Friday Five {September 2025}

Happy Friday Everyone!
I haven’t blogged for a couple of weeks, but I didn’t want to miss my Friday Five for the month of September. Life has been really busy lately! I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of fall!

One – Baby Girl is 2!!

Shop Aurora Birthday:

Aurora or Baby Girl as I call her has turned 2!! Our two ragdoll babies are both 2 now! I can’t believe it! I got out some of our reusable cat birthday decor and gifted her some new toys and treats for her birthday. She sure has grown from the little 4 lb. peanut she was when we got her (and she was 3 months old!). This girl LOVES Autumn!! She is always lying in a box on Autumn’s bed or howling outside her door if Autumn has her door closed. She also loves her brother Ollie Bear!

A special birthday treat on a pink birthday cat plate!

Two – Bible Study Class (and coffee!)

Shop These Items:

I decided to join the CBS Bible Study again this school year. I did this 6 years ago back during the Covid year and my class was normal (in person) until March and then it went to Zoom (something nobody knew how to use then!). I’ve been wanting to go back, because I really enjoyed it and I was so glad I talked myself into it this year! I REALLY like my core group AND we are studying the book of Psalms for the entire 9 months and I’m excited to learn more about this chapter in the Bible. 

I really enjoy treating myself to a coffee and a little sweet treat (or a late breakfast) after the Bible study. Isn’t this handmade apple pie so cute from Teleo coffee?

Three – Misc. Day to Day Stuff (the HIGHLIGHT reel!)

On my summer bucket list, I had put that I wanted to go to the pool one day this summer kid free. I thought a day would work out, but it never did. SO, on the VERY last week day that the pool was open, I got a chance to go and it was AMAZING!! Nathan had a full day of work and Autumn was in her first week of school. It was also really HOT that day and the water felt great (I love warm water!). I enjoyed a hot dog and soft pretzel after I spent a couple hours in the pool. I spent most of it in the lazy river! 

Nathan started school a couple of weeks after Autumn. He is a commuting college student. Here he is on his first day of his second year of college!

Autumn had her picture day on her first day of school! And she is trying something new this fall instead of dance. She is doing field hockey! She is enjoying it.

Autumn had her homecoming dance last weekend. It was fun spending the morning with her, getting her nails and hair done and picking up a boutonniere for her homecoming date. I posted a ton of photos on Facebook if you follow me over there.

Her nails turned out so pretty and her homecoming date (Jacob) got her a really beautiful corsage.

Shop This Book:

 

The Champion’s Mind by Jim Afremow, Phd.
A great book about mental toughness for any athlete. I listened to this book on audio, but may get a hard copy, because there were so many great quotes and advice from incredible athletes in it that I’d love to have on hand. A lot of great tips on how to get over pre-race jitters/nerves, how to stay focused/positive during the race/game, how to not let an injury deter you and how to train yourself mentally during it, etc., etc. Lots of gold nuggets in this book!

Shop This Book:

 

Tales from the Cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
This is the second book I’ve read in this series. While charming in its own way, it feels a bit repetitive at times, especially with the recap of the time travel rules from the first book. The story is divided into chapters, each featuring a new time travel tale set in the cozy little coffee shop, with warm and likable characters and neatly tied-up endings.

I enjoyed the gentle pace of reading a few pages each morning, but I found it difficult to keep track of the many characters, especially with so many similar-sounding Japanese names. The stories are sweet but, for me, not very memorable overall.

That said, I did appreciate how this installment finally delved into the background of the ghostly woman in the chair, which added some much-needed depth. Overall, though, I’d give this second book 2 stars.

Five – Latest Finds

Shop Drizzilicious:

I have found some really yummy goodies at the store lately. These Drizzilicious mini rice cakes are SO, so good! I have a few if I’m craving something sweet. I usually eat just plain Greek Yogurt, but I wanted to try these fall flavored Dannon Light + Fit and WOW, they’re delicious! 

Shop Collapsible Laundry Basket:

One of my laundry baskets broke after years of use and I decided to try out one of these collapsible laundry baskets. I love it! It’s really durable and isn’t flimsy at all!

Shop Truvani:

Truvani sent me over a couple of packages. First, we have their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Protein Powder that is vegan, low fat and DELICIOUS! Then, they sent me several packets of their new Whey protein powder. I tried the strawberry one and it was so refreshing! I have been using Truvani protein powder for YEARS, even before they started sending me freebies. I love how clean it is and they test each batch for heavy metals, etc. It is good stuff!

Shop Pixi:

Pixi sent me over 3 of their tonics:
Glow Tonic (exfoliates, refines and evens skin tone for a radiant, lit-from-within glow)
Antioxidant Tonic (shields with antioxidant-rich superfoods, keeping skin fresh, hydrated and healthy)
Vitamin C Tonic (boosts brightness and energizes skin with a burst of antioxidant-rich Vitamin C).

I love how these tonics let you personalize your routine and achieve your ultimate Pixi Skin Goals!!

Then I received my latest Fuel Goods box, which is a subscription box for RUNNERS! This box has a lot of great items in it to try out. I received a Tailwind Recovery protein powder (20g protein!), Honey Stinger Peanut Butter Waffle, Honey Stinger Energy Chews in Citrus Splash, Fuel Goods performance towel, Heali Cooling Therapeutic Tape (for Plantar Fasciitis), N2 Water Hydration Mix, Naak Ultra Energy Puree, B’Cuz Granola Bites (3 Pack), Defense Original Bar Soup and ADDRA Labs Protein Bar! If you sign up for a Fuel Goods box, I’ll get a FREE gift! Thanks!