Mornin’! I had an extremely vivid dream last night where Lizzo and I were about to join a rally, but we needed to fix each other’s masks. I hardly ever remember my dreams, but I was excited to wake up and discover this one.
📚 Today is the last day to take advantage of IVP’s free book on racial reconciliation from their catalog. They are also committed to paying the royalties of their authors, which is awesome. You can learn more here and get your free book. I chose Reconstructing the Gospel: Finding Freedom from Slaveholder Religion by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove.
🔥 My dear friend, Sophie Hudson, releases her newest book into the wild next week. It’s called Stand All the Way Up, and it has been delivered for such a time as this. The way Sophie gives voice to my own feelings of anger and frustration, the way she makes laugh so hard I wet my pants a little: it’s a perfect mix. Highly, highly recommend you pre-order your copy.
👩⚖️ It’s not a treasure, but please take a moment and email or call the lawmakers in charge of Breonna Taylor’s case. A victory was won earlier this week when lawmakers passed Breonna’s Law, prohibiting “no-knock” warrants, but justice has yet to be served in her case. Here’s an easy list of steps that you can do, even if you don’t live in Kentucky.
Short treasures from me today, because (strangely) my children have an interview with a producer from The Daily. I’ll tell you more later but it involves the guy who puppeteers Ernie from Sesame Street because of course it does. Looking forward to coming back this afternoon to read through your treasures!
I didn't know Comments existed on Lil' Treasures until sometime recently when Erin mentioned how much joy the comments brought her. Even then, I was like, "She must be talking about email replies to the newsletter." And then today, I noticed the "Like & Comment" button at the bottom of the email. LO AND BEHOLD, here you all are! With stories of dating and funerals and COVID tests! All this time, I've assumed being a Lil' Swipe just meant we were on the newsletter distribution list. But the whole time, I've apparently been missing out -- so this is my Lil' Treasure for the week: I DISCOVERED THE COMMENTS!
Gosh, I've missed the Lil Swipes. I've been absent for the last month-ish because my beloved garden apartment flooded and I needed to move out immediately. I moved all of my stuff by myself and stayed with some friends who just bought a house, stayed there for two weeks while I looked for a place, and then LO AND BEHOLD I found the PERFECT apartment, moved in, etc. and I'm just now getting settled and into the swing of things and I now have wifi again.
In other news, I love practicing radical hospitality and having strangers come stay with me. So if anyone in the Lil Swipes fam is passing through Chicago and wants a place to stay fo freesies, just hit me up.
My family spent this week on a vacation we didn’t think we would be able to take, and it was a rich gift. The weather was supposed to be finicky and instead it was glorious. My husband and I even turned into really old people who woke up early on vacation just to walk on the beach alone. The kids frolicked in the sand and sea and we laughed a lot and it was just refreshing to the soul.
On leaving our favorite little beach town, we drove by the site of Ahmaud Arbery’s death. My husband and I tried to explain to our children what had happened, and it.was.hard. My youngest, who is an absolutely adorable seven year old, said ‘but why do some white people hate black people? I’m white but I love ________, and he’s got brown skin!’ I was driving, trying not to cry, telling my sweet boy that not everyone is like him. It was hard to tell my children that though the laws have changed in some ways, that doesn’t mean people’s hearts have changed. My innocent white children just naively assumed that since the civil rights movement and desegregation had happened, people automatically treated everyone with the same love and kindness that Jesus would. We reminded them that racism is a sin, that all humans are created in God’s image and worthy of dignity, honor and respect, and that we should treat others as we want to be treated. And we grieved as a family that change has been so slow in this country. Maranatha.
I was beyond excited to see this email in my inbox because this girl is in need of some happy today. Our air conditioning is out again for the second time in a week and is irrevocable broken until Monday. Thankfully the rental company didn’t drag their feet (helps when you MIL is a lawyer!) so hopefully Monday we can get a new system. We are headed to a hotel for the weekend.
I do have some treasures in spite of all that hot mess!
Monday my oldest niece turned double digits! I cannot believe the baby I baby sat for the first year of her life almost every day is 10! We did a parade and while my heart is sad I didn’t get to spend time with her I’m so loving the young person she is becoming.
Wednesday was the hubs birthday and it was a quiet day with his favorite pizza and cookie cake.
I love celebrating the people I love. So picking our gifts has been months in the making. It helped get my mind off things. Thankfully niece number two is turning 3 next month so I can no find her the perfect gifts!
I got to watch part of the Podcast Live so this weekend I’m watching the parts I missed. It was so fun and gosh I love the Erin, Jamie, and Knox. I bought Knox’s book on audible and am saving it as my first book to listen to when I go back to work in my office (instead of work from home) in August.
Also I must tell y’all I had what my husband calls a “I don’t understand women moment” last night. These moments aren’t fun in the moment (cause I’m being a tiny bit unreasonable let’s be honest!) but later crack me up!
I am so thankful for y’all! (Also I love that we are sharing Instagram names. I’m @crittyjoy)
Without going into too much detail, let's just say my biggest treasure this week has been when I've been able to keep food down... 😬
I also enjoyed the episode Shakespeare and race 2020 from Such Stuff: The Shakespeare's Globe Podcast.
Speaking of Shakespeare, I've been watching a lot of filmed plays these last couple of months and have decided I we don't use the word "forsooth" nearly enough these days. I wonder if I can work it into my daily conversations? 🤔
If you love Shakespeare, sometime during your life you should make a trip to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR (sadly, cancelled this year). I live just a few hours away and am blessed with a mom and sister who also love Shakespeare (dad, not so much), so we grew up going every few years and I went with my Shakespeare class in college. The festival is truly a delight, and people come from all over the world for it!
Ahhh, that is so great! I wondered if there was a chance you knew about/had any connection seeing as you were a theater major.
One of the best moments of my college career was riding in the front seat with my Shakespeare professor during our trip and telling him I had been to many of the plays over the years. He asked what my favorite had been and was very impressed with my choice (Julius Caesar, 2011) and said that had been his favorite as well, and I think that was the moment I was officially in the English department cool club and recognized by this (hot middle-aged) English professor. #nerdalert 😂😂😂
An article about Justin Trudeau's quarantine hair led me to this Twitter account, which appears to be pretty much just gifs of Trudeau nervously running his hands through the aforementioned long, luscious hair: https://twitter.com/katynotie/status/1247283039396339717 Heaven.
OH one other element....The Popcast Live Saturday Night Reconsidered. Now those tech issues? PSSHHHAW, I was fine with them, so there were glitches. Hello, what's life without a glitch?! But I drank, I laughed, I laughed more, I drank more, I laughed more. I thought it was great.
Erin: Lip color you wore? At first I was like is that MAC's Chili? As it gave me that vibe. Buttttt I have a feeling it was something else.
Blueberry oatmilk (it’s delightful, trust!) frothed to perfection in my cold brew that I brewed myself from my favorite Aldi cold brew maker (if you have an Aldi nearby, run!) while sitting on the porch in my birthday gift lounge chair that I do not remember asking for (but was reminded by my mother that I most assuredly did request said chair) which is now my favorite birthday gift ever.
I usually save these for catching up the following week, BUT I'm all caught up because I've been dying to participate in the thread on the actual day of release!! Praise be!
Things Saving my Life this week:
1) My Furball - Finn, he's the perfect compliment to a stressful work meeting through Zoom. I always hang up and go find him and give him a hug. I'm sure he doesn't always appreciate it, but it gets me through these days.
2) I live on a small lake (.55 mi) and they finally turned the fountain back on. I didn't realize how much I needed that small man-made enhancement. I live in a condo and 3 other people messaged me to tell me that it was back on. It's one thing we can all share together (from afar).
3) This thread- I feel like I know you all and I desperately look forward to your updates each week. Sad, happy, angry, and funny. BRING IT ON!
4) Sweet Potato Fries and Frose
5) Finished the River by Peter Heller and I never was an outdoorsy person, but this book perfectly captured what I would imagine camping to be like (outside this humid swamp bubble of FL). Oh, minus some life or death dramatics. I have Just Mercy sitting here to pick up next, and am so happy to finally read this one- it's been sitting on the proverbial nightstand for months!
BAHAHA I figured it was a smidge out of the realm of possibilities, but a girl can dream right? Ooh, those are the best words to describe my reading taste -- dark and terrible with a dose of hope.
Can we talk about the spin mop?? I know, I know it’s a mop and maybe everyone already knows about it but that thing has changed my life. Since quarantine I’ve been doing a fancy Friday with face masks and putting a dress on to make myself feel better- and it has continued on but now with the addition of the spin mop.... I feel like a 50’s housewife in all the good ways. Where’s my lipstick y’all? Also- I’d be lying if I said I don’t make a happy hour drink, mop my floors then step outside to the porch swing to sip while the floors dry. It’s a delight.
I actually have something to contribute! I moved to a new office, as the leader of a new team, in the middle of remotely working from home. We're all back at work now, but I haven't really connected with everyone, yet. (Also, I'm 36, and I work with college-age students....and I'm v intimidated by how cool they are most days) So I declared it Friday Fun Day at 10 AM this morning. I brought the supplies for ice cream floats, and gave out silly awards (much in the style of the Adult Awards on Erin's Insta). I thought that they might think I was a little too cheesy, but they haven't stopped talking about how much fun it was, and giving ideas of things that we can all do together in the coming weeks! It is a huge relief to fit in as the new boss, and I couldn't be more delighted for them to know that I see and appreciate them!
I would be lying if I said I didn’t tear up a little as I was leaving today and saw all their awards proudly displayed on each desk where people could see. Such a WIN!
Thank you! I feel like I know them all better because I made myself stop and really think about each personality. And now it will be so much easier to approach them with difficult things in the future.
lil treasure: super shout out to one of my friends (and a pastor at our church) who has recently started a HUGE project to write every book of the Bible on a kid level (like chapter books for elementary aged little people). His first one on the book of Acts is out now and is simply beautiful. I don't have kids and have found this to be a useful tool. sometimes attempting to digest the Bible feels hard. Sooo... shameless plug here: readkaleidoscope.com /@read.kaleidoscope for anyone else who KNOWS they need to be in the Word, but gosh it's hard sometimes (and also obvi kiddos).
otherwise, life feels very.... insert indescribable feeling...right now. the weather is lovely in this current second and that is certainly a win.
I got in a fight with Pier 1 this week. My grandma gave me a substantial Pier 1 gift card for my wedding **9 years** ago and since a) I never think to go to that store and b) I'm in more of an Ikea-priced stage of life, I'd not really used much of that gift card. Then this week I remembered/realized that Pier 1 is going out of business and I still had that gift card I needed to use up! So I made a decision. Outdoor cushions. So I hopped online, picked out what I wanted, and proceeded to checkout. I put in the free shipping code, but it said normal usps delivery was "unavailable." Same for in-store pickup. But you know what was an option? White glove delivery for a mere $170. Guys. For two pillows priced altogether at $80 they had the audacity to only offer $170 supremo delivery where ostensibly they also rave to you about your great taste in decor and take you out to dinner. No sir, Pier 1. Since everything on the site seemed to be only available via this white glove delivery I assumed this was code for "we don't have anything in stock but for $170 we could whip something up for you" but I drove clear down to Pier 1 anyway because I had to spend that gift card. Lo and behold, the very cushions I wanted were in store and I purchased them. So good riddance Pier 1, and your weird going-out-of-business flex that only permits the stupidly wealthy to buy stuff online less the undeserving masses should clean it out irreverently. 🙄
One of the influencers I follow was having Pier One drama today too! She was 171st in line for their customer service chat. I’m like, “Why do 171 people need help with Pier One right now?!” This is probably why lol
I was way late to last week’s post so I’ll restate and add my treasure for this week:
Books: A Curse So Dark & Lonely and the sequel A Heart So Fierce & Broken. The first is a retelling of Beauty & the Beast, and it’s been one of my favorite books this year! I’m in the middle of the sequel and enjoying it as well!
After those, it’s my turn on the holds list to read Such a Fun Age from the library, followed by the next Percy Jackson book because I never read them as a kid, and YA fiction while I hold babies in the middle of the night is my thing.
Also I’m enjoying the Instagram account Big Little Feelings for helping my preschooler and I’m revisiting the Taking Cara Babies newborn class for the wee twins. Thankful for these ladies helping me through motherhood!
I really, really liked Such a Fun Age. It was such a good, well written story, but also made me uncomfortable and tense (in good, "hmm, why am I feeling this?" ways).
Slowly seeing people more! We got takeout with friends last night and it was so life giving! We had seen them on walks but to be in the backyard and let our kids play... huge. We’re not close to normal - our state is very conservative to open up and I’m ok with it if I can at least see small groups of people.
Also LaCroix is good but have you all tried the bubly brand?! I swear it is not just fruit essence or natural flavor or whatever in there. The peach and mango flavors are insanely delicious. My toddler chugs it. 😂 also whenever she takes her first sip, she makes a noise similar to the pillsbury dough boy: a little “hoo hoo hoo” of delight. 😍
Omg that cooking baby!!! So cute! I’ve “cooked” with my 2yo some (mostly baking or sometimes letting him put chopped veggies on a sheet pan and add olive oil), so whenever he sees our bottle of olive oil he says, “What are we cooking, momma?” 🥰 it’s so sweet.
1. One of my coworkers tested positive for covid on Monday (not the treasure part, it really sucks for her) so all of our staff and clients were tested on Tuesday. I work at a homeless shelter, so we're being really cautious and strict about symptoms/quarantine situations. We got our results yesterday and the whole house is covid-free - hooray! I wasn't worried about having it myself, but waiting for the negative result was putting a damper on some potential plans, which brings me to treasure number 2.
2. Negative result means I'm in the clear to go on a date that's already been delayed for far too long due to this dumb pandemic and a couple other reasons. It's with a guy I met on a dating app (you may recall, I mentioned a few weeks ago that I absolutely hate dating apps but decided to actually pay for one at the worst possible time when shelter-in-place orders went into effect), and we've been talking every single day for the last six weeks - like real intentional conversation, which is pretty much unheard of when it comes to guys on dating apps - but have been unable to go on a date. Normally this would annoy me and I'd have given up long before this point, but for some reason I've had a peace about this situation. I don't know why I'm telling a group of Internet strangers about this, but here we are. 🙈
3. I'm moving next Friday - praise the good Lord - into an apartment attached to the house my best friend just bought, and I could not be more excited! This weekend will be the final packing frenzy, and I'm especially excited to drop off the giant pile of donations I've been building up. Getting rid of crap is my favorite part of moving.
4. I built myself a table last weekend for said apartment. It's the first time I've built anything from scratch, and I'm pretty dang proud of it! Other than a little help from my insistent dad on the cutting of the wood and assembly, I did the thing by myself and I think it's beautiful (white frame and dark walnut stained top, in case you care) and I'm so excited for it to reside in my new place. Other than the migraine all week from the staining/painting fumes, it was such a fun process that I may just do it again!
I am HERE for any and all updates on this boy situation that you would like to share with fellow Lil Swipes. Also, your success story with online dating is encouraging to hear. Congrats on the move and congrats on building the table!
These are the treasure I am here for! Moving close to a friend. Building a table by your own. damn. self. And the enjoyment of getting to know someone special and going on a DATE (I want to ask all the questions: what will you wear? Where will you go? Who is driving to whom?)
Thanks for sharing with a group of strangers because, truly, it is good for my heart to celebrate the normal life things.
I have been debating the outfit choice for a while. I’m thinking I’ll either go black skinny jeans, simple green blouse, and grey cardigan with black booties, or cute floral dress with sandals, all depending on weather. It’s been rainy and is looking iffy this weekend. But his words: “I’m happy with any weather as long as I get to see you.” Swoon.
Way to build like a girl!!! One of my dear friends build all kinds on lovely things. For each birthday we buy her a new power tool from her wish list. He husband keeps a running list of ones she mentions for us.
It brings me great joy to share my dating updates with you all, especially since I have rarely had any dating updates for anyone my whole life. 😂 My friends have also been waiting with bated breath for this date since I finally told them about the man a couple weeks ago. My one remaining single friend (this is somewhat of an exaggeration, but she really is the only close single friend I have left) has been Marco Polo-ing me every day for updates. 😂
Yes! For a long time, I was in a cycle of moving every 6-12 months, so I got really good at downsizing and by the time I moved into my current place, I had very little stuff. But now I've lived here for three years and I'm like, "how/when did I get all this stuff?! Make it go away!"
Okay, update: the date is happening this weekend! I repeat, the date is in the books. And before you say that it’s late notice and in bad taste, we’ve been waiting SIX WEEKS for this, and we’re at the point of not giving a care about notice or day of the week because we just want to meet already.
Also, our conversation this afternoon while discussing plans:
Him: How do you feel about hugs?
Me: In general or right now? Because I love both.
Him: Both. I’ve been really careful about social distancing, but wasn’t sure how you felt.
Me: I’m the one who’s been going into work every day so if you’re not comfortable with it, I would understand.
Him: No, I would love to give you a big hug. :)
Cue all the giddy 12-year-old girl feelings. ☺️
Updates to come (probably in next week’s thread), good or bad! Thank you all for sharing in my excitement, whether or not it turns into something more!
THIS IS SO EXCITING. Seriously, the amount of excitement I get from hearing updates on strangers' dating lives in this feed is worrying, but also delightful.
I don't know actual date details yet since we were waiting on test results that just came yesterday! The deets on the guy: he loves Jesus, he's a fully functioning and mature 30-year-old adult man (this is important and very rare on apps, y'all 😂), he's asked intentional questions from the start, our convo has been a great mix of deep/real talk and fun and flirty, and he lives 2.5 hours away - one of the holdups on a date, along with a couple others - but it's hopefully temporary (he was in my area up until right before the shut down went into effect, then plans to move back got delayed for obvious reasons).
We matched two months ago on the app and he asked good questions right away but responses took a long time until he finally said he was really terrible about checking the app but wanted to talk to me more, so he asked if I'd be comfortable exchanging numbers instead. Usually I would say no to that so soon, but had a good gut feeling about it so we did, and we've talked every day since. Maybe my gut-triad enneagram 9-self is steering me wrong, but I have a good feeling about it all. Updates hopefully to come in future little treasures threads. 😊
I am so happy for you. I gave up on those apps and feel your pain. I still have Hinge and may be inclined to pick it back up after hearing your story! ;) I've never felt more "seen" than last week's episode of I'm 35 and single and no dates in so long that I'm not even sure what qualifies these days. Instead I'm drooling over tiktok dancers! BAHA #SorryNotSorry
The last few years for me have been a week on an app, followed by getting so annoyed and deleting for several months, then repeating. But I decided at the beginning of this year to download them again and keep them, no matter how grueling it got, because I wasn't meeting anyone in real life. Then I spontaneously decided to do a paid version of a new-to-me one and that led to this.
I'm not going to tell you to keep trying or to give up on them all together - you do what you need to do. Dating in this time is weird. And drool away at those dancers! 😂
Well, it’s been a week. I keep thinking that 2020 couldn’t get weirder or worse - it does. I’ve got Palindromic Arthritis in my right hand (of course I’m right handed) and have had 6 flare ups since the world went crazy. (Yes, that’s a lot) I’m getting really frustrated because I eat pretty healthy, get the sleep I should, exercise, take my prescription meds, supplements and it still comes back. I’m pretty sure that I’m going to need to go on the full Autoimmune Diet plan (which is pretty sucky & I’ve already cut out gluten, wine & try to eat low sugar) but I’m desperate.
My adult children are kind of having a bit of an identity crisis with the possible renaming of all their birthplaces (Ft.Hood & Ft.Bragg due to them being named after questionable Confederate Generals & the Army has opened themselves up to consider this after all these years) and lot’s of legal questions about their birth certificates, passports, etc. I have no answers to that. We all very much understand why this should be done and think they should have done it A LONG TIME AGO but they are all still a little sad/weirded out/feelings they can’t name about this.
I am thankful that our church went back 2 Sundays ago & our House Church met for the first time in person this week. I also got to have lunch at a park with my Bunco Group. It’s so nice to see people in person.
Much love to you all, thanks for letting me ramble & posting some funny things to lighten our day.
Ugh. As someone with arthritis (rheumatoid) flares are the worst and very discouraging. Just keep trying all the things I promise you will find things that work. (Meds and about elimination diet helped me. My trigger foods were odd! Corn! Is one of my bigger ones. Corn?! Really?! But then you look and realize how many things have corn, corn oil, cornmeal in it and sigh.
Yes, luckily I can eat meat with the Autoimmune Diet but I’m afraid I’m going to have to give up dairy for awhile. I’m going to do a stick diet of it for 10 days then add things back in to see how I do. Dairy is going to be hard, I love cheese.
I had no problem giving up gluten, but dairy was hard. I resisted until my doctor looked me square in the eye and told me I had to. Good news is after six years, I don't really miss it.
Good luck, Emily, I hope you get to keep eating cheese!
It is I, Masked Mom Mel from my corner of the world.
This week.
Blergh.
It was more than I needed at work -- and right now I'm typing this when I probably should be sifting through my email again and moving rocks. It's been a lot. And its not over yet.
3. Realizing I need to get back into a spiritual practice. I have to be honest. I have many an issue with "Big C Church" but have always found ways to seek content for my "Big F Faith" -- but since Easter came and went (a billions years ago right?) I've been ignoring that sphere of my wellness. I confess this. But I am going to reestablish a routine and try my best to stick with it.
4. I bought Miss Sophie's book this week. Cannot wait to read it! I just adore her.
6. Last night, I had a big ol' gyro from a local food truck. Oh how it made me happy. Also how my sons devoured theirs. You guys. Nothing makes me happier than when both my kids eat without me saying "eat your ______" 859032733 times over. Also when I get something I was really craving, oh the comfort and joy food can bring me.
7. Last night I also had a big ol' necessary cry. A dear friend of mine lost her father after battling many illnesses over the past year. Talking with her as she navigates the rapids of grief brought back many of my own feelings that I admit are hard to unpack. So after listening and letting her know I am a safe space for all of those stories and memories and feelings. I thought of when I was in her shoes 5 years ago. And oof. Many tears.
8. Reading this graphic novel "Dancing at the Pity Party" maaaaybe also made me keep crying. It's a beautiful memoir of the author's experience losing her own mother and while everyone's story of grief is so different there are so many other touchstones that seem to happen but you don't know about them because people don't talk about them because "better" seems to be easier. I highly recommend reading this: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50010932-dancing-at-the-pity-party
Number 3 hit a little close to home, Friend. I have enjoyed our remote church situation a little too much, and I’m not ready to go back to the routine, and the drama and politics that unfortunately come with some of my volunteer ministry. If I felt like God was calling me to leave it I would run for the hills! But He hasn’t. So I have been relishing my time of home worship and Faith.
I'm loving the podcasts on the That Sounds Fun network too, but I'm also a little stressed out. I'm subscribed to too many podcasts as it is, I don't know if I can handle any more! 😂
OMG, I am the same way. SO many. Every month I do a little purge. But then I always find others to replace them. I do love Annie & Eddie Keep Talking. Those 2x a week always make me smile!
so grateful for this! I was on a "The Daily" break for awhile because I was corona-virus-news-ed-out but was so thankful to pick it up again this week. AND even more pumped that the Moons will be having their SECOND appearance on one of my very favorite podcasts :) Happy Friday, everyone!
I love The Daily but I had to take a Corona break too. Was just feeling that maybe I was ready to jump back in & if the Moon children are there, that will be all the push I need.
Haha! Stoked to hear more about your kids Daily interview!!!
Treasures:
1.) the “magic beans” I’m growing for a summer reading program are truly magic! I’m not a green thumb but these are working! It’s thrilling! I have a strange Mary Lennox garden witch-y feeling.
2.) Taco Bell at midnight post bookclub with a friend I haven’t seen in 3 months was simultaneously the best and worst idea last night. But I wouldn’t that experience for all the sleep in the world.
3.) I NOW HAVE A COUCH.
bonus “the Boy” treasure cause I know I’ll get asked: favorite thing this week was having him come up and see my new place all finished and him saying “it looks so Cozy. Like a girl lives here”
And playing music on our ukuleles together. Twenty One Pilots for him, folk and children’s songs for me 😂
Your boy updates make me want to get back on dating apps because wow that sounds lovely and although a lot of men can be trash I know there are some treasures out there :)
Last week I could not get the substack thread to open AT. ALL. for a couple of days. I was super mature about it (lies). I didn't get to look at it until Wed or so, and by then felt like there was no point posting treasures until today. By the grace of the almighty, IT IS WORKING.
Another l'il swiper shared a different video by The Worshicken last week (Good Grace, maybe?) and it. was. majestic.
My treasures this week:
1. Last weekend a college friend visited me. He is a furloughed Delta flight attendant, and I'll admit my anxiety was NOT SMALL about him coming via plane. That said, it was a good visit. He got some really good down time away from the stress. We looked at yearbooks, reminisced, ate, drank and were merry. Through sharing old yearbook photos with college buddies, we found out one of our crew was performing a going away recital for his church fam in San Juan and were able to tune in to the live performance. It was so fun!
2. I lost something really valuable last weekend and realized it Tuesday morning. I called my coronavirus family in tears, and one of the girls showed up on my doorstep within 45 min to LOOK THROUGH MY TRASH while I had to work. Still makes me cry, that level of friendship.
We found it. :)
3. A girl I've mentored since she was seventeen (she's 25) is moving to Wisconsin today. Tuesday evening we socially distanced to have one last IRL time together. She is one of my life's treasures, and I am so very proud of who she's become.
Pop culture: Lennon Stella's "Three Two One" album has been my go-to for when I need some good pop music that's both fun and poignant. She's come a long way since "Nashville" on ABC and I am so proud of her.
Anti-Racism: Latasha Morrison's "Be The Bridge" has been so educational and filled with the gospel. So thankful for her work. I've been discovering so many other good voices as well.
Personal life: I'm slowly opening up my quarantine circle and seeing two friends I haven't seen in a while. I'm not going crazy and going back to "normal" for a good long while, but we feel safe doing this just a little.
My lil treasure this week was The Lazy Genius newsletter where Kendra shared the bonuses for preordering her book. I can’t wait for “ The Clean Slate: The Lazy Genius Guide to Keeping Your Home”
Need these lil treasures today! They will be good company on our 12+ hour road trip to see my family for the first time in six months (praise 🙌) (Also prayers cuz this is our first major drive with my boys (3 and 7 months 😅)).
Thanks for the reminder about the IVP promo. I got “Beyond Hashtag Activism” by Mae Elise Cannon. As someone who has been very passive in areas of social justice and politics (hello, privilege), I am refusing to fall into that old way from here on out. Learning about activism beyond sharing a social media post seems like a solid place for me to start.
I’ve been following Naomi O’Brien (@readlikearockstar) for a a little while now & she recently did a video with her 4-year-old son showing one of their talks about racism. It was eye-opening for me to see what her son understood, the questions he asked, and how Naomi responded to him. My conversations with my sons will look different, but it just goes to show that our kids need us to have these conversations with them. Learning to lean into this with wisdom and prayer. Here’s the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBDxfK_ApRG/?hl=en
Anyone watching the new season of Queer Eye?! UGH I just love it so much. The first two episodes were fantastic. I can’t get over Karamo’s t-shirts. Also, what I would do to ride a tandem bike with Antoni. Honestly.
Grateful for you, friends. Have a restful weekend 😌
Ps - not sure if everyone has shared their IG handles before, but I’d love to connect with y’all there too. Mine is @hannahlmyer 😊
YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT. I’m actually jealous you get to experience it for the first time. It’s one of those shows that is 100% bingeable, but doesn’t have to be. I’m spreading out this new season - I never want it to end!
Another great resource for talking to your kids about race/racism is on @_heytra - she is a transracial adoptee who normally coaches and mentors transracial adoptees/adoptive families. She does story time on IGTV, and she also made free coloring sheets to accompany her most recent story (Something Happened in Our Town).
The new season of Queer Eye IS SO GOOD. I really do feel like I saw a little bit of myself in each episode and felt really encouraged by each one. This show really does a fantastic show of reminding each other of our shared humanity. I think my favorite episode is the one with the pediatrician.
I will also say that Antoni is so hunky and tender I love him and his LANY tshirts so much.
We were supposed to be taking a road trip to Colorado today, but it got postponed at the 11th hour. Instead my husband and oldest are driving to California with my in-laws to say goodbye to my husband's grandfather one last time, and I will be holding down the fort with my two littles. I am mostly sad for my kids, but also my FIL and husband as they say goodbye to the family patriarch.
Some gems:
1. Osheta Moore's morning Breath Prayers on IG are the balm my soul has needed all along.
2. The Night Manager on Amazon Prime. Do I like Tom Hiddleston now? I do know I love Olivia Colman now...
Hope you all have a beautiful weekend, wherever you are!
It has been a week here - but this afternoon a friend sent me a video of her 2yr old saying hi and holding a get well sign. Wish I could share it with internet- but - you know - rules. Imagine all the sprinkles & unicorns of someone else’s cute child and toothy grin though and you have my treasure! My own stinkers are currently throwing tantrums because life is not faiirrrr 🤷🏻♀️just in case you think I’m bragging.
I currently live in Dallas, TX and will be driving up to Kansas City next week to visit my family which I haven't seen since Christmas. Typically, I would fly because flights are cheap and short but I still don't feel comfy sitting on a plane two inches away from a stranger, breathing the same air so I'll be driving 8 hours. I also am driving so that I can take a clock home that has been passed down from my grandparents to me. They just moved out of their house into an apartment and got rid of a lot of their things and I have sweet memories of winding all the clocks in their house with my Poppi so this is a very special item to be receiving from them!!
Anyway, would love any listening suggestions for my drive. I'm leaving Thursday so I'll definitely listen to the Popcast and also saving The More You Know. This is the first time I'll be driving this far by myself and I have an irrational fear of falling asleep at the wheel or my tire blowing out on the side of I-35...My plan is to listen through all of Hamilton to pass the time and to continue to listen to Harry Potter but if y'all have any music suggestions or podcast eps that are entertaining/can make me laugh lmk.
Some treasures this week:
-I tried a new flavor of Pellegrino this week and it was a summer delight - Pomegranate Black Currant. 10/10 recommend.
-Peonies are in season and available at my local Trader Joe's. I love these flowers so much.
-I'm addicted to Tik Tok and heard about this 10 minute ab workout from 4 years ago on YouTube and it's hard but also doable and has made me feel like I've been trying to make an effort to fight against my muscle atrophy from the last 3 months being at home. It's called Rebecca Louise's Washboard Abs or something like that.
If you love harry potter you could try the Binge Mode: Harry Potter podcast. There's multiple warnings at the beginning for spoilers and ADULT content, but if that doesn't bother you then it's super fun. They do a episode for every 3-5 chapters, and they're close to 2 hours each. Again, adult content warnings.
Arlington, Texas to Columbia, Missouri (some the same stretch of I-35!) I had a line up of CDs of tons of songs I could sing along with to keep me awake on the 12 hour drive. So whatever you like to sing and know all the words to, do that! This was pre-podcast explosion. I mean I listened to one “before its time” podcast in 2007 all about Harry Potter, but that was pretty much all there was. So I got a lot of good car energy from mix CDs and the Hairspray soundtrack. (Zac Efron reference!)
This may be a bit much to share but I’m gonna any way... your muscle atrophy reminded me. I had my yearly lady appointment. Since I’ve given birth six times the doctor wanted to check my pelvic floor strength. She this by having me do a Kegel as hard as I can with her hand you know where. I’m giving it my all and she says anytime you’re ready! When I confess I’ve been doing it the whole time she laughs, like legit cracks up!! Nothing like having your doctor crack up at you while you’re spread eagle!!! I did giggle too. Moral of the story I get to go to pelvic floor therapy.
This also might be TMI, but the first time I got the stomach bug after birthing a baby, any time I threw up I peed my pants a little. 😫 it was awful. Thank god for pelvic floor PTs!
One of my favorite recent-ish podcast episodes was episode #654 This American Life- the Feather Heist. From the episode description- “ A flute player breaks into a British museum and makes off with a million dollars worth of dead birds.”
You know, I’ve always said I’m not a fan of true crime because I don’t need to hear/see all the real-life violence, but I forget that “crime” encompasses a wide range of misdeeds. Bizarro robberies and (ahem) white collar crime are *exactly* what I’d love. Thanks for the reminder!
Welllll what had happened was... my grandma was a librarian so I had the late fee hook up. Well she retired. Then I racked up a few late fees in Florida where I grew up. Never paid them. Moved to North Carolina- same thing. Georgia- did it again. Moved to South Carolina, this time I didn’t do anything but they “allege” that I borrowed $200 worth of books that I didn’t borrow because they are books I’d never read. So my card has been flagged. But jokes on all of them. I wrote a book and it’s in the library of Congress! So ha!!
😂😂😂 this is awesome! I'm one that waits for my letter in the mail that basically threatens all manner of evil if I don't return the books that are three months late
Hi Lillian! I find Fanny Flagg books on audible to be a very happy companion to my road trips. She's a delight, and there is always joy to be found in her books.
Podcast Recs: Office Ladies Pod (I didn't even watch The Office, but I love Jenna and Angela); The Ringer Binge Mode Harry Potter (language and adult content, but their deep dives in HP are really, really great).
I’ve never been this early to Lil Treasures and I am so excited! Wow, seeing oddly blond Zac Efron on a greenway was such an unexpected treasure. One of my greatest treasures this week is this grandma rating hot celebrity men—it is a whole mood: https://vm.tiktok.com/J1d3JQA/
I am also so jealous of that Lizzo dream and wish I could live that out IRL. I’ve been to a couple of protests over the past 2 weeks and I’m trying to read an advocate the best I can, listening to as many voices as possible.
I’ve also started my virtual church internship which has involved making several cold phone calls this week to church members—including the church’s FIRST African American member, an 82 y/o woman who joined in 1971, is a deacon and called me back around 10pm because she spent the previous several *hours* in prayer. And I got added to her daily devotional text that she writes and I just want her to be my spiritual director, that is all. ❤️
This weeks treasure involves remembering how life giving it is to sit at the beach with dear friends and family. Doing two hard and scary things this week. 1.) telling a friend that she hurt my feelings and having the best conversation about it. 2.) Writing and turning in a column about racism, something I’ve never written about- I’m terrified but I wrestled with it hard and covered it in prayer.
Within the last hour I've sent a message to a friend I feel is bull-dozing me, even though her intent is to take something off my plate. Still waiting for her response, and feeling v much in touch with my fourteen year old self. Kudos to you for doing the work - both in relationships and anti-racism.
GO GIRL. So glad the conversation with your friend went well. It is a beautiful thing when conflict & confrontation help our relationships deepen. That is some grace right there 🙏
Lily, I have been reading but never commenting on here. I am just guarded on social media, I guess? But I just wanted to tell you that you have the most lovely “voice.” I would devour a book of your short stories!
Lily, I saw the pic of the crepe myrtles on IG and literally teared up.
You do tell the best stories, even in grief.
So stoked for this new home, and the timing of it. Just feels kinda like providence, doesn't it? There can't be "coincidences" that intricate. I just don't believe it.
“Green Side Up” - this is perfect. And it made me cry a little. I’ve always been not so secretly jealous of families that had sayings like this. My dad passed in 2013, but the only thing I can remember him saying with some frequency is, “catches catch can” which would be odd for a grave marker. 🤣 thanks for sharing, Lily, and congrats on your house!!
Isn’t it strange the things families say? My dad always said, “I seeee, said the blind man who couldn’t see a wink.” 😳 It’s the stupidest thing but since my dad passed away I’ve been saying it religiously. 🤷🏻♀️ Families are funny.
I love your stories of your family, Lily. Thank you for sharing them with us ❤️
And 🙌🙌🙌 for the house!! We had a similar situation a few years ago- we were in the midst of a really hard season of life and God gave us the house I had been dreaming about for years and thought would never be able to happen. I love living in such a tangible reminder of His goodness to us and the way He cares for our hearts.
Thank you for sharing such beauty & hope today, Lily! He is already hugging her 😭😭 I love that so much. And congrats on the house! 🥳
I second the Limoncello - it took some getting used to for me, but I’m totally on board. I also LOOOVE Coconut with a slice of lime. It tastes like pure summer to me.
https://api.github.com/repos/bnb-chain/bsc/releases/latest
https://open.substack.com/pub/nate15872/p/coming-soon?r=to903&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I didn't know Comments existed on Lil' Treasures until sometime recently when Erin mentioned how much joy the comments brought her. Even then, I was like, "She must be talking about email replies to the newsletter." And then today, I noticed the "Like & Comment" button at the bottom of the email. LO AND BEHOLD, here you all are! With stories of dating and funerals and COVID tests! All this time, I've assumed being a Lil' Swipe just meant we were on the newsletter distribution list. But the whole time, I've apparently been missing out -- so this is my Lil' Treasure for the week: I DISCOVERED THE COMMENTS!
Gosh, I've missed the Lil Swipes. I've been absent for the last month-ish because my beloved garden apartment flooded and I needed to move out immediately. I moved all of my stuff by myself and stayed with some friends who just bought a house, stayed there for two weeks while I looked for a place, and then LO AND BEHOLD I found the PERFECT apartment, moved in, etc. and I'm just now getting settled and into the swing of things and I now have wifi again.
In other news, I love practicing radical hospitality and having strangers come stay with me. So if anyone in the Lil Swipes fam is passing through Chicago and wants a place to stay fo freesies, just hit me up.
Dear friends, watch at your own risk. This entire channel is HILARIOUS! Although, slightly inappropriate.🤷🏻♀️
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LPmNVApYnNc
HOW HAS NO ONE TALKED ABOUT ANNIE F DOWNS BEING A LITTLE SWIPE?!?!
Let’s play the high/low game:
My family spent this week on a vacation we didn’t think we would be able to take, and it was a rich gift. The weather was supposed to be finicky and instead it was glorious. My husband and I even turned into really old people who woke up early on vacation just to walk on the beach alone. The kids frolicked in the sand and sea and we laughed a lot and it was just refreshing to the soul.
On leaving our favorite little beach town, we drove by the site of Ahmaud Arbery’s death. My husband and I tried to explain to our children what had happened, and it.was.hard. My youngest, who is an absolutely adorable seven year old, said ‘but why do some white people hate black people? I’m white but I love ________, and he’s got brown skin!’ I was driving, trying not to cry, telling my sweet boy that not everyone is like him. It was hard to tell my children that though the laws have changed in some ways, that doesn’t mean people’s hearts have changed. My innocent white children just naively assumed that since the civil rights movement and desegregation had happened, people automatically treated everyone with the same love and kindness that Jesus would. We reminded them that racism is a sin, that all humans are created in God’s image and worthy of dignity, honor and respect, and that we should treat others as we want to be treated. And we grieved as a family that change has been so slow in this country. Maranatha.
I have a seven-year-old asking the same, hard-but-good questions. It makes my mama heart weep and grasp for words at the same time.
Lord come quickly is right. What a wonderfully powerful moment for your family.
I was beyond excited to see this email in my inbox because this girl is in need of some happy today. Our air conditioning is out again for the second time in a week and is irrevocable broken until Monday. Thankfully the rental company didn’t drag their feet (helps when you MIL is a lawyer!) so hopefully Monday we can get a new system. We are headed to a hotel for the weekend.
I do have some treasures in spite of all that hot mess!
Monday my oldest niece turned double digits! I cannot believe the baby I baby sat for the first year of her life almost every day is 10! We did a parade and while my heart is sad I didn’t get to spend time with her I’m so loving the young person she is becoming.
Wednesday was the hubs birthday and it was a quiet day with his favorite pizza and cookie cake.
I love celebrating the people I love. So picking our gifts has been months in the making. It helped get my mind off things. Thankfully niece number two is turning 3 next month so I can no find her the perfect gifts!
I got to watch part of the Podcast Live so this weekend I’m watching the parts I missed. It was so fun and gosh I love the Erin, Jamie, and Knox. I bought Knox’s book on audible and am saving it as my first book to listen to when I go back to work in my office (instead of work from home) in August.
Also I must tell y’all I had what my husband calls a “I don’t understand women moment” last night. These moments aren’t fun in the moment (cause I’m being a tiny bit unreasonable let’s be honest!) but later crack me up!
I am so thankful for y’all! (Also I love that we are sharing Instagram names. I’m @crittyjoy)
💜💜
Without going into too much detail, let's just say my biggest treasure this week has been when I've been able to keep food down... 😬
I also enjoyed the episode Shakespeare and race 2020 from Such Stuff: The Shakespeare's Globe Podcast.
Speaking of Shakespeare, I've been watching a lot of filmed plays these last couple of months and have decided I we don't use the word "forsooth" nearly enough these days. I wonder if I can work it into my daily conversations? 🤔
Oh dear!!! I hope you feel better soon!!!
Thank you!!!
If you love Shakespeare, sometime during your life you should make a trip to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR (sadly, cancelled this year). I live just a few hours away and am blessed with a mom and sister who also love Shakespeare (dad, not so much), so we grew up going every few years and I went with my Shakespeare class in college. The festival is truly a delight, and people come from all over the world for it!
Oooh, that sounds like so much fun! I'd love to go someday!
One of my very dearest friends from home does donor relations there, and her husband is a cast member! They are near and dear to me!
Ahhh, that is so great! I wondered if there was a chance you knew about/had any connection seeing as you were a theater major.
One of the best moments of my college career was riding in the front seat with my Shakespeare professor during our trip and telling him I had been to many of the plays over the years. He asked what my favorite had been and was very impressed with my choice (Julius Caesar, 2011) and said that had been his favorite as well, and I think that was the moment I was officially in the English department cool club and recognized by this (hot middle-aged) English professor. #nerdalert 😂😂😂
An article about Justin Trudeau's quarantine hair led me to this Twitter account, which appears to be pretty much just gifs of Trudeau nervously running his hands through the aforementioned long, luscious hair: https://twitter.com/katynotie/status/1247283039396339717 Heaven.
OH one other element....The Popcast Live Saturday Night Reconsidered. Now those tech issues? PSSHHHAW, I was fine with them, so there were glitches. Hello, what's life without a glitch?! But I drank, I laughed, I laughed more, I drank more, I laughed more. I thought it was great.
Erin: Lip color you wore? At first I was like is that MAC's Chili? As it gave me that vibe. Buttttt I have a feeling it was something else.
Do tell friend!
YES wine and Ben&Jerry's kept me company and then I promptly rewatched the bits I missed, including that hairy shouldered Favre!
Agreed!! It was so fun & an excuse to invite my bff over to hang out for the first time in forever. We had a blast.
I set my alarm and got up at 3 AM to watch it. WORTH IT!
That is love.
Ah this is so nice! It's Sephora's Matte Lip Stain in Chili Pepper. It's my go to!
It was gorgeous!
So I was in the right ballpark with Chili haha. AAAAND going to Sephora now to add to my Loves to purchase at a later date :)
Blueberry oatmilk (it’s delightful, trust!) frothed to perfection in my cold brew that I brewed myself from my favorite Aldi cold brew maker (if you have an Aldi nearby, run!) while sitting on the porch in my birthday gift lounge chair that I do not remember asking for (but was reminded by my mother that I most assuredly did request said chair) which is now my favorite birthday gift ever.
Wow, that’s a mouthful!! Happy weekend, friends!
Rachel, i confess that I read “in my birthday suit lounge chair” which sounded decidedly racier than I’m sure it actually is. But either way, cheers!
That would be an entirely different little treasure!! 🤣🤣🤣
That sounds like perfection!
It truly is!!
Oh I wanna try blueberry oatmilk!
Elmhurst is the brand!
It really is, do you dilute yours with water or just go all in on the coffee?
I usually save these for catching up the following week, BUT I'm all caught up because I've been dying to participate in the thread on the actual day of release!! Praise be!
Things Saving my Life this week:
1) My Furball - Finn, he's the perfect compliment to a stressful work meeting through Zoom. I always hang up and go find him and give him a hug. I'm sure he doesn't always appreciate it, but it gets me through these days.
2) I live on a small lake (.55 mi) and they finally turned the fountain back on. I didn't realize how much I needed that small man-made enhancement. I live in a condo and 3 other people messaged me to tell me that it was back on. It's one thing we can all share together (from afar).
3) This thread- I feel like I know you all and I desperately look forward to your updates each week. Sad, happy, angry, and funny. BRING IT ON!
4) Sweet Potato Fries and Frose
5) Finished the River by Peter Heller and I never was an outdoorsy person, but this book perfectly captured what I would imagine camping to be like (outside this humid swamp bubble of FL). Oh, minus some life or death dramatics. I have Just Mercy sitting here to pick up next, and am so happy to finally read this one- it's been sitting on the proverbial nightstand for months!
I finished reading Just Mercy this week. It is beautiful and gripping and vital and will break your heart in a thousand ways.
I appreciate this comment Tracey. 💔
I have a furball (dog) names Finn!
Ahhh furball twinning! LOVE
FROSE!
Oh frose I need some now!!
Frose!!!! Yessss! Taprooms are starting to open more in MN and one bar did a Frose slushy that was perfection.
I was today years old when I heard the word Frose.
Frozen Rose is a staple in the hot humid landscape of Florida. ☀️💦
Frose slushy - taproom style will be my mission this summer. I shall choose to accept it! ;)
I feel like you should NOT judge camping by that book 😂 also Just Mercy is amazing/awful and it will change your life
BAHAHA I figured it was a smidge out of the realm of possibilities, but a girl can dream right? Ooh, those are the best words to describe my reading taste -- dark and terrible with a dose of hope.
Boats & Frose are the new peas & carrots. ;)
How. Do. You. Do. It??
GO ON TOUR.
Go on tour. As a comedian. I’d pay cash money to listen to you!
Also maybe a secret Frose appearance in Jay-Z's big Pimpin' yacht.
My little treasure this week:
Can we talk about the spin mop?? I know, I know it’s a mop and maybe everyone already knows about it but that thing has changed my life. Since quarantine I’ve been doing a fancy Friday with face masks and putting a dress on to make myself feel better- and it has continued on but now with the addition of the spin mop.... I feel like a 50’s housewife in all the good ways. Where’s my lipstick y’all? Also- I’d be lying if I said I don’t make a happy hour drink, mop my floors then step outside to the porch swing to sip while the floors dry. It’s a delight.
This might make me start cleaning.
I am beyond jealous of your mop. Drinking and cleaning sound heavenly!
I actually have something to contribute! I moved to a new office, as the leader of a new team, in the middle of remotely working from home. We're all back at work now, but I haven't really connected with everyone, yet. (Also, I'm 36, and I work with college-age students....and I'm v intimidated by how cool they are most days) So I declared it Friday Fun Day at 10 AM this morning. I brought the supplies for ice cream floats, and gave out silly awards (much in the style of the Adult Awards on Erin's Insta). I thought that they might think I was a little too cheesy, but they haven't stopped talking about how much fun it was, and giving ideas of things that we can all do together in the coming weeks! It is a huge relief to fit in as the new boss, and I couldn't be more delighted for them to know that I see and appreciate them!
I used to teach freshmen seminar classes and was always terrified of my students thinking I was cheesy or too earnest
I work with kids at church and cheesy things like that are practically required, so I’m glad it translated for my college friends!
I adore this. It's always so hard to go first and wear your heart on your sleeve. GOOD FREAKING JOB!
I would be lying if I said I didn’t tear up a little as I was leaving today and saw all their awards proudly displayed on each desk where people could see. Such a WIN!
This is amazing 🙌🙌🙌 Such a great idea!!
Thank you! I feel like I know them all better because I made myself stop and really think about each personality. And now it will be so much easier to approach them with difficult things in the future.
lil treasure: super shout out to one of my friends (and a pastor at our church) who has recently started a HUGE project to write every book of the Bible on a kid level (like chapter books for elementary aged little people). His first one on the book of Acts is out now and is simply beautiful. I don't have kids and have found this to be a useful tool. sometimes attempting to digest the Bible feels hard. Sooo... shameless plug here: readkaleidoscope.com /@read.kaleidoscope for anyone else who KNOWS they need to be in the Word, but gosh it's hard sometimes (and also obvi kiddos).
otherwise, life feels very.... insert indescribable feeling...right now. the weather is lovely in this current second and that is certainly a win.
This sounds awesome! I’m gonna have to check it out!
This is really cool!
I got in a fight with Pier 1 this week. My grandma gave me a substantial Pier 1 gift card for my wedding **9 years** ago and since a) I never think to go to that store and b) I'm in more of an Ikea-priced stage of life, I'd not really used much of that gift card. Then this week I remembered/realized that Pier 1 is going out of business and I still had that gift card I needed to use up! So I made a decision. Outdoor cushions. So I hopped online, picked out what I wanted, and proceeded to checkout. I put in the free shipping code, but it said normal usps delivery was "unavailable." Same for in-store pickup. But you know what was an option? White glove delivery for a mere $170. Guys. For two pillows priced altogether at $80 they had the audacity to only offer $170 supremo delivery where ostensibly they also rave to you about your great taste in decor and take you out to dinner. No sir, Pier 1. Since everything on the site seemed to be only available via this white glove delivery I assumed this was code for "we don't have anything in stock but for $170 we could whip something up for you" but I drove clear down to Pier 1 anyway because I had to spend that gift card. Lo and behold, the very cushions I wanted were in store and I purchased them. So good riddance Pier 1, and your weird going-out-of-business flex that only permits the stupidly wealthy to buy stuff online less the undeserving masses should clean it out irreverently. 🙄
One of the influencers I follow was having Pier One drama today too! She was 171st in line for their customer service chat. I’m like, “Why do 171 people need help with Pier One right now?!” This is probably why lol
😂 They've probably pared customer service down to just one guy named Rick. "You eat an elephant one bite at a time, Rick! Keep at it!"
I love customer service triumph stories. Good for you for sticking it to the man.
The only time I ever went to a Pier One was when I was dumpster diving in college 😂
Ours closed. A dollar tree was put in its place.
Exactly!!
I was way late to last week’s post so I’ll restate and add my treasure for this week:
Books: A Curse So Dark & Lonely and the sequel A Heart So Fierce & Broken. The first is a retelling of Beauty & the Beast, and it’s been one of my favorite books this year! I’m in the middle of the sequel and enjoying it as well!
After those, it’s my turn on the holds list to read Such a Fun Age from the library, followed by the next Percy Jackson book because I never read them as a kid, and YA fiction while I hold babies in the middle of the night is my thing.
Also I’m enjoying the Instagram account Big Little Feelings for helping my preschooler and I’m revisiting the Taking Cara Babies newborn class for the wee twins. Thankful for these ladies helping me through motherhood!
I really, really liked Such a Fun Age. It was such a good, well written story, but also made me uncomfortable and tense (in good, "hmm, why am I feeling this?" ways).
I'm dipping in and out of Such a Fun Age. It is PRECISE.
Has everyone seen this Instagram account? My favorite although it makes me feel like I should have taught my almost 2 year old to cook by now...
https://instagram.com/kobe_yn?igshid=1qec8vw8bbe4k
My treasures:
Slowly seeing people more! We got takeout with friends last night and it was so life giving! We had seen them on walks but to be in the backyard and let our kids play... huge. We’re not close to normal - our state is very conservative to open up and I’m ok with it if I can at least see small groups of people.
Also LaCroix is good but have you all tried the bubly brand?! I swear it is not just fruit essence or natural flavor or whatever in there. The peach and mango flavors are insanely delicious. My toddler chugs it. 😂 also whenever she takes her first sip, she makes a noise similar to the pillsbury dough boy: a little “hoo hoo hoo” of delight. 😍
Kids getting to play together again is everything. I’m so grateful. 🙏
Omg that cooking baby!!! So cute! I’ve “cooked” with my 2yo some (mostly baking or sometimes letting him put chopped veggies on a sheet pan and add olive oil), so whenever he sees our bottle of olive oil he says, “What are we cooking, momma?” 🥰 it’s so sweet.
Bubly stan!
Ok video posted on Instagram stories. Not sure how to link to it? @erikalriggs
My little treasures of the week:
1. One of my coworkers tested positive for covid on Monday (not the treasure part, it really sucks for her) so all of our staff and clients were tested on Tuesday. I work at a homeless shelter, so we're being really cautious and strict about symptoms/quarantine situations. We got our results yesterday and the whole house is covid-free - hooray! I wasn't worried about having it myself, but waiting for the negative result was putting a damper on some potential plans, which brings me to treasure number 2.
2. Negative result means I'm in the clear to go on a date that's already been delayed for far too long due to this dumb pandemic and a couple other reasons. It's with a guy I met on a dating app (you may recall, I mentioned a few weeks ago that I absolutely hate dating apps but decided to actually pay for one at the worst possible time when shelter-in-place orders went into effect), and we've been talking every single day for the last six weeks - like real intentional conversation, which is pretty much unheard of when it comes to guys on dating apps - but have been unable to go on a date. Normally this would annoy me and I'd have given up long before this point, but for some reason I've had a peace about this situation. I don't know why I'm telling a group of Internet strangers about this, but here we are. 🙈
3. I'm moving next Friday - praise the good Lord - into an apartment attached to the house my best friend just bought, and I could not be more excited! This weekend will be the final packing frenzy, and I'm especially excited to drop off the giant pile of donations I've been building up. Getting rid of crap is my favorite part of moving.
4. I built myself a table last weekend for said apartment. It's the first time I've built anything from scratch, and I'm pretty dang proud of it! Other than a little help from my insistent dad on the cutting of the wood and assembly, I did the thing by myself and I think it's beautiful (white frame and dark walnut stained top, in case you care) and I'm so excited for it to reside in my new place. Other than the migraine all week from the staining/painting fumes, it was such a fun process that I may just do it again!
I am HERE for any and all updates on this boy situation that you would like to share with fellow Lil Swipes. Also, your success story with online dating is encouraging to hear. Congrats on the move and congrats on building the table!
So exciting! A move AND a boy! We love stories about a boy in this corner of the internet.
These are the treasure I am here for! Moving close to a friend. Building a table by your own. damn. self. And the enjoyment of getting to know someone special and going on a DATE (I want to ask all the questions: what will you wear? Where will you go? Who is driving to whom?)
Thanks for sharing with a group of strangers because, truly, it is good for my heart to celebrate the normal life things.
I have been debating the outfit choice for a while. I’m thinking I’ll either go black skinny jeans, simple green blouse, and grey cardigan with black booties, or cute floral dress with sandals, all depending on weather. It’s been rainy and is looking iffy this weekend. But his words: “I’m happy with any weather as long as I get to see you.” Swoon.
Way to build like a girl!!! One of my dear friends build all kinds on lovely things. For each birthday we buy her a new power tool from her wish list. He husband keeps a running list of ones she mentions for us.
WE HAVE ANOTHER POTENTIAL SERIAL ROM-COM!
It brings me great joy to share my dating updates with you all, especially since I have rarely had any dating updates for anyone my whole life. 😂 My friends have also been waiting with bated breath for this date since I finally told them about the man a couple weeks ago. My one remaining single friend (this is somewhat of an exaggeration, but she really is the only close single friend I have left) has been Marco Polo-ing me every day for updates. 😂
There is nothing like moving that makes you want to throw it all away and just start over!!
Yes! For a long time, I was in a cycle of moving every 6-12 months, so I got really good at downsizing and by the time I moved into my current place, I had very little stuff. But now I've lived here for three years and I'm like, "how/when did I get all this stuff?! Make it go away!"
I need more details about the Coronadate!
Okay, update: the date is happening this weekend! I repeat, the date is in the books. And before you say that it’s late notice and in bad taste, we’ve been waiting SIX WEEKS for this, and we’re at the point of not giving a care about notice or day of the week because we just want to meet already.
Also, our conversation this afternoon while discussing plans:
Him: How do you feel about hugs?
Me: In general or right now? Because I love both.
Him: Both. I’ve been really careful about social distancing, but wasn’t sure how you felt.
Me: I’m the one who’s been going into work every day so if you’re not comfortable with it, I would understand.
Him: No, I would love to give you a big hug. :)
Cue all the giddy 12-year-old girl feelings. ☺️
Updates to come (probably in next week’s thread), good or bad! Thank you all for sharing in my excitement, whether or not it turns into something more!
THIS IS SO EXCITING. Seriously, the amount of excitement I get from hearing updates on strangers' dating lives in this feed is worrying, but also delightful.
This is so exciting!
I don't know actual date details yet since we were waiting on test results that just came yesterday! The deets on the guy: he loves Jesus, he's a fully functioning and mature 30-year-old adult man (this is important and very rare on apps, y'all 😂), he's asked intentional questions from the start, our convo has been a great mix of deep/real talk and fun and flirty, and he lives 2.5 hours away - one of the holdups on a date, along with a couple others - but it's hopefully temporary (he was in my area up until right before the shut down went into effect, then plans to move back got delayed for obvious reasons).
We matched two months ago on the app and he asked good questions right away but responses took a long time until he finally said he was really terrible about checking the app but wanted to talk to me more, so he asked if I'd be comfortable exchanging numbers instead. Usually I would say no to that so soon, but had a good gut feeling about it so we did, and we've talked every day since. Maybe my gut-triad enneagram 9-self is steering me wrong, but I have a good feeling about it all. Updates hopefully to come in future little treasures threads. 😊
Ooh this sounds really promising!!
I am so happy for you. I gave up on those apps and feel your pain. I still have Hinge and may be inclined to pick it back up after hearing your story! ;) I've never felt more "seen" than last week's episode of I'm 35 and single and no dates in so long that I'm not even sure what qualifies these days. Instead I'm drooling over tiktok dancers! BAHA #SorryNotSorry
The last few years for me have been a week on an app, followed by getting so annoyed and deleting for several months, then repeating. But I decided at the beginning of this year to download them again and keep them, no matter how grueling it got, because I wasn't meeting anyone in real life. Then I spontaneously decided to do a paid version of a new-to-me one and that led to this.
I'm not going to tell you to keep trying or to give up on them all together - you do what you need to do. Dating in this time is weird. And drool away at those dancers! 😂
Yay, you get to go on your date! I'm so excited for you!
Also, congrats on building a table, that's impressive!
That table sounds STUNNING! And yay for no covid!
Well, it’s been a week. I keep thinking that 2020 couldn’t get weirder or worse - it does. I’ve got Palindromic Arthritis in my right hand (of course I’m right handed) and have had 6 flare ups since the world went crazy. (Yes, that’s a lot) I’m getting really frustrated because I eat pretty healthy, get the sleep I should, exercise, take my prescription meds, supplements and it still comes back. I’m pretty sure that I’m going to need to go on the full Autoimmune Diet plan (which is pretty sucky & I’ve already cut out gluten, wine & try to eat low sugar) but I’m desperate.
My adult children are kind of having a bit of an identity crisis with the possible renaming of all their birthplaces (Ft.Hood & Ft.Bragg due to them being named after questionable Confederate Generals & the Army has opened themselves up to consider this after all these years) and lot’s of legal questions about their birth certificates, passports, etc. I have no answers to that. We all very much understand why this should be done and think they should have done it A LONG TIME AGO but they are all still a little sad/weirded out/feelings they can’t name about this.
I am thankful that our church went back 2 Sundays ago & our House Church met for the first time in person this week. I also got to have lunch at a park with my Bunco Group. It’s so nice to see people in person.
Much love to you all, thanks for letting me ramble & posting some funny things to lighten our day.
Ugh. As someone with arthritis (rheumatoid) flares are the worst and very discouraging. Just keep trying all the things I promise you will find things that work. (Meds and about elimination diet helped me. My trigger foods were odd! Corn! Is one of my bigger ones. Corn?! Really?! But then you look and realize how many things have corn, corn oil, cornmeal in it and sigh.
I live in Killeen! When we were here?
Yes, luckily I can eat meat with the Autoimmune Diet but I’m afraid I’m going to have to give up dairy for awhile. I’m going to do a stick diet of it for 10 days then add things back in to see how I do. Dairy is going to be hard, I love cheese.
If I ever require an autopsy they’ll find nothing but cheese in the middle of me!
I do randomly make up memoir titles and yell them at my kids. I enjoy it, them not so much!
Coconut milk half and half by Foreager is amazing!
You crack me up, Lily! 😂
I had no problem giving up gluten, but dairy was hard. I resisted until my doctor looked me square in the eye and told me I had to. Good news is after six years, I don't really miss it.
Good luck, Emily, I hope you get to keep eating cheese!
Thanks, me too but if I can stop having flare ups, stop taking all the meds, it will be worth it.
Absolutely. Palindromic Arthritis sounds very painful, I hope the flare ups will stop!
Morning from MN Swipers!
It is I, Masked Mom Mel from my corner of the world.
This week.
Blergh.
It was more than I needed at work -- and right now I'm typing this when I probably should be sifting through my email again and moving rocks. It's been a lot. And its not over yet.
But some quick little treasures.
1. Podcast I am loving: https://www.mondayswithmindy.com/ - It's Natalie from Facts of Life and she has a podcast!
2. Also the podcasts that Annie F. Downs is releasing through her new network. Everything has been great. https://www.thatsoundsfunnetwork.com/
3. Realizing I need to get back into a spiritual practice. I have to be honest. I have many an issue with "Big C Church" but have always found ways to seek content for my "Big F Faith" -- but since Easter came and went (a billions years ago right?) I've been ignoring that sphere of my wellness. I confess this. But I am going to reestablish a routine and try my best to stick with it.
4. I bought Miss Sophie's book this week. Cannot wait to read it! I just adore her.
5. Another podcast rec, The Daily Smile. Some of this has led to the Daily cry ;) --> https://wondery.com/shows/the-daily-smile/
6. Last night, I had a big ol' gyro from a local food truck. Oh how it made me happy. Also how my sons devoured theirs. You guys. Nothing makes me happier than when both my kids eat without me saying "eat your ______" 859032733 times over. Also when I get something I was really craving, oh the comfort and joy food can bring me.
7. Last night I also had a big ol' necessary cry. A dear friend of mine lost her father after battling many illnesses over the past year. Talking with her as she navigates the rapids of grief brought back many of my own feelings that I admit are hard to unpack. So after listening and letting her know I am a safe space for all of those stories and memories and feelings. I thought of when I was in her shoes 5 years ago. And oof. Many tears.
8. Reading this graphic novel "Dancing at the Pity Party" maaaaybe also made me keep crying. It's a beautiful memoir of the author's experience losing her own mother and while everyone's story of grief is so different there are so many other touchstones that seem to happen but you don't know about them because people don't talk about them because "better" seems to be easier. I highly recommend reading this: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50010932-dancing-at-the-pity-party
I hope this finds everyone well.....
Wash your hands and eat something amazing,
Mel
Number 3 hit a little close to home, Friend. I have enjoyed our remote church situation a little too much, and I’m not ready to go back to the routine, and the drama and politics that unfortunately come with some of my volunteer ministry. If I felt like God was calling me to leave it I would run for the hills! But He hasn’t. So I have been relishing my time of home worship and Faith.
Good luck to you!
Sorry your week was blergh!
I'm loving the podcasts on the That Sounds Fun network too, but I'm also a little stressed out. I'm subscribed to too many podcasts as it is, I don't know if I can handle any more! 😂
OMG, I am the same way. SO many. Every month I do a little purge. But then I always find others to replace them. I do love Annie & Eddie Keep Talking. Those 2x a week always make me smile!
"without an institutional interpreter." I feel ya.
so grateful for this! I was on a "The Daily" break for awhile because I was corona-virus-news-ed-out but was so thankful to pick it up again this week. AND even more pumped that the Moons will be having their SECOND appearance on one of my very favorite podcasts :) Happy Friday, everyone!
I love The Daily but I had to take a Corona break too. Was just feeling that maybe I was ready to jump back in & if the Moon children are there, that will be all the push I need.
We'll see if they make the cut!
Haha! Stoked to hear more about your kids Daily interview!!!
Treasures:
1.) the “magic beans” I’m growing for a summer reading program are truly magic! I’m not a green thumb but these are working! It’s thrilling! I have a strange Mary Lennox garden witch-y feeling.
2.) Taco Bell at midnight post bookclub with a friend I haven’t seen in 3 months was simultaneously the best and worst idea last night. But I wouldn’t that experience for all the sleep in the world.
3.) I NOW HAVE A COUCH.
bonus “the Boy” treasure cause I know I’ll get asked: favorite thing this week was having him come up and see my new place all finished and him saying “it looks so Cozy. Like a girl lives here”
And playing music on our ukuleles together. Twenty One Pilots for him, folk and children’s songs for me 😂
‘Like a girl lives here’ means ‘smells better than my place’ 😂 I love him. ❤️
I live for updates on The Boy, and the uke duets have slain me.
Sarah the ukuleles have put me back in the bed. ❤️
😂
I love how invested we all are in the Boy! 😂
"Like a girl lives here." 😂
High praise from the Boy!!
Your boy updates make me want to get back on dating apps because wow that sounds lovely and although a lot of men can be trash I know there are some treasures out there :)
they are baby sprouting indoors right now, but hopefully when they go out to the yard next week they'll be safe from critters!
Lol 😂no real saga there. I just didn’t have a couch when I moved in. It’s very grownup-y feeling to have a complete living room 😂
Y'all.
Last week I could not get the substack thread to open AT. ALL. for a couple of days. I was super mature about it (lies). I didn't get to look at it until Wed or so, and by then felt like there was no point posting treasures until today. By the grace of the almighty, IT IS WORKING.
My treasure from last week was this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9OknBRiT94
Another l'il swiper shared a different video by The Worshicken last week (Good Grace, maybe?) and it. was. majestic.
My treasures this week:
1. Last weekend a college friend visited me. He is a furloughed Delta flight attendant, and I'll admit my anxiety was NOT SMALL about him coming via plane. That said, it was a good visit. He got some really good down time away from the stress. We looked at yearbooks, reminisced, ate, drank and were merry. Through sharing old yearbook photos with college buddies, we found out one of our crew was performing a going away recital for his church fam in San Juan and were able to tune in to the live performance. It was so fun!
2. I lost something really valuable last weekend and realized it Tuesday morning. I called my coronavirus family in tears, and one of the girls showed up on my doorstep within 45 min to LOOK THROUGH MY TRASH while I had to work. Still makes me cry, that level of friendship.
We found it. :)
3. A girl I've mentored since she was seventeen (she's 25) is moving to Wisconsin today. Tuesday evening we socially distanced to have one last IRL time together. She is one of my life's treasures, and I am so very proud of who she's become.
There is literally no feeling like finding something you lost.
I burst into ugly cry tears and I’m not sorry.
What a friend!!! Glad you found whatever was missing!
Thank you! I took a picture of her rifling through my trash so I would remember that love.
I love these treasures! So lovely and heartwarming!
So glad for lost things found! And human treasures to be proud of! 💛
She is indeed.
How did I not know about the Dudes? So many needed LOLs.
Pop culture: Lennon Stella's "Three Two One" album has been my go-to for when I need some good pop music that's both fun and poignant. She's come a long way since "Nashville" on ABC and I am so proud of her.
Anti-Racism: Latasha Morrison's "Be The Bridge" has been so educational and filled with the gospel. So thankful for her work. I've been discovering so many other good voices as well.
Personal life: I'm slowly opening up my quarantine circle and seeing two friends I haven't seen in a while. I'm not going crazy and going back to "normal" for a good long while, but we feel safe doing this just a little.
Love Latasha!
Also so need to look up Lennon's album as oof she was a lot on Nashville.
Every single song of hers is a gem. I so can’t wait until it’s safe for artists to tour again because she’s on my list. Happy listening!
Can we put all of those who want to share their Instagram handles here:
@erinmspatz78@gmail.com
Came in from this week to add here! Can't wait to follow you all! @britiney
also: @sawtoothcalligraphy
@seclark211 for photos of my family...mostly my children; @ksbooknerd for photos of books/bookish things.
@lpfinn
And sometimes I post books at @leah_reads_books (but not a lot:-)
@crittyjoy 💜
@jilliankmf
@barnold165
@liz_notsolemon
Yes!! I want to know all these friends! Mines @ericawillett_
Love this! I'm @sarahwhitneymoreau
@lindsaystadter
@phreneticmind
@lilly_beil
@coffeewithdanielle
Well not my email, duh!
@hannahlmyer
@sarahthelibrarygirl
My lil treasure this week was The Lazy Genius newsletter where Kendra shared the bonuses for preordering her book. I can’t wait for “ The Clean Slate: The Lazy Genius Guide to Keeping Your Home”
SAME. She is a rock star.
Need these lil treasures today! They will be good company on our 12+ hour road trip to see my family for the first time in six months (praise 🙌) (Also prayers cuz this is our first major drive with my boys (3 and 7 months 😅)).
Thanks for the reminder about the IVP promo. I got “Beyond Hashtag Activism” by Mae Elise Cannon. As someone who has been very passive in areas of social justice and politics (hello, privilege), I am refusing to fall into that old way from here on out. Learning about activism beyond sharing a social media post seems like a solid place for me to start.
I’ve been following Naomi O’Brien (@readlikearockstar) for a a little while now & she recently did a video with her 4-year-old son showing one of their talks about racism. It was eye-opening for me to see what her son understood, the questions he asked, and how Naomi responded to him. My conversations with my sons will look different, but it just goes to show that our kids need us to have these conversations with them. Learning to lean into this with wisdom and prayer. Here’s the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBDxfK_ApRG/?hl=en
Anyone watching the new season of Queer Eye?! UGH I just love it so much. The first two episodes were fantastic. I can’t get over Karamo’s t-shirts. Also, what I would do to ride a tandem bike with Antoni. Honestly.
Grateful for you, friends. Have a restful weekend 😌
Ps - not sure if everyone has shared their IG handles before, but I’d love to connect with y’all there too. Mine is @hannahlmyer 😊
Ohh I love that we are sharing iG handles I wondered if we had done it before. I’m @crittyjoy. 😁
Queer Eye is my emotional funnel. It's the main way I release emotions.
I SOBBED through the Yoko Japan ep. Just. Kept. Crying.
I've never seen a single episode of Queer Eye 🙈 But in my defence, I haven't had Netflix for very long. Should I binge it or spread it out a little?
It's genuinely so beautiful. You can't go wrong either way.
YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT. I’m actually jealous you get to experience it for the first time. It’s one of those shows that is 100% bingeable, but doesn’t have to be. I’m spreading out this new season - I never want it to end!
I'll have to watch it soon, I keep hearing good things. And I could use a good cry!
🙋🏼♀️ I’ve been watching QE while pumping and my insta handle is @lindsaystadter - let’s be friends!
Gah lovvvvve queer eye so much and cry so often. @erikalriggs :)
Another great resource for talking to your kids about race/racism is on @_heytra - she is a transracial adoptee who normally coaches and mentors transracial adoptees/adoptive families. She does story time on IGTV, and she also made free coloring sheets to accompany her most recent story (Something Happened in Our Town).
Oh wow, thank you so much for sharing. My brother is a transracial adoptee & he’s been on my mind constantly. Will definitely give her a follow.
The new season of Queer Eye IS SO GOOD. I really do feel like I saw a little bit of myself in each episode and felt really encouraged by each one. This show really does a fantastic show of reminding each other of our shared humanity. I think my favorite episode is the one with the pediatrician.
I will also say that Antoni is so hunky and tender I love him and his LANY tshirts so much.
How come Antoni's hands are...like...that? So...good.
Ah I haven’t seen the one with the pediatrician yet! Can’t wait to watch. Totally agree about seeing a bit of myself in each episode. 😭💗
Ugh yes. When Antoni cries, I cry.
OOOOH. T's & P's for 12 hours with littles. Hope your visit is really sweet and the roads are kind.
I'm @coffeewithdanielle, so when you see my follow, fear not! 'Tis I. :)
Thanks, Danielle! Will look out for your request ☺️
We were supposed to be taking a road trip to Colorado today, but it got postponed at the 11th hour. Instead my husband and oldest are driving to California with my in-laws to say goodbye to my husband's grandfather one last time, and I will be holding down the fort with my two littles. I am mostly sad for my kids, but also my FIL and husband as they say goodbye to the family patriarch.
Some gems:
1. Osheta Moore's morning Breath Prayers on IG are the balm my soul has needed all along.
2. The Night Manager on Amazon Prime. Do I like Tom Hiddleston now? I do know I love Olivia Colman now...
Hope you all have a beautiful weekend, wherever you are!
So so sorry for your family.
Tom Hiddleston is a treasure. Google his name + “dancing” and + “accents.” He’s one of my top 3. 🥰
It has been a week here - but this afternoon a friend sent me a video of her 2yr old saying hi and holding a get well sign. Wish I could share it with internet- but - you know - rules. Imagine all the sprinkles & unicorns of someone else’s cute child and toothy grin though and you have my treasure! My own stinkers are currently throwing tantrums because life is not faiirrrr 🤷🏻♀️just in case you think I’m bragging.
I currently live in Dallas, TX and will be driving up to Kansas City next week to visit my family which I haven't seen since Christmas. Typically, I would fly because flights are cheap and short but I still don't feel comfy sitting on a plane two inches away from a stranger, breathing the same air so I'll be driving 8 hours. I also am driving so that I can take a clock home that has been passed down from my grandparents to me. They just moved out of their house into an apartment and got rid of a lot of their things and I have sweet memories of winding all the clocks in their house with my Poppi so this is a very special item to be receiving from them!!
Anyway, would love any listening suggestions for my drive. I'm leaving Thursday so I'll definitely listen to the Popcast and also saving The More You Know. This is the first time I'll be driving this far by myself and I have an irrational fear of falling asleep at the wheel or my tire blowing out on the side of I-35...My plan is to listen through all of Hamilton to pass the time and to continue to listen to Harry Potter but if y'all have any music suggestions or podcast eps that are entertaining/can make me laugh lmk.
Some treasures this week:
-I tried a new flavor of Pellegrino this week and it was a summer delight - Pomegranate Black Currant. 10/10 recommend.
-Peonies are in season and available at my local Trader Joe's. I love these flowers so much.
-I'm addicted to Tik Tok and heard about this 10 minute ab workout from 4 years ago on YouTube and it's hard but also doable and has made me feel like I've been trying to make an effort to fight against my muscle atrophy from the last 3 months being at home. It's called Rebecca Louise's Washboard Abs or something like that.
If you love harry potter you could try the Binge Mode: Harry Potter podcast. There's multiple warnings at the beginning for spoilers and ADULT content, but if that doesn't bother you then it's super fun. They do a episode for every 3-5 chapters, and they're close to 2 hours each. Again, adult content warnings.
If you're open to audiobook recs, I'm halfway through Jessica Simpson's new memoir: Open Book. She narrates it and it is a delight!
When I moved to college from
Arlington, Texas to Columbia, Missouri (some the same stretch of I-35!) I had a line up of CDs of tons of songs I could sing along with to keep me awake on the 12 hour drive. So whatever you like to sing and know all the words to, do that! This was pre-podcast explosion. I mean I listened to one “before its time” podcast in 2007 all about Harry Potter, but that was pretty much all there was. So I got a lot of good car energy from mix CDs and the Hairspray soundtrack. (Zac Efron reference!)
Here for the Columbia, MO shout out! I went to school at Mizzou and 20 years later am still here in Columbia.
Love!! I graduated from the j-school in 2011.
Because of being home so much, my peonies in the yard were the best they’ve ever been this year. They have been a lovely gift! Enjoy yours from TJ! 😉
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast!! ⚡️ I’m listening from the beginning and it is so delightful and heartfelt. Have a great trip!
Oooh love this idea. Thanks!
This may be a bit much to share but I’m gonna any way... your muscle atrophy reminded me. I had my yearly lady appointment. Since I’ve given birth six times the doctor wanted to check my pelvic floor strength. She this by having me do a Kegel as hard as I can with her hand you know where. I’m giving it my all and she says anytime you’re ready! When I confess I’ve been doing it the whole time she laughs, like legit cracks up!! Nothing like having your doctor crack up at you while you’re spread eagle!!! I did giggle too. Moral of the story I get to go to pelvic floor therapy.
I have four kids and a trampoline, and it is a running joke how fast mommy gets off the trampoline the moment she gets on. I pee every time.
ME TOO!!!
This wins the Lil Turd award for the week 😂
😱😬😳😂 That's what I looked like reading your story!
This wins the internet this week.
What an honor! 😂
This made me giggle!! What a sight to be seen lololol
🤣 Oh noooo!! Glad you get to go to PT though!!
I’m really excited! A sneezing fit is my worst nightmare. Can’t wait to sneeze with out fear!
This also might be TMI, but the first time I got the stomach bug after birthing a baby, any time I threw up I peed my pants a little. 😫 it was awful. Thank god for pelvic floor PTs!
That’s the worst!!!
I’m so glad you’re going to PT!! And I’m so glad this is an issue doctors take seriously now!
Some kind of real fun! Whenever I need to one up my husband I just say well I make people, so there. It’s very third grade of me but it’s fine.
Tell her I said you’re welcome!
Omg!! I would be thrilled!!! That would crack me up!
Because you’ve seen him scratch things- so you’re even.
One of my favorite recent-ish podcast episodes was episode #654 This American Life- the Feather Heist. From the episode description- “ A flute player breaks into a British museum and makes off with a million dollars worth of dead birds.”
I've listened to that episode! Totally bizarre and intriguing
That was a great episode!!
That's a great one!
Amazing. I am v intrigued.
It’s the bizarro true crime that I am always here for.
You know, I’ve always said I’m not a fan of true crime because I don’t need to hear/see all the real-life violence, but I forget that “crime” encompasses a wide range of misdeeds. Bizarro robberies and (ahem) white collar crime are *exactly* what I’d love. Thanks for the reminder!
Have you ever listened to the Criminal podcast? Some of it is violent but some of it is white collar or bizarre! I enjoy it.
I’ve not looked into that podcast. Thanks!
The Libby app has loads of audio books for FREE!!!
Okay this may be a dumb question, but do I have to have a library membership to use the Libby app??
Yes. And as someone who has been banned from the public library in four states I had to use a friends library card to use the app. 😉
As a librarian I’m intrigued by this 😂 what did you DO?! 😂
Welllll what had happened was... my grandma was a librarian so I had the late fee hook up. Well she retired. Then I racked up a few late fees in Florida where I grew up. Never paid them. Moved to North Carolina- same thing. Georgia- did it again. Moved to South Carolina, this time I didn’t do anything but they “allege” that I borrowed $200 worth of books that I didn’t borrow because they are books I’d never read. So my card has been flagged. But jokes on all of them. I wrote a book and it’s in the library of Congress! So ha!!
😂😂😂 this is awesome! I'm one that waits for my letter in the mail that basically threatens all manner of evil if I don't return the books that are three months late
AMAZING. Love the librarian grandma connection. 😂
I love that you have that special memory with your Poppi!
I listened to the Lazy Genius bonus episode with Courtney Clark Cleveland today. Their laughs made me laugh! Worth trying?
Hi Lillian! I find Fanny Flagg books on audible to be a very happy companion to my road trips. She's a delight, and there is always joy to be found in her books.
Podcast Recs: Office Ladies Pod (I didn't even watch The Office, but I love Jenna and Angela); The Ringer Binge Mode Harry Potter (language and adult content, but their deep dives in HP are really, really great).
Peonies are one of my faves, too!
Same re: peonies!
I really need to get on the Office Ladies Pod! Thanks for the reminder :) also a podcast to accompany my HP readings is great!!
I’ve never been this early to Lil Treasures and I am so excited! Wow, seeing oddly blond Zac Efron on a greenway was such an unexpected treasure. One of my greatest treasures this week is this grandma rating hot celebrity men—it is a whole mood: https://vm.tiktok.com/J1d3JQA/
I am also so jealous of that Lizzo dream and wish I could live that out IRL. I’ve been to a couple of protests over the past 2 weeks and I’m trying to read an advocate the best I can, listening to as many voices as possible.
I’ve also started my virtual church internship which has involved making several cold phone calls this week to church members—including the church’s FIRST African American member, an 82 y/o woman who joined in 1971, is a deacon and called me back around 10pm because she spent the previous several *hours* in prayer. And I got added to her daily devotional text that she writes and I just want her to be my spiritual director, that is all. ❤️
The way she starts out with the kiss to Michael B. is MY FAVORITE.
Hooray for all the grandmas - tik tok and parishioners alike. :)
That grandma video 😂😂 So hilarious.
And the deacon (deaconess? We don’t have them in my church so I don’t know what the proper title is 🤦🏻♀️) sounds like an amazing woman!
I love that grandma...what an inspiration.
This weeks treasure involves remembering how life giving it is to sit at the beach with dear friends and family. Doing two hard and scary things this week. 1.) telling a friend that she hurt my feelings and having the best conversation about it. 2.) Writing and turning in a column about racism, something I’ve never written about- I’m terrified but I wrestled with it hard and covered it in prayer.
Within the last hour I've sent a message to a friend I feel is bull-dozing me, even though her intent is to take something off my plate. Still waiting for her response, and feeling v much in touch with my fourteen year old self. Kudos to you for doing the work - both in relationships and anti-racism.
Oh the wait is the worst!!!!
GO GIRL. So glad the conversation with your friend went well. It is a beautiful thing when conflict & confrontation help our relationships deepen. That is some grace right there 🙏
The amount of pep talking I needed is embarrassing. But thank you!!
Congrats!!
You did a thing!!!!! Congratulations!!!
Song of Achilles has been my "fall asleep" audiobook for the past three months and I love it!
Yes, 10,000 Doors of January!
I’m deeply considering deleting both my Facebook and Instagram accounts for that exact reason. Thank you.
There is zero reason to have a Facebook. Do it!!
*slow clap*
You win... bon rabbitit! 😂😂
Bon Rabbitit! I die! 😂
Dana! Dead!! 🦊
LOVE that movie
Truly lol’d when I read this comment.
<3 <3 <3 Lily! thank you for sharing and thinking of you
What a sweet story about the crepe myrtle. I’m praying for your new house! Also, gonna try you lemon cello drink jack. It’s my new favorite flavor.
Lily, this brought tears to my eyes! ❤
Lily, I have been reading but never commenting on here. I am just guarded on social media, I guess? But I just wanted to tell you that you have the most lovely “voice.” I would devour a book of your short stories!
I agree! Lily your stories are just so beautiful and I get teary eyed very week reading them!
Oh I agree! I need a book about your parents. Short vignettes in each chapter? I would DEVOUR it.
And I feel honored to read small parts of your story here once a week!
Lily, I saw the pic of the crepe myrtles on IG and literally teared up.
You do tell the best stories, even in grief.
So stoked for this new home, and the timing of it. Just feels kinda like providence, doesn't it? There can't be "coincidences" that intricate. I just don't believe it.
“Green Side Up” - this is perfect. And it made me cry a little. I’ve always been not so secretly jealous of families that had sayings like this. My dad passed in 2013, but the only thing I can remember him saying with some frequency is, “catches catch can” which would be odd for a grave marker. 🤣 thanks for sharing, Lily, and congrats on your house!!
Isn’t it strange the things families say? My dad always said, “I seeee, said the blind man who couldn’t see a wink.” 😳 It’s the stupidest thing but since my dad passed away I’ve been saying it religiously. 🤷🏻♀️ Families are funny.
Perfect!!
I love your stories of your family, Lily. Thank you for sharing them with us ❤️
And 🙌🙌🙌 for the house!! We had a similar situation a few years ago- we were in the midst of a really hard season of life and God gave us the house I had been dreaming about for years and thought would never be able to happen. I love living in such a tangible reminder of His goodness to us and the way He cares for our hearts.
Jacki, literally teared up at the sentence “I love living in such a tangible reminder of His goodness to us and the way He cares for our hearts.” 😭💖
This is so beautiful, Lily. Thank-you for sharing.
And AMEN to Limoncello La Croix. Summer delight.
Thank you for sharing such beauty & hope today, Lily! He is already hugging her 😭😭 I love that so much. And congrats on the house! 🥳
I second the Limoncello - it took some getting used to for me, but I’m totally on board. I also LOOOVE Coconut with a slice of lime. It tastes like pure summer to me.
What does a Limincello actually taste like? 🧐
I know how to spell limOncello. 🤦🏻♀️ Stupid fat fingers.
It is my favorite—limoncello definitely tastes like summer!
Coconut?!? Where have I been?!? Yum!
Coconut is my favorite!!! And if you can find the Polar brand, their toasted coconut is even better! So refreshing.
It totally tastes like sunscreen. I can’t stand behind it.
I have spent my adult life looking for a perfume that smells like sunscreen! ❤️
LOL maybe that’s why it tastes like summer to me 🤣
Why I haven't muddled more fruit in my sparkling drinks is beyond me but this reminded me to do such a thing!!!! Game changing.
And if you buy spindrift, they do it for you... but charge you for it. It’s so good though!
I muddle cucumber and vodka into mine...
THE HERO WE ALL NEED!!!
Genius!!
Oh how lovely!!! Your parents are legit going to bloom where they’ve been planted! What a gift your new home is, a place to direct your focus. ❤️