This weekend was gray and rainy, so I finally tackled the projects I’ve been putting off since, oh, about 2017. Specifically: the messes that live under our kitchen and bathroom sinks. You know the ones. A disheveled graveyard of expired cleaning sprays, hotel lotions and half-used rolls of trash bags. Well, not anymore. I pulled everything out, tossed the junk, put down a fresh liner and organized what was left. It’s like a Container Store catalog down there now. I half expect Marie Kondo to pop out and applaud me every time I grab the Windex.

Also, Home Depot finally released their viral twinkling Christmas ​trees again, which have sold out quickly the past two years. I started stalking their website in late July. Three of my five downstairs trees were already the twinkling ones, and now that I've added two more, all my downstairs trees will match come November 1 when I decorate "early," according to some Scrooges.

WHAT I'M EATING

Cheese Balls Are Basically Health Food

The kids came home from Tom Thumb with a tub of cheese balls, which I haven’t eaten since about 1989. I looked at the nutrition label and nearly fainted: a serving size is FORTY FIVE cheese balls and only 140 calories. While I’m not about to put them on a diet plan, I will say that after eating about 10 or 15, I’m satisfied and can move on. If my math is correct, that’s under 20 calories.

Like and follow for more health content! Ha!

GET THE ICK

Clean Your Phone!

I read an article that said if you don’t wipe down your phone and case at least once a week, they can have as much as seven times more germs than a public restroom. I repeat: SEVEN TIMES MORE THAN A PUBLIC RESTROOM! Barf.

I'm not even a clean freak or a germophobe at all, but I immediately went on a cleaning spree and wiped down every phone and iPad in this house. And then I added “clean devices” to my weekly to-do list so I don’t have to think about it again. If you want to go beyond Windex, there are gadgets like this UV phone sanitizer that zap the germs for you. Ours got a workout!

DOWNLOAD IN PROGRESS

Here's The Thing(s App)

Speaking of to-do lists, I’ve fallen in love with the Things app. Wirecutter recommended it, which meant I had no choice but to download it. It’s only on Apple, and yes, it’s pricier than most apps, but it’s keeping my ADHD brain in line. I’ve got it reminding me to water the plants, run the dishwasher’s cleaning cycle, book doctor’s appointments and actually write things for clients. Plus, it feels sooooo good to check things off the list. Like a total dopamine hit.

(PS - I only downloaded the iPhone version and then forced it onto my iPad too without paying for the iPad version separately.)

LIVING IN THE GPT FUTURE

Razor Mystery Solved

Last week, I told you I used ChatGPT to pick a new shampoo and conditioner. This week? It helped me solve a marital crisis. While cleaning under the sink, I may or may not have thrown away Todd’s razor handle. Oops. He had a pile of refill blades but couldn’t remember the brand. So I took pictures of the razor head, uploaded them to GPT and asked what it was. Ten seconds later, I had my answer and ordered a replacement handle. If this is the future, sign me up.

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HIT PLAY

Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

TLC’s Waterfalls keeps sneaking into my Apple Music lately, and I’m not mad about it. It’s peak 90s, the video is iconic, and let’s be honest, Left Eye’s rap verse still holds up. (RIP, Lisa Lopes.)

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WORDS OF WISDOM

"Every storm runs out of rain."

- Maya Angelou

Maya with a little perspective we could all use. I’m not in the middle of a storm myself, but I love this as a reminder for anyone who is. Whatever you’re facing, it won’t last forever...and if I can lend you my umbrella, I'm happy to do it.

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That's it for this week! Thanks to everyone who responded with their drag names last week. I hope you enjoyed my replies describing your inner queen! (ICYMI: read about it here.)

And always remember...

YOU ARE LOVED!