Friday Flotsam

Frrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-so this is what’s going on.

Last week I posted a four-leaf clover that we found in our back yard while doing some lawn work. And with it, a vague caption about being thrown a really scary curveball in life. Because are you really an Instagrammer if you’re not posting mysterious, cryptic messages about hardships?

Aaron lost his job. A week ago yesterday, he lost his job.

And listen, I know people all over the country and world lose their jobs every single day, so I’m not trying to make this out to be something unique. But it’s still happening to us and it’s terrifying and I feel like sharing it with you. Because of the community that you all are to me, I feel safe talking about it. So thanks for that.

This is the thing, no one is immune to upheaval. No one is immune to sudden catastrophe. It happens all the time and everywhere. But it’s what we do with the upheaval that matters. (besides cancelling all unnecessary subscriptions in a frenzied rage. ha.) And in the last week I’ve seen Aaron calmer than I’ve ever seen him. Things have been rough for him for a while now. Nerve pain in his shoulder (which is much much better these days!), a miserable situation for him during the 9-to-5, and just a bunch of life hits that keep coming at us, one after another after another.

And while I’m optimistic by nature, I sure can spiral like the best of them. Because you keep a good face for your kids. You stay upbeat within your home. You churn on with plans and games and sleepovers and playdates and family hangs. You have to. You keep going. And while most of it is genuine and true, there are times when you just need to stop and throw a complete fit. (<–which I have done.)

This won’t last forever. We’ve cast a very wide net over the last eight days and are hopeful the nibbles will start to come in. But I want the net even wider, so I’m going to share his brand portfolio link. (aka resume but yawn.) He’s fa-rickin’ talented. A gifted, hilarious writer/associate creative director. He has passion and drive and wit and creativity that oozes from everywhere. Any company would be the luckiest to have him.

He’s taking any and all freelance for now until something full-time locks into place. He works with brands all across the country, so this isn’t limited to Kansas City. Take a look! And if you know anyone or have any connection to agencies or brands needing work, shoot him an email. You’ll (they’ll) love him to death.

As for me, I’m hanging in there. As one does. And of course taking partnerships and churning on the blog when I can. It’s all changed so, so much – as you all know. I find myself overwhelmed with the cheap content I see pushed by influencers these days, yet also miss the opportunities I used to have. (Don’t spiral, Bev!) I also repotted a hanging dahlia plant I bought two weeks ago that immediately looked like crap so I’m like, YOU HOLD ON FOR ME AND WE WILL BEAT THIS TOGETHER. I’m talking to a hanging plant. It’s fine. Also have you seen the videos of people talking to trees and asking them to come closer to their voice? And the tree does it? I won’t pretend that I didn’t try that very thing yesterday afternoon in my back yard. (didn’t work.)

Hey, thanks for listening. I posted this Mushroom Tortellini earlier this week if you’d like to make it this weekend. I do have a video for it, too. A few of you have made it and that makes my heart sing. More than you know.

That’s it for today. We power on, soldiers! (<–sorry I said it like that.)