Saturday Shenanigans

 

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Saturday Shenanigans & A Surprise Night Out 🎉

Saturday turned out to be one of those “let’s just do all the things” kind of days — and honestly, I loved every minute of it.

A few days ago, my coworker Sheila asked if I wanted to ride with her to Lawton, Oklahoma. I told her yes, of course — but added that I didn’t want to be gone all day because I had a few things I wanted to get done around the house later. She said that was perfectly fine; she just didn’t want to make the trip by herself. And that’s all the convincing I needed.

I left the house at 9:30 a.m., filled up my gas tank, and made it to the Lawton~Duncan Y right on time to meet her. First stop? Hobby Lobby.

Sheila was on a mission to find birthday gifts for her dad, and she did such a good job. She picked out quality paints, paint brushes, a Marine magnet, and the cutest container to package everything together. I love when gifts feel thoughtful like that.

Now let’s talk about what I found. 😄

I bought a 50-piece washi tape set (because clearly I don’t have enough), lots of stickers, and some journaling supplies. I also finally bought the photo storage container with individual boxes inside for organizing stickers. I’ve had my eye on it for months, and since my current container is completely full, I decided it was time. No regrets!

After Hobby Lobby, we ran across the street to Braum’s for Diet Cokes because priorities. Then we stopped at DD’s where I found some socks for Mr. C to tuck into his birthday gifts. We had originally planned to celebrate Sunday, but with a few people feeling under the weather, we pushed it back. Once Alisha and Jonathan get back from Italy 🇮🇹, we’ll grill out and celebrate properly.

Next up was the Asian Market. Sheila grabbed some of her favorite snacks. I didn’t buy anything at first but told her I’d be back for the strawberry ice cream on our way out of town. (Spoiler alert: I absolutely went back for it.)

For lunch, we went to the Asian Fusion Buffet. The food was decent — I stuck with my usual: fried rice, fried potatoes, sweet and sour chicken, sweet and sour soup, plus a few extras. Nothing fancy, just good comfort buffet food.

After lunch, we made one more stop at the Asian Market so Sheila could grab a few more things — and yes, I got that strawberry ice cream. It was so good. Totally worth the second trip. Our final stop was Dollar Tree so she could pick up a few face items, and then we headed home.

But wait… the day wasn’t done.

While we were at the buffet, Nancy called and asked if I wanted to go to The Blue Door in OKC to see Bob Schneider play. She had already bought the tickets! I told her I’d check with Mr. C, and he said, “Sure!” So now she’s picking me up at 6:30 p.m., and we should be home by midnight.

From Hobby Lobby hauls to spontaneous live music plans — I’d say that’s a pretty packed Saturday. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Apartment Sitter Book Review

The Apartment Sitter

 by Paige Brooks

📅 Published: February 5, 2026 

✍️ Author: Paige Brooks 

The Apartment Sitter is one of the most compelling thrillers I’ve read in a while. Brooks masterfully blends psychological tension with sharp twists, pulling you into Marin’s world of uncertainty and dread. What starts as a hopeful new job slowly becomes unnerving — strangers aren’t quite who they seem, clues don’t add up, and every revelation pushes Marin (and the reader) deeper into a maze of doubt and danger.

Brooks’ writing has a cinematic quality: vivid, evocative scenes, and characters that stick with you long after the last page. Marin is a sympathetic protagonist — vulnerable yet resourceful, making choices that feel real even when the stakes become surreal. The pacing is smart, with suspense building steadily and twists landing when you least expect them. Just when you think you’ve spotted the direction of the plot, Brooks pivots and surprises you again.

This book excels at making you second-guess everything: the people around Marin, her own memories, and even the reliability of what you thought you knew about the storyline. It’s a thriller that rewards attentive reading and keeps you flipping pages long into the night. In short, if you love mind-bending mysteries and psychological games that don’t let up until the very end, this one’s a standout.

Overview

In The Apartment Sitter, Paige Brooks delivers a twisty psychological thriller that grips from the first chapter to the last. The story follows Marin Hayes, a struggling actress who is desperate for income and stability. When she’s offered a seemingly perfect opportunity — to apartment-sit a luxurious penthouse in Manhattan for a generous monthly pay — she can’t refuse. At first, the situation seems ideal: a plush space, a fat paycheck, and a break from her past struggles. But as Marin settles into this glamorous life, reality becomes unsettlingly blurry. 

Events begin to tip toward the uncanny and dangerous as Marin starts noticing odd behaviors, cryptic warnings, and inconsistencies in what she thinks she knows about the apartment’s true owner. As she digs deeper into the secrets hidden behind the sleek walls, she finds herself questioning her own perceptions, unraveling mysteries that hit close to home, and realizing that the price of comfort may be far higher than she ever imagined

Wednesday Ramblings

Wednesday Ramblings & Birthday Prep

Good morning, friends!

It’s 6:35 a.m., and I’m on my way to work. I don’t have to be there until 7:00, but I always leave a little early—because life loves a surprise, and I do not. Plus, I like having those few quiet minutes to get my system up and running and head to the break room to fill up my water container before the phones start ringing. A prepared girl is a peaceful girl.

Last night I finished The Apartment Sitter by Paige Brooks and oh my goodness… it was so good. The kind of book that makes you stay up later than you meant to and then think about it while brushing your teeth. I already know I’ll be looking into more of her books.

Now that we’re smack in the middle of the week, I’ve shifted into party-planning mode. Mr. C’s birthday cookout is this Sunday, and you know I love a good celebration. I’ve been making my list, checking it twice, and trying to get everything organized so the day can just be fun instead of frantic.

We’re keeping it classic cookout style:

🛒 Birthday Cookout Grocery List

Meats:

• Steaks
• Smoked sausage
• Hot links
• Hamburgers
• Hot dogs

Sides:

• Baked beans
• Potato salad

Extras I’m leaning toward making:

• Jalapeño poppers
• Bacon-wrapped little smokies

And of course, I’m ordering him a cupcake cake from Walmart because birthdays require cake. Period.

On top of party prep, I’m planning to tackle my taxes this weekend. I’ve got everything gathered—I just need to sit down and actually do it. I’m thinking Sunday  will be the day. Say a little prayer for my patience.

Something else on my heart this morning is my son, Aaron. He’s going through a hard patch, and as a mama, that helpless feeling is heavy. You want to fix it. You want to say the magic words that make it click. But sometimes they just have to walk through it themselves. I’m praying he finds his way out of his own head and into some peace soon. If you’re the praying type, we’ll take all the good thoughts.

In happier planning news, I’ve got a suitcase open for New York City. It’s too early to fully pack since I’m still wearing half the clothes I want to take, but I can start organizing. Makeup, duplicate chargers (because I never take my good ones from the house!), and deciding what I can fit into a carry-on and backpack. I’m determined to leave room for souvenirs.

Tomorrow our vice president, Stephanie, and other important folks will be at work. That means no scrolling, no sneaking in a few pages on my iPad between calls. Maybe that’s exactly what I need to focus in and hit my daily goal of 12 saves. Sometimes a little supervision is the push we didn’t know we needed.

And yes, there are days I wish I were independently wealthy and didn’t have to clock in anywhere. But since I’m not, I’ll keep showing up and doing my best. Who knows—maybe one day I’ll stumble into the perfect little side hustle. For now, I’ll just keep building what I can, one blog post at a time.

Today my sweet hubby is driving me to work, which I love. It gives me time to think, to type, and to share this little slice of my Wednesday with you.

Thanks for stopping by, friends. I hope your Wednesday is productive and full of love.

Skin Issues

 

                 When Your Skin Rebels: My Experience with Perioral Dermatitis

Lately, my skin has decided to throw a little tantrum.

Right around my mouth and nose, I started noticing redness. Then came the itching. Then the burning. Not intense, but enough to be uncomfortable — like my skin was constantly irritated and trying to tell me something.

If you’ve ever dealt with Perioral dermatitis, you know it’s not just a breakout. It’s a persistent, inflamed rash that shows up most often around the mouth (and sometimes the nose and eyes). It can look like small red bumps, dry patches, or irritated skin that just won’t calm down.

At first, I thought I was helping it.

I had a steroid cream and it seemed like it was improving things — temporarily. But when I went to see Dr. Angie, she gently let me know that steroids were actually not the right move for this condition. In fact, steroid creams can make perioral dermatitis worse over time, even if they give short-term relief.

So off to the pharmacy I went with a new prescription in hand and a new plan.

And honestly? That visit was a turning point.

What Causes Perioral Dermatitis?

From what I’ve learned, perioral dermatitis can be triggered by several things:

• Overuse of topical steroid creams
• Heavy facial creams or occlusive skincare products
• Harsh cleansers or over-exfoliating
• Fluoridated toothpaste (in some cases)
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Makeup overload
• Stress (because of course it is)

Sometimes it’s not just one thing — it’s a combination. For me, using that steroid cream thinking I was “fixing” it may have actually been fueling the fire.

What I’m Doing Differently

Right now, I’m keeping things very simple.

• I’m washing my face with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser instead of my usual active products.
• I’ve completely stopped wearing makeup. As much as I’d love to cover the redness, I don’t want to aggravate it.
• I’m following the prescription Dr. Angie gave me consistently.
• I’m resisting the urge to try every trending skincare product on the internet.

And let me tell you — sometimes doing less is the hardest part.

Gentle Cleansing Ideas That Can Help

If you’re dealing with this too, here are some dermatologist-approved style approaches that are generally recommended:

1. Use a Mild Cleanser

Look for fragrance-free, non-foaming cleansers. Gentle options people often tolerate well include brands like:

• CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
• Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

The goal is to cleanse without stripping your skin barrier.

2. Skip the Actives

Now is not the time for:

• Retinol
• Vitamin C
• Exfoliating acids
• Scrubs

Let your skin rest.

3. Choose Lightweight Moisture

If your skin feels dry, use a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer. Sometimes less truly is more.

How to Soothe It (Beyond Prescription Medicine)

While medication helps treat the inflammation, there are comfort strategies that can make daily life easier:

• Use lukewarm water — hot water can increase redness.
• Pat dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing.
• Avoid heavy creams and thick occlusives.
• Keep your hands off your face (harder than it sounds).
• Consider switching to a mild toothpaste if you suspect irritation.
• Reduce stress where you can — even a short walk or quiet time helps.

And maybe most importantly: be patient.

Perioral dermatitis doesn’t clear overnight. Sometimes it actually flares when you stop steroids before it improves. That can be frustrating, but it’s part of the healing process.

The Emotional Side of It

There’s something vulnerable about having a visible skin condition. Even if it’s mild, it’s on your face. It’s the first thing you see in the mirror.

Choosing not to wear makeup right now isn’t easy — but I’m reminding myself that healing matters more than covering it up. This is temporary. My skin is adjusting. And I’m learning to treat it more gently instead of attacking it.

Sometimes our skin forces us to slow down.

And maybe that’s not the worst thing.