šHello friends. I am sitting down with you right now, a Some Call Me Crunchy lavender candle burning and a cup of tea (with whiskey!). My kids are in bed, Ben is reading upstairs, and the house is the kind of quiet that only comes when 3/5 of the members are in REM sleep.
How are we doing? I know some of you are in the midst of profound heartbreak, and I am so sorry. I really am. I canāt get away from this quote my friend Andee shared on her feed the other day. I know some of you are in the hurricane. Sending all the love and prayers and candle-lighting possible through these digital airwaves.
EDIT: I forgot Andee was private, so hereās the screenshot of her post (itās borrowed from someone else, and she gives permission to share):
On that note, some of you asked post-Lent/Holy Week if I had anything else in the same format available, and in response to that, I just re-released a 10-day devotional called The Comfortable Words. Itās for people who feel like the darkness is winning, and boy howdy, if thatās not prescient, I donāt know what is. Of course, Lil Swipes always get the biggest discount code with SWIPEUP at checkout, and if you want to gift it to a friend, you just have to enter their email address at checkout. But if your budget is in no position to be spending right now, and you would like the study, Iād love to send it to you for free. Just email me at hello@erinhmoon.com - you donāt have to explain or prove you need it in any way - and weāll get you sorted out.
Okay thatās that on that.
Iād love to take the least scientific survey in the history of humankind and ask if youāve felt the need to say yes or no more in this season. What have you said yes to, what are you saying no to? How does that make you feel? When all this started, I said no to pretty much everything that wasnāt very basic, but Iām feeling the need to return to some sort of normalcy, and wondering how all that will play out. Thank you in advance for this social sciences survey run by a former theater major.
Hereās some lil treasures from this week. As always, cannot wait to discover what youāve been loving!
šFirst a couple of Instagram treasures: Peter Sowell, whose daughter you might remember from getting āyipstickā from āHomie Depotā a few months ago, does a little Sunday morning interview with her right after she wakes up and it never fails to make me smile.
š„THANK YOU to everyone who pointed me towards @iamtabithabrown - I adore her even though I will never eat carrot bacon.
šIf you are a huge fan of morbid royalty stories, have you checked out the Noble Blood podcast? They are short, informative, and delightfully sad from a good distance away.
š§š»āāļøMy exercise right now consists of walking thirty minutes a day and then doing whatever Yoga with Adriene video I can that allows me to stay seated the entire time. Do recommend.
š”I was never a NKOTB fan (not because I donāt like them, but Iām so YOUNG, you see), but this single they dropped (all recorded remotely) slaps. The whole crib IS a club, y'all. Tag yourself, Iām Mark trying to act like his kids are good dancers. Also Joey is very cute.
š¶None of us are savages, we all loved Mandy Patankin in The Princess Bride. But you will revive that love after watching him lose his ever-loving mind when a journalist has to leave to attend the birth of his first child. Weirdly, I also cried?
Okay. Thatās it from me. Canāt wait to hear from you. Happy weekend!
P.S. Oh! I almost forgot! Iām doing an Instagram Live slumber party with my beloved Courtney Cleveland tonight around 8pm CST so come hang out with us!
Iām trying to say yes more to admitting when I need my people (a FaceTime, day update, funny gif, whatever). As someone with a crippling fear of rejection who loves being needed and hates needing, this has often been a struggle, but my need is so great and the stakes are so low relative to everything else going on.
I've been saying yes to waaaaay more TV than I normally watch, snacks I don't normally eat and desserts I don't normally crave. Understandably so, I've also said yes to elastic, spandex and all forms of unencumbered cotton clothing.
I have also been saying yes to a daily (socially distanced) walk with my neighbor at noon on workdays. It's been nice to get outside, have contact with another human and feel like I'm taking care of myself just a little bit in that way.
My television said no to being alive and died today. Dear baby Jesus, Imma need best buy or Target or SOMEONE to have a ding dang television I can purchase, plug in and use by tonight, because I AM SAYING NO TO A PANDEMIC WITHOUT A TV. Sweet and tender mercies from heaven. It would be too much.
I am feeling quite lost right now, to be honest. I love my job but also my supervisor has made it clear that using my FMLA will cause me to lost opportunities. This isn't right I know but I don't know what to do because anyone who goes to HR usually leaves soon after because nothing gets done. I feel so discouraged and sad. Today a job opportunity for my dream school to work at came in my email but it would mean my husband leaving a job he just got and LOVES. I could look into other universities around GA but I just don't know. So today I am just sad.
I am saying a lot of yes to small things like spending more time marco poloing with friends because it means catching up in a different way than we are used to but it's good. We still have really good conversations and some are really deep. In a lovely way. I am so glad this app exists. I also say a lot of Nos to things like anything with people which makes me sad. I haven't been to a store in a month and a half and I haven't seen my family for that long. My mom wanted to come over but she has been with other people so we had so say no. I was bummed. It is hard to see people go out and ignore the rules and me be stuck at home. BLURGH.
Also, my favorite hobby, reading, has been hard to do lately. That makes me sad.
Also, Erin, that quote you shared from your friend on Insta. She is private... could you share a snapshot with us because I would love to see it as it has been a rough week.
The good. My nieces in pictures. I love that my SIL shares with me.
My husband let me splurge and got me AirPods and I LOVE them.
I cannot get enough of talking to my friends on Marco polo!
I still love some Instagram. It's my social media hiding place. I follow no one who gets me down!
We started summer hours at work so on Friday's I get off at noon. Woot. Woot!
This lovely little group. It's fantastic and I love encouraging y'all!
That Stanley Tucci article was amazing and took me down a rabbit hole of R. Eric Thomas's other articles on Elle. I am stockpiling his romcom reviews to read later as I start my movie-watching quarantine journey. I made a note on my phone (my favorite things to do) titled "Does It Hold Up?" followed by a list of favorites I haven't seen in 5-10 years. This weekend is time to dive in and then read Eric's reviews :)
I'd like to say no to schooling and just let my kids enjoy what will be a 6 month summer break but alas....
We have discovered Cards Against Humanity Family Edition. It has been a treasure of laughter and giggles. Kid friendly as long as you don't mind a lot of reference to poop. They released it as a print at home version for free but I will be paying real cash money when it comes out in stores. Whenever that will be.
1.) I have chalkboard painted every feasible surface in my library at this point in Quarantine "essential" library work. This means I can now create chalk outlines on my desk for organizational purposes. In exerting order in this way, I am fighting against all the other chaos in my life.
2.) some of my library babies called me last night to sing their abc's and talk about minecraft and say "I love you." It felt so good to be remembered and loved on even as a non-family member! <3
I too have found myself saying yes more to things that I would have convinced myself I didnāt have time for or shouldnāt do bc of this or that. Yes, I can have happy hour on the back porch every evening and watch the sunbeams through the trees. Yes to morning baths bc- uh thereās time for that now. Yes to afternoon walks with my MIL. This is making me realize how important and needed being kind to myself is. Not in a super indulgent way but with the ānoiseā clear Iām actually listening to what my body and mind need.
My little treasure this week has been Rick Braggās book: My Southern Journey. They are short essays about life in the south and make me smile so wide reading them. There are true and funny but not in that cliche way that everyone else describes living down here. It has been a delight and given me more appreciation for home.
Saying yes to all the new recipes, especially the ones my teenagers are picking out--The Barefoot Contessa's marshmallows are on the agenda this weekend!
I've been saying yes to my kids more, and I think it's because I haven't had to say yes to anyone else. I feel like I actually have the energy to help install the slack line in the back yard, and field questions about cooking projects. I know our family is extraordinarily privileged to not be concerned about finances or jobs right now, and to own a comfortable house with a big yard. But our circumstances are making this Stay at Home order a really nice respite from our regular, suburban lives.
Survey says: I am saying yes more to shopping local, playing board games with my kids, going for walks with my family in the evenings, Zoom get togethers. Nos - there haven't been a ton, but when reflecting on it, I am saying no to doing menial tasks for my kids that they can handle and no to good things that feel just too overwhelming right now.
Little joys this week:
1. I jumped on the Some Good News bandwagon this week and even though I cry every episode, I love it so much. I think am near tears through the whole thing because it looks like John Krasinski is sometimes just barely holding it together, and seeing men in touch with their emotions gets me every time (first episode where Steve Carell was near tears? BAWLING.)
I've been loving staying in with Kumail and Emily podcast. Kumail Nanjani (silicon valley) and his wife are doing a podcast while we are all stuck at home..it's delightful and funny and honest. She also was a therapist and has tidbits of wisdom..but you reminded me of it when you said you cried to Mandy's excitement. They have started asking weekly to each other, "what weird thing have you cried about this week in the weirds? (that's what they call this time and it's perfect).
So my list of observations, thoughts, feelings and such from this past week.
1. Squealing in my kitchen getting a shout out on a BF of the Show ep The Popcast for my spicy take comment regarding Brad Pitt. Picture me catching up on the Tiger King ep 3 podcast and all whisking scrambled eggs with my earbuds in and then I'm dropping said whisk and laughing hysterically in my kitchen. Then cue me freaking out and sending this information to fellow PMG fans (Danielle hey girl hey!)
2. My husband had a birthday. We had a fun Zoom meeting/game night with his family. I was a winner of some Fibber game? Also, whomever has such a competitive streak that they feel the need to Google info to win an online game between family members, yeah I side-eye.
3. Adding alcohol to a number of drinks I never would have before. Sometimes ones fruit smoothie needs rum or schnapps or an infused vodka.
4. Having to say no and not watch certain entertainment content because you know it will unleash an Ugly Cry you might not be ready to handle. That was me and Crip Camp. I am loving it but I know it will make me cry. Seeing it was executive produced by the Obamas alone made me gasp and know it was going to be a lot for me. that being said, I will finish it this weekend.
5. Coming to grips with going back to the office full time on Monday. So full transparency I work at the headquarters and manufacturing facility for Aveda products (haircare and skincare). It was decided our production facility (which has been open all this time with adaptations made for staffing and scheduling) will drop all adapted scheduling and have all our full time manufacturing employees on each shift return "to normal" -- we have staggered scheduling between shifts and have made tons of social distancing improvements - but we were splitting crew teams and having them come in every other week. I was also only going to the office every other week and WFH all the other time I was not in the office. But now that ends. I go back, FT M-F every week. Guys. I'm struggling with this. Because so many other "office jobs" are NOT having to come back until at least June 1. I support department leads so technically my job is very "officey" -- but I am going back. My husband will now have to manage all the distance learning for both of our kids and WFH for his job. It's a lot.......... which is probably why this week has been a "lets mix all the things with a dollop of hootch" kind of week.
6. Schools have been officially called for the remainder of the year (to which I say, no doi!) my 13 year old is totally cool with this, but he is sort of upset that baseball may be cancelled as well for the summer. I have been quasi grateful for some of this distance learning as there are some jerk kids at his middle school that he hasn't had to be around. Also its made him focus on his academics purely and not have to worry about those social pressures.
Well I have babbled on enough for this week's installment.
Oh my heart, that Mandy Patinkin clip was the purest thing I've ever seen!
I'm doing much better than I was last week, the stupid cough is gone (for now) and my brother got a job, so yay! I and other members of my family still have a lot of health issues that very much overwhelm me, but today I will choose to focus on the positives. Like the fact that I now have access to chocolate and wine again. š I've discovered that my favorite lipstick also can be used as eyeshadow, who knew? š¤·āāļø Oh, and I bought a Mandevilla for my patio. 'Tis very pretty! š
š Fellow Shakespeare nerds, The Globe Theatre (my very favorite place on earth) is streaming plays on YouTube. Romeo and Juliet will be available until Sunday 3 May and then they'll release a new play. Last week I watched Hamlet, it was really good.
šµ If you need some calming and peaceful worship music, here are 37 minutes of just that. I've been playing this while resting/napping in the afternoons and 10/10 would recommend.
(Erin, I'd love to help with your survey, I really would, but since I'm not quarantined although due to chronic illness have been more or less isolated in my home for the better part of 10 years, this honestly doesn't feel like a new season for me. Just wanted you to know I didn't ignore the question.š)
I feel like I am saying a lot of no's (No, my 2-year-old is not interested in a Zoom class meeting. I kind of feel bad like he's missing out, but I also don't want to add something else to supervise to my daily schedule). But also yes to DESSERTS. So many desserts we never buy during Normal Times. But bring on the Oreos, Easter candy, Klondike bars, and Blue Bell because we can't have normal lives right now.
Twins are coming Monday, so my goal this weekend is to relax and enjoy our last days as a family of 3. I'm feeling less anxious about bringing newborn twins into Pandemic World. We've had people sign up to bring is dinner for 3 weeks at least and have a safe plan to bring in quarantined help. Still wrapping my brain around our toddler not being at daycare, but we will manage.
My treasure for the week is Instagram account that's just various performances of "If you care to find me, look to the western sky" part of Defying Gravity. Lots of cringey moments but also some genuinely good and funny ones. I weirdly teared up at the trained dog performance? And I love the show choir/glee club renditions! https://www.instagram.com/every1deservesthechance2fly/
Also I embraced my first pigtails of the pandemic and I feel like they will be a staple in my postpartum life. If you need to mix up the quarantine hair, it's a good option.
Last week, a friend turned me on to the Dwell bible app that reads the bible to you, and John Mark Comer's Bridgetown Church daily podcast. Both of those have been so educational and encouraging during these wild times.
I don't feel there is much to say yes to because we can't do much but I do say yes to more icecream after dinner and to my mother in law who wants to do complicated sewing projects over Google Hangouts while I supervise (I don't sew and I don't care) and calls to tell me she'll be coming to awkwardly hang out with us in our driveway (during my husband's work hours so it has to be me out there to make sure the baby doesn't rush her and everyone keeps their distance)...honestly wish she'd just stay home. But I wished that before the pandemic too...I can admit that now that I'm my grumpy pandemic myself. I have been saying yes to online counseling because for once in my life I can afford it because my insurance is not charging any deductibles or copays and I've been saying "hell nah" to everything coming out of my husbands mouth and all we do is bicker these days. He's excited (not) to see a virtual therapist with me next week. Generosity hasn't been my defining feature this month but I am going to be entertaining my MIL in my driveway tomorrow so honestly, maybe I'm the most generous person I know. I have been watching an incredible amount of tiktok and I don't know to to link it but there have been several gems. May I recommend tiktok? Also last night we watched "About time" on Netflix which managed to be cute and thought provoking (the only way thought provoking is digestible these days). I recommend it if you're done with little fires on Hulu and train wreck that is tiger king.
In general, I feel like Iām saying yes more. I feel like everyone is having such a hard time that I want to do what I can to alleviate it- a friend gets a ridiculous case of pink eye and I put a care package on her door, or my super small church needs someone to help with worship every week so I spend an evening each week recording. Not bad things (and some of them are very life-giving), but some situations have been draining (*cough* family drama)
On a less dreary note- tomorrow is my youngestās first birthday. A local bakery decided to give away a free birthday cake to anyone turning 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 in the month of April. Weāre going to pick that up this morning, and Iām sure going to buy a fancy coffee drink while Iām there, you know, just to support a local business and not for any caffeine reasons š¬ Local businesses are doing such kind and creative things and I love it.
Parks and Rec reunion?? Yes please! As far as yes and no: Like someone else said, I am saying yes more in regard to home and kids (except in regard to bedtime. My kids need regular sleep to function). Yes to writing my WIP, no to a lot of outward-facing writerly things. Yes to texting or calling friends, no to a lot of online groups (except this thread, obvs!) unless I was very active in it pre-March. Yes to at home school work, but only the bare minimum, no to a lot of the awesome kids enrichment stuff online To clarify: my kids are 4 and 5. Mostly they just want to play (and fight. So much fighting). I'm also saying yes to one weekly grocery store trip (as opposed pick up, which I usually do) because it's ALONE TIME. I take all the necessary precautions.
I hope that helps your unscientific research! Here's a music parody video by one of my best friends in college and her husband (both theater majors):
I've been saying yes more. Mainly because my enneagram 7 brain needs something, anything, go look forward to. But also because my kids (8, 11, 13) are so dang sad. You want an ice cream sandwich, sure. Go on ahead.
As far as yes/no for me, Iām probably saying no more just because my three year old is very much in a season of asserting his independence & it is a trying time for all of us. š Other noās have been more disappointing, like saying no to my sister coming over until this is all over because she is still going to work. But Iām also saying yes to other things like my first virtual counseling session, singing a āsocial distancing duetā with a friend, reading a new memoir (There I Am by Ruthie Lindsey), texting my best friend when Iām doing really poorly/just need to complain or celebrate something, etc. So, I guess to answer your question, Iām probably saying no more often, but each yes is important for my own well-being.
Iāve said yes to going outside more, and that feels good. Physically, walking around is a good thing of course, but just sitting in a chair breathing fresh air helps me to feel better mentally.
Iāve said no to visitors since I came home from the hospital yesterday with our new baby. (Is this part of my answer just a way to announce this news? idk but Iām going with it) This makes me feel sad. The time weāve been spending together has been unique and so special, but when am I going to feel comfortable enough for our parents to meet their grandchild? I miss seeing our people at church, but when will it feel safe enough to go? I feel the need to stay home now, but is there going to be some magic day when it feels right to go back out into the world? Iām ready for things to go back to normal, but what will normal look like now?
I found Yoga with Adriene completely by accident. She has something for everyone no matter what your mood. Walk & yoga. Yep. That's about it.
If you love Mandy Patinkin, I highly recommend listening to the musical "The Secret Garden". His voice and performance is absolutely breathtaking.
This is the most amazing one person performance Iāve ever seen! This lady deserves as Oscar! Itās one lady lipsyncing Beauty and the Beast and itās beautiful. https://twitter.com/mneelzy/status/1253384036854034432?s=21
No's- guilt, showers, designated meal time, alarm clocks.
Yes- treats, tv, staying up as late as I want, walks, parks (not playgrounds), alllllll the snacks, school breaks, no- school days, meal requests.
Iāve been saying yes to a lot more online shopping which isnāt great for my checking account but is good for morale.
Iām trying to say yes more to admitting when I need my people (a FaceTime, day update, funny gif, whatever). As someone with a crippling fear of rejection who loves being needed and hates needing, this has often been a struggle, but my need is so great and the stakes are so low relative to everything else going on.
I've been saying yes to waaaaay more TV than I normally watch, snacks I don't normally eat and desserts I don't normally crave. Understandably so, I've also said yes to elastic, spandex and all forms of unencumbered cotton clothing.
I have also been saying yes to a daily (socially distanced) walk with my neighbor at noon on workdays. It's been nice to get outside, have contact with another human and feel like I'm taking care of myself just a little bit in that way.
My television said no to being alive and died today. Dear baby Jesus, Imma need best buy or Target or SOMEONE to have a ding dang television I can purchase, plug in and use by tonight, because I AM SAYING NO TO A PANDEMIC WITHOUT A TV. Sweet and tender mercies from heaven. It would be too much.
I am feeling quite lost right now, to be honest. I love my job but also my supervisor has made it clear that using my FMLA will cause me to lost opportunities. This isn't right I know but I don't know what to do because anyone who goes to HR usually leaves soon after because nothing gets done. I feel so discouraged and sad. Today a job opportunity for my dream school to work at came in my email but it would mean my husband leaving a job he just got and LOVES. I could look into other universities around GA but I just don't know. So today I am just sad.
I am saying a lot of yes to small things like spending more time marco poloing with friends because it means catching up in a different way than we are used to but it's good. We still have really good conversations and some are really deep. In a lovely way. I am so glad this app exists. I also say a lot of Nos to things like anything with people which makes me sad. I haven't been to a store in a month and a half and I haven't seen my family for that long. My mom wanted to come over but she has been with other people so we had so say no. I was bummed. It is hard to see people go out and ignore the rules and me be stuck at home. BLURGH.
Also, my favorite hobby, reading, has been hard to do lately. That makes me sad.
Also, Erin, that quote you shared from your friend on Insta. She is private... could you share a snapshot with us because I would love to see it as it has been a rough week.
The good. My nieces in pictures. I love that my SIL shares with me.
My husband let me splurge and got me AirPods and I LOVE them.
I cannot get enough of talking to my friends on Marco polo!
I still love some Instagram. It's my social media hiding place. I follow no one who gets me down!
We started summer hours at work so on Friday's I get off at noon. Woot. Woot!
This lovely little group. It's fantastic and I love encouraging y'all!
That Stanley Tucci article was amazing and took me down a rabbit hole of R. Eric Thomas's other articles on Elle. I am stockpiling his romcom reviews to read later as I start my movie-watching quarantine journey. I made a note on my phone (my favorite things to do) titled "Does It Hold Up?" followed by a list of favorites I haven't seen in 5-10 years. This weekend is time to dive in and then read Eric's reviews :)
I'd like to say no to schooling and just let my kids enjoy what will be a 6 month summer break but alas....
We have discovered Cards Against Humanity Family Edition. It has been a treasure of laughter and giggles. Kid friendly as long as you don't mind a lot of reference to poop. They released it as a print at home version for free but I will be paying real cash money when it comes out in stores. Whenever that will be.
two things that have brought me joy this week:
1.) I have chalkboard painted every feasible surface in my library at this point in Quarantine "essential" library work. This means I can now create chalk outlines on my desk for organizational purposes. In exerting order in this way, I am fighting against all the other chaos in my life.
2.) some of my library babies called me last night to sing their abc's and talk about minecraft and say "I love you." It felt so good to be remembered and loved on even as a non-family member! <3
I too have found myself saying yes more to things that I would have convinced myself I didnāt have time for or shouldnāt do bc of this or that. Yes, I can have happy hour on the back porch every evening and watch the sunbeams through the trees. Yes to morning baths bc- uh thereās time for that now. Yes to afternoon walks with my MIL. This is making me realize how important and needed being kind to myself is. Not in a super indulgent way but with the ānoiseā clear Iām actually listening to what my body and mind need.
My little treasure this week has been Rick Braggās book: My Southern Journey. They are short essays about life in the south and make me smile so wide reading them. There are true and funny but not in that cliche way that everyone else describes living down here. It has been a delight and given me more appreciation for home.
Saying yes to all the new recipes, especially the ones my teenagers are picking out--The Barefoot Contessa's marshmallows are on the agenda this weekend!
I've been saying yes to my kids more, and I think it's because I haven't had to say yes to anyone else. I feel like I actually have the energy to help install the slack line in the back yard, and field questions about cooking projects. I know our family is extraordinarily privileged to not be concerned about finances or jobs right now, and to own a comfortable house with a big yard. But our circumstances are making this Stay at Home order a really nice respite from our regular, suburban lives.
Survey says: I am saying yes more to shopping local, playing board games with my kids, going for walks with my family in the evenings, Zoom get togethers. Nos - there haven't been a ton, but when reflecting on it, I am saying no to doing menial tasks for my kids that they can handle and no to good things that feel just too overwhelming right now.
Little joys this week:
1. I jumped on the Some Good News bandwagon this week and even though I cry every episode, I love it so much. I think am near tears through the whole thing because it looks like John Krasinski is sometimes just barely holding it together, and seeing men in touch with their emotions gets me every time (first episode where Steve Carell was near tears? BAWLING.)
2. Disney Characters in Quarantine Part 2! https://youtu.be/ARhg7SZLAow
3. Talking through The Favorite Files with some girlfriends over Zoom. I now have a long, long list of television shows to check out....
I've been loving staying in with Kumail and Emily podcast. Kumail Nanjani (silicon valley) and his wife are doing a podcast while we are all stuck at home..it's delightful and funny and honest. She also was a therapist and has tidbits of wisdom..but you reminded me of it when you said you cried to Mandy's excitement. They have started asking weekly to each other, "what weird thing have you cried about this week in the weirds? (that's what they call this time and it's perfect).
Morning all....
Greetings and Salutations from MN.
So my list of observations, thoughts, feelings and such from this past week.
1. Squealing in my kitchen getting a shout out on a BF of the Show ep The Popcast for my spicy take comment regarding Brad Pitt. Picture me catching up on the Tiger King ep 3 podcast and all whisking scrambled eggs with my earbuds in and then I'm dropping said whisk and laughing hysterically in my kitchen. Then cue me freaking out and sending this information to fellow PMG fans (Danielle hey girl hey!)
2. My husband had a birthday. We had a fun Zoom meeting/game night with his family. I was a winner of some Fibber game? Also, whomever has such a competitive streak that they feel the need to Google info to win an online game between family members, yeah I side-eye.
3. Adding alcohol to a number of drinks I never would have before. Sometimes ones fruit smoothie needs rum or schnapps or an infused vodka.
4. Having to say no and not watch certain entertainment content because you know it will unleash an Ugly Cry you might not be ready to handle. That was me and Crip Camp. I am loving it but I know it will make me cry. Seeing it was executive produced by the Obamas alone made me gasp and know it was going to be a lot for me. that being said, I will finish it this weekend.
5. Coming to grips with going back to the office full time on Monday. So full transparency I work at the headquarters and manufacturing facility for Aveda products (haircare and skincare). It was decided our production facility (which has been open all this time with adaptations made for staffing and scheduling) will drop all adapted scheduling and have all our full time manufacturing employees on each shift return "to normal" -- we have staggered scheduling between shifts and have made tons of social distancing improvements - but we were splitting crew teams and having them come in every other week. I was also only going to the office every other week and WFH all the other time I was not in the office. But now that ends. I go back, FT M-F every week. Guys. I'm struggling with this. Because so many other "office jobs" are NOT having to come back until at least June 1. I support department leads so technically my job is very "officey" -- but I am going back. My husband will now have to manage all the distance learning for both of our kids and WFH for his job. It's a lot.......... which is probably why this week has been a "lets mix all the things with a dollop of hootch" kind of week.
6. Schools have been officially called for the remainder of the year (to which I say, no doi!) my 13 year old is totally cool with this, but he is sort of upset that baseball may be cancelled as well for the summer. I have been quasi grateful for some of this distance learning as there are some jerk kids at his middle school that he hasn't had to be around. Also its made him focus on his academics purely and not have to worry about those social pressures.
Well I have babbled on enough for this week's installment.
Love all you guys.
Mel
Oh my heart, that Mandy Patinkin clip was the purest thing I've ever seen!
I'm doing much better than I was last week, the stupid cough is gone (for now) and my brother got a job, so yay! I and other members of my family still have a lot of health issues that very much overwhelm me, but today I will choose to focus on the positives. Like the fact that I now have access to chocolate and wine again. š I've discovered that my favorite lipstick also can be used as eyeshadow, who knew? š¤·āāļø Oh, and I bought a Mandevilla for my patio. 'Tis very pretty! š
š Fellow Shakespeare nerds, The Globe Theatre (my very favorite place on earth) is streaming plays on YouTube. Romeo and Juliet will be available until Sunday 3 May and then they'll release a new play. Last week I watched Hamlet, it was really good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSAlPJ0FG_0&feature=youtu.be
šµ If you need some calming and peaceful worship music, here are 37 minutes of just that. I've been playing this while resting/napping in the afternoons and 10/10 would recommend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjM1NfVhb8w
(Erin, I'd love to help with your survey, I really would, but since I'm not quarantined although due to chronic illness have been more or less isolated in my home for the better part of 10 years, this honestly doesn't feel like a new season for me. Just wanted you to know I didn't ignore the question.š)
Have a lovely weekend, friends!
I feel like I am saying a lot of no's (No, my 2-year-old is not interested in a Zoom class meeting. I kind of feel bad like he's missing out, but I also don't want to add something else to supervise to my daily schedule). But also yes to DESSERTS. So many desserts we never buy during Normal Times. But bring on the Oreos, Easter candy, Klondike bars, and Blue Bell because we can't have normal lives right now.
Twins are coming Monday, so my goal this weekend is to relax and enjoy our last days as a family of 3. I'm feeling less anxious about bringing newborn twins into Pandemic World. We've had people sign up to bring is dinner for 3 weeks at least and have a safe plan to bring in quarantined help. Still wrapping my brain around our toddler not being at daycare, but we will manage.
My treasure for the week is Instagram account that's just various performances of "If you care to find me, look to the western sky" part of Defying Gravity. Lots of cringey moments but also some genuinely good and funny ones. I weirdly teared up at the trained dog performance? And I love the show choir/glee club renditions! https://www.instagram.com/every1deservesthechance2fly/
Also I embraced my first pigtails of the pandemic and I feel like they will be a staple in my postpartum life. If you need to mix up the quarantine hair, it's a good option.
Speaking of Parks & Rec - I hope you saw this! Ron Swanson living on is getting me through.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_V3uy_HO_S/?igshid=upcy16a0auan
Last week, a friend turned me on to the Dwell bible app that reads the bible to you, and John Mark Comer's Bridgetown Church daily podcast. Both of those have been so educational and encouraging during these wild times.
I don't feel there is much to say yes to because we can't do much but I do say yes to more icecream after dinner and to my mother in law who wants to do complicated sewing projects over Google Hangouts while I supervise (I don't sew and I don't care) and calls to tell me she'll be coming to awkwardly hang out with us in our driveway (during my husband's work hours so it has to be me out there to make sure the baby doesn't rush her and everyone keeps their distance)...honestly wish she'd just stay home. But I wished that before the pandemic too...I can admit that now that I'm my grumpy pandemic myself. I have been saying yes to online counseling because for once in my life I can afford it because my insurance is not charging any deductibles or copays and I've been saying "hell nah" to everything coming out of my husbands mouth and all we do is bicker these days. He's excited (not) to see a virtual therapist with me next week. Generosity hasn't been my defining feature this month but I am going to be entertaining my MIL in my driveway tomorrow so honestly, maybe I'm the most generous person I know. I have been watching an incredible amount of tiktok and I don't know to to link it but there have been several gems. May I recommend tiktok? Also last night we watched "About time" on Netflix which managed to be cute and thought provoking (the only way thought provoking is digestible these days). I recommend it if you're done with little fires on Hulu and train wreck that is tiger king.
In general, I feel like Iām saying yes more. I feel like everyone is having such a hard time that I want to do what I can to alleviate it- a friend gets a ridiculous case of pink eye and I put a care package on her door, or my super small church needs someone to help with worship every week so I spend an evening each week recording. Not bad things (and some of them are very life-giving), but some situations have been draining (*cough* family drama)
On a less dreary note- tomorrow is my youngestās first birthday. A local bakery decided to give away a free birthday cake to anyone turning 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 in the month of April. Weāre going to pick that up this morning, and Iām sure going to buy a fancy coffee drink while Iām there, you know, just to support a local business and not for any caffeine reasons š¬ Local businesses are doing such kind and creative things and I love it.
Parks and Rec reunion?? Yes please! As far as yes and no: Like someone else said, I am saying yes more in regard to home and kids (except in regard to bedtime. My kids need regular sleep to function). Yes to writing my WIP, no to a lot of outward-facing writerly things. Yes to texting or calling friends, no to a lot of online groups (except this thread, obvs!) unless I was very active in it pre-March. Yes to at home school work, but only the bare minimum, no to a lot of the awesome kids enrichment stuff online To clarify: my kids are 4 and 5. Mostly they just want to play (and fight. So much fighting). I'm also saying yes to one weekly grocery store trip (as opposed pick up, which I usually do) because it's ALONE TIME. I take all the necessary precautions.
I hope that helps your unscientific research! Here's a music parody video by one of my best friends in college and her husband (both theater majors):
https://youtu.be/cvvvClZXAeE
I've been saying yes more. Mainly because my enneagram 7 brain needs something, anything, go look forward to. But also because my kids (8, 11, 13) are so dang sad. You want an ice cream sandwich, sure. Go on ahead.
A friend sent this & I got a good laugh out of it - āExplaining the Pandemic to my Past Selfā https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7capx4Cb8
As far as yes/no for me, Iām probably saying no more just because my three year old is very much in a season of asserting his independence & it is a trying time for all of us. š Other noās have been more disappointing, like saying no to my sister coming over until this is all over because she is still going to work. But Iām also saying yes to other things like my first virtual counseling session, singing a āsocial distancing duetā with a friend, reading a new memoir (There I Am by Ruthie Lindsey), texting my best friend when Iām doing really poorly/just need to complain or celebrate something, etc. So, I guess to answer your question, Iām probably saying no more often, but each yes is important for my own well-being.
This āco-workerā story had me cracking up!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B94YKeLlmog/?igshid=1armg2mrl89e8
Survey answer:
Iāve said yes to going outside more, and that feels good. Physically, walking around is a good thing of course, but just sitting in a chair breathing fresh air helps me to feel better mentally.
Iāve said no to visitors since I came home from the hospital yesterday with our new baby. (Is this part of my answer just a way to announce this news? idk but Iām going with it) This makes me feel sad. The time weāve been spending together has been unique and so special, but when am I going to feel comfortable enough for our parents to meet their grandchild? I miss seeing our people at church, but when will it feel safe enough to go? I feel the need to stay home now, but is there going to be some magic day when it feels right to go back out into the world? Iām ready for things to go back to normal, but what will normal look like now?