Lauralee Prov's Blog

 

 

 

 That’s the most frustrating part—when someone’s integrity is questioned just because they’re asking for what’s fair. It’s understandable why she’d feel that way, but there are a few reasons why she shouldn't take their attitude to heart: 1. She followed the rules Dishonest people usually don’t show up five days later with a physical receipt. Scammers usually want a "fix" right then and there without proof, or they try to get cash back. By bringing the receipt and waiting until she was back in the area, Elyse acted like a completely honest customer. 2. The "Bad Apple" Tax The staff was likely "projecting." In food service, they probably do deal with people trying to get free food daily. But a professional worker knows how to tell the difference. Treating your mom like a "scammer" just because they’re burnt out by other people is a sign of poor training and bad management, not a reflection of her. 3. Your Perspective Think about your Poshmark ...

 That is so frustrating, especially since Elyse followed the instructions they gave her over the phone. It’s one thing to have an order messed up, but it’s another to be treated like you're doing something wrong when you're just trying to get what you paid for. From a customer service standpoint—especially since you know the "back of house" world from your Pizza Hut days—5 days isn't an unreasonable timeframe, especially if she has the receipt. Most places understand people have busy lives and can't always drive back immediately. Here is a quick look at why they might have been difficult and how she can handle it: Why they might have given her a hard time  * The "Manager on Duty" Roulette: Often, the person who made the promise over the phone isn't the one standing at the counter 5 days later. If it wasn't written down in a "red book" or log, the new manager might be acting suspicious or just being strict about "same-day" ...

 

 That is such a beautiful and mature shift in perspective. It’s like moving from the "sting" of a word to the "weight" of a compliment. When you think about it, she didn't just give you a generic "Happy Holidays" card. She looked at your 16-year marriage and saw something theologically significant. By associating you and Nathan with that specific message, she’s essentially saying that your relationship is a living example of the Gospel in action. Why it’s actually a high honor:  * She sees your resilience: To her, you aren't just "lucky" to be together; she recognizes that you’ve had to navigate the "sinner-to-sinner" realities and have come out stronger.  * She sees your faith: She’s acknowledging that your marriage isn't built on being "perfect," but on the "one great Savior" who gives you both the power to transform and forgive.  * She sees the "Work": As she wrote in the card, she is "s...

 

 

 

 Happy early birthday to Christine! 85 is such a massive and wonderful milestone. 🥳 It’s incredible to think about everything she’s seen and experienced over those eight and a half decades. Since you've mentioned before that you're a fan of flowers, are you planning on getting her a big birthday bouquet or doing something special with the family to celebrate? If you need any help, I can:  * Draft a heartfelt card message from you (and maybe mention Dusty or the rest of the family like Elyse and Larry).  * Suggest some gift ideas that are easy for an 85th-anniversary celebration.  * Help plan a small tea party or dinner menu. Would you like me to help you write a special birthday tribute for her? Since this is such a special milestone for Christine, a tribute that balances her legacy with your personal bond would be lovely. Here are three different styles of tributes you could use for a card, a speech, or a social media post. Option 1: Heartfelt & Faith-Based Bes...

 

 Morning walks can be a total game-changer, especially with a busy house. There’s something really peaceful about getting those steps in before the day gets too hectic with Seth, Evan, and Ava. Plus, if you get a head start now, you won't have that "I still have 3,000 steps to go" feeling hanging over your head during dinner or study time. Since you felt pretty overheated yesterday, the morning air should be a lot more forgiving! A Quick "Morning Win" Plan:  * The "Dusty" Check: If you're walking inside, Dusty might try to "help" by getting under your feet—just keep an eye out for your furry supervisor!  * Beat the Heat: If you get out early, you’ll likely finish before the sun is at its strongest, which should help with that "hot and sweaty" feeling you had yesterday.  * Hydrate Early: Drink a glass of water before you start. It helps your body regulate temperature better so you don't feel quite as "spent" afterwa...

 That is a fantastic milestone to hit! Reaching 5,000 steps is often cited by health experts as the threshold where you move out of the "sedentary" category and into "low active." Given your current goals and the fact that you’ve been balancing life as a student and a busy stay-at-home mom for 14 years, finding the time to hit that number is a real win. It’s not just about the calories burned; it’s about the consistency and the impact on your cardiovascular health. Why 5,000 Steps Matters  * The "Sedentary" Break: Research often classifies fewer than 5,000 steps per day as sedentary. By crossing that line, you are actively improving your metabolic health.  * Mental Boost: For many, the physical act of hitting a goal like this provides a great dopamine hit and mental clarity—perfect for when you're juggling college coursework.  * Sustainable Progress: 5,000 is a very "sticky" habit number. It’s high enough to matter, but manageable enough to r...

 

 

 

 

 Since you are on winter break, let's start with a solid blog post outline that reflects on your big return to Penn State. After that, I can give you some graphic design ideas that you can try out using the tools you’ve been learning in your Digital Multimedia Design classes! Blog Post Outline: "Full Circle: My 2025 Return to College" I. The Introduction: The 17-Year Gap  * Open with a "First Day of School" feeling—but from the perspective of a 37-year-old mom of three.  * Mention that your journey started back in 2007 and how it felt to finally log back in as a Penn State student in 2025. II. The "SAHM to Student" Transition  * Talk about the shift from being a stay-at-home mom since 2011 to managing deadlines and multimedia projects.  * Share a funny or heartfelt moment, like Dusty the cat sitting on your keyboard or your kids seeing you do "homework" just like them. III. Why Digital Multimedia Design?  * Explain your passion for this field...

 It really has been a milestone year for you! Making the jump to return to college in 2025—nearly 20 years after you first started as a dual-enrollment student—is a massive achievement. Balancing your Digital Multimedia Design courses at Penn State with being a stay-at-home mom of three is no small feat. Since you're on winter break and reflecting on such a big year, this is the perfect time to capture that "full circle" feeling for your blog. Here are a few ways you could frame a "2025: The Year I Went Back" post: 1. The "Then vs. Now" Perspective You could talk about the difference between being a student in 2007 (fresh out of high school, working at Community Market) versus being a student in 2025.  * The Tech: How different it is to study Multimedia Design now compared to the tech of the mid-2000s.  * The Motivation: How being a mom of three changes your "why" for finishing your degree. 2. A "Thank You" to Your Support System Si...