If you and I were to sit down to coffee today, I’d start off by apologizing. I’m sorry I’ve been so M.I.A. lately. It’s not that I don’t like you (I do, you’re super awesomesauce), it’s that I like my family even more. I’ve been so focused on lifting them up and keeping them sacred that I’ve kinda neglected my friends a little bit. I’ve also just been enjoying the heck out of this summer and loving this crazy career of mine. But, I heard you. I really did. And, I’m all yours for the next few minutes.
We’d then hug it out, and you’d tell me that you totally understand that it must be a struggle to find the balance between enjoying a private life while running a public/social-driven business. I’d start to tear up, because, hi, I’m a crier. And then I’d tell you that it feels really good that you get it. I’d tell you that I know I don’t always get it right, but I hope folks know I’m always trying my best.
Anywho. Enough of that blubbery. Let’s get something yummy to drink.
I’d order an Arnold Palmer, because it’s July and 2934982349283° outside right now. I love coffee, but I don’t want anything to do with that—even cold brew—in this kind of heat. Gimme something refreshing, yo! We’d then sit down, and you’d ask me how my summer has been. I’d probably do a smile/sigh combo, because it’s been amazing and celebratory and awesome—but also SUPER EXHAUSTING.
There was one week in June where we celebrated Father’s Day, my birthday, Craig took his citizenship oath—yup, he’s ‘merican now!—and Juniper’s birthday. And then we took the longest nap ever.
That would remind you that you brought both me and Juniper belated birthday gifts (gosh, you are just the sweetest—you absolutely didn’t have to do that), and you’d tell me to open mine.
Oh my gosh, how did you know that a Target gift card is exactly what I wanted? Like, I literally asked for them for my birthday—not because I wanted to buy something specific, but because I wanted to be able to go to Target by myself, get a coffee (or tea, depending on how blasted hot it is), and browse and buy things that I think are fun without an ounce of guilt. Best. Birthday. Gift. Ever. Thank you!
You’d then ask me about Juniper’s birthday party, and I’d tell you it was AWESOME. We hadn’t really planned on doing a “real” party (her only request was to have a “chocolate Percy cake”), but then Craig’s citizenship oath was scheduled the day before her birthday (which is also my birthday) in Indianapolis—which just happens to be where my sister lives, so we made a whole middle-of-the-week weekend out of it. We celebrated and put up decorations and swam and ate yummy food and took Juni to the largest children’s museum in the world and she got to play with her cousins and, yes, ate chocolate Percy cake. She was a very happy three-year-old.
You’d then ask me about work, and I’d tell you that I have to pinch myself almost daily to make sure I’m not dreaming this. There is just something so obscenely satisfying about being able to make a living not only doing something you love but also doing something that you feel like really helps people.
I get emails and comments and messages all the time about how recipes or ideas or tips I posted changed peoples lives. It’s just…everything. I didn’t know how much I needed that in my career until I had it. Creating a product that empowers people? That’s pretty much my definition of a fulfilling career.
You’d then tell me that you read some article that said blogs are dead, and I’d roll my eyes and laugh, because, lordy, people say that to me all the time. And guess what: I totally agree. Blogs are dead. Or at least, the way they used to be.
The days of logging into a blog to read a chronological recount of what’s up in a person’s life were left back when Google Reader was still around and Snapchat was just a twinkle in some Standford student’s eye. Most folks just don’t do that anymore (there are some of you, and I love you, and thank you!).
The truth is, nowadays, the line between blog and website is almost non-existent. And, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, I’m embracing the evolution! Trust me, if I was still writing the same stuff I did in 2011, you would be SO BORED and there is no way this would be a full-time career. Folks just don’t tune into blogs in the same voyeuristic way they used to—that’s what other social media channels are for. They want high-quality, useful content with each click, and thankfully, based on my readership numbers, it seems like I’m doing something right!
ANYWHO. I’m sure that’s more than you wanted to hear. But, basically, yes, I agree. The log-into-Google-Reader-first-thing-in-the-morning-so-you-can-read-the-latest-blog-post kind of blog isn’t a sustainable business model. But creating a library of awesome, high-quality, useful content? That’s never gonna be dead, in my opinion. Hopefully. Because I really like this job.
We’d then move onto everyone’s favorite topic: summer vacation! You’d tell me about the awesome trip you have planned to the beach next week (jealous—I haven’t been to the ocean in years!). And then I’d tell you that we’re headed up to see the fam in Canada in August. August on Lake Superior is one of my favorite things on the planet. It’s so obscenely hot in Indiana is August—like, can’t go outside kind of hot—so escaping north to a Great Lake is just perfection.
And like years past, I’ll be taking most of August off from work, too. A break from all things Wholefully is good for my soul and my business. I’ve done it for a few years now, and I always come back so pumped and full of awesome ideas after the break. When you’re a business-owner, it can be scary to take time off, but it’s so vitally important to keeping me from getting burnt out. Vacations are good, kids.
Then I’d glance down at my watch and notice that I have spent way too much time talking about myself—yet again. I’m just the worst. Can we make a date to get back together when I get back from vacation? I promise to talk less about myself. Love you!
Looking great but more important that you’re feeling great! I started ww but have to like “really” start it soon. My mama bod is getting to be a little “too” round (is that such a thing?).
So happy to hear you are doing well! Can’t believe your little one is 3 already! Where does the time go? Enjoy your much deserved vacation!
Love love love these coffee dattes!!
Awesome post!! I enjoyed the coffee talk so much. I really hope you and your family enjoy your time off for vacation.
great coffee post!!
Congrats on your weight loss! You look awesome and glow-y! I signed up for Weight Watchers last winter and literally a week later found out I was pregnant! It was quite the surprise, but I do like their program! Maybe post baby #3!
Thank you so much for this post! Happy summer and have a great vacation!
I love Weight Watchers! You could definitely cheat the system and lose weight eating five cookies a day, but it seriously helped me relearn to eat my fruits and veggies. I think it really teaches people a new lifestyle, not just how to get the weight off.
I love these coffee dates! Great catching up…enjoy your vacation!
These are my favorite posts! Even if they are a chronological blog of your life. đŸ™‚ Glad to see you are so happy and enjoying your job, your family, and your life as a whole! <3
Oops! I commented to ask about your dress in the first photo. It’s adorable!!! Where did you get it?
It’s from Old Navy, and it’s maybe the best thing I’ve ever bought from them—and everyone else agrees too, because it’s sold out EVERYWHERE. I’ve been searching because I want more!
I checked old navy online and all but the Medium is sold out BUT I need plus size and all three sizes are available and it’s on sale for $28 (for the red/white stripe). đŸ™‚ ordering today! http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1028858&pcid=7322&vid=8&pid=624431072
WHOA! They must have restocked them recently, because I went to order last week and they barely had any. THANK YOU. Off to go buy more! I want one for every day of the week.
Actually there’s a 25% off discount applied to every purchase so I got it for $21. win win! super excited! You look so cute in your dress!!!
great post! and it’s good to hear WW has changed! (When I went, a beautiful young woman was describing how she made a HUGE bowl of sugar free, fat free pudding and all I could picture was this beautiful girl eating a huge amount of SFFF food when she could eat a small amount of real food with real ingredients. So I never returned to WW but now…I may have to look into it!!
You look AWESOME!!! I’m so glad you are lOVing weight watchers!! I’ve been doing it for 5 months now…met my goal but am still tracking to keep healthy habits. Congratulations!!
Hi Cassie! I just wanted to say that you look great, and happy birthday to you and Juni, who is adorable. Congrats on all your hard work.
It’s so good to see you looking so happy. Have a fantabulous summer!
You look AMAZING in the first picture. I joined weight watchers last week, and so far I love it!!
<3
Happy vacationing! Enjoy it for me. Greetings from wintery Tasmania (next stop, Antartica!).
I absolutely love these posts. I would enjoy nothing more than a coffee date with you! Cheer to a busy, yet exhausting, summer. The memories last forever đŸ™‚