This week, imagine me driving by your house and dropping off a hashbrown casserole of treasures on your front porch. I flew on my first airplane since February this week and I’m in Texas to be the matron of honor at one of my dearest friend’s wedding. I have to admit, I was super skittish about flying, but felt perfectly safe the entire time. Had full rows to myself, stayed at least six feet away from other travelers, and the airport wasn’t crowded at all. I don’t think I’m quite ready to be all casual about flying now, but a good experience so far. Just FYI if you have to fly any time soon. Final verdict to come when I take a COVID test on Monday after my return.
OKAY WHO CARES ON TO TREASURES.
👶 This meme (H/T to Courtney Cleveland who always shares the good stuff).
💧 Have we talked about Rambler? I don’t fully understand what makes it so good (my heart wants to say it is because of Texas, so we’ll go with that), but if you like sparkling water, I HIGHLY recommend it.
If you’ve been around here long enough, you know I’m probably too conservative for most liberals and too liberal for most conservatives, but I really enjoyed in an earnest way/enjoyed in an eye-rolling way the DNC, especially some of the excellent tweets that came out of it.
😫 Are you dumb like me about eyebrows? Eyebrows continue to flummox me BUT I found these stencils (it sounds ridiculous, I’m a grown woman I should not be flummoxed by the thin strips of hair over my eyes) from Sephora and they are an excellent hack should you need further education in this matter.
🎧 Okay and finally, drum roll please…
The biggest treasure I have for you is that the inaugural episode of my podcast launches on Sunday! If you already listen to the Bible Binge, you knew this was coming, but if you don’t, surprise (I mean, I have been hinting at this for a while, but I have really been BURSTING to tell you)! Imagine me very sixth-grade book report earnest: Presenting Faith Adjacent, a spin-off of The Bible Binge where we break out of the sanctuary to find good and God in the things that surround us in our everyday lives. Think of it as spiritual archaeology, but in a fun way. Faith Adjacent is a spin-off of the Bible Binge, it’s monthly, and it’s pretty much what I’ve been immersed in for the past three months. The first episode was intended to be a test pilot, kind of a proof of concept, but we ended up liking it so much, we decided it would be a great premiere. I won’t spoil the subject matter for Sunday’s show, but I hope it blows you all away (😜). If you aren’t subscribed to the Bible Binge, make sure you do that so you don’t miss.
Okay team. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your internet sleeves this week.
Hi! If you like the Swipe Up, will you share the Swipe Up? I sometimes slide into your DMs with a treat, but mainly you get my undying gratitude. Thank you, it means a lot to me when you share with your people. ❤️
Hi friends. I don't know why, but I saved this for Sunday afternoon.
Treasures of the week: I SURVIVED WORKING ALL 5 DAYS. Something that hasn't been my reality since the second week of March. Like how in the world did I do that every day? Every week? All of the times? How even? {P.S. I did submit the application I mentioned last week and am in the waiting period of "we'll reach out to you if you get to the next round" situation.}
**I spent a full 2 hours on the phone with my momma today. And it. was. glorious. We talked about nothing and everything and all the stuff in between and it just made my heart happy.
Turd of the week: My best friend (only child) is dealing with her own momma's mental health, which does not seem to be going well right now. BFF is in my town and her mom is about 4 hours away in a different state. It's all very taxing and emotionally draining, especially without a full diagnosis yet and nervousness about what her mom may or may not be fully sharing with her care providers. Prayers much appreciated. We don't quite know what we're dealing with yet, so advice isn't necessary. (Silver lining, my BFF was able to reach out to my sweet momma for some advice and love and support. swoon)
I love y'all and very much appreciate the art of crafting these treasures and turds each week. It's fun... and I think one of the only places that I feel 100% authentically me in the voice I use. ;) Thanks for being a safe space to land.
Greetings, Treasures! I'll be honest, this has been a tiring week. We had houseguests at the beginning of the week, and I attempted to start my kids' homeschool year as well, and as a result I completely slept through my alarm AT LEAST once this week. It's not a lot, but these things are saving my life right now:
1) Finding Limoncello La Croix in stock at Target and buying multiple cases. It tastes like summer, and though I kind of want this summer to end, I want the limoncello taste to stay.
2) Teaching my daughter to make dinner for our family from scratch. Her crock pot glazed ham was delicious, and her broccoli casserole tasted better than any I have had at a church potluck. The pan was cleaned out. It's hard for me to let go in the kitchen, not because I love to cook but because I hate to clean up, and when you cook with kids it's even messier. My daughter is 13 and incredibly capable in the kitchen, though, and I can see myself being out of a job soon:-)
3) I know this makes me like your 87 year old Granny, but I am loving old episodes of Bull (CBS All Access, which I have for Star Trek Discovery, which also might put me on par with older relatives, lol). It's formulaic and predictable, and I find that is EXACTLY what I need right now. The cases are solved by the end of the episode? Great! The verdict almost always goes in Tony's, I mean, Bull's favor? Of course! My brain and heart and emotions cannot handle a lot of drama. I also cannot binge watch anything, or start a show where I.must.see.the.next.episode because they are all cliff hangers. I need tidy, I need predictable, I need routine and rhythms, and Bull provides that.
Have a blessed weekend, my online friends! Your treasures bring us joy.
I love your 87 year old Granny and that you love Bull... and that the "verdict almost always goes in Tony's... favor?"... I feel that NCIS vibe - HARD! <3
Hi, been reading for a while now, but have never said anything and I finally feel like I have a turd worth sharing that will only be appreciated for it's turdiness here.
I went to the local farm earlier this year and picked out all my plants for the garden. They had Mortgage Lifter tomatoes! I had been wanting to grow them for years and could never find them around here. So, in my excitement I bought two. I'm in Washington and our summer just started last week and the garden has been dragging it's live long feet on growing anything. All my tomatoes are heavy with green tomatoes, but no color yet until 5 days ago. I finally saw some red coming! It was on my mortgage lifter! My first tomato out of the garden would be the one I had waited my whole life for. I checked daily and whispered sweet nothings to it. Guys, it was ready yesterday. I cannot express to you the extreme disappointment that came from the tomato. IT WAS A FLAVORLESS CHERRY TOMATO THAT HAD BEEN MISLABELED AT THE NURSERY! I cried. Mind you, I'm heavily pregnant as well so let's blame the hormones for making this so much worse. But, it was just a bland red curry tomato. The other mortgage lifter imposter is a cherry as well. My plans to quell my homemade salsa cravings have been smashed into the little tiny pieces. My husband just doesn't get it being as he's not a tomato lover. I need time to mourn dramatically.
Treasures: Legend of Korra, yellow cupcakes with chocolate chips we're pretending are muffins (unfrosted), and I am joining a DnD campaign for the first time and am wildly out of my depth. I have no idea what is happening and it all sounds like a foreign language and it hasn't even started yet. All I know is I'm a Ranger Elf who does archery because all of those things sounded cool. haha
I had a long comment typed out and then my phone froze up and I lost everything 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️ Soooo, here’s the abridged version.
🌞 I’ve been soaking up the last week of summer before school starts back next week. This involved a day trip to the beach and as much time at the pool as humanly possible.
📺 I started outlander this week. I’m not sure why I waited so long.
🏃🏼♀️ I got to go for a walk with my workout friends for the first time since March. These two are some of my dearest friends - the kind who cheer you on relentlessly and are a soft place to land when you fall flat on your face. I have missed them so.
📚 I started reading The Federalist Papers in conjunction with Pantsuit Politics’ how to be a citizen series. I saved the episodes up until after I finished my Master’s degree (which I something I never thought I would have said prior to March).
😷 Y’all, I cannot with the mask acne. My skin is usually dry, so, acne has never been a problem even as a teenager. I’m using a salicylic acid wash, benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatments, and hydrocolloid patches. Help?!
I love this community so much but I am always so hesitant to post - unless I’m commenting on others’ posts. But I love this space every week, so here I am. Maybe it’s because I rarely feel that I have any treasures in this season. (Having OCD that is focused on germ fears and then putting that into a pandemic makes for a lot of turds.) But I want to hang out virtually with you lovely ladies!
One treasure I’ve got is the show Cursed. I know it’s not for everyone. It’s very violent and gory. But a retelling of the Author legend with a woman as the focus, people of color actually being cast (including Black Arthur!) and loads of magic? Sign me up!
Also, I have loved Andrew Peterson for years but I had never managed to read his Wingfeather Saga books. My 8 year old just read the first one so I’m am reading it to so we can discuss and it is a delight! So well written, just feels like a great story, not a kids’ book. Loving it. So glad there are 3 more waiting for me!
And then lastly, I had some bday money left over from my birthday in May (which doesn’t usually happen this many months after😬) and I decided to add to my Funko Pop collection by getting myself all 4 of the Schitt’s Creek ones. Adding the Rose family to my shelf is a joy!
Oh- one more treasure: I’ve made handmade cards for years just to give to people for bdays, etc. But I have a friend who bakes the most amazing cheesecakes and she asked me this week to make some cute tag-cards to put on her cheesecakes she’s selling and she’s trading me some cheesecake for my card-making. Best. Trade. Ever.
Turd- I am never in these comments early enough in the day on Friday!!
This may seem kinda weird, but my treasure for the week is that I FINALLY got my gallbladder removed on Wednesday! Yes, I feel like I've been punched in the gut, yes I am completely exhausted, yes the bruising is nasty but I swear I already feel so much better than I have in years. I never had typical 'attacks' but have dealt with an overall sense of feeling crappy for a really long time, so it was a journey to figure out what was wrong in the first place, and then to finally get a surgery date (mostly due to COVID delaying surgeries in general). The operation took quite a while longer than expected because my gallbladder was 'quite gnarly' per the surgeon but I think it should be onwards and upwards from here! Plus, I have to take it easy for the next few weeks so I can't vacuum or lift laundry baskets or push a shopping cart. This gal is finally getting a bit of a break. Time to watch Hamilton on repeat!
Speaking of Hamilton, how do I reconcile my love for the story with the fact that I was born in what is known as "Canada's Most Loyalist City"? Does this explain why I am so oddly drawn to the character of King George? Why did it only dawn on me halfway through the musical that my relatives were the ones who booked it North from Boston? If it means I have universal health care, I guess I can make peace with feeling like I let Lin-Manuel down...
But eyebrows are worth breaking my silence for. There’s a girl on the Bachelor this season who always says it swear on my eyebrows!’ as her version of swearing on her life and I mean... it seems worthy.
My brows are a mess right now but I bought tint for them because their light brown natural state is not good enough and even though they’re still scruff city it’s still a million steps better. Try it.
Oh, also, I’m travelling next week for the first time and have made myself some masks for the occasion (not mandatory here at all, but recommended when you can’t distance) and they have ties on them so they’ll stay secure while I nap on a long bus trip, and packed some essential oils because honestly if their lovely smells and maybe magic can make me feel a little less worried about the situation I’m here for it. HERE. FOR. IT.
Did anyone else listen to the Thomas episode of Bible Binge and love the guy? I feel like I get him a whole lot. Or he gets me. People act like doubt is a weakness but I think it’s a superpower to be able to doubt and then doubt those doubts and take them to the right place to deal with them.
He touched Jesus’ wounds and that helped him trust again and I’m glad he did because now we’ve got his witness and also permission to ask questions. I need that sometimes. All the time. Every single day.
Peter is bold and John is close to Jesus but Thomas is my boy.
Not here with a treasure from the week... Just here to say that the testing is worth it to be able to travel! I'm up to 7 tests now, with two more to come the next two Mondays, plus another one mandated by my employer in October. (I work for the State of Missouri, who supplies the testing.) Getting to see my parents for the first time in 7 months makes the sadistic swab totally worth it!
With your tests, how long do you typically have to wait for results? Just curious - I had one on Aug 10 and have yet to hear back from my dr’s office, so I called the county health department on the 17th, and thankfully received a negative. That’s awesome about getting to see your parents!!
Generally less than 24 hours. I think working for a State forensic psychiatric hospital where we've been dealing with an outbreak since April 7th gives our tests priority at the hospital they get sent to, which is also maybe 5 miles from my facility. We definitely have a different testing experience than most.
Hullo there, Swipes! ‘Tis my first time commenting, as I was cordially invited here by Danielle M (another human altogether, not my alter ego, and longtime friend) last week. I’m a fan of the Bible Binge, Enneagram 6, INTJ, mom, gardener, artist, and adventurous cook.
3. 👎My 4 kids started virtual this week, and the 8-10 Zooms + assignments daily are...a lot. TGIF. Much love to teachers, parents, and homeschoolers (which is an entirely different thing, especially now).
4. 👍Erin, I enjoyed the BB episode on Thomas, and the entire time I wanted to talk to you about something I recently found:
A. Priscilla is a totally viable possibility as an author of Hebrews (and according to my pastor friend, he feels she’s the most likely candidate).
So the whole time listening to the Thomas episode, I was tickled every time you guys mentioned the obvious differences in John’s presentation (sass, passie-aggressie, etc) at the thought of it being a woman author instead.
So excited for your new podcast!cThanks, Danielle M, for letting me in on this lovely weekly community + ritual ❤️
Hello D1, we are glad you're here! Yes! I am pro-Priscilla as the author of Hebrews, I want it to be so! We're gonna get into the Mary Magdalene stuff soon (wink) but it's so fascinating! 🙌🙌🙌
Longtime lurker, first time poster (as evidenced by the fact that I just wrote out a comment and then accidentally deleted it !!!!!!!!!). TAKE TWO.
This has been the epitome of a Hack Your Cry™ week over here. I may need to write myself a fake doctor's note that just says "stay in bed, watch A League of Their Own as many times as you need to, eat chocolate 1-2x per hour until sadness subsides." Going to try to treat myself as gently as this dog treated their treat (https://twitter.com/Chinchillazllla/status/1296357503014440961).
Welcome! I fought a Hack Your Cry (I don’t know why I don’t like to experience sadness but I am what I am) until yesterday. I just knew in my bones it was necessary so watched Sweet Magnolias. Whew, I got some emotions out!
First time posting! This newsletter was the treasure of my day today! Alarm didn't go off, completely flat tire after I was already on the road, jeans didn't fit. That kind of morning. Then I get to work and get to read this while drinking a much needed extra cup of coffee. My other treasure is I got halfway through the tire change by myself before someone pulled over to help me and would have gotten it done before my husband got to me from his office! Woohoo!
Still new sharing here, but love this community and want to be more a part of it...so here goes. This weeks treasures & turds...
1. School started on Wednesday and we have elected virtual through our district (after MUCH research and handringing). Once the decision was made we jumped in feet first to making the best of it. Changed the game room to a "classroom" and finally hung up a bunch of art work that has been sitting in boxes for the nearly 2 years we've lived in this house. We are embracing the motto "We can't make it NORMAL, but we can make it MEMORABLE (for the right reasons)"
Post 1st day of school I had a Napcident and crashed for 2 hours. I think the anxiety of starting this bizarre school year and all the energy put into coping via decor and first day of school breakfast plans caught up with me.
2. My family is super tight and we are normally all together (parents, sisters, spouses, kids, even dogs) regularly and circumstances this year have prevented that so in addition to regular Zoom calls we've added a Weekly #CoronaChallenge. We take turns picking the challenge and send it to everyone (we share on FB too so friends can play along) We've made popsicles, chalk art, loaf cakes and sent selfies with our favorite Sonic Drinks. It's been fun to see what everyone does and it's been another fun way to stay connected. It's super hot here in Texas so next week's challenge is to Think Cool and to do a craft or recipe we usually only make during Christmas.
3. After watching an Instagram Friend build a beautiful dollhouse for her daughter, my girls and I started looking at miniatures and they are both obsessed. As a result my childhood dollhouse was unearthed from my parents attic and is now being renovated/remodeled by my girls and I. I'm so happy they love it as much as I did and I love having this project to work on with them.
4. After much searching I was able to find a way to watch the Anne of Green Gables movie with Megan Follows that I remember as a child and share it with my girls, Lyv & Sadie. It was just a charming and dear as I remember and reminded me that Gilbert Blythe was most definitely my first TV crush.
I'm sure I have a few more but I have to go make sure children are on the appropriate zoom calls/canvas assignments.
I still watch that Anne series yearly. I love Megan as Anne. Anne is what made me fall in love with reading. Growing up I wanted to be a Punky Brewster/Anne hybrid.
Napcident. I have had a few of those in this anxiety ridden quarantine!
Hello, Internet friends! It's been a long week over here, but I'm mostly focusing on the positives and the fact that it's Friday. Praise the Lord.
-The Boy meeting the family last weekend went very well! He got the first stamp of approval from my three year old nephew who, within two minutes of walking in the door, pointed at Boy and said excitedly, "Do you want to go play race cars with me?" To which Boy responded eagerly, "I'd love to!" And that was that. Also, seeing Boy interact with him was darling, gave me all the heart eyes, and confirmed that, yes, I would like to have his babies someday. 😂😍 Overall, the family approves. My mom is most definitely freaking out that we've already talked marriage, but I think she'll calm down with time. My dad is super chill. They've already invited Boy to come with them on a trip next month (they didn't invite me, but they invited him 😂), which I told him to please decline, but I guess that's a good sign.😂
-I am very much enjoying a routine of cleaning my small apartment before I go to bed each night. This may seem small, but my former roommates (a.k.a. my sister and brother-in-law) are terribly messy people and a clean house was never possible, so the fact that I can take ten minutes to do the dishes and wipe things down so I can wake up to a clean place is wonderful.
-Someone else mentioned this too, but I've been watching the Umbrella Academy and loving it! I'm not super into fantasy/sci-fi, but I can go for one occasionally, especially if it has some wittiness to it like this does. However, my Roku decided to randomly kick me out of Netflix as I started the last episode last night, delete the app from my TV without asking, and wouldn't let me add it again. So boo to that, but hopefully it behaves tonight so I can finish.
-I go through bouts of having extremely low blood pressure for no reason, which causes crazy dizzy spells, feeling like I'm going to fall over while walking down the hallway, and sometimes accompanied by intense nausea. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it, which is frustrating, but this week has been one of those times so that has been the sucky part of the week.
Can't wait to slowly make my way through the rest of these comments!
If it was truly a family trip, I'd absolutely be down for it. But to clarify, this is a trip that JUST my parents are taking. I am not ready for him to have three days alone with my parents. They can be a lot to handle. They held back this weekend, and they for sure wouldn't without me there. 😂😂😂
Aw man, I want to fly on an airplane. My bestie moved to New York (Rochester) in April and is lonely and I desperately want to go see her next month, or have her come to me. I'm relatively confident in the airlines' ability to keep me covid-free, but my husband has completely nixed it. I feel like I have to respect his stance - it is potentially a life or death decision, after all - but the people I know who have flown are confirming my position.
School starts Monday. Remote for the first quarter. There are wildfires all over Colorado, and it's hot as heck. I'm so ready for everything to just calm down.
I just flew into Rochester! Depending on where you are coming from, A+ would recommend after Gov Cuomo lifts the quarantine mandate. Here for an extra two weeks for that. Sending love and calm vibes!
Fellow Coloradoan (Coloradan?? I don’t know!) here on the western slope. The heat - gahhh! Really wishing we had a/c. And the air has been really smoky and hazy here, although the closest fire is about 100 miles away. Yes to everything calming down!
Late to the comment game due to panicky students all up in my email inbox and the fact that I now have to drive to my office in the morning instead of leisurely sipping coffee and scrolling Lil Swipe comments before logging into my dining room office at 8.
My treasure this week is Pantsuit Politics, which I know is PMG-adjace so you may all already listen to it, but I started this week with their summer How to Be a Citizen series and IT WAS SO GOOD AND THOUGHTFUL AND SMART AND CIVIL. I need this podcast for me to exist as a person in 2020.
The other treasure was a term I had not previously know: RATLICKER. 😂 Which apparently means someone who won't wear a mask in public, a la someone who would have licked a rat during the bubonic plague. I can't. 😂😂😂
Oh girl. I understand those inbox moments. At noon today I Am sure all of us let out a joyful whoop in my office that add/drop week was over. Whew. Remember boundaries. 😉
I missed last weeks comments but did anyone share the treasure of the Nigerian boys who got all that video equipment from Netflix for remaking the trailer of Extraction with a wheelbarrow for a car? 😍
3yo are simultaneously the best and the worst. I am constantly cackling at the things mine says. It really makes it hard to be mad at him for too long.
😂😂 My friend often called her husband babe/baby, so their daughter about that age started calling the dad "baby"...but also "daddy" so, Baby Daddy it was.
I am in tearsssss 😂 learning social norms as a toddler is rough, but so entertaining. I'm sure he was like, "is this not how we address each other when we want something?" 😂😂😂
Yay for more Erin in my ears! Can’t wait to hear the first episode!
My turd for the week is a broken thermostat on our hot water heater - first we got boiling water straight from the tap 😳 then it overflowed or tripped the pressure whatsit (this is what my brain heard at 7 am from my husband) and now we’ve got a wet basement floor. My husband thinks he can fix it so Ts & Ps for us. My kids really need baths.
Treasure of the week isn’t online - my almost 1 yr old can play in the sand box with my 4 yr old and she DOESNT EAT SAND. Idk what kind of miracle is happening but I’m not questioning it.
I'm not sure I've posted treasures before, only commented and sparingly at that...but I have 2 (really 3) little treasures I'd like to share with you all today:
1) (& 2) I'm in my 19th week of my 3rd and (likely) last pregnancy today...with my TWIN BOYS! I have a 3 year old boy and an 18 month old boy and these twins will be coming in HOT to keep the 22 month spacing we've already got. Two tiny little treasures that we were in no way expecting nor are we prepared for...but they are treasured! (Also I'm so cautious talking about my breezy pregnancies because I'm so so sensitive to those struggling and, if that's you, I'm sorry for rubbing my pregnant belly in your face. I see your struggles and I see that they suck. I'm sorry.)
3) I'm running off to my 10th or so therapy session - I started during the pandemic because A. pandemic marriage and B. pandemic pregnancy and I'm kicking myself for waiting 31 years to start. Best decision I've ever made and I cannot recommend it enough! Now to go discuss why my mother is so weird and my I can't ever turn my work off at home :) maybe I'll throw a little bit of "my husband doesn't understand emotions" and I'm an HSP in there for a good balance.
Commenting because I relate to the "husband doesn't understand emotions" while being an HSP (whew!!). I also just wrapped up my first (but probably not last) experience with therapy. It seemed wild to stop during this time in the world, but we had reached a natural ending for my particular experience. I'm considering it an indefinite pause. And I also had the same "why didn't I do this sooner?!?!" feelings at the beginning! I tell everyone I know to go ASAP. Don't wait until you think you "need" it. WE ALL NEED IT.
Twins!!! Congrats!!! How exciting. Big proponent of therapy over here 🙋🏻♀️ I’m currently studying to be a licensed counselor 😊 cheering you on in your therapy journey!
TWINS!!! Mine are 4 months old next week. We didn't know they were twins until the anatomy scan (i will share this story with literally everyone i know because it is so bonkers). Welcome to to the pandemic twin mom club <3
WOWWWW! My anatomy scan is next week - we found out there were twins at our 9 week first OB appointment and ultrasound. I cannot imagine the shock at 20ish weeks pregnant!!!!
It was mostly hilarious! My fist scan was at 8 weeks (transvaginal too) and she didn't catch Baby B. She even literally told us, "Oh, there's no way you'd miss twins with a transvaginal ultrasound!"
Morning morning morning from my corner of the world here in Minnesota...
I'm just going to dive into a list because that makes me feel better ;)
1. Another week gone by, another week where I still do not know when my kids will be in school. OR if it will even happen. I say this because more and more area districts are changing their hybrid models either by eliminating them altogether or delaying them. Why? Because teachers are pushing back and I gotta say it, I respect it with some big energy. I have a close friend who is a middle school teacher in my district and the work she is being expected to manage is frankly impossible. It would be one thing if it was ALL in person or ALL hybrid, but the mix of both? It's so hard to coordinate. BUT we did go buy school supplies. I shockingly DID NOT buy myself anything. But that might change because dang it, I deserve a random notebook or pack of gel pens. I DESERRRRRVE IT.
2. Here's hoping my box of pants from Amazon Wardrobe proves fruitful. Since we can't go into fitting rooms (like wow Target way to have really cute pants in stock. Wait, your fitting rooms are closed? Ummm whenever I buy pants I always need to try on like 3 different sizes of any new style because clothing makers are evil and I never know what size I am anymore!!! I used to keep a spreadsheet but guess what, EVERY SEASON THEY CHANGE!!!)
3. Getting used to my Cooling Pillow. So Yes, I'm 43 and my husband bought me a cooling pillow. I showed this to Danielle M via a video -- its like a foam pillow that has this quilted sort of case and that quilted material is what stays cool. It has taken some getting used to but I think I am liking it now.
4. Seeing results from Curology. I started this journey in July.....yeah it was July and I think I'm getting some gains. But I have to be careful because anytime I think for a second my skin is feeling better the Universe gives me a break out.
5. Crying at the end of Sophie Hudson's Zoom book club. Yes, I cried. Her meet ups to discuss her book were just a place of comfort and I cried after the last one this Tuesday. She's just such a comfort and gift to me. The time I got to take to read her book and have a little community was something I really valued.
7. The Umbrella Academy S2 on Netflix. It's weird, it's quirky, the soundtrack has been epic, the fight scenes are like crazy....I can't explain why I have enjoyed these eps so much thus far, but I have.
8. An epic tomato. You guys. Okay so we have a cafe onsite here at work, they make pretty meh food and usually I bring my own lunch. But last week I got this chicken tender sandwich they make. It's just a couple really big fresh fried tenders on a pretzel bun with this mayo that is like if pesto and mayo had a sexxxxy bebe.....but then served with lettuce and tomato. You're like okay girl calm down its a sandwich. But this week when I treated myself to said sammich....she pulls out this tomato. I was not prepared. First off, it was like the size of a grapefruit. Second the shade of red. It was like...... the most luscious shade of red. When she sliced into it. I gasped you guys. I audibly gasped. It was a next level epic tomato. I asked for an extra slice of it on the side. She salted and peppered it. She knew my plans. Guys. I ate that epic piece of tomato like it was a Wagyu beef. It was like no tomato I have had in quite some time. I actually came home and waxed philosophically about this tomato to both my husband AND my dad when it called -- my husband was like "okay glad that was good" -- My dad totally understood my adoration. I thought if anyone could understand this, it might be Erin and this group.
I went to Target for bras without realizing that the fitting rooms were closed. Grabbed two random ones and took them home hoping they'd fit... AND THEY DID. This never happens, even if I have the chance to try them on. GOD IS GOOD.
Let me know if Curology keeps working! I have been struggling with really bad adult acne for the last 3-4 years and every time I think I figure out what the deal is, I break out more and my deductions are false. (Turd of the day- Dr. on a telemed call today asked if I had a rash on my face cause I didn’t put on makeup and she’d never seen me without it. 😭)
Overall I think its helping. I get hormonal acne and it has seemed to help. Or maybe forcing me to stop, use a limited amount of products, and sort of detox my skin has helped. I am SO sorry about that comment.
I am dearly sad I missed this whole thing early. Tomatoes are the best thing about summer. Before the covid I so wanted to plant some but alas did not. There is nothing like a fresh from the garden still warm from the sun. I’m a fan of cherry tomatoes but a good big juicy sliced one will do. My Great Aunt Betty made this concoction of bacon, zucchini, tomatoes, and it’s still one of my favorite things.
No I need a farmers market stat. Grocery store tomatoes don’t cut it.
Oh I loved the book and the book club. But yes, I cried during the closing prayer for the last club meeting. It was so what I needed.
And yes, I have adapted to the goofy foam pillow. But I just need to not think of how the pillow looks without that case ;) You know my feelings on that.
Going to the Farmer’s Market tomorrow on a quest for tomatoes! Might I recommend the following school supply item: Pilot ball Frixion erasable clicker pen, fine point, in assorted colors. Love these so much!!
HA! I was once not a tomato eater. I know, be shocked. But since my late teens early 20s? You just need the right one or preparation to convert you haha.
UPDATE: My MIL brought me fresh tomatoes the other day that I forgot about. They were red, juicy, and so ripe. Just cut one like a apple and ate it with salt + tony c's. AMAZING. My husband was disgusted. I was also eating tuna. Really doubling down on the weird lunch plate today. LOL
YES to teachers shouldering so much. YES to Amazon “box of ____” orders (I do this with bathing suits because dressing room lighting is a bully. YES to Danielle M (she invited me here). YES to epic tomatoes!!
Confession: I almost didn't tell anyone irl about this place. It has become precious enough to me that it was tempting to keep it in it's own little bubble.
School supply season is my favorite! I'm all for Holiday Decor but give me a school supply isle and I'm a happy camper! Buy the notebook! Buy the gel pens! Grab some new sharpies! You deserve it! (clearly I have strong feelings)
Also very pro cooling pillow. Every night I have to fight my children to keep mine.
Most importantly, now I need a beautiful summer tomato - no grocery store 'mater is gonna cut it!
I see us all calling local grocers "Yes do you have organic tomatoes in stock? Like really big red ones? Yeah point of origin? When did you receive this? How long was it in the stock area?" This tomato I had was so obviously local and loved.
And yes I am eyeing some pens, I think I need them. And I will hide them from the children.
And I also keep my pillow on my bed and my kids know better than to mess with my pillows! They have their own dang it! Give me one nice thing!
Fresh summer tomatoes are just like nothing else in this world. My lovely Oregon had a somewhat late start to the heat this summer, so tomatoes have been slow to come this year and I am envious.
I’m in the Valley too! I got some cherry tomatoes at the Saturday market a couple weeks ago but I’m waiting on those beautiful, delicious heirlooms. Hoping I find some at the market tomorrow!
We’ve just built raised garden beds and it’s coming into Spring/Summer. I told my husband that I’m using a whole bed for tomatoes and he asked if that was necessary.
Yes, yes it is.
Who does he think he is to restrict my tomato dreams?
I have some amazing multicolored heirloom tomatoes looking like gems on my patio. I am planning to buy some burrata so I can just eat cheese and tomatoes with salt and pepper.
Burrata is like ......... a pillow of dairy heaven. That with some kosher salt, cracked pepper, red pepper flakes and dashes of olive oil and balsamic...like my favooorite. I love to sometimes just eat that with some pan fried polenta cakes (trader joe's polenta loaf is so good). It's a favorite!
First of all, I like that this comment read like a 50 Shades of Grey for Tomato Lovers. Also sexualizing a condiment is very much a vibe so just excellent work here all around. 👏👏👏👏👏
Sexy condiments can make or break a meal. That "Mayesto" elevates that sandwich. ;) I have been known to find out who a saucier is at a restaurant and HUG THEM. I have taken over gravy-making at in-law holiday dinners because bad gravy will break Thanksgiving for me.
But yes, my goodness that tomato will go down as one of the best things I have eaten in some time.
Please tell me you make gravy with flour and not icky cornstarch! Thanksgiving was ruined one year for me when my sister-in-law made disgusting cornstarch gravy!!
OMGGGGG SO SO SOOOO Team Flour! And Yes cornstarch gravy is what made me take over in-law gravy making because one year my MIL overcooked it and the gravy basically became jello and it was unable to be salvaged so for me Thanksgiving was 100% ruined because gravy can save so much on a plate.
Ack and yes I keep a spreadsheet about pants. I have the style/fit/size info and where/when I got them. Which is why I hate how often every ding dang store changes fits and names because just when I know I wear whatever size in some brand and think I can just easily reorder when needed they up and change fits for every damn pants line they carry and I have to start all over!!!
Erin so thrilled about your new pod. I must admit I almost got into a twitter fight last night on your behalf...well more on Marlo's behalf (if it isn't Marlo with these names I will be SHOCKED!) because of someone's reply to your tweet about her names for the DT. But I resisted but was just going to tell her to stop romping on another's ding dong especially a 7-year-old! I stopped myself though. But good grief. Also, she wouldn't have gotten it so.... and it seemed sort of inappropriate since I doubt she follows you on Instagram. So all in all probs a good call on my part for also not getting kicked off twitter for inappropriate content.
So classes started this week at the university I work for and even before we started we made national news... and TMZ. I mean I feel like a bucket list item is complete I had not thought of. A place I work at hit the TMZ website. Anyhoo. Seems some off-campus student housing still had their back to school bash with no mask and social distancing... so we will see if there is a spike in the covid here soon. I am so thankful to be working virtually this semester. I am glad my students are back though! Mine should not have been at the party as they are a bit too young as freshmen and sophomores. There is an on-campus rule.
The most treasured treasure is this past weekend my niece face-timed my multiple times to chat. It has been a while since she did and we talked for hours. It's amazing to talk with her as a 10-year-old. It finally occurred to me she sees me as a confidant to talk about her worries and fears and someone she can trust. Y'all I UGLY CRIED when I figured this out. She was really worried about school starting back as she is starting middle school (5th and 6th grade) and it brings all the elementary schools together so it was a great many new students. She took my advice about so many things this week. I just was blown away. So even though we may go a bit without talking because she would rather face-time her friends. (big sigh) she will call me when she needs me. My. Heart. And I get to talk to my 3-year-old niece who is possibly the funniest person I know.
Two of our sorority houses are on lock down because although all of recruitment was done virtually, bid day was inexplicably held in person, and as the poor president of the panhellenic council had to explain to the school newspaper, "Well, they didn't follow all the guidelines because they were too excited about bid day." Eesh...
A Syracuse administrator put out a scathing call-out in his school paper basically being like, "Everyone thinks you college students can't do this. Prove them wrong. You say you want in-person classes, so start acting like it so we don't have to send you all home."
Uh yeah when I read what the Syracuse admin wrote in the Chronicle I was like why could PBJ (our nickname for our Pres) not take a stance like this. Ugh. I understand the excitement but it’s like if you want to stay in person you must follow the mask/distancing rules. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Finally retained a ding dang attorney to go after the developers of my shady A$$ condo that's under construction. I feel 100lbs lighter and now $600 poorer, but am praying for these greedy devils to just release me and give me my monies back. Prayers please (if that's your jam).
📺 Guys- someone let me in to the fact that Friday Night Lights is on Hulu, so buckled in and started Ep 1 last night. It did not disappoint. I'm eager to finally get to this show for the first time.
🎧 Podcast: Forever 35. Have you guys checked this one out yet? Doree Shafrir & Kate Spencer are an utter delight and are filling all my ear quarantine needs (beside PMG of course).
🍍 Found a new to me coffee place called Pineapple Espresso and they have peach cobbler toast and it is a DELIGHT. Who knew peaches in season could literally melt in your mouth.
Okay but how have you not seen Friday Night Lights before? Riggins. Saracen. COACH AND TAMMY TAYLOR. My maiden name is Taylor and Tammy Taylor was the only one I’d be proud to be called Tammy for. They are goals.
It started about serums. They talk about shower protocol, personal hygiene habits that made me feel SEEN and normal. Self care type stuff and once a week they have a guest on could be self care related, authors, scientists. The most recent one was Dr. Pimple Popper!! Riveting stuff. Just feels like hanging with your GFs.
FNL. Clear eyes. Full heart. Can't Lose. TEXAS FOREVER. Girl make sure you get tissues for the seasons. It is one of the best shows ever made. I still re-watch it.
Peach cobbler toast. As a GA girl this sounds like a delight!
Praying with you about the terrible condo situation!
The hard things this week were waking up Monday morning to my four year old son’s ear being twice its normal size. He’s been on prednisone this week, which fixed it, but BOY. I’ve been on prednisone many times before for my asthma, but it is no joke for a little kid. My usually laid-back boy has been yelling and grumpy and running around like a wild man this week. Last dose was yesterday, so hopefully he’s on the come down.
Mixed good and bad is that school starts in person on Monday for my kiddos. They are over the moon to go back, but of course I’m nervous. It’s my son’s last year of special ed preschool for his language disorder before kindergarten and we just decided we needed to at least try for him to go. On the other hand, this enneagram 5 is not sad about being alone in the house even for just an hour or two each day after not having that since March.
Erin, I’m so excited for your new podcast! Congratulations!
I’ve been watching Psych on Prime and loving the very lighthearted mystery vibe. Along with rereads of Sarah Addison Allen and Marisa de los Santos books, it’s exactly what I need right now.
So. One of my besties call's prednisone the devil's tic tacs. I have an autoimmune disease and was on them for over a year and still use them for flares. To this day if I am grumpy my husband asks when I am grumpy... are you on prednisone. haha! So I hope he is on the mend and off the DTT's soon!
Psych is one of the best shows! Shawn and Gus are the best. It is so funny yet still appealing with the mystery you are trying to figure out. Also, I adore Sarah Addison Allen. Her writing is dreamy.
Welp, here we are. Anyone else feel like time is moving as slow as turtles walking through peanut butter?! Our family update is as follows. Older son, Dylan has a girlfriend. Daughter Autumn was invited to the boy she likes house for dinner and a movie with his family. She said no to the dinner because it was too much pressure but yes to the movie. She asked her older brother Dylan to drop her off at his house. And despite the fact that Dylan had no other plans he said no because a gentleman should come pick her up. Denver has taken up tennis and is enjoying tennis lessons. My younger daughter Chandler got to see her bff last week for the first time since March- It was a very noisy. Hank, is back at speech therapy this week and is still working hard. He also stood at the top of the fort in our backyard and peed down slide. Waylon, is still just trying to boss everyone around and his sisters just do what he says.
Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary we will have been married 22 years! I still very much like him and he is still my favorite person to be around he makes me laugh even when he does it mean to you and the fact that we have not murdered each other is a big deal!
Virtual school starts on September 8 for us. I haven’t bought a single school supply. I don’t know what I should be purchasing. I need a list I cannot function without a list tell me all the things on the list and I’ll check them off so that I could feel productive. My kids are going to end up with 184 pencils and that’s it!
Hooray for Big Brother telling her "a gentleman should pick her up"! I LOVE this.
Congrats on 22 years!
We bought the school supply packs via the PTA at our school and we started virtual school on Wednesday, I know it's still early but it seriously looks like 99% are going to go unused. Pencils and some notebook paper would have been plenty.
The best part is he didn’t tell her that’s why. After the boy came and got her, he looked at me and said I told her no because a gentleman should pick his date up. I was checking to see if he was.” Swoon!
Wait hold up - your school is not providing you with a super specific list of supplies that are impossible to track down? I will send you ours if you want.
I haven’t bought a single school supply either and the school supplies can suck it because I have a crap ton from last year that just got sent back!! School supplies are a racket and I will die on this hill.
1. Athleta masks - adjustable straps, breathable, slick and cute...10/10 recommend
2. The "Release Radar" on Spotify that gets updated every Friday - since I've been working at home the last 5 months I forgot how much I love listening to this playlist during my commute. I'm listening now and I'm just amazed at the Spotify algorithm. If anyone in this alley is a fan of the Oh Hellos - the song Boreas is amazing!!!
3. I decided this week that I needed to step up my workout game - daily walks outside have been my saving grace but I can't do it when its 105 degrees outside. So I joined Tone it Up and so far I really like it! Workouts are super doable - only 20-30 minutes long and I like that the encouragement the trainers give are focused on building you up for strength and not to be skinny. There is a lot of room for modification which is exactly what I need. I feel accomplished after doing it and sore the next day but not to the point where I can't workout again the next day.
4. Last but certainly not least...why didn't anyone tell me about the joys of Irish butter???? I have been slathering everything with it. Right now I love buying the cinnamon raisin Ezekial bread, toasting it and covering it with Irish butter and cinnamon and honey. Such a yummy breakfast.
I'm obsessed with Irish butter, it's pricey so we only use it to spread on good bread with a sprinkle of maldon (try it!!). Once my daughter baked cookies with it and I was so pissed but damn if those weren't some good cookies...love athleta and have been looking for good masks. Will be placing an order today. Thanks for your rec!!
Irish butter is all we eat. Gotta have that Costco pack of Kerrygold 🤩🤩 Also thank you for sharing about Tone It Up! Working out has been so low on my priority list, but I know I need to move it up for my mental health in *these times*. I’ll have to check it out!
This is my first time commenting, but I’ve gotta share my lil treasure this week.
My oldest son has autism, and it can be so hard to feel like I’m effectively communicating and loving him. He’s obsessed with gorillas though, and today The One And Only Ivan comes out on Disney+, so I’m gonna snuggle in with my boy (and probably his collection of ape plushies) to watch a gorilla movie together. ❤️🦍
Welcome and enjoy the snugs! I am watching it this weekend to talk about on FaceTime with my niece Sunday. She read the book this spring and loved it. ❤️
Yes, he read it this spring too! Somehow the movie snuck up on us and we didn’t see the trailer until this week, but that immediately settled our plans for tonight. ☺️ Enjoy your special time with your niece! How wonderful.
Erin, I so appreciate the eyebrow hack and will be checking those stencils out. Embarrassing confession: when I was a sophomore in high school, I accidentally plucked out all of my eyebrows. Luckily, they grew back, but they've been unruly ever since.
I finally checked off two tasks that have been looming large for a while - took all four kids to the dentist and haircuts this week. Y’all. I’ve been trying to be better about not using avoidance in basically every area of my life but I almost did not survive the emotional onslaught that ensued post haircuts. First my oldest was unhappy with his haircut. Then my youngest was sobbing that he didn’t get a haircut. Next my daughter was crying over them cutting off all of her blond hair (she had really blond ends). Lastly my third child has really long hair and long hair for boys is super tricky in my experience. His haircut (which ironically he is the only one happy with said haircut) did end up having some Kate from John and Kate plus eight vibes. How do you have longish hair particularly bangs but avoid looking like you have that kind of hair cut? The whole thing has almost completely wiped me out.
Good morning everybody! Hopping on here quickly to say my COVID19 test came back negative! Thank you all for your good thoughts. I have a morning walk then physically distanced coffee with neighbors so will read Erin’s latest and all your t&t’s later. 😀
Good morning! I'm sitting here listening to my 3rd grader do a Zoom call as we are on Day 3 of distance learning - and it is actually going really well! Meanwhile, my 4 year old has been completely ignored all week and is being parented by an iPad. I am trying to come up with a plan for this for next week. In other news, I am considering starting a Twitter account of things I overhear on these Zoom calls because children meekly asking the woman on the computer screen permission to use the bathroom in their own homes is very funny to me.
Gosh I feel like I never have any treasures to share! I just am wrapped up in "making it" every week that I'm hardly enjoying anything. Plenty of turds though. I had the worst week of PMS - headaches, mood swings, serious bloating, cramps. Why am I listing it, you guys know what it is! It also came late (I think so that I'd be on it when we went on our little trip to the west side of the state for swimming at the lake, I'm sure.) Speaking of our trip to the lake, that we booked months and months ago, quarantined all summer to be safe to go with family on, was Literally the only thing we planned for and on for the entire summer 🤣 --well, we received an email three days before leaving that our rental was canceled because the current renters had burned down the deck and waterfront. They would need to use our week to repair it so everyone else renting in the following weeks vacations wouldn't be ruined. It would make me cry if it wasn't so funny but I mean OF COURSE, RIGHT?? 2020 cannot be stopped! We had to shift gears and find a different, worse in almost every way, near the lake but not waterfront place, but at least my kids still get to go somewhere? If it wasn't for kids I just don't think I would have re-booked. I would have taken it as a sign to just give up. I would have put icecream and books on automatic delivery and just stayed in bed until 2021. Maybe thank goodness for kids? They're maybe the only reason I try anymore. I'm tired.
THE WORST! I'm sorry for the struggles being thrown your way. I totally understand the "making it" mentality - sometimes just getting through the week is a treasure unto itself
Y'all!!! My biggest treasure this week is that one of my IRL friends signed up for this here Alley/Neighborhood, and this is her first week getting it! To really confuse everyone, her name is Danielle as well. Although I have been on the globe longer, her husband (rightfully) coined her D1 and me D2. Sometimes we're known as the double d's, which is as close as either of us will come to getting to live that life, b/c well...
ANYWHO. Today is also my last day of work before vacation at the beach. I. Need. This. Vacation. We all know and recognize 2020 for the turd of the year it has been. This Monday, while trying to cross of items from my pre-vacation to-do list, I was hit by what appears to be an uninsured motorist. While I am incredibly thankful for good insurance coverage on my end, I am v unhappy about that situation. So bring on vacation with friends who feel like family and sitting staring at the ocean.
T's and P's for no hurricanes or tropical storms on the east coast in the next two weeks, please?
The biggest turd in my life has been that my 5 year old (who is historically a great sleeper) has not been sleeping through the night since *checks notes* MARCH. I was starting to feel like an INSANE person. Enter my treasure...Natural Calm Magnesium gummies. She has slept through the night two nights in a row, stayed in her own bed and said that it helped her to not have any bad dreams. 😭 So, I am now betrothed to magnesium gummies and have ordered them in bulk. 🙌🏻
Now I need to research this! I’ve been giving my 8 year old melatonin gummies because he still wakes in the night and sometimes will be up for 3 hours - just trying to go back to sleep. And it was getting better with Melatonin but the past 5 months of upheaval have been a set back.
This is exactly what we were dealing with! The melatonin would get her to sleep, but would not keep her asleep. I think it’s helping her with any anxiety she’s been feeling since *ALL OF THIS* started.
The (research) psychologist in me wonders if this was the placebo effect in action. My mom would fill Tylenol bottles with those little chalky smarties and give us Tylenol. I don't ever remember being tricked by them but they must have worked at some point. Still not a good idea to have kids thinking candy lives in medicine bottles. Smh. Anyway wondering, placebo or not, if this would work for me 😂. I forgot these existed and I have not been sleeping well. Thanks for the share and glad it's working for your kiddo!
Totally possible! I’ll take it placebo or not! 😂 Although we did not have the same effect with melatonin. I took some on a particularly stressful day and it did seem to help take the edge off a bit.
My kiddos take these every night and call them their nighttime vitamins. They also help with leg cramps during pregnancy and are general miracle workers!
Husband's Covid test came back negative (and his symptoms went away after just a couple of days) so it's business as usual this week. And by that I mean I fought every day with my turns-5-tomorrow-high-energy-kid and his passy-aggressey 6yo sister 🤪 They also gave me lots of hugs and kisses and played games and read books with me, so what I'm saying is it's the typical kid roller coaster around here. We also got to swim one day in our friends' pool, which is a huge treasure. I also read The Dearly Beloved on Sunday (yes, in one day. Basically ignored my family as much as possible), and I can not emphasize enough how much I loved that book.
And for shareable treasure, here's a delightful Twitter thread:
The Dearly Beloved ranks in my top fave books of all time. It is exactly the type of story that I love to read. Always glad to hear someone else loved it too!
ERIN! I am so excited for your new pod 💕💕 and safe travels back from TX. I flew yesterday as well, and Atlanta was busy (therefore more people being wild about masks and not distancing) but my other airports were ghost towns. Glad to have made it to NY. And guys, it was 61° when I woke up - what a joy to throw on a hoodie in August! Other treasures include being your IG friends now (Hannah, your beach week looked GREAT!) and reading a WHOLE bunch of books while traveling!
And now, a slice of the TikTok stratosphere for the week:
So jealous of the hoodie in August. No chance of hoodies in Texas for several months. Thanks for the curated TikTok - feeling the Lil Swipes theme song in my soul
Ah JILLIAN I love that we are IG friends now too! 🙌🙌 The Little Mermaid remake is legit art. Also Larry the Remix - far superior than the original, IMO. 😏
Ahhh my backlog of Shelf Subscriptions that I got this summer 😂😂 also Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. I’m working next week but looking forward to being a bookworm at all other opportunities
My 👍🏼 For the week came in the form of a water bill. What’s that you say? About a month ago our irrigation hook up broke during the night and started spewing water out into the street. Around 8am a neighbor rang our doorbell to tell us. My husband went to shut it off, thankfully we have a way to do that. As we looked up and down the street we felt this feeling of dread.
My husband and I own a business but our business has been shut down since mid March. Our work involves people meeting, as of now in NC no one can meet in groups over 10. At this point we basically have very little income for our family of 4.
Anyway, for the last month we have been cautiously going to the mail box waiting for that water bill to come in. We were anticipating around $700 which we don’t have. On Tuesday we received the ill fated bill. My husband opened it then handed it to me with very little reaction. I took a deep breath, $79!!!!! What?!?!?! How is that possible??? Our normal bill is $72. I very literally started crying...over a water bill. That was the biggest “Praise Jesus!” moment I’ve had in a very long time. It is definitely the little things sometimes.
That feeling that one gets when one feels they have found and watched all of shows they have access to and are not NSFJM (Jamie's mom is pretty much my speed) and then finds Endeavor: for Anglophiles and those that don't mind the predictability that is murder being solved by the end of each episode.
The mask gun video is going out to my engineering friends as soon as I’m done here!! Oh my word!!
Here’s my treasures and stories this week!
👾 High Score docuseries on Netflix / i love video game history and this is fun and fascinating! And I really want a pac-man arcade cabinet now.
🎶 The Worship Song Song - https://youtu.be/fWicNLXxtj4 - the Boy sent me this yesterday and I was thrown back to college chapel days so hard I got whiplash 😂
🚘 IN WHICH THE CAR SAGA CONTINUES (to hopefully a peaceful end on Saturday) - y’all. Since last Friday my poor dented and damaged car developed a shuddery misfire in the engine, and I have been to a car auction, a dealership, looked through dozens of Marketplace postings, cried in the truck in front of James, called a bank about a loan for the first time (with a script in hand for this anxious ball of anxiety), had lots of good talks about thoughts on money with James, he volunteered his time and dealership child expertise and enneagram 8 car salesmen bullying skills, and half the pastors on staff at our church where he works have helped and weighed in on safety ratings, all to not much luck or peace about any of the options we looked at. Then this afternoon my angel brother (or one of the 6 at least) proposed a trade - his Mazda for my Buick. And I get to save my money for getting something nicer later down the road. He can HAVE the darn thing! Instant peace. He’s coming out Saturday. My Boy is less concerned about my general well-being now 😂 and i feel well taken care of by the men God put in my life! Also I know more about cars and finances from this past week than from my almost 30 years of life combined!
🥧 THE POWER OF APPLE PIE. after the auction Saturday, I made a pie for the Boy at his request. I LIVE for his response to food I make for him. He literally has not shut up about it. I’m due to make him another tonight. Baked goods have built this relationship and will keep us going by George!
I have a 1 year old named James. It’s the perfect name. Look up the song James (Never Change) by Allstar Weekend to play for your James. It’s a vibe and we dance to it all the time around here. Also I could really go for some apple pie and vanilla ice cream.
The Worship Song reminds me a lot of Title of the Song by DaVinci’s Notebook (I used to be in an all-female a cappella group, so there’s a bit of brain storage devoted to that musical style). Please make it to the modulation: https://youtu.be/Kg4wi44axbA
He has a name! I had to read it all again under this new information. Also, I sincerely hope that every person in my life is prepared to hear/see that worship song! That link is about to go out in my student worker email!
I feel like most adult decisions we have to make require a team effort. So glad you had a solid team to help you out with this one!! Wish we could all gather ‘round a big outdoor table with twinkly lights (think Parenthood) & enjoy some of your apple pie! 🥧
What a great brother! And navigating the car and subsequent financial conversations with the Boy is really huge, even just to learn more about how each other views/handles different money related things. I'm happy for you that the stress if the situation is over though!
1. My dog is going through a moody-teenager/miss-independent phase, but for about five minutes when she first wakes up in the morning, she’s super snuggly and wants all the belly rubs, and it’s just the best
2. Kind doctors who empathetically affirm your experiences and have answers and next steps. What a relief! It makes me sad that this isn’t the norm (at least not in my experience)
AHAHHA, my little pup is also an independent pup who don’t need no humans, but I love when she’s sweet. And thank you for the dino toys! She had a similar thing with squirrels but most have died a tail-wrenching, stuffing removed death 😂
Hahaha I definitely experienced the same! I’ve found that the Frisco brand plush puzzle toys are the most durable. We had a squirrel one and hedgehog one from Zippypaws that she chewed apart pretty quickly
Good morning! I’m back at work as a high school teacher and we’re doing a hybrid model so there’s lots of hope/nervousness mixed together this week... but here’s a treasure: The Imagineering Story on Disney+. If you love Disneyland / Disney World / creative processes, I think you’ll like this show! I may have cried a little over Carousel if Progress and It’s a Small World 😂
Thank you! I just put down painter's tape under the front left leg of each desk in hopes they will stay six feet apart. I will be behind my plexiglass screens and mask hoping for the best and spraying lysol on the regular.
I LOVED the Imagineering Story! I teared up at the Epcot stuff, how I remembered it as a kid. The last episode also captured a lot of memories that I treasure from working at WDW at that time.
Weeks continue to fly by while simultaneously crawling by like a turtle trudging through an ocean of peanut butter. 😂
-My three-year-old had his very first sleepover at his cousin’s house this week! Sadly, he couldn't sleep and cried until I came to pick him up at midnight. We didn't get home until about 1am. He talked the entire ride home (annoying but so sweet to be the one he needed) and didn't go down until about 1:30. Then he woke up fresh as a daisy at 7 am! I still have not fully recovered the sleep from that night. What a memory! 😂
-I got my hair cut for the second time this summer! I never prioritize myself/self-care so that was a big deal! (Back story: my friend is my stylist and with COVID and furloughs, her family has been through the ringer financially so if I can go get my hair cut and tip way more than normal, I'll do it!! #enneagram2) It's shorter than it has been in a while but I love it!!
-@Erin Moon: re: eyebrows. I've never been a permanent makeup girl but I, too, am eyebrow illiterate. I decided to get my eyebrows microbladed last year and I've not once regretted it. Plus, since you can only see the top half of my face in public right now, I always look put together. 👏🏻 Definitely worth the investment so you can stop using stencils, eyeliner, etc. So good!
-Finished Mrs. Maisel last night and I wanted to riot. When will season 4 come out? I need more! Devastated. Any suggestions for what to watch next Lil Swipes? I'm counting on you! (Have Netflix/Prime).
-COVID is closing a tea room that I went to as a little girl. I LOVE this place and their food. I saw the announcement on FB (right before I decided I can no longer participate in that dumpster fire) so I've made it my personal mission to go multiple times before Sept. 4 to enjoy the orange rolls, chicken salad, and loaded potatoes. Damn you COVID/2020! 😭
ALWAYS stalk for a good month or so before pulling the trigger. I was nervous too but I've convinced 5 friends and counting. Everyone had a great result!!!
A turtle through peanut butter...hahaha! What a perfect description. We had a late night sleepover pick up here too, but my kiddo is nearly 11. I think once the excitement wore off she realized she wanted to be home. On the other hand our 9 year old made it through the night at her friends house and was such a grump the next day! It will be a while before we do sleepovers again.
I finished Mrs. Maisel this week. I just keep going back and watching the second half of season 3, episode 5 with Lenny and Midge. I could watch the two of them all day. Gah!!
Update re: the tea room. Tried to set up a to-go order. They aren't answering the phones anymore because of an overwhelming response...which makes me think they could stay open but IDK! Sad I didn't get my fix in today!
Why are littles incapable of sleeping in, why??? (To be honest, sometimes I'm incapable of sleeping in, so...I get it, littles). Did you already watch Never Have I Ever on Netflix? That's a great one. And I took someone's recommendation to watch Grantchester on Prime and it's good. And if you want some teen drama in your life, The Outerbanks on Netflix. To be clear: it is straight-up teen angst flavored cotton candy but I loved it.
I can only sleep in when I have to be somewhere early and then I'm running around like I'm on fire. Ha!
I am putting all of these recs in my notes! I haven't seen any of them!! I am here for teen angst. ALLLLLL day long. I recently watched "All the boys I've loved before" and the second one and just loved them. So adorable.
Congrats, Erin on getting your own show! Soooo exciting! And I must say, it's about time! You are the Popcast secret sauce and everyone needs more of you!
My 2 year old nephew is currently fast asleep in my guest room. Every couple of weeks he'll spend the night with me and it's SUCH a joy. Last night we had a moment where I was giving him a shower (anyone else know a 2 year old who is OBSESSED with showers?!) and out of nowhere he exclaimed, "this is so nice!" 😂 then I got to comb out his precious curls, slather him in cocoa butter, and snuggle with him on the couch while we watched 101 Dalmatians. Baby fever like nobody's business.
Still haven't finished Veronica Mars, but I'm getting close! I'm in season 3 and currently v obsessed with Piz. I mean, what. a. heartthrob.
A treasure I've recently implemented in the last few weeks is a weekly Sabbath. It's something I've wanted to do for years, but with being full time in grad school with various internships and part time jobs, it just physically did not allow for me to practice it and also have groceries so I chose groceries. Now that I'm transitioning into that full-time job life with no homework, I want to build it into the rhythm of my week. So far, it's been such a breath of fresh air. I don't touch my phone, don't stream anything other than my church service, no doing dishes, shopping, cleaning, etc. and spend the whole day in worship and in rest. I'm looking into getting an all-in-one audio thingy that will play records, CDs, tapes, etc. so I can still play music. Side note: DID YOU GUYS KNOW THE HAMILTON SOUNDTRACK IS ON VINYL?! It's more dollars than I want to spend right now, but you best believe it's on my Christmas list.
I'm in a process of learning more about the Sabbath practice so if you guys have any books, podcasts, etc, that are helpful, please share! So far I've watched Annie F. Downs's insta highlight and I've began John Mark Comer's sabbath series from his church Bridgetown.
Veronica Mars is the best. I must admit to not having watched the 4th season because of a spoiler I read. I watched it when it was on originally and mourned the end. It was just so original. I was so excited for the new season and then spoiler and now I just can't decide what I want to do. Sigh.
I was just going to mentioned all the same things about sabbath as you did! John Mark’s book The Ruthless elimination of hurry is awesome. AJ Swoboda’s Subversive Sabbath is fantastic. Jeffson Bethke’s To Hell with the Hustle is great. He also did a podcast series with Josh Mark.
My biggest suggestion that I tell everyone looking to start practicing Sabbath is to find a way to enter into the Sabbath the night before. Make it really special and something you only do that night. For me, I get fast food fries, a super treat for me, and a cold adult beverage and sit outside on the patio to savor my treat. I also let myself sleep in as long as possible the next morning!
All of those books are on my TBR and I'm currently waiting for them to arrive via the Chicago Public Library!
I've been taking Annie F. Downs's advice for making Sabbath special by preparing for it the day before: cleaning the house/doing dishes, getting groceries, etc. so when I wake up (I also sleep in), I feel like a queen with a stocked fridge and a clean house.
I grinned reading about your time with your nephew. My nieces visited me once at college my senior year, and it was amazing. We lived far away from each other, so it was super special to have that time.
So proud of your new Sabbath practice! Sounds lovely. I really, really want a record player in my life these days. If you get one you like, pass on the recommendation!
I've had a Crosley one for years that my grandpa gave me (we bonded over our mutual love of his Motown records when I was a teenager) but I really want something that will play everything. I have an extensive CD collection from when I was in high school and I can only listen to them in the car and rather than buying a million different machines for the various music mediums, I'd rather just invest in one that does it all. If you want one, I would check facebook marketplace first! They're a dime a dozen on there, or if you happen to live in the Chicagoland area, I'll just give you my old one!
Pix is lovely and all, but Logan 🥰. And the actor who plays Dick is my favorite as a person. If you enjoy the cast, watch other Rob Thomas shows, Party Down & iZombie, they all make appearances.
I have mixed feelings on Logan. Right now I'm at the point in season 3 when he is dating that girl who had her head shaved and I am NOT happy about it, even though I love Piz.
Especially because all of life is lived on a screen right now (between work and pleasure), disconnecting for a full day is what my eyes and my heart need! Can't recommend it enough! Although, it is v tempting to want to click through instagram stories 😅
Allllll the warm & fuzzies hearing about your time with your nephew ☺️ My oldest and my sister have a sweet, special bond and it’s truly the best to witness.
Also love your focus & intention around Sabbath. It’s so easy for that day to go by without recognizing its significance in our lives as believers. Thanks for sharing ☺️
We're not even blood related, but I've been around and obsessed with him since before he was born. His parents and I attended the same house church and became really close so now I get to be his Titi and it's such a joy.
And yes! Sabbath is something I've been longing to practice for YEARS, but higher education and also trying to provide for myself just did not allow for it. So now that I have more freedom in my schedule, it feels like a present each week.
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve commented. Been in the trenches of work and navigating back to school for my kiddos. That’s a whole other post in and of itself. Let’s just say we are happy to be back in a routine and some “normalcy.”
Betty the basset is thriving and we love her! She has taken over and now sleeps in our bed but we don’t mind. She’s adorable and a beast. Ready for this biting phase to be over!
Cannot wait for this new podcast, @erinmoon!!
A few treasures this week:
Love on the Spectrum on Netflix (Popcast Green Light 😉)
Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix
The Rants & Raves podcast (this is hilarious and started by my friend Jessica and her friend Dana)
Upload on Prime (another Popcast Green Light)-I need a season 2 stat!
Homecoming also on Prime (so good!! The first season has Julia Roberts and the second has Janelle Monae and Chris Cooper).
My dad and I imitate him with love whenever we see each other as we eat. We think he'd be a perfect companion on our food trips. My dad and I take trips to cities where our only plans are eating. You're like, Mel really? Just eating? yes. We pick a city and we make reservations. We go to one place for lunch at 11, have at least 2 apps, 2 different entrees we can share, a bottle of wine, 2 desserts, and always post meal coffee. THEN we go to another place at 2....do it all over again -- then go back to our lodging, take a nap. Have a dinner at like 7ish, 8ish.......sometimes a bar snacky at like 11ish. Go to bed, do it all over again the next day. One Th-Sun weekend in Vegas, I gained 9 lbs. lol
You and your dad continue to be goals. How sweet. I just love these stories. I want to steal this--it sounds like the perfect vacation if you add in books! Ha!
Yes I always make the books every year and we laugh about the captions I make with some of the photos because I comment not only on the food, but something funny that we did in that moment. Like here's a fun story. We were in Chicago. We spent the morning at the Art Institute of Chicago (aka the Ferris Bueller museum) and since we had a day pass we went to where our lunch reservation was and planned to then go BACK to the museum to explore the other exhibits. If you know Chicago this is not far from The Bean sculpture (remember this detail).
So we go to this really lovely steak place for lunch.
We eat our usual ton and have a luscious bottle of Malbec as we eat and maybe some spiked coffee as well ;) So your girl had a happy I'm on vacation buzz.
So we leave the restaurant to take a leisurely stroll back to the museum and I peer off into the distance.
"DAD! OMG! TURKEYS*!"
*So where I work there is a massive field near our campus (or used to be we since filled it in with solar panels) where every day I'd see a massive flock of turkeys. Also further sidebar, turkeys are MEAAAAN. So I was used to seeing wild turkeys on the reg.
My dad looks in the distance where I am looking. "What are you talking about?"
I look again, pointing..... "DAD look over thereeeeeee, omg there are TURKEYS IN CHICAGO, don't you see how they are moving over there!?"
He stands by me ..... looks again and BURSTS out laughing "Do you see them now??!"
"Melissa........that's the reflection of the people walking by The Bean"
I look again
I look at him, he's practically crying he's laughing so hard
"DAD! THEY (looking again realizing my folly) ---- This is why I can't mixed alcohols at lunch Dad!"
He's walking ahead of me laughing "TUUUUUURKEYS DAD!!"
So anytime we are out and have some wine we joke how I can't get to a place where I see turkeys.
I feel this in my soul. My husband and I do this. For our 10 anniversary a few years ago we did a culinary tour through Alabama (where we live). We started in Auburn (because I love him), then went to Birmingham, then ended the weekend in Tuscaloosa (because he loves me). It was so fun!!
My dad and I do this too. We went to NYC last year and of course the big question is “where do you want to eat?!” All our favorite places of course! We took photos of all our food too. I gave him a photo book of our trip and included all the pictures of our entrees! 😂
We are heading home from the beach today & this newsletter will be a fun companion, as per usual. We had a lovely week. Aaaaand my baby gets his cast off on Monday!! 🙌
SO FREAKIN EXCITED about your podcast, Erin!!! I think I speak for all of us when I say we’ve been waiting our whole Swipe Up lives for this (& probably longer, tbh).
Treasures 💎
1) I’ve been following @floraleenaturals on insta for a little while now & she gives GREAT skincare tips. She also makes her own small batch products so I decided to try her balancing toner from her latest restock: https://floraleenaturals.com/products/hydrating-toner
2) This post from @scottthepainter about shame BLEW MY SOCKS OFF. I officially need this piece in my home/counseling office someday: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEEq6oHpfaL/
That’s all from me this week. Can’t wait to see what you all have to share! ✨
I have saved so many of his posts and I want to buy the two books he has.
I hope the beach was everything you needed it to be. And yay for the baby getting the cast off... it broke my heart to see it on insta. But they bounce back so fast and don't even seem to mind the cast! they are amazing!
Thank you, Christy! It was a wonderful trip. And you’re so kind - he really has been a trooper. I should post a video sometime of him crawling with the cast. He’s so fast!! 😂
The beach! Did you have the best time?! Living vicariously through you. I'm a beach girl through and through and boy do I miss it! Safe travels back home!!❤️
We had a great time. There were four kids 6 & under and we all stay together on one floor, so the noise level was at an all time high when we weren’t down at the beach 😂 but the kids had the best time doing some cousin-bonding. And I finished a book! So I consider that a win 🙌
Yes to Normal People. I read the book last year or earlier this year maybe, but it was really good. Looking forward to your thoughts once you read it. I thought the actors did a tremendous job and in my opinion both should have nominated for their roles. Tough acting ahead.
LEECH FIELD!??!! Thank God for electrical tape and talkative plumbers. (fun fact: if my husband cuts his hand or a finger at work, he just uses electrical tape as a bandaid because he always has some nearby)
Nice work with the pipe situation!! So sorry you had to deal with that though. Definitely a turd.
I’ve heard such mixed reviews about Normal People. It’s either people absolutely love it or totally loathe it. 😅 I’m still not sure if I’ll take the plunge & watch it, but glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Hope you can catch up on rest soon! Anxious insomnia is a b 🤦🏻♀️
Way to go, Dana! I bet you felt like such a badass fixing that pipe by yourself and hooray for it working! Prayers that you can start saving up again. I know that's a terrible feeling.
I've wanted to read Normal People for a while now... I’ve got to check it out (ha! Library joke!).
I read it after watching it and personally think that’s the way to go (opposite of how I usually approach things). It helped me visualize their world better since the book doesn’t spend much time on setting descriptions
Yes and no, the show is very true to the book. It’s a short read. But I felt like I got some insight into some of their inner monologues and cultural things that I just didn’t know as someone not from Ireland
Hi friends. I don't know why, but I saved this for Sunday afternoon.
Treasures of the week: I SURVIVED WORKING ALL 5 DAYS. Something that hasn't been my reality since the second week of March. Like how in the world did I do that every day? Every week? All of the times? How even? {P.S. I did submit the application I mentioned last week and am in the waiting period of "we'll reach out to you if you get to the next round" situation.}
**I spent a full 2 hours on the phone with my momma today. And it. was. glorious. We talked about nothing and everything and all the stuff in between and it just made my heart happy.
Turd of the week: My best friend (only child) is dealing with her own momma's mental health, which does not seem to be going well right now. BFF is in my town and her mom is about 4 hours away in a different state. It's all very taxing and emotionally draining, especially without a full diagnosis yet and nervousness about what her mom may or may not be fully sharing with her care providers. Prayers much appreciated. We don't quite know what we're dealing with yet, so advice isn't necessary. (Silver lining, my BFF was able to reach out to my sweet momma for some advice and love and support. swoon)
I love y'all and very much appreciate the art of crafting these treasures and turds each week. It's fun... and I think one of the only places that I feel 100% authentically me in the voice I use. ;) Thanks for being a safe space to land.
Greetings, Treasures! I'll be honest, this has been a tiring week. We had houseguests at the beginning of the week, and I attempted to start my kids' homeschool year as well, and as a result I completely slept through my alarm AT LEAST once this week. It's not a lot, but these things are saving my life right now:
1) Finding Limoncello La Croix in stock at Target and buying multiple cases. It tastes like summer, and though I kind of want this summer to end, I want the limoncello taste to stay.
2) Teaching my daughter to make dinner for our family from scratch. Her crock pot glazed ham was delicious, and her broccoli casserole tasted better than any I have had at a church potluck. The pan was cleaned out. It's hard for me to let go in the kitchen, not because I love to cook but because I hate to clean up, and when you cook with kids it's even messier. My daughter is 13 and incredibly capable in the kitchen, though, and I can see myself being out of a job soon:-)
3) I know this makes me like your 87 year old Granny, but I am loving old episodes of Bull (CBS All Access, which I have for Star Trek Discovery, which also might put me on par with older relatives, lol). It's formulaic and predictable, and I find that is EXACTLY what I need right now. The cases are solved by the end of the episode? Great! The verdict almost always goes in Tony's, I mean, Bull's favor? Of course! My brain and heart and emotions cannot handle a lot of drama. I also cannot binge watch anything, or start a show where I.must.see.the.next.episode because they are all cliff hangers. I need tidy, I need predictable, I need routine and rhythms, and Bull provides that.
Have a blessed weekend, my online friends! Your treasures bring us joy.
I love your 87 year old Granny and that you love Bull... and that the "verdict almost always goes in Tony's... favor?"... I feel that NCIS vibe - HARD! <3
Hi, been reading for a while now, but have never said anything and I finally feel like I have a turd worth sharing that will only be appreciated for it's turdiness here.
I went to the local farm earlier this year and picked out all my plants for the garden. They had Mortgage Lifter tomatoes! I had been wanting to grow them for years and could never find them around here. So, in my excitement I bought two. I'm in Washington and our summer just started last week and the garden has been dragging it's live long feet on growing anything. All my tomatoes are heavy with green tomatoes, but no color yet until 5 days ago. I finally saw some red coming! It was on my mortgage lifter! My first tomato out of the garden would be the one I had waited my whole life for. I checked daily and whispered sweet nothings to it. Guys, it was ready yesterday. I cannot express to you the extreme disappointment that came from the tomato. IT WAS A FLAVORLESS CHERRY TOMATO THAT HAD BEEN MISLABELED AT THE NURSERY! I cried. Mind you, I'm heavily pregnant as well so let's blame the hormones for making this so much worse. But, it was just a bland red curry tomato. The other mortgage lifter imposter is a cherry as well. My plans to quell my homemade salsa cravings have been smashed into the little tiny pieces. My husband just doesn't get it being as he's not a tomato lover. I need time to mourn dramatically.
Well, that's just rude! Bad tomato! I'm so sorry your salsa dreams got crushed.
Yay podcast!!
Treasures: Legend of Korra, yellow cupcakes with chocolate chips we're pretending are muffins (unfrosted), and I am joining a DnD campaign for the first time and am wildly out of my depth. I have no idea what is happening and it all sounds like a foreign language and it hasn't even started yet. All I know is I'm a Ranger Elf who does archery because all of those things sounded cool. haha
Hi friends!
I had a long comment typed out and then my phone froze up and I lost everything 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️ Soooo, here’s the abridged version.
🌞 I’ve been soaking up the last week of summer before school starts back next week. This involved a day trip to the beach and as much time at the pool as humanly possible.
📺 I started outlander this week. I’m not sure why I waited so long.
🏃🏼♀️ I got to go for a walk with my workout friends for the first time since March. These two are some of my dearest friends - the kind who cheer you on relentlessly and are a soft place to land when you fall flat on your face. I have missed them so.
📚 I started reading The Federalist Papers in conjunction with Pantsuit Politics’ how to be a citizen series. I saved the episodes up until after I finished my Master’s degree (which I something I never thought I would have said prior to March).
😷 Y’all, I cannot with the mask acne. My skin is usually dry, so, acne has never been a problem even as a teenager. I’m using a salicylic acid wash, benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatments, and hydrocolloid patches. Help?!
Be warned on Outlander: so good, but so intense for sensitive/virgin eyes!
Haha yes! I was appropriately forewarned before starting.
I love this community so much but I am always so hesitant to post - unless I’m commenting on others’ posts. But I love this space every week, so here I am. Maybe it’s because I rarely feel that I have any treasures in this season. (Having OCD that is focused on germ fears and then putting that into a pandemic makes for a lot of turds.) But I want to hang out virtually with you lovely ladies!
One treasure I’ve got is the show Cursed. I know it’s not for everyone. It’s very violent and gory. But a retelling of the Author legend with a woman as the focus, people of color actually being cast (including Black Arthur!) and loads of magic? Sign me up!
Also, I have loved Andrew Peterson for years but I had never managed to read his Wingfeather Saga books. My 8 year old just read the first one so I’m am reading it to so we can discuss and it is a delight! So well written, just feels like a great story, not a kids’ book. Loving it. So glad there are 3 more waiting for me!
And then lastly, I had some bday money left over from my birthday in May (which doesn’t usually happen this many months after😬) and I decided to add to my Funko Pop collection by getting myself all 4 of the Schitt’s Creek ones. Adding the Rose family to my shelf is a joy!
Welcome, Reannon! We’re glad to have you! That cheesecake trade sounds like quite the treasure - enjoy!
Oh- one more treasure: I’ve made handmade cards for years just to give to people for bdays, etc. But I have a friend who bakes the most amazing cheesecakes and she asked me this week to make some cute tag-cards to put on her cheesecakes she’s selling and she’s trading me some cheesecake for my card-making. Best. Trade. Ever.
Turd- I am never in these comments early enough in the day on Friday!!
Also so glad to report that Jamie Holden is no longer. Wondery fixed their Jamie typo lol. I had to follow up.
I love that you just kept checking!
This may seem kinda weird, but my treasure for the week is that I FINALLY got my gallbladder removed on Wednesday! Yes, I feel like I've been punched in the gut, yes I am completely exhausted, yes the bruising is nasty but I swear I already feel so much better than I have in years. I never had typical 'attacks' but have dealt with an overall sense of feeling crappy for a really long time, so it was a journey to figure out what was wrong in the first place, and then to finally get a surgery date (mostly due to COVID delaying surgeries in general). The operation took quite a while longer than expected because my gallbladder was 'quite gnarly' per the surgeon but I think it should be onwards and upwards from here! Plus, I have to take it easy for the next few weeks so I can't vacuum or lift laundry baskets or push a shopping cart. This gal is finally getting a bit of a break. Time to watch Hamilton on repeat!
Speaking of Hamilton, how do I reconcile my love for the story with the fact that I was born in what is known as "Canada's Most Loyalist City"? Does this explain why I am so oddly drawn to the character of King George? Why did it only dawn on me halfway through the musical that my relatives were the ones who booked it North from Boston? If it means I have universal health care, I guess I can make peace with feeling like I let Lin-Manuel down...
I'm glad you were finally able to have surgery and that you're already feeling better!
In the next installment of "Ashley watches something she should have seen years ago:"
I spent nap-time watching The Greatest Showman. Jaw on the floor.
Zac Efron. Hugh Jackman. Both singing. Both beautiful. Be still my heart. #swoon
LOVE! I went in with low expectations when I saw it in theater for $5 and have been swooning ever since!
Yo, weird movie, BUT I LOVE EVERYONE IN IT SO I WILL NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR IT
I weep through From Now On without fail. I also dance through it too. It’s a beautiful mess, honestly.
Long time reader, first time commenter.
But eyebrows are worth breaking my silence for. There’s a girl on the Bachelor this season who always says it swear on my eyebrows!’ as her version of swearing on her life and I mean... it seems worthy.
My brows are a mess right now but I bought tint for them because their light brown natural state is not good enough and even though they’re still scruff city it’s still a million steps better. Try it.
I need those templates for shape sake though.
I swear on my eyebrows.
Oh, also, I’m travelling next week for the first time and have made myself some masks for the occasion (not mandatory here at all, but recommended when you can’t distance) and they have ties on them so they’ll stay secure while I nap on a long bus trip, and packed some essential oils because honestly if their lovely smells and maybe magic can make me feel a little less worried about the situation I’m here for it. HERE. FOR. IT.
Did anyone else listen to the Thomas episode of Bible Binge and love the guy? I feel like I get him a whole lot. Or he gets me. People act like doubt is a weakness but I think it’s a superpower to be able to doubt and then doubt those doubts and take them to the right place to deal with them.
He touched Jesus’ wounds and that helped him trust again and I’m glad he did because now we’ve got his witness and also permission to ask questions. I need that sometimes. All the time. Every single day.
Peter is bold and John is close to Jesus but Thomas is my boy.
Not here with a treasure from the week... Just here to say that the testing is worth it to be able to travel! I'm up to 7 tests now, with two more to come the next two Mondays, plus another one mandated by my employer in October. (I work for the State of Missouri, who supplies the testing.) Getting to see my parents for the first time in 7 months makes the sadistic swab totally worth it!
With your tests, how long do you typically have to wait for results? Just curious - I had one on Aug 10 and have yet to hear back from my dr’s office, so I called the county health department on the 17th, and thankfully received a negative. That’s awesome about getting to see your parents!!
Generally less than 24 hours. I think working for a State forensic psychiatric hospital where we've been dealing with an outbreak since April 7th gives our tests priority at the hospital they get sent to, which is also maybe 5 miles from my facility. We definitely have a different testing experience than most.
Hullo there, Swipes! ‘Tis my first time commenting, as I was cordially invited here by Danielle M (another human altogether, not my alter ego, and longtime friend) last week. I’m a fan of the Bible Binge, Enneagram 6, INTJ, mom, gardener, artist, and adventurous cook.
1. 👍All of this guy’s nature videos make my day, but especially this snail one: https://youtu.be/XVWQCd5j_ec
2. 👍This artist on Instagram who makes incredible line drawings, especially the ones with multi-color ballpoint pens: https://instagram.com/alberto_sting?igshid=1gaq9hvepebgo
3. 👎My 4 kids started virtual this week, and the 8-10 Zooms + assignments daily are...a lot. TGIF. Much love to teachers, parents, and homeschoolers (which is an entirely different thing, especially now).
4. 👍Erin, I enjoyed the BB episode on Thomas, and the entire time I wanted to talk to you about something I recently found:
A. Priscilla is a totally viable possibility as an author of Hebrews (and according to my pastor friend, he feels she’s the most likely candidate).
B. There’s evidence Mary Magdalene could have authored the book of John: https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2019/09/duke-university-bible-mary-magdalene-researcher-correct
So the whole time listening to the Thomas episode, I was tickled every time you guys mentioned the obvious differences in John’s presentation (sass, passie-aggressie, etc) at the thought of it being a woman author instead.
So excited for your new podcast!cThanks, Danielle M, for letting me in on this lovely weekly community + ritual ❤️
Hello D1, we are glad you're here! Yes! I am pro-Priscilla as the author of Hebrews, I want it to be so! We're gonna get into the Mary Magdalene stuff soon (wink) but it's so fascinating! 🙌🙌🙌
Ooh yay! So glad to be here ❤️
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Look at my internet friends saying hi to my real life friend. THIS IS SO FUN!
Welcome!
Welcome D2!!!!!!
Welcome, welcome!! 😊👋
Longtime lurker, first time poster (as evidenced by the fact that I just wrote out a comment and then accidentally deleted it !!!!!!!!!). TAKE TWO.
This has been the epitome of a Hack Your Cry™ week over here. I may need to write myself a fake doctor's note that just says "stay in bed, watch A League of Their Own as many times as you need to, eat chocolate 1-2x per hour until sadness subsides." Going to try to treat myself as gently as this dog treated their treat (https://twitter.com/Chinchillazllla/status/1296357503014440961).
So excited for your new show, Erin!
Thank you Maria! ❤️
Welcome!
Welcome! I fought a Hack Your Cry (I don’t know why I don’t like to experience sadness but I am what I am) until yesterday. I just knew in my bones it was necessary so watched Sweet Magnolias. Whew, I got some emotions out!
First time posting! This newsletter was the treasure of my day today! Alarm didn't go off, completely flat tire after I was already on the road, jeans didn't fit. That kind of morning. Then I get to work and get to read this while drinking a much needed extra cup of coffee. My other treasure is I got halfway through the tire change by myself before someone pulled over to help me and would have gotten it done before my husband got to me from his office! Woohoo!
Mornings may be tough, but you’re tougher 💪🏻💪🏻
BOSS TIRE CHANGE FLEX 💪
Man, that's one heck of a morning! Hope the day has gotten better.
Welcome! Kudos to you for knowing how to change a flat - I’d like to think I could but know better!
Good Morning!! I am beyond excited for Faith Adjacent (other than it’s hard to spell!). The PMG is definitely a bright spot right now.
Grateful for tomatoes from my garden & the fact that it is now pastry Friday (where we eat breakfast pastries, clever right?)
Freaking out that I know my kids are starting school virtually, but not how I am starting teaching in a couple weeks. Argh.
I am hundo P on board with pastry Friday. Might have to give that a go.
Still new sharing here, but love this community and want to be more a part of it...so here goes. This weeks treasures & turds...
1. School started on Wednesday and we have elected virtual through our district (after MUCH research and handringing). Once the decision was made we jumped in feet first to making the best of it. Changed the game room to a "classroom" and finally hung up a bunch of art work that has been sitting in boxes for the nearly 2 years we've lived in this house. We are embracing the motto "We can't make it NORMAL, but we can make it MEMORABLE (for the right reasons)"
Post 1st day of school I had a Napcident and crashed for 2 hours. I think the anxiety of starting this bizarre school year and all the energy put into coping via decor and first day of school breakfast plans caught up with me.
2. My family is super tight and we are normally all together (parents, sisters, spouses, kids, even dogs) regularly and circumstances this year have prevented that so in addition to regular Zoom calls we've added a Weekly #CoronaChallenge. We take turns picking the challenge and send it to everyone (we share on FB too so friends can play along) We've made popsicles, chalk art, loaf cakes and sent selfies with our favorite Sonic Drinks. It's been fun to see what everyone does and it's been another fun way to stay connected. It's super hot here in Texas so next week's challenge is to Think Cool and to do a craft or recipe we usually only make during Christmas.
3. After watching an Instagram Friend build a beautiful dollhouse for her daughter, my girls and I started looking at miniatures and they are both obsessed. As a result my childhood dollhouse was unearthed from my parents attic and is now being renovated/remodeled by my girls and I. I'm so happy they love it as much as I did and I love having this project to work on with them.
4. After much searching I was able to find a way to watch the Anne of Green Gables movie with Megan Follows that I remember as a child and share it with my girls, Lyv & Sadie. It was just a charming and dear as I remember and reminded me that Gilbert Blythe was most definitely my first TV crush.
I'm sure I have a few more but I have to go make sure children are on the appropriate zoom calls/canvas assignments.
I still watch that Anne series yearly. I love Megan as Anne. Anne is what made me fall in love with reading. Growing up I wanted to be a Punky Brewster/Anne hybrid.
Napcident. I have had a few of those in this anxiety ridden quarantine!
Welcome to the community!
Loling at Napicident 😆😆😆
Definitely adopting Napcident as a term - truly obsessed with portmanteaus
It's a very technical term - used when 1 means to just lay down for a few minutes and it turns into a mega nap
Megan as Anne!!!!!!
Keep posting. We're glad you're here.
She’s just lovely!
I love your family's challenges! That sounds really fun and creative.
Yes to dollhouses and napicents!!! LOL
Hello, Internet friends! It's been a long week over here, but I'm mostly focusing on the positives and the fact that it's Friday. Praise the Lord.
-The Boy meeting the family last weekend went very well! He got the first stamp of approval from my three year old nephew who, within two minutes of walking in the door, pointed at Boy and said excitedly, "Do you want to go play race cars with me?" To which Boy responded eagerly, "I'd love to!" And that was that. Also, seeing Boy interact with him was darling, gave me all the heart eyes, and confirmed that, yes, I would like to have his babies someday. 😂😍 Overall, the family approves. My mom is most definitely freaking out that we've already talked marriage, but I think she'll calm down with time. My dad is super chill. They've already invited Boy to come with them on a trip next month (they didn't invite me, but they invited him 😂), which I told him to please decline, but I guess that's a good sign.😂
-I am very much enjoying a routine of cleaning my small apartment before I go to bed each night. This may seem small, but my former roommates (a.k.a. my sister and brother-in-law) are terribly messy people and a clean house was never possible, so the fact that I can take ten minutes to do the dishes and wipe things down so I can wake up to a clean place is wonderful.
-Someone else mentioned this too, but I've been watching the Umbrella Academy and loving it! I'm not super into fantasy/sci-fi, but I can go for one occasionally, especially if it has some wittiness to it like this does. However, my Roku decided to randomly kick me out of Netflix as I started the last episode last night, delete the app from my TV without asking, and wouldn't let me add it again. So boo to that, but hopefully it behaves tonight so I can finish.
-I go through bouts of having extremely low blood pressure for no reason, which causes crazy dizzy spells, feeling like I'm going to fall over while walking down the hallway, and sometimes accompanied by intense nausea. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it, which is frustrating, but this week has been one of those times so that has been the sucky part of the week.
Can't wait to slowly make my way through the rest of these comments!
YAY for Boy being approved by nephew... and may your ovaries not explode in the meantime! ;)
AHHHHHH! Glad The Dinner went so well!! And part of me wants The Boy to go on the family trip 😂😂 praying for answers on the low blood pressure
If it was truly a family trip, I'd absolutely be down for it. But to clarify, this is a trip that JUST my parents are taking. I am not ready for him to have three days alone with my parents. They can be a lot to handle. They held back this weekend, and they for sure wouldn't without me there. 😂😂😂
Honestly, still pro this because “I love mess”, as Marie Kondo says. But totally respect 😂
You are braver than me. 😂😂
Look at your new picture with The Boy!! :)
Glad it went well. Thanks for keeping us posted. And good for you for creating a routine that works for you.
So glad the meet-the-family went well!
Aw man, I want to fly on an airplane. My bestie moved to New York (Rochester) in April and is lonely and I desperately want to go see her next month, or have her come to me. I'm relatively confident in the airlines' ability to keep me covid-free, but my husband has completely nixed it. I feel like I have to respect his stance - it is potentially a life or death decision, after all - but the people I know who have flown are confirming my position.
School starts Monday. Remote for the first quarter. There are wildfires all over Colorado, and it's hot as heck. I'm so ready for everything to just calm down.
I just flew into Rochester! Depending on where you are coming from, A+ would recommend after Gov Cuomo lifts the quarantine mandate. Here for an extra two weeks for that. Sending love and calm vibes!
I miss travel like this, too. Starting to feel it on a soul level.
I get this. I was very iffy on it but now that I've broken the seal, I feel okay. ❤️
Fellow Coloradoan (Coloradan?? I don’t know!) here on the western slope. The heat - gahhh! Really wishing we had a/c. And the air has been really smoky and hazy here, although the closest fire is about 100 miles away. Yes to everything calming down!
Late to the comment game due to panicky students all up in my email inbox and the fact that I now have to drive to my office in the morning instead of leisurely sipping coffee and scrolling Lil Swipe comments before logging into my dining room office at 8.
My treasure this week is Pantsuit Politics, which I know is PMG-adjace so you may all already listen to it, but I started this week with their summer How to Be a Citizen series and IT WAS SO GOOD AND THOUGHTFUL AND SMART AND CIVIL. I need this podcast for me to exist as a person in 2020.
The other treasure was a term I had not previously know: RATLICKER. 😂 Which apparently means someone who won't wear a mask in public, a la someone who would have licked a rat during the bubonic plague. I can't. 😂😂😂
Oh girl. I understand those inbox moments. At noon today I Am sure all of us let out a joyful whoop in my office that add/drop week was over. Whew. Remember boundaries. 😉
I love the PSP ladies and their wisdom.
Ratlicker. Wowza. 🤣
I’ve been saving that series and started it this week. I’m loving it!
I am really into Pantsuit Politics and RATLICKER 😂
I'm enjoying that series too!
RATLICKER. I am undone. 😂
I missed last weeks comments but did anyone share the treasure of the Nigerian boys who got all that video equipment from Netflix for remaking the trailer of Extraction with a wheelbarrow for a car? 😍
I don't think I saw this but now I want to!
https://twitter.com/ikorodub/status/1293573942695927812?s=21
Ahhhhhhhhh!
Here they are receiving the video equipment
erin, i am so excited for your podcast! 🎉
- currently reading: i just finished "the good daughter" by karin slaughter. meh. just, meh.
- currently listening: binging "from the front porch" podcast. my TBR list will never recover.
- currently loving: chick•fil•a’s sweet tea
and i will leave you with this hilarious interaction with my 3 year old son earlier this week:
me, hearing my husband making coffee: "hey sexy, can you make me some, too?"
husband: "sure, babe."
a few minutes later, my son walks up to me as i'm finishing my snack + looks at me with a straight face + asks, "hey sexy, can i have a bite?"
i couldn't breathe 😂😂😂
From the Front Porch is TERRIBLE for my TBR
3yo are simultaneously the best and the worst. I am constantly cackling at the things mine says. It really makes it hard to be mad at him for too long.
😂😂 My friend often called her husband babe/baby, so their daughter about that age started calling the dad "baby"...but also "daddy" so, Baby Daddy it was.
I am in tearsssss 😂 learning social norms as a toddler is rough, but so entertaining. I'm sure he was like, "is this not how we address each other when we want something?" 😂😂😂
I love 3 year olds for moments just like that.
Yay for more Erin in my ears! Can’t wait to hear the first episode!
My turd for the week is a broken thermostat on our hot water heater - first we got boiling water straight from the tap 😳 then it overflowed or tripped the pressure whatsit (this is what my brain heard at 7 am from my husband) and now we’ve got a wet basement floor. My husband thinks he can fix it so Ts & Ps for us. My kids really need baths.
Treasure of the week isn’t online - my almost 1 yr old can play in the sand box with my 4 yr old and she DOESNT EAT SAND. Idk what kind of miracle is happening but I’m not questioning it.
When kids start playing more with less hands on parental intervention, it's like the heavens open and angels start singing.
I'm not sure I've posted treasures before, only commented and sparingly at that...but I have 2 (really 3) little treasures I'd like to share with you all today:
1) (& 2) I'm in my 19th week of my 3rd and (likely) last pregnancy today...with my TWIN BOYS! I have a 3 year old boy and an 18 month old boy and these twins will be coming in HOT to keep the 22 month spacing we've already got. Two tiny little treasures that we were in no way expecting nor are we prepared for...but they are treasured! (Also I'm so cautious talking about my breezy pregnancies because I'm so so sensitive to those struggling and, if that's you, I'm sorry for rubbing my pregnant belly in your face. I see your struggles and I see that they suck. I'm sorry.)
3) I'm running off to my 10th or so therapy session - I started during the pandemic because A. pandemic marriage and B. pandemic pregnancy and I'm kicking myself for waiting 31 years to start. Best decision I've ever made and I cannot recommend it enough! Now to go discuss why my mother is so weird and my I can't ever turn my work off at home :) maybe I'll throw a little bit of "my husband doesn't understand emotions" and I'm an HSP in there for a good balance.
Have a wonderful Friday everyone!!
Don’t know if I could love this any more with babies and therapy on the way!!
Twins!!! Congratulations!!!!!
Therapy is amazing self care. Go you!
Commenting because I relate to the "husband doesn't understand emotions" while being an HSP (whew!!). I also just wrapped up my first (but probably not last) experience with therapy. It seemed wild to stop during this time in the world, but we had reached a natural ending for my particular experience. I'm considering it an indefinite pause. And I also had the same "why didn't I do this sooner?!?!" feelings at the beginning! I tell everyone I know to go ASAP. Don't wait until you think you "need" it. WE ALL NEED IT.
Twins!!! Congrats!!! How exciting. Big proponent of therapy over here 🙋🏻♀️ I’m currently studying to be a licensed counselor 😊 cheering you on in your therapy journey!
1. Congratulations! 2. Good! So very wise. HSP here too.
Enjoy therapy!
TWINS!!! Mine are 4 months old next week. We didn't know they were twins until the anatomy scan (i will share this story with literally everyone i know because it is so bonkers). Welcome to to the pandemic twin mom club <3
WOWWWW! My anatomy scan is next week - we found out there were twins at our 9 week first OB appointment and ultrasound. I cannot imagine the shock at 20ish weeks pregnant!!!!
It was mostly hilarious! My fist scan was at 8 weeks (transvaginal too) and she didn't catch Baby B. She even literally told us, "Oh, there's no way you'd miss twins with a transvaginal ultrasound!"
Morning morning morning from my corner of the world here in Minnesota...
I'm just going to dive into a list because that makes me feel better ;)
1. Another week gone by, another week where I still do not know when my kids will be in school. OR if it will even happen. I say this because more and more area districts are changing their hybrid models either by eliminating them altogether or delaying them. Why? Because teachers are pushing back and I gotta say it, I respect it with some big energy. I have a close friend who is a middle school teacher in my district and the work she is being expected to manage is frankly impossible. It would be one thing if it was ALL in person or ALL hybrid, but the mix of both? It's so hard to coordinate. BUT we did go buy school supplies. I shockingly DID NOT buy myself anything. But that might change because dang it, I deserve a random notebook or pack of gel pens. I DESERRRRRVE IT.
2. Here's hoping my box of pants from Amazon Wardrobe proves fruitful. Since we can't go into fitting rooms (like wow Target way to have really cute pants in stock. Wait, your fitting rooms are closed? Ummm whenever I buy pants I always need to try on like 3 different sizes of any new style because clothing makers are evil and I never know what size I am anymore!!! I used to keep a spreadsheet but guess what, EVERY SEASON THEY CHANGE!!!)
3. Getting used to my Cooling Pillow. So Yes, I'm 43 and my husband bought me a cooling pillow. I showed this to Danielle M via a video -- its like a foam pillow that has this quilted sort of case and that quilted material is what stays cool. It has taken some getting used to but I think I am liking it now.
4. Seeing results from Curology. I started this journey in July.....yeah it was July and I think I'm getting some gains. But I have to be careful because anytime I think for a second my skin is feeling better the Universe gives me a break out.
5. Crying at the end of Sophie Hudson's Zoom book club. Yes, I cried. Her meet ups to discuss her book were just a place of comfort and I cried after the last one this Tuesday. She's just such a comfort and gift to me. The time I got to take to read her book and have a little community was something I really valued.
6. Vizzy Hard Seltzer: https://www.vizzyhardseltzer.com/av?url=https://www.vizzyhardseltzer.com/
7. The Umbrella Academy S2 on Netflix. It's weird, it's quirky, the soundtrack has been epic, the fight scenes are like crazy....I can't explain why I have enjoyed these eps so much thus far, but I have.
8. An epic tomato. You guys. Okay so we have a cafe onsite here at work, they make pretty meh food and usually I bring my own lunch. But last week I got this chicken tender sandwich they make. It's just a couple really big fresh fried tenders on a pretzel bun with this mayo that is like if pesto and mayo had a sexxxxy bebe.....but then served with lettuce and tomato. You're like okay girl calm down its a sandwich. But this week when I treated myself to said sammich....she pulls out this tomato. I was not prepared. First off, it was like the size of a grapefruit. Second the shade of red. It was like...... the most luscious shade of red. When she sliced into it. I gasped you guys. I audibly gasped. It was a next level epic tomato. I asked for an extra slice of it on the side. She salted and peppered it. She knew my plans. Guys. I ate that epic piece of tomato like it was a Wagyu beef. It was like no tomato I have had in quite some time. I actually came home and waxed philosophically about this tomato to both my husband AND my dad when it called -- my husband was like "okay glad that was good" -- My dad totally understood my adoration. I thought if anyone could understand this, it might be Erin and this group.
So here's to finding your epic tomato Swipers
Be well,
Mel
I went to Target for bras without realizing that the fitting rooms were closed. Grabbed two random ones and took them home hoping they'd fit... AND THEY DID. This never happens, even if I have the chance to try them on. GOD IS GOOD.
That is a miracle moment!
Let me know if Curology keeps working! I have been struggling with really bad adult acne for the last 3-4 years and every time I think I figure out what the deal is, I break out more and my deductions are false. (Turd of the day- Dr. on a telemed call today asked if I had a rash on my face cause I didn’t put on makeup and she’d never seen me without it. 😭)
Overall I think its helping. I get hormonal acne and it has seemed to help. Or maybe forcing me to stop, use a limited amount of products, and sort of detox my skin has helped. I am SO sorry about that comment.
Thanks!
I am dearly sad I missed this whole thing early. Tomatoes are the best thing about summer. Before the covid I so wanted to plant some but alas did not. There is nothing like a fresh from the garden still warm from the sun. I’m a fan of cherry tomatoes but a good big juicy sliced one will do. My Great Aunt Betty made this concoction of bacon, zucchini, tomatoes, and it’s still one of my favorite things.
No I need a farmers market stat. Grocery store tomatoes don’t cut it.
Your bacon, zucchini and tomatoes is the onions, potatoes and kielbasa my grandpa would make
Oh, yay! The cooling pillow settled down and became a win! :)
I'm so glad you did that book club. It seems like it was such a good thing for you.
Oh I loved the book and the book club. But yes, I cried during the closing prayer for the last club meeting. It was so what I needed.
And yes, I have adapted to the goofy foam pillow. But I just need to not think of how the pillow looks without that case ;) You know my feelings on that.
Going to the Farmer’s Market tomorrow on a quest for tomatoes! Might I recommend the following school supply item: Pilot ball Frixion erasable clicker pen, fine point, in assorted colors. Love these so much!!
OOOH The Project Runway pens! YES those are niiiice. They have good inkflow.
I mean it’s so true, that flow matters!
I AM TEAM SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Buy all the things, woman. The school supply aisle is the BEST.
I am not team tomato but that story made me want to be. Hold me. LOL
HA! I was once not a tomato eater. I know, be shocked. But since my late teens early 20s? You just need the right one or preparation to convert you haha.
UPDATE: My MIL brought me fresh tomatoes the other day that I forgot about. They were red, juicy, and so ripe. Just cut one like a apple and ate it with salt + tony c's. AMAZING. My husband was disgusted. I was also eating tuna. Really doubling down on the weird lunch plate today. LOL
I love these play by plays and up to the minute updates!
Listen it is 2020, all the lunch plate combos that bring you joy are what we all need right now.
YES to teachers shouldering so much. YES to Amazon “box of ____” orders (I do this with bathing suits because dressing room lighting is a bully. YES to Danielle M (she invited me here). YES to epic tomatoes!!
The box of pants are so what are needed for me right now. I am so glad you are here! I 'met' Danielle via here and she's a treasure in and of herself.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
You're sweet. And kind.
Heehee. My real friend is interacting with my Quarantine Pen Pal in Minnesota. Teeheeheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
#happy
YAY! Well you're so lovely, how could we all not get along?
Confession: I almost didn't tell anyone irl about this place. It has become precious enough to me that it was tempting to keep it in it's own little bubble.
See? Not so lovely. Lol
School supply season is my favorite! I'm all for Holiday Decor but give me a school supply isle and I'm a happy camper! Buy the notebook! Buy the gel pens! Grab some new sharpies! You deserve it! (clearly I have strong feelings)
Also very pro cooling pillow. Every night I have to fight my children to keep mine.
Most importantly, now I need a beautiful summer tomato - no grocery store 'mater is gonna cut it!
I joke that I became a teacher for the school supplies. Pens are my downfall.
YAS. Team school supplies UNITE!
I will forever be on this team.
Me too! All the pens and paper!
I see us all calling local grocers "Yes do you have organic tomatoes in stock? Like really big red ones? Yeah point of origin? When did you receive this? How long was it in the stock area?" This tomato I had was so obviously local and loved.
And yes I am eyeing some pens, I think I need them. And I will hide them from the children.
And I also keep my pillow on my bed and my kids know better than to mess with my pillows! They have their own dang it! Give me one nice thing!
Etsy is my downfall.
My mouth is watering just thinking about that tomato and the sandwich. 🤤
I am so glad my fellow tomato people are here!
My breakfast of oatmeal seems so boring now. I wish I had a tomato sammich!
Cue all of us scoping out farmers markets this weekend :)
Fresh summer tomatoes are just like nothing else in this world. My lovely Oregon had a somewhat late start to the heat this summer, so tomatoes have been slow to come this year and I am envious.
I'm just above OR in Vancouver and the garden is taking forever! It's brutal I tell ya
I’m finally getting a few in the Willamette Valley! I thought it might be October before they were ripe.
I’m in the Valley too! I got some cherry tomatoes at the Saturday market a couple weeks ago but I’m waiting on those beautiful, delicious heirlooms. Hoping I find some at the market tomorrow!
Fingers crossed you can find some good ones tomorrow!
We’ve just built raised garden beds and it’s coming into Spring/Summer. I told my husband that I’m using a whole bed for tomatoes and he asked if that was necessary.
Yes, yes it is.
Who does he think he is to restrict my tomato dreams?
Tomato dreams must be fulfilled
This is perfectly acceptable. Especially when you take into consideration all the different varieties you could plant! Very necessary.
I have some amazing multicolored heirloom tomatoes looking like gems on my patio. I am planning to buy some burrata so I can just eat cheese and tomatoes with salt and pepper.
Burrata! DROOL.
Burrata is like ......... a pillow of dairy heaven. That with some kosher salt, cracked pepper, red pepper flakes and dashes of olive oil and balsamic...like my favooorite. I love to sometimes just eat that with some pan fried polenta cakes (trader joe's polenta loaf is so good). It's a favorite!
*fans self and wishes desperately for epic tomato*. And, for the record, you DO deserve a pack of gel pens and a new notebook!
Ladies, don't we all just need epic tomato right now? I mean 2020 deserves to give us that much.
(as I cackle at my desk)
I think next week I will go to Target alone (angels start to sing) and treat myself.
First of all, I like that this comment read like a 50 Shades of Grey for Tomato Lovers. Also sexualizing a condiment is very much a vibe so just excellent work here all around. 👏👏👏👏👏
Sexy condiments can make or break a meal. That "Mayesto" elevates that sandwich. ;) I have been known to find out who a saucier is at a restaurant and HUG THEM. I have taken over gravy-making at in-law holiday dinners because bad gravy will break Thanksgiving for me.
But yes, my goodness that tomato will go down as one of the best things I have eaten in some time.
Please tell me you make gravy with flour and not icky cornstarch! Thanksgiving was ruined one year for me when my sister-in-law made disgusting cornstarch gravy!!
OMGGGGG SO SO SOOOO Team Flour! And Yes cornstarch gravy is what made me take over in-law gravy making because one year my MIL overcooked it and the gravy basically became jello and it was unable to be salvaged so for me Thanksgiving was 100% ruined because gravy can save so much on a plate.
Good gravy is life affirming haha
#TomatoGate LOVE!! Now, I'm drooling into my keyboard... hmmm how to clean that... 🤔
The fact I am STILL thinking about it says all you need to know!
Ack and yes I keep a spreadsheet about pants. I have the style/fit/size info and where/when I got them. Which is why I hate how often every ding dang store changes fits and names because just when I know I wear whatever size in some brand and think I can just easily reorder when needed they up and change fits for every damn pants line they carry and I have to start all over!!!
Also Sophie as fairy godmother is spot on. She is like an honorary auntie in my heart.
Wait
Wait
Wait
Your daughter is gonna dress as Klaus?
I love this
But for real I want to feed him soup and bread and momma him
Erin so thrilled about your new pod. I must admit I almost got into a twitter fight last night on your behalf...well more on Marlo's behalf (if it isn't Marlo with these names I will be SHOCKED!) because of someone's reply to your tweet about her names for the DT. But I resisted but was just going to tell her to stop romping on another's ding dong especially a 7-year-old! I stopped myself though. But good grief. Also, she wouldn't have gotten it so.... and it seemed sort of inappropriate since I doubt she follows you on Instagram. So all in all probs a good call on my part for also not getting kicked off twitter for inappropriate content.
So classes started this week at the university I work for and even before we started we made national news... and TMZ. I mean I feel like a bucket list item is complete I had not thought of. A place I work at hit the TMZ website. Anyhoo. Seems some off-campus student housing still had their back to school bash with no mask and social distancing... so we will see if there is a spike in the covid here soon. I am so thankful to be working virtually this semester. I am glad my students are back though! Mine should not have been at the party as they are a bit too young as freshmen and sophomores. There is an on-campus rule.
The most treasured treasure is this past weekend my niece face-timed my multiple times to chat. It has been a while since she did and we talked for hours. It's amazing to talk with her as a 10-year-old. It finally occurred to me she sees me as a confidant to talk about her worries and fears and someone she can trust. Y'all I UGLY CRIED when I figured this out. She was really worried about school starting back as she is starting middle school (5th and 6th grade) and it brings all the elementary schools together so it was a great many new students. She took my advice about so many things this week. I just was blown away. So even though we may go a bit without talking because she would rather face-time her friends. (big sigh) she will call me when she needs me. My. Heart. And I get to talk to my 3-year-old niece who is possibly the funniest person I know.
Two of our sorority houses are on lock down because although all of recruitment was done virtually, bid day was inexplicably held in person, and as the poor president of the panhellenic council had to explain to the school newspaper, "Well, they didn't follow all the guidelines because they were too excited about bid day." Eesh...
A Syracuse administrator put out a scathing call-out in his school paper basically being like, "Everyone thinks you college students can't do this. Prove them wrong. You say you want in-person classes, so start acting like it so we don't have to send you all home."
Uh yeah when I read what the Syracuse admin wrote in the Chronicle I was like why could PBJ (our nickname for our Pres) not take a stance like this. Ugh. I understand the excitement but it’s like if you want to stay in person you must follow the mask/distancing rules. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Your. Niece. 😭💗 Such a gift for you and for her.
Yes. I have hoped to have this with her and for this hope to come true. A delight to my heart.
Listen this was the purest thing on this planet and I loved reading it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
❤️❤️
Hello Swipes!
Finally retained a ding dang attorney to go after the developers of my shady A$$ condo that's under construction. I feel 100lbs lighter and now $600 poorer, but am praying for these greedy devils to just release me and give me my monies back. Prayers please (if that's your jam).
📺 Guys- someone let me in to the fact that Friday Night Lights is on Hulu, so buckled in and started Ep 1 last night. It did not disappoint. I'm eager to finally get to this show for the first time.
🎧 Podcast: Forever 35. Have you guys checked this one out yet? Doree Shafrir & Kate Spencer are an utter delight and are filling all my ear quarantine needs (beside PMG of course).
🍍 Found a new to me coffee place called Pineapple Espresso and they have peach cobbler toast and it is a DELIGHT. Who knew peaches in season could literally melt in your mouth.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzvBSubJ0F6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Erin- Congratulations!! I'm so excited for you new endeavor. GET IT GIRL!!!
I’ve never watched FNL either, growing up in small town Texas this feels wrong somehow.
Feeling like I need to figure out how to make peach cobbler toast.
Watch with us Lauren! ;)
Okay but how have you not seen Friday Night Lights before? Riggins. Saracen. COACH AND TAMMY TAYLOR. My maiden name is Taylor and Tammy Taylor was the only one I’d be proud to be called Tammy for. They are goals.
I have no idea Tamara! I am checking it off the list now! #ChallengeAccepted
PEACH COBBLER TOAST 😍😍😍 and thank you for a new podcast rec and CLEAR EYES FULL HEARTS CAN’T LOSE
Of course! Can't wait to hear what you think! ;)
Definitely praying! No shade balls! NO.
In other news, I too am a Friday Night Lights virgin. I also have Hulu.
#challengeaccepted
I will be watching this fall during the deep abyss that will be no new tv.
#ChallengeAccepted - we can update each other on here! Or I'm also down for a new pen pal. ;)
PenPals! So here for this.
YES!! If you're serious, find me on the gram @Barnold165
Done! I'm @MrsSlovo
Yes to FNL and that peach toast looks fab! What's the Forever 35 podcast about? I'm intrigued.
It started about serums. They talk about shower protocol, personal hygiene habits that made me feel SEEN and normal. Self care type stuff and once a week they have a guest on could be self care related, authors, scientists. The most recent one was Dr. Pimple Popper!! Riveting stuff. Just feels like hanging with your GFs.
FNL. Clear eyes. Full heart. Can't Lose. TEXAS FOREVER. Girl make sure you get tissues for the seasons. It is one of the best shows ever made. I still re-watch it.
Peach cobbler toast. As a GA girl this sounds like a delight!
Praying with you about the terrible condo situation!
Thank you!! YES, I am ready!! 😪❤
🍑 toast was perfection.
Long time reader, first time poster here!
The hard things this week were waking up Monday morning to my four year old son’s ear being twice its normal size. He’s been on prednisone this week, which fixed it, but BOY. I’ve been on prednisone many times before for my asthma, but it is no joke for a little kid. My usually laid-back boy has been yelling and grumpy and running around like a wild man this week. Last dose was yesterday, so hopefully he’s on the come down.
Mixed good and bad is that school starts in person on Monday for my kiddos. They are over the moon to go back, but of course I’m nervous. It’s my son’s last year of special ed preschool for his language disorder before kindergarten and we just decided we needed to at least try for him to go. On the other hand, this enneagram 5 is not sad about being alone in the house even for just an hour or two each day after not having that since March.
Erin, I’m so excited for your new podcast! Congratulations!
I’ve been watching Psych on Prime and loving the very lighthearted mystery vibe. Along with rereads of Sarah Addison Allen and Marisa de los Santos books, it’s exactly what I need right now.
❤️
Prednisone is no joke. The first time my son was on them for his asthma they gave him night terrors. Super fun.
So. One of my besties call's prednisone the devil's tic tacs. I have an autoimmune disease and was on them for over a year and still use them for flares. To this day if I am grumpy my husband asks when I am grumpy... are you on prednisone. haha! So I hope he is on the mend and off the DTT's soon!
Psych is one of the best shows! Shawn and Gus are the best. It is so funny yet still appealing with the mystery you are trying to figure out. Also, I adore Sarah Addison Allen. Her writing is dreamy.
Welcome to the Lil Swipe Fam!
The devil’s tic tacs! Such an accurate name! It takes care of the original problem like a miracle but then...the side effects.
Welp, here we are. Anyone else feel like time is moving as slow as turtles walking through peanut butter?! Our family update is as follows. Older son, Dylan has a girlfriend. Daughter Autumn was invited to the boy she likes house for dinner and a movie with his family. She said no to the dinner because it was too much pressure but yes to the movie. She asked her older brother Dylan to drop her off at his house. And despite the fact that Dylan had no other plans he said no because a gentleman should come pick her up. Denver has taken up tennis and is enjoying tennis lessons. My younger daughter Chandler got to see her bff last week for the first time since March- It was a very noisy. Hank, is back at speech therapy this week and is still working hard. He also stood at the top of the fort in our backyard and peed down slide. Waylon, is still just trying to boss everyone around and his sisters just do what he says.
Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary we will have been married 22 years! I still very much like him and he is still my favorite person to be around he makes me laugh even when he does it mean to you and the fact that we have not murdered each other is a big deal!
Virtual school starts on September 8 for us. I haven’t bought a single school supply. I don’t know what I should be purchasing. I need a list I cannot function without a list tell me all the things on the list and I’ll check them off so that I could feel productive. My kids are going to end up with 184 pencils and that’s it!
Happy anniversary, and I lived for this kiddo update!!!
Congrats on every single one of those 22 years!
We should be best friends...we both used the phrase "turtles walking through peanut butter" today. Hahaha. Great minds!!!
Congrats on 22 years (and some pretty great kids)
Hooray for Big Brother telling her "a gentleman should pick her up"! I LOVE this.
Congrats on 22 years!
We bought the school supply packs via the PTA at our school and we started virtual school on Wednesday, I know it's still early but it seriously looks like 99% are going to go unused. Pencils and some notebook paper would have been plenty.
The best part is he didn’t tell her that’s why. After the boy came and got her, he looked at me and said I told her no because a gentleman should pick his date up. I was checking to see if he was.” Swoon!
Swoon! Sounds like you’ve raised a good one! Good work
I love buying those kits!!
it's seriously a sanity saver. I somehow managed to miss the order deadline last year and it reinforced that it shall never be missed again!
I missed it one year and cried!
Wait hold up - your school is not providing you with a super specific list of supplies that are impossible to track down? I will send you ours if you want.
Not yet. Some of my kids are in a Montessori school. They are prepping go bags for them. So I’m praying the list is in there!!
Ok well I hope you get the list soon!
Me too!
I haven’t bought a single school supply either and the school supplies can suck it because I have a crap ton from last year that just got sent back!! School supplies are a racket and I will die on this hill.
Love the kid updates. Congrats on 22 years!! 🙌🙌🙌
Thanks!
22 years! Congratulations! 🍾
Thank you. It feels big and small!
A few treasures this week!!
1. Athleta masks - adjustable straps, breathable, slick and cute...10/10 recommend
2. The "Release Radar" on Spotify that gets updated every Friday - since I've been working at home the last 5 months I forgot how much I love listening to this playlist during my commute. I'm listening now and I'm just amazed at the Spotify algorithm. If anyone in this alley is a fan of the Oh Hellos - the song Boreas is amazing!!!
3. I decided this week that I needed to step up my workout game - daily walks outside have been my saving grace but I can't do it when its 105 degrees outside. So I joined Tone it Up and so far I really like it! Workouts are super doable - only 20-30 minutes long and I like that the encouragement the trainers give are focused on building you up for strength and not to be skinny. There is a lot of room for modification which is exactly what I need. I feel accomplished after doing it and sore the next day but not to the point where I can't workout again the next day.
4. Last but certainly not least...why didn't anyone tell me about the joys of Irish butter???? I have been slathering everything with it. Right now I love buying the cinnamon raisin Ezekial bread, toasting it and covering it with Irish butter and cinnamon and honey. Such a yummy breakfast.
Mmmm Irish butter goes in my coffee daily. Blended with an egg yolk and a little cream.
I live for the Release Radar
I'm obsessed with Irish butter, it's pricey so we only use it to spread on good bread with a sprinkle of maldon (try it!!). Once my daughter baked cookies with it and I was so pissed but damn if those weren't some good cookies...love athleta and have been looking for good masks. Will be placing an order today. Thanks for your rec!!
omg I love the Oh Hellos 🙌
Irish butter is all we eat. Gotta have that Costco pack of Kerrygold 🤩🤩 Also thank you for sharing about Tone It Up! Working out has been so low on my priority list, but I know I need to move it up for my mental health in *these times*. I’ll have to check it out!
This is my first time commenting, but I’ve gotta share my lil treasure this week.
My oldest son has autism, and it can be so hard to feel like I’m effectively communicating and loving him. He’s obsessed with gorillas though, and today The One And Only Ivan comes out on Disney+, so I’m gonna snuggle in with my boy (and probably his collection of ape plushies) to watch a gorilla movie together. ❤️🦍
Welcome and enjoy the snugs! I am watching it this weekend to talk about on FaceTime with my niece Sunday. She read the book this spring and loved it. ❤️
Yes, he read it this spring too! Somehow the movie snuck up on us and we didn’t see the trailer until this week, but that immediately settled our plans for tonight. ☺️ Enjoy your special time with your niece! How wonderful.
I am also looking forward to this movie!!
Welcome! And yay!
That's so great!
What a treasure!
This is PRECIOUS. Enjoy those snugs! ❤️
Love that so much for you both. A true treasure, indeed. ☺️💗
Yay! I’m So glad you guys can share that together!
Better late than never! It’s overwhelming yet also a relief to know.
Erin, I so appreciate the eyebrow hack and will be checking those stencils out. Embarrassing confession: when I was a sophomore in high school, I accidentally plucked out all of my eyebrows. Luckily, they grew back, but they've been unruly ever since.
Treasures this week:
1. I have not worn shorts for many, many summers (crop pants all the way) but couldn't resist these Universal Thread shorts when they were on sale a couple of weeks ago. I am happy to report: they are fantastic. I got them in the green and pink and they are so comfy and cute. https://www.target.com/p/women-s-mid-rise-tie-front-utility-shorts-universal-thread/-/A-79178560
2. This crop art https://www.kwch.com/2020/08/21/crop-art-of-kamala-harris-portrayed-in-kansas-field/ is just a wee bit north of my house. This guys is an amazing artist. He did a bunch of these for Spotify a few years back, https://youtu.be/oj4opjodyPw and his process and designs are just amazing.
3. My boys love Mr. DeMaio's videos on YouTube, and he just released a new video about Alexander Hamilton. https://youtu.be/KBJnkz6EE1U
4. We've been having cooler weather here in Kansas in August, which is highly unusual, but I'll take it for as long as I can!
Enjoy your week, everyone!
The crop art!! As a gardener and fine arts major, I treasure this.
WOW! Not sure what I expected when I clicked on the Crop Art link, but that was certainly way more than I thought it would be. So Cool!
Mind blown by that crop art. So cool!! & def need to check out the A. Ham video for my oldest. Enjoy the cooler weather! 😌🙏
I finally checked off two tasks that have been looming large for a while - took all four kids to the dentist and haircuts this week. Y’all. I’ve been trying to be better about not using avoidance in basically every area of my life but I almost did not survive the emotional onslaught that ensued post haircuts. First my oldest was unhappy with his haircut. Then my youngest was sobbing that he didn’t get a haircut. Next my daughter was crying over them cutting off all of her blond hair (she had really blond ends). Lastly my third child has really long hair and long hair for boys is super tricky in my experience. His haircut (which ironically he is the only one happy with said haircut) did end up having some Kate from John and Kate plus eight vibes. How do you have longish hair particularly bangs but avoid looking like you have that kind of hair cut? The whole thing has almost completely wiped me out.
Dentist + haircuts for 4 kids is a LOT. Congrats on making it through!
Thanks!
Oh that is a lot. You deserve an award!!
Adulting is hard
Bless it! My kids have used seemingly innocuous events to process their feels here lately, so here's to completing those stress cycles in your kiddos!
The emotional onslaught hangover is REAL. Congrats on getting it done though!!🙌
It was a big accomplishment for sure.
Oooooh girl. That is rough. Hoping you got a nap or something to recharge after 😬 phew! At least their teeth are clean?! 😅
Clean teeth - check!
Good morning everybody! Hopping on here quickly to say my COVID19 test came back negative! Thank you all for your good thoughts. I have a morning walk then physically distanced coffee with neighbors so will read Erin’s latest and all your t&t’s later. 😀
🙌🙌🙌
Wonderful news!
That's fantastic!
Good morning! I'm sitting here listening to my 3rd grader do a Zoom call as we are on Day 3 of distance learning - and it is actually going really well! Meanwhile, my 4 year old has been completely ignored all week and is being parented by an iPad. I am trying to come up with a plan for this for next week. In other news, I am considering starting a Twitter account of things I overhear on these Zoom calls because children meekly asking the woman on the computer screen permission to use the bathroom in their own homes is very funny to me.
Gosh I feel like I never have any treasures to share! I just am wrapped up in "making it" every week that I'm hardly enjoying anything. Plenty of turds though. I had the worst week of PMS - headaches, mood swings, serious bloating, cramps. Why am I listing it, you guys know what it is! It also came late (I think so that I'd be on it when we went on our little trip to the west side of the state for swimming at the lake, I'm sure.) Speaking of our trip to the lake, that we booked months and months ago, quarantined all summer to be safe to go with family on, was Literally the only thing we planned for and on for the entire summer 🤣 --well, we received an email three days before leaving that our rental was canceled because the current renters had burned down the deck and waterfront. They would need to use our week to repair it so everyone else renting in the following weeks vacations wouldn't be ruined. It would make me cry if it wasn't so funny but I mean OF COURSE, RIGHT?? 2020 cannot be stopped! We had to shift gears and find a different, worse in almost every way, near the lake but not waterfront place, but at least my kids still get to go somewhere? If it wasn't for kids I just don't think I would have re-booked. I would have taken it as a sign to just give up. I would have put icecream and books on automatic delivery and just stayed in bed until 2021. Maybe thank goodness for kids? They're maybe the only reason I try anymore. I'm tired.
Oh so sorry about all that!! 2020 can suck it!!
Oh no! I'm so sorry that the lake house didn't work out how you'd hoped. Making it through the week is an underappreciated win some times.
Wow, that’s the WORST. I hope it turns out better than you expect!
THE WORST! I'm sorry for the struggles being thrown your way. I totally understand the "making it" mentality - sometimes just getting through the week is a treasure unto itself
That's a good way to think about it...thanks!
That IS THE WORST!!!! I am praying that grand memories are made despite the crazy start.
This is the WORST. I'm so sorry but dang it sounds like you're making the best of it and honestly, cheers to that. 🥂
Oh man...2020 strikes again. :(
Hope you get some soul-filling down time, even if not in the original planned locale.
Ugh, that is SO much. Praying that the vacation can still be relaxing!
Thank you so much. I hope so too!
I should count my blessings then. That is awful and I'm angry on your behalf. You should sue!!
Y'all!!! My biggest treasure this week is that one of my IRL friends signed up for this here Alley/Neighborhood, and this is her first week getting it! To really confuse everyone, her name is Danielle as well. Although I have been on the globe longer, her husband (rightfully) coined her D1 and me D2. Sometimes we're known as the double d's, which is as close as either of us will come to getting to live that life, b/c well...
ANYWHO. Today is also my last day of work before vacation at the beach. I. Need. This. Vacation. We all know and recognize 2020 for the turd of the year it has been. This Monday, while trying to cross of items from my pre-vacation to-do list, I was hit by what appears to be an uninsured motorist. While I am incredibly thankful for good insurance coverage on my end, I am v unhappy about that situation. So bring on vacation with friends who feel like family and sitting staring at the ocean.
T's and P's for no hurricanes or tropical storms on the east coast in the next two weeks, please?
All the T's and P's! ❤ I hope you'll have a wonderful trip!
Thank you!!!
I am still so sorry about Eunice getting injured :( But I am so thankful it wasn't something damaged your car more or injured you.
I am so happy you are getting a vaca!! So so so deserved friend. Enjoy all the moments.
I love that you know she's Eunice. Thank you! Preliminary estimate is (gasp) $3400.
Le sigh.
But yes, gratitude that I am safe, unharmed and have all the things I need. That is no small thing.
oh my word! Eunice's dr bill is that much??!! That is craaaaaazy! I am so so so sorry.
Hello D1! 🙌
So sorry about the uninsured motorist situation 😩😩 Here’s to your vacation being everything you hope & more! 😌
Thank you!!!
Also hi & welcome to the new Danielle!!
*cross off, obviously. Ugh.
Ugh that's awful...I hope your vacation is perfect!
All the Ts and Ps for cooperative weather for a much needed vacay!
Thank you!!!!
The biggest turd in my life has been that my 5 year old (who is historically a great sleeper) has not been sleeping through the night since *checks notes* MARCH. I was starting to feel like an INSANE person. Enter my treasure...Natural Calm Magnesium gummies. She has slept through the night two nights in a row, stayed in her own bed and said that it helped her to not have any bad dreams. 😭 So, I am now betrothed to magnesium gummies and have ordered them in bulk. 🙌🏻
Now I need to research this! I’ve been giving my 8 year old melatonin gummies because he still wakes in the night and sometimes will be up for 3 hours - just trying to go back to sleep. And it was getting better with Melatonin but the past 5 months of upheaval have been a set back.
This is exactly what we were dealing with! The melatonin would get her to sleep, but would not keep her asleep. I think it’s helping her with any anxiety she’s been feeling since *ALL OF THIS* started.
Thank you for this!
The (research) psychologist in me wonders if this was the placebo effect in action. My mom would fill Tylenol bottles with those little chalky smarties and give us Tylenol. I don't ever remember being tricked by them but they must have worked at some point. Still not a good idea to have kids thinking candy lives in medicine bottles. Smh. Anyway wondering, placebo or not, if this would work for me 😂. I forgot these existed and I have not been sleeping well. Thanks for the share and glad it's working for your kiddo!
Totally possible! I’ll take it placebo or not! 😂 Although we did not have the same effect with melatonin. I took some on a particularly stressful day and it did seem to help take the edge off a bit.
Gah I love sleep gummies for kids. 🙌
We are big supporters of melatonin gummies and magnesium gummies.
I had felt like a terrible mom for slipping my toddler some sleep gummies for kiddos on the occasion, so thank you for making me feel better. <3
Sleep is too important to feel bad about!
My kiddos take these every night and call them their nighttime vitamins. They also help with leg cramps during pregnancy and are general miracle workers!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO for sleep disturbances. Oy.
Thank you Jesus for any and all gifts that bring on slumber.
Amen and amen!
Yay, Erin!!! Can't wait.
Husband's Covid test came back negative (and his symptoms went away after just a couple of days) so it's business as usual this week. And by that I mean I fought every day with my turns-5-tomorrow-high-energy-kid and his passy-aggressey 6yo sister 🤪 They also gave me lots of hugs and kisses and played games and read books with me, so what I'm saying is it's the typical kid roller coaster around here. We also got to swim one day in our friends' pool, which is a huge treasure. I also read The Dearly Beloved on Sunday (yes, in one day. Basically ignored my family as much as possible), and I can not emphasize enough how much I loved that book.
And for shareable treasure, here's a delightful Twitter thread:
https://mobile.twitter.com/LaylaHersch/status/1292523616886611968
Later!
The twitter thread!!! It's too good
The twitter thread slayed me!
I still need to read The Dearly Beloved.
I will admit that "Oh! Oh... usually the dates don't eat!" really got me with this twitter thread. Treasure for sure! Hahaha
Right?!
Such a good book!! And that twitter thread just slayed me.😂🤣😂
So glad for your husband’s negative Covid test, and yes, The Dearly Beloved was WONDERFUL
The Dearly Beloved ranks in my top fave books of all time. It is exactly the type of story that I love to read. Always glad to hear someone else loved it too!
ERIN! I am so excited for your new pod 💕💕 and safe travels back from TX. I flew yesterday as well, and Atlanta was busy (therefore more people being wild about masks and not distancing) but my other airports were ghost towns. Glad to have made it to NY. And guys, it was 61° when I woke up - what a joy to throw on a hoodie in August! Other treasures include being your IG friends now (Hannah, your beach week looked GREAT!) and reading a WHOLE bunch of books while traveling!
And now, a slice of the TikTok stratosphere for the week:
One woman intro to Little Mermaid - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJMb1sN3/
They just needed some explaining - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJMb6g6n/
Rehearsing Tiktok the Musical* - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJrf9dDy/
Meanwhile in 900 AD (caption language warning)*** - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJrc39Hu/
Duet - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJrpYMaH/
Liftoff* - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJrptnEs/
Can I Show You What I’m Proudest Of?* https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJrppxur/
The Lil Swipes theme song - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJrpn4GD/
Shark Week Backyard Bash - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJrpCk8U/
Morning affirmation - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJrpQ31G/
Larry the Remix - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJhdeBsE/
This filter DOES show my favorite Disney princess - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJhdYM4G/
Big yes to that theme song! Have fun in New York! I often visit one of my best friends who lives there in the summer - the weather is always glorious!
My 3yo is OBSESSED with the dog tiktoks. THANK YOU.
Your 3 yo and I have that in common 😍
These are great! I get lost on TikTok so I'm happy someone has taken the rabbit hole away!
I try not to get too far, but someone’s gotta do the work
Lil Swipes Theme Song is ACCURATE.
So jealous of the hoodie in August. No chance of hoodies in Texas for several months. Thanks for the curated TikTok - feeling the Lil Swipes theme song in my soul
Me too, I’m a Floridian so I am thrilled with this break!
The puppy pool party 😍 I could watch that all day long
ME TOO
The Lil Swipes theme song is definitely my vibe this morning!
It is a whole mood!
Ah JILLIAN I love that we are IG friends now too! 🙌🙌 The Little Mermaid remake is legit art. Also Larry the Remix - far superior than the original, IMO. 😏
What are you reading on your trip?!
Ahhh my backlog of Shelf Subscriptions that I got this summer 😂😂 also Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. I’m working next week but looking forward to being a bookworm at all other opportunities
Ah Jillian...you never disappoint! Thank you!
Also, Erin, I'm side-eyeing you for calling those of us who enjoy this "old." Ahem.
I repent!
LOLOL so glad to serve, and we had a back and forth too. I am firmly 30-something 😂
And. Rocking. It!
(Please don't think 30-something is old. My heart can't handle it!)
Never! I feel adult enough to care about the things I should care about and get aches that are annoying, but v young at heart
Also, The Lil Swipes theme song.
#accurate
#shutupworkiamreadingthecomments
moooooood
JEALOUS OF THAT WEATHER! enjoy your travels!!
Im DYING over the Little Mermaid remake!!
Laurie Hernandez + Hamilton is one of my favorite parts of tiktok!!!
also the fact that you're on medieval tiktok confirms that our feeds are synced 😂
It is lovely! And obviously at medieval tiktok 😂
My 👍🏼 For the week came in the form of a water bill. What’s that you say? About a month ago our irrigation hook up broke during the night and started spewing water out into the street. Around 8am a neighbor rang our doorbell to tell us. My husband went to shut it off, thankfully we have a way to do that. As we looked up and down the street we felt this feeling of dread.
My husband and I own a business but our business has been shut down since mid March. Our work involves people meeting, as of now in NC no one can meet in groups over 10. At this point we basically have very little income for our family of 4.
Anyway, for the last month we have been cautiously going to the mail box waiting for that water bill to come in. We were anticipating around $700 which we don’t have. On Tuesday we received the ill fated bill. My husband opened it then handed it to me with very little reaction. I took a deep breath, $79!!!!! What?!?!?! How is that possible??? Our normal bill is $72. I very literally started crying...over a water bill. That was the biggest “Praise Jesus!” moment I’ve had in a very long time. It is definitely the little things sometimes.
Whew! What a relief!
THE TENSION IN THIS STORY. 😫 So glad for that ending.
So was I 😉
Oh, that is such a wonderful surprise! 🙌
What great news! HOORAH!
🙌
Praise!!!!
Wow. What a relief. Praises all around. I can feel that dread in my very bones. 🙈
What a blessing! I can imagine how relieved you must have felt!
That feeling that one gets when one feels they have found and watched all of shows they have access to and are not NSFJM (Jamie's mom is pretty much my speed) and then finds Endeavor: for Anglophiles and those that don't mind the predictability that is murder being solved by the end of each episode.
Endeavor is delightful! I am here for all of the PBS Masterpiece detective shows (the Lewis series is probably my favorite).
Yay for a new show!!
The mask gun video is going out to my engineering friends as soon as I’m done here!! Oh my word!!
Here’s my treasures and stories this week!
👾 High Score docuseries on Netflix / i love video game history and this is fun and fascinating! And I really want a pac-man arcade cabinet now.
🎶 The Worship Song Song - https://youtu.be/fWicNLXxtj4 - the Boy sent me this yesterday and I was thrown back to college chapel days so hard I got whiplash 😂
🚘 IN WHICH THE CAR SAGA CONTINUES (to hopefully a peaceful end on Saturday) - y’all. Since last Friday my poor dented and damaged car developed a shuddery misfire in the engine, and I have been to a car auction, a dealership, looked through dozens of Marketplace postings, cried in the truck in front of James, called a bank about a loan for the first time (with a script in hand for this anxious ball of anxiety), had lots of good talks about thoughts on money with James, he volunteered his time and dealership child expertise and enneagram 8 car salesmen bullying skills, and half the pastors on staff at our church where he works have helped and weighed in on safety ratings, all to not much luck or peace about any of the options we looked at. Then this afternoon my angel brother (or one of the 6 at least) proposed a trade - his Mazda for my Buick. And I get to save my money for getting something nicer later down the road. He can HAVE the darn thing! Instant peace. He’s coming out Saturday. My Boy is less concerned about my general well-being now 😂 and i feel well taken care of by the men God put in my life! Also I know more about cars and finances from this past week than from my almost 30 years of life combined!
🥧 THE POWER OF APPLE PIE. after the auction Saturday, I made a pie for the Boy at his request. I LIVE for his response to food I make for him. He literally has not shut up about it. I’m due to make him another tonight. Baked goods have built this relationship and will keep us going by George!
I have a 1 year old named James. It’s the perfect name. Look up the song James (Never Change) by Allstar Weekend to play for your James. It’s a vibe and we dance to it all the time around here. Also I could really go for some apple pie and vanilla ice cream.
I’m sorry about the car drama but yay for trustworthy men in your life. And James. The boy. Heart happy sigh for you.
I too have a James.
I call him The James.
They’re a good kind.
THAT WORSHIP SONG SONG. OMG. I am dead. -😂😂😂
The Worship Song reminds me a lot of Title of the Song by DaVinci’s Notebook (I used to be in an all-female a cappella group, so there’s a bit of brain storage devoted to that musical style). Please make it to the modulation: https://youtu.be/Kg4wi44axbA
My heart grew reading this!! So glad there was a good solution (and baked goods!!)
The Worship Song Song - what to say? Maybe I should be vague and repetitive. (We forgot to mention Jesus!)
He has a name! I had to read it all again under this new information. Also, I sincerely hope that every person in my life is prepared to hear/see that worship song! That link is about to go out in my student worker email!
Noticing the mid-comment switch from The Boy to James just dethawed my heart.
What an ordeal! Great brother for coming through like that!
And thank you so much for The Worship Song Song. I have already watched twice. 😂
The worship song song is amazing! Thanks for that!
I feel like most adult decisions we have to make require a team effort. So glad you had a solid team to help you out with this one!! Wish we could all gather ‘round a big outdoor table with twinkly lights (think Parenthood) & enjoy some of your apple pie! 🥧
The Boy is now James. Swoon.
HE WILL ALWAYS BE THE BOY TO US!
lol! he's always gonna be the Boy - but also he deserves having a name too. He's gold.
Praise be for pastries and brothers!! And gotta know of more mask guns
The mask gun is one of Erin's treasures! tucked right under the twitter embeds!
I meant in replicating efforts! Loved the video and would like to take one on my next Disney World visit 😂😂😂
lol!
What a great brother! And navigating the car and subsequent financial conversations with the Boy is really huge, even just to learn more about how each other views/handles different money related things. I'm happy for you that the stress if the situation is over though!
Happy Friday, everyone! Treasures for this week:
1. My dog is going through a moody-teenager/miss-independent phase, but for about five minutes when she first wakes up in the morning, she’s super snuggly and wants all the belly rubs, and it’s just the best
2. Kind doctors who empathetically affirm your experiences and have answers and next steps. What a relief! It makes me sad that this isn’t the norm (at least not in my experience)
3. Dessert inspiration! Since I can’t get to New York right now, I need to figure out how to make this carrot cake banana pudding https://secretnyc.co/magnolia-bakery-new-banana-pudding/
4. The funniest dog toy. I have little dinosaurs scattered around the apartment now https://www.chewy.com/frisco-hide-seek-plush-volcano-puzzle/dp/179588
5. No more triple digit heat days! It’s still been like 95 degrees outside, but compared to 105, it already feels like Fall to me! 🍁
AHAHHA, my little pup is also an independent pup who don’t need no humans, but I love when she’s sweet. And thank you for the dino toys! She had a similar thing with squirrels but most have died a tail-wrenching, stuffing removed death 😂
Hahaha I definitely experienced the same! I’ve found that the Frisco brand plush puzzle toys are the most durable. We had a squirrel one and hedgehog one from Zippypaws that she chewed apart pretty quickly
Three cheers for two digit temps!!
This dog toy looks ADORABLE. Also, yes and amen to good doctors! They are so hard to find, which is very sad.
I highly recommend it! It’s been very durable which is difficult with plush toys. You can also buy replacement dinosaurs if any get chewed up 😂
Good morning! I’m back at work as a high school teacher and we’re doing a hybrid model so there’s lots of hope/nervousness mixed together this week... but here’s a treasure: The Imagineering Story on Disney+. If you love Disneyland / Disney World / creative processes, I think you’ll like this show! I may have cried a little over Carousel if Progress and It’s a Small World 😂
I loved the imagineering story! It was so interesting.
Dude. T's, P's, and santized, N95 hugs for you Noel!
Thank you! I just put down painter's tape under the front left leg of each desk in hopes they will stay six feet apart. I will be behind my plexiglass screens and mask hoping for the best and spraying lysol on the regular.
You are a modern day hero!!!!!!!
I LOVED the Imagineering Story! I teared up at the Epcot stuff, how I remembered it as a kid. The last episode also captured a lot of memories that I treasure from working at WDW at that time.
The glory years of Epcot! I still love Epcot, but it has changed so much. Where at WDW did you get to work?
The Imagineering Story is the best!! I think I’m due for a rewatch soon
I have a few episodes left; I definitely teared up when the older Imagineers were tearing up over Walt's death.
Oh yes - I've never been more ready to stay home on a Friday night!
Good morning!
Weeks continue to fly by while simultaneously crawling by like a turtle trudging through an ocean of peanut butter. 😂
-My three-year-old had his very first sleepover at his cousin’s house this week! Sadly, he couldn't sleep and cried until I came to pick him up at midnight. We didn't get home until about 1am. He talked the entire ride home (annoying but so sweet to be the one he needed) and didn't go down until about 1:30. Then he woke up fresh as a daisy at 7 am! I still have not fully recovered the sleep from that night. What a memory! 😂
-I got my hair cut for the second time this summer! I never prioritize myself/self-care so that was a big deal! (Back story: my friend is my stylist and with COVID and furloughs, her family has been through the ringer financially so if I can go get my hair cut and tip way more than normal, I'll do it!! #enneagram2) It's shorter than it has been in a while but I love it!!
-@Erin Moon: re: eyebrows. I've never been a permanent makeup girl but I, too, am eyebrow illiterate. I decided to get my eyebrows microbladed last year and I've not once regretted it. Plus, since you can only see the top half of my face in public right now, I always look put together. 👏🏻 Definitely worth the investment so you can stop using stencils, eyeliner, etc. So good!
-Finished Mrs. Maisel last night and I wanted to riot. When will season 4 come out? I need more! Devastated. Any suggestions for what to watch next Lil Swipes? I'm counting on you! (Have Netflix/Prime).
-COVID is closing a tea room that I went to as a little girl. I LOVE this place and their food. I saw the announcement on FB (right before I decided I can no longer participate in that dumpster fire) so I've made it my personal mission to go multiple times before Sept. 4 to enjoy the orange rolls, chicken salad, and loaded potatoes. Damn you COVID/2020! 😭
I am terrified of microblading. I don't even know who to trust!
ALWAYS stalk for a good month or so before pulling the trigger. I was nervous too but I've convinced 5 friends and counting. Everyone had a great result!!!
I got a microblading last year and REALLY loved it. It's pricey but SO worth it and looked really natural. And it's lasted!
Ask the gram! Then you stalk their suggestions on the gram HARD!!!
A turtle through peanut butter...hahaha! What a perfect description. We had a late night sleepover pick up here too, but my kiddo is nearly 11. I think once the excitement wore off she realized she wanted to be home. On the other hand our 9 year old made it through the night at her friends house and was such a grump the next day! It will be a while before we do sleepovers again.
You win some, you lose some. Hahaha. Us too. It was a rough night for all.
I finished Mrs. Maisel this week. I just keep going back and watching the second half of season 3, episode 5 with Lenny and Midge. I could watch the two of them all day. Gah!!
They kinda just left us hanging there, now didn't they?
Oh my gosh re: picking your kid up from the sleepover. I can totally see my oldest doing something like that, including talking the whole way home. 😅
As far as TV goes - my husband and I are watchful The Good Place (first time for him, a re-watch for me) & it’s as delightful as I remember.
So sad about the tea room 😩😭 hope you get as many visits in as you can!!
The Good Place is a good one!!
Update re: the tea room. Tried to set up a to-go order. They aren't answering the phones anymore because of an overwhelming response...which makes me think they could stay open but IDK! Sad I didn't get my fix in today!
Why are littles incapable of sleeping in, why??? (To be honest, sometimes I'm incapable of sleeping in, so...I get it, littles). Did you already watch Never Have I Ever on Netflix? That's a great one. And I took someone's recommendation to watch Grantchester on Prime and it's good. And if you want some teen drama in your life, The Outerbanks on Netflix. To be clear: it is straight-up teen angst flavored cotton candy but I loved it.
I can only sleep in when I have to be somewhere early and then I'm running around like I'm on fire. Ha!
I am putting all of these recs in my notes! I haven't seen any of them!! I am here for teen angst. ALLLLLL day long. I recently watched "All the boys I've loved before" and the second one and just loved them. So adorable.
AND SNAPS FOR ERIN! A podcast? That's just what 2020 needs! Seriously. So excited for you- I’ll absolutely be tuning in to support! ❤️👏🏻
Thank you! ❤️
Morning!
Congrats, Erin on getting your own show! Soooo exciting! And I must say, it's about time! You are the Popcast secret sauce and everyone needs more of you!
My 2 year old nephew is currently fast asleep in my guest room. Every couple of weeks he'll spend the night with me and it's SUCH a joy. Last night we had a moment where I was giving him a shower (anyone else know a 2 year old who is OBSESSED with showers?!) and out of nowhere he exclaimed, "this is so nice!" 😂 then I got to comb out his precious curls, slather him in cocoa butter, and snuggle with him on the couch while we watched 101 Dalmatians. Baby fever like nobody's business.
Still haven't finished Veronica Mars, but I'm getting close! I'm in season 3 and currently v obsessed with Piz. I mean, what. a. heartthrob.
A treasure I've recently implemented in the last few weeks is a weekly Sabbath. It's something I've wanted to do for years, but with being full time in grad school with various internships and part time jobs, it just physically did not allow for me to practice it and also have groceries so I chose groceries. Now that I'm transitioning into that full-time job life with no homework, I want to build it into the rhythm of my week. So far, it's been such a breath of fresh air. I don't touch my phone, don't stream anything other than my church service, no doing dishes, shopping, cleaning, etc. and spend the whole day in worship and in rest. I'm looking into getting an all-in-one audio thingy that will play records, CDs, tapes, etc. so I can still play music. Side note: DID YOU GUYS KNOW THE HAMILTON SOUNDTRACK IS ON VINYL?! It's more dollars than I want to spend right now, but you best believe it's on my Christmas list.
I'm in a process of learning more about the Sabbath practice so if you guys have any books, podcasts, etc, that are helpful, please share! So far I've watched Annie F. Downs's insta highlight and I've began John Mark Comer's sabbath series from his church Bridgetown.
It's not a book or a podcast but I wanted to share this Sabbath blessing from Pete Grieg.
"May this day bring Sabbath rest to my heart and my home.
May God’s image in me be restored, and my imagination in God be re-storied.
May the gravity of material things be lightened, and the relativity of time slow down.
May I know grace to embrace my own finite smallness in the arms of God’s infinite greatness.
May God’s Word feed me and His Spirit lead me into the week and life to come."
Veronica Mars is the best. I must admit to not having watched the 4th season because of a spoiler I read. I watched it when it was on originally and mourned the end. It was just so original. I was so excited for the new season and then spoiler and now I just can't decide what I want to do. Sigh.
I’m just going to allow the series to live in my heart as it was because same.
I just have let it finish with the movie and in my mind they get their ish together and live a happy odd life because it is Veronica Mars!
Annie's info on sabbath practice is so so good.
I was just going to mentioned all the same things about sabbath as you did! John Mark’s book The Ruthless elimination of hurry is awesome. AJ Swoboda’s Subversive Sabbath is fantastic. Jeffson Bethke’s To Hell with the Hustle is great. He also did a podcast series with Josh Mark.
My biggest suggestion that I tell everyone looking to start practicing Sabbath is to find a way to enter into the Sabbath the night before. Make it really special and something you only do that night. For me, I get fast food fries, a super treat for me, and a cold adult beverage and sit outside on the patio to savor my treat. I also let myself sleep in as long as possible the next morning!
All of those books are on my TBR and I'm currently waiting for them to arrive via the Chicago Public Library!
I've been taking Annie F. Downs's advice for making Sabbath special by preparing for it the day before: cleaning the house/doing dishes, getting groceries, etc. so when I wake up (I also sleep in), I feel like a queen with a stocked fridge and a clean house.
Yes girl!! AFD is the boss of me, I'm not ashamed to admit it! If you need anymore help, I'm here for you!
I've had the hamilton vinyl on my amazon wish list for a couple of years now... haven't gotten the nerve to drop money on it yet!
This is precisely why I'm asking a family member to drop the money on it 😂
I grinned reading about your time with your nephew. My nieces visited me once at college my senior year, and it was amazing. We lived far away from each other, so it was super special to have that time.
Awwww sweet kiddo! So glad you get that time with him!
I need to be better about Sabbath practices - thank you for the ideas!
And Piz is def a cutie!
So proud of your new Sabbath practice! Sounds lovely. I really, really want a record player in my life these days. If you get one you like, pass on the recommendation!
I've had a Crosley one for years that my grandpa gave me (we bonded over our mutual love of his Motown records when I was a teenager) but I really want something that will play everything. I have an extensive CD collection from when I was in high school and I can only listen to them in the car and rather than buying a million different machines for the various music mediums, I'd rather just invest in one that does it all. If you want one, I would check facebook marketplace first! They're a dime a dozen on there, or if you happen to live in the Chicagoland area, I'll just give you my old one!
Good tip on FB Marketplace! Sadly, too far away from Chicago area, but thanks. 😊
Pix is lovely and all, but Logan 🥰. And the actor who plays Dick is my favorite as a person. If you enjoy the cast, watch other Rob Thomas shows, Party Down & iZombie, they all make appearances.
I have mixed feelings on Logan. Right now I'm at the point in season 3 when he is dating that girl who had her head shaved and I am NOT happy about it, even though I love Piz.
Piz is cute, yes. But also Team Logan. ❤️
Also... Team Logan. When he gets himself together in the movie. Wowie Zowie.
Yup 😍
Team Logan 🥰
Exactly what Hannah said! I love all of this---especially the sleepover! How special and what wonderful memories you're giving him! ❤️
To be honest, I think we could all benefit from a Sabbath day like you're describing!
Especially because all of life is lived on a screen right now (between work and pleasure), disconnecting for a full day is what my eyes and my heart need! Can't recommend it enough! Although, it is v tempting to want to click through instagram stories 😅
Girl. You are exactly right! I need to try for this or at least half a day at first. There's just TOO MUCH right now. 👀🙈
Do ittttttt and let me know how it goes!
Allllll the warm & fuzzies hearing about your time with your nephew ☺️ My oldest and my sister have a sweet, special bond and it’s truly the best to witness.
Also love your focus & intention around Sabbath. It’s so easy for that day to go by without recognizing its significance in our lives as believers. Thanks for sharing ☺️
We're not even blood related, but I've been around and obsessed with him since before he was born. His parents and I attended the same house church and became really close so now I get to be his Titi and it's such a joy.
And yes! Sabbath is something I've been longing to practice for YEARS, but higher education and also trying to provide for myself just did not allow for it. So now that I have more freedom in my schedule, it feels like a present each week.
Good morning, y’all!!!
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve commented. Been in the trenches of work and navigating back to school for my kiddos. That’s a whole other post in and of itself. Let’s just say we are happy to be back in a routine and some “normalcy.”
Betty the basset is thriving and we love her! She has taken over and now sleeps in our bed but we don’t mind. She’s adorable and a beast. Ready for this biting phase to be over!
Cannot wait for this new podcast, @erinmoon!!
A few treasures this week:
Love on the Spectrum on Netflix (Popcast Green Light 😉)
Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix
The Rants & Raves podcast (this is hilarious and started by my friend Jessica and her friend Dana)
Upload on Prime (another Popcast Green Light)-I need a season 2 stat!
Homecoming also on Prime (so good!! The first season has Julia Roberts and the second has Janelle Monae and Chris Cooper).
Have a great weekend!!!
Upload is the best! We haven't watched a full season of anything in years, but that one went down a treat.
SOMEBODY FEED PHIL OWNS ME
My dad and I imitate him with love whenever we see each other as we eat. We think he'd be a perfect companion on our food trips. My dad and I take trips to cities where our only plans are eating. You're like, Mel really? Just eating? yes. We pick a city and we make reservations. We go to one place for lunch at 11, have at least 2 apps, 2 different entrees we can share, a bottle of wine, 2 desserts, and always post meal coffee. THEN we go to another place at 2....do it all over again -- then go back to our lodging, take a nap. Have a dinner at like 7ish, 8ish.......sometimes a bar snacky at like 11ish. Go to bed, do it all over again the next day. One Th-Sun weekend in Vegas, I gained 9 lbs. lol
You and your dad continue to be goals. How sweet. I just love these stories. I want to steal this--it sounds like the perfect vacation if you add in books! Ha!
Yes I always make the books every year and we laugh about the captions I make with some of the photos because I comment not only on the food, but something funny that we did in that moment. Like here's a fun story. We were in Chicago. We spent the morning at the Art Institute of Chicago (aka the Ferris Bueller museum) and since we had a day pass we went to where our lunch reservation was and planned to then go BACK to the museum to explore the other exhibits. If you know Chicago this is not far from The Bean sculpture (remember this detail).
So we go to this really lovely steak place for lunch.
We eat our usual ton and have a luscious bottle of Malbec as we eat and maybe some spiked coffee as well ;) So your girl had a happy I'm on vacation buzz.
So we leave the restaurant to take a leisurely stroll back to the museum and I peer off into the distance.
"DAD! OMG! TURKEYS*!"
*So where I work there is a massive field near our campus (or used to be we since filled it in with solar panels) where every day I'd see a massive flock of turkeys. Also further sidebar, turkeys are MEAAAAN. So I was used to seeing wild turkeys on the reg.
My dad looks in the distance where I am looking. "What are you talking about?"
I look again, pointing..... "DAD look over thereeeeeee, omg there are TURKEYS IN CHICAGO, don't you see how they are moving over there!?"
He stands by me ..... looks again and BURSTS out laughing "Do you see them now??!"
"Melissa........that's the reflection of the people walking by The Bean"
I look again
I look at him, he's practically crying he's laughing so hard
"DAD! THEY (looking again realizing my folly) ---- This is why I can't mixed alcohols at lunch Dad!"
He's walking ahead of me laughing "TUUUUUURKEYS DAD!!"
So anytime we are out and have some wine we joke how I can't get to a place where I see turkeys.
My kind of vacation.
This sounds dreamy. Exactly my type of trip.
It was THE BEST. We were planning on South Carolina for 2020, but that changed. Hoping for MAYBE 2021. But we'll see
I feel this in my soul. My husband and I do this. For our 10 anniversary a few years ago we did a culinary tour through Alabama (where we live). We started in Auburn (because I love him), then went to Birmingham, then ended the weekend in Tuscaloosa (because he loves me). It was so fun!!
I wish my husband shared this joy with me. But I am so grateful my dad and I have these trips.
My dad and I do this too. We went to NYC last year and of course the big question is “where do you want to eat?!” All our favorite places of course! We took photos of all our food too. I gave him a photo book of our trip and included all the pictures of our entrees! 😂
I have done that too!!!!!!!!!
OMG! I want to be friends with him and go eat all over the world with him!! The people he meets!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Betty the bassett! Best name ever.
Welcome back! :)
Hi, hello! (Waves) Routines can be so nice, can't they? I'm glad you're in a more settled kind of place.
Swipes! Hello! 🥰
We are heading home from the beach today & this newsletter will be a fun companion, as per usual. We had a lovely week. Aaaaand my baby gets his cast off on Monday!! 🙌
SO FREAKIN EXCITED about your podcast, Erin!!! I think I speak for all of us when I say we’ve been waiting our whole Swipe Up lives for this (& probably longer, tbh).
Treasures 💎
1) I’ve been following @floraleenaturals on insta for a little while now & she gives GREAT skincare tips. She also makes her own small batch products so I decided to try her balancing toner from her latest restock: https://floraleenaturals.com/products/hydrating-toner
2) This post from @scottthepainter about shame BLEW MY SOCKS OFF. I officially need this piece in my home/counseling office someday: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEEq6oHpfaL/
That’s all from me this week. Can’t wait to see what you all have to share! ✨
I have saved so many of his posts and I want to buy the two books he has.
I hope the beach was everything you needed it to be. And yay for the baby getting the cast off... it broke my heart to see it on insta. But they bounce back so fast and don't even seem to mind the cast! they are amazing!
Thank you, Christy! It was a wonderful trip. And you’re so kind - he really has been a trooper. I should post a video sometime of him crawling with the cast. He’s so fast!! 😂
Scott the Painter is my absolute fave!
Oh that shame post...
Safe travels home! Hope your time was really rejuvenating.
Love that post from Scott the Painter, and hurray for healing babies and a sweet beach week!
Thank you for sharing that Scott the Painter post -- really powerful
That’s a brilliant post on shame.
The beach is magical. Kids can be bonkers loud but next to the ocean it’s hard to hear them! It’s perfect!
The beach! Did you have the best time?! Living vicariously through you. I'm a beach girl through and through and boy do I miss it! Safe travels back home!!❤️
And PRAISES for cast removal day! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
We had a great time. There were four kids 6 & under and we all stay together on one floor, so the noise level was at an all time high when we weren’t down at the beach 😂 but the kids had the best time doing some cousin-bonding. And I finished a book! So I consider that a win 🙌
LOL. Not relaxing BUT everyone is alive/accounted for and you read a book? Definite win, especially as a mom! We take what we can get, right? 😂
Yes! When we took him for his 1-week check up, he was already healing. Truly amazing.
Yes to Normal People. I read the book last year or earlier this year maybe, but it was really good. Looking forward to your thoughts once you read it. I thought the actors did a tremendous job and in my opinion both should have nominated for their roles. Tough acting ahead.
Pretty sure his chains have their own twitter. 😂
You repaired that thing yo'self, girl! Way to go!
T's and P's for the transitioning back. :)
I am so glad you’ve gotten some time to transition back to the office! And go you for being a fix it queen.
And I FREAKING LOVED Normal People! I thought the series did a very good job at capturing the essence of the book!
TRUE, but ain’t that life sometimes?
LEECH FIELD!??!! Thank God for electrical tape and talkative plumbers. (fun fact: if my husband cuts his hand or a finger at work, he just uses electrical tape as a bandaid because he always has some nearby)
That made me gulp, too.
Obviously I didn't notice either. 😂
Nice work with the pipe situation!! So sorry you had to deal with that though. Definitely a turd.
I’ve heard such mixed reviews about Normal People. It’s either people absolutely love it or totally loathe it. 😅 I’m still not sure if I’ll take the plunge & watch it, but glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Hope you can catch up on rest soon! Anxious insomnia is a b 🤦🏻♀️
Way to go, Dana! I bet you felt like such a badass fixing that pipe by yourself and hooray for it working! Prayers that you can start saving up again. I know that's a terrible feeling.
I've wanted to read Normal People for a while now... I’ve got to check it out (ha! Library joke!).
I read it after watching it and personally think that’s the way to go (opposite of how I usually approach things). It helped me visualize their world better since the book doesn’t spend much time on setting descriptions
Oh, spicy take! I may have to reverse the order then!
Yes and no, the show is very true to the book. It’s a short read. But I felt like I got some insight into some of their inner monologues and cultural things that I just didn’t know as someone not from Ireland
I'm the nerd that'll have to read it first! But I will now that I know there's a show! 😂
I'll check that out. I frequently have trouble sleeping as of late