Happy Sunday, friends! Since it’s the start of a new month, I wanted to do a Taking Stock post…these are inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Meet Me at Mike’s.

I won’t do the entire list, but just the ones that speak to me. If you want your own list to try for your blog, I’ve linked the post above where you can get the blank list for your own blog or journal.

Taking Stock

Getting: a little restless since it’s so sunny and beautiful outside. The high today is supposed to be 74 degrees, so I think a hike is in order. There’s an alternate universe where I’m still living in Terre Haute, where it’s cloudy and currently in the 40s (I like to check the weather in both cities and internally gloat, at least for winter. We’ll see how I feel about the temperature difference in the summer).

I’m so grateful to be back in Austin. I’ll keep repeating that ad nauseum for the next three years.

Sipping: My morning coffee (Texas Pecan from HEB. A favorite!)
Thinking: I need to clean the house and find a way to keep these kittens from eating my (non-toxic) plants. I fear it’s futile.
Looking: CALIFORNIA, BUT FEELING MINNESOTA! I’m kidding, I don’t look California at all. I’m wearing a hoodie and pajamas. I let my hair dry out in lazy, curly waves yesterday, so it’s tied up in a very messy ponytail. I’m looking DERELICTE.
Listening: to my kittens run around the house, meowing and generally wreaking havoc while their dad and brother are asleep. Right now they are messing with door stoppers. It’s pretty cute.
Wishing: my pets will all get along! It’s an effing PROCESS. I feel like they could all sense my general despair at their lack of civility with each other, and they’ve actually been trying this weekend. Apollo is getting better at seeing his sisters and remaining calm, but he still thinks that the cats are supposed to stay in one spot and not move. Our little feral backyard kittens, who were used to running under our deck at any sign of danger, haven’t made the connection that there is SO MUCH VERTICAL SPACE that they can take advantage of in our home, and instead run under the recliner when Apollo is out. IT’S. A. PROCESS. But the pets have been trying this weekend, and I’m grateful for that.

Enjoying: Updating this blog again! I feel more inspired to blog since I’ve been back in Austin, mainly because I’ve been much happier being back home. Plus, there’s so much more to do, see, and write about!
Appreciating: Where I’m at. Nothing in life is perfect (and there’s a lot that I DON’T blog about here), but I’m grateful for what I have in my life, and to be back with my little fam in the city that I love.
Wanting: my pets to be civil with each for Christmas. THAT’S ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, FOR REALZ. The cats now have access to the house 24/7, except for a couple of hours in the evening – we still keep Apollo leashed up around them for the time being, so we take a little break in the evening to eat and let him relax leashless. I’m hoping that we can transition him to being leashless sometime this month, but not without another lesson with our (fantastic) trainer.
Loving: the skeins I dyed yesterday! I took a yarn dyeing class at Hill Country Weavers, and it was so much fun. The skeins are currently drying. Once they’re dried, I’ll take some photos and write about my experience in a separate post!
Watching: CNN on mute. I’ve had to take a break from watching editorialized news for my mental health. I know that’s a very privileged take, but that’s where I was. But it’s really important to stay informed so I want to ease back into it.
Hoping: for good things in 2024! I’ve been planning ahead and have some fun plans in the works – let’s see if they come to fruition!
Wearing: a seafoam blue hoodie that I bought at Warren Dunes State Park during one of our COVID camping adventures, a pink yoga shirt from the studio I went to in Terre Haute, and purple pajama pants with light pink spots. LOOKING CALIFORNIAAAAAA.
Feeling: like a grinch about the holidays. I don’t love them and just want to fast-forward through them.
Hearing: peace and quiet, so I need to check on the kittens. Moon Pie is on the dining room window sill, but Mittens Kitten’s whereabouts are unknown.
edit: Mittens is on the window sill in the cat/craft room ❤
edit 2: They are now both on the dining room window sill and my heart is going to explode.

I hope you all have a great, restful Sunday!