Tag Archives: update

Proud Mini Mama

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Proud Mini Mama

Hello!! As you all know, my beloved Little Red Love Machine fell into recent disrepair and the effects were devastating. I just love that car so much and it really threw me for a loop to need to go car shopping immediately after making massive repairs. Time was, indeed, of the essence as I drive a lot for work and I needed a reliable car ASAFP. I dived headfirst into the car hunt with one make in mind: A Mini Cooper AKA my dream car. At first, the results were few and far between and I was coming up blank. In fact, I was ready to start looking for a Honda Fit instead when I found Junior courtesy of MINI Of Pittsburgh!

As soon as I saw Junior, I had to have it and called the Pittsburgh dealership first thing in the morning the day after Labor Day. I let the representatives know that I wanted to put a down payment on it right away and by two that afternoon, Junior was mine all mine! Because my transportation to Pittsburgh would be questionable at best in the LRLM, the kind folks at MINI Of Pittsburgh agreed to meet me and my dad the following week halfway in Youngstown. We made our trip this past Wednesday and I am so proud to present my Junior:

I met with the dealership representatives at a McDonald’s in Youngstown for the pick up and to sign paperwork. Hey, wherever works as long as I got my car! As the golden arches approached closer, my dad and I could see my Mini waiting in the parking lot just for me. She was even more glorious than I could have imagined and it was so amazing to see her in real life as all I had were semi blurry shots from the AutoTrader listing. I got a tutorial on how the car operates, signed my name on the dotted lines, enjoyed a Mickey D’s breakfast with my dad, and then it was time to take her home!

Making the hour drive home from Youngstown was the perfect introduction to Junior because it’s a straight shot on the highway to get back to Akron. As soon as I got behind the wheel I couldn’t stop smiling to save my own life and it felt SO good! It was a mix of excitement, pride, and relief and it was a total and complete thrill to hit the highway in this zippy little Mini. Driving Junior just felt right and I am still not over my good fortune that my dream car seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Right when I was about to give up! My Junior and I are truly a match made in heaven and, although nothing will fully replace the Little Red Love Machine, this is a great place to start. ❤

My life goal of owning a Mini Cooper is officially checked off the list. Thank you a million times over to MINI Of Pittsburgh for their excellent care and making this process as easy as pie. Highly, HIGHLY recommend if you are in the area!!

What is your dream car? What was your first car? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mini Mama

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Mini Mama

Hi! As you all know, my beloved car: The Little Red Love Machine AKA LRLM has recently taken a rapid downward spiral. My heart is genuinely broken because my sweet Mazda2 hatchback has been my baby for the past thirteen years. The LRLM was my first car, my honey, and my pride and joy and for over a decade, no one could tell me NOTHIN when I was behind the wheel. As sad as it is, all good things must come to an end and after another massive repair, Johnny and I had to make a difficult decision. We chose to get her fixed up one more time so Johnny could take her for his short drive to and from work and I would get a new (used) car.

Although it was a massive buzzkill, it was the right call to make as I drive a lot for work and reliable transportation is a must. It made me happy that the LRLM could stay in the family for a bit longer and even though the wind was knocked fully out of my sails, I had to begin the dreaded task of car shopping. I knew exactly where to start and that was with all things Mini Cooper! The Mini Cooper has always been my dream car and if I needed a new one anyways, that’s what I was going to get. The problem was finding one!

After a week of fruitless searches for a Mini Cooper, I was feeling really defeated. Nothing was noteworthy at nearby dealerships, every option that looked good on Carvana was no longer available, and I was close to scrapping the Mini Cooper idea for another model. Then, in one final attempt, I expanded my search and struck gold. This past Saturday, I found an absolutely perfect orange red 2019 Mini in Pittsburgh with low mileage and a more than reasonable price. I knew that this was the one and if I couldn’t get it, then my Mini Cooper dreams were done for. Blessedly, that was not the case!!! Take a look at my pretty new baby (These pics are from the car’s listing but I’ll have way better ones when I pick her up!):

The day after Labor Day, I called MINI of Pittsburgh as soon as they opened and declared my love for this little car and the process started immediately. Even from a state away, the wonderful staff made this the easiest car buying experience possible and by two in the afternoon, I placed a down payment. The car was mine!!! Not only were the staff accommodating, courteous, and beyond helpful, but they also agreed to meet me and my dad halfway between Akron and Pittsburgh to pick her up. We will be driving to Youngstown for the trade off and I am already chomping at the bit to take her home!

It always sucks having to make a big purchase and I am definitely a little stressed out. On the bright side, my new used car is the best consolation prize I could ever ask for! My blogging bestie has lovingly called my Mini Cooper “Junior” in honor of the LRLM and I just adore that. Junior, your Mini Mama is waiting for you! ❤

What was your first car? What is your dream car? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Refreshing Your Space Beyond New Decor

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Refreshing Your Space Beyond New Decor

A home refresh is so much more than just grabbing new pillows or a trendy rug. It’s actually a fantastic chance to hit the reset button on your space, clear out anything that’s not serving you anymore, and create a home that truly feels like you. Often, the biggest changes don’t come from adding more stuff, but from really thinking about what you already have and getting rid of what you don’t need. This whole process might sound daunting, but if you break it down into smaller, bite-sized steps, it turns from a huge chore into a pretty exciting project. By focusing on clearing out the old before you even think about styling the new, you’ll build a solid foundation for a home that feels open, calm, and authentically yours:

Before you start tossing things or making a beeline for the store, take a moment to walk through your home with fresh eyes. Try to imagine you’re a guest seeing it for the first time. What do you genuinely love about each room? What makes you feel a little stressed or cluttered? Maybe your entryway always seems to be a mountain of shoes and mail, or a certain corner of the living room has become a magnet for random bits and bobs. Think about why you wanted to do this because your decor might need a refresh in the first place. Has your style changed over time? Or has the room’s purpose shifted? A dining room that’s now pulling double duty as a home office needs a different setup than one used only for meals. Just make a simple list of what’s working and what isn’t for each area. This first look is your personal roadmap for the entire project.

Every single item in your home takes up both physical and mental space. That broken lamp you keep meaning to fix, the stack of magazines you’ll never actually read, or the exercise equipment that’s somehow become a clothes hanger – they all add to a general feeling of clutter. All of this visual noise can make it really hard to relax and enjoy your home. Getting rid of these unused items is often the single most effective thing you can do to refresh your space. Letting go of things can be tough but try to think of it as making room for new energy and possibilities. For items that are just sitting there, consider if you can donate them or sell them. For bigger jobs that go beyond a few bags for charity, professional junk removal can be a lifesaver. They can quickly clear out old furniture, broken appliances, or all that accumulated clutter from a garage or basement. The main goal here is to end up with only the things you actually use, genuinely need, or truly love.

Once you have a clear idea of what needs to go and what you’re hoping to achieve, it’s time to make a plan. A little bit of structure will keep you from feeling overwhelmed and giving up halfway through. Start by setting a realistic timeline. You definitely don’t have to tackle the whole house in one weekend. Maybe you focus on one room per week or dedicate a few hours every Saturday. Next, figure out your goals for each space. Do you want the living room to feel cozier? The bedroom to be more peaceful? The kitchen to be more practical? Write these goals down. This will help you make decisions later on. Creating a simple mood board on Pinterest, or even just a folder of inspiring images, can help you visualize the final result and keep you motivated.

After you’ve sorted your belongings into “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “toss” piles, you’ve got to deal with the aftermath. Smaller items are usually pretty easy to handle. You can drop a few bags at a local charity or list some things on a marketplace app. But what about the big stuff? That old mattress, the broken dresser, or a mountain of yard waste can be tricky to get rid of on your own. For these larger clear-outs, you have a couple of options. You could rent a truck and make multiple trips to the dump or a recycling center, but that can eat up a lot of time and be physically draining. This is another area where professional services can make a huge difference. They have the right equipment and know-how to remove bulky items safely and efficiently, and they often make sure things are disposed of in an eco-friendly way.

Now for the fun part: styling your newly decluttered space! With all the extra stuff gone, you can finally see the true potential in your rooms. The first step is to “shop your own home.” Try moving furniture, art, and decor from one room to another to see if they look better in a new spot. Sometimes just rearranging the layout can make a room feel completely different. Once you’ve made the most of what you already have, you can think about adding a few new pieces. This doesn’t have to cost a fortune. A new set of curtains, a colorful throw blanket, or a few healthy plants can really breathe new life into a room. There are tons of simple tips for a vibrant space that focus on small, impactful changes. Pay attention to lighting, different textures, and those personal touches that make the space feel like it belongs to you.

After all your hard work, take a moment to kick back and enjoy your revitalized home. You’ve created a space that not only looks better but also works better for your life right now!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Surgery Story

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Surgery Story

Howdy! This past Tuesday I had a LEEP procedure done to remove precancerous cells from my cervix and I got a tubal as well and it went swimmingly. Johnny, my knight in shining armor, got me to the hospital for my seven o’clock check in and then it was all systems go. Between visits from registration, nurses, my gyno and surgeon, and the anesthesiologists (I can’t believe I spelled that right on the first go!) time moved at a rapid pace and before I knew it, it was nine o’clock and I was off to the OR! My two surgeries lasted about an hour and a half, I woke up in the recovery room two hours later, and we were basically on our way home as soon as I was awake. It felt SO good to go home and lay down some more!

My day after surgery consisted of laying in bed, drinking Gatorade, watching TV, and playing Pokopia and my Johnny waited on me hand and foot. He has been the absolute sweetest! The night after my surgery was the worst, though, because I was pretty much up all night trying to get comfortable. I am a belly sleeper and having to sleep on my back because of my stitches was just not happening. Therefore, the following day consisted of laying in bed, drinking Gatorade, watching TV, and playing Pokopia lol. Johnny even took that day off of work too to care for me since I was still fairly out of it. ❤

I am writing this two days out of surgery in case you can’t tell and am feeling okay. I actually ended up sleeping thirteen hours last night to make up for that first night of no sleep. It felt heavenly!! However, I am still really tired, somewhat sore, and TMI but constipated as all get out lol. And here I was thinking that I would go back to work the day after my operation SMH!! I definitely needed this recovery time though and am glad that I took it because despite the pain, it has been nice to have a few days off. 😀

This entire ordeal has been a bit crazy but I am so thankful to Johnny, my amazing gyno, and the hospital staff for taking the best care of me. The time at the hospital was a whirlwind but even in my froggy state on the way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I was. My precancer was caught early and removed, I finally was able to have my tubes removed which is what I have always wanted, and I had a full team behind me ensuring expert care. Any kind of surgery is scary and there were several butterflies in my basket on the way to the hospital but all of those nerves were eased as the process got started. Or maybe it was the Xanax they gave me? Lol the jury is still out on that! But, in conclusion, I am feeling good enough to type this monologue today and that is a strong start!

I apologize for the rambling but even post op, your girl refuses to break her daily content streak and I wanted to update all of you. As relaxing as these days off were, I am ready to get back to the grind!

How has your week been? Do you have any exciting updates? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Wish Me Luck!

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Wish Me Luck!

Hi! As you all know, I have been having my cervical health monitored for the past year and change as my pap smears have shown abnormalities. These problems can resolve themselves but mine have not and my official diagnosis as per my last biopsy is moderate cervical dysplasia. Meaning that these abnormalities are precancerous. Scary? Yes. Fixable? Yes. And I will be having surgery tomorrow. Not only will I be getting the LEEP procedure done to remove the problematic cells via electricity but I will also be getting my tubes tied as well. Johnny and I do not want children and I figure that I might as well get it done while I’m already under anesthesia! (I also can’t believe I spelled anesthesia right on the first go. GOOD FOR ME!)

While this is all a little overwhelming, I mainly feel good about it and have been looking forward to it since my gyno told me we have to go the surgical route. I’m one of those people that once I know that something needs to be done, I want it done ASAFP so waiting for the past month and a half has been torturous! It has been over a decade since I have had a surgical procedure done and I would say my nervousness is at a solid ten percent which isn’t bad. It would be higher if I didn’t have full trust and confidence in my gyno who will be performing my surgeries. She has provided me with the most excellent care and I know that the LEEP and tubal will be successful.

I will definitely be in the best hands with the surgical team and my Johnny is going to be there every step of the way which really eases the butterflies in my basket. Although my nervousness is at a ten percent, excitement makes up the other ninety because this has all been a massive pain in the keister lol. Also is it bad that part of my excitement isn’t coming from solving my moderate cervical dysplasia? Because I’ve been fantasizing about the post op Taco Bell something FIERCE and I am not the slightest bit ashamed to admit it. Hey, I have to have something to look forward to to face the discomfort once everything is said and done!

If you are a person with women’s parts, I cannot emphasize enough how important your gynecological care is. Through early detection you can stop precancerous cells in their tracks. Here’s to scheduling an appointment with your gyno today and here’s to me for tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Have you had to have surgery? What was your recovery like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

An Update On My Update

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An Update On My Update

Howdy! In June I had to have another biopsy to monitor some abnormalities in my cervix with the result being one of two things. 1) The problem resolved itself. Or 2) Surgery would be needed to remove these cells. My results ended up being Option 2 and I just had a pre-op appointment with my gyno on Monday. Either in August or September, I will be getting the LEEP procedure done which uses electricity to shave away my tissue with the issues. AND, if the price isn’t an arm and a leg, I will also be getting my tubes tied and hopefully returning home that day. It’s kind of a lot lol.

After my appointment I went to work and the conversation I had with my gyno didn’t really hit me until I returned home. Then, the processing began. Any type of surgery is scary and the situation that’s causing me to have a procedure done is scary too! For about ten minutes or so, I was deep in my feels. I knew this surgery was inevitable but it still seemed like something so far away until a tentative month was put in place. On Monday, I had to face that realization head on and it lightweight sucked lol. After wallowing for a bit, I snapped to, played some Pokopia, and kept reminding myself that this surgery was the best possible thing for me and began feeling better.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still pretty nervous but my thankfulness trumps the butterflies in my tummy! I am so thankful that after monitoring these changes on my cervix for over a year and change that there is a solution. The surgery is not going to take long, recovery time is minimal, and any cells that are a cause to worry will be gone. These are all great things and, honestly in that sense, everything is coming up Lil Red! Remember that caring for women parts with annual appointments not only ensures that all systems are a go but gives you the opportunity to monitor any changes in real time. This can prevent so much hardship later so be sure you are making those gyno appointments and sticking to them!

The next step in my cervix saga is surgery and I say the sooner the better. I am SO ready to get it over with!

Have you ever had surgery before? What was it for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

A Little Update

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A Little Update

Hello! About a year or so ago I went to my annual appointment with my gynecologist and learned that the results of my pap smear had some abnormalities due to having HPV. I have had to get cervical biopsies every half a year since and recently had another one done in mid June. A few days ago I got a call from my gyno to tell me that there were some mild changes in the results and the next best step would be discussing surgery options to remove these problematic cells. I will be having an appointment to do so in early July. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous!

After receiving that call, I was a bit bummed out but not really surprised. I wouldn’t have had several biopsies if there wasn’t something not so great brewing. However, after the initial five minute pity party I was more thankful than anything. Yes, there are abnormalities BUT it was caught and expertly monitored early. Therefore, any procedures that follow won’t be as invasive. And, as a bonus, I might even be able to get my tubes tied when that cell removal happens. It’s kind of a win/win. This problem could have been resolved itself OR there would be a procedure that would resolve it. I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a best case scenario even if the idea of surgery is scary.

This is all to say that if you are a person with female anatomy, then please be sure you are going to the gynecologist for your annual appointments! If I didn’t attend mine, these abnormalities that were found would continue to change and more major surgery would be required. When these issues are found early, you will be able to have a best case scenario too. The risk of not getting screened regularly far outweighs any reward and it’s so important to take control of your health. I’m proud of myself for facing this issue head on and so grateful to be in the excellent care of my gyno. I might be a smidge worried but I know everything will be a-okay. ❤

In conclusion, stay on top of your health and your doctor’s appointments and stay tuned for updates on my health journey. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Have you had surgery before? How do you feel about attending medical appointments? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hurray For 27K!

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Hurray For 27K!

Howdy! Way back in March of 2025, I saw myself out of a crappy job and had a bit of free time to kill before booking myself up again with clients. I enjoyed some much needed downtime and while I was shooting some content at home, I decided to go ahead and make a TikTok too. As you all know, I am a word girl through and through and pivoting to video content was a big leap for me. Like when I started my blog, my main priority with TikTok was having some fun being creative. And you know what? It has been fun! For almost a year now I have been posting daily content on my TikTok too and I’m really proud of that effort because it still seems like a polar opposite world to writing on the ol’ blog. I am also incredibly pleased with the results as I just crossed the threshold to twenty-seven thousand likes!

If you have ever found yourself thinking “Wow, I wish I had more Lil Red in my life”, then I would so love it if you followed me on TikTok. Even if you have never had that thought, I would so love it if you followed me on TikTok! It’s a goofy little corner of the internet with my daily antics, bonus OOTD content, and delightful cameos that include Johnny, my parents, and Archie the family dog. My bunny babies, Melvin and Penelope, never sit still enough to bask in their cuteness! There’s no rhyme or reason to what I post and I refuse to follow trending content. Rather, I post what I like and the fact that I have 27K likes to show for it is crazy to me! 😀

I am so close to thirty thousand likes that I can taste it. To some, that might not seem like a lot. To me, it is a huge validation. My TikTok really is just a for funsies page and the fact that I am having a blast and have some likes to show for it is a major feather in my cap. Do I expect to be a major TikTok influencer? Absolutely not and that is a-okay! My reward has been far greater. It has given me even more confidence in my content creating ability and it feels good to carve out another space that is just for me. A space to explore a different medium of creating, give exclusive looks that you don’t see on the blog, and hopefully put a smile on someone’s face. This 27K might as well be twenty-seven million and I am so excited to continue with my daily content streak. ❤

When you are sick of doom scrolling, take a breather on my TikTok. I can’t wait to see you there!! 🙂

What if your favorite social media platform? What is your favorite medium of content? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hey, Neighbor

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Hey, Neighbor

Hi everyone. These past few weeks have been an incredibly difficult time for me and Johnny. As you all know, our downstairs neighbor, Tony, held a very special place in our hearts. He was our best friend, my pseudo grandpa, and beloved co-founder of Friday Night Dinner Club. It is with deep sadness to say that he passed away on February eleventh after a long fought battle with ongoing health issues. We are totally and completely heartbroken and it has been so hard to say goodbye to someone so dear to us. However, we are beyond lucky to have had three years of beautiful memories that will forever be cherished.

When Tony moved in, we were all on the same schedule. When Johnny left for work, he was outside smoking. When I left for work, he was outside smoking. When we returned from work, you guessed it – he was outside smoking! While our chats grew in length, our friendship blossomed into all kinds of adventures. This included Friday Night Dinner Club, Saturday Afternoon Movies, going to the shooting range, shooting pool, and the most incredible time doing a drive through of the Asian Lantern Festival. One of my favorite memories has got to be when we watched the total solar eclipse together. With our protective glasses on, we spent the afternoon watching a marvel of nature, gabbed away, and cheered and whooped during the big show. It was magical.

Our apartment complex feels so empty without our Tony. Every morning I still find myself looking for him when I leave for work and anticipate having our regular afternoon chat when I return home. It breaks my heart all over again every single time he isn’t there. Tony had a smile and a kind word for every person he encountered. He was gentle, had a silly sense of humor, and was up for whatever antics we would get into during our outings. Tony was a proud father and grandfather and I can’t recall a single conversation where he wasn’t “bragging” (As we called it!) about his family. It made me feel so good when he told me he always bragged about Johnny and me too! We miss our friend beyond measure but I am so thankful for all of the fun times we had to treasure. Whether it was a quick chitchat outside or an evening on the town, it was always special because he was so special to us. ❤

Tony always would sign off the texts we would send back and forth with “love always” and this phrase has been getting me through our collective heartache. It was love always whenever we were together and it radiated so purely. We love you always, Tony and our lives are permanently better because of you. Gone, but never ever forgotten.

New Year’s Resolutions Follow Up

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New Year’s Resolutions Follow Up

Hi! I like to make New Year’s Resolutions every year. They are never anything major, just small goals that I know I can achieve. So, rather, I like to make New Year’s Small Goals every year lol. We are a month into 2026 and I’m pleased to report that my goals have been going swimmingly. I might not meet each of the four tasks I set for myself every day, but I am definitely doing better than I did before and I’ll take it! Baby steps, baby. Let’s follow up and see where I’m at:

This is probably the most difficult Resolution I have because it’s all too easy to put on a show after work or scroll endlessly on my phone. Especially when the weather is freezing cold! I’m more lenient on myself for evening screen time but I think I have made some big improvements in the morning. Normally if I’m all done working in the AM and have time to kill, I’ll put the TV on and watch until I have to leave for my in person job. Now I’m spending more time scheduling posts far in advance on lifewithlilred, creating content for TikTok, and reading as much as I can of whatever book I’m tackling. It has made my mornings feel much more productive to do something I enjoy like content creating as opposed to just being done once my tasks are done. I might not be as committed to replacing my evening screen time but I think this is a good trade off. 🙂

When the weather is warm you can almost always catch me outside walking and hiking with my clients. It’s my favorite form of exercise and there is nothing like enjoying the great outdoors and feeling the sunshine on your face. Of course, being outside is a lot harder to do in single degree temps but I am making an effort. Even when it’s REALLY cold out, I am still bundling up to walk the family dog around the block. I have also been consistently going to the gym with my brother to put in some laps on the track. It isn’t the home workouts I intended on but that’s okay! I was able to modify my go to work out despite the weather and I feel great about that because it’s a lot more than I would normally do in the winter.

Engaging in more positive self talk was one of my goals and I think this is the one I’m doing the best at and I can tell! I have always had a hard time speaking kindly to myself and am my toughest critic by far. So, when negative thoughts begin to form I have been trying my best to redirect it. Rather than lament about going to work, I turn it around to that I’m going to have an excellent day. Or, perhaps something nice might happen and instead of questioning the motive or my worthiness, I shift it to “why not me?”. Thinking things that allow me to smile has made my work days go by quicker and I feel like I am enjoying myself way more than normal. A simple change of phrase has been most helpful and I am working hard to focus on maintaining more positive self talk. Soon, it will be second nature!

I had a job interview in the middle of January and guess what?! Your girl is back in the social media management game and I could not be happier! I am so excited to be partnering with a local business and can’t wait to see what kind of fun we create together. We are still in the preliminary stages at the moment but be sure to keep checking in soon so you can take a look at the pages I’ll be revamping. Hurray!

After examining my New Year’s Resolutions closer, I can see that I’m doing a much better job than I thought and I can’t wait to keep improving more!

How are your New Year’s Resolutions going? Is there a small goal you are working towards? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah