Issue No. 5 - January 2026

Out of Office: November🎂 & December🎄

If you’ve noticed things have been a little quiet around here… that part was intentional.

November and December have quietly turned into my Out Of Office months. Not the kind with flights booked and auto-reply emails on, but the kind where life happens fast and loud and sweet all at once — and creativity takes a softer back seat.

These months were for family nights, Christmas mornings, matching pajamas, toy explosions, and moments that don’t need to be documented in real time. They were for saying yes to slowing down and no to forcing content just to keep up appearances.

We soaked in the season the way it came — tree lights glowing at random hours, kids proudly showing off gifts they were very serious about, jerseys held up for photos, Santa visits, and those small candid moments that somehow feel like everything. The kind you want to remember, not rush past.

I used to feel guilty when I didn’t post, didn’t update, didn’t produce. But I’m learning that rest counts. Being present counts. Living the moments that eventually fuel the creativity counts.

So if November and December looked quiet here, it’s because they were loud in real life — and that’s a trade I’ll always take.

As the year turns, I’m easing back in with fresh energy, new ideas, and the same love for creating — just with a little more grace for the seasons that ask me to pause.

🎄Merry Christmas from The Garcia’s ♥️
And thank you for being here, even when I’m out of office.

NOVEMBER BREAK: A CATCH-UP FROM OCT 27 TO NOW

Hey, yes, I’m alive — I just took an unplanned sabbatical from reality for my birthday month. And if it feels like I blinked and suddenly it was December… it’s because I fully claimed November as my birthday month off from planning, crafting and posting. But before I dive into everything coming next, here’s a full rewind on everything I’ve been up to since October 27th. Buckle up—there was a LOT.

🎃 Halloween Week Chaos (the fun kind)

We did trunk-or-treat after trunk-or-treat—school events, community events, all the kid stuff leading up to Halloween Day. Then on actual Halloween night, after trick-or-treating and getting all the kids tucked into bed, the adults snuck out to my brother-in-law’s house for his Halloween party. I even convinced my mom to come with me. Let’s just say… they had pot brownies, and seeing my mom in that environment? ICONIC.

 💼 First Week of November: I’m Employed Again!
I started a full-time job—with my own little cubicle oasis and two screens (God, how I missed dual monitors). The work is easy, smooth, and honestly? Being financially stable again feels amazing. I’m already planning like 12 trips in my head.

🎁 The Pinners Conference (my first time!)
FINALLY. After years of wanting to go, I made it to the Pinners Conference—and even better, Lawrence came with me and spoiled me the entire time for my birthday. I walked out with two new hobbies (because of course I did):

• Punch needling

• Working with resin

And yes, I made a miniature large carpet that Lucy proudly placed in her Barbie condo’s “marble” high-rise.

🥎 The Girls Started T-Ball Practice
Lucy and Sara start their T-ball team in January, so we’ve been practicing. It is the CUTEST thing, and I’m honestly way too excited.

🦷 Lucy Lost a Front Tooth
Instant transformation. She suddenly looks younger, older, different—everything at once. A whole new era.

🎂 My Actual Birthday (My 17th Annual 21st birthday)
Yes, I went to work. No, nobody knew it was my birthday. I’m mysterious like that. 😉
Came home to balloons, roses, and flowers from my family. We planned to go to my favorite Chinese restaurant, but guess what? They were closed. On a Tuesday. The ONLY day they close. So we went to Olive Garden and honestly? It still hit.

Later that week, Lawrence took me to try Paris Baguette, a brunch spot we kept seeing while Ubering. 10/10, another birthday spoil.

🎀 Hello Kitty Day at Westgate
Since Lucy, Sara, and my niece are huge Hello Kitty fans, we took all the kids to see the Hello Kitty truck. Of course we walked away with cookies and macarons. And no regrets.

🎲 Birthday Midnight Bingo
Lawrence took me AND my two younger sisters to midnight bingo at Casino Arizona.
It was such a random but PERFECT birthday experience.

Sibling chaos + bingo = memories.

🏈 Cardinals vs Jaguars Game
We went.
We watched.
We lost.
I don’t want to talk about it!

🦃 Thanksgiving at Alysa’s New House
Alysa just moved into a two-story home and immediately said, “I’m hosting Thanksgiving.”
And she DID. It was my family, my in-laws, her family, her in-laws… basically a full multiverse of relatives. Such a good day.

🛍️ Black Friday (my holiday!)
My favorite day of the year. I don’t apologize for it. Me, Lawrence, and Logan went out and knocked out 70% of our Christmas shopping. We spent for others and yes, we got ourselves a few things too. It was glorious!

💗 In Conclusion: November Was For ME
I truly took all of November off for my birthday. From family moments to new hobbies to work wins to little adventures in between—November gave me exactly what I needed.
Here’s to December and everything I’m planning next.