So, here’s my xth attempt to get back into a somewhat regular blogging routine. 2x a week should be an achievable goal, I hope. You might have noticed that I’ve caught up on my blog reading a little bit over the long weekend, too. I will admit that I skimmed some posts and didn’t comment on all, but I’ve been making an effort, and maybe, just maybe, I can keep pace.
I am deliberately trying to set some time aside during the day to check in with my Feedly Reader (if I neglect it too long, it gets out of hand) and I keep my Google Docs open (like I used to) to jot down some notes during the day. Call it time-blocking. I am jumping on the bandwagon. I usually prefer to write in bigger time chunks, but I cannot seem to find those during the week right now, so writing in spurts will have to do instead of not writing at all. (When do you write your blog posts? Do you have a fixed day/time, or does it happen spontaneously throughout the week? Give me all your tips. I need to get on top of this again. I used to know how to do this.)
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I received my 10-year service award at work in the form of an award certificate and a pin a couple of weeks ago. I was formally recognized in passing (with a few others) during an all-hands meeting over Teams, and the envelope with the certificate + pin was dropped off on my desk by a coworker. It didn’t feel very ceremonial, although I feel equally proud and excited about the recognition and strangely disappointed by it. I’ve been at my job for nearly 20 years, but since contractor status doesn’t count, I only just now reached 10 official years in federal service. I guess I am lucky that I even achieved those 10 years. In light of everything that is currently going on inside the federal government, the recognition feels a little bit like a double-edged sword.
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In better news, my parents will be visiting us in a month. Stoked is an understatement. I probably didn’t share it at the time, but when Jon’s mom passed away at the end of May, my mom instantly suggested that they could come for the service and be there for Jon and me. Jon really appreciated the offer, but since we weren’t sure when the service was going to be (and then it didn’t happen until mid-August), he decided that he’d rather have them visit a little later in the fall. He felt that we would have more quality time together if we also didn’t have to travel to SoCal and deal with the memorial service preparations while they were here. (I am also kind of glad that they weren’t there for the service. Long story short, the relationship with Jon’s brother and my sister-in-law is difficult, and the situation was a little tense, and we just tried to get through the days and give my MIL a beautiful farewell.)
Anyway, I am excited that my parents will be here in early October, and I’m looking forward to hosting them in our home. The last time they visited was in 2022. Time is truly racing!
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We finally switched our cell provider from Verizon to Mint Mobile last weekend. It’s the end of an era. We had been with Verizon ever since I got my first cell phone in the US (in 2006), so almost 20 years (gasp!), and for most of that time, we shared a family plan with Jon’s parents. With both of them gone now, the previously enjoyed family savings were also gone, and it did not make sense to stay with Verizon. So far, I am very happy with the switch. How much do you pay for your mobile plan? Are you happy with your provider?
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Tonight, I am going to a comedy show. I’ve been following @chrismunchcomedy on Instagram for a while and just found out this week that he’s coming to Sacramento for a show, so I spontaneously and pretty last-minute (yesterday!) got tickets. So excited to support an upcoming artist!
Do you have any plans for the weekend?
Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week, or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.
Birchie
September 6, 2025 at 5:33 amSo much to talk about here! I think it’s fair to say that all of us get a lot of joy from blogging and the blogging community, but the reality is that it’s low on the priority list after just about everything else. My job is draining and I have an ongoing stressful personal situation, and when those two things are in play, I can’t focus and all of the organization in the world won’t make it better. I say we all get props for showing up when we can.
Congrats on 10 years! Especially since “you know who” was on a mission to cut you off at 9. Elon only lasted 130 days in his role!
That was a great decision to have your parents come after the memorial. You’ll enjoy the time with them so much more.
Yay Mint Mobile! I switched last fall and everything has been perfect. $15 a month and done. The plan includes a bit of data for Canada, so I’m set there. If I ever traveled outside of the US/CN the data is still pretty cheap.
Kat
September 6, 2025 at 5:08 pmCongrats on the work milestone! And understandable about the mixed feelings, esp given the crazy situation of late. Even in the private sector I’ve always had conflicting feelings about my anniversaries (reached 10+ yrs at previous employer and will finish my 9th/start my 10th at current in a few months. Well, I think/mostly hope, ha…). My current puts people’s names in a .ppt that is briefly mentioned in an all staff, which is a nice gesture but also comes off as kind of cursory and awkward. I tend to feel proud for persisting and accomplishing certain things, but also wistful about the passage of time, and I wonder if it’s still the right place for me/have I stayed too long etc. (The places I’ve worked have been small orgs with significant turnover, voluntary and involuntary, so it becomes a little strange/doubt-inducing to be a “long timer” after a certain point!)
I’ve used Tracfone for like 15? yrs (back when it was really pay as you go/limited minutes and texts/flip phones only, etc.) and this inspired me to look it up bc I actually didn’t remember ha… it’s around $21/mo now. Prob a little more with an extension of the overall plan that’s needed once a year or so added in. It was a pleasant surprise when it became a lot more sophisticated and variable in terms of unlimited type plans and being able to have an iPhone on it etc… I really thought I’d have to switch over to a major carrier at some point. (Granted, technically it was indeed purchased by Verizon in 2021 I think.)
This is an exciting wkend for me as my husband and I arrived in Bangor, ME this morning and will be exploring Acadia for the next few days! I hope you enjoyed the comedy show, I’ve only ever been to a couple but they were really fun experiences!
J
September 6, 2025 at 8:42 pmI keep hearing about Mint Mobile, so I would like updates on how you use your service and what you like, don’t like. We use our data a LOT. We used to belong to Credo Mobile, which donated a portion of their profits to progressive causes, but they piggybacked on Sprint’s network, and we used so much data we were costing them money. They called us and asked us to quit. Lots of music, lots of video, lots of everything. But we spend a lot with Verizon, and would love to spend less.
Regarding blogging…I won’t lie, I’ve missed your posts. BUT, Birchie is right, blogging is low on the totem pole. Real life should always come first. I’m glad you’re finding some time for it again, but ease in gently.
I love that your parents are coming. I know it would have been nice to have them here for Jon’s mom’s memorial, but it will be even more nice to have them here when you can really spend time together. That is something to look forward to.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
September 7, 2025 at 12:09 amI am sorry your 10-year anniversary is a bit tainted. It’s probably not an easy time being in federal services. I can only partly imagine.
I am so so so happy that you get to see your parents. After everything going on a hug from mom is balsam for your soul I imagine. I hope you have a wonderful time together.
As for blogging… these days I mostly do it on Sunday mornings. And I try to first create (write posts) and the consume (read posts).
As for my weekend plans… I did a long walk yesterday which resulted in a migraine (it’s becoming a pattern. Sigh) I was supposed to do taxes which we need to hand in mid September. Today I’ll begging to church and later my mom drops of apples and peaches so I guess I’ll be canning instead of sitting at the desk.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
September 7, 2025 at 12:13 amOh my gosh these autocorrects are killing me. Sorry for the many typos. Argh.
Grateful Kae
September 7, 2025 at 4:39 amI know I commented on this before, but also feel like I suddenly am having a really hard time fitting blogging in!! I don’t have a “set” time for it- in general, my life doesn’t not really cater to a ton of rigidity right now in this phase. We have too myuch variability. In my perfect world though, I would do it in the early morning. But I also am trying to get back into more morning workouts, I like to plan my day in the morning/ journal a little, and well, I often don’t get to bed early enough to get up THAT early to fit it all in. Sometimes depending on the topic it can take quite a while to write a blog post, add pictures, edit a little, etc! So I just don’t usually find it to be something I can necessarily squeeze in in 20 min. Maybe a quick short post, sure. That was actually part of why I had fun with NaBloMoPo- the last 2 years I’ve done it, but set a rule that my posts can’t be over 500 words. This forced me to write much quicker, shorter posts. Not saying I want to do that all the time though- it is HARD for me to not ramble on, lol, and many times I just don’t want to be limited to a word count! It also depends on the topic. Anyway, I think I just wrote more than 500 words in this comment. LOL. 😅 What I’m saying is, I don’t have a great answer. I sometimes aim for one post early on a lazy Saturday or Sunday, and then I have been trying to carve out time for another 1-2 posts during the week – either over a lunch break or sort of flexing my work time a little and posting before I start working, etc. I am never in the mood to write/ blog in the evenings really, I find. And I also don’t really like starting a post and then not finishing it- I don’t really see myself working on posts in snippets! But I know that can work for some people. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll remember “how to blog” soon enough. ;)
Daria
September 7, 2025 at 5:13 amFirstly- congratulations!!! You deserve to be recognized!!! 20 years at the same company is pretty damn impressive.
Blogging… I blog whenever. With my teaching and parenting responsibilities there is no “set” time. Sometimes it’s during their activities- BJJ gives me 45 minutes, piano is one hour, Saturday mornings are open since the kids go to gymnastics. Sometimes it’s in the evening- especially if I want to whine/complain about my day lol. There is no time to perfect the posts, I just give them a brief overview and hit publish. So noting glamorous over here. But- it provides an outlet and makes me part of our great blogging community , and that is what’s important.
Lisa’s Yarns
September 7, 2025 at 5:40 amCongrats on 10 years! I hit 10 years in July. The best part was that coworkers could comments on the anniversary in a form and then they make you a little paper book with their comments. That meant more than anything. I didn’t get any recognition beyond that which is fine. I am sorry your anniversary was a double edged sword. :(
I mostly blog and comment on my phone which I know is rare among bloggers. But I don’t have a laptop that I use at home. The jet pack ap on my phone makes it easy to write posts. I try to blog twice/week.
I’m glad you have a visit from your parents to look forward to!!
Nicole MacPherson
September 7, 2025 at 6:56 amGosh it feels like your parents were just there not long ago for your trip to the Canyonlands – it was 2022??? Wow doesn’t the time just go by.
I do have tips! I write my one post a week throughout the week. I think about what I’m going to write about then jot a couple of ideas. Then I might take 15 minutes to write a very rough draft and I’ll go back to it later to add and edit. Since I only write about 5 times a month I take a lot of time for each post, but I never write it in one sitting. It’s always at least three or more short spurts. It works great for me. I also have carved out a little time in my day to go through my blog reader. I do what I can but if someone posts a lot, and I’m behind, I might not comment on all the posts. If I’m really behind I’ll just read whatever is the latest and then give myself grace on the rest. If I miss something I can always go back!
Sak
September 7, 2025 at 9:24 amThat’s nice that your parents are coming to visit when you will have time to really visit with them.
Allison McCaskill
September 7, 2025 at 11:28 amAs far as blogging time, I aspire to be Nicole. I am a wishy-washy inconsistent blogger until I’m suddenly disciplined and prolific, and then back to wishy-washy and sporadic. Not only do I need a schedule, I need a way for me to remember the schedule because my memory has left the building. It is heartening that even after an absence, the community is still here. My advice is always to not worry about the stuff you’ve missed – just jump back in and trust that anything momentous will be referred to again.
No we are not happy with our mobile provider lol. The one thing that is much better in the US (me being glib having one kid living there for less than ten years) is cell phone prices. I console myself with the fact that we have health care (sorry, really bad joke, my family survives on dark humour).
YAYYYY for parents coming. My parents moving near us when the kids were little was better than winning the lottery. I hope it is wonderful.
Elisabeth
September 8, 2025 at 5:13 amI’m with Allison – cell phone options are soooo much better in the US. A lot more competition so it keeps prices down. You don’t want to know how much I spend on my cell phone a month (okay, I’ll tell you – it’s $122/month for John and I together, EEKS). I hate this, but there really aren’t many better options for what we need.
I’m so glad your parents are coming to visit and I also really appreciate that it isn’t coinciding with an emotionally intense time when you wouldn’t really be able to lean into the visit. I think that was great advice from Jon. I really hope it makes everything feel a bit lighter and life more optimistic.
I totally get the blog stress. I have scaled back my commenting quite a bit and it’s really helped! I still read posts but I comment on probably 20-30% less of them than I used to and it’s made a big difference.
NGS
September 8, 2025 at 7:12 amI’m realizing that we definitely overpay for our cell phones. I’ve never considered going with something like Mint – we still pay for a family plan with Verizon.
Yay for visitors! What sorts of things are you planning with them?
Stephany
September 10, 2025 at 7:52 amI want to hear more about using Mint Mobile, too! How is the data signal? I like the comfort of knowing I have a strong signal with AT&T and unlimited data, but it’s so expensive, gah.
I’m so glad your parents are coming soon! That will be so nice.
When do I blog… hmm, usually the night before I need to get a blog post up, lol. I try to do some of it on the weekend but I like to post something M/W/F so I’m usually working on it the night before. As for blog reading, I do it in little spurts throughout the day but I could be better about it.
Rachel
September 11, 2025 at 1:16 pmYay! a 5 on a Friday post! I can give no advice on writing blogs because mine are all so sporadic. I’ve started keeping notes of things I want to write about but then I don’t know when I’ll actually get time to write. I really wanted to comment on blogs tonight because I’ve so been neglecting that, but then I won’t write anything of my own… and it just feels like chaos. However your posts are always so well written, I’m so impressed that you can write them in chunks.
Congratulations on 10 (or 20) years in your job. That’s amazing. The longest i’ve ever been with a company is 5 years. Maybe I will stay longer where I am now. I’ve been there 3. I am always impressed when people retire after being somewhere for lots of years – you must build up such a community.
I use Tello mobile for my US phone, I have a us phone number which works over wifi when I’m here. I think it’s $6 a month. I’m not sure what’s included if I use it in the states, but over wifi it’s all free.
My UK phone costs £6 a month and includes 3gb and unlimited texts and calls. I found phone plans way cheaper in the UK than the US.
Melissa
September 13, 2025 at 10:13 pmCongratulations on your 10-year award, and it’s amazing that you’ve actually been there 20 years. It’s so exciting that your parents will be coming to visit. I’m sure it’s just what you need.
Anne
September 21, 2025 at 4:33 amOh, San – a visit from your parents? I hope that is a highlight of 2025, the year of lowlights for you. <3 I didn't realize you were a contractor for 10 years. Oof. So glad (I think?) you got the permanent position and the (sort-of-kind-of) recognition, but completely understand the ambivalence and unease that come with it at this point in time.
Glad to see you here, whenever you can be here. <3