Have you ever had that gut feeling that your home and auto insurance company is playing games with your loyalty? Yeah, me too. After replacing our roof last year due to real hail damage, our rates still skyrocketed—not because of our claim, but because of overinflated payouts across the board. Farmers Insurance, you’re out. Texas needs to regulate these price hikes because homeowners shouldn’t have to put renovations on hold just to cover bloated premiums.
Speaking of changes, I finally ditched Moxie Pest Control. While their customer service was fine, the service itself was lacking—our technician never seemed to spray what we actually needed. One even had to report himself for not being able to complete a job due to wearing the wrong shoes! Now, we’ve switched to Fairway Lawns of Texas, a company that actually listens and delivers.
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New Month, New Meal Planning
In an effort to streamline our grocery shopping and make dinner decisions easier, we’ve been embracing weekly meal planning. This month, I added a few budget-friendly, family-approved meals to our rotation:
- Ranch Bacon Chicken Quesadillas
- Chicken Salad on Brioche Buns
- Garlic Butter Pasta Toss with Veggies
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
On the drink side of things, I stumbled across a reel from Food Dolls that reminded me of my travels and a mango drink I once had at a hotel. Inspired by their video, I made Limonana, an Egyptian mint lemonade—smooth, frothy, and so refreshing. Definitely worth trying!
Home Projects: A Desk Upgrade & Art Additions
We’re giving the kids’ room a refresh, starting with a new computer desk. It’s compact yet functional, with a reversible printer stand and plenty of drawer space—perfect for schoolwork, a makeup station, or a creative corner. Next up: installing shelves to house their ever-growing library and display artwork.
Speaking of artwork, I finally hung up The Dalmatian and the Fluffy Cat in our hallway. The vibrant colors make the Dalmatian almost look animated, and I love how playful it feels. What do you think—does this pup bring a smile to your face? More pieces are coming soon, including some of my watercolor building portraits.
Music & Entertainment: Road Tunes & TV Binges
Lately, I’ve switched up my morning drive playlist from seasonal jazz to the greats—Mozart, Beethoven, and Vivaldi. There’s something about classical music that makes the commute feel smoother.
On the TV front, I finally binged 1923, the Yellowstone prequel starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. I’m not the biggest Yellowstone fan (sorry, Rip lovers), but I found myself drawn to Spencer’s storyline—his intense journey from Africa back to Montana was gripping. If you haven’t watched it yet, be warned: the hunting scenes are raw and intense, but the storytelling is top-tier.
A Star in the Making: 4th Grade Musical
The Deep in the Heart of Texas 4th Grade Musical was a hit! Corban looked the part in his daddy’s cowboy hat and grandpa’s belt. From solos and skits to Texas history stories, the performance was full of charm. Next up: a show at the high school in Heath, Texas. Proud mom moment!
Local Politics: School Funding & Rural Shenanigans
This month, I tackled two big topics in Texas politics. First, SB2 and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)—a proposed bill for participating students enrolled in a private school accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission or TEA, the amount of the ESA would be $10,000 per student per year, or $11,500 for a student with a disability. The amount for other participants would be $2,000, or a greater amount by appropriation. While it may work for some, it’s not a fit for our family. Second, the reality of public school funding—teacher pay is too low, per student allotment needs to an increase to match inflation and classrooms are overcrowded. If you care about this issue, don’t just vent on social media—contact the House Committee on Public Education and advocate for better funding!
Meanwhile, in local rural politics, the usual corruption and backroom deals continue. Our infrastructure is struggling, and weak city governance is making things worse. Growth needs to be managed better before we find ourselves even further behind. Instead of addressing real issues, local officials seem more interested in maintaining their own power. The local GOP keeps associating with narcissistic frauds and inviting them to the table.
I’d love to hear from you! What’s something new you’ve been focusing on? And is there a topic you’d love for me to cover next?
