeous! Also thanks for the idea of the pumpkin spice toast – can’t wait to try it!
Let me know what you think. It’s one of my faves for fall. So cozy!
Yikes on the burning tongue. I hope you get an answer and relief soon.
Fall colors are beginning to be beautiful here, and I’m looking forward to homemade soup every week, some of which are your recipes. I bought Soupercubes so that I can stash some in the freezer and also share some with our now-adult daughter. I’m glad I finally decided to try them. I’m sure I’ll need more of them. lol!
I’m continuing to try to eat healthier and lose weight. I am hoping to improve my kidney numbers and cholesterol.
I’m enjoying Mel Robbins’ podcast.
Have a great week!
Yay for Souper Cubes. They are a great product. Great job with your health goals, too!
Yes, the burning tongue does not sound like fun☹️
I’m on week five after my total knee replacement. I feel like this week was a huge turning point for me. I started driving again and I can do some house chores with little difficulty. This is great as I will check with my Dr. at my appointment next week to see if I am good to go back to work. My co workers are antsy for my return and so am I. I thought I would really enjoy this time off. It has not been all fun and games unfortunately. I’ve missed several of my kids activities as I wasn’t up to sitting/walking a distance yet. It does put things in perspective though. I have great family. My husband and two boys are great help. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without them. My younger sis stepped in as well and would drive me to PT certain days.
I do love that you are posting regularly again as I love reading them! I hope you find a resolution for your tongue. I hear you about getting older. Only 46 here and some days I feel like I’m 80.
Congrats on getting over the hump. Here’s to regaining your strength and energy!
Burning tongue sounds like no fun – hope it resolves soon!
I was stung by a bee yesterday (randomly, as I was walking to the mailbox) and it is swollen and ouchy, on the side of my hand.
I am reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. One of my son’s 8th grade teachers said it was her favorite book, and I don’t think I ever read it, so I’m enjoying it now.
I am grateful for work I find interesting, and for kids who are happy with the work and activities they are doing.
I remember reading that book a long time ago, but I have no recollection of what it’s about. Are you enjoying it?
I had burning tongue for a while, it’s awful! For me, I ended up figuring out that I wasn’t deep cleaning the night guard I wear for TMJ often enough! 🤦♀️ I started doing a deep clean everyday, and it resolved. I love these weekly posts from you. I have read your blog for a long time & several of our family’s favorite recipes are yours. I’m going to make the lime mint drink this weekend from mint in our garden!
I have TMJ, too, but no night guard. Hoping it resolves soon.
Love that mint drink! Yum!