Oh My Balm NJ

See that orange fish? That’s Ulysses. Six years old, very much alive, and apparently unconcerned about what he has put me through.

After his buddy disappeared, I was determined to keep this one safe. I named him Ulysses and spent the last two weeks digging, sloshing through muck, hauling rocks, and stacking stones to rebuild his pond.

I bought waders. Then fell in and got water down into the boots. Apparently, I needed to experience the pond from the fish’s perspective.

All of this for ONE six-year-old goldfish. But after six years, he’s my little guy.

Then I didn’t see him for three days.

I looked and looked. Nothing. I assumed he, too, had succumbed to nature. All that work to keep him safe, and I thought I’d lost him anyway.

Soooo, I went to Petco and bought twelve small goldfish and some minnows. Nobody gets named. Nobody gets attached. A perfectly reasonable plan.

Until six years later.

Except apparently, while building the steps up to the waterfall, I had accidentally created the PERFECT underwater hidey-hole. The one helpfully marked in this picture.

And out comes Ulysses. Like a damn shark.

The minnows made a run for it.

SIR. I have mourned you and bought twelve new fish. You could have made an appearance.

Turns out I did build him a safe place. So safe that I couldn’t find him myself. 🙄

The pond is still a work in progress, and I’m racing to get it ready for a net before the leaves flutter down and stop up my pump. My wrist is killing me, my back is not happy, and this whole production absolutely deserved a fresh jar of Bruise Banner.

Aches, pains, and bad decisions.

Like thinking I could keep things casual with a goldfish. 🐟

Happy 15th birthday, my darling Lio. ❤️

One of my favorite things about being your mom is how much we still enjoy spending time together. We laugh, we comfort each other, we cheer each other on. Your sense of humor keeps me laughing, and your kindness and empathy make me so proud of the person you are.

It’s amazing to me that I can bounce business ideas off of you—and that you have actual opinions worth listening to. I ask, “Do you think I have enough Popsicle Kiss for a two-day show?” and you tell me to go back and make more. Apparently, I gave birth to my inventory manager.

But my favorite thing? You still want to snuggle with me. Fifteen years old, and I still get to hold you close. I hope that never changes.

We enjoyed our birthday honks today! If you missed us driving around, here’s your chance to give Lio a virtual HONK! 📣🚗

I love you, my darling. Happy birthday. I’m so glad I get to be your mom. ❤️

Lio

I wrote, with a little help, a new ditty for Bruise Banner! Have a listen. It’s pretty good stuff. 🤣

Bruise Banner Listen and make your own on Suno.

NYACK! Come out and play today! 🍂🛍️ Trade + Prosper

The Nyack Arts & Crafts Walk is happening TODAY from 10–5, and downtown is full of artists, makers, small businesses, food, and all kinds of things you absolutely did not know you needed until you saw them. 😂

And look at this adorable little shuttle! 🚐 There’s a FREE shuttle running all day, so park, hop on, and let it bring you right into the action.

I’m here with Oh My Balm, fully stocked and ready to fix whatever ails you — dry skin, sore muscles, cranky lips, questionable life choices… you know, the usual.

It’s a beautiful fall day in Nyack. Come wander, shop small, support your local weirdos and makers, and COME FIND ME! ❤️

TODAY • 10 AM–5 PM • Downtown Nyack

📍 Good morning, Nyack!

Today's the day! We're set up at the Nyack Arts & Crafts Fair and ready for an amazing day.

If you're looking for something fun to do, take a stroll through beautiful downtown Nyack and browse hundreds of talented artists and makers. While you're here, stop by the Oh My Balm booth to stock up on your favorite all-natural remedies, lip balms, body butters, and more. I'd love to say hello!

🕚 We're here until 5 PM today!

📍 Downtown Nyack, NY

Who's coming to see me? 💚

I've had a rough couple of weeks with a medication change, and food just hasn't seemed all that appealing. To be honest, dinner has felt more like a chore than something to look forward to.
But today I had a GREAT sales day, and I wanted to celebrate and see a little of downtown Nyack. My Airbnb is only a few blocks away, so a friend and I looked up restaurants.
I saw "soul food."
Done. That's where I wanted to go.
And My Father's House was exactly where I needed to be tonight.
We ordered the Cajun Shrimp & Grits with Gouda, and suddenly my appetite was back.
Then we ordered the fried okra with the sweet chile sauce on the side.
Now, I am a 7th-generation Texan, so I do not say this lightly: This was hands-down the best fried okra I have ever had in my life.
They were light and fluffy and almost reminded me of zucchini blossoms. When this enormous cone arrived at the table, we looked at each other like, THIS IS A SIDE?! And then we quickly ate the whole damn thing.
But the best treat of the night was Adrienne.
Chef Adrienne Cromartie-Wolf stopped by our table to see how everything was. I told her, "You were the medicine I needed tonight." We hugged, I gave her my compliments, and I felt such an immediate connection with her.
So naturally, I came back to my Airbnb and stalked her a little. LOL.
And now I'm even more impressed.
Adrienne learned to cook alongside her father, Franklin Cromartie, in his catering business. They shared a dream of opening a restaurant, but he passed away from cancer before they could do it together. Adrienne, who had also built a career as an educator and had her own catering business, eventually carried that dream forward and opened My Father's House in Nyack.
And suddenly the whole experience made even more sense.
You can make excellent shrimp and grits. You can fry the hell out of some okra. But you can't manufacture the feeling that someone has put a piece of themselves into the food they're serving you.
Adrienne did.
I went in tonight because I wanted to celebrate a good sales day.
I left feeling like somebody had taken care of me.
Tonight, Adrienne gave me the gift of comfort food.
Sometimes comfort food really is comfort.
Thank you, Adrienne. You gave me exactly what I needed tonight.

PS: I miss my dad too.

Traveling for shows is a whole lot easier when you can ask one of your best customers for a favor. 😂

I pulled out my backup charger today… only to discover that my teenager had obviously unplugged it at some point to charge her whatever. And, of course, never plugged it back in. Completely dead.

This is a LONG show, and a dead phone makes me a little nervous.

Then Mary E. texted to say she was on her way to pick up her three-pack of Bohemian Rose Butter. Mary is sufficiently addicted that I once met her at a Burger King in Mahwah to make a butter handoff. 😂

So I texted her back: “Any chance you have a charging bank that can charge my charging bank?”

BINGO.

And now this ridiculous little charging-bank-charging-bank situation is happening at my booth.

Small business takes a village. Sometimes that village meets you at Burger King. Sometimes it brings you electricity. 😂❤️

🍂 I'm excited to be making my debut at the Nyack Arts & Crafts Fair!

I've heard so many wonderful things about this show, and I can't wait to experience it for myself. Spend the day strolling through beautiful downtown Nyack, where you'll find hundreds of talented artists, handcrafted goods, delicious food, live music, and plenty of local charm.

Be sure to stop by the Oh My Balm booth to stock up on your favorite all-natural remedies, lip balms, body butters, and more. I can't wait to meet everyone!

📅 October 3 & 4
🕚 11 AM – 5 PM
📍 Downtown Nyack, NY

See you there!