Vividly Rae | October 30, 2026

Greetings my lovelies,

It’s Friday evening, and I’ve traded my work attire for purple bat pajamas, my light purple and green Mexican blanket, and some evening jazz on the patio. Ronnie made tomato basil soup and adult grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner, complete with bacon and tomato, and now I’m enjoying a little time outside before we get into our weekend plans.

I’ve also been watching Gossip Girl and playing Disney Dreamlight Valley. There are two different Star Paths going on, and we’re gearing up for another update soon, which I’m excited about. There’s always something happening in that game, and apparently, I have no problem finding more things to keep myself occupied. I may even get back into Gilmore Girls once November arrives.

I’m trying to hold off on decorating for Christmas because we jumped the gun and decorated early for Halloween, and I’m already over it. I really wanted to dress up this year, but my motivation went right out the door. I’ve been so focused on work and doing well that the fun stuff has taken a backseat. Not to mention, I’ve really been missing my mom lately.

October has dragged on, although, to be fair, 2026 itself feels as though it’s lasted approximately three decades. There have been some amazing experiences and some downright shitty ones, and I’m hoping 2027 will be a whole lot better.

Tomorrow is Halloween, and I know some people are going to get mad at me for saying this, but I hope it pours. I’m talking about the kind of rain that keeps every trick-or-treater in the neighborhood at home. I’m just not in the mood to listen to Winston and the girls, Kona and Chloe, barking every time someone comes knocking for candy.

Sorry, kiddos. My peace is more important than your sugar high.

So, our weekend plans have more to do with candles and cleaning supplies than costumes and candy. Ronnie and I are heading to Bath & Body Works to pick up some candles, and then we’ll tackle our usual end-of-month deep cleaning. We do this every month, and with all the changes we’ve been making around the house, there’s plenty to keep us occupied.

I’ve been digging through old blog posts dating back to 2011, dreaming up backyard garden ideas, working on Vividly Rae, and putting together enough November lists and recipes to keep myself entertained for quite some time. There have been a few nice moments at work, too, along with some personal projects I’ve been wanting to spend more time on.

Apparently, I don’t know how to have just one interest.

And really, where would the fun be in that?

The Things We Believe Until Life Has Other Plans

Last weekend, I spent some time writing about beliefs I’ve changed my mind about over the years. You know, those things you once considered absolute truths until life came along, kicked the furniture around, and informed you that your understanding of the world might need a little updating.

Family was one of the biggest subjects.

When I was younger, I imagined growing older surrounded by family, celebrating birthdays and holidays together, enjoying relationships that had lasted for decades, and knowing that when something terrible happened, everyone would come together.

I especially believed that losing someone you love would bring families closer.

Well, that isn’t always how things work.

Being related doesn’t guarantee closeness, loyalty, acceptance, or even a willingness to maintain a relationship. Shared childhoods and family history don’t necessarily mean people will remain part of one another’s lives.

I’ve changed my expectations about those things, but I haven’t stopped believing in kindness, love, forgiveness, or meaningful relationships. Those are still important to me.

What has changed is my understanding of what I can reasonably expect from other people.

And that’s just one subject. Imagine what else I might uncover if I start digging through fifty-six years of opinions!

Actually, that sounds suspiciously like another writing project.

Somebody stop me.

The House That Keeps Giving Me Ideas

We’ve been making quite a few changes around the house, and I’ve been enjoying the results.

For those who don’t know, Ronnie and I rent. After some unpleasant experiences with a previous rental, I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about putting a lot of money or effort into improving another house that doesn’t belong to us.

But we’ve been bringing in furniture, rearranging things, and creating spaces that feel more comfortable and more like us. There’s a new couch, a fish tank, a wooden bed frame, and changes to my office and creative space. I have a wooden desk, an accent chair, and an art table, and I really enjoy having a room for my own interests.

Naturally, this has not stopped me from identifying approximately seventeen thousand other things I’d like to change. We need rugs. I’d like a fireplace entertainment center, a different coffee table, and more wall décor. There are other pieces of furniture on the wish list, too.

Then there’s the backyard.

Oh, the backyard.

I’ve been imagining a combination of romantic cottage garden, enchanted woodland, and old-fashioned courtyard. Something with character, greenery, comfortable seating, and a little bit of that storybook atmosphere I love.

Now, before anyone starts picturing a lush English garden, let me remind you that we live in Tucson, Arizona.

Summer here does not politely ask your flowers whether they’d enjoy a little sunshine. It attempts to cook everything in sight.

We’re also renters, which means I’m not planning to spend a fortune installing permanent features. And we have Kona and Chloe, our two girls, and Winston, our boy, who must be considered in every landscaping decision.

Anything loose, chewable, or potentially swallowable is a concern with those three.

So the plan is to work with what we have, preserve the established plants where possible, and gradually make the space more enjoyable.

I’ve got ideas.

I’ve always got ideas.

It’s the available time, money, and cooperation of three dogs that occasionally complicate matters.

Apparently, October Has a History With Me

Here’s something that genuinely fascinated me this week. While reading old posts dating back to 2011, I noticed that October keeps appearing as a month when I question my career and other parts of my life.

Different years, different circumstances, but remarkably familiar thoughts about wanting change.

What the hell is it with October?

I’ve wondered whether it’s the approaching end of the year, something about the season, or a personal anniversary I haven’t connected to the pattern.

I also started thinking about October when I was growing up. It was a month associated with spiritual, witchy, ghostly, and spooky things, but there were genuinely frightening experiences involving my parents, too. I’m still trying to make sense of some of those memories, and I don’t know whether I’m ready to share that part of my life.

For now, I don’t have an explanation for the pattern. I am curious to see what I’ll find when I start looking through my writing from other months.

One thing about keeping years of blog posts and journal entries: apparently, you can end up investigating your own archives like a detective who has discovered that the prime suspect is herself.

Skincare, Style, and Other Personal Business

I’ve also been revisiting my everyday self-care routines.

I want my skin to feel comfortable and look healthy. Right now, it’s dry, so I’ve been researching skincare products that will work for me without costing a fortune. I want manageable, shiny hair, soft hands, and nails that look nice. Nothing terribly outrageous.

I’ve been looking at what I already have rather than immediately running out and purchasing every product that promises to make me look like I’ve discovered the Fountain of Youth. My current skincare products are from CeraVe, and I’d rather establish a routine I can actually maintain before adding a bathroom counter full of bottles.

I’ve also been doing a little shopping for my wardrobe. I recently bought some new jeans and several dressier casual blouses to wear with them. I’m tired of looking frumpy and messy. I’m not trying to put a particular label on my style right now. I’m simply finding clothes I like and putting together outfits that suit me. I do plan on losing weight so I can feel better in my own skin.

Besides, tonight’s ensemble consists of purple bat pajamas and a Mexican blanket.

Fashion icon? Perhaps not.

Comfortable? Absolutely.

November Is Already Getting Out of Hand

Have I mentioned that I’ve been planning November?

Because apparently a new month cannot simply arrive. No, no. We need lists. We need recipes. We need books, movies, music, crafts, folklore, cozy activities, and all sorts of interesting things to explore. I’ll be sharing these with you all.

I’ve been putting together a November cookbook with comfort foods, drinks, and desserts, which I want to print and keep in a binder. I may try sharing it with others, too. There are also creative projects and seasonal activities I’d like to try.

And, of course, plenty of material for Vividly Rae.

I love discovering new things, especially when they involve history, folklore, old traditions, books, food, or something creative.

Will I accomplish every single thing on those lists?

Oh, please.

Let’s not get carried away.

They’re collections of ideas, not court-ordered obligations.

If I make a few recipes, discover a good book, try a craft, and enjoy some seasonal entertainment, I’ll have plenty to talk about. And if I get distracted by another interesting subject halfway through the month, well, that would hardly be unprecedented.

A Rather Nice Friday at Work

Before I wrap this up, something happened at work today that I really appreciated.

Aubrey, who mentored me when I was in training and has since become a manager, asked whether a new agent could listen to my calls. The agent hasn’t been able to access Salesforce yet, so listening to calls would give her an opportunity to learn.

And Aubrey asked me.

I was genuinely honored.

I remember being new, learning the systems, and having Aubrey help me through training. Now I’m the person being asked to let another agent listen and learn.

It was a small thing in the middle of an ordinary workday, but it felt good to be asked.

We also had some Halloween fun in our work channel this week, with trivia, facts, and games. I enjoy having a little fun mixed into the workday. We’re all there to do our jobs, but that doesn’t mean we have to behave like humorless office furniture.

And That, My Lovelies, Is October

I think I’ve given October enough of my attention for one year. There are things I haven’t figured out and things I’m not ready to write about publicly, and that’s where I’m leaving them for now.

November is coming, and I’ve got more than enough planned to keep myself occupied. Whether I end up watching Gilmore Girls, spending hours in Dreamlight Valley, or giving in to the temptation to haul out the Christmas decorations early remains to be seen.

For now, October can pack its bags.

I’ve got a house to clean, candles to buy, and absolutely no desire to spend Halloween listening to three dogs announce the arrival of every trick-or-treater in Tucson.

Happy Halloween, my lovelies! 🎃🦇