I have no words, so here I will attempt to convey life in animated GIF form:
My brain currently:
My house currently:
Anytime I open an app to see what’s going on in the world/with people:
How homeschooling is going:
Our new parenting mantra:
Here’s the good news: even though it’s been a real turd of a week, we have some lil treasures to share. Shall we?
📸 We asked our friend Amy to come take some socially distant porch pics to remember what a weird time this is. I decided I wanted us to stay true to our whole shelter at home vibe, so when Marlo came downstairs wearing Umbro leggings and shirt from pre-school, I was like, sure! Whatever! Then Cy put his robot helmet on. So this is our porch pic. I gotta say it DOES stay true to how we’ve been living. I would also like to apologize for all the bare feet coming at you in this pic.
📚 The Bookshelf announced they’ll be doing a virtual book club based on the newly re-released Babysitter’s Club books (and Netflix series), so since basically all our camps and daycares are getting axed left and right (my inbox is the second to last episode of Game of Thrones right now), I signed us up. I adored the BSC (I’m a total Kristy, but I did try to convince everyone at school I had diabetes like Stacey for the attention, we’ve all done that, right?), and I’m hopeful it will be a good distraction.
📖 One of the weirdest and most fascinating parts of quarantine is seeing the inside of celebrity homes. Which is why this NYT article about what’s on the bookshelves of famous people while they Zoom is like catnip to me.
❤️ I don’t know who needs to know this, but I had a beautiful Instagram friend (who has sadly been lost to my DMs) share with me this fabulous collection of High School Musical merch and I’m trying to figure out how to get that East hoodie as an end-of-the-year teacher present to MYSELF.
⭐️ Anne Helen Peterson is my favorite doctor of celebrity gossip (as well as the owner of my two favorite internet dogs), although she’s made a pivot to different subject matter now. BUT when she tweets that a certain profile of Marlon Brando is her favorite profile of Marlon Brando (it’s by Truman Capote, so…it’s FINE), you drop what you’re doing, pretend to go on a walk and sit on the curb for 30 minutes to read the dang thing.
🎁 OH! In case you want to send a friend a copy of The Comfortable Words, you can now do that with a gift card option on the site. AND if you want a copy, I am still giving them away for free, currently due to the generosity of so many of you. If you want one, just raise that hand via email or DM.
Listen. Look at me. I know this is a crap situation and everyone is feeling differently and processing pain and trauma on different scales. This is not normal. None of this is normal. We can not be Kerri Strug, vaulting perfectly through our pain and *gestures vaguely* whatever this is for the past seven weeks or whatever. You’re allowed to throw fits if you need to. You’re allowed to call in sick for work (I think, don’t quote me on that). You’re allowed to tell your kid’s teacher that you’ll be doing the bare minimum. You’re allowed to cry about summer camps being cancelled (have I fully conveyed my grief here?). You’re allowed to stress and freak out about tiny, petty things that make life just a little bit harder than it has to be right now. And you’re allowed to grieve and mourn and lament over deep pain. It’s all on the table. It’s no use tamping that down or trying to push through because some people have it worse than you. As the patron saint of the Swipe Up, Mister Rogers, says: “What’s mentionable is manageable.” So if you need to mention something in the comments, do it. Big or small, petty or important. I do solemnly swear not to try and make it better or gloss over it, but I will tell you that it sucks and I hate it. You can also share tiny joy-bringers and large exciting times because we know both of those things exist together.
Okay. “Pep” talk over. Can’t wait for your treasures.
P.S. We’re recapping Tiger King over on the Popcast Patreon. It’s…really something. P.P.S. Currently in the middle of a new season of The Bible Binge all about pivots and it’s turning into one of my favorite seasons!
Target jumpsuit: I can confirm it is the most comfortable thing ever and I have basically been living in mine for six weeks. Also, in order to get the right fit I ended up setting a Target app alert and snagging them when they’d come back in stock... so .... I’m currently sitting on a small light grey and light and dark grey mediums that need returning. I’d be more than happy to send them someone else’s way. Lmk!
This week has kicked my butt. The drug store where I work is still insanely busy, to the point that we’re going to work at 4:30 am just to try to restock most stuff before customers arrive. There’s such a spectrum of customer types, from ones who will barely say hello they’re in such a hurry, to others who literally just come in to browse and spend 20 minutes picking up every single bottle of nail polish. We’re in the middle of a freaking pandemic, Crystal. Look with your eyes, not your hands! It’s very stressful being out in the world but I though I was handling it okay until last night when I found myself sarcastically asking my teen if he thought supper “magically appeared like I’m Molly effing Weasley”. On a positive note, I gave my husband a haircut and we’re still together, so that’s a win. Although he did also tell me my need to have a plan for the day is getting *rather* annoying and maybe I could chill with the lists. Ha! Not happening 😂 If you want a book to make you feel better about yourself, no matter your age or stage, I highly recommend You Are Awesome by Neil Pasricha. It’s like a weighted blanket for your soul.
Hard things: I work at a grocery store and this week was just a lot. This whole time has been difficult, but this week? We’re all feeling it really hard. The curbside orders keep pouring in, the phone won’t stop ringing, the store is full of customers, people are upset whether we wear masks or not, customer drama, employee drama, stress stress stress.
I am so happy to have a job. I love getting good and often local food to our customers. I’m just really done with this week and the incredibly busy, chaotic days.
Good things: spring is coming. The tulips are starting to bloom. I’m making a quilt for one of my friend’s kids. I’m going to reread a favorite book series. We’re going to make it through all of this.
Honestly my heart is so sad this week. I live in GA and this Ahmaud death is just so much. But I’m learning to speak up and to do something. I would not have done this years ago. I’ve begun to realize how much I’ve changed and how I can no longer let be quiet about injustice.
But I’m trying to find beauty in small things.
I got new comfy sweats just in time for it to be cold!
I also found new adidas slides. OMG. Why didn’t any one tell me. Basically my goal in life is now to be as comfortable as possible.
We talked about going back to the office and it will probably be August which made me scared and happy all at once.
I’m wishing for a zoom book club or bible study about now. I miss Human connection badly.
I’m thankful for you Erin. And this lil swipes and this little group. Y’all bring a bit of normalcy to my week. ❤️
Ok so this is what it has come to...my husband and I watched this last night and I actually kind of enjoyed it-small town people just trying to live their lives and be that small town kind of endearing.(And I secretly loved Tammi) Help me, we have come to the end of our sanity! I believe there must be two types of people - those who will, and those who will not buy products made out of poo 💩💩💩
While you’re at it with the HSM... if you want to donate to the Actual East High™️ in Salt Lake City, they have a food pantry that is still functioning and a lot of students rely on!! They also partner with peachjar - an organization that helps kids/families get food all throughout the school year. If you want to donate somewhere and support your fav HSM stomping grounds, that is it! (PS - I 100% have a jumping photo in front of East and it’s one of my favorite things I have done in all my years of living in SLC)
Trying to explain to my husband that I’m never alone anymore. I’m usually a stay at home mom and I get to get my crap done by myself. But now my only alone adventures involve grocery shopping. He tried to tell me after the kids were in bed that I was alone right then but didn’t have the heart to tell him that alone meant he was gone too. So I chose to sit in a 3 hours drive thru line (the place was brand new to my city) and listen to the popcast and talk with my sister without anyone in my space.
Also finished Zoey’s Incredible playlist and that show is a little hard for me. Next week will be 3 years since my Dad passed from the exact same rare disease. They did a really good job portraying it which sometimes made it a little hard to watch. But I liked the musical aspect.
My favorite treasure of the month so far is watching my boyfriend watch Battlestar Galactica for the first time while I get to be the one crowing "OMG wait til you see what comes next!" for once. Although sometimes it's a little too accurate for quarantine times.
This week has been better for me. I have had more to do and I am getting a new assignment at work which will keep me busy. I work as an Account Rep for a company in the electronic entertainment space which usually requires me to go from store to store calling on customers. That all came to a screeching halt mid March. I am very fortunate that because people are stuck at home they are spending lots of money with my company and so my company has continued to pay us even though we are doing next to nothing. Next week I get to start moderating some of our content online. I cannot imagine what content I will get to see, but I like the power of getting to ban people for being jerks. Lol
I wanted to say thank you to whichever of yous has paid it forward and paid for an additional The Comfortable Words. It just wasn't going to be in the cards for me right now and, while it was was humbling to raise my hand and say, "yes, please!" to Erin's offer, your generosity was a warm hug and a challenge to not just numb out but actually consider what this time might offer me that I wasn't expecting.
Also, I am TWO WEEKS away from finishing out the 2019-2020 school year. This high school English teacher is ready to be done remote teaching and have my singular focus be keeping my two young kids alive and happy. Having a split focus without the physical parameters of a workplace and homeplace has had me feeling like I am half assing everything! This too shall pass and be a blip in the grand scheme of things. Just one day at a time!
Update: Erin's jumpsuit from Target seems to be out in all sizes.
Two treasures:
1. Curbside library pick-up notification. My 7 year old is not an e-reader. He does not like to curl up with me and a tablet to read. So thankful our library a few blocks from our house has curbside pick-up now. I filled up my hold list so fast you guys, you don't even know. :)
2. A local band I *adore* called Yam Haus (seriously all of these guys are the cutest and sweetest and yes I am THAT person that I also have befriended two of their MOMS haha) dropped a new single and it has brought me such joy today: https://youtu.be/F4duTHFzxQ0
Texas is been semi open for a week and I cant handle it. I'm the next gen coordinator at my church and suddenly my pastor is ready to go 1000% all at once and I'm so not ready. My 9 sloth is like but I'm so comfy here don't make me move" The public is also giving me a battle. I realized that I can't control everyone elses behavior and response but only offer grace and more grace. Currently sitting in my car with an iced coffee bracing myself for walmart. Help!
Erin! 🙌🏼 Your GIF game is unmatched and totally made my morning. Thank you!!
The little thing that saved our week: Making a distancing free ice cream truck - we loaded up on different frozen treats on our last Instacart order, made a big poster of the different kinds we had and taped it to our truck, and drove around the neighborhood blasting music and throwing popsicles and ice cream sandwiches to friends. Dressing in costumes optional but strongly encouraged. I HIGHLY recommend doing it - it broke up the monotony and made everyone smile and laugh more than we had all week!
Also - the Why Mommy Drinks podcast. I’m going through listening to old episodes now, and I LOL constantly. Betsy Stover and Amanda Allen have a hilarious guest parent on each episode, and they take turns going around answering the question of what broke them this week. SO FUNNY.
Hey all! Greetings from MN as I sit at my desk wearing a mask.
That's right
At the office, we are now required to wear masks. If you are in the building, you wear a mask. I'm on day 4 of office mask wearing and its been something to adjust to. But for me, its literally wearing a security blanket -- on my face. I know all *I* have been doing to comply to social distancing and sheltering in place, but I cannot say that for everyone I encounter when I walk in the building. So I will wear whatever they hand to me.
So....treasures time.
1. Not deserving my treasure is the fact gmail sent this email and put it in my promotions folder instead of my inbox. UM HELLO GMAIL THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST VITAL MESSAGES I GET ALL WEEK.
2. Rocking my lipstick even under a mask. I know, this is weird. But you guys I have been "that girl" with lip products since I was like 7 and I had a tinted lip balm from Avon that looked like a brown crayon but was chocolate flavored and gave you just this twinge of brown tint to my lips. Today I am rocking a rather dark shade that came in a variety pack --it #43.
3. Getting auto repairs. I know, this isn't exactly a treasure. But having my vehicle be safe is key. And thankful I was able to get this repair and not use a credit card to pay for it.
4. Using up beauty products - As I am also using up candles I am using up various face washes, lotions, potions, shampoos, conditioners, bars of soap, etc.
5. Foamy soap refills - Okay my 7 year old is a soap snob. he loves to just pump and pump and pump the foam soap container -- this company was referenced in an article about sustainable industy and I thought "eh, why not" - I got a bag of Lemon Basil & Geranium (currently in use, it smells divine) and Cucumber Melon & Jasmine Flower (hello slight 90s flashback). I don't feel bad over the child going foam crazy. Buy them here: https://geloproducts.com/
6. Finally finishing Nashville on Hulu. I remember I couldn't watch this when it was cancelled on ABC and went to CMT because my cable package was weird. Falling back into this show. What a dang delight. It's pure soapy (ha) brain shutting off elixir.
7. I have a virtual 5k this weekend. It is the SuperHero 5k Dash to benefit our local ALS Association. This cause is huge for me. This organization did so much for my mom and our family when she was battling ALS. They provided us with technology so she could speak, tools that kept her mobile, feeding items, care providers, you name it, they helped. Reps from the group attended her funeral. I'm going to advovate for this org for the rest of my life. http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Endurance/Minnesota?pg=entry&fr_id=14221
Erin: I see you rocking that jumpsuit! (goes to see if Target still has it in stock). Your family is beautiful.
Thoughts & Prayers Section
For all us who have mixed feelings about Mother's Day. It's a hard day for so many. For those who have lost mothers. For those who have complicated relationships with their mothers. For those who struggle with being and becoming mothers, for those who feel they need to explain why they *aren't* mothers. Just be kind on this day.
Personal T&P
My dad works in a correctional facility here in MN (Willow River/WRC). Now before you think my life is a Loretta Lynn song, I should be clear my dad is actually a chef. He is a private caterer and my life is filled with kitchen memories from places he owned. But he decided to work for the Department of Corrections because (a) he wanted to teach people how to cook, he wanted some to understand the power of food and how it can make you employable anywhere and how to sustain yourself and those in your circle (b) the DOC has a 10-year retirement/pension package. Being in the hospitality industry is not all Food Network fame. My dad always put his employees first which left him not much for his own retirement accounts. That all being said, as of today WRC has 55 confirmed cases of Covid, 4 staff members are home recovering. He goes to work each day with gloves and a N95 mask and hopes for the best. He's 63. I worry everyday. It's a lingering feeling of panic under my skin every moment. He calls me 3x a week (he's not a big tech guy) and I let him vent. But I am scared. I am so scared. So please ... any prayers.
Coming from the person who was diagnosed with diabetes in 3rd grade and always felt weird and different and didn't want to draw attention to it, the fact that you faked it baffles me. 😂 Also, this pandemic sucks and I'm 100% over hanging out with friends over Zoom and this week our governor extended her executive order until July, so that's just cool cool cool. I have a blog post due for my church tonight, and I have no idea what encouraging thing I'm going to write. Also also, I'm moving next month which I'm excited about, but what a weird time to be moving.
I’m not dealing with any of the stress most people are, but I always appreciate the moments of joy that we’re all seeing online these days.
—> First, I ALWAYS need a Loki scene/meme, so THANK YOU, Erin!
—> Second, the videos of a family of adults participating in their own Quarantine Olympics kept me laughing for an hour. My faves are the Bobsled Stairs Challenge, Can Curling, Roomba Challenge, and Fork Potato. But I was strangely invested in the Straw Challenge (slurping from a glass while the refrigerator water dispenser filled it up). 😂 This is high level play, right here!
- Never Have I Ever on Netflix - so good and so heartwarming!
-I've been making Dalgona coffee ( the tik-tok coffee) and im kind of obsessed.
- I turned 29 yesterday, and was blessed with notes and flowers and Sour Punch Straws from good good friends and I felt so loved. <3
- I turned 29 yesterday and my sister and brother-in-law threw a simple *safe* dinner that The Boy came to and it was not weird and my heart delighted over the BIL and The Boy bonding over me and my sister's mutual weirdness.
-TIGER KING RECAPS. now off to work and listen to this newest episode!
Thanks to all my Lil Swipes friends for praying, my Rona test came back negative, but my doc says the test I took is only 70% accurate and thinks I likely got a false negative. Good news is, I'm doing sooo much better and basically feel like a normal human being again.
I also finished my last assignments for my Masters so now I'm officially DONE WITH SCHOOL FOREVER AND EVER AMEN. PTL. (I also now have MSW after my name, which is cool and weird)
My treasure this week has been reading "The Likeness" by Tana French. I finished "In the Woods" about a month ago and absolutely hated it, but I heard her books get better as they go on. I'm HOOKED on this one. It requires a lot of suspended belief and ignorance of plot holes the size of Texas, but it's the fun and trashy kind of escapism I need right now. It's been a minute since I've been stay-up-past-my-bedtime-because-I-don't-want-to-stop-reading into a book so even though this one is silly, I'm really enjoying it.
1. I was in need of a lighthearted experience after watching Waco on Netflix, so I watched the first episode of Prop Culture on Disney+. It's all about movie props, how they are used in movies, where these props have ended up decades after the movie released, etc. The first episode is about Mary Poppins and I may have cried a little.
2. Caroline Hirons' skincare content.
3. Re-starting the Couch to 5k program with my husband.
Also, I taught a "Children's and Young Adult Literature" elective class this semester, and YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW how often I brought up the Babysitter's Club...
Zoom version of my book club is my little treasure for the week - last night we discussed "Such a Fun Age" and chose "Hidden Valley Road" for next month.
We are also mourning the loss of summer activities here. Camps, VBS, swim lessons...not everything has been officially cancelled yet, but I am anticipating it and trying to come up with alternative plans now so I don't go insane later.
A friend reminded a bunch of us of Brene Brown's take on mourning, and I am going to butcher it so forgive me, but the gist of it was we are all going to grieve things, and what we grieve and how we grieve isn't less than someone else's grief. This was super helpful to remember, as I sometimes feel silly grieving things like summer activities when such horrendous things are happening around us. I grieve those things, too, but I CAN grieve both.
Little Joys:
1. Inspired by Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, I have made my own playlist on Spotify that causes me to dance around our house outrageously, like I am a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance and Mia Michaels have given me the most amazing choreography. My children think I am insane, and I am now a 40 year old woman who knows all the words to Sucker.
2. Our Friends of the Library created themed stacks of books to sell to raise money for our beloved public library, and now my boys and I have new reading material to last us for weeks. It was a delight to get them delivered to our door.
3. We are starting the process of putting up our pool, and I can't wait until this cold snap leaves so my boys have something else to entertain them, and wear them out.
I think I'm going to have to revisit BSC - I identified most with Mary Ann, but I wanted to be Claudia SO BAD.
Just found this New Yorker article on Ann M. Martin from 2016, while searching for a release date on the series. I enjoyed it, so I thought I’d drop it here! https://bit.ly/3cgSw5K
I loved in The Popcast episode where Knox or Jamie (now I can’t remember!) said isn’t Stacy your favorite (in regards to the BSC) and you responded so vehemently in the negative that it made me laugh. I’m a total Mary Anne but I longed to be a Claudia. Also, my happy thing today is that it’s my cat’s birthday. And no, she’s not having a party. I’m not THAT crazy. 😉
I have four kids from 14-19. The only one that is remotely pleasant on a regular basis is going back to college today to take classes online and live alone in a house off campus. SHE IS THE LUCKY ONE. I had my gallbladder removed the day before school closed and I guess the good news is I’ve had a nice slow recovery and can now eat queso without any side effects, but I’m also 2 months behind on exercise and I’ve decided I can rotate through 3 maxi dresses all summer and things just won’t matter. In that case, pass the margaritas. Here’s the last thing quarantine has done to us: my husband bought a karaoke machine, so our kids are growing up listening to their parents wail 90s songs late at night. Happy Friday and blessings to you all.
Every morning before I leave for work, I put peanut butter in one of Mack's kong toys as a treat. Mack is my six month old goldendoodle.
Monday morning, I put the Kong toy on the counter and walked away. When I came back to the counter the toy was missing, so I grabbed another toy (knock-off Kong) and filled it with peanut butter. Then I put Mack in his crate with his toy, told him when I would be back from work and that I loved him.
I keep my work bag by the door so that I can scoop it up as I run out the door while I try to beat the "I just set the Away Alarm Must get out the house in 60 seconds" game. Later in the day, when I went to grab my lunch out of my work bag I noticed Mack had placed the Kong toy in my work bag as a happy! It was so pure and wonderful and made my day! How sweet is he-placing a toy in my work bag so that I have something to play with during the day while I am away from him!
We are mourning the loss of summer activities big time here. My son went to church camp for the first time last summer and he talks about it like it was last weekend. Cancelled. Swim team. Cancelled. Vacation. Cancelled. We knew it was coming and we totally agree that it's for the best, but it still doesn't fix the sadness. So I put on a mask and went to the store and bought a huge blow up pool, water balloons, water squirters, and pop. I came home and held my kid while he cried and then offered my consolation summer fun. We immediately had a water balloon fight! So now when the weather is warm and we have all the big feelings we will have a water balloon fight to cope. 🤷♀️
Okay, your porch pics made me tear up (your fam is so beautiful, Erin!) and then your ending paragraph sent me over. I'm really, really grateful for those words. I feel like I'm constantly battling the "I shouldn't feel so angry/depressed today," but alas, it continues to occur. Thank you for validating and affirming that it's okay to be there. I have a lot of feelings about my county's stay-at-home order being extended to June 4. None that I can quite put to words right now other than a long string of curse words. So, there's that.
On Wednesday, my 3-year-old gave my phone a bath (trying to be a cool, fun mom by letting him give his dinosaur figurines a bath in a plastic bin, but I walked away for 2 minutes to change the 6-month-old's diaper, and ta-da! dinosaur bath turned into a phone bath). I honestly wasn't even mad. But I have been in this weird limbo of agitation because I can't get in touch with people the same way or check out from the world in the same way, but also relief that I don't feel the need to check my phone constantly. I'm sure there's some deeper thing I could say/learn from this, but mostly, I'm learning that nothing is safe with a 3-year-old around and not being able to easily use emojis on my laptop is cramping my style.
ANYWAY, just wanted to give a shoutout to those of you who recommended Booksmart to watch on my birthday last weekend. It was a HIT. Both my husband and I enjoyed it so much - it was the perfect quarantine birthday movie. So, thanks, pals. :)
I also finished reading "Talking As Fast As I Can" by Lauren Graham this week, and it was a delight. So lighthearted with some seriousness sprinkled throughout. Old Lady Jackson is a hoot.
Grateful for this little corner of the internet and having something to look forward to every Friday. (I would put a bunch of heart emojis here if I could!)
Hey everyone! 👋🏻 Greetings from Newborn Twin Land, where my life is lived in a 2-hour cycle of pump, eat, sleep, repeat, maybe see my boys/husband at some point. 🤪 It’s been a wild 10 days with Henry & Elliott but we’re finding our way and making it work. Lots of moms have been telling me pumping is very isolating and difficult but I gotta say... if you’re social distancing anyway, it’s not half bad. I feel like quarantine has prepared me for this. Plus we’ve been able to have family help while they’re furloughed and my husband will be WFH all summer so... we will survive with some Coronavirus silver lining.
3 Treasures getting me through the newborn stage:
1. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: it’s just so cute and lighthearted. I gave up trying to keep up listening to The Daily. I don’t need news. I need musical numbers and to be surprised by how muscular Skylar Astin is.
2. The Ten Thousand Doors of January: this is the perfect book for middle-of-the-night pumps. Magical realism and adventure with a teenage girl heroine!
3. Manatee Warmie: do you need something warm and cuddly to comfort yourself? This is basically a larger, microwaveable, lavender-scented beanie baby. Best $20 ever spent. Intelex Warmies Microwavable French Lavender Scented Plush, Manatee Warmies, Gray, 14" X 8" X 4" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTXCTVC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OavTEb1NNG5WB
Erin, your GIFs are always so on point. I thank God for your skill in communicating feelings through 2-second videos. It's a gift. So, I'm just going to cut to the chase, and bring something big and important that is weighing me down. I'm deeply saddened by the news of Ahmaud Arbery. I'm grieving for his family, his community, and really, for our society where these tragic events can still happen. If you need me, I'll be over here in a corner praying all the things -- for forgiveness, for justice, for us to be a people who act first out of love. Yikes, my heart aches.
*please take note of this, the most awkward segue I could imagine*
In less sad news, I have been participating in one of those Instagram games as a fun distraction - "30 Day Song Challenge", which indicates that we have reached Quarantine Level: Desperation. I'm notoriously terrible at knowing music/artists/songs, so I actually took this as a legit challenge. One of the days is to post a "song from your preteen years." Internet friends, can I just say what an absolute delight it was to walk back through the Billboard Top 100 Lists of 1993 and 1994, when I would have been 10 and 11. Janet Jackson, Ace of Base, Sheryl Crow, Spin Doctors, Lisa Loeb! These years are an embarrassment of riches. Get thee to Spotify and enjoy, if you need a happy distraction. And just to bring it full circle, I stumbled upon P.M. Dawn's song, "I'd Die Without You" from their album "The Bliss Album....?" The question mark. In the album title. Were they unsure? Its so perfect. And the subtitle of this album will henceforth be my subtitle to the year 2020: "Vibrations of Love and Anger and the Ponderance of Life and Existence." (How did they know?)
Woof, that's a lot. Thankful for this little corner of the internet!
Thank you Erin, you are a treasure. ❤️ Last night on FB a close family member commented on another family members posting of that Plandemic video that it needed to be posted on Instagram. Well, my wing 9 abandoned ship to comment on that crap! Although it was a very wing 9 comment of “please don’t Instagram is a happy place for family, pet & nature photos”. 🤦♀️ Also, we are dealing with adult child drama. I can’t comment more because I might cry, break out more (adult acne is dumb esp. when you have adult children) or go hide in bed. But I’ve got to put on my mask & go buy groceries for the rest of the family. Much love to you & your family and all the other Lil’ Swipes. I can’t wait to listen to the Tiger King recap when I clean the bathrooms today. 😂 🐯
I cry and/ or rage about things that are cancelled pretty regularly too. And this week I am so tired of fighting with my kids. So. Tired. We did go out to a couple of biking/walking trails this week, and it was a nice change of pace. This week I've gone for reading binges and TV LOLs: I discovered Jane Harper (author of The Dry) and LOVE her books. I followed all the recs to watch Never Have I Ever, which was perfection, and Middleditch and Schwartz has had me cry laughing. And this is random, but I've been reading a chronological Bible plan, and this week it's had me mostly in the Psalms. I always underestimate the power of Psalms for helping me settle my mind, and I have needed that. Anyway...later, lil' swipes!
Two weeks into quarantine I went on a rage walk to get away from my 3 kids, tripped over a hole and broke my ankle. My husband had to come find me because I PASSED OUT from the pain and the awful crunching noise and he had to carry me home. And listen, looking back I can’t even say that that was the worst thing to happen in quarantine so far. 🤷🏼♀️ As I was lamenting (read: bitching) to my mom about how much this has SUCKED, and I’m over it, but there is NO END IN SIGHT because even if quarantine ends now we’re in summer? And all the camps keep getting canceled? And can’t she see I’m drowning? She said, “I’ve been thinking about your situation (😒) and you know, at least you don’t have to work, I mean at least you don’t have a job or anything, those people are having to do everything you are AND work from home.” I tried to let it roll off me, cause she has the right to say dumb things too, yaknow? But now I’ve been in a funk for over a week questioning why I’m such a wimp. Why isn’t this easier? Why can’t I make the most of it? Why did I think it would be fun to have 3 children? 🤨 This story has no point, I’m just venting, to the internet, because this is hard, it’s so hard, and it’s okay if you feel like it’s really hard.
I saved this to read locked in my room away from my kids and I appreciate the respite. No treasures to link to today my friends (I'm sooo tired)... maybe just the treasure of drinking wine and eating cupcakes for dinner? Open invite.
Target jumpsuit: I can confirm it is the most comfortable thing ever and I have basically been living in mine for six weeks. Also, in order to get the right fit I ended up setting a Target app alert and snagging them when they’d come back in stock... so .... I’m currently sitting on a small light grey and light and dark grey mediums that need returning. I’d be more than happy to send them someone else’s way. Lmk!
This week has kicked my butt. The drug store where I work is still insanely busy, to the point that we’re going to work at 4:30 am just to try to restock most stuff before customers arrive. There’s such a spectrum of customer types, from ones who will barely say hello they’re in such a hurry, to others who literally just come in to browse and spend 20 minutes picking up every single bottle of nail polish. We’re in the middle of a freaking pandemic, Crystal. Look with your eyes, not your hands! It’s very stressful being out in the world but I though I was handling it okay until last night when I found myself sarcastically asking my teen if he thought supper “magically appeared like I’m Molly effing Weasley”. On a positive note, I gave my husband a haircut and we’re still together, so that’s a win. Although he did also tell me my need to have a plan for the day is getting *rather* annoying and maybe I could chill with the lists. Ha! Not happening 😂 If you want a book to make you feel better about yourself, no matter your age or stage, I highly recommend You Are Awesome by Neil Pasricha. It’s like a weighted blanket for your soul.
Hard things: I work at a grocery store and this week was just a lot. This whole time has been difficult, but this week? We’re all feeling it really hard. The curbside orders keep pouring in, the phone won’t stop ringing, the store is full of customers, people are upset whether we wear masks or not, customer drama, employee drama, stress stress stress.
I am so happy to have a job. I love getting good and often local food to our customers. I’m just really done with this week and the incredibly busy, chaotic days.
Good things: spring is coming. The tulips are starting to bloom. I’m making a quilt for one of my friend’s kids. I’m going to reread a favorite book series. We’re going to make it through all of this.
Honestly my heart is so sad this week. I live in GA and this Ahmaud death is just so much. But I’m learning to speak up and to do something. I would not have done this years ago. I’ve begun to realize how much I’ve changed and how I can no longer let be quiet about injustice.
But I’m trying to find beauty in small things.
I got new comfy sweats just in time for it to be cold!
I also found new adidas slides. OMG. Why didn’t any one tell me. Basically my goal in life is now to be as comfortable as possible.
We talked about going back to the office and it will probably be August which made me scared and happy all at once.
I’m wishing for a zoom book club or bible study about now. I miss Human connection badly.
I’m thankful for you Erin. And this lil swipes and this little group. Y’all bring a bit of normalcy to my week. ❤️
Ok so this is what it has come to...my husband and I watched this last night and I actually kind of enjoyed it-small town people just trying to live their lives and be that small town kind of endearing.(And I secretly loved Tammi) Help me, we have come to the end of our sanity! I believe there must be two types of people - those who will, and those who will not buy products made out of poo 💩💩💩
https://bangordailynews.com/2020/05/05/arts-culture/reality-tv-show-about-maine-woman-who-makes-art-out-of-moose-poop-debuts-tonight/
While you’re at it with the HSM... if you want to donate to the Actual East High™️ in Salt Lake City, they have a food pantry that is still functioning and a lot of students rely on!! They also partner with peachjar - an organization that helps kids/families get food all throughout the school year. If you want to donate somewhere and support your fav HSM stomping grounds, that is it! (PS - I 100% have a jumping photo in front of East and it’s one of my favorite things I have done in all my years of living in SLC)
Trying to explain to my husband that I’m never alone anymore. I’m usually a stay at home mom and I get to get my crap done by myself. But now my only alone adventures involve grocery shopping. He tried to tell me after the kids were in bed that I was alone right then but didn’t have the heart to tell him that alone meant he was gone too. So I chose to sit in a 3 hours drive thru line (the place was brand new to my city) and listen to the popcast and talk with my sister without anyone in my space.
Also finished Zoey’s Incredible playlist and that show is a little hard for me. Next week will be 3 years since my Dad passed from the exact same rare disease. They did a really good job portraying it which sometimes made it a little hard to watch. But I liked the musical aspect.
My favorite treasure of the month so far is watching my boyfriend watch Battlestar Galactica for the first time while I get to be the one crowing "OMG wait til you see what comes next!" for once. Although sometimes it's a little too accurate for quarantine times.
https://melanietheconstantreader.substack.com/publish?utm_source=menu
This week has been better for me. I have had more to do and I am getting a new assignment at work which will keep me busy. I work as an Account Rep for a company in the electronic entertainment space which usually requires me to go from store to store calling on customers. That all came to a screeching halt mid March. I am very fortunate that because people are stuck at home they are spending lots of money with my company and so my company has continued to pay us even though we are doing next to nothing. Next week I get to start moderating some of our content online. I cannot imagine what content I will get to see, but I like the power of getting to ban people for being jerks. Lol
Long time reader, first time commenter. ;)
I wanted to say thank you to whichever of yous has paid it forward and paid for an additional The Comfortable Words. It just wasn't going to be in the cards for me right now and, while it was was humbling to raise my hand and say, "yes, please!" to Erin's offer, your generosity was a warm hug and a challenge to not just numb out but actually consider what this time might offer me that I wasn't expecting.
Also, I am TWO WEEKS away from finishing out the 2019-2020 school year. This high school English teacher is ready to be done remote teaching and have my singular focus be keeping my two young kids alive and happy. Having a split focus without the physical parameters of a workplace and homeplace has had me feeling like I am half assing everything! This too shall pass and be a blip in the grand scheme of things. Just one day at a time!
Update: Erin's jumpsuit from Target seems to be out in all sizes.
Two treasures:
1. Curbside library pick-up notification. My 7 year old is not an e-reader. He does not like to curl up with me and a tablet to read. So thankful our library a few blocks from our house has curbside pick-up now. I filled up my hold list so fast you guys, you don't even know. :)
2. A local band I *adore* called Yam Haus (seriously all of these guys are the cutest and sweetest and yes I am THAT person that I also have befriended two of their MOMS haha) dropped a new single and it has brought me such joy today: https://youtu.be/F4duTHFzxQ0
Find more Yam Haus info on their website: https://www.yamhaus.com/
Texas is been semi open for a week and I cant handle it. I'm the next gen coordinator at my church and suddenly my pastor is ready to go 1000% all at once and I'm so not ready. My 9 sloth is like but I'm so comfy here don't make me move" The public is also giving me a battle. I realized that I can't control everyone elses behavior and response but only offer grace and more grace. Currently sitting in my car with an iced coffee bracing myself for walmart. Help!
Erin! 🙌🏼 Your GIF game is unmatched and totally made my morning. Thank you!!
The little thing that saved our week: Making a distancing free ice cream truck - we loaded up on different frozen treats on our last Instacart order, made a big poster of the different kinds we had and taped it to our truck, and drove around the neighborhood blasting music and throwing popsicles and ice cream sandwiches to friends. Dressing in costumes optional but strongly encouraged. I HIGHLY recommend doing it - it broke up the monotony and made everyone smile and laugh more than we had all week!
Also - the Why Mommy Drinks podcast. I’m going through listening to old episodes now, and I LOL constantly. Betsy Stover and Amanda Allen have a hilarious guest parent on each episode, and they take turns going around answering the question of what broke them this week. SO FUNNY.
Hey all! Greetings from MN as I sit at my desk wearing a mask.
That's right
At the office, we are now required to wear masks. If you are in the building, you wear a mask. I'm on day 4 of office mask wearing and its been something to adjust to. But for me, its literally wearing a security blanket -- on my face. I know all *I* have been doing to comply to social distancing and sheltering in place, but I cannot say that for everyone I encounter when I walk in the building. So I will wear whatever they hand to me.
So....treasures time.
1. Not deserving my treasure is the fact gmail sent this email and put it in my promotions folder instead of my inbox. UM HELLO GMAIL THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST VITAL MESSAGES I GET ALL WEEK.
2. Rocking my lipstick even under a mask. I know, this is weird. But you guys I have been "that girl" with lip products since I was like 7 and I had a tinted lip balm from Avon that looked like a brown crayon but was chocolate flavored and gave you just this twinge of brown tint to my lips. Today I am rocking a rather dark shade that came in a variety pack --it #43.
But it does not smuge under a mask and I feel slightly disney villain https://www.sephora.com/product/cream-lip-stain-liquid-lipstick-P281411?skuId=1805803
3. Getting auto repairs. I know, this isn't exactly a treasure. But having my vehicle be safe is key. And thankful I was able to get this repair and not use a credit card to pay for it.
4. Using up beauty products - As I am also using up candles I am using up various face washes, lotions, potions, shampoos, conditioners, bars of soap, etc.
5. Foamy soap refills - Okay my 7 year old is a soap snob. he loves to just pump and pump and pump the foam soap container -- this company was referenced in an article about sustainable industy and I thought "eh, why not" - I got a bag of Lemon Basil & Geranium (currently in use, it smells divine) and Cucumber Melon & Jasmine Flower (hello slight 90s flashback). I don't feel bad over the child going foam crazy. Buy them here: https://geloproducts.com/
6. Finally finishing Nashville on Hulu. I remember I couldn't watch this when it was cancelled on ABC and went to CMT because my cable package was weird. Falling back into this show. What a dang delight. It's pure soapy (ha) brain shutting off elixir.
7. I have a virtual 5k this weekend. It is the SuperHero 5k Dash to benefit our local ALS Association. This cause is huge for me. This organization did so much for my mom and our family when she was battling ALS. They provided us with technology so she could speak, tools that kept her mobile, feeding items, care providers, you name it, they helped. Reps from the group attended her funeral. I'm going to advovate for this org for the rest of my life. http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Endurance/Minnesota?pg=entry&fr_id=14221
Erin: I see you rocking that jumpsuit! (goes to see if Target still has it in stock). Your family is beautiful.
Thoughts & Prayers Section
For all us who have mixed feelings about Mother's Day. It's a hard day for so many. For those who have lost mothers. For those who have complicated relationships with their mothers. For those who struggle with being and becoming mothers, for those who feel they need to explain why they *aren't* mothers. Just be kind on this day.
Personal T&P
My dad works in a correctional facility here in MN (Willow River/WRC). Now before you think my life is a Loretta Lynn song, I should be clear my dad is actually a chef. He is a private caterer and my life is filled with kitchen memories from places he owned. But he decided to work for the Department of Corrections because (a) he wanted to teach people how to cook, he wanted some to understand the power of food and how it can make you employable anywhere and how to sustain yourself and those in your circle (b) the DOC has a 10-year retirement/pension package. Being in the hospitality industry is not all Food Network fame. My dad always put his employees first which left him not much for his own retirement accounts. That all being said, as of today WRC has 55 confirmed cases of Covid, 4 staff members are home recovering. He goes to work each day with gloves and a N95 mask and hopes for the best. He's 63. I worry everyday. It's a lingering feeling of panic under my skin every moment. He calls me 3x a week (he's not a big tech guy) and I let him vent. But I am scared. I am so scared. So please ... any prayers.
Everyone keep being lightbringers
Mel
Coming from the person who was diagnosed with diabetes in 3rd grade and always felt weird and different and didn't want to draw attention to it, the fact that you faked it baffles me. 😂 Also, this pandemic sucks and I'm 100% over hanging out with friends over Zoom and this week our governor extended her executive order until July, so that's just cool cool cool. I have a blog post due for my church tonight, and I have no idea what encouraging thing I'm going to write. Also also, I'm moving next month which I'm excited about, but what a weird time to be moving.
My pure joy and delight right now is baby Kobe. You need him in your life to get you through sad quarantine times.
https://instagram.com/kobe_yn?igshid=1xuibbix0p0tu
I’m not dealing with any of the stress most people are, but I always appreciate the moments of joy that we’re all seeing online these days.
—> First, I ALWAYS need a Loki scene/meme, so THANK YOU, Erin!
—> Second, the videos of a family of adults participating in their own Quarantine Olympics kept me laughing for an hour. My faves are the Bobsled Stairs Challenge, Can Curling, Roomba Challenge, and Fork Potato. But I was strangely invested in the Straw Challenge (slurping from a glass while the refrigerator water dispenser filled it up). 😂 This is high level play, right here!
https://youtu.be/sb60hXBhqT8
- Never Have I Ever on Netflix - so good and so heartwarming!
-I've been making Dalgona coffee ( the tik-tok coffee) and im kind of obsessed.
- I turned 29 yesterday, and was blessed with notes and flowers and Sour Punch Straws from good good friends and I felt so loved. <3
- I turned 29 yesterday and my sister and brother-in-law threw a simple *safe* dinner that The Boy came to and it was not weird and my heart delighted over the BIL and The Boy bonding over me and my sister's mutual weirdness.
-TIGER KING RECAPS. now off to work and listen to this newest episode!
Thanks to all my Lil Swipes friends for praying, my Rona test came back negative, but my doc says the test I took is only 70% accurate and thinks I likely got a false negative. Good news is, I'm doing sooo much better and basically feel like a normal human being again.
I also finished my last assignments for my Masters so now I'm officially DONE WITH SCHOOL FOREVER AND EVER AMEN. PTL. (I also now have MSW after my name, which is cool and weird)
My treasure this week has been reading "The Likeness" by Tana French. I finished "In the Woods" about a month ago and absolutely hated it, but I heard her books get better as they go on. I'm HOOKED on this one. It requires a lot of suspended belief and ignorance of plot holes the size of Texas, but it's the fun and trashy kind of escapism I need right now. It's been a minute since I've been stay-up-past-my-bedtime-because-I-don't-want-to-stop-reading into a book so even though this one is silly, I'm really enjoying it.
Some of my treasures this week:
1. I was in need of a lighthearted experience after watching Waco on Netflix, so I watched the first episode of Prop Culture on Disney+. It's all about movie props, how they are used in movies, where these props have ended up decades after the movie released, etc. The first episode is about Mary Poppins and I may have cried a little.
2. Caroline Hirons' skincare content.
3. Re-starting the Couch to 5k program with my husband.
4. Cheese.
A Friday morning gift as always .
Also, I taught a "Children's and Young Adult Literature" elective class this semester, and YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW how often I brought up the Babysitter's Club...
Thanks for sharing your sweet porch photo!
Zoom version of my book club is my little treasure for the week - last night we discussed "Such a Fun Age" and chose "Hidden Valley Road" for next month.
We are also mourning the loss of summer activities here. Camps, VBS, swim lessons...not everything has been officially cancelled yet, but I am anticipating it and trying to come up with alternative plans now so I don't go insane later.
A friend reminded a bunch of us of Brene Brown's take on mourning, and I am going to butcher it so forgive me, but the gist of it was we are all going to grieve things, and what we grieve and how we grieve isn't less than someone else's grief. This was super helpful to remember, as I sometimes feel silly grieving things like summer activities when such horrendous things are happening around us. I grieve those things, too, but I CAN grieve both.
Little Joys:
1. Inspired by Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, I have made my own playlist on Spotify that causes me to dance around our house outrageously, like I am a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance and Mia Michaels have given me the most amazing choreography. My children think I am insane, and I am now a 40 year old woman who knows all the words to Sucker.
2. Our Friends of the Library created themed stacks of books to sell to raise money for our beloved public library, and now my boys and I have new reading material to last us for weeks. It was a delight to get them delivered to our door.
3. We are starting the process of putting up our pool, and I can't wait until this cold snap leaves so my boys have something else to entertain them, and wear them out.
I think I'm going to have to revisit BSC - I identified most with Mary Ann, but I wanted to be Claudia SO BAD.
Just found this New Yorker article on Ann M. Martin from 2016, while searching for a release date on the series. I enjoyed it, so I thought I’d drop it here! https://bit.ly/3cgSw5K
I loved in The Popcast episode where Knox or Jamie (now I can’t remember!) said isn’t Stacy your favorite (in regards to the BSC) and you responded so vehemently in the negative that it made me laugh. I’m a total Mary Anne but I longed to be a Claudia. Also, my happy thing today is that it’s my cat’s birthday. And no, she’s not having a party. I’m not THAT crazy. 😉
I have four kids from 14-19. The only one that is remotely pleasant on a regular basis is going back to college today to take classes online and live alone in a house off campus. SHE IS THE LUCKY ONE. I had my gallbladder removed the day before school closed and I guess the good news is I’ve had a nice slow recovery and can now eat queso without any side effects, but I’m also 2 months behind on exercise and I’ve decided I can rotate through 3 maxi dresses all summer and things just won’t matter. In that case, pass the margaritas. Here’s the last thing quarantine has done to us: my husband bought a karaoke machine, so our kids are growing up listening to their parents wail 90s songs late at night. Happy Friday and blessings to you all.
Every morning before I leave for work, I put peanut butter in one of Mack's kong toys as a treat. Mack is my six month old goldendoodle.
Monday morning, I put the Kong toy on the counter and walked away. When I came back to the counter the toy was missing, so I grabbed another toy (knock-off Kong) and filled it with peanut butter. Then I put Mack in his crate with his toy, told him when I would be back from work and that I loved him.
I keep my work bag by the door so that I can scoop it up as I run out the door while I try to beat the "I just set the Away Alarm Must get out the house in 60 seconds" game. Later in the day, when I went to grab my lunch out of my work bag I noticed Mack had placed the Kong toy in my work bag as a happy! It was so pure and wonderful and made my day! How sweet is he-placing a toy in my work bag so that I have something to play with during the day while I am away from him!
Thanks for this, Erin! ♥️
We are mourning the loss of summer activities big time here. My son went to church camp for the first time last summer and he talks about it like it was last weekend. Cancelled. Swim team. Cancelled. Vacation. Cancelled. We knew it was coming and we totally agree that it's for the best, but it still doesn't fix the sadness. So I put on a mask and went to the store and bought a huge blow up pool, water balloons, water squirters, and pop. I came home and held my kid while he cried and then offered my consolation summer fun. We immediately had a water balloon fight! So now when the weather is warm and we have all the big feelings we will have a water balloon fight to cope. 🤷♀️
Okay, your porch pics made me tear up (your fam is so beautiful, Erin!) and then your ending paragraph sent me over. I'm really, really grateful for those words. I feel like I'm constantly battling the "I shouldn't feel so angry/depressed today," but alas, it continues to occur. Thank you for validating and affirming that it's okay to be there. I have a lot of feelings about my county's stay-at-home order being extended to June 4. None that I can quite put to words right now other than a long string of curse words. So, there's that.
On Wednesday, my 3-year-old gave my phone a bath (trying to be a cool, fun mom by letting him give his dinosaur figurines a bath in a plastic bin, but I walked away for 2 minutes to change the 6-month-old's diaper, and ta-da! dinosaur bath turned into a phone bath). I honestly wasn't even mad. But I have been in this weird limbo of agitation because I can't get in touch with people the same way or check out from the world in the same way, but also relief that I don't feel the need to check my phone constantly. I'm sure there's some deeper thing I could say/learn from this, but mostly, I'm learning that nothing is safe with a 3-year-old around and not being able to easily use emojis on my laptop is cramping my style.
ANYWAY, just wanted to give a shoutout to those of you who recommended Booksmart to watch on my birthday last weekend. It was a HIT. Both my husband and I enjoyed it so much - it was the perfect quarantine birthday movie. So, thanks, pals. :)
I also finished reading "Talking As Fast As I Can" by Lauren Graham this week, and it was a delight. So lighthearted with some seriousness sprinkled throughout. Old Lady Jackson is a hoot.
Grateful for this little corner of the internet and having something to look forward to every Friday. (I would put a bunch of heart emojis here if I could!)
Hey everyone! 👋🏻 Greetings from Newborn Twin Land, where my life is lived in a 2-hour cycle of pump, eat, sleep, repeat, maybe see my boys/husband at some point. 🤪 It’s been a wild 10 days with Henry & Elliott but we’re finding our way and making it work. Lots of moms have been telling me pumping is very isolating and difficult but I gotta say... if you’re social distancing anyway, it’s not half bad. I feel like quarantine has prepared me for this. Plus we’ve been able to have family help while they’re furloughed and my husband will be WFH all summer so... we will survive with some Coronavirus silver lining.
3 Treasures getting me through the newborn stage:
1. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: it’s just so cute and lighthearted. I gave up trying to keep up listening to The Daily. I don’t need news. I need musical numbers and to be surprised by how muscular Skylar Astin is.
2. The Ten Thousand Doors of January: this is the perfect book for middle-of-the-night pumps. Magical realism and adventure with a teenage girl heroine!
3. Manatee Warmie: do you need something warm and cuddly to comfort yourself? This is basically a larger, microwaveable, lavender-scented beanie baby. Best $20 ever spent. Intelex Warmies Microwavable French Lavender Scented Plush, Manatee Warmies, Gray, 14" X 8" X 4" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTXCTVC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OavTEb1NNG5WB
Erin, your GIFs are always so on point. I thank God for your skill in communicating feelings through 2-second videos. It's a gift. So, I'm just going to cut to the chase, and bring something big and important that is weighing me down. I'm deeply saddened by the news of Ahmaud Arbery. I'm grieving for his family, his community, and really, for our society where these tragic events can still happen. If you need me, I'll be over here in a corner praying all the things -- for forgiveness, for justice, for us to be a people who act first out of love. Yikes, my heart aches.
*please take note of this, the most awkward segue I could imagine*
In less sad news, I have been participating in one of those Instagram games as a fun distraction - "30 Day Song Challenge", which indicates that we have reached Quarantine Level: Desperation. I'm notoriously terrible at knowing music/artists/songs, so I actually took this as a legit challenge. One of the days is to post a "song from your preteen years." Internet friends, can I just say what an absolute delight it was to walk back through the Billboard Top 100 Lists of 1993 and 1994, when I would have been 10 and 11. Janet Jackson, Ace of Base, Sheryl Crow, Spin Doctors, Lisa Loeb! These years are an embarrassment of riches. Get thee to Spotify and enjoy, if you need a happy distraction. And just to bring it full circle, I stumbled upon P.M. Dawn's song, "I'd Die Without You" from their album "The Bliss Album....?" The question mark. In the album title. Were they unsure? Its so perfect. And the subtitle of this album will henceforth be my subtitle to the year 2020: "Vibrations of Love and Anger and the Ponderance of Life and Existence." (How did they know?)
Woof, that's a lot. Thankful for this little corner of the internet!
Julian Fellowes released a new show, Belgravia, on Epic. Not sure it will be on the level of Downton, but I’m enjoying it so far!
Thank you Erin, you are a treasure. ❤️ Last night on FB a close family member commented on another family members posting of that Plandemic video that it needed to be posted on Instagram. Well, my wing 9 abandoned ship to comment on that crap! Although it was a very wing 9 comment of “please don’t Instagram is a happy place for family, pet & nature photos”. 🤦♀️ Also, we are dealing with adult child drama. I can’t comment more because I might cry, break out more (adult acne is dumb esp. when you have adult children) or go hide in bed. But I’ve got to put on my mask & go buy groceries for the rest of the family. Much love to you & your family and all the other Lil’ Swipes. I can’t wait to listen to the Tiger King recap when I clean the bathrooms today. 😂 🐯
I cry and/ or rage about things that are cancelled pretty regularly too. And this week I am so tired of fighting with my kids. So. Tired. We did go out to a couple of biking/walking trails this week, and it was a nice change of pace. This week I've gone for reading binges and TV LOLs: I discovered Jane Harper (author of The Dry) and LOVE her books. I followed all the recs to watch Never Have I Ever, which was perfection, and Middleditch and Schwartz has had me cry laughing. And this is random, but I've been reading a chronological Bible plan, and this week it's had me mostly in the Psalms. I always underestimate the power of Psalms for helping me settle my mind, and I have needed that. Anyway...later, lil' swipes!
Two weeks into quarantine I went on a rage walk to get away from my 3 kids, tripped over a hole and broke my ankle. My husband had to come find me because I PASSED OUT from the pain and the awful crunching noise and he had to carry me home. And listen, looking back I can’t even say that that was the worst thing to happen in quarantine so far. 🤷🏼♀️ As I was lamenting (read: bitching) to my mom about how much this has SUCKED, and I’m over it, but there is NO END IN SIGHT because even if quarantine ends now we’re in summer? And all the camps keep getting canceled? And can’t she see I’m drowning? She said, “I’ve been thinking about your situation (😒) and you know, at least you don’t have to work, I mean at least you don’t have a job or anything, those people are having to do everything you are AND work from home.” I tried to let it roll off me, cause she has the right to say dumb things too, yaknow? But now I’ve been in a funk for over a week questioning why I’m such a wimp. Why isn’t this easier? Why can’t I make the most of it? Why did I think it would be fun to have 3 children? 🤨 This story has no point, I’m just venting, to the internet, because this is hard, it’s so hard, and it’s okay if you feel like it’s really hard.
I saved this to read locked in my room away from my kids and I appreciate the respite. No treasures to link to today my friends (I'm sooo tired)... maybe just the treasure of drinking wine and eating cupcakes for dinner? Open invite.
Speaking of celebrity homes, @ratemyskyperoom on Twitter is 👌🏼. Almost enough to make me rejoin the Twitter tempest. Almost.
Pulling the trigger in the BSC reread!