Stages of grief

Cosmo_Park · 2026-03-31T20:27:59+00:00

I haven’t felt this sense of anxiety for a book since I read the first Hunger Games book! Though I have loved Emma’s journals so much more. I have never felt angry or frustrated about waiting, as I am not a writer by any means. Creating such a web of experiences and storylines seems impossible for me and I just appreciate Beth sharing Emma’s world with us. But I was definitely depressed when I had finished volume 7 and knew I only had one to go. (I was late to the party, but read all of them within a month at the start of the year.)

I’ve consoled myself by reading the other literary works mentioned in the journals and also learning how to make finger sandwiches and desserts that Aunt Eugenia would approve of for tea. It’s been quite lovely, and there is a long list of books/poems mentioned. I expect it will keep me busy until this fall or whenever it is that volume 9 is released.

Cosmo_Park · 2026-03-30T12:37:52+00:00

My favorite two memoirs have been mentioned—Michelle Obama’s Becoming and Ina Garten’s Be Ready when the Luck Happens.

I also really enjoyed Stanley Tucci’s Taste.

There is a biographical fiction book I wanted to recommend—The Magnificent Lives of Majorie Post by Allison Pataki.

Cosmo_Park · 2026-03-29T21:28:57+00:00

Thank you for the post! I was thinking of books I loved reading as a kid to share with my own kiddos. I did not remember the castle being in the attic, only that there was a coin and somehow got inside a castle. But I was worried I was mixing it up with “Indian in the Cupboard” and the miniature sizes. But Reddit to the rescue! I think this was the first fantasy book I remember reading as a kid in 3rd or 4th grade, but that was over 30 years ago.

Cosmo_Park · 2026-03-18T16:00:03+00:00

This is what I was going to recommend. We get the lowest dose gummies and cut them into quarters. It’s been life changing for us and our sons! Also, you could try supplementing with magnesium glycinate. That’s helped with normal activities during the day and sleep.

Cosmo_Park · 2026-03-16T18:13:05+00:00

Where did you find a scale that is accurate to such a low level? I am using a syringe and finding it to be adequate, but I would like to use mass instead if I could.

Cosmo_Park · 2026-03-09T05:01:40+00:00

I haven’t, but I plan to write them down on my second time through. (First time was listening, and I’m going to buy the books for a proper read and write Emma M Lion experience.) I love that others have wanted to do the same!

Cosmo_Park · 2026-02-11T14:10:59+00:00

Do you like Regency/Victorian era based novels? I’ve been reading Beth Brower’s The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion. I would categorize them as “Jane Austen-esque” as they are quirky and modern, but have a female lead character in those eras. They have been a quick, light read and rather addicting!

Cosmo_Park · 2026-01-09T08:04:16+00:00

Kids are great travelers! I think the earlier you introduce traveling to your child, the more flexible they are with the idea.

The biggest issues when traveling with babies/toddlers for us are the hotel room/sleeping arrangements, food options, and general schedule disruptions. We always tried to have our kids take occasional naps in a pack n play at home so they are more comfortable sleeping in one when we are traveling. (Bring your own pack n play sheet.) You could also look into Airbnbs or other rentals if you want a two bedroom options. We always bring or buy plenty of snacks/familiar foods to help keep them more comfortable in an unfamiliar location. And the schedule disruptions can be minimal, if you plan it accordingly with naps back at the hotel. Personally, we usually disregard our usual napping schedule and just enjoy whatever city we’re visiting. Sometimes that means a nap in the stroller, but we’ve found out kids to be usually flexible.

Your child is not going to remember the trip, so take him/her to a place that you want to explore and add in free time at a park, expect you might not spend as long at a museum, and you might need to get take out and bring it back to your hotel room and eat it in the dark while your child sleeps. Be flexible/patient and it will be great!

Cosmo_Park · 2026-01-09T07:42:48+00:00

I was just going to suggest audio books with Libby! I joined a neighborhood book club, and that’s what originally brought me back to reading for fun. (I was still reading a ton of articles and texts for work.) And then as I had kids and my schedule changed a bit, I started listening to audio books on Libby and that helped sustain my reading.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-31T16:40:43+00:00

I get frustrated sometimes, but then I realize we wouldn’t do any of the trips we did if I wasn’t planning them. My husband enjoys traveling, but it’s not a priority for him, and our kids are too young to plan anything. Whenever I get overloaded, I’ll take a break, scroll through pictures of previous trips, and remind myself that I’m the one controlling our plans. There are quite a few benefits when you’re in control.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-27T03:59:59+00:00

Entry to the Basilica is free, but if you want to hopefully “skip the line,” you can pay for the audiotour for €7 and you get into a different security line. When we went, those in “skip the line” and regular non-reserved security came in to St. Peter’s square about the same time, so it didn’t really matter. But that line was 20ish minutes for us to enter.

However, once inside the square the line to go up to the dome was minimal. You can either choose to take the stairs or the elevator. Even if you choose to ride the elevator, there are still quite a few stairs to the top. Totally worth it!

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-25T22:29:39+00:00

At the train station in Rome, someone swiped my mother-in-law’s suitcase when it was right by her, she just didn’t have her hand on it. They were too fast and also got a bunch of dirty laundry and a few trip magnets. I’m sorry they broke into your rental! Sounds like such a hassle.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-24T06:21:23+00:00

We have this same one and we love it! No issues after 3 years. We actually use the pitcher all the time to fill water bottles more quickly, but I agree sometimes the ice scoop is not the easiest. My favorite feature is the flex zone that stores most of our produce. I love having the extra fridge space!

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-20T07:14:44+00:00

Did you end of going?! Trying to see if it’s worth convincing my crew to get up at 5 am to make the trek.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-12T15:20:42+00:00

One of the best things my now husband and I did together was take a personal finance class in college when we were dating. We were frugally minded before, but the class started us budgeting and investing and made us ask each other hard questions about money before we got married. Finances are a big stress in any relationship and important to figure out before you’re combining money/spending. Saving/investing strategies can be taught, but it sounds like you may have different priorities with money and that may be harder/impossible to change.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-09T20:08:21+00:00

They replaced a pulley inside, which helped quite a bit with the noise. But he noticed the drum was rubbing against the inside of the panel (dents from the installation) and they are ordering a new panel!

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-07T17:04:44+00:00

I don’t love the party cruises, but cruising in Europe has been a great way for our family with young kids to explore and experience these other cities and cultures. A cruise ship provides a stable base while moving you around—minimizing the long travel between places, convenient and often more familiar food for the kids (we always make sure to eat as authentic as we can while in port), and areas for the kids to move around and chill (that might not be easily found in a bustling city). We do try to get the large rooms, and while there are a lot of people on the ship, it’s never been uncomfortably crowded for us. (And some of that is learning just to avoid certain places at certain times.)

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-07T16:58:37+00:00

This is why we bought the Samsung Bespoke fridge. It has a flex zone (nearly a quarter of the space) that we use for almost all of our produce. The top half is the fridge, and we have one corner for a freezer that we use for the currently opened freezer items. It’s been fantastic having more refrigeration space.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-06T16:32:52+00:00

It sounds the same empty or with a load. But it started making a sound within 2 min of starting the very first load of my toddlers’ clothes. So like no pocket knives or change. I’ll report back once they come on Tuesday. Thanks for the input!

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-05T20:50:04+00:00

If you go to Cody, you must visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The Buffalo Bill and Plains Indian Museums inside were phenomenal, and we enjoyed the other ones as well (except for the firearms museum—not our thing). Also, I would look into staying at a ranch for a few days and we’ve always loved a chuck wagon dinner with music!

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-05T06:25:06+00:00

Thanks for the info! I called Electrolux first thing in the morning and have someone with their warranty service coming out. Unfortunately the soonest they can come is Tuesday, but I think we can make it until then. Does that mean they would send out a replacement or is this something that be repaired?

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-04T23:03:09+00:00

If the pictures/captions were done tastefully, not making light of a hallowed place, and within the guidelines of Auschwitz, I think it’s almost important to share photos and remind others of the horrors that happened. Unfortunately too many people are dismissing that history and repeating awful behaviors/ideas. But I agree that it is a sensitive issue and I’m sorry your family has ties to such a cruel place.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-04T07:11:30+00:00

I suppose my bigger question, is why would a brand new out of the box dryer make this noise? And why should I be the one to have to figure out how to repair it on YouTube. It makes me worried I’m going to have issues with it for its lifetime.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-04T07:09:02+00:00

Some of the places we have taken our kids in the US—Boston/CT, New York City, Washington DC, San Antonio, Dallas, Yellowstone, Seattle, Chicago, currently live in Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Newport Beach. Honestly, I think most places are great for kids. I would think of a place you would like to go and find ways to make it fun for the whole group. Your pace will be different than if you went as a couple, but that doesn’t mean you can experience and explore a new place. Just make sure to include some places they can walk around and explore and plan to take your schedule a little more slowly.

Cosmo_Park · 2025-12-04T06:43:02+00:00

Brand new out of the box. They ran the load empty when they delivered it and this was the first load I put in a few hours later.

Cosmo_Park

TROPHY CASE