Category: Snapshots

Snapshot: October 2, 2020

- Alexis 2 Comments
The author wearing sunglasses and headphones, standing on a walking path in front of a tree with red leaves
Enjoying an afternoon walk on the local greenbelt yesterday

In this occasional series, I share what I’ve been reading, watching, thinking, and doing.

What I’m Reading:

Audio, while doing chores: How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi.

E-book, while nursing the baby: How to Raise an Adult, by Julie Lythcott-Haims.

Occasional porch reading, while the baby sleeps: Money: A Love Story, by Kate Northrup.

Recently finished and recommended to a friend: Untamed, by Glennon Doyle (this one resonated with me WAY more than I expected it would).

What I’m Watching: Younger

What I’m Listening To: So many podcasts! (I have a lot of time to listen to things right now.) A few favorites: So Money, Crushing Chaos with Law Firm Mentor, Wealthyesque, Simple Families

Current Hobby: Hobby? What’s that? I enjoy going for long walks with my newborn. I’ve been contemplating taking up tennis at some point in the future, when I can fit it in.

Where I’ve Been Recently: The only place I’ve gone since January is to Nashville, for a medical appointment.

What I’m Looking Forward To: The end of this pandemic!

Where I’m Going Next: I’m making a quick trip to Pennsylvania to visit my mom. Beyond that, who knows — I won’t be flying again anytime soon.

Latest Personal Project: In an effort to squeeze in some more physical activity where I can, I’ve been doing daily push-ups, adding one more each day. I’m up to 27 now. We’ll see how high I can go.

Inspired By: The women lawyers in some of my online groups who have managed to pivot and grow their practices during an economic downturn. I love reading about their creativity and resourcefulness.

Recent Moment of Joy: Singing along to Beatles songs in the car with my 2.5 year old son.

Grateful For: 12 weeks of maternity leave.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Alexis

Snapshot: March 3, 2019

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In this occasional series, I share what I’ve been reading, watching, thinking, and doing.

Sitting on the porch listening to the rain on this Sunday afternoon

What I’m Reading:

Nightstand: The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child; Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self
Handbag: Man’s Search for Meaning (yes, still)
Audiobooks: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance; There There (for a book club I just joined – I read part of this and listened to part of it)
Article: “This is the Secret to Being a Successful Working Mom” (don’t let the click-bait-esque title fool you – there’s a lot of good advice in this piece)

What I’m Watching: The Good Place; Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt (I’ve been watching very little TV lately and haven’t seen a movie in ages)

What I’m Listening To: I’m way behind on listening to podcasts, but today I listened to this episode of HerMoney with Laura Ling talking about resiliency

Current Guilty Pleasure: Looking at tiny houses and renovated RVs on Instagram

Where I’ve Been Recently: Beaufort, SC for a long weekend in January

What I’m Looking Forward To: Going to a yoga class with a friend this week. It’s a small thing, but I don’t go to many yoga classes these days, and spending time with a friend is always a bright spot in my week.

Where I’m Going Next: Malibu and Nashville for professional conferences

Latest Personal Project: I don’t know that I’d really classify this as a project, but I’ve begun listening to positive affirmations and hypnotherapy tracks on YouTube, and I think they are helping to shift my perspective.

Recent Moment of Joy: Teaching my son to say “thank you”

Grateful For: Increasingly longer days and the lack of snow here

Have a wonderful week!

Alexis

PS: If you were hoping for the next installment in my series about being adopted, it’s coming soon — I just needed a little break from writing about that for a while.

Snapshot: July 21, 2018

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Headshot of the author sitting in a rocking chair

In this occasional series, I share what I’ve been reading, watching, thinking, and doing.

What I’m Reading:

What I’m Watching: The Staircase; Jane the Virgin

What I’m Listening To: HerMoney, “Don’t Buy Shoes, Buy Buildings” with Nely Galán

Current Guilty Pleasure: ice cream again (still?)

Where I’ve Been Recently: Asheville, NC to meet up with some friends

What I’m Looking Forward To: Upcoming visits from my mom and a good friend

Where I’m Going Next: To the Dickinson School of Law to help students prepare for interview season

Latest Personal Project: Getting my pre-pregnancy stomach back? (But see “Current Guilty Pleasure” above.) I’m mostly just trying to stay on top of the day-to-day stuff right now, so no big projects at the moment.

Recent Moment of Joy: Walking on a beautiful trail and through a little town with my husband and son last evening, enjoying the perfect weather and scenery

Grateful For: The chance to sleep in today!

Have a lovely weekend!

Alexis

Snapshot: April 28, 2018

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Selfie of the author at a coffee shop
Hanging out at Open Doors Coffee in Johnson City, TN

In this occasional series, I share what I’ve been reading, watching, thinking, and doing.

What I’m Reading:

What I’m (re)Watching:  Arrested Development

What I’m Listening To:  Simple Families Podcast food series; HerMoney — Cait Flanders interview about her shopping ban (also interviewed on The New Family podcast)

Where I’ve Been Recently:  St. Augustine, FL (pre-baby trip in December/January); family excursions to Black Mountain College reHappening and Knoxville Opera Rossini festival

What I’m Looking Forward To:  Taking the baby on his first big roadtrip to meet my family and friends in Pennsylvania

Latest Personal Project:  Learning more about plant care and garden maintenance and trying to get my landscaping in better shape

Recent Moment of Joy:  Interacting with the baby, hearing him try to talk, seeing him smile at me, and watching him gain skills. Yesterday he started trying to pick up his toys and put them in his mouth.

Currently Inspired By:  All things minimalism/simple living (though you’d never know it by walking through my house!)

Grateful For:  The ability to work from home for a while so I can spend more time with my little one

Cheers,

Alexis

Snapshot: September 28, 2017

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Photo of the author

In this occasional series, I share what I’ve been reading, watching, thinking, and doing.

What I’m Reading:

What I’m Watching:  The Good Place

What I’m Listening To:  The Gen Why Lawyer Podcast, “Taking 100% Responsibility for Your Happiness with Okeoma Moronu”

Current Guilty Pleasure:  Long naps (although truthfully, I don’t really feel that guilty about them!)

Where I’ve Been Recently:  Athens and Santorini (in June and July)

What I’m Looking Forward To:  The arrival of baby D!

Latest Personal Project:  Cooking more and trying new recipes with the help of PlateJoy

Recent Moment of Joy:  Feeling another being moving around in my belly.  It’s pretty amazing!

Currently Inspired By:  Several smart, driven, all-around-impressive women lawyers I’ve met recently through the Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women.

Grateful For:  The many kind and understanding people in my life who have graciously listened to me complain about the less fun aspects of my pregnancy, and who have cut me some slack while I don’t feel like my usual self.  Thank you!

Cheers,

Alexis

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