Hey pals. We’ve done Lil Treasures for 30 weeks straight, and I’m jonesing for a Lil Break. The thread is still open this week for you to share your treasures and turds, and as always, I cannot wait to read them.
Sending you all a virtual high five for making it to Friday, and lots of wishes for a happy weekend. Take care and we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled program next week. Thanks for letting me take this week off! ❤️
My mom and I have been watching NCIS at night and that's been a lot of fun.
I'm working on making a pie (not actually making it, but inventing a recipe) and I'm probably over-thinking it but I have nothing better to do anyway 😂
I've been reading a lot of good books lately (If you want recommendations let me know)
Oh this is great! When it comes to fiction, I typically stick to YA (cause it's the best) so I'm excited about this list! I've also already read Daughter of a Pirate King (and Siren Queen) and liked it so I know we have similar taste! Thank you for this extensive list!
Turds include losing sleep over extended family saying uninformed things on social media and stressing out over covid test results.
Treasures include: negative test results which finally came, my dream of eating Florean Fortescue’s ice cream came true, and after 5 years of being single AF, a childhood friend privately messaged me to ask if he could introduce me to another friend to maybe date (said guy is in my small group, so I surface know how) and I said yes (and now i’m sitting with little butterflies of anticipation in my stomach, don’t let me get ahead of myself), Netflix programming including Queer Eye and the Politician, and Sunday couch naps after having church outdoors for the first time in 3 months (!!!!)
Treasure: I've been reading The Warmth of Other Suns about the great migration out of the South and I was expecting pretty dry history (which actually would have been fine--I have a high tolerance for dry history books) but wowzers it is not dry. So much narrative drive! So intimate while telling such a big, broad era in history! Anyway. I'm only 90 pages in and I'm already calling it masterful.
Enjoy your break this week, Erin - it’s well deserved!
My big treasure for the week is getting my official acceptance for the Pharmacy Technician program I applied to last October! I’d been wait listed so had pretty much given up, but nope, I’m heading back to college in the fall. I already have a B.A. in History so this is a pretty big pivot. I’d spent 25 years in the non-profit world but decided last year to quit my job and go for a new challenge. I will graduate exactly one month after I turn 50 😂 I’m hoping I can balance the academic load while still keeping my current part-time job, which I love.
The school year here finally came to an end yesterday, and my kiddo finished grade 11 with straight A’s so that’s pretty awesome considering all the disruption of the last 3 months.
I treated myself to some new clothes and decided to jump on the linen pants bandwagon, which I have not regretted for a second. So soft and comfy, and totally breathable. I also stepped out of my comfort zone to try some new colours and I really feel fancy now. I wear all black for work so some bright colours in my off time is perfect!
My current job is in beauty and cosmetics, so here are a few of my current faves: the Clinique ID system, where you can customize your moisturizer with a treatment boost to get skincare tailored exactly to your needs; the Shiseido Urban Environment tinted sunscreen has excellent protection coupled with a lovely non-greasy feel; Lise Watier’s lipstick line is amazing and has something for everyone: gorgeous colour range, tons of different finishes, and it wears like a dream; I also picked up the Benefit Cheek Stars palette which contains 5 of the best-selling blushes, bronzers and highlighter, and it’s given me a compliment-worthy glow.
Hey all from Minnesota, where I didn't have to spend a day masked at the office as our office was closed in honor of Juneteenth. So that is treasure #1.
Last week my treasure was having take-out dinner and outdoor hard cider at a local cider taproom with my dearest friend Stacey. I have known Stace for.........*pauses for dramatic effect and math* -- 38 years. We joke in 2 years we are going to get some sort of symbolic tattoo because we have known each other that long. Since 40 years is the Ruby anniversary we joke something red. It was lovely to see her. We opened and closed the bar ;) Granted, it was only open from 4-8 pm. But still! HA
Treasures of the week
1. Queer Eye. Man, this show. I am in the 7th episode of the most current season. It's been a triggering episode as the husband has ALS, which my mom passed of. Hearing that he has been living for 8 years since diagnosis? Blew my mind. My mom's case was....... well very fast. But I just adore this show so much. Although it really makes me look around where I could improve pretty much every room of my house so its not like a 'before' house.
2. Reading a lot with my 7 year old. This school year was one where we really focused on reading and writing with Lincoln. Long story short, Lincoln had cataract surgery when he was 4 years old. Yes, like your gramma probably has had. He was diagnosed at 2, but we had to wait until he was 4 so he could better vocalize WHAT he was seeing and explain it. He wears bifocals and it has led to him having some small motor issues because for years his depth perception was impacted. So this year was one where really getting his writing and reading ramped up.
The reading has been easy. The switches are firing and we read at least 4 different books a night. If you want to follow all the books we read, and maybe some of what I sneak in there, follow me on GoodReads.
3. All the walking. Last year I used Charity Miles to devote 1000 miles to the ALS Association for my mom. This year its 1135 miles. I am down to 479 miles by the end of 2020. Let's just say, getting outside for at least 3.1 miles a day has been very easy since our winter was pretty mild.
4. My friend's daughter being able to say "Hi Mel" via messenger videos. You guys. This makes my day. So I sent her videos each day too. I'm like the free Cameo for toddlers. It's so fabulous ;)
5. Frozen juice cups as a tasty treat. SO my kids get to have free lunches (its offered to all in our district) and they basically run on the bus line 2x a week and give lunches to whomever will take them. In them there are a collection of different juice cups. I have taken to freezing them and eating them as a refreshing treat post run or before bed and don't feel guilty.
6. Kuddoooz to Danielle for reaching out to me today to be sure I was okay when she saw I hadn't entered the chat. Thank you for seeing me friend.
Turds. Work has been frustrating. I have been debating starting to look for another job and go back to being in the nonprofit world. When I first started where I am, it was a very different company -- in fact it was my first true corporate job. But now? It's lost it's soul and its making me feel like I'm losing mine in tiny cuts. But as we have learned in the covid area. Tiny cuts HURT. I mean hello? Purel on a paper cut? Jeezum!
Weirdest thing to happen to me all week was the receptionist at the vet this afternoon who told me that systemic racism is a conspiracy theory. I mean, what do you even say to that??? Especially someone at least 20 years older than you that you don't know very well. It was the first I'd seen in real love of how far people are willing to go to stay comfortable. Wow.
A few weeks ago I impulsed bought a packable hammock from Aldi. First, if you’re not a fan of Aldi I’m gonna need you to make a trip cause you’ll love it and become obsessed. Anyway back the hammock, I have found the perfect spot to hang it. Trees set apart the exact distance be plenty of shade cause Texas. I love the looks and comments I get from people when they see me just relaxing in public in a hammock. It’s the best!
No Aldi in Colorado either. My husband feels that being required to bag (or box) your own groceries is bordering on communism, and isn't sad about our Aldilessness. I, however, miss it.
2. Rick Astley getting Rick-Rolled on Reddit, which led my husband and I to his YouTube page. I don't think I realized that Rick is actually a pretty good singer...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5oeWHngDS4
3. Discussion in the Black Coffee With White Friends: Cream & Sugar Bookclub started yesterday and it is so life-giving and hard and wonderful.
4. We finished the last episode of The Night Manager last night - guys, the last 3 episodes were SO TENSE - but it ended so well! And I DO really like Tom Hiddleston now!
But now we need a new show to watch! Any recommendations for shows on Hulu or Amazon Prime?
We have been watching The Great on Hulu. Also we really enjoyed Mrs America on Hulu. For a mindless watch Britain’s Best Home Cook (chef?) on Hulu is a moderately good replacement for GBBO until it returns.
- The pandemic and a friend doing rounds in a teaching hospital in Florida and sharing horror stories about the case load. Things up here are pretty closed still (Seattle), but I confess to having so much anxiety about it still.
- Our dog may or may not have cancer :/ waiting on biopsy results from the vet and I’m sad but my husband is a disaster. He’s 10 1/2 but still it’s hard.
Turds this week: The heat wave that arrived this week and the heat and thunderstorms arriving next week. Also the drought here. Vermont summers used to be so nice.
Also, we have had two bats appear in our house on two separate nights. We don't know how they are getting in, but I have to tell you catching bats at 4:30am after being awakened by a man running into the bedroom and slamming the door yelling about bats....it's not fun guys. It's not fun.
Work is stressful. It feels like too much to even have to explain why. Just know that it is and that working from home and not being able to effectively communicate with people (because now that it's summer they are working "in the field" and not checking their email) is making me crazy.
My alma mater is possibly closing. This tears me up inside.
Treasures: Got to see my mom yesterday for about an hour. I've only seen her twice since quarantine with distancing.
I'm re-watching Northern Exposure on DVD because because it's wholesome and funny and distracting from the world. Do I want to move to small town Alaska? Sometimes.
Tim & I are headed up to my family's lake house in the North East Kingdom for a long weekend. No one has been there since February so we can quarantine easily while also getting in a little lake time. I have 18 hours of personal time that has to be used before the end of the month or I lose it so a little forced vacay never hurt anyone. I'm really, really, really looking forward to a little break from work.
Okay, today is moving day so I’m just going to hop on with a quick rom-com update. I told you guys I’d share how the long-awaited date with the dating app guy went, good or bad. And it was...not great. 😂😂😅
The guy ended up being just a little strange, and not just first date awkwardness strange. He seemed so normal and things were going so well for the six weeks before we met, and the date was really underwhelming. I knew during the date that it was going to be a no on my part. Unfortunately, he was still very into it, and wanted another date. I had to let the guy down gently. I think he was definitely a little hurt and confused, and I felt really bad, but then he said he understood.
But THEN, on Wednesday I woke up to a string of video messages in my Instagram DMs from him BEGGING FOR A SECOND CHANCE. You guys. I just. Can’t. The worst part is his videos got cut off at some point and he must not have realized it because it ended mid-thought. So I had to, again, gently respond and tell him I didn’t want to keep moving the relationship further along and string him along when I knew it wasn’t going to work out, and I hoped he understood. He was sad but said he did. But then asked if we could still be friends, to which I said okay because I hate conflict and can’t say a flat out no. So far he hasn’t been pestering since then, praise the Lord.
So all that to say, it didn’t work out, but I’m fine. It’s back to the drawing board. Usually this experience would have me trashing all the dating apps and giving up on finding a man for a long time, but I’m not doing that this time. I’m still braving the awful apps and have a couple conversations going, but nothing promising as of yet. Sorry for the anticlimactic ending to the boy saga. 😂😂
Also, had my third COVID test yesterday due to several clients and staff testing positive this week when just last week we all tested negative, so that’s fun. Doubt this will be the last. My coworker and I have our over/under on how many times we have to get tested by the end of this set at 8 (over).
Now, I’m going to go pick up my U-haul, load up my life, and move into my new apartment! As a reminder, the new apartment is attached to the house my best friend and her husband just bought. They moved in to the house Wednesday, and I’m moving in today. She has already said the backyard is dreamy and has declared 7:30 happy hour on the shared deck every night this summer. I am so, so excited! I will check back in tonight (or tomorrow - I may be enjoying myself too much tonight)!
Welllllllllllllllllll poop. We were hopeful for you. But kudos to you for being honest and cutting it off. And HUZZAH for living next door to your bff.
Good call on the date after all the messages... not a great look. 😬 but glad you're not giving up! my former roommate (the reason I had to move!) got engaged to a guy she met on Christian mingle, though my year and a half of bumble/hinge/OKcupid was not great and I had literally JUST ended communications with a bumble dude and promised my sister I was done with the apps when the Boy and I started flirt-fighting at lifegroup functions. 😂
If only there were single men in my community group! It’s all marrieds and one other single girl (pretty much my only single friend left), and we share dating app grievances on the reg, including sending screenshots of guys’ profiles to avoid if we know. 😂 We’ve told our community group to help a sister(s) out and set us up with guys! So far they have done terrible at this request. Our dream is that two single men in their late 20s-late 30s who are perfectly made for each of us would start going to our church. We can hope, right? 😂😂
My sweetheart of a pastor has warned me that single men (never married) in their late 40’s at church should most likely be avoided. He said while this isn’t usually true for the women of that age, for men there is often an issue with commitment or maturity.
Noooo bummer 😕 my unsolicited internet stream her advice was going to be “give him another chance, sometimes people are weird the first time” but the video messages... eesh
Such a bummer about the guy! I am holding out hope that one of those dating app guys are great — I’m actually hosting a social-distant backyard bridal shower for a friend who met her fiancé on coffee meets bagel, so there IS hope!
I have multiple friends who have met their significant other on dating apps (including the one I just moved in next to), so I know it works for some! But yeesh, it sure seems like a long and unpleasant journey to get to the treasure. Can’t we all just go back to setting each other up? Friends of friends? So far my invitation to do that has just proven that my friends are terrible match-makers. 😂😂
What a bummer about the guy. And my jaw dropped at the video DM's literally. Online dating/apps sounds like the absolute wooorst. But, so happy about your new place and more than a little jealous about the built in friend next door. I miss my friends SO MUCH and haven't seen any of them since February. Happy moving day!
Turds include my migraine and my 19 year old's stomach bug, but we are ok today! Treasures: I picked up The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires at the library- highly recommended by Annie B. Jones! I'm not into horror but yesterday while waiting for a new car battery I read about 50 pages and it is excellent. Juneteenth and the longest day of the year!!! I think my biggest treasure is white people getting a clue:) Also my MIL's nursing home had 1 case of COVID but it hasn't spread and that person is doing well!!!
Happy 30 weeks! It feels like forever and not that long at all since you started this, Erin! Enjoy the Friday off 😂
Y’all, since our IG follow thread last week, I’m loving seeing your names here and knowing what you’ve been up to on the interwebs. In a totally non creepy way. 💛
I’ve got “magic beans” to affix to poles this morning and a couple of YA books to crush for class. So those activities are my future things to treasure today. :)
Also ... if you follow my Instagram , and saw me share a photo of me on a trail with a dog to my stories, please know that the Boy was on the other end of that photo, took it when I was unaware (and therefore at ease) and posted it to his insta (AND tagged me), where I currently reside as the only girl on his photo feed. Soooo. There’s that. Nbd.
I TOTALLY WONDERED!! But in the veing of "totally non creepy" knoning what we're up to on the interwebs, I did not want to ask. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, a tagged photo in his grid? Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl.
BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm living vicariously through you. Well, you and the Swipe who had her first date with her boy last weekend. #prayingforanupdate
Yesterday I started watching Nadiya’s Time to Eat on Netflix (Nadiya from GBBO) and it’s so charming! The set (her actual house? Not sure...) is gorgeous and so colorful and she shows you how to make beautiful quick meals/dishes that include things like “tinned spaghetti” (spaghetti-o’s) but also like fresh raspberry cheesecake croissants. Perfect show to watch while attempting to bottle-feed twins by yourself.
Schoolteacher here, and LOTS of uncertainty about the Fall, but I found out yesterday that our English II classes will be dropping Macbeth ( I am admittedly a little sad about that) and replacing it with HAMILTON! As Sophie Hudson would say “Won’t He do it?”!!! All of my preparations this summer for LMM and Hamilton are professional development !
Yes!!! We have moved to semester courses and student choice- and we're including a lot more Black authors. My next goal is to promote/get my teachers to promote books with Black characters that are not centered on trauma/racism. I'm a school librarian in a small town in Kansas.
I have other treasures to tell, I hope, but I need to spend an hour or two working on my online class (I have about two hours of lectures to watch!). Godspeed, fellow Treasures.
So bad news is my town is now a hot spot- which considering its only 4 miles wide it’s not terribly shocking. Good news is my column came out and so far no hate mail🙌🏻, my four year old with apraxia has added some new words to his vocab. I met a new neighbor from afar whilst 4 year old stood next to me peeing on a tree. I also made the worlds best comfort/ feelings food chicken with bacon gravy. About to head out to the beach in a minute hoping the ocean and sun crack open my soul!
So you’ll understand that I pulled off the boys bathroom toilet seat and gave it all such a good scrubbing that even the screws are gleaming. That was three days ago and I have yet to put it back!! It’s sitting on my kitchen counter all clean and shiny! I can’t put it back knowing what terror awaits it!!
I deep cleaned my boys's bathroom at the beginning of quarantine and was shocked to discover that the tan floor tiles were not actually a "yellow-tan". Blerg...
Yikes!! I’m in mom’s Facebook group which those are often dumpster fires. But a mom of seven boys bought a black light to use in her sons bathroom to see where to clean and she said she is now traumatized for life!
😂 Such a brilliant idea to use it in the bathroom! I bought a black light when we moved into our house because the dog pee smell was so terrible and *whoa* it was an experience walking around the whole house in the dead of night and seeing hundreds of those glowing dog pee areas. I felt like a crime scene investigator using luminol to find the blood spatters. 😅
We have the best neighbors! Hank our four-year-old has pretty much Peed in everybody’s yard. We had to have a conversation about where you are allowed to pee outside. I swear that the minute he feel the wind on his face it trigger something in his brain that says I must pee out here!
This was such a great look into the wrestle you're experiencing. Being uncomfortable is a GOOD thing. I can only encourage you to lean into the uncomfortable-ness and fight complacency with all you've got.
30 weeks - does this mean in 10 more weeks we'll reach full term and something will be born? I feel like the Lil Swipes will need a shower for reaching full gestation.
To recap my year so far: got COVID, graduated from graduate school while still sick/recovering from Rona, my apartment flooded, temporarily homeless and staying with friends for a couple of weeks, found the dream apartment and moved in (if any of y'all are passing through Chicago and need a place to stay, I LOVE hosting people). I had ONE WEEK of "normalcy" (if you count constant racial tensions and nationwide lynchings normal) and now my car is broken. Can 2020 just.. not?
I'm grateful for this space where people post the junk, but also the fun stuff.
2020 is such a dumpster fire. I’ve decided to not even turn a year older because this year shouldn’t even count!! Also we love Chicago, my husband went to Moody so it holds a special place in our hearts.
I MEAN REALLY. Don't even get me started on how everything already fell apart in my life last year (traumatic relationship/break up, my church literally fell apart and shut down, etc.) and 2020 is just continuing the never ending string of turds on an amplified level. Like can I not just catch a freaking BREAKKKK?!
Also, thank you for the virtual hug. I accept all hugs, in-person or virtual.
Oh, girl. I was recounting to my friend the other day all of the bad things that have happened in my life over the last year-ish (2019 was also v rough for me) and I was like "I feel like I'm forgetting something. What am I forgetting?" IT WAS THE PANDEMIC. I FORGOT TO LIST THE PANDEMIC.
I live in Tulsa too! I just moved here a couple of years ago. I am a mother to three fur babies. I also have been shyly lurking in the corners here. :)
PSHAW about feeling like you're the oldest. You have the face of a youngster, and there are a number of us who are singles / parents to fur babies, plants and/or ukeleles. Glad you commented and thanks for sharing that feed. Will check him out, solely because you used the phrase whip smart. #like
Ok because I hate shopping for clothes online...how do these fit? Are they long? I'm short (5'2") any advice? I hope I don't need petite because they're sold out of my size!
I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Ours is slowing down so I know it's coming, but it's so hard when it happens. I had Cocaine and Rhinestones in my podcast list but didn't stick with it for some reason, probably because I subscribe to too many already. I'll have to give it another look!
Very sorry about Sadie Lady. That was the fate of our Lady dog last year.
Big 👏 for getting your friend pjs for after baby time. That's my go-to gift for showers now, because of all the reasons you said, and nothing fits anymore and if at least you can wear pjs that make you feel cute, it gives hope.
So sorry about your loss. Losing a pet is never easy.
I hope Michelle Leech leads the team on the field this year for our beloved bulldogs. Those pictures cracked me up so much. It might even make me like Saban...Nicole Saban 😎
Love it. As we always said about people who went to UMiss begrudgingly “they need missionaries there.” I’m kidding. My disdain for the Rebels has waned since I’ve lived in other states. Maybe because it seems like we Mississippians need to stick together.
Treasures:
My mom and I have been watching NCIS at night and that's been a lot of fun.
I'm working on making a pie (not actually making it, but inventing a recipe) and I'm probably over-thinking it but I have nothing better to do anyway 😂
I've been reading a lot of good books lately (If you want recommendations let me know)
My basil plant is getting pretty big.
I'm writing a novel and that's been pretty fun.
Would love your book recs!
Hey! ok, so I have to warn you I mostly read YA fiction, so I hope you're cool with that. Polgara the Sorceress by David and Leigh Eddings
Really anything by Morgan Matson but my favorite book of hers is Since You've Been Gone
My Lady Jane by Hand, Ashton, and Meadows
The A Thousand Pieces of You Trilogy by Claudia Gray
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
The Daughter of the Pirate King (and it's follow-up: Daughter of the Siren Queen) by Tricia Levenseller
The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano (AMAZING but it ends on a cliffhanger: the second book in the series is The Cursed Sea)
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (just in case someone asks: yes I saw the movie, no I didn't like it, they changed too much for it to be enjoyable)
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (very good, but it changes viewpoints very often and doesn't tell you whose view it is so it's a little disconcerting)
Seven Black Diamonds by Melissa Marr (I haven't read the second book yet, but I have finished the first one)
Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor
Hope you find something you like :)
Oh this is great! When it comes to fiction, I typically stick to YA (cause it's the best) so I'm excited about this list! I've also already read Daughter of a Pirate King (and Siren Queen) and liked it so I know we have similar taste! Thank you for this extensive list!
Yay! I'm glad it's useful!
Turds include losing sleep over extended family saying uninformed things on social media and stressing out over covid test results.
Treasures include: negative test results which finally came, my dream of eating Florean Fortescue’s ice cream came true, and after 5 years of being single AF, a childhood friend privately messaged me to ask if he could introduce me to another friend to maybe date (said guy is in my small group, so I surface know how) and I said yes (and now i’m sitting with little butterflies of anticipation in my stomach, don’t let me get ahead of myself), Netflix programming including Queer Eye and the Politician, and Sunday couch naps after having church outdoors for the first time in 3 months (!!!!)
Treasure: I've been reading The Warmth of Other Suns about the great migration out of the South and I was expecting pretty dry history (which actually would have been fine--I have a high tolerance for dry history books) but wowzers it is not dry. So much narrative drive! So intimate while telling such a big, broad era in history! Anyway. I'm only 90 pages in and I'm already calling it masterful.
It is so good! Waiting on my turn at the library again!
Enjoy your break this week, Erin - it’s well deserved!
My big treasure for the week is getting my official acceptance for the Pharmacy Technician program I applied to last October! I’d been wait listed so had pretty much given up, but nope, I’m heading back to college in the fall. I already have a B.A. in History so this is a pretty big pivot. I’d spent 25 years in the non-profit world but decided last year to quit my job and go for a new challenge. I will graduate exactly one month after I turn 50 😂 I’m hoping I can balance the academic load while still keeping my current part-time job, which I love.
The school year here finally came to an end yesterday, and my kiddo finished grade 11 with straight A’s so that’s pretty awesome considering all the disruption of the last 3 months.
I treated myself to some new clothes and decided to jump on the linen pants bandwagon, which I have not regretted for a second. So soft and comfy, and totally breathable. I also stepped out of my comfort zone to try some new colours and I really feel fancy now. I wear all black for work so some bright colours in my off time is perfect!
My current job is in beauty and cosmetics, so here are a few of my current faves: the Clinique ID system, where you can customize your moisturizer with a treatment boost to get skincare tailored exactly to your needs; the Shiseido Urban Environment tinted sunscreen has excellent protection coupled with a lovely non-greasy feel; Lise Watier’s lipstick line is amazing and has something for everyone: gorgeous colour range, tons of different finishes, and it wears like a dream; I also picked up the Benefit Cheek Stars palette which contains 5 of the best-selling blushes, bronzers and highlighter, and it’s given me a compliment-worthy glow.
Have a great week fellow Swipes!
Hey all from Minnesota, where I didn't have to spend a day masked at the office as our office was closed in honor of Juneteenth. So that is treasure #1.
Last week my treasure was having take-out dinner and outdoor hard cider at a local cider taproom with my dearest friend Stacey. I have known Stace for.........*pauses for dramatic effect and math* -- 38 years. We joke in 2 years we are going to get some sort of symbolic tattoo because we have known each other that long. Since 40 years is the Ruby anniversary we joke something red. It was lovely to see her. We opened and closed the bar ;) Granted, it was only open from 4-8 pm. But still! HA
Treasures of the week
1. Queer Eye. Man, this show. I am in the 7th episode of the most current season. It's been a triggering episode as the husband has ALS, which my mom passed of. Hearing that he has been living for 8 years since diagnosis? Blew my mind. My mom's case was....... well very fast. But I just adore this show so much. Although it really makes me look around where I could improve pretty much every room of my house so its not like a 'before' house.
2. Reading a lot with my 7 year old. This school year was one where we really focused on reading and writing with Lincoln. Long story short, Lincoln had cataract surgery when he was 4 years old. Yes, like your gramma probably has had. He was diagnosed at 2, but we had to wait until he was 4 so he could better vocalize WHAT he was seeing and explain it. He wears bifocals and it has led to him having some small motor issues because for years his depth perception was impacted. So this year was one where really getting his writing and reading ramped up.
The reading has been easy. The switches are firing and we read at least 4 different books a night. If you want to follow all the books we read, and maybe some of what I sneak in there, follow me on GoodReads.
https://www.goodreads.com/mellemo
3. All the walking. Last year I used Charity Miles to devote 1000 miles to the ALS Association for my mom. This year its 1135 miles. I am down to 479 miles by the end of 2020. Let's just say, getting outside for at least 3.1 miles a day has been very easy since our winter was pretty mild.
4. My friend's daughter being able to say "Hi Mel" via messenger videos. You guys. This makes my day. So I sent her videos each day too. I'm like the free Cameo for toddlers. It's so fabulous ;)
5. Frozen juice cups as a tasty treat. SO my kids get to have free lunches (its offered to all in our district) and they basically run on the bus line 2x a week and give lunches to whomever will take them. In them there are a collection of different juice cups. I have taken to freezing them and eating them as a refreshing treat post run or before bed and don't feel guilty.
6. Kuddoooz to Danielle for reaching out to me today to be sure I was okay when she saw I hadn't entered the chat. Thank you for seeing me friend.
Turds. Work has been frustrating. I have been debating starting to look for another job and go back to being in the nonprofit world. When I first started where I am, it was a very different company -- in fact it was my first true corporate job. But now? It's lost it's soul and its making me feel like I'm losing mine in tiny cuts. But as we have learned in the covid area. Tiny cuts HURT. I mean hello? Purel on a paper cut? Jeezum!
So have I rambled enough?
;)
Love you guys
Mel
Weirdest thing to happen to me all week was the receptionist at the vet this afternoon who told me that systemic racism is a conspiracy theory. I mean, what do you even say to that??? Especially someone at least 20 years older than you that you don't know very well. It was the first I'd seen in real love of how far people are willing to go to stay comfortable. Wow.
I do not even know what to say here. I am aghast.
A few weeks ago I impulsed bought a packable hammock from Aldi. First, if you’re not a fan of Aldi I’m gonna need you to make a trip cause you’ll love it and become obsessed. Anyway back the hammock, I have found the perfect spot to hang it. Trees set apart the exact distance be plenty of shade cause Texas. I love the looks and comments I get from people when they see me just relaxing in public in a hammock. It’s the best!
I am SO JEALOUS I really want a hammock. My yard has almost no shade during most of the day though =(
p.s. also jealous because there is no Aldi in Vermont.
No Aldi in Colorado either. My husband feels that being required to bag (or box) your own groceries is bordering on communism, and isn't sad about our Aldilessness. I, however, miss it.
That’s criminal! They are the absolute best. I’ve been addicted for a few years!
Happy 30 Weeks!
A few treasures this week:
1. One of my favorite local twitter accounts to follow has been doing "deck reports" since March and they are a snarky delight. https://twitter.com/larryvillelife/status/1272009830736240640
Also, tweets by Erin, Jamie Golden, Beth Moore, and Pantsuit Politics have gotten me through the week. Mercy.
https://twitter.com/jamiebgolden/status/1272201443102076930
https://twitter.com/erinhmoon/status/1272294989016576000
https://twitter.com/BethMooreLPM/status/1272168100419510272
https://twitter.com/PantsuitPolitic/status/1273724596940935168
2. Rick Astley getting Rick-Rolled on Reddit, which led my husband and I to his YouTube page. I don't think I realized that Rick is actually a pretty good singer...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5oeWHngDS4
3. Discussion in the Black Coffee With White Friends: Cream & Sugar Bookclub started yesterday and it is so life-giving and hard and wonderful.
4. We finished the last episode of The Night Manager last night - guys, the last 3 episodes were SO TENSE - but it ended so well! And I DO really like Tom Hiddleston now!
But now we need a new show to watch! Any recommendations for shows on Hulu or Amazon Prime?
We have been watching The Great on Hulu. Also we really enjoyed Mrs America on Hulu. For a mindless watch Britain’s Best Home Cook (chef?) on Hulu is a moderately good replacement for GBBO until it returns.
Thanks for the recs!
Turds this week:
- The pandemic and a friend doing rounds in a teaching hospital in Florida and sharing horror stories about the case load. Things up here are pretty closed still (Seattle), but I confess to having so much anxiety about it still.
- Our dog may or may not have cancer :/ waiting on biopsy results from the vet and I’m sad but my husband is a disaster. He’s 10 1/2 but still it’s hard.
Treasures:
- bought the old navy linen pants recommended last week! (Official lil swipes uniform?) I got them in the blue stripe and have converted three others in purchasing. https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=551156072&pcid=999&vid=1&searchText=linen+pants#pdp-page-content
Enjoy your break, Erin!
Turds this week: The heat wave that arrived this week and the heat and thunderstorms arriving next week. Also the drought here. Vermont summers used to be so nice.
Also, we have had two bats appear in our house on two separate nights. We don't know how they are getting in, but I have to tell you catching bats at 4:30am after being awakened by a man running into the bedroom and slamming the door yelling about bats....it's not fun guys. It's not fun.
Work is stressful. It feels like too much to even have to explain why. Just know that it is and that working from home and not being able to effectively communicate with people (because now that it's summer they are working "in the field" and not checking their email) is making me crazy.
My alma mater is possibly closing. This tears me up inside.
Treasures: Got to see my mom yesterday for about an hour. I've only seen her twice since quarantine with distancing.
I'm re-watching Northern Exposure on DVD because because it's wholesome and funny and distracting from the world. Do I want to move to small town Alaska? Sometimes.
Tim & I are headed up to my family's lake house in the North East Kingdom for a long weekend. No one has been there since February so we can quarantine easily while also getting in a little lake time. I have 18 hours of personal time that has to be used before the end of the month or I lose it so a little forced vacay never hurt anyone. I'm really, really, really looking forward to a little break from work.
Bats are the worst. So gross.
I'm right on the border. I actually work in Hanover. I bet the weather is fairly similar. hot hot hot!
Okay, today is moving day so I’m just going to hop on with a quick rom-com update. I told you guys I’d share how the long-awaited date with the dating app guy went, good or bad. And it was...not great. 😂😂😅
The guy ended up being just a little strange, and not just first date awkwardness strange. He seemed so normal and things were going so well for the six weeks before we met, and the date was really underwhelming. I knew during the date that it was going to be a no on my part. Unfortunately, he was still very into it, and wanted another date. I had to let the guy down gently. I think he was definitely a little hurt and confused, and I felt really bad, but then he said he understood.
But THEN, on Wednesday I woke up to a string of video messages in my Instagram DMs from him BEGGING FOR A SECOND CHANCE. You guys. I just. Can’t. The worst part is his videos got cut off at some point and he must not have realized it because it ended mid-thought. So I had to, again, gently respond and tell him I didn’t want to keep moving the relationship further along and string him along when I knew it wasn’t going to work out, and I hoped he understood. He was sad but said he did. But then asked if we could still be friends, to which I said okay because I hate conflict and can’t say a flat out no. So far he hasn’t been pestering since then, praise the Lord.
So all that to say, it didn’t work out, but I’m fine. It’s back to the drawing board. Usually this experience would have me trashing all the dating apps and giving up on finding a man for a long time, but I’m not doing that this time. I’m still braving the awful apps and have a couple conversations going, but nothing promising as of yet. Sorry for the anticlimactic ending to the boy saga. 😂😂
Also, had my third COVID test yesterday due to several clients and staff testing positive this week when just last week we all tested negative, so that’s fun. Doubt this will be the last. My coworker and I have our over/under on how many times we have to get tested by the end of this set at 8 (over).
Now, I’m going to go pick up my U-haul, load up my life, and move into my new apartment! As a reminder, the new apartment is attached to the house my best friend and her husband just bought. They moved in to the house Wednesday, and I’m moving in today. She has already said the backyard is dreamy and has declared 7:30 happy hour on the shared deck every night this summer. I am so, so excited! I will check back in tonight (or tomorrow - I may be enjoying myself too much tonight)!
Welllllllllllllllllll poop. We were hopeful for you. But kudos to you for being honest and cutting it off. And HUZZAH for living next door to your bff.
Good call on the date after all the messages... not a great look. 😬 but glad you're not giving up! my former roommate (the reason I had to move!) got engaged to a guy she met on Christian mingle, though my year and a half of bumble/hinge/OKcupid was not great and I had literally JUST ended communications with a bumble dude and promised my sister I was done with the apps when the Boy and I started flirt-fighting at lifegroup functions. 😂
If only there were single men in my community group! It’s all marrieds and one other single girl (pretty much my only single friend left), and we share dating app grievances on the reg, including sending screenshots of guys’ profiles to avoid if we know. 😂 We’ve told our community group to help a sister(s) out and set us up with guys! So far they have done terrible at this request. Our dream is that two single men in their late 20s-late 30s who are perfectly made for each of us would start going to our church. We can hope, right? 😂😂
My sweetheart of a pastor has warned me that single men (never married) in their late 40’s at church should most likely be avoided. He said while this isn’t usually true for the women of that age, for men there is often an issue with commitment or maturity.
I’m gonna start walking the streets. 😂😉
I’m gonna live vicariously through your patio happy hours!
Noooo bummer 😕 my unsolicited internet stream her advice was going to be “give him another chance, sometimes people are weird the first time” but the video messages... eesh
Such a bummer about the guy! I am holding out hope that one of those dating app guys are great — I’m actually hosting a social-distant backyard bridal shower for a friend who met her fiancé on coffee meets bagel, so there IS hope!
I have multiple friends who have met their significant other on dating apps (including the one I just moved in next to), so I know it works for some! But yeesh, it sure seems like a long and unpleasant journey to get to the treasure. Can’t we all just go back to setting each other up? Friends of friends? So far my invitation to do that has just proven that my friends are terrible match-makers. 😂😂
Holy moly!!!!
Yeeeppp. 😅😅😆
What a bummer about the guy. And my jaw dropped at the video DM's literally. Online dating/apps sounds like the absolute wooorst. But, so happy about your new place and more than a little jealous about the built in friend next door. I miss my friends SO MUCH and haven't seen any of them since February. Happy moving day!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBkOC0XJ4gG/?igshid=67ol3rjnec0s made me go "what?!" And felt like you guys would appreciate it, too.
aaaand those would all be for me. But also, as a former Starbucks barista, this is very satisfying 🤣
Turds include my migraine and my 19 year old's stomach bug, but we are ok today! Treasures: I picked up The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires at the library- highly recommended by Annie B. Jones! I'm not into horror but yesterday while waiting for a new car battery I read about 50 pages and it is excellent. Juneteenth and the longest day of the year!!! I think my biggest treasure is white people getting a clue:) Also my MIL's nursing home had 1 case of COVID but it hasn't spread and that person is doing well!!!
White people getting a clue is my favorite. 🙌🏼
Erin, thanks for leading by example and taking a break when you need it!
This made me tear up (admittedly, most things do these days).
https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1271985575759949829
And this Twitter thread made me giggle.
https://twitter.com/MatthewEPierce/status/1272695289187643392
You deserve a break! Have a good weekend!
Happy 30 weeks! It feels like forever and not that long at all since you started this, Erin! Enjoy the Friday off 😂
Y’all, since our IG follow thread last week, I’m loving seeing your names here and knowing what you’ve been up to on the interwebs. In a totally non creepy way. 💛
I’ve got “magic beans” to affix to poles this morning and a couple of YA books to crush for class. So those activities are my future things to treasure today. :)
Also ... if you follow my Instagram , and saw me share a photo of me on a trail with a dog to my stories, please know that the Boy was on the other end of that photo, took it when I was unaware (and therefore at ease) and posted it to his insta (AND tagged me), where I currently reside as the only girl on his photo feed. Soooo. There’s that. Nbd.
Did I just message you and FLAT OUT ask if it was The Boy? Yes, yes I did. #noshameinmygame
Lol. You know me irl though. 😂. Less weird that way 😂
The time lapse bean videos have been very soothing 💕🌱
OH, the unspoken love language of the Internet... So good. 😍😍 And I agree - super fun to seeing what everyone is up to beyond these Treasures!
I TOTALLY WONDERED!! But in the veing of "totally non creepy" knoning what we're up to on the interwebs, I did not want to ask. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, a tagged photo in his grid? Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl.
girl, I wanted to message you and be like LOOK AT MY STORYYYYYY. I'M FREAKING OUT!! but again. that might be weird. 😂😂😂
BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm living vicariously through you. Well, you and the Swipe who had her first date with her boy last weekend. #prayingforanupdate
Woah!!!!! That’s a big deal! Every time I see the beans I become jealous and impressed!
Enjoy you break, Erin!
Yesterday I started watching Nadiya’s Time to Eat on Netflix (Nadiya from GBBO) and it’s so charming! The set (her actual house? Not sure...) is gorgeous and so colorful and she shows you how to make beautiful quick meals/dishes that include things like “tinned spaghetti” (spaghetti-o’s) but also like fresh raspberry cheesecake croissants. Perfect show to watch while attempting to bottle-feed twins by yourself.
Also these tweets: https://twitter.com/joshcarlosjosh/status/1273292053540040705?s=21
https://twitter.com/ciarapollock/status/1272984064006463488?s=21
https://twitter.com/jestom/status/1272998642014707718?s=21
https://twitter.com/vinegarwithap/status/1272682963323564032?s=21
And the idea that Gen Z is very accurately roasting Millennials like myself makes me laugh. I think Erin and Jamie brought this to my attention via their Insta Story and Twitter “likes”: https://twitter.com/local__celeb/status/1272079624185544706?s=21
Treasures like these is why I'm still on Twitter. These were great!
Schoolteacher here, and LOTS of uncertainty about the Fall, but I found out yesterday that our English II classes will be dropping Macbeth ( I am admittedly a little sad about that) and replacing it with HAMILTON! As Sophie Hudson would say “Won’t He do it?”!!! All of my preparations this summer for LMM and Hamilton are professional development !
That's so exciting!! I would love that. I hope it doesn't put Hamilton in the "ugh required reading 🙄" category for them, though! 😂
Yes!!! We have moved to semester courses and student choice- and we're including a lot more Black authors. My next goal is to promote/get my teachers to promote books with Black characters that are not centered on trauma/racism. I'm a school librarian in a small town in Kansas.
Are you beside yourself with excitement?!?
Yes!!
Y'all, I just saw this on FB and think everyone needs to see it. What a special, precious story. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3547994798563244&id=161883877174370
I have other treasures to tell, I hope, but I need to spend an hour or two working on my online class (I have about two hours of lectures to watch!). Godspeed, fellow Treasures.
Welp. Now I'm a puddle. Thanks for sharing that. :)
I'm crying, that was beautiful.
That is precious! He sounds like my Granddaddy always getting the last word 😉
I got a chance this week to watch the presentation section of your substack event Erin. Great job! Hope you enjoy a good weekend off!
So bad news is my town is now a hot spot- which considering its only 4 miles wide it’s not terribly shocking. Good news is my column came out and so far no hate mail🙌🏻, my four year old with apraxia has added some new words to his vocab. I met a new neighbor from afar whilst 4 year old stood next to me peeing on a tree. I also made the worlds best comfort/ feelings food chicken with bacon gravy. About to head out to the beach in a minute hoping the ocean and sun crack open my soul!
3 boys here. Lots of neighbors and friends have witnessed backyard peeing...
So you’ll understand that I pulled off the boys bathroom toilet seat and gave it all such a good scrubbing that even the screws are gleaming. That was three days ago and I have yet to put it back!! It’s sitting on my kitchen counter all clean and shiny! I can’t put it back knowing what terror awaits it!!
Bwahahaha! I totally understand!
I deep cleaned my boys's bathroom at the beginning of quarantine and was shocked to discover that the tan floor tiles were not actually a "yellow-tan". Blerg...
Yikes!! I’m in mom’s Facebook group which those are often dumpster fires. But a mom of seven boys bought a black light to use in her sons bathroom to see where to clean and she said she is now traumatized for life!
😂 Such a brilliant idea to use it in the bathroom! I bought a black light when we moved into our house because the dog pee smell was so terrible and *whoa* it was an experience walking around the whole house in the dead of night and seeing hundreds of those glowing dog pee areas. I felt like a crime scene investigator using luminol to find the blood spatters. 😅
So brave!
I can't get the image of you talking to your neighbor while your kid is peeing on a tree out of my head! 😂
Have a wonderful time at the beach!
We have the best neighbors! Hank our four-year-old has pretty much Peed in everybody’s yard. We had to have a conversation about where you are allowed to pee outside. I swear that the minute he feel the wind on his face it trigger something in his brain that says I must pee out here!
We live out in the country, so when our son was 4 and visiting my parents in town, naturally he just peed in their front yard.
We lived in town when I was little, and our country friends came to play for an afternoon and the boy scandalized my mom by peeing in our backyard.
Oh bless it!! Hank would’ve traumatized her for sure!
Very well said, Erin!
You got a link to the column? I would love to read it!
https://www.postandcourier.com/georgetown/opinion/erin-spatz-column-listening/article_b9c2bdda-af36-11ea-a91f-0ba94a711217.html
This was such a great look into the wrestle you're experiencing. Being uncomfortable is a GOOD thing. I can only encourage you to lean into the uncomfortable-ness and fight complacency with all you've got.
Yes! We as a family have been involved in the fight against racial injustice for years but I’ve never written the words and sent them out like that.
Great job!
Standing o to you for talking about the hard things and admitting areas where you can grow. Well done, Erin!
Oh thank you!!
Great article! Waving at you from down the road (Mt. Pleasant)!
How lovely!! I often trek down to mt pleasant!
Thank you for your kind words. ❤️
Are you sure?! I’ll link it but don’t feel pressured to read it.
I’ve always lived near the ocean. I cannot imagine not having access to it. It’s a blessing for sure!
Thank for reading my words. It was so nerve wracking!
30 weeks! 🙌 Super grateful for this little corner of the Internet. 💗
30 weeks - does this mean in 10 more weeks we'll reach full term and something will be born? I feel like the Lil Swipes will need a shower for reaching full gestation.
30 weeks was about when I wanted a break from being pregnant. Sounds right to me!
I thought the same thing! 😂😂
Rest well, Erin.
This dog living his best life in a back yard brought me joy (along with lo, so many questions):
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBjxMA5gjls/
I needed this, thank you!
The one on the same account with the Huskies hiding on the bed just made me LOL
😮 I was not expecting that! 😂 Thanks for bringing this lil treasure into my life!
😂😂😂
Right? As if he commissioned it and is determining if it's up to his requirements. Here for it.
To recap my year so far: got COVID, graduated from graduate school while still sick/recovering from Rona, my apartment flooded, temporarily homeless and staying with friends for a couple of weeks, found the dream apartment and moved in (if any of y'all are passing through Chicago and need a place to stay, I LOVE hosting people). I had ONE WEEK of "normalcy" (if you count constant racial tensions and nationwide lynchings normal) and now my car is broken. Can 2020 just.. not?
I'm grateful for this space where people post the junk, but also the fun stuff.
This post where a teacher posts her favorite quotes from her students had me in ACTUAL TEARS this week: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBjb2B7JYAW/?igshid=1skw4uuaq3cw3
Haha so cute! The mom making her kid pay for the pics is so smart! lol
These are awesome!
2020 is such a dumpster fire. I’ve decided to not even turn a year older because this year shouldn’t even count!! Also we love Chicago, my husband went to Moody so it holds a special place in our hearts.
I have several friends who went to Moody!
I lol'd at the camping one.
P.s. Virtual hug about the car business. Because ENOUGH already.
I MEAN REALLY. Don't even get me started on how everything already fell apart in my life last year (traumatic relationship/break up, my church literally fell apart and shut down, etc.) and 2020 is just continuing the never ending string of turds on an amplified level. Like can I not just catch a freaking BREAKKKK?!
Also, thank you for the virtual hug. I accept all hugs, in-person or virtual.
Oh, girl. I was recounting to my friend the other day all of the bad things that have happened in my life over the last year-ish (2019 was also v rough for me) and I was like "I feel like I'm forgetting something. What am I forgetting?" IT WAS THE PANDEMIC. I FORGOT TO LIST THE PANDEMIC.
We appreciate you, Erin! We hope you are able to enjoy a much needed break 👏🏼
Yes, Erin take your break! If anyone deserves it, it's you! We're so appreciative of all that you do to create this space for us weekly.
Ditto
#truth
I live in Tulsa too! I just moved here a couple of years ago. I am a mother to three fur babies. I also have been shyly lurking in the corners here. :)
PSHAW about feeling like you're the oldest. You have the face of a youngster, and there are a number of us who are singles / parents to fur babies, plants and/or ukeleles. Glad you commented and thanks for sharing that feed. Will check him out, solely because you used the phrase whip smart. #like
proud mama to two ukuleles here 😂😂
So So SO SOOO scarrrrrry about your daughter. SO glad she is okay.
Hole. Ly. Lord.
I'm so glad your girl is ok and that you're finally on vacation.
I'm drinking SOMETHING tonight in honor of the week you've had b/c SHEESH.
Also, Mel is not here yet and this worries me. Imma send up a flare on messenger.
Thanks hunny. I'm okay. I also sort of needed a break and was home with the boys. I did my usual rambling post above :)
Wow. Thank God your daughter is ok.
So glad your daughter is ok!!
Wow! I'm so glad your daughter is okay!
I am so glad you’re daughter is ok. That sounds so incredibly scary and intense! Now I think you really do need a vacation though.
Oh my goodness! That is Too. Much. ITA, hope you have a boring time! Also how is your boss making you work during your vacation?!?!?!?
As a ginger and a boss of people I apologize on behalf of my kind.
Bless you. Thank God your daughter is OK. And may this weekend be completely boring.
Link to these pants you speak of?
Ooo love them. What color did you get and are they see through at all? I've had that problem with linen pants before.
Ok I bought these too!! I got the blue stripe and LOVE them. I also wore them in a FaceTime call with two friends and they’re buying them now, too.
They’re pretty thick, I think, not see through at all - at least the blue stripe ones are not.
Ok because I hate shopping for clothes online...how do these fit? Are they long? I'm short (5'2") any advice? I hope I don't need petite because they're sold out of my size!
Oh Lily, I am so sorry to hear about sweet Sadie 💕💕 thanks for sharing all turds and treasures!
You seriously sound like the best friend!
I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Ours is slowing down so I know it's coming, but it's so hard when it happens. I had Cocaine and Rhinestones in my podcast list but didn't stick with it for some reason, probably because I subscribe to too many already. I'll have to give it another look!
Very sorry about Sadie Lady. That was the fate of our Lady dog last year.
Big 👏 for getting your friend pjs for after baby time. That's my go-to gift for showers now, because of all the reasons you said, and nothing fits anymore and if at least you can wear pjs that make you feel cute, it gives hope.
Wind chimes! What a perfect sympathy gift. Unless you’re the type of person who hates wind chimes, but I like them! ❤️
Lily, as someone currently 25 weeks pregnant, that is the sweetest gift. Sounds so wonderful.
Victoria!! We're so close in due dates! I'm 24 weeks. Lily, that gift will seriously make your friend's day!
Congratulations! Being pregnant during a pandemic is no joke 😂
💯
So sorry about your loss. Losing a pet is never easy.
I hope Michelle Leech leads the team on the field this year for our beloved bulldogs. Those pictures cracked me up so much. It might even make me like Saban...Nicole Saban 😎
Love it. As we always said about people who went to UMiss begrudgingly “they need missionaries there.” I’m kidding. My disdain for the Rebels has waned since I’ve lived in other states. Maybe because it seems like we Mississippians need to stick together.