Mom Life, Faith, & Design

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Okay, fellow Pennsylvanians (and anyone else dealing with these annoying invaders!), can we all just agree that the spotted lanternfly is public enemy number one in the garden right now? I swear, they're like little six-legged ninjas, just bouncing around and sucking the life out of our poor plants.

So, there I was today, minding my own business, when I spotted one of the culprits brazenly chilling on a rose bush. "Aha!" I thought, remembering all the advice to take action.

This thing had the reflexes of a caffeinated squirrel. I lunged, it leaped. I swatted, it zipped. It was a full-on acrobatic display, and the lanternfly was winning. My eyes landed on the can of wasp spray in the shed. Time to escalate!

I gave the can a good shake, aimed carefully (or so I thought), and let fly.

The lanternfly definitely got a dose. I saw the spray connect, coating its little spotted wings. Success! Or so I thought. In a final act of defiance (or perhaps just sheer panic), the blasted thing flew away.

I watched it go, a tiny, wet speck disappearing over the fence. It was frustrating to see it escape immediate capture, but the spray definitely made contact. Wasp spray is designed to work, and it likely won't be bothering any more plants for long.

So, what's the takeaway from my lanternfly showdown?

* They are FAST. Seriously, give them credit for their evasiveness.

* Sometimes you have to bring out the big guns. The wasp spray was the tool I had at hand in the moment.

* Every effort counts! Even if my target escaped immediate capture, it was still exposed to a lethal dose.

We're all in this together, folks. Keep stomping, keep spraying (with whatever you have available and feel comfortable using!), and let's try to keep these pesky invaders from taking over. What are your go-to lanternfly tactics? Share your wisdom in the comments below!

#SpottedLanternfly #InvasiveSpecies #Pennsylvania #PestControl #GardenWoes #EveryLittleBitHelps

Weight Loss

Totally get that “meh” feeling. You’re doing a lot right now, and even tiny fluctuations can feel frustrating when you’re trying to stay on track. But honestly? A 2-pound change is super normal—it could be water, stress, sleep, or even just the universe being dramatic. 😅

The fact that you’re showing up for school, making big life changes, and still keeping an eye on your goals? That’s impressive. You’re not off track—you’re just in the messy middle, which is where all the good stuff happens.

Want a funny little pep message or badge to celebrate your effort so far? Or maybe something to help you track progress in a way that feels less “ugh”?

Still going strong without the cigs

Absolutely—good job, Lauralee! 🎉

Quitting smoking is a huge accomplishment. It takes serious strength, commitment, and a whole lot of patience (especially when life is already throwing school, parenting, and everything else at you). You should be incredibly proud of yourself.

Even if things feel chaotic right now, you're making powerful moves toward a healthier, more focused version of you—and that’s something worth celebrating. 💪

If you ever want a little pep talk, a distraction, or just someone to remind you how awesome you're doing, I’m here for it. Want a funny little badge or graphic to mark the occasion?

Jokes

Oh yes—let’s lean into the comedy of blowing off responsibilities. 😄 Here are a few light-hearted jokes and one-liners for when you're just not feeling it:

😅 Jokes About Dodging Responsibilities

“I was going to be productive today… but then my blanket said, ‘Stay. We have cookies.’”
“I didn’t forget my responsibilities. I just put them in airplane mode.”
“I opened my planner, saw all the tasks, and immediately closed it like I was defusing a bomb.”
“I’m not procrastinating—I’m just giving my responsibilities time to think about what they’ve done.”
“I tried to multitask today. I successfully ignored three responsibilities at once.”
“My to-do list and I are in a toxic relationship. It keeps adding things, and I keep ghosting it.”
“I was going to start my assignment, but then I remembered I’m more of a ‘vibe curator’ than a ‘deadline respecter.’”
“Responsibilities are like laundry. Ignore them long enough and they start multiplying.”

Want me to turn these into a meme-style post or add more that are school-specific? Or maybe some cat-themed ones? 😸

Stress Relief Techniques

Definitely! Here are some stress relief techniques that can help you feel more grounded and calm—especially when juggling school, parenting, and life in general:

🧘‍♀️ Quick & Effective Stress Relief Techniques

1. Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)

Inhale for 4 seconds
Hold for 4 seconds
Exhale for 4 seconds
Hold for 4 seconds
Repeat for a few minutes. It’s simple, but it works wonders for calming your nervous system.

2. The “5-4-3-2-1” Grounding Technique

Great for when your thoughts are racing:

5 things you can see
4 things you can touch
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
It brings you back to the present moment.

3. Mini Dance Break

Put on a song you love and move around—even if it’s just a goofy wiggle in the kitchen. It releases tension and boosts your mood fast.

4. Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Tense and release each muscle group starting from your toes up to your head. It helps release physical tension you didn’t even realize you were holding.

5. Journaling (Even Just a Few Lines)

Write down what’s stressing you out. Sometimes just getting it out of your head and onto paper makes it feel more manageable.

6. Cat Therapy 🐱

You already have a built-in stress reliever! Petting your cat, watching them nap, or even narrating their thoughts like a dramatic soap opera can be surprisingly soothing.

Would you like a printable version of these, or maybe a daily checklist to help you remember to take little breaks?

Conversation: "What was I thinking?"

can we just chat now? i just wanted to vent: idk what i was thinking trying to do a new job at the same time as a new semester.

Absolutely, Lauralee—vent away! That’s a lot to juggle. A new job and a new semester? That’s like trying to ride two rollercoasters at once while holding a cup of coffee and pretending everything’s fine.

It totally makes sense that it feels overwhelming. Starting classes already comes with its own mental load—assignments, deadlines, login portals that mysteriously forget your password every time—and adding a new job on top of that? That’s superhero-level multitasking.

Did you feel like you had to take on both, or was it more of a “let’s see what happens” kind of decision? And how are you feeling now—relieved, frustrated, still figuring it out?

I'm here to listen, no judgment, and we can talk through it as much as you need.

i guess i was thinking since the kids will be in school, maybe i'll have time for it. i recall sometimes while they're in school that i literally just sit at home like sooo bored, just me and the cat and my thoughts

That makes so much sense. You saw that open window of time while the kids are at school and thought, “Hey, maybe I can actually do something productive instead of just vibing with the cat and spiraling into existential thoughts.” Totally relatable.

It’s easy to forget how much mental energy school takes—even online. Add a new job into the mix, and suddenly your “free time” turns into “where did my day go and why am I eating cereal for dinner?”

Honestly, it sounds like your instincts were good—you wanted to make the most of your time. But now you’re seeing that space doesn’t always equal capacity. And that’s okay. You’re not lazy or unmotivated—you’re just human, and trying to do two new things at once is a lot.

Do you feel like you want to scale back the job stuff for now, or are you still kind of weighing it out?

Maybe I'll just focus on school first.

That sounds like a really wise move. Focusing on school first gives you space to settle into the rhythm of your classes, manage your workload, and just breathe a little. You’ve already got a lot on your plate—being a parent, a student, and a human with a cat and thoughts 😄—so giving yourself grace is huge.

Plus, once you get into the groove of the semester, you’ll have a better sense of what kind of job (if any) might fit into your schedule without making you feel like you’re juggling flaming swords.

Do you feel good about the classes you’re taking this semester? Or is there one that’s already giving you “uh-oh” vibes?

nope, classes seem great

That’s awesome to hear! If the classes seem great, that’s already a huge win. It means you’re starting the semester with good energy and interest—which makes a big difference in how everything feels.

Focusing on school first sounds like the right call. You’ll have time to get into a groove, and if you ever feel like you’ve got extra bandwidth later on, you can revisit the job idea without the pressure.

Also, your cat will probably appreciate the extra attention. 😸

Want to chat about what classes you’re taking or what you’re most excited (or nervous) about this semester?

Perhaps later...

Looking Forward to Monday/ Excited

Sure! Here's a short and upbeat post you can use to share your excitement:

Looking Forward to Monday! 🎓✨

Classes start Monday, and I’m officially kicking off my journey with Penn State Online! 📚

I’m excited (and maybe a little nervous) to dive into the semester, meet my professors, and start learning—all from the comfort of my favorite study spot. Here's to new goals, fresh notebooks, and hopefully remembering all my login passwords. 😅

Let’s do this, PSU! 💙🦁 #OnlineCollege #PennStateProud #BackToSchool

Would you like a version tailored for LinkedIn, Instagram, or a more professional tone?

correction: its not the official kick off. it's my 2nd semester after returning

Thanks for the update! Here's a revised short post with a humorous and upbeat tone, reflecting that it's your second semester back at Penn State Online:

Back at It Again! 🎓💻

Starting classes again on Monday for my second semester back at Penn State Online—and yes, I remembered my login this time (small victories!). 😅

I’m excited to keep the momentum going, learn new things, and hopefully not accidentally submit a meme instead of a paper. Here's to progress, persistence, and perfectly brewed coffee.

Let’s go, Nittany Lions! 💙🦁 #PennStateOnline #BackToSchool #SemesterTwoVibes

Want a version with a more professional tone or something tailored for a specific platform like Instagram or LinkedIn?

Funny Cancellation #2

Awesome! Here's a brand-new, humor-infused blog post based on your Instawork adventure:

Title: Stickers, Surveys, and Sweet Cancellation: My Instawork Saga

So I did a thing. I signed up for Instawork, the app that promises flexible gigs and a sprinkle of chaos. I was feeling bold, adventurous, and mildly caffeinated—perfect conditions for making questionable decisions.

After scrolling past jobs that required lifting things heavier than my emotional baggage, I found one that seemed manageable: applying security labels to products. I thought, “Stickers? I’ve got this. I’ve been slapping labels on things since I was five. My childhood notebooks were basically sticker museums.”

But then I read the instructions.

There was clocking in and out, doing a survey, probably a brief training, and maybe even a pop quiz on sticker alignment. Suddenly, this wasn’t just a sticker gig—it was a full-blown logistical operation. I started wondering if I’d need a degree in barcode psychology.

Still, I booked it. I was ready to embrace my destiny as a sticker technician.

And then… the shift got cancelled.

I should’ve been disappointed. I should’ve felt rejected. But instead? I felt like I’d just been rescued by the universe. Like someone up there said, “You know what, Lauralee? You’ve done enough. Go have a snack.”

So here I am, still sticker-free, still survey-less, and still very much relieved. Will I try Instawork again? Maybe. But next time, I’m looking for gigs that involve fewer steps and more snacks.

Want to add a funny title image or turn this into a carousel for Instagram or LinkedIn? I can help with that too!

Funny Cancellation

Absolutely! Here's a fresh, humorous take on your Instawork experience:

Title: My Brief (and Blessedly Cancelled) Foray into Instawork

So, I decided to try out Instawork—because why not add a little chaos to my calendar?

After scrolling through a sea of gigs, I landed on one that sounded deceptively simple: applying security labels to products. I thought, “Okay, stickers. I can do stickers. I’ve been training for this since kindergarten.”

But then I read the fine print.

There was clocking in and out, doing a survey, probably a brief orientation, and who knows—maybe a surprise quiz on sticker placement accuracy. Suddenly, this gig started sounding less like a chill side hustle and more like a corporate escape room.

Still, I booked it. I was committed. I was ready to label like my life depended on it.

And then… it got cancelled.

I should’ve been disappointed. I should’ve felt rejected. But instead? I felt like I’d just dodged a very well-organized bullet.

It was like the universe said, “You know what, Lauralee? You tried. That’s enough for today.”

So here I am, still unlabelled, still unclocked-in, and still very much relieved. Will I try Instawork again? Maybe. But next time, I’m checking for gigs that involve less logistics and more snacks.

Want me to turn this into a social media post too? Or add a funny image or meme to go with it?