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Lindsay's avatar

Somehow George Michael's FREEDOM has become a daily dance party in our house. We blast it over a speaker when our kids least expect it, and they light up because they know its time for a quick* dance party.

*Joke is on us, because the remastered version on Spotify is actually 6:29 which feels like 10 days when you're picking kids up and swinging them around in circles. For the other 23 hours and 53 minutes of our day, I'm on that emotional roller coaster with you, Erin! Productive, unable to form a complete sentence, productive, repeat.

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Erin Seaman's avatar

This guy’s Mary Poppins Coronavirus parody is pure gold!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ykieEE1j9eA

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Rebecka's avatar

I tried really hard to write about how I was feeling this week and then I managed to delete the entire comment. I guess I wasn't meant to share my negativity this week! 😂

Anyway, some people recreated famous paintings using stuff from their homes and the results were pretty great. https://www.sadanduseless.com/recreated-art/?fbclid=IwAR21EZD4y4WqPBTwHabFTv5iXeI3poyFBXlsBJApRACIS-r8iF6tRJt1Q-g

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Erika Riggs's avatar

- Cherry blossoms blooming!!

- This card: https://unblushing.com/product/doomsday/ For all snail mail sends

- my daughter learning to spin and spinning until she falls over and stumbles around like a drunken sailor (she's almost 2)

- instant pot Mac n cheese https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-mac-and-cheese

- making no-knead bread 3x a week so now we're out of yeast (it's coming but just backordered) which has made it so I'm attempting to make yeast from raisins... because making bread is a priority over everything else.

- Downloaded this flag to color in and put in our window (you can also buy it to support WHO) https://oxfordpennant.com/collections/best-sellers/products/together-we-will-see-it-through-camp-flag-oxford-pennant-original

- also nightly baths while watching Love is Blind. I'm sad Jamie + Knox aren't recapping this... because I have so many thoughts. First of all, they only drink wine out of gold cups. In like every episode. Why is this?

hang in there everyone. Love from Seattle <3

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Erin Seaman's avatar

If you don’t mind posting your address, I’ll mail you a packet of yeast. 😊

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Danielle's avatar

You offering to do this made me cry, because apparently my default for pandemic survival is upping my laundry game and crying at every kind thing.

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Lindsay Stadter's avatar

Last contribution: one of the only good mom groups I'm in on Facebook had a thread going the other day letting us all vent our embarrassing, petty, dumb things we miss during This Time. For example, the freedom to go to Target and wander around for 20-45 minutes. I think we all found it very therapeutic to be able to vent our stupid things freely, all obviously knowing there are Bigger Things out there to be concerns about.

Feel free to share yours -- mine is that I will never be able to catch up on podcasts without my morning get-ready routine and commute, and I am really sad that I may not be able to work through my list of grown-up shows I wanted to watch during maternity leave if my toddler is home instead of at daycare.

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Victoria's avatar

Yes! My headphones broke last week, so my 'not appropriate for small children' podcasts are just piling up on my phone.

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Lindsay's avatar

I second the grieving of podcast time! I don't watch much TV, so podcasts feel like the bare minimum ask. Its something I can listen to WHILE driving, or doing dishes, or cleaning. Driving is now out, clearly, so there goes a solid 20 minutes of uninterrupted time. And while I've been doing a LOT of dishes and cleaning, its like my 2 kids know exactly when I press "play" on my favorite podcast and suddenly they have 1,038 immediate needs. Its so hard!

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Lindsay Stadter's avatar

1. Why has no one mentioned John Mayer's return to his Instagram Live talk show -- Current Mood: The Gentle Hours?! The Drone Shot of my Yacht song was stuck in my head all week.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-YGR-UFH_M/?utm_source=ig_embed

2. We finally jumped on the Schitt's Creek bandwagon and it is the perfect pandemic antidote

3. Whoever recommended Joanna Gaines' banana bread a few weeks ago -- thank you! Made it twice. So delish.

4. My son calls hamburgers "hangaburrs" and it's adorable.

5. Fun activity I made up is slowly walking around the neighborhood to see what kind of "animals" (lawn decorations) our neighbors all have. On our street and the next we have found so many sculptures and my son loves to go out and look for them and ask them how they are doing -- lizards, easter eggs, ducks, bunnies, frogs, a rooster, a bulldog... like... lots of people have animal sculptures in their flower beds haha. It's a good way to kill 15-30 minutes.

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Hannah Myer's avatar

So glad you enjoyed Joanna’s recipe!! 💗🙌

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Erika Riggs's avatar

I've been making it, too! SO good and easy.

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Jenna's avatar

Omg Erin this one was maybe the best yet. I cried reading Coach Taylor’s speech, but not sad tears, cleansing tears. The relief of THIS IS WHAT WE NEEDED during this time. I’m not going to lie i will need a follow up episode to that speech 😭. Also thanks for the lawmaker info. I live in WA state and am scathing at how all the stores here keep getting masks and gloves in stock? I am ALL for freedom but for the love why on earth are we still funneling these through retail chains? It’s insanity. We were the outbreak state and we still have no supplies and are light years behind everyone else in testing. I’m buying the holy yearly planner from that site, wooden prayer crosses, and printing off the Holy Week guide (former Lutheran here who has missed the church calendar and why I love the info you create and provide!) thank you!!!! Ps tik tok might be happening former dancer here but my 7 yr old says there’s bad things on there and is worried about me 🤗 🤣🤣

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Lindsay Stadter's avatar

I was going to share that Vulture article! It was so perfect. And the TikTok of Kylo Ren doing HSM3 KILLED ME. I just told my husband we need to watch the HSMs during This Time since he tragically has not seen ANY of them.

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Tracey Clem's avatar

Good morning, Fellow Swipes!

I am generally avoiding news like the plague (ha!), so, probably like many of us, spending way too much time on IG looking for nuggets of joy. Here are a few:

1. Elizabeth Holmes (@eholmes) recaps the fashion of the Royals, namely Kate and Meghan. She rewatched Kate and Will's wedding on YT, and IG storied it. It's gorgeous and happy and delightful.

2. @samsonthedood is a Goldendoodle who lives in CT with 2 other doodles and a baby. The pics of the baby sleeping on the dog kill me. It is the content our souls need.

3. @dnice and his #clubquarantine live dj'ing is so fun. Great music, great vibe. He does slow jams later at night, and it is a MOOD. Get some in your life.

4. It has been mentioned here before, but worth a double down. John Krasinski and his news show SGN (Some Good News) is all that is right in the world. And frankly, I'm not sure there is a more charming person on the globe. Maybe his wife. The whole section where he talks to Steve Carell is GOLD.

5. Yesterday I gave in and signed up for the Bible Binge Seminary to go with my BFOTS status. I am all in with PMG content, and apparently need more Erin Moon in my life (duh). Also, as I'm sitting here new BFOTS content dropped - recapping Tiger King and I am HERE FOR IT.

May your afternoons be short and your happy hour be long!

(Hmmm, thinking THAT should be my new sign off...

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Hannah Myer's avatar

Penny & Sparrow’s Live EP is literally getting me through the day. I will play it ALL. DAY. 🙏

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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

So Tennessee is objectively the worst, and because we started moving around MORE after a stay-at-home "suggestion" we're now finally under a mandate that should have happened two weeks ago. I apparently am an "essential employee" as a librarian and am not allowed to work from home. its chill i think, but the lack of good communication in our local leadership had me frustrated yesterday so that when I got home from work I lay in the grass in the sunshine (thank GOD) in my front yard feeling my feelings to music while the boy tried to be social-distantly affectionate over text to make me feel better. ("i'd say come hang out at my house but like government orders and stuff." BLESS HIM. also its gonna be a long month).

BUT I am NOTHING if not a resourceful, imaginative person, and if I have to travel with a letter delaring my essentialness incase I get stopped and questioned, Im gonna make the MOST of it. After a conversation with my sisters over group chat, I decided that if I have to carry papers like a french resistance spy or 1800's parollee, I will DRESS the part. I'm now sitting at my lonely desk, with a chic pixie pant, understated provencial top, audrey hepburn ballet flats and a freakin' cloche. I will LIVE the pandemic movie of my life, THANK you very much! Now, I BETTER get to use those papers or whats the point of all this drama? (and yes, I have a VERY strong 4 wing in case you wondered)

anyway. storytime over. may your personal pandemic movies be as chill or exciting as you want them to be.

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Erin Seaman's avatar

So cute! Also, I need books to read. I did not stockpile enough. Any suggestions for lovers of Harry Potter, Mysterious Benedict Society, The Penderwicks, Narnia, etc...?

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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

oohh... Hmm. If you can get your hands on them through your digital library or kindle/audible - my go-to recs right now are some of my childhood comfort reads, which would slot right in with what you like - The Gone Away Lake Books by Elizabeth Enright are magical... The Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace are like warm tomato soup and grilled cheese for the heart. Ooh. and if you want a deeper thoughtful read - I keep thinking of Wind in the Door - the second in the Time Quintet by Madeline L'Engle. That could be a booster shot of love and courage in this time!

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Erin Seaman's avatar

Awesome! Thanks!

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Megan's avatar

I love it!! Our libraries all closed weeks ago - so yours are all still open?

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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

closed to the public - answering phones (this *is* actually giving me life and purpose when help someone track down food service for their kids) and working on summer plans and painting EVERY possible surface with chalkboard paint!

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Victoria's avatar

Our library is offering online pickup-ish, where you can reserve books and pick them up outside, with no return dates yet. It's the best.

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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

We were doing that! but we decided to stop under current state mandates.

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Rebecka's avatar

That sounds like the cutest outfit!

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Tracey Clem's avatar

Sarah! All of this is a delight!! We need pics of the pandemic ensemble! I feel like i had "Do You Hear the People Sing" playing in the background as I read your post!

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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

not to self-promote- but they're in my insta stories right now - @sarahthelibrarygirl 💛😃

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Sarah Clark's avatar

Those shoes!!!! I love them so much!

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Tracey Clem's avatar

That hat!!! 😍

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Tracey Clem's avatar

**runs to instagram.**

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Apr 3, 2020
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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

YUP. 😂😂😂

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Danielle's avatar

Glory.

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Apr 3, 2020
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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

ooh... I'm getting near that point too...

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Melissa G's avatar

Greetings from MN....

1. I survived our first week of distance learning with my sons (Max: 13 & Lincoln: 7). Today the kids would have had the day off from actual school so they didn't do curriculum for the middle schooler. He is so happy. It's like, dude, you've had a whole 4 days of "work" that basically keeps him busy until lunch. But hey, he's happy which helps lower our household stress.

2. Letter writing is bringing me joy. Lincoln and I have been very invested in this. To anyone who's sent me a letter or Lincoln a letter. Believe me, you are LOVED. If you want another pen pal or want a letter from a 7 year old or have kids who want to write outside of Erin's awesomely arranged pairings, please email me: mellemo@gmail.com.

3. Having the "big talk" with my boss about my availability in the office next week (we have alternating weeks of being in and out.), he is letting me only come in M/W/F for afternoons. That is a blessing. I was worried about having to be there FT all week because there is no way my husband (who's also WFH) could manage the distance learning needs on his own. I'm trying to keep my chill every 2 weeks that our company hasn't had any lay-offs (yet) and keep grateful for that.

4. Yes, I've watched Tiger King. Yes I think they are all terrible people. Yes I think Carole did what everyone says she did.

5. Going to watch the Project Runway-esque show with Tim Gunn & Heidi Klum on Amazon. While I have a mix of feelings about Amazon, I do miss Tim Gunn in my life. I have yet to watch any of the ps yet, I think this weekend will be when I catch-up.

6. Doing my nails is my new weekly treat. Having Lincoln pick out my colors is also fun.

7. Video calls, why did we hate on facetime before the 'Tine? It's a delight.

Well time for Math class. ;)

Be well everyone!

Mel

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Danielle's avatar

Read your letter last night before bed and grinned so many times, and laughed out loud enough to startle the cat!

Mad props on your adulting skills this week. You did all that AND made homemade tomato soup. I just stared at your email and said “she didn’t mention any measurements or quantities. How does she do that???” But it’s in your genes!

🥇 🥇🥇

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Melissa G's avatar

Oh yes, I should state, when I cook I'm really not a measurererrrrrr (lol), which is why I'm not the best at baking because I forget there you have to be precise.

But with my "tomato" soup, its really all about just tossing in a little bit of all the red/orange veggies. I know in my head not to lean too heavily towards some of the other veggies more than others because then they take the flavor lead. The can of tomato paste (the one thing I guess that is measurable) helps mingle all the flavors together. :)

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Emily Geldmeier's avatar

Oh my goodness, "Making the Cut" will exceed your expectations. I didn't know how much I had missed Tim Gunn until I saw him get emotional after looking at that week's designs and was like, "THAT is how you champion people!"

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Melissa G's avatar

I can't wait!! I have tried to watch the most recent Project Runway (I didn't even finish S1 of the new version) but I did watch s2 and it was better (mainly the contestants didn't make me want to punch people.

But yes Making the Cut is on my weekend list since I don't have to lead distance learning :)

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Erika Riggs's avatar

Tim Gunn is what the world needs right now. If he could just encourage us all, too, preferably while wearing his dapper suits.

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Melissa G's avatar

Started ep 1, wow there are some personalities on this show! And huh, so they design and sort of plan it but the seamstresses sew it. That's, interesting. Although I saw this year on Project Runway they also alluded to seamstresses here and there.

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Ashley H.'s avatar

Guys, I am sad (or proud?) to say I'm 30-something and I don't understand TikTok. BUT DANG, THOSE WERE GOOD. Now I'm trying to figure out how to share the Phil Collins one on my Insta stories but I have no idea how. Ha!

I've been doing embroidery like crazy (I started day 1 of quarantine) and I'm loving @thebarmyfix on insta. It's a great activity to keep my hands and mind busy when I get super upset/anxious/want to run screaming out of my home because I can't take it any longer.

I also decided I (the girl who cannot use a sewing machine) to learn to make masks with a borrowed machine. It's going as well as you might think, but again, it's something to do!

This is rough, but cue HSM..."we're all in this together.."

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Ashley H.'s avatar

@thebarmyfox

#fail

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Megan's avatar

That Coach Taylor speech got me good!! And I have watched and shared that exact same TikTok so many times!! I also find this one hilarious. It’s the deep sigh, the way he turns and looks at her - it makes me laugh so hard!! (Posting link)

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Rebecka's avatar

That look! So good.

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Megan's avatar

That look is everything!

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Annette Silveira's avatar

That man hitting all the notes of the drum solo made my day. Whenever that song plays on my favorite classic rock station I am eagerly anticipating my own air-drum solo.

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Allie McDade's avatar

I’m sitting alone in my office and I literally said “oh my God” out loud at the cabinet tweet and the TikTok fall. I then watched 3 more times. I love some quality content like this. Also tiger king. I need more joe memes

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Megan's avatar

The Tiger King memes are the best!

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Brianna B's avatar

Dang...that Coach Taylor speech. My heart forever belongs to Eric Taylor (ok, and Tim Riggins, but that’s just like a rule or something).

I had a coworker that had to be in the office briefly yesterday offer to water the little plants I have at my desk! I’ve been so sad about them dying since I can’t water them. It’s the little things y’all.

Also, learning alternative ways to cook eggs must be the thing to do during a pandemic. I learned to poach eggs last weekend and it was amazing!! Alton Brown’s YouTube video was the ticket.

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shawna's avatar

Steadily adding to my loungwear wardrobe, first it was $7 pastel tye dye joggers from walmart, now this magical wonder Check out this item at Target https://www.target.com/p/women-39-s-leopard-print-lounge-playsuit-colsie-8482-gray-l/-/A-78603977

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Caroline Wallace's avatar

We have an almost 2 year old and a 4 month old, so I know they won’t really remember these times. BUT I am trying to do things with them so we can look back. Wanted to pass them along to anyone! We started doing a Thankful Chain. A paper chain we add to every day that includes something we are thankful for. Super fun and easy and reminds me to be thankful for all of the little things.

Also- a friend sent me this. I haven’t read through it all yet but looks like a good resource! https://www.dropbox.com/s/po5rmhnau24vcg4/2020%20Covid-19%20time%20capsule%20sheets.pdf?dl=0

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Tammy's avatar

I loved that dad in the kitchen video too... I return the favor with the mom version: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-f4p5fJNVJ/

hang in there everyone!

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Rebecka's avatar

😂😂😂

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Tracey Clem's avatar

Hahahaha!!!

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Mady's avatar

My win was Kendra’s recipe for homemade creamy tomato sauce on her The Lazy Genius blog. It’s so simple to make, and the flavor is amazing. I used it with Naptime Kitchen’s Two M Summer Pasta recipe.

I’m almost 37 weeks pregnant and am a stay at home mom of a 3 year old, but I’ve never been at home THIS much. Going outside has been a life saver for my mood and sanity. There was one yucky day this week where we didn’t go outside, and I could really feel it. But I’ve been cooking and baking so much more than normal, and I honestly enjoy it. Apparently, I’m not the only one drawn to banana bread. 😂

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Lindsay Stadter's avatar

We've made banana bread every week, lol.

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Jinny's avatar

Has anyone purchased the little war chapel devotional? My kids are 4 and 2, and though it says 12 and under, I’m wondering if it would still be too “old” for them?

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Sarah Clark's avatar

It was a weird week emotionally for me. We've been spending a lot of time outside in the nice weather, but today Kansas decided to dump freezing rain on us so it's adding to the lethargy.

Some joy from the week:

This video of Disney characters stuck in quarantine made me laugh so hard: https://youtu.be/iVC01GxFwDg

Reading aloud to my kids - we've been working through MY favorite books as a kid: The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, and next we're going to do The Indian in the Cupboard. It's been so fun revisiting these favorite characters.

I haven't watched yet, but super excited that National Theater is doing "At Home" showings of theater:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDq1XzCY0NIOYVJvEMQjqw

The new Bible Binge Seminary episodes called Favored or Forsaken - for real, Erin, I loved this conversation you guys had so much. The insights about Miley and Hailey and their conversations were <chef's kiss>.

Finally, the restaurant in town that serves my absolute favorite cocktail is closed temporarily, but they shared the recipe on their IG complete with pretty illustrations, and you better believe I sent my husband out into the wilderness to get all the supplies: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-fYAa9hLVo/

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Victoria's avatar

I KNOW!!! I had to take our puppy outside this morning and it was 24 degrees. I've lived here 8 years and I will never understand KS weather. Gave up and let my kids watch tv all morning, its so cold.

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Sarah Clark's avatar

We've been playing Wii most of the day. And I saw snow and got mad.

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Melissa G's avatar

We had freezing rain overnight in MN too. We went from 50s-60s to now 27? Like come on!!!!

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Sarah Clark's avatar

Right??? Go home, winter; you're drunk.

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Megan's avatar

That Disney video was awesome!!

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Rebecka's avatar

That Disney video! Amazing.

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Liz Burleigh's avatar

Again, I cannot love you better than to say, go to Abi Ayres insta account and watch her stories for some lolz and that good ole internet hug feel

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Apr 3, 2020
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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

Congrats on those 1300 words!

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Lindsay Stadter's avatar

I have more than once in These Weeks told my toddler, "Well, Mommy is going to go outside whether you join me or not," when he fights me and just wants to watch TV all day. He usually comes out within a minute of my going.

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Sarah Clark's avatar

I, too, went outside by myself this week and let my hooligans fend for themselves inside. It is gorgeous out, why you hating on going outside, children??

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Megan's avatar

We have one of those training potties as well and I would 1000% use it during this time. Solidarity sister!

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Lindsay Stadter's avatar

I was also going to recommend Some Good News with John K <3

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Rebecka's avatar

"Good job Mommy!!" Oh, that was really funny.

I'm sorry you're going through a hard time.

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Sarah (@sarahthelibrarygirl)'s avatar

the potty. you are a genius!

I'm so so sorry for what you're going through with your mom. <3

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Tracey Clem's avatar

Oh, Lily. I'm so sorry. My husband and I were talking about how unfair it seems that other heartbreaking things are still happening while we're all trying to deal with the 'Rona. I'm with you on both Leslie Jordan and John Krasinski. That whole section when he's talking to Steve Carell?? I died. All the tears.

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Mady's avatar

That potty story will be especially great to share years from now, looking back on this crazy time.

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Sarah Clark's avatar

I'm so sorry you're going through all this with your mom right now.

Genius with the potty!

Ah, I do love John Krasinski - thanks for the share.

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Apr 3, 2020
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Danielle's avatar

I’m so sorry Lily. That’s just plain tough.

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