Guys. I love you so much, but I don’t have it in me this week. I do have some treasures, but may I just say how much I love and respect this community? It means the world to me. I’m so grateful. I have learned so much from you. You constantly surprise and delight me. Can’t wait for a vaccine because we’re having Swipe Up Camp one day. It’s happening.
First of all, there is a SELENA SERIES coming to Netflix. I LOVE SELENA so much, and I am very excited about this.
We also got press images from the modern-day Christmas Carol: The Princess Switch. Bad Movie Club GET READY.
I asked my dear friend Morgan of Winsome Paper if she’d make me a personal crest because I’m weird and she did. It’s amazing. I broke it down on the ‘gram today.
I loved this Twitter story (you’ll have to click through to see the whole thing):
Quick reminder that Comfortable Together begins on Monday, October 12th and we’d love to have you join us. The last time I checked, it was over 600 people, which I am just in awe over. Lil Swipes get the biggest discount anywhere with code LILSWIPES, and please remember if it’s not in the budget for you, we have free licenses to share from really generous folks. Just reply to this email and we’ll get you sorted.
I hope it’s a great weekend. Looking forward to your treasures. ❤️
Again, reading this later rather than sooner. But I love this newsletter so much and after a hard day, finding out that Erin loves Selena (like a true Texan) was just the right dose of happiness that I needed.
I’m always SUPER late to the party here, and feel like if I’m not able to comment first thing on Friday then what’s the point, but oh well I’m here today and that’s how life goes. It’s Thanksgiving here in Canada this weekend so I’ve been looking extra hard for treasures.
🌟 My son found out on Thursday that he was accepted into his first choice of University in the exact program he wanted (secondary education) so that was major cause for celebration! He said he feels like the biggest pressure of his senior year is lifted, so yay to less stress.
🌟 We are spending our fifth Thanksgiving in a row at an adorable cabin in Jasper National Park and being away from our home for the first time in months is giving me life. Trees, mountains, lakes and nature are soothing my weary soul.
🌟 I wrote three(!) midterms this past week and feel pretty happy with my efforts. Hopefully my grades will reflect the hours I’ve spent bleary-eyed in front of my textbooks.
🌟 King’s Cross Pumpkin Spice liquor has definitely upped my PSL game. Cheers!
🌟 Very much looking forward to The Comfortable Words next week. My only faith community for the last couple years has been The Bible Binge (after some serious betrayal at our church) so I’m excited to connect with you on a deeper level.
What happy news for your son (and for you!). I work with high schoolers for a living, so I know what a big deal this must be. In a year that has so much upheaval and pressure, I'm glad to hear you've all gotten a little reprieve. :)
It took me all day to get to this thread but I'm always glad I did. I have only one treasure because it's just the most precious thing. I'm not brief so bear with your girl.
Yesterday, my sister-in-law Nina told me about how my oldest nephew, Dominic talked to some Mormon missionaries trolling their neighborhood the previous evening.
Now let me stop and tell you about this kid for a second. He's 16 years old going on 17. He's just the most secure person I know. He likes what he likes and he doesn't care what anyone thinks. I've never known a teenager or adult for that matter who is so sure of himself but in the most humble nonchalant way. He has competed in Rubix cube competitions on a National level, I'm talking neighborhood kids used to come to his door to watch him solve a cube in something like 13 seconds. He stopped playing football last year because he just wasn't feeling it plus two-a-days are the worst. His favorite type of music is worship music. He loves puzzling, film production and only knows how to cook one thing, turkey sandwiches. He's taller than I am and has his driver's license. He just started running, like of his own volition, during quarantine. He loves his family so fiercely especially his 5 year old sister.
So back to the Mormons. He was delivering something to a neighbor and on the way back encountered these missionaries who are probably not very much older than he is. They started asking him questions, he answered calmly in his very Dominic kind of way. He talked to them for 45 minutes, on a school night! He said it wasn't aggressive or confrontational. They talked about the Bible a lot, I guess. When Nina, my SIL asked him why he kept talking to them, he said, "Because I care about them."
CUE SOBS
I mean...what? I died, and raised my own little missionary hands to my heart. I'm right now thinking of all the people I know with any kind of evangelistic gifts that I can get this kid to hang out with on the regular.
This week has been a big ole bucket of suck. I’m trying to press through it. It’s not going super well. But if I wallow in it, it’ll swallow me whole. I could use some prayers. Anyway, here’s my treasures from this week:
🙌🏻 My English teacher gave us the best and easiest homework this week. “Listen to Hamilton”. I think it may be my favorite homework assignment ever.
🎉 I tweeted about said homework and got a RT by the official Hamilton Twitter. Pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself.
Sorry it was a rough week. Hoping Hamilton and some of the Treasures in this thread can lift your spirits. Sending prayers that things improve next week
Late to the party after getting distracted with, ya know, work, but here are my treasures!
- Bri McKoy's #ThisIsWhy video on IG. She is light and love.
- Following vin_ayy on IG. Y'all. He videos himself talking from the perspective of animals. His impersonations are life giving. OHMYGOSH it's so good.
- I've been exclusively dating online for the past year and over the last month I've developed a crush on a "real life" guy who I didn't meet on an app (!!!) and he's coming over tonight for a movie night with some other friends and I'm nauseated with excitement. So yeah. T and Ps.
- Subscribed to the paid version of Sectional Healing from Knox McKoy (or ya boi, however you like it) and am so happy with all the content I get from him now. Such a good, nuanced writer.
I hope you all have fabulous weekends full of good sleep, yummy carbs, and absolutely no douche canoes.
Erin Moon, your translated Latin makes absolute sense to me. Because, that’s my brain at its finest. I ❤️ it so much!
Also, not long after Selena was gone, I worked in southern East Texas at a wilderness camp for emotionally-challenged teen girls, and they were literally *in mourning* for her. Though I really didn’t understand the depth of it, I have always related Selena to those girls at that time in my life. It was a trifecta of emotional resonance: my own depression, their shattered lives, and a spiritual reawakening that led me back to Jesus. For years I watched the Selena movie every time it was on (bc Jon Seda, my beloved, whom I’d already discovered), and her albums (CASSETTE TAPES!) were my soundtrack driving back and forth to Houston from the camp. I haven’t decided if I want to revisit that time in life by watching the new Netflix project, but it certainly brought back memories with the trailer.
My own week has been... different. Y’all, I slept! Every night! At bedtime! 🙌🏻 A couple nights I even drifted off while lying on the couch watching tv! What is happening?!? I’ve got 2 theories on this new occurrence: (a) some of y’all have been praying for me 🥰, and (b) I began reading the “Gospels in 30 days” plan. I’ve been scattershot in devotions for a while, so I took Annie Downs’s suggestion and started the 30-day plan. It’s no coincidence that my inner life flipped back in place after settling in to some focused time with God. It’s been truly GLORIOUS to see daylight again and be productive.
I made one note this week on a Treasure. I’m catching up on Tsh Oxendreider’s podcast, The Good List, and episode 46 includes a fantastic list of creators to explore: https://tshoxenreider.com/46.
Hooray for sleep! Happy to hear you are feeling rested. Looking forward to exploring the article about writing a little later. From a quick scan it looks like such a treasure.
Jules, I'm so very happy to hear you've been sleeping! Hooray! (I'm doing the 30-day plan as well but I've forgotten 2 or 3 days in a row now, so thanks for the reminder!)
Hello, friends! Like most of you, it has been quite a week. I've got to go visit my grandfather tomorrow (he isn't likely to live much longer and my anxiety has been through the roof about visiting) and I know it will be hard but I know I'll be glad I did it in the end. My doctor adjusted my meds and suggested I cut caffeine so I'm currently trying to dig myself out of the deep dark hole every morning. I've always had issues with mornings but it has been especially rough this week. But, there have been a few treasures.
-I found a baby yoda travel mug on clearance and snapped it right up. My half caf coffee is less sad when placed in this vessel. I also made Bri's pumpkin simple syrup to add and it is a genuine delight.
-I decided that one of my new October traditions was going to be our own version of 31 Days of Halloween. We've been making dinner and watching a fall/halloween/spooky vibes movie a few nights a week and it has been such a shot of serotonin. So far we've done: Clue, Dial M for Murder, Halloweentown I & II, The Addams Family, The Addams Family Values, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Practical Magic, and tonight we'll do Rocky Horror.
-Homemade Fried Rice!!! My health has been a real issue lately. I have dealt with chronic health issues since my teen years and mostly had everything under control but this last month I had some new symptoms crop up and my doctor suggested I cut gluten, dairy, and caffeine as much as possible. It has been a struggle to find anything my body would tolerate and that wasn't a chore to make. Homemade fried rice swooped in and saved the day. I'm making batches at the beginning of the week and then eating it for lunches and occasional dinners.
- I got new Halloween potholders fro $1 a piece at WM last week and they make me so happy I've decided to keep them out year round.
-Our new house is almost ready! We had to be out of our old place before our new place was ready so we'll be moving for the second time in two months but it will all be worth it when we're done. It has enough space for me to have an office/reading nook, my partner to have a music room, and we have a huge fenced in back yard so we can FINALLY get a dog. We'll be closer to both our jobs and right across the street from friends/the family I babysit for regularly. It also has a screened in front porch and a huge back porch. Also, there are several old school french style doors that were imported from England in the 30s and I am over the moon.
This week has been hard and things will probably not get better very soon, but it's nice to look for the moments of goodness to balance it out.
Cheers to finding yummy recipes that work for you!! Also, your new house sounds like a dream. And yes, I had a similar experience with my grandfather last year. Seeing him was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I will always have that. Prayers for comfort and peace tomorrow and in the days to come. ❤️
Hi! Hello! I'm here! Much later to the party than I would like to be today.
Let's jump right in, shall we? This weeks has honestly been more turd than treasure, but I'm plotting some things to change that. First on the list, my favorite second born's computer decided it no longer wants to charge or turn on at all so we got to ship her 3ish month old laptop back to the maker for warranty repairs. Hooray for warranties I guess, but this means my laptop has been moved to her possession during school hours, thus reducing my ability to do any of the computer things including hanging out with my favorite Friday internet gang before 2pm on most days. Boo! Ex-husband makes a not so surprising reappearance on the TURD list this week because after he finally reached out to the ocular specialist regarding our oldest daughter's diagnosis and care; said specialist felt compelled to call me on Saturday morning outside of office hours to express his concerns with my ex's attitude and his potential detriment to our daughters recovery and progress. Not to mention that he see's him as a likely cause for her anxiety and stress. UGH! I hate, hate, hate feeling like I cannot protect my child from the person who is most detrimental to her well being right now. Add to that weird stomach bug ickyness within our home and general over-it-ness and we're a barrel of laughs.
Treasures this week in no particular order. Goat Cheese Biscuits from Shauna Niequist Bread & Wine - so good! Countdown to Christmas Stitch Along from Hanana Hand Makes has fed my sense of completion and is about as close to meditation as I get. I'm delightfully excited about the sweet little advent calendar that is coming together piece by piece and looking forward to filling the little pockets with the perfect beads/charms for my girls. We finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this week which means tonight we get to watch the movie! That and homemade pizza are the light at the end of the today tunnel. Finally we do not have the girls on Oct. 31, but I'm not letting that stop me from plotting a fun "halloweenie" evening for the 4 of us the weekend before complete with costumes, glow-in the dark candy egg hunt, creepy themed dinner (Thanks Raddish Kids!) Spooky Charcuterie Boards and Hocus Pocus.
Looking forward to Comfortable Together next week.
Excited to finally catch up on everyone's comments and the goings on for the last week.
Spooky Charcuterie will have halloween sugar cookies, pumpkin pie smashmallows, apple slices with caramel dip and toppings (toffee bits, nuts, sprinkles), white chocolate covered strawberry ghost, chocolate covered pretzels. Pinterest has a ton of cute ideas.
i gotta go look up those goat cheese biscuits - what a delight! I am so sorry for the drama with the ex and how it's affecting your sweet kiddos, but you are making the best of it. Also that Halloween countdown sounds so fun!!
Dana, thank you so much for this. I am simultaneously sorry that others have trod this path and grateful to have the support of others who have been here.
The Dr. Pepper Tshirt sounds like a move right out of the ex’s playbook. Ugh!
I love that you call your girls chickens 🐥! I call mine my squirrels 🐿 ❤️
My treasure is Erin, Jamie, and others sharing their #thisiswhy2020. I'm feeling so encouraged. I've always been more progressive and it has felt lonely sometimes in the Christian faith, although not necessarily in my very blue state. I have been trying to learn more about a global Christian faith - not just an Americanized one - which I fear many, myself included, can fall into.
I LOVED the twitter thread about the trees. My husband has an airplane tracker app and sometimes sits on our deck looking up where the planes are going that pass over head. (we are in a flight path, much to his delight.) I sent him the thread and he was like, "MY PEOPLE!"
My treasure this week is the rescue and grace of Amazon Fresh. I knew my friend’s birthday was this month. I kept telling myself that I need to look up the date. I was totally taken off guard yesterday that it was her birthday already. By the time I realized this, it was too late to have flowers delivered the same day and I was starting to feel desperate. Enter Amazon Fresh. I was able to have multiple flower bunches from Whole Foods delivered by 6pm. She loved it! She has many vases and loves arranging (and is good at it). She ended up with eight vases of flowers to put all around her house. Whew! It was a close one with a happy ending. Bonus: It was a lot less expensive than having a flower arrangement delivered.
I am ready for The Princess Switch. Living with a male spouse, 2 male children, a male rabbit, and a possibly male fish, has me ready for guaranteed me only viewing. Bubble gum viewing works.
Erin, I just have to say, thank you for your gracious responses to people (who don't even follow you) coming at you for your Instagram post about voting this week. If I ever had the bravery to post that I'm voting for Biden for all my conservative friends and family to see (which I wouldn't - type 9 over here who once told her parents she thought Obama was a great president and you would have thought I told them I killed someone), I would 100% turn off comments and DMs. But if I didn't, I don't think I'd be able to respond to the hate/opposition as kindly and succinctly as your simple "thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions" responses. I probably would be much more passy-agressy, if I responded at all.
I have zero things to share here because this week has just been kind of blah, and I'm just counting down the hours until I can get a long hug tonight after sitting in Friday traffic to see The Boy. I appreciate everyone sharing their treasures to make my way through.
Hello everyone. This is my first proper post with some things that I've loved recently.
Firstly as a former teacher this account has made me cry with laughter (skip to the teacher series ones they're the best ones) https://www.tiktok.com/@kyronhamilton?lang=en he's also on instagram. I don't know if these would only be funny to teachers/students from the UK so that would be interesting to hear.
Good things I've watched recently- rewatching columbo from the start it's so good and easy viewing. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the second born royals movie on Disney plus. A nice, switch off watch. If you like 'british' humour or just some silliness then look for clips of would I lie to you. It's a panel show where they have to guess by listening to the other guests stories if they're lying or not and there are some absolute brilliant ones. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1vE8ExuuNZQ
If you can get it then there is a BBC show called Mortimer and Whitehouse go fishing and it's actually little to do with fishing more focused on the lovely male friendship between the two men and very funny too.
I hope this upcoming weekend and week treats you as well as possible and that you are able to find pockets of joy.
Welcome, Lucy! Oh my gosh that Greatest Showman video is saved in my Safari app so that I can bring it up anytime I need a cathartic cry! So so freakin good.
Oh, my goodness, I love Would I Lie To You! I discovered it when I was really, really sick and it kind of saved my life. Bob Mortimer is fantastic when he's on.
Hi Lucy!! thank you for all these treasures. Relieved I can vote for Penguin of the Year, because Fat Bear Week just ended. also crying laughing at kryonhamilton, so so so so so good!
Thank you for the reference "Anything for Selenas." Also a huge Selena fan and I feel seen. Put a huge smile on my face in an otherwise challenging week.
I just wanted to do a shout out to Erin Moon, Kendra, Laura and Jamie. Well done all of you; so proud of your words. The use of your platforms in a way that’s important and matters to you made me so full of gratitude.
I’m so sorry for the ugly words, hateful inbox messages and those who felt the need to announce their departure. I’ve been on the receiving end of hateful internet strangers. It still stings because you are human, I just the sting doesn’t last. Truly well done. 🤎🤎🤎🤎
Those ThisIsWhy posts are a Godsend. They articulated what I’ve been unable to say in words. AND, Kendra’s post in particular gave my mom her deciding vote. Her heart said “not Trump” but she struggled with “the abortion issue” (gah) and the general liberalness of the Democrat party. But “live your neighbor” put it all in perspective better than anything else.
It has been some kind of week over here. Monday morning began with the woman who runs the schedule at my counselor's office getting angry with me for not receiving her text message about my appointment being cancelled. She texted the wrong number. And so it went for the past 4 days.
For the first time in my life, I dropped my phone in the toilet yesterday. My treasure this week is that a bag of rice was all my phone needed, and I got a good laugh about it.
I know I'm not alone in this, but I've started listening to the Harry Potter series and it's been a balm to my heart. I'm in book one, so this hasn't been going on for too long, but it's been exactly what I've needed in the most difficult week. And, to continue the theme of heart-soothing media: Ted Lasso. What a wonderful show. It's just good. That's the only word I can come up with to describe it. I feel so peaceful when watching a show with a main character who is so kind and good. I love it.
So, so excited for Comfortable Together.
I'm running a half marathon tomorrow, so I'll see you all next Friday if I survive ;)
Rereading the Harry Potter series has been such a balm here too. It’s like visiting and reconnecting with old friends. But, I’d be lying if I said that Cornelius Fudge didn’t leave me very triggered at the end of Goblet of Fire and I’m already anxious about Delores Umbridge. Hoping my children’s delight in the newness distracts me.
fun fact (ding) I got in trouble when my now 13 year old was on a chess team and I'd try to make up cheerleading cheers (just like the SNL cheerleaders from the 90s) and cheer him on......
I got in trouble at the meets for this and was asked to be quiet,.
HOW DAREEEE YOU!
So yes, when my son ran cross country I would SO yell like a crazy person at his meets. NO SHAME EVER for finishing a race.
Hey, all—happy Friday. 🙂 This past week wasn’t much to write home about. Not bad, not amazing. But I’ll take middle of the road.
🌳 The tree Twitter thread was amazing. I am mildly obsessed with trees and regularly acknowledge to myself and others how happy they make me feel. I’ve even got a tree Insta account (@woodsofaffirmation) where I post tree pictures and pair them with thoughtful and contemplative quotes. I felt the moment between those two people on an existential level for sure.
👯♀️ Another friend and I have decided to be in each other’s family bubbles going into this Michigan winter, and we hung out last night like normal people. We drank wine. We ate cheese. We talked about all the things. It was a serotonin shot in the brain that I needed.
📚 I’m re-reading Harry Potter and it is such good escapism from...everything.
😕 I am going to be honest with you fam, but I’m super conflicted over voting. I don’t know that I really want to hash it out on here, I just needed to say that it’s made me cry twice this week and I hate everything about this whole cycle and process. And as a person who used to get jazz hands when she taught the Declaration of Independence to high schoolers...I feel sad about all the America things right now.
Not to leave on a sad note...but that’s what I’ve got. I hope you all have a lovely, restful weekend. ❤️
sweet hugs to you on voting, friend. I've always leaned more democrat and I knew I'd be voting on that party this election regardless but I am very sad about the choices we have after the large and diverse crowd we started with. I'm a former history major and still a huge history nerd and I'm also sad about all America in general at the moment.
Voting anxiety is totally understandable. I think a few things that help me are knowing I don't have to vote the same party for every ballot item, and I can set a boundary not to tell anyone who I am voting for. I'm not saying we should never talk about who we're voting for, I'm just saying if you need to take a precaution to not share because of how others might react, you definitely can keep it private. Not sure if faith is playing a role in the anxiety, but I loved Tim Keller's note on this that the Bible says WHAT to care about, but it does not say HOW to care about it, and so much of politics is HOW -- so... you're free to vote how you see best. Also Knox's newsletter this week included 10 truths/principles to remember during elections that was so helpful!
I saw that you’re in Michigan and I was like oh hey neighbor!!! Lol. I’m in Chicago. I’m also here for the escapist reading. The Bear and the Nightingale was the first time in a long time that I went deep escapist reading and wanted nothing to do with my real life til it was over. Sigh. It was great while it lasted. So I’m glad you are enjoying that with Harry Potter which is one series I have reread more times than anything in my life.
Woods of Affirmation is an AMAZING IG name, i cannot wait to follow!
and like Britany said! happy to talk with you about voting just for conflicts and processing thoughts, no judgment, just a place to say and work thru what you need! jilliankmf [at] gmail
Erin- I appreciated your IG post this week and the courage it took to make that stand, to put it out there for everyone to read. You did it with eloquence and honesty. Well done!
I loved your post on IG this week Erin and I don't know if I'm biased but I think everyone should agree with your words and sentiments.
Dog training continues. He is starting to get the ring the bell to go out and he puts himself to bed at 830 like an old man and stays asleep until 6am. But during the day, he hates walks, is trying to assert dominance over my kids. Today he bit my daughter on the check when she bent down to pet him and SNARLED at my other daughter when she wouldn't give him her breakfast. I am, per usual, I'm in over my head which frustrates my husband to no end. It turned into a blow out between us. He says it's " puppy stuff" and idk I mean, he won't be a puppy for long he can't be doing that to my kids . He's agreed to try a trainer. I put an email in and I'm afraid I'm looking to this trainer to be my savior. I'm still wondering what possessed me to complicate my life in this way. Someone please tell me it will be ok.
Treasures: I ordered a huge show cubby thing for my mud room, I spent an inappropriate amount of time looking for pillows and throws for my couches that I ordered slipcovers for. I didn't pull the trigger on any. Any recs of oversized throw blankets or affordable pillows I'll take it! Why are throw pillows ever 60 bucks? It's shocking! The weather has been nice so I've been getting coffees and sitting outside which makes me feel more normal. I miss sitting in coffee shops and bookstores and libraries. We still can't do that here in michigan, so as long as the weather is nice I will take advantage. I'm afraid for what winter will be like. I can't escape to anywhere anymore.
I've bought several Better Homes and Gardens brand throw pillows from WalMart this year, and they have held up beautifully but weren't $60! Glad you've been able to enjoy coffee on your porch :)
My purpose knitting last year was knitting hats for my local elementary school. I thought of kids who sometimes don't come to school equipped to be outside for recess. So I made various colored hats of various sizes for that teachers could have and give to any kid they see without one.
It was a great way to use up random worsted amounts I had. :) I also went to the dollar store and bought a nice amount of gloves and mittens and added it to what I knit. :)
Yaass!! Do it! I really want to get back in the knitting habit. I put it away for a while when I was having trouble with my first lace shawl (still haven't finished that). But I decided a few months ago to get back to basics with practical knitting and am working on a collection of dish cloths. You should follow my friend Sarah on IG. She has a bunch of patterns, but also sells a lot of adorable knitting accessories: https://instagram.com/thesexyknitter?igshid=11apx06xnetvq
It's funny you say that exact phrase because it is 100% my knitting vibe.
I have to choose projects/patterns that bring me joy, not frustration, and that I can also set down and pick back up without wondering where I left off. #BecauseMomLife
I think I have been saying, “I just don’t have it in me this week” for the last.... 30-odd weeks. Thanks for always being real, Erin, and for still sending this out even when you don’t have it in you. It’s a bright spot in my day and week.
Hey everyone. I strongly relate to Erin's general *vibe* up there. It's been A WEEK.
Ever since the president was diagnosed last Friday and I have been checking Twitter compulsively, waiting for more news updates, and it's entirely unhealthy. I tried to set up Screen Time on my phone but WHY IS IT SO EASY TO IGNORE?! I thought I could have my husband set a key-code to prevent me from ignoring the limits, but no, it just prevents me from changing the settings? It's dumb. Any tips on how to abide by those boundaries appreciated.
I have also come to terms with the realization that I am mildly depressed. This has happened to me a few times in life, but I've never done much about it except ride it out until my circumstances change (bad semester in college, medical issue resolved, etc.). Any tips from seasoned depressed people? I know I need to exercise more, and I've been trying to get back into my Bible Recap plan, but I'm in Ezekiel and that's like... not helping that much?
ANYWAY. I do have a few treasures:
1. @mrsFridayNext on Instagram has a highlight about Devastating Crush Music where she crowd-sourced tunes to which people "nursed a devastating crush." It brought back lots of memz of listening to a One Republic song over and over in college thinking about my crush who I am 75% sure may be gay now. What was your devastating crush song??
Ok everyone, I took a step further today than I have ever before and called to make an appointment with a clinic that for sure takes my insurance! Of course I had to leave a message since it was 4:49 on a Friday but STILL. Baby steps.
I totally do that same thing with the app limits on my phone. It basically works only as making me aware when I cross my time limit. Cause I always cross it. Haha. I have found an app that actually takes everything away and locks you out and you cannot bypass. Unfortunately it costs money and I haven’t really used it since then. It’s called FocusLock, I think. It used to be called Flipd.
Devastating Crush ALBUM: Under My Skin by Avril Lavigne. "Devastating" might be an understatement when it comes to that album. 😳
Lindsay, I felt that way all this spring and summer after Leo was born (and other various times in my life). I hear you loud and clear, friend. It looks like some people have already suggesting counseling, which would be my #1 suggestion. Having space to just talk about anything and everything helped me so much because I found that in that postpartum stage, I often don't have the mental capacity to share with my husband or friends/family what's going on in my head. I had to be very intentional in seeking out time with my counselor to do that. It was like a release valve, and then I was able to come home and articulate my thoughts and feelings so much better. Thinking of you as you navigate this - it's so hard.
Also, PS - thank you for your IG story yesterday re: voting. I really appreciated it!!
AVRIL! Yes. And I've started to look at counselors again this afternoon *deep breath* Man, tripling the number of kids you have during a pandemic is hard, man! lol
I've gone to talk therapy and also am taking a very little dose of Celexa (spelling?). Both were hard decisions to make but have been very helpful to me. Of course we all know walk, water, sleep, meditate, breathe, etc....but sometimes a small little bit of help (like my medication) helps so much. Prayers hugs for you as you navigate this!
Celexa makes a world of difference to me. I went off it once, thinking it wasn’t really making a difference and then found myself crying over every random thing in the world AND on tv. I’m Enneagram 5. Excessive crying is not a welcome guest. I finally asked my GYN if it was a side effect of hysterectomy and he said, “Sounds like depression.” 😳 I went back on Celexa and will likely stay here till death. It just smooths out the edges for me.
Devastating Crush Song: Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. I was technically dating him, but only as much as you can date the bad boy who was 9 years older than you and covered in tattoos and wouldn't know a functioning relationship if it slapped him in the face.
Thank you for sharing - it's hard to take care of our mental health as parents of very littles (or honestly as people in general). I echo everything here, but take time (as you can) to care for yourself. Therapy, walks, journaling, and honesty were all such good tips. <3
Yes! I feel like so much of what I am feeling is like, "Well, this IS what I imagine is normal for someone parenting three 3 and under during a pandemic. Who am I to complain or think I am any different than anyone else out there?" But just because it might be sadly normal does not mean I shouldn't get help.
Ugh my heart goes out to you about the depression. A few years ago I had the realization that I was just constantly miserable and needed to seek help for extreme anxiety and mild depression. At the time I didn't realize I was depressed, until I talked through my feelings with my therapist and she was straight up with me. Luckily, it's not chronic and there are basic rituals that I have to do (but have failed at many times) to not spiral back. I actually am experiencing a season of depression right now, so truly my heart goes out to you. Some things that help me:
1. Deep breathing/meditation - I'm really bad at doing this on the regs, but it really does help regulate my emotions
2. Regular meetings with my therapist - I'm currently seeing her every two weeks which is a good amount of maintenance for me.
3. Going on walks
4. Honesty: this has been something that I've been working on recently. I tend to constantly cover up my emotions by telling my friends or people in my community that I'm "good" or "fine" when they ask how I'm doing. I have a lot of shame with my emotions and often feel like they're too much or heavy for other people. I also don't want to burden or annoy others with my feelings so it's easier not to share. I'm learning that this perpetuates my depression and anxiety, so I've been more honest with how I've been doing which has helped. There is no shame in your feelings, and your emotions are not a burden to other people. If you ever want to talk about it, I'm all ears! (I think you follow me on Insta - so even a DM is always welcome too!)
Yes! I'm an Enneagram 7 and have to work to not be positive/optimistic in a dysfunctional way. Toxic positivity and pretending everything's fine/GREAT! is a hard habit to break.
Your #4 here felt like reading something I could have written. "I'm fine" is my bff's least favorite phrase to come out of my mouth because she knows I'm full of it and just trying to push away the feelings because I'm afraid they are too much for me and for everyone else. She told me once that being a burden doesn't have to be a bad thing--that she is willing to help me carry my burdens, even if it means output for her, because she loves me. (God bless best friends who are social workers. Lol.)
all the hugs to you, friend. I've dealt with depression and anxiety since I was a teen. It's old hat for me now, which almost makes it worse. I have persistent depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder which is a real fun combo in the middle of a pandemic and has led to learning to manage panic attacks. I need to get my rituals and routines settled, but my life has been extra chaotic lately so it hasn't been the priority it should be. I've recently finished reading Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies and it was full of practical and helpful advice.
oh man, my tip for helping with depression outside therapy is doing the small thing, like putting on your shoes and walking for 5 min. you can stop after 5 if you still hate it.
devastating crush song - Andy You're A Star by The Killers. This guy married one of my best friends from high school, so he is still in my life and such a blessing. Glad it worked out the way it was supposed to! Also I love Margaret H Willison and her Pop Culture Happy Hour guest spots
I’m so sorry you’re feeling depressed. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my adult life, and when it’s bad, it colors everything with a gray hue. Some things that have helped me regain some color in my world are therapy, an anti-depressant, and creating a list of things that help me feel supported and less alone when I am in that gray place. Sometimes I need to take a nap, sometimes I need to talk to a friend, sometimes I need to go on a walk, etc. It’s not always the same thing that helps. By having the list, I can sort of take stock of where I’m at and what I need at that moment. I’m so glad you told us how you’re feeling—asking for help is really brave. Make sure you acknowledge your courage today. ❤️
That's how my depression often manifests, too. My husband usually encourages me gently to "activate" when I'm struggling to do something...anything. And then sometimes I just let myself do nothing (which I realize is a huge privilege--not everyone has the ability to sit around and do nothing). Whatever you're feeling is okay, though.
Oh, also, I read Christine Hoover's Regretting You over the weekend thanks to @k8_smallthings' book club, and it jump started my reading rut if you need a jump start!
As someone who goes through depressive episodes as well, the very best help I've found was three-fold: talking to a professional/therapist (made me feel normalized in my struggle), reading If You Feel Too Much by Jamie Tworkowski (made me feel less alone), and verbally processing my "bad brain" days with someone I trust instead of minimizing and repressing my thoughts and feelings (keeps me from feeling like I'm going insane.) I hope this helps.
Also I *felt* your One Republic reference. My devastating crush song would have to be Far Away by Nickelback... bahahaha.
Verbal processing (with a counselor AND a trusted friend) has made a much bigger impact on my depression than i ever thought it would. Also the fact that having a trusted friend to talk through bad days in real time is almost as essential as the professional counseling was a breakthrough. ❤️
I really need to get on the counseling train. I did it once in grad school because it was free at the student counseling center, and I did look into pre-emptively finding a therapist when I was pregnant because I had some PPA with breastfeeding last time, but my options either were super expensive, or didn't really align with my needs (i.e. marriage/family therapists, no one specializing in post-partum). And I think I just keep talking myself out of it since "I'm not THAT depressed." Maybe I should look into some online options that aren't in my local therapy-desert...
Lindsay, I started therapy online in April because that was the only option available (because pandemic). I thought I was going to hate it and rush to in-person as soon as I could. But I've actually loved it, aside from sometimes having a hard time finding a quiet/private spot. One upshot of the pandemic is that a lot of places are offering services to people who normally would be too far away, because all their sessions are online anyway. I hope you find something that works for you!
I had a wise friend tell me once when i was in the middle of a “it’s not that bad i don’t have anything to talk about” period: Do you want to get THAT depressed?
I promptly flipped her the bird, but it stuck with me.
I think it should be required for moms, women actually in general could use an hour of talking about no one but themselves in therapy. Not because we’re all nuts but because we rarely focus on ourselves. That hour of self focus feels so good!!!
HAHA! THANK YOU for this warning as I am fairly sure the presence of two 5-month-olds in my house is contributing to the depressy. That being said, depressy is also inhibiting babymaking sooooo lol... oh life.
OH and forgot to comment, also SUPER excited for the Selena series. FUN FACT *ding* -- when I was in college (oh so long ago) we had this On Campus movie channel where every week there was this schedule of random movies that they'd air on this special channel that you could tune into from your dorm rooms. I remember when Selena was on the docket and I watched it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. it aired. It made me OBSESSED about Selena and as a gal in Minnesota in the early era of the Internet I remember learning so much about her. Did I use napster to download her music? YUP! And remember the Behind the Music on VH-1 about her?! OH MY WORD (thank you internet) it was amazing.
Fun fact: a friend in college would go to the school library to download music and the school actually reported him to the FBI! Back when downloading music was a thing. He got a letter and a visit and everything. hahahahah
It's Friday, I'm in my mask. I have flip flops on and linen pants, the coffee is now at super gulpable temp..... LET'S GO!
A list of the treasures and feelings from my week in no particular order
1. Last week of a burst of warm weather in Minnesota. Now everyone, I love me some fall temps. I love that crispness in the air. The smell of the leaves. The fact I can sleep with windows open and not have pollen issues (I am a spring tree-budding allergy mess but the fall? NOTHING).... but having that moment of warmth to remind us that we will miss those temps before the winter rushes in. I don't mind it.
2. Still really loving my daily journaling practice. I'm not aiming for "x" words or pages or even time, but just taking SOME time and getting out some key feelings is helpful right now.
3. Jillian, Danielle, Erin S -- you all are amazing women that I am so thankful to getting to know. Please know you are gifts.
4. Sharpie gel pen- Due to the tikTok of the office supply lover that Jillian shared last week I did obtain some of these and they are great. Still not sure if they are THE PEN. So what pens do you all love. Drop em in the comments. I love a good pen.
5. Finished Even The Rich's Versace episodes -- they are great. I had a weird obsession with the Versace tragedy - because of its MN connections. I loved the Ryan Murphy series. I read books about this family. This podcast was a quick binge. And now I will listen to their Kennedy eps.
6. Celebrated my anniversary this week. 19 years. NINETEEN YEARS! Guys. It's a lot. Marriage is a lot or it can be at times. Darin and I are not perfect people so there have been times our marriage is not "perfect" but we have done a lot of work and we still are and its feeling better than it has been in a long time. We also binged on some take-out food from a favorite local steak place. As part of my entree there was a GORGEOUS tomato. Of course I showcased it on IG. (laughs)
7. The Voting posts. Oh my word. I don't have enough hearts to throw out related to these posts. Erin, Jamie, Kendra, Laura, Bri, --- so many of you. You stood up and you made amazing, thoughtful, well-written posts that truly inspired me. I actually cried to Danielle (girl, thank you for listening to me) expressing my relief and my feelings about these posts. This season. All of this season has been so hard to feel like an outlier for doing basic human kindness to protect others. Add in everything that has happened in Minneapolis this summer. Seeing those who can be so quick to show their hate and ugly. It made me so scared for the status of the world....Of my community. So those posts. Reading them just made me love all of these women a little more. Thank you for being brave. Thank you for speaking your truth. So many are seeing these. And those who seek to express their disdain on you. THIS SHALL NOT PASS. I will slam down a staff for each and every one of you.
8. Plugging away at my knitting for those who have requested items via We Got You Club. :)
9. The power of garlic bread. Got any random hamburger or hot dog buns in your kitchen? First off, of course you do, who actually magically uses them all out? I love adding a little butter or a drizzle of olive oil, some italian seasoning, some garlic powder or salt and some red pepper flake and placing under the broiler just long enough to get perfect golden brown and then eating quickly even if this means burning the roof of your mouth and scalding your fingertips. Did I eat 3 hot dog buns this way? ... Don't judge me! ;)
The voting post, oh those post. They gave me hope and made me feel event closer to these amazing ladies (my self proclaimed internet friends). Thoughtful, powerful, and inspiring. I am so grateful for each of them.
*Hard Left Turn* I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the instagram glory of that gorgeous tomato or congratulate you on 19 years. NINETEEN YEARS!!!
Also, 3 cheers for the power of garlic bread. I feel like this is closely akin to the goodness that is dipping bread in oil and vinegar - really good garlic olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cracked black pepper and parmesan cheese (which I may have let constitute a meal at least once this week)
I recently switched to Pilot Precise V5 RT pens and they’ve changed EVERYTHING. It’s a rolling ball that writes like a felt tip, and it’s a very fine point. I struggled with pens because I’m a journaler and use many different notebooks for various topics, but for some reason my single favorite pen wouldn’t write well on every page. I saw a video describing different papers and how some are more porous than others, so that not all pens work well on all papers. 🤯 That’s when I realized that the higher quality papers in my journals required felt tips! BUT... I have a 5 year memory journal with tiny sections, so I needed a very fine tip to write all my thoughts each night. (Brevity is not my superpower. See: this comment. 🙄) So, I finally landed on the Precise V5 RT and it’s super smooth, like a gel pen, but quick drying like a felt tip. And it works on every type of paper I use. I also just found some pretty ones, which made my office supply loving heart pitter patter. Win win!
I have entire containers and bags full of pens, and those are still never enough because every pen and marker works for a specific purpose and on specific paper. 🤷🏻♀️
Did you listen to Dr Russel Moore on That Sounds Fun? I thought it was really inspiring when he talked about journaling.
Currently, I almost exclusively write with Pilot Frixion Clicker in different colors. They're not the perfect pen but they're erasable and I make too many mistakes to use regular pens! 😂
That I literally set a timer and power binge. If I am not "into" a guest or concept a certain span of minutes in, BUH bye, I delete and go to the next one.
I found my favorite pen (the uniball signo 0.38 in lavender black) from a sampler set from Jet Pens https://www.jetpens.com/ You get a pack of up to 10 pens in a category so you can try them out and see which one you like best!
I so need to get into daily journaling and it just hasn't happened. I feel so much better when I do it but I don't remember it as a viable option until I'm basically asleep. I recently purchased some of the Sharpie Gel pens and while they are great, they don't come close to my favorite, which is absolutely THE pen for me. It's the TUL gel pen in black. I recently ran out of ink in ALL of mine and I am so sad. They sell refills though and I totally do that.
I’m not a journaler either but have found that answer the same 5 questions a week have helped me so it is once a week instead of every day. Though sometimes I write more often, it is the no pressure journaling that helps me.
I love PaperMate Ink Joy pens... but often there is one BAD one in the pack, which angers me. However, in general they are FABULOUS. so like an 80% positive? They are not THE PEN but close. I am intrigued by the sharpie gel pen.
YES, those are good and you are so right that sometimes there is a wonky one in the bunch, but thankfully mine has been a color I may not have really liked that much either ;)
The garlic bread emergencies are real. Just let me shove a ton of hot dog buns in my mouth like the amateur competitive eater that I am and leave Mom alone! Sheesh! ;)
But truly Erin.
You are seen.
And my goodness you are doing all the things so well.
AS someone who has inherited some more 'sparkle' this year. I ROCK IT OUT! Except for that one random white hair that wants to sprout like a dingdang unicorn horn from the center of my hairline. That one, HAS TO VACATE THE PREMISES *grabs tweezer*
I have few claims to fame, one of them is no gray until my 40s. I intend to fight this to my dying day! My other one I’ve never had a cavity and my favorite food is cheeseburgers. 🤎
I have had 3 cavities. All that happened when pregnant with my 1st at 30. None since. I totally blame him lol and my body being like "I'm growing a human, so I'm weakening your enamel!" lol I think my grays started in my 30s, but I also still colored it here and there. I stopped coloring altogether in my 40s so my hair is ALL mine and chemicals be gone. I miss highlights here and there, but it's kind of a treat to be like "huh so this is my real unadorned color" and being 100% okay with it.
- i am still deciding on my favorite pen, but thanks to you, I'm working on a journaling practice myself, mostly to process some things going on and some gratitude. WILL BE BACK. I do love Le Pen on some fancy thick cardstock, less optimal for journals. I have enjoyed this pen as a ball point but it is shortlived - https://riflepaperco.com/juliet-rose-writing-pen
- happy anniversary! thank you for the encouragement of imperfect people maintaining relationships, and glad to hear you had a lovely COVIDtimed celebrations
- and YOU MY FRIEND are the gift. i relish the chance to chat and HEAR YOUR LAUGH which is similar to mine. hoping Lil Swipes camp can be a thing so we can laugh in person!!!
Oh my gosh! That grocery store musical made my morning. I started crying when the squeaky wheel joined😂😂 can’t wait to to start the comfortable words next week!
That grocery store musical almost made me down load tik tok but it 100% made me laugh so hard I choked AND I woke up my whole family. What a perfect way to start the weekend. As always you are doing the lords work Erin Moon.
Erin, that tiktok musical made my geeky musical performing heart burst! Love it so much!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank you also for reminding me to buy Comfortable Words. I’ve procrastinated yet again 😆
I’m having a minor surgery today so all of your comments about your lives and various treasures is keeping my mind off what’s going on.. thank you!!! 🥰
For those who have struggled with infertility— how do you balance being hopeful and trusting God’s timing while simultaneously realizing that starting down the road of treatments could be a long haul? Some days I’ll be fine.. others, it feels overwhelming.
We NEED Lil Swipes camp! For sure! Each of you are a treasure to this community and I appreciate all of you.
That balance of hope and trying to trust but also seeing through human eyes is HARD (and for me, hope and trust was a much harder choice anytime artificial hormones were involved.) My journey with infertility continues to be one of the ways that the Lord most shaped my faith and softened my heart.
One of the things that helped me the most was a small group of friends who were also walking through infertility/child loss. We called ourselves MAHUP (short for Moses-Arm-Holder-Upper-People) and when any of us were having a terrible day and couldn’t hold onto hope for ourself, we could just text the others and they could hold up hope for us.
If you need to talk, or process though anything, or vent, or someone to hold onto hope for you- my email address is jacki.isatou@gmail.com ❤️
Sarah posted today that many weeks she reads comments here but doesn’t have the energy to say anything and I feel that so hard. Most weeks I just wander around our alley and listen and click on those hearts but finding the energy to post something myself is just undoable.
But I have a treasure this week. I watched the Evolving Faith conference last week and it was phenomenal! I’ve struggled with my faith a lot but the past 7 years at a particular church has really done some bad things to me. But that conference... It didn’t fix things but it spoke to my soul. It made me feel not alone in my questions and struggles and anger. But also gave me a picture of faith on the other side of deconstruction. A faith that can handle questions & a God whose arms are open wide to all. It was just amazing and water for my parched heart.
And now it’s Friday! Which I have never celebrated so much as I do now that we’re doing remote learning. Just gotta make it to 3:30!
Reannon- I bought a ticket for Evolving Faith too! Haven’t watched yet but will be setting aside time this weekend to do so. I’ve spent the past 5 or so years deconstructing and then reconstructing my faith. It can feel so very lonely. I just want you to know I see you. I’m on the journey too.
Love hearing from a fellow heart tapping alley wanderer here. I didn’t get to see any of the Evolving Faith conference but sounds like something I should check out. My heart needs all the encouragement it can get these days.
It is so good! Not an ad, but it’s worth every penny of the $100. And everything is watchable til April, so you can rewatch or take it in small pieces or whatever you need. As someone with severe OCD, I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to go in person. So I hope they keep having a virtual option.
This has truly been the gift of the pandemic for me as well! I can attend so many more things when they are virtual!!! Traveling is not my favorite or my best.
Did you join the fb group? They are going to leave it up longterm. It has been really nice to connect with people, share resources, ask questions, etc.
thank you for sharing, Reannon! this is lovely! I believe God wants us to wrestle with our faith, it's part of the beauty of having a choice to engage in it. glad to hear you have gotten some much needed soul hydration!
Thank you for posting and sharing your heart! The fact that you are engaging and asking questions means the world to God. I’m so sorry for the hard experiences you’ve had at church. Know that God is proud of you and He likes you. He is not afraid of you asking questions. You are in a safe place to ask and process ❤️
Ahhh! So glad you attended too! I need to rewatch all of Friday because I only got to half listen but I think I sobbed for half of Saturday. I’ve had an emotional hangover all week.
Many weeks I spend here reading comments without the energy to say anything. Today I attempt to muster some words.
📚Thankful to the person who commented somewhere about reading The Bear and the Nightingale trilogy which I have just finished. A delightful escape.
Spent a few hours this week debating Gods love with one of my sisters. It makes me tired. I already struggle to experience the love over the condemnation. The prevalence of this view in the church drives me away. More than ever I am thankful for the internet which allows me glimpses of my people who are out there even though I can’t always see them.
Awesome. So thrilled she has more books for me to read! Also would love any suggestion for my kids who have been obsessed with Stuart Gibbs and are about finished with his entire catalog. Please and thank you 😊
I loved that trilogy! ❤️ As someone who has also struggled with understanding and experiencing God’s love, I found that talking through it with my Christian therapist was really helpful—she helped me see all the ways I had conflated the love of sinful people here on earth with the perfect love of God. Learning how to separate those two things has really helped me. ❤️ (You also weren’t asking for advice...so if this feels obnoxious, just ignore it. 😉)
Thank you! I think that being able to try and think on God’s love that way is tricky. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 49:14-16 where God compares his love to that of a nursing mother. I was nursing one of my children at the time and it had a profound affect on me. It helped that I heard it explained in a sermon by Tim Keller. All that is to say - I appreciate your thoughts and the reminder. ❤️
I feel everything here so much. Most weeks I just read in here because mustering the energy to post is just undoable.
I also love that trilogy!
And I struggle soooo much with God’s love and the church I’ve been at the past 7 years has broken me even more. But I’m finding little bits of light & others like me on the internet too.
- If you haven't listened to this week's episode of the popcast in which Knox and Jamie preview the Bachelorette contestants, please do. It single handedly saved my Wednesday.
I look forward to reading about your weeks! When Lil Swipe Camp happens, I am there! :)
Oh, see, my household is an immediately post Thanksgiving household. I just NEED more time with all thing pumpkin, but I also frequently keep my tree up until mid to end of January :) Apparently I just don't like lettings things end haha
i think you are in the majority! I follow the Disney Parks calendar of holidays in the fall and winter, and it helps compensate for no literal weather season changes :)
This week was also a little blah for me as well. I'm moving next week and lots of things are happening this month that I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed. I cried three times Tuesday over the internet connection in my new house...shout out to everyone like me who suppresses their emotions until they cannot suppress anymore and then literally start crying about how their AT&T Fiber is in the garage...oof. Thank goodness it's Friday. Anyone have any moving tips/tricks they would like to share?
Some treasures:
1. I'm sure there are a bunch of you who are Ben Rector fans...or Ingrid Michaelson fans...can we just talk about the acoustic version of "It Would Be You?" ft. Ingrid??? Ugh so beautiful. (Also, one of the co-writers on that song is Jordy Searcy and he's an awesome musician as well and I 10/10 recommend his music)
2. I know that Jamie gave Emily in Paris a red light this week...but y'all I love this show. Not because its good. I love it because it's like watching bubble gum and is basically "basic American girl living abroad" porn. I thought about minoring in French in college and after watching this show I regret it. Maybe after COVID settles I can just quit life and move to Paris?? I'm willing to be the Lil Swipe living in France if we need someone there ;)
3. Kamala Harris's side eye during the debate gave me life. What a great example of being equal amounts of respectful and stern in sticky situations. I'm horrible at having that balance (re: me yelling at my mom that "I will never effing care about Fox News" during a heated debate one time) so it was nice to have an example of how to smile through the turds ya know?
I would also accept any moving tips and I extend all the solidarity to you on that front. We are a month and a half into our temporary place and it's looking like our new house will be ready to move into November 1st. I am not at all looking forward to the actual process of moving again, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Also, condolences on the wifi issues. My husband works for AT&T and they are kind of the worst.
Moving tip: if it can’t move in the box, it can’t break. You will feel like you are using too much packing paper, but you aren’t. Also, use sweatshirts, sweaters, sheets, towels, and blankets to pad and pack large items and/or kitchen items. (Ex. Put a plate in the middle of a sweatshirt, then fold the arms over it. Put another plate on top and fold down the hood and/or the remaining sweatshirt, then place a final plate on top. Place in box. Repeat and stack, then fill in corners of the box with plastic utensils or other non breakables and packing paper until nothing moves when you shake the box.) I wish I could help you—I’ve moved like 12 times.
The only tip I have is back a suitcase like you are going for a 3-day drip, and have a "First Night" box with sheets, TP, paper towels, trash bags, SHOWER CURTAIN, paper plates/utensils/napkins/etc. so that you can have some semblance of normalcy when everything else is in boxes.
I have zero moving tips 😆 But supporting you along the way! It’s completely normal for emotions to come out during random situations. Give yourself plenty of grace in this stressful season for you.
I need to look up those songs ASAP! Love Ingrid! Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE Ben Rector's collab with Ingrid Michaelson - it's like musical melatonin. Jordan Searcy is wonderful! Forever listening to Love and War in Your 20s and Explaining Jesus.
About your #2, I am well aware that Emily in Paris is not high quality TV. But did I squeal with delight at watching it? Yes, yes I did. I will take all of the cheesy plot lines and beautiful scenery, please and thank you.
sending all the good moving vibes! i tried to use colored post its taped to the outside of the box to say which room a box should go to, orange for kitchen, pink for bathroom, etc, so it's easier to place those boxes on the actual moving day!
hahaha i am with Jamie on a soul red light on Emily in Paris, but I think it's my secret snobbery about the trope of Americans living in Paris (i am sorry for being so judgy). France is beautiful and hard and a culture shock, but WORTH IT as all subtle nuanced secret treasures are. so basically saying, I support this dream!
Lol no need to apologize about your judging. My sister lived in France for a time during and after college (she was a French major so she had more business living there haha) and from learning from her experience, I know it was not all croissants and berets. She ate a lot of bread, but it was also hard. Tbh the Paris dream I have is just a pretend Paris that doesn't really exist, with an unlimited amount of money in my bank account. We need something to dream about during ~these times~ don't we?
Happy Friday, everyone! My treasure was actually delivered to me in a round-about way this week... by a potential Covid exposure. I saw my brother outdoors for about an hour last Sunday. He had no symptoms and we both wore masks the entire time. He tested positive for Covid two days later on Tuesday. I am a Kindergarten teacher, so when I reported it to my school, I was told I had to quarantine for 14 days from the exposure. I have cycled through sadness (I am 20 weeks pregnant tomorrow and had to reschedule THE big anatomy ultrasound that was supposed to happen yesterday- which was the first appointment my husband would have been be able to attend due to Covid), anger (I have been SO careful and diligent about wearing masks, etc. and this one incident has sidelined me for two weeks), guilt (what about my Kinders? How are they doing without me there?), fear (what happens if I do get Covid at 20 weeks pregnant?) and finally arrived at acceptance. I am feeling fine with no symptoms, and hopefully will stay that way. I woke up this morning with a refreshed spirit and am going to try to make the most of this unexpected break in real life, which I probably really needed.
I’m so sorry you had to delay THE scan. Praying and declaring healing and protection over you and baby right now ❤️ and what Jillian said.. I hope for no shame or guilt over you. There is no guidebook on how to handle a pandemic while pregnant. You are making the wisest decisions you can with the information you have. Gentle air hugs to you 🤗
Thank you so much- the ultrasound was honestly the part that made me the most sad to reschedule. I cried and cried over it. My doctor's protocol is slightly different that my school, so I can go in after 10 days, which puts me at next Wednesday. So not too much of a delay, but still! I appreciate your kind words so much- hope you have a great weekend.
Thank you!!! Today is day 5 and no symptoms yet, so I'm trying to be positive and get some things done around the house- which may or may not actually happen!
Here I am, writing from a coffee shop, trying not to snort over the grocery store musical number. And also trying not to sing "writing from a coffee shop" to the same tune.
I want to thank you all for your prayers and encouragement re: sleep. THE LORD HATH PROVIDED. My oldest has been sleeping through the night again, and the baby popped two teeth. So we sleepin' over here, y'all. Holding on to it while I can. 😅
Things I'm looking forward to right now:
⭐️Comfortable Together. Of course. ❤️
⭐️Penny & Sparrow's Live on the Internet show a week from today. My heart could explode I'm so freakin' excited. They're going to premier a new original song and just... so much goodness. Anybody else going to watch?!
⭐️Yes, The Bachelorette. Do we need more nonsense? Well, no. But do we need more Popcast content? Always. 😂
⭐️One of my favorite up & coming artists, Charli Adams, announced that she's going to release her first full-length album next year. I've been waiting for this for SO LONG. If you're into nostalgic feelings and reveling in what it means to be young, she's your girl. Her EP "Good At Being Young" is in my ears often: https://open.spotify.com/album/2kVUq4DbkaS6xA33CC6EmQ?si=43WtinMvQ9KZtiuaQ5to7w
⭐️Not to mention, my baby turns 1 in a matter of weeks, and I can hardly believe it. He's going to be an astronaut for Halloween, and his birthday is right before Halloween, so hello space-themed birthday party.
Love to you all, MEAN IT. So grateful for what we have here. Whenever Swipe Up Camp happens, I'm there. ❤️
Hannah, my middle was an astronaut when she was two and the only costumes were men astronauts with six packs and muscles so we have all these pics of her with abs and biceps. It's a JOY.
Mel and I decided that we would be chanting "HIMBO" at the screen whilst watching the Bachelorette this season and snicker at the recaps. Himbo = derpy man, per the youths of Tiktok. please join us in this endeavor.
and i CANNOT wait to see your sweet babe as an astronaut 1 year old!!
Just last week I was just thinking, "man, I'd love to have a retreat with these people." LIL SWIPES CAMP NEEDS TO BE A THING. IN JESUS NAME.
My treasures this week are:
- making my own pizza like Bri McKoy. I bought a pizza stone and everything. It's legit.
- the Peloton app. Because I am not a rich white suburban mom (shout out to all y'all who are tho, keep doin' your thang) I cannot afford the actual Peloton bike, but because gyms are closed-ish and I feel some type of way about working out in a public space in a pandemic (a large room where EVERYONE is breathing heavy, even through masks, gives me the heebie jeebies), I NEED some kind of work out. My mental health and stress management has been off the walls since the pandemic started. I finally decided to explore my options and I found a cheaper spin bike on Facebook Marketplace, drove out to a Chicago suburb to pick it up, and the lady was like "yeah, we did the Peloton hack with this for a couple of months, but we became so obsessed with it that my husband was just like, 'Babe. We're getting the Peloton.'" And if that isn't a romance for the ages, I don't know what is.
So anyway, I now have this bike, a cadence sensor from Amazon, and the app on my iPad and I'm obsessed with Cody's workouts. If any of y'all are Peloton people, please post your usernames in the comments! I'd love to follow more people. Also, please let me know who your favorite instructors are.
- I finished a pretty good mystery novel this week. It's called "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley. If you're a fan of Tana French, this also takes place in Ireland, but I'd say it was a lot more fast-paced than the TF books I've read. I normally don't like books that switch points of views, but this one was actually not confusing to follow at all. Not only does it switch points of view, but it jumps around in points in time, which again: sounds like it would be confusing and frustrating, but I actually found it easy to follow and it added to the suspense of the book. So if you're looking for some escapism into a beautiful island off the coast of Ireland where people are dying, give this one a read.
I have deemed Pizza Friday and official thing moving forward because of Bri McKoy and may or may not be contemplating names for the pizza dough that is currently rising on my counter (I blame her for that too).
I really enjoyed "The Guest List" too. Very much a page turner and I appreciated the twisty plot.
I really very much need to start doing Pizza Fridays but I'm trying to transition into gluten free, dairy free for health reasons and it's hard to make a pizza without flour and cheese. I need to come up with an alternative to Pizza Friday, maybe? Also, are you naming your pizza dough too?
I have a friend with celiac and she still makes pizza! Gluten free crust is possible! Can't help you with the dairy free, but I'm sure Whole Foods has dairy free stuff or maybe your nearest grocery store.
I do 😂🤦🏻♀️ When she said that I was like, "huh. That's weird. But you do you, boo." and then I made pizza last week and was like "This one seems like a Dot."
Girl, get on it! My wait list was a mile long and I had to wait a long time to get it. I even kept it for a few days past the due date because I wanted to finish it. There were like 900 people behind me (literally 900. That's Chicago Public Library for ya).
I finished The Guest List this week too! I felt somewhere in the middle about it. Loved the setting but hated all the characters. What a bunch of wankers! 😜
All of the characters sucked, but I think that was kind of the point. I actually felt the warmest toward Hannah though. She was the only decent one and it was obvious because she stuck out like a sore thumb in the midst of all those a-holes.
WON'T HE DO LIL SWIPES CAMP (I have a secret dream that we all gather at a PCUSA campground for this, not sure why that specific thing but here we are)
I am a pelofriend! #jilliankmf, add me boo! and i treated myself to the new bike...it arrives in a couple weeks, so we will have to sync up and ride together!
Yesterday morning I opened my gmail app excited to read Erin’s latest newsletter and it wasn’t there. What? I am on the West Coast so it’s always there waiting for me bright and early. I thought to myself, “That’s weird she wouldn’t leave us hanging this week of all weeks when we need some treasures.” I finally realized that it was only Thursday 🥴🤦🏻♀️. That's my week in a nutshell.
I want to thank Erin and the other peeps who shared yesterday about why they’re voting the way they are. It was so meaningful to hear their honest reflections. Thank you! Also I can’t wait for your latest review of the princess Christmas movie.
Treasures this week included getting up early for a long-ass hike up to Zanja Peak. Hiking has become a lifeline for me, especially this year. I am all about completing those stress cycles thanks to the fabulous book “Burnout” by the Nagoski sisters. Seriously, if you haven’t read it please do. It is such a wellspring of info to help combat *all this*.
When I’m stressed I often find comfort in consuming darker material. I don’t know why🤷🏻♀️-makes me thankful for my life I guess? “Hard but good” is one of my favorite genres. All that to say I really enjoyed the ESPN 30for30 podcast called Heavy Medals. It is a tight seven episode run that follows Bela and Marta Karolyi from Romania through their USA Gymnastics careers. All the top gymnasts were interviewed and it was a very eye-opening, sobering listen.
I also watched Emily in Paris. Was it a scintillating, deep character study with thoughtful dialogue? Hell no. But the clothes were fun, Paris as a backdrop was dreamy, and with our bare TV landscape it was a passable pallet cleanser from the news.
Looking forward to Monday and The Comfortable Words read through. I know I need it!
Your description of Emily in Paris is spot on! I read a review yesterday with the line "Watching Emily in Paris is like drawing a warm bath for my brain cells" and promptly started watching! 😂
my favorite piece of media to consume is the My Favorite Murder podcast but I was also raised on Law and Order: SVU so darker material is literally my life blood. Also, I'm a 6 and I like knowing every possible outcome.
You are not alone in wanting something darker when stress pops up. Have you tried Fiona Apple’s music, particularly her first album? It’s a go-to for me when I need to hang in the dark place for a bit.
I totally binged that 30for30 about the Karolyis it was a HARD listen. That and Athlete A documentary on Netflix. OOF. I also was oddly intrigued by the 30for30 on horseracing.
Oh you will love it then. I could see certain moments in my mind as they talked about them-Kerri's vault etc. My most recent post on IG has a few pix. My handle is @jtillay
This has been a hard fought week. Everyone has had over flowing feelings ever where I look. My own house included, I’ve decided no less than one million times this week that I no longer want to be the mom and or in charge.
But y’all it doesn’t work that way, which sucks! My sister who is a barely functioning addict is getting on my nerves and my mom who is in the throws of grief over her sister is bugging me too. According to them I’m not grieving hard enough. I made a decision to ignore them for now.
My only treasures were a trip to Aldi and Target ( both of these stores are about 35 minutes away so it takes a big of planning) with my bff. Where I spent recklessly and bought a zillion pumpkins for $2.50 each. I have yet to figure out what to do with them all but something will!
I totally hear you on the over flowing feelings front and admit that I have tried multiple times to turn in my ticket to adulthood but no one will take it from me. So adult we must. Which includes setting healthy boundaries and knowing when to use the mute button. [Insert Erin H. Moon Adulting Award Ribbon here]. You are doing a good job at being a mom, being in charge, and grieving in your own way.
God bless the ministry that is Aldi and Target and reckless pumpkin purchasing.
When I was working in an office, I spent Friday evenings at WalMart or SuperTarget. It was a strange sanctuary in which very few other people were present and I could roam the aisles just looking at things I couldn’t afford. I’m not a good shopper, but the time among the aisles yet without people in my vicinity was truly relaxing. I’d stay until my feet started to hurt. It was the most therapeutic way to cast off the work week and open up the weekend. Granted, I had no one at home to ruin the silence, but those few hours in the stores were a true balm to the spirit.
Boundaries are really important. Good for you for setting and holding them. That's no small feat in the midst of other life stuff. Target helps all the things, though. Keep taking care of yourself.
Erin, good for you choosing to ignore them. You are doing great and grief is a very personal process that other people just should not have opinions on! I'm glad you got a bff shopping trip and I'm curious to find out what will become of all those pumpkins.
You gotta take care of yourself however you got to. If it's with a zillion pumpkins and shutting negativity out, I support you however you need to do it.
After my dad died, my therapist told me approximately 1 million times that “there’s no right way to grieve.” Whatever you are doing is what you need to be doing for yourself. And everybody else can just get over it!
i look forward to your pumpkinscape - please post to IG. and i hate an overflowing week of emotions for the household. you are grieving perfectly, and i'm sorry your fam is shaming you for it.
"I'm not grieving hard enough" - I screamed at my monitor for you. SCREAMED. Erin. You are amazing. You are amazing every. single. day. I need you to know that.
The Great British Bake Off has been my hour of complete joy and peace for the past few weeks since it's been back. As it is for so many of us. I know the low-key and polite Britishness of the show calms us all. Then I realised I may be sitting on a goldmine of British shows that most lil' swipes don't know about yet and they could be calming your soul too. So I've written a list.
▪ Great British Sewing Bee
As it says on the tin. Like the bake off but with skirts instead of cakes. Same vibe, very non-competitive, happy to help each other, sewing competition.
▪ The Repair Shop
People bring in their beloved treasures that are worse for wear and a team of amazingly talented restorers bring them back to life. A huge variety of different objects every episode. The one constant, I always cry. Do you feel the need to cry about a jigsaw being repaired? Or maybe boxing gloves? This is your show.
▪ Countdown
A British treasure for nearly 40 years. It's basically just trying to make the longest word you can out of nine letters and the occasional maths game thrown in. Very sedate, but a British staple. So beloved they've actual made a post water-shed edition!
▪ QI
Stands for Quite Interesting. Is actually very interesting. The later seasons are hosted by Sandi Toksvig and Stephen Fry was the original host. Both are excellent. What I fall asleep to. Have an almost pavlovian response to the theme tune now.
▪ Taskmaster
Okay, so this one doesn't quite fit in with all the rest, but Noel Fielding is a contestant for series 4, it you're looking for more of him. It's a comedy game show and there is some adult language, but I enjoy it very much.
▪ Gogglebox
It is literally just people watching TV. I don't know why it's so good, but it is.
▪ Location, Location, Location
Just a property show, but with the beloved Kirstie and Phil.
▪ Grand Designs
Another property show, this time with only Phil. Shows unusual house builds from start to finish.
▪ Celebrity Bake Off
Did you know this was a thing? We have one-off episodes of bake off for charity where the four celebrities compete for just one day. You won't know who nearly any of the celebrities are, but does it matter? It's still more Bake Off. Tan from Queer Eye is in one episode.
I looked up some and there are similar shows, but not all. And I even wanted to see if I could buy a season from Prime Video -- nope -- then the BBC Viewing app is ONLY in the UK (WUT??!) -- like I want to view these legitimately! LOL Where is the app??!
When I first started reading this list I thought you were suggesting hypothetical shows that would be nice (Sewing Bee), but then I realized THEY'RE REAL (Repair Shop). I want to watch them all!! Do you live in the UK?
I would like to know how to access the sewing bee!! My mom LOVES sewing shows and GBBO, but hates the DRAMA of stuff like Project Runway. She'd flip over a sewing version of GBBO!!
YESSSS SAME HERE! Between PR, that show that *tried* to be a thing on Amazon and the other one on Netflix, they all have a level of cattiness to them that,.... like, no..... so the idea of a genteel sewing show??! Are you kidding me?! Like, I would be ALL over that.
I’m afraid I’m British so I just watch it on TV and can’t help there. But it’s a BBC show if that helps. It’s really lovely and my childhood best friend is a model in the most recent series.
I did a hard google search on how I could watch, I can't even buy an app for this? COME ON BBC! TAKE MY AMERICAN MONEY!! King George would want this!!!
My greatest treasures this week were the fly on Mike Pence’s head and finishing Ted Lasso. Y’all. Ted Lasso is the best show on tv right now (maybe ever) and will 100% cure what ails you with all *this* going on.
I have only treasures as my rose colored glasses are fixed firmly on my face during what is my first vacation since October 2019...(a moment of silence for 2019...) First of all, huge shout-out to Hannah Myer, yes, our Hannah Myer of the Lil Swipes community, for Best Snail Mail Pen Pal award. I went "dark" for a couple months and she checked in by email to see if I was ok 😭❤️. And she said she'd still be my friend even though I'm voting straight ticket R this year.
Other treasures: Reading Caste and engaging a 2 hour book book discussion with someone who doesn't agree with me politically. It was a gift to talk about these important things and come away still deeply respectful of each other.
And I discovered a beautiful historical fiction novel by the title Code Name: Helene that has been a delight to read on my vacation. (And now I sneak back to Jillian's Til Tok curation to watch them all).
Ooo, I've got Code Name Helene downstairs right now. I'm in the midst of Harry Potter re-reading but since that one's a library book, I might take a break and dive in now that I know it's good.
as a fellow recipient of snail mail from Hannah this week, CAN CONFIRM. :) I will also still be your friend despite our political differences - thank you for sharing, and so glad to be able to cultivate friends of all walks of life!
Between allergies, a very hectic work week, and all the other things, my brain feels like mush. Let’s hope I can successfully make it through the work day. But anyways, here we go:
- Mindy Kaling secretly had another baby two months ago and just announced it last night 😳 Also her essay collection that released on amazon this week is fantastic!
- Challenger: the Final Flight on Netflix. As a lifelong NASA/space nerd, anything like this makes me emotional, both the tragic and triumphant. This is an important watch for anyone in a decision-making role in any capacity and a beautiful tribute to those lost as we hear from their loved ones
- I’ve been strictly isolating so that I can safely (and with peace of mind) see my grandparents this weekend for the first time in at least 10 months. I’m very excited!
Ok WHAT Mindy Kaling?!? Will definitely check out her essays. You’re the second person to recommend them and I loved her books.
Also fellow NASA/Space Nerd here and I second the Challenger series. It was very well done. I work for the Health & Medical Technical Authority at NASA now, which is one of the organizations that came about after Challenger and Columbia disasters - they need to have an independent Technical Authorities to raise concerns outside of programmatic budget/schedule constrains.
Oh wow! That’s super fascinating and such important work. Any time human lives are involved, you really have to take every precaution and not bend to those constraints
I mean... that is a flex. Also does any one else just choose to believe in their heart that BJ Novak is the dad of her daughter, but also feel sad about that?
WAIT WHAT?! I MISSED OUT ON KALING BEBE #2?! thank you for this important alert. wishing my dog would take drinking lessons from that cute llama. wishing you the best time with your grandparents!!
Hahaha I’m convinced that: 1. dogs have zero clue how much water is necessary in a single sitting and 2. don’t care how much water ends up anywhere that isn’t the bowl or their stomach in the process of intaking said water
I was watched the challenger disaster happen in real time from my front yard as kid. It was so heart breaking to watch the documentary with their loved ones but so worth it.
On my list to watch. I remember watching my teacher basically crumble trying to determine what to say, do, how to react and how to explain when we all watched it real time in the library at school. That is burned in my memory FOREVER.
Bad Movie Club is coming back, I'm so excited! Also, Erin, you used the word "chortle" and I just learned an hour ago that it is Lewis Carroll's blend of 'chuckle' and 'snort', so I thought I'd share.
My mission this week was to get up earlier in the mornings. I FAILED. I have been ridiculously sleepy all week. Not only have I slept late every morning, I have also been taking 1,5-2 hour naps in the afternoon and nearly fallen asleep with my face in my dinner plate like a toddler. I blame October. 🤷♀️
I did find a few treasures when I managed to stay awake though.😉
Last weekend I made cinnamon rolls. They were delicious and I've been eating them every day.
On Tuesday I got a haircut and I'm loving it!
Dick Johnson is Dead on Netflix. It's either the best or the worst thing to watch a month after your father's Alzheimer's diagnosis but for me, I think it was the best and I will be watching it again to help me process everything. Gosh, I'm crying just thinking about it. 😭
On the sleeping more in October thing - I am convinced it is real thing! I had a week of just constantly being tired and wondering what was wrong. I took a 5 hour nap one day. WHAT! My family was so confused. It’s something in the air.
Back to Florida being hot as balls. Need the humidity to back up! ☀️
🏈 FNL: wrapping up S2: Larrabee is downright rude! Glad Julie stepped up and confessed to Coach that Riggins didn’t do anything unjust. Took you long enough... why does Julie irritate me so? Jason disappears through episodes... where does he go?
☕️ Living for coffee meetings in the park with one of my friends every Friday morning. So nice to put my feet in the grass and share space with a human.
🛎 Sometimes people are only in your life for a short season and that’s ok. It’s ok to let them go, especially if you’re philosophically different from how you “Friend”.
📚The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. This was a 5🌟snot alarm fictional account of the AIDS epidemic in Chicago in the 80s. Started 🏚👻Home Before Dark by Riley Sager and I’m already SUPER creeped out.
I so needed to hear the perspective that some people are only in our lives for a short season and that's okay. I have struggled for years with friendships that felt deep and lifelong for me but in reality were only meant to be seasonal.
“Sometimes people are only in your life for a short season and that’s ok. It’s ok to let them go, especially if you’re philosophically different from how you “Friend”.”—THIS IS SO REAL. It’s taken me a long time to accept and live this. I don’t have to keep building bridges if they keep walking farther away. Just let them walk.
girl, i am dying this week, i feel you. and great point about friendship longevity. That truth has made me treasure those who have stuck around even more
Fellow Space Nerd here - Spot the ISS is so cool! We drag our boys outside whenever there is a good viewing to watch. Taught my Dad about it when we went to visit him at his land out in the country (he gets the BEST views!)
Treasures:
🎧 walking & listening to podcasts as a break from work. This has been amazing for my stress level, and gives my eyes a break from the screen. I shoot for 15 minutes, twice a day.
💇🏻♀️ getting my hair cut and colored today. Letting my color process and reading a book uninterrupted is seriously self care to me!
Also loved all of the #thisiswhy posts yesterday. Helped me put into words how I was feeling and inspired me to consider making a similar post.
Well I am new to their Erin Moon world, so I love Bible Binge (and her Faith Adjacent series!), Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd, Unlocking Us with Brene Brown, Houston We Have a Podcast (space nerds unite!), and The Lazy Genius!
Looks like plenty of good treasures to me! The Tiktok thread is exactly why I love it, and part 6 SENT me. And thank you, Erin, for being part of the group of sharing about your voting platform and important issues yesterday. Well worth the energy, and I hope you feel that way too.
This week was also a doozy for me 😐
💩 a coworker was let go this week and it’s doubled my workload (as well as the rest of my team’s to pick up the slack) so been trying to get my head above water at work. This has meant way more hours spent - praying this is just a season and for the perseverance to get the work done well.
🎶 made this spotify list this week for instant serotonin and motivation. Each song has a memory tied, and listening to it to power through the week has been the comforting familiarity and drive I’ve needed. Have at it, but be warned it is a little wild 😂 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/063Lfg322sVwc8lQDVwkUc?si=RpyFl5xoSmWroXQ0FB8LjA
👥 My mom and I had a lovely chat this week, talking about some of the things I’ve been wrestling with faith-wise and her college aspirations to politics that I never knew about (a summer internship with the Dept of Education changed her mind 😂). It was good to talk through some of the disenchantment I have because many Christians in my circles growing up approach other people as debate opportunities, not as people worthy of love and care. That has really bothered me, and I’m looking for the right balance of care and “reputation” before we debate - how are we to be believed if we don’t have any actions backing it up?
* I need a piano to hide under. Like seriously. I don't think it's too much to ask.
* That recipe looks delicious but it also reminds me of all the things I want/need from Trader Joe's and that I do not have the patience or perseverance to survive the never ending, parking garage line that never disappears at ours. I need online options :(
* Searching for that Dolly Parton Prayer Candle NOW!!!! I needs it!!!
* I will now only hear "holes in this house"
*Hammermill & The Jam Session....I. CANNOT.
Sorry about the extra workload. Hoping it levels out for you and your coworkers soon.
*Office Culture YES! Also makes me think of the difference between office phone voice and normal voice.
*Gold stars for the hair product nod to the bump-it!
*I need someone to just play the British reminder for me when I'm cranky.
Laughed out loud at the after school activities, the 2000s hair products, and the British reminder. Oh, AND Harry Potter looking like he's taking a poop on his broom stick. Classic. Also...please take me to the Swiss Alps...like, now?
I grabbed a piece of paper, my sharpie gel pen and took NOTES like the good type A gal I am over these TikToks
because what says more fun like a list?
1. TRL --> Okay so I'm a little older but holy crap that is 1000% accurate. That video and TRL? COME ON!!!! (sings Come onnnnnn like *Nsync, see what I did there?)
2. Potatok -> Do I need to report suggestive material? That is almost SpudHub. ALL PRAISE THE POTATTTTTOOOEEE (said like a hobbit)
3. Piano Pedal POV: Okay that brought back a SUPER specific memory of my grandparents house. They had a piano and my gramma and aunt would play a lot. It was an old piano. It was badly in need of tuning. There were keys that stuck because my demon spawn cousin Brandon stuck coins between the keys like the idiot he has always been -- and one of the pedals sort of had a sticky click that would happen when you used it. So when seeing the pedal POV I am brought back to my aunt Michelle playing Beatles songs on the piano as my grandpa warbled from the kitchen making this shrimp dip she always had in the fridge to eat with chips (most likely in a plastic parkay margarine tub) as that weird click of the pedal would happen.
4. Harvest bowls -- YES. Also take that same recipe, add chicken stock, some kale or spinach and a can of your favorite white bean or chickpea = delightful soup.
5. I CACKLED during the Scooby watchalong. That is so my house.
6. I want to attend Rev. Lizzi's church -- going to google her to see if her place of worship does live streaming. (not kidding)
7. JAM FREE - OMG I love this man and I love Hammermill and wish we could order from them but our office has all sorts of contracts and its stupid
8. THE COWORKER THE COWORKER! Jillian, please see your IG inbox for my immediate reaction. Thank you for the ab workout.
Jillian, I’m so sorry about the workload. Thank you again for posting all of this goodness! I have a minor surgery today.. so all of these tiktoks will be my post-anesthesia recovery treat 😊
Oooh, so excited to check out your playlist later! I bet it will make the vacuuming I need to do a lot more fun! Loved the TikToks, the last one was a reminder I needed today!
When someone creates a Spotify playlist and they share it...it's literally my favorite thing. In high school I use to consider it an HONOR if someone gave me a mix CD. Excited to check yours out :)
AGREED. What do the kids these days do now? I think the permanence of a CD made it that much more exciting. Enjoy this one - i didn't go for any order, so shuffle is your friend!
ahahah thanks Avery! and likewise, i'm not sure I ever watched that Scooby movie, but who needs to now? :) and the wild awkward slouching, hard staring with "wands at the ready", so wild.
Love it friend. Your this is why post made me weep yesterday. Me and my 3 girlfriends shared it on our story. Whew. You’re a brave gal. Happy Friday folks!
I've debated about this comment many times, but ultimately landed on the fact that I wanted to participate in the conversations around this neighborhood, and doing so without saying anything about what is going on in my real life felt very disingenuous. I will try not to go on too long, but no promises. So, last week my daughter and I were in a car accident. I am physically fine (just a few bruises and sore muscles), but my daughter suffered a serious head trauma and was life flighted from the scene. She's stable and in ICU, and we are taking things one day at a time. Or at least, I am trying to. Some moments my brain starts spinning. I won't pretend this isn't the hardest thing I have ever done, because it is. But in this darkness, there is also light: 1. Our family and friends and community have SHOWN UP. In dozens of ways. And in a year where I have felt so lonely, this has been extra humbling and remarkable. 2. Living in Houston, she was able to go to one of the best pediatric neuro trauma hospitals in the country. 3. GBBS, The Popcast, audiobooks have been keeping me distracted during moments when I desperately need it. 4. The Comfortable Words. For such a time as this. I KNOW I need it. 5. That Twitter thread about the tree and the ISS was magical!
Ok. That was so long, but I will leave you with a shirt anecdote: a friend i used to work with told me one day about a sermon she heard once where the preacher kept using the phrase "peace and grace" and all she could think of was "peas and gravy." It became our funny-but-kind-of-serious send-off and benediction to each other. So, in that spirit: peas and gravy to everyone.
Oh Amanda, I am so sorry. Sending prayers for you and your daughter and the medical professionals entrusted with her care. I'm in the Houston area and I echo the others when I say, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can help.
Oh my gosh, Amanda. We are here for you. Praying for you and for your daughter as you walk through this. Please, as others have said, do not hesitate to let us know how we can help.
Oh Amanda, I’ve had a child life flighted before. The hardest moment of my life. We are all here for you. May Gods grace and peace cover you!! Ask for anything and we’ll do our best to make it happen. 🤎🤎
Oh Amanda. This is so hard. Carrying you and your daughter in my heart and lifting you in prayers. May you feel love from all of us here in this virtual space.
Oh my goodness, prayers for you and your daughter! Please share if there is anything we can do to help, anything! I know the swipes will make it happen
Oh Amanda. What do YOU need. What can WE do? Please let us know. You know we will all be like Care Bears casting out light to you from all our corners of the world. Please please please know this.
But truly, if you need *ANYTHING* throw out a flare. I'm serious. Do you like coffee? Is there a restaurant we can gift card you? I am a doer of the things and I want you to know we are here for the helping.
“Your people are out there, even in the dark.” 😭 If that isn’t a fantastic description of the Lil Swipes- I don’t know what is. I’d buy that T-shirt in a heartbeat.
Little Wild Women update. Littlest wild woman has moved on from the oven door ride to two new favs:
1. Stealing my dish towels and hanging them around her neck like she’s a middle age woman who just finished a major jazzercise workout.
2. When she gets really worked up about something, she likes to sit on top of a floor vent behind the couch. You need to put yourself in timeout in a small space with some air blowing on you? Be my guest! Actually a pretty great coping strategy, UNTIL one day when I hear a muffled whining noise. I peek behind the couch to see what’s happening and see... toes just barely sticking out. A smidge later- I see little fingers from underneath the front of the couch. She loves to climb the entire way under the couch, but the way she emerges definitely gives me some flashbacks to labor and delivery 😳😂
Littlest woman also has some BIG feelings and is not the greatest at sleeping (which tends to exacerbate said big feelings). I don’t consider myself to be a very “crunchy” person (on a scale of a flour tortilla to cinnamon twists fresh from the fryer, I’m probably like a cheesy gordita?) but after exhausting every get-your-kid-to-be-a-decent-sleeper tool that I have in my arsenal, I *whispers* bought essential oils. I am NOT a fan of MLMs and the weird voodoo cultish energy around this kind of thing, but I’m desperate to average more than 4-5 hours of sleep a night, so I’m willing to give it a go. I figure worst case scenario, my house just ends up smelling better? Thank you for listening to my confession.
“Your people are out there, even in the dark.” 🥰😍🥰 You are so right, this needs to be on a shirt. Bonus points if it can be on the Camp Lil Swipes shirts when that happens.
Your little wild woman sounds like she could be friends with my little wild woman who takes baby's spit up rags and places them on her chest, saying "so cute. so cute." (shrugs)
Cheesy Gordita! 😆😆 Good luck on the sleep front! We are attempting to move our TWO boys out of our room soon (5 y/o barnacle child sleeps on a floor mattress next to my bed and 2 y/o octopus child sleeps in our bed). Sending you good sleep vibes!!
Thank you! I hope your bedroom moves go really well for you! The oldest is and has always been a great sleeper, and the youngest was a great sleeper until literally the night before we were about to move her into the room with her older sister. I’m NOT about to mess with the good thing we have going with oldest’s sleep 😳
Oh, children and sleep. We’ve been on *A JOURNEY* this year with my formerly great sleeper. Finally, magnesium gummies and the occasional melatonin with necessary have really been helping us. Except I feel like we’ve taken a couple steps back the last couple of weeks, so the bribery to stay in her bed shall commence. Last night was a doozy and I was not the nicest mom when she woke me up *again* after I’d finally just drifted off to sleep. Solitary, sister. May we both get naps today.
Erin, your crest is lovely!!! I need to go back to IG to hear your break down of it. I designed a crest at age 15-16 that was so heavy with symbolism you could clobber someone with it. There were crowns, there was liturgical imagery, there was a full on depiction of my name in pictures (sarah Lindsey means “princess of the linden tree isle” so THERE.) and that tells you the kind of kid I was.
I loved the ISS / tree id’er story. That’s the kind of thing that would happen to my mom and she would be in wonder of the whole thing as well.
TREASURES 🏴☠️⚔️👑
- Im a lefty and the boy is a righty. He sent me this on Instagram Tuesday: “If you date a left handed person as a righty it means you can hold hands together while holdings swords in your dominant hands and fighting off mutual enemies ⚔️ 💛” 🎶so this is love hmmmhmmm so this looveeee🎶
- Related to that, we are nearing the time of year when I said, hmm I think I like that boy and he said hmmm I really should buy that motorcycle so I can get that girl. (Not because he thought the motorcycle would woo me, but because boy logic says if you have the motorcycle before the girl, the girl can’t tell you not to get a motorcycle. Reader. I helped him decide on his motorcycle. I didn’t care.) I’m not saying I’m a person who remembers every little date but I’m totally that girl. It makes me happy to pass road markers in my memory and see how far we’ve come.
- My grandparents are in the state for the first time since my sister got married last year, so I’m taking a weekend trip to Nashville to see them and the rest of my family. I’m excited. Also a little nervous cause it’s politicking season, and I’m the weird progressive/conservative of my fam but yeah.
- ENOLA HOLMES! I had a rough day Wednesday and my sweet friend in Charlotte, NC asked if I wanted to have a virtual movie night to cheer me up. We have sworn to raise our daughters to fight in dresses well, and our Victorian hearts were all a flutter with thats earnest handclasp at the end. What a delightful two hours spent.
— my only TikTok contribution is this delightful human who is making an Aravis from Horse and His Boy cosplay based on historical Turkish fashion. I am in AWE. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJPYRULT/
ooh... not saying I'd monogram linens with that, but..... That would have to go with the "she is clothed in strength and dignity and keeps her sword sharpened" cross stitch sampler he jokingly suggested I make 😂 oh gosh. who let us be in a relationship. 😂
oh MY the Narnia cosplay! Loving the anniversary of an auspicious occasion in your relationship, and may we all find our sword fighting partners to be able to raise up a generation of Enola Holmses. have the BEST time with your fam, praying for sweetness and good conversation and fellowship
My first date with my husband featured a motorcycle ride, and I have such fond memories of the years we had the bike. I’m really looking forward to when we buy another one someday. Also- I love the sweet glimpses into your relationship with The Boy that you share with us 😊
Again, reading this later rather than sooner. But I love this newsletter so much and after a hard day, finding out that Erin loves Selena (like a true Texan) was just the right dose of happiness that I needed.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the follow recommend for Spark Notes on Instagram. My new favorite follow.
I’m always SUPER late to the party here, and feel like if I’m not able to comment first thing on Friday then what’s the point, but oh well I’m here today and that’s how life goes. It’s Thanksgiving here in Canada this weekend so I’ve been looking extra hard for treasures.
🌟 My son found out on Thursday that he was accepted into his first choice of University in the exact program he wanted (secondary education) so that was major cause for celebration! He said he feels like the biggest pressure of his senior year is lifted, so yay to less stress.
🌟 We are spending our fifth Thanksgiving in a row at an adorable cabin in Jasper National Park and being away from our home for the first time in months is giving me life. Trees, mountains, lakes and nature are soothing my weary soul.
🌟 I wrote three(!) midterms this past week and feel pretty happy with my efforts. Hopefully my grades will reflect the hours I’ve spent bleary-eyed in front of my textbooks.
🌟 I ordered two of the Knix tank tops and they are magical. https://knix.ca/collections/tanks-tees/products/evolution-tank
🌟 This Clarins eye cream is definitely making my eye are look better, and as an added bonus it doubles as a lash serum. I can actually see a difference in my lashes. https://www.clarins.ca/en/total-eye-lift/C080033248.html
🌟 King’s Cross Pumpkin Spice liquor has definitely upped my PSL game. Cheers!
🌟 Very much looking forward to The Comfortable Words next week. My only faith community for the last couple years has been The Bible Binge (after some serious betrayal at our church) so I’m excited to connect with you on a deeper level.
🍁Happy Thanksgiving fellow 🇨🇦 Swipes🍁
What happy news for your son (and for you!). I work with high schoolers for a living, so I know what a big deal this must be. In a year that has so much upheaval and pressure, I'm glad to hear you've all gotten a little reprieve. :)
It took me all day to get to this thread but I'm always glad I did. I have only one treasure because it's just the most precious thing. I'm not brief so bear with your girl.
Yesterday, my sister-in-law Nina told me about how my oldest nephew, Dominic talked to some Mormon missionaries trolling their neighborhood the previous evening.
Now let me stop and tell you about this kid for a second. He's 16 years old going on 17. He's just the most secure person I know. He likes what he likes and he doesn't care what anyone thinks. I've never known a teenager or adult for that matter who is so sure of himself but in the most humble nonchalant way. He has competed in Rubix cube competitions on a National level, I'm talking neighborhood kids used to come to his door to watch him solve a cube in something like 13 seconds. He stopped playing football last year because he just wasn't feeling it plus two-a-days are the worst. His favorite type of music is worship music. He loves puzzling, film production and only knows how to cook one thing, turkey sandwiches. He's taller than I am and has his driver's license. He just started running, like of his own volition, during quarantine. He loves his family so fiercely especially his 5 year old sister.
So back to the Mormons. He was delivering something to a neighbor and on the way back encountered these missionaries who are probably not very much older than he is. They started asking him questions, he answered calmly in his very Dominic kind of way. He talked to them for 45 minutes, on a school night! He said it wasn't aggressive or confrontational. They talked about the Bible a lot, I guess. When Nina, my SIL asked him why he kept talking to them, he said, "Because I care about them."
CUE SOBS
I mean...what? I died, and raised my own little missionary hands to my heart. I'm right now thinking of all the people I know with any kind of evangelistic gifts that I can get this kid to hang out with on the regular.
As a 16 going on 17 gal, Dominic sounds amazing. That’s the kind of guy I want to find some day!
Dominic sounds like such a sweet guy. What a wonderful heart ❤️
This week has been a big ole bucket of suck. I’m trying to press through it. It’s not going super well. But if I wallow in it, it’ll swallow me whole. I could use some prayers. Anyway, here’s my treasures from this week:
🙌🏻 My English teacher gave us the best and easiest homework this week. “Listen to Hamilton”. I think it may be my favorite homework assignment ever.
🎉 I tweeted about said homework and got a RT by the official Hamilton Twitter. Pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself.
💕 I got to see several of my people this week!
Praying for you, Riley!
Sorry it was a rough week. Hoping Hamilton and some of the Treasures in this thread can lift your spirits. Sending prayers that things improve next week
It sounds like an awful week. Listen to It’s Quiet Uptown a few times and cathartically cry it out ❤️
Late to the party after getting distracted with, ya know, work, but here are my treasures!
- Bri McKoy's #ThisIsWhy video on IG. She is light and love.
- Following vin_ayy on IG. Y'all. He videos himself talking from the perspective of animals. His impersonations are life giving. OHMYGOSH it's so good.
- I've been exclusively dating online for the past year and over the last month I've developed a crush on a "real life" guy who I didn't meet on an app (!!!) and he's coming over tonight for a movie night with some other friends and I'm nauseated with excitement. So yeah. T and Ps.
- Subscribed to the paid version of Sectional Healing from Knox McKoy (or ya boi, however you like it) and am so happy with all the content I get from him now. Such a good, nuanced writer.
I hope you all have fabulous weekends full of good sleep, yummy carbs, and absolutely no douche canoes.
Real life crush!!! Swoon. Updates are a must next week.
Here’s to weekends with “good sleep, yummy carbs, and absolutely no douche canoes”! Possibly the best salutation ever.
Real life crush!!! Exciting!
Erin Moon, your translated Latin makes absolute sense to me. Because, that’s my brain at its finest. I ❤️ it so much!
Also, not long after Selena was gone, I worked in southern East Texas at a wilderness camp for emotionally-challenged teen girls, and they were literally *in mourning* for her. Though I really didn’t understand the depth of it, I have always related Selena to those girls at that time in my life. It was a trifecta of emotional resonance: my own depression, their shattered lives, and a spiritual reawakening that led me back to Jesus. For years I watched the Selena movie every time it was on (bc Jon Seda, my beloved, whom I’d already discovered), and her albums (CASSETTE TAPES!) were my soundtrack driving back and forth to Houston from the camp. I haven’t decided if I want to revisit that time in life by watching the new Netflix project, but it certainly brought back memories with the trailer.
My own week has been... different. Y’all, I slept! Every night! At bedtime! 🙌🏻 A couple nights I even drifted off while lying on the couch watching tv! What is happening?!? I’ve got 2 theories on this new occurrence: (a) some of y’all have been praying for me 🥰, and (b) I began reading the “Gospels in 30 days” plan. I’ve been scattershot in devotions for a while, so I took Annie Downs’s suggestion and started the 30-day plan. It’s no coincidence that my inner life flipped back in place after settling in to some focused time with God. It’s been truly GLORIOUS to see daylight again and be productive.
I made one note this week on a Treasure. I’m catching up on Tsh Oxendreider’s podcast, The Good List, and episode 46 includes a fantastic list of creators to explore: https://tshoxenreider.com/46.
This one article stood out as supremely relevant for me in this season of life: On writing as catharsis, dealing with the deluge of thoughts we’re having: https://stephanieduncansmith.substack.com/p/4879958_slant-letter-writing-as-a-practice-of-resilience
All in all, this week has restored me in literal and figurative ways and has given me so much LIFE.
Hooray for sleep! Happy to hear you are feeling rested. Looking forward to exploring the article about writing a little later. From a quick scan it looks like such a treasure.
Jules, I'm so very happy to hear you've been sleeping! Hooray! (I'm doing the 30-day plan as well but I've forgotten 2 or 3 days in a row now, so thanks for the reminder!)
i am SO delighted to hear you've been sleeping!!! what a great treasure! thank you for the others to explore
Hello, friends! Like most of you, it has been quite a week. I've got to go visit my grandfather tomorrow (he isn't likely to live much longer and my anxiety has been through the roof about visiting) and I know it will be hard but I know I'll be glad I did it in the end. My doctor adjusted my meds and suggested I cut caffeine so I'm currently trying to dig myself out of the deep dark hole every morning. I've always had issues with mornings but it has been especially rough this week. But, there have been a few treasures.
-I found a baby yoda travel mug on clearance and snapped it right up. My half caf coffee is less sad when placed in this vessel. I also made Bri's pumpkin simple syrup to add and it is a genuine delight.
-I decided that one of my new October traditions was going to be our own version of 31 Days of Halloween. We've been making dinner and watching a fall/halloween/spooky vibes movie a few nights a week and it has been such a shot of serotonin. So far we've done: Clue, Dial M for Murder, Halloweentown I & II, The Addams Family, The Addams Family Values, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Practical Magic, and tonight we'll do Rocky Horror.
-Homemade Fried Rice!!! My health has been a real issue lately. I have dealt with chronic health issues since my teen years and mostly had everything under control but this last month I had some new symptoms crop up and my doctor suggested I cut gluten, dairy, and caffeine as much as possible. It has been a struggle to find anything my body would tolerate and that wasn't a chore to make. Homemade fried rice swooped in and saved the day. I'm making batches at the beginning of the week and then eating it for lunches and occasional dinners.
- I got new Halloween potholders fro $1 a piece at WM last week and they make me so happy I've decided to keep them out year round.
-Our new house is almost ready! We had to be out of our old place before our new place was ready so we'll be moving for the second time in two months but it will all be worth it when we're done. It has enough space for me to have an office/reading nook, my partner to have a music room, and we have a huge fenced in back yard so we can FINALLY get a dog. We'll be closer to both our jobs and right across the street from friends/the family I babysit for regularly. It also has a screened in front porch and a huge back porch. Also, there are several old school french style doors that were imported from England in the 30s and I am over the moon.
This week has been hard and things will probably not get better very soon, but it's nice to look for the moments of goodness to balance it out.
The bee house sounds dreamy! Congratulations 🎉🍾
Clue is a great movie! Also mouse trap has some great spooky vibes without being too much.
Cheers to finding yummy recipes that work for you!! Also, your new house sounds like a dream. And yes, I had a similar experience with my grandfather last year. Seeing him was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I will always have that. Prayers for comfort and peace tomorrow and in the days to come. ❤️
Hi! Hello! I'm here! Much later to the party than I would like to be today.
Let's jump right in, shall we? This weeks has honestly been more turd than treasure, but I'm plotting some things to change that. First on the list, my favorite second born's computer decided it no longer wants to charge or turn on at all so we got to ship her 3ish month old laptop back to the maker for warranty repairs. Hooray for warranties I guess, but this means my laptop has been moved to her possession during school hours, thus reducing my ability to do any of the computer things including hanging out with my favorite Friday internet gang before 2pm on most days. Boo! Ex-husband makes a not so surprising reappearance on the TURD list this week because after he finally reached out to the ocular specialist regarding our oldest daughter's diagnosis and care; said specialist felt compelled to call me on Saturday morning outside of office hours to express his concerns with my ex's attitude and his potential detriment to our daughters recovery and progress. Not to mention that he see's him as a likely cause for her anxiety and stress. UGH! I hate, hate, hate feeling like I cannot protect my child from the person who is most detrimental to her well being right now. Add to that weird stomach bug ickyness within our home and general over-it-ness and we're a barrel of laughs.
Treasures this week in no particular order. Goat Cheese Biscuits from Shauna Niequist Bread & Wine - so good! Countdown to Christmas Stitch Along from Hanana Hand Makes has fed my sense of completion and is about as close to meditation as I get. I'm delightfully excited about the sweet little advent calendar that is coming together piece by piece and looking forward to filling the little pockets with the perfect beads/charms for my girls. We finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this week which means tonight we get to watch the movie! That and homemade pizza are the light at the end of the today tunnel. Finally we do not have the girls on Oct. 31, but I'm not letting that stop me from plotting a fun "halloweenie" evening for the 4 of us the weekend before complete with costumes, glow-in the dark candy egg hunt, creepy themed dinner (Thanks Raddish Kids!) Spooky Charcuterie Boards and Hocus Pocus.
Looking forward to Comfortable Together next week.
Excited to finally catch up on everyone's comments and the goings on for the last week.
Tell me about creepy themed dinner and spooky charcuterie!!
This year we'll do dinner from Raddish Kids (We ADORE this subscription box)
Mummy Enchiladas, Creepy Corn Dip and Haunted Tres Leches Cake
https://www.raddishkids.com/pages/monthly-kit
Spooky Charcuterie will have halloween sugar cookies, pumpkin pie smashmallows, apple slices with caramel dip and toppings (toffee bits, nuts, sprinkles), white chocolate covered strawberry ghost, chocolate covered pretzels. Pinterest has a ton of cute ideas.
i gotta go look up those goat cheese biscuits - what a delight! I am so sorry for the drama with the ex and how it's affecting your sweet kiddos, but you are making the best of it. Also that Halloween countdown sounds so fun!!
Do it! The biscuits are delicious on their own, even better with some strawberry jam. YUM!
I love Bread & Wine and all of those recipes. Soooo good! That sounds like a super fun Halloween celebration!!
I have so many of the recipes marked to try and I cannot wait until I can have a huge group of people around our table again. My very favorite thing.
Dana, thank you so much for this. I am simultaneously sorry that others have trod this path and grateful to have the support of others who have been here.
The Dr. Pepper Tshirt sounds like a move right out of the ex’s playbook. Ugh!
I love that you call your girls chickens 🐥! I call mine my squirrels 🐿 ❤️
My treasure is Erin, Jamie, and others sharing their #thisiswhy2020. I'm feeling so encouraged. I've always been more progressive and it has felt lonely sometimes in the Christian faith, although not necessarily in my very blue state. I have been trying to learn more about a global Christian faith - not just an Americanized one - which I fear many, myself included, can fall into.
I LOVED the twitter thread about the trees. My husband has an airplane tracker app and sometimes sits on our deck looking up where the planes are going that pass over head. (we are in a flight path, much to his delight.) I sent him the thread and he was like, "MY PEOPLE!"
Yes!! Fellow airplane tracker here! I recommend FlightAware for anyone who’s interested in trying it out 😊✈️
That leaf/international space station twitter thread was soothing to my sad soul. Just perfect.
My treasure this week is the rescue and grace of Amazon Fresh. I knew my friend’s birthday was this month. I kept telling myself that I need to look up the date. I was totally taken off guard yesterday that it was her birthday already. By the time I realized this, it was too late to have flowers delivered the same day and I was starting to feel desperate. Enter Amazon Fresh. I was able to have multiple flower bunches from Whole Foods delivered by 6pm. She loved it! She has many vases and loves arranging (and is good at it). She ended up with eight vases of flowers to put all around her house. Whew! It was a close one with a happy ending. Bonus: It was a lot less expensive than having a flower arrangement delivered.
I am ready for The Princess Switch. Living with a male spouse, 2 male children, a male rabbit, and a possibly male fish, has me ready for guaranteed me only viewing. Bubble gum viewing works.
Fresh flowers make everything better!
Erin, I just have to say, thank you for your gracious responses to people (who don't even follow you) coming at you for your Instagram post about voting this week. If I ever had the bravery to post that I'm voting for Biden for all my conservative friends and family to see (which I wouldn't - type 9 over here who once told her parents she thought Obama was a great president and you would have thought I told them I killed someone), I would 100% turn off comments and DMs. But if I didn't, I don't think I'd be able to respond to the hate/opposition as kindly and succinctly as your simple "thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions" responses. I probably would be much more passy-agressy, if I responded at all.
I have zero things to share here because this week has just been kind of blah, and I'm just counting down the hours until I can get a long hug tonight after sitting in Friday traffic to see The Boy. I appreciate everyone sharing their treasures to make my way through.
Hello everyone. This is my first proper post with some things that I've loved recently.
Firstly as a former teacher this account has made me cry with laughter (skip to the teacher series ones they're the best ones) https://www.tiktok.com/@kyronhamilton?lang=en he's also on instagram. I don't know if these would only be funny to teachers/students from the UK so that would be interesting to hear.
If you're in need of a happy cry then may I recommend this classic video? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XLFEvHWD_NE
And last link is this for voting for penguin of the year at New Zealand's Aquarium it is so cute! https://www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/visit/penguin-of-the-year
Good things I've watched recently- rewatching columbo from the start it's so good and easy viewing. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the second born royals movie on Disney plus. A nice, switch off watch. If you like 'british' humour or just some silliness then look for clips of would I lie to you. It's a panel show where they have to guess by listening to the other guests stories if they're lying or not and there are some absolute brilliant ones. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1vE8ExuuNZQ
If you can get it then there is a BBC show called Mortimer and Whitehouse go fishing and it's actually little to do with fishing more focused on the lovely male friendship between the two men and very funny too.
I hope this upcoming weekend and week treats you as well as possible and that you are able to find pockets of joy.
Welcome, Lucy! Oh my gosh that Greatest Showman video is saved in my Safari app so that I can bring it up anytime I need a cathartic cry! So so freakin good.
Oh, my goodness, I love Would I Lie To You! I discovered it when I was really, really sick and it kind of saved my life. Bob Mortimer is fantastic when he's on.
Hi Lucy!! thank you for all these treasures. Relieved I can vote for Penguin of the Year, because Fat Bear Week just ended. also crying laughing at kryonhamilton, so so so so so good!
Thank you for the reference "Anything for Selenas." Also a huge Selena fan and I feel seen. Put a huge smile on my face in an otherwise challenging week.
One of my favorite movies!
And thank you for your This is Why post yesterday. You are so thoughtful and eloquent.
I just wanted to do a shout out to Erin Moon, Kendra, Laura and Jamie. Well done all of you; so proud of your words. The use of your platforms in a way that’s important and matters to you made me so full of gratitude.
I’m so sorry for the ugly words, hateful inbox messages and those who felt the need to announce their departure. I’ve been on the receiving end of hateful internet strangers. It still stings because you are human, I just the sting doesn’t last. Truly well done. 🤎🤎🤎🤎
Agreed! These women are a treasure. Their words were so thoughtful and inspiring and I am proud of them for putting it all out there.
Those ThisIsWhy posts are a Godsend. They articulated what I’ve been unable to say in words. AND, Kendra’s post in particular gave my mom her deciding vote. Her heart said “not Trump” but she struggled with “the abortion issue” (gah) and the general liberalness of the Democrat party. But “live your neighbor” put it all in perspective better than anything else.
Bri with her great open door, not door monitors- perfection!
I agree! They were all wonderful and helped give me words for what I've been feeling!
Same!!
The voting posts were so wonderful and I am so grateful for them and for the bravery and thoughtfulness behind them
Oh and Bri- I shed real tears. Such a gem!
It has been some kind of week over here. Monday morning began with the woman who runs the schedule at my counselor's office getting angry with me for not receiving her text message about my appointment being cancelled. She texted the wrong number. And so it went for the past 4 days.
For the first time in my life, I dropped my phone in the toilet yesterday. My treasure this week is that a bag of rice was all my phone needed, and I got a good laugh about it.
I know I'm not alone in this, but I've started listening to the Harry Potter series and it's been a balm to my heart. I'm in book one, so this hasn't been going on for too long, but it's been exactly what I've needed in the most difficult week. And, to continue the theme of heart-soothing media: Ted Lasso. What a wonderful show. It's just good. That's the only word I can come up with to describe it. I feel so peaceful when watching a show with a main character who is so kind and good. I love it.
So, so excited for Comfortable Together.
I'm running a half marathon tomorrow, so I'll see you all next Friday if I survive ;)
Rereading the Harry Potter series has been such a balm here too. It’s like visiting and reconnecting with old friends. But, I’d be lying if I said that Cornelius Fudge didn’t leave me very triggered at the end of Goblet of Fire and I’m already anxious about Delores Umbridge. Hoping my children’s delight in the newness distracts me.
So happy your phone survived! I dropped my last one in the bathtub and it never recovered. 😂
Best of luck tomorrow!
I'm so thankful! Daaaang not the bathtub! 😫
I lost one to a toilet once too. You'd think I'd learn! 😂
oh nooo! It has been comforting to know it's a pretty universal human experience at this point- it's just so easy to drop it!
Oooooo half marathon! Nice work! You will TOTALLY survive and TOTALLY kill it. You've got this! :)
YOU GOT THIS HALF MARATHON KELSEY!!!!! WOOOOOTT! (in my best super enthusiastic, bordering on embarrassing mom energy voice)
I need all the embarrassing mom energy! It's appreciated :)
fun fact (ding) I got in trouble when my now 13 year old was on a chess team and I'd try to make up cheerleading cheers (just like the SNL cheerleaders from the 90s) and cheer him on......
I got in trouble at the meets for this and was asked to be quiet,.
HOW DAREEEE YOU!
So yes, when my son ran cross country I would SO yell like a crazy person at his meets. NO SHAME EVER for finishing a race.
GO KELSEY GO - i love a half marathon moment! I hope it is a cathartic and endorphin-y experience after your week, your month, and even your year :)
Hey, all—happy Friday. 🙂 This past week wasn’t much to write home about. Not bad, not amazing. But I’ll take middle of the road.
🌳 The tree Twitter thread was amazing. I am mildly obsessed with trees and regularly acknowledge to myself and others how happy they make me feel. I’ve even got a tree Insta account (@woodsofaffirmation) where I post tree pictures and pair them with thoughtful and contemplative quotes. I felt the moment between those two people on an existential level for sure.
👯♀️ Another friend and I have decided to be in each other’s family bubbles going into this Michigan winter, and we hung out last night like normal people. We drank wine. We ate cheese. We talked about all the things. It was a serotonin shot in the brain that I needed.
📚 I’m re-reading Harry Potter and it is such good escapism from...everything.
😕 I am going to be honest with you fam, but I’m super conflicted over voting. I don’t know that I really want to hash it out on here, I just needed to say that it’s made me cry twice this week and I hate everything about this whole cycle and process. And as a person who used to get jazz hands when she taught the Declaration of Independence to high schoolers...I feel sad about all the America things right now.
Not to leave on a sad note...but that’s what I’ve got. I hope you all have a lovely, restful weekend. ❤️
oooh, tree instagram! I love it.
And thanks for sharing your heart about voting. Man, this is a rough year.
Karen, I love your use of emojis as bullets in your comment. 😊
sweet hugs to you on voting, friend. I've always leaned more democrat and I knew I'd be voting on that party this election regardless but I am very sad about the choices we have after the large and diverse crowd we started with. I'm a former history major and still a huge history nerd and I'm also sad about all America in general at the moment.
Voting anxiety is totally understandable. I think a few things that help me are knowing I don't have to vote the same party for every ballot item, and I can set a boundary not to tell anyone who I am voting for. I'm not saying we should never talk about who we're voting for, I'm just saying if you need to take a precaution to not share because of how others might react, you definitely can keep it private. Not sure if faith is playing a role in the anxiety, but I loved Tim Keller's note on this that the Bible says WHAT to care about, but it does not say HOW to care about it, and so much of politics is HOW -- so... you're free to vote how you see best. Also Knox's newsletter this week included 10 truths/principles to remember during elections that was so helpful!
Woodsofaffirmation! I love it! Following right now!
I saw that you’re in Michigan and I was like oh hey neighbor!!! Lol. I’m in Chicago. I’m also here for the escapist reading. The Bear and the Nightingale was the first time in a long time that I went deep escapist reading and wanted nothing to do with my real life til it was over. Sigh. It was great while it lasted. So I’m glad you are enjoying that with Harry Potter which is one series I have reread more times than anything in my life.
I loved the Bear and the Nightingale series. Also good escapism...and I felt like I learned a lot about Russian culture and folklore!
Woods of Affirmation is an AMAZING IG name, i cannot wait to follow!
and like Britany said! happy to talk with you about voting just for conflicts and processing thoughts, no judgment, just a place to say and work thru what you need! jilliankmf [at] gmail
Karen I’m here for you: barnold165@yahoo.com or find me on IG @barnold165
Stay strong my friend.
Erin- I appreciated your IG post this week and the courage it took to make that stand, to put it out there for everyone to read. You did it with eloquence and honesty. Well done!
I loved your post on IG this week Erin and I don't know if I'm biased but I think everyone should agree with your words and sentiments.
Dog training continues. He is starting to get the ring the bell to go out and he puts himself to bed at 830 like an old man and stays asleep until 6am. But during the day, he hates walks, is trying to assert dominance over my kids. Today he bit my daughter on the check when she bent down to pet him and SNARLED at my other daughter when she wouldn't give him her breakfast. I am, per usual, I'm in over my head which frustrates my husband to no end. It turned into a blow out between us. He says it's " puppy stuff" and idk I mean, he won't be a puppy for long he can't be doing that to my kids . He's agreed to try a trainer. I put an email in and I'm afraid I'm looking to this trainer to be my savior. I'm still wondering what possessed me to complicate my life in this way. Someone please tell me it will be ok.
Treasures: I ordered a huge show cubby thing for my mud room, I spent an inappropriate amount of time looking for pillows and throws for my couches that I ordered slipcovers for. I didn't pull the trigger on any. Any recs of oversized throw blankets or affordable pillows I'll take it! Why are throw pillows ever 60 bucks? It's shocking! The weather has been nice so I've been getting coffees and sitting outside which makes me feel more normal. I miss sitting in coffee shops and bookstores and libraries. We still can't do that here in michigan, so as long as the weather is nice I will take advantage. I'm afraid for what winter will be like. I can't escape to anywhere anymore.
Have a great weekend ladies!
I found all my throw pillows at Tuesday Morning! The selection rotated pretty frequently and you can get a good deal
training is the BEST thing you can do! gotta practice consistently with the puppy too outside your training sessions, but it is SO worth it.
yay for nice weather! enjoy the Michigan fall!
Fellow Michigander who feels your creeping fear about how this winter will go. For now, I’m trying to just enjoy this nice fall we are having.
I've bought several Better Homes and Gardens brand throw pillows from WalMart this year, and they have held up beautifully but weren't $60! Glad you've been able to enjoy coffee on your porch :)
Thank you! I'll look into that!
*shoe cubby
Yes I have bought this exact pillows. They are almost sheer by now from use. They held up terribly but you're right, for the money it was fine.
Fellow knitters -->
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rbg-dissent-collar
I may be trying to make one of these soon :)
My knitting has been nonexistent the past 6 months. I just haven’t been able to do it. But normally, I’m an avid knitter. Thank you for this!
That's so why I feel so good about what I'm making for folks in the We Got You club. It has brought my knitting mojo back :)
Oh, maybe I should do that too! Knitting with purpose!
My purpose knitting last year was knitting hats for my local elementary school. I thought of kids who sometimes don't come to school equipped to be outside for recess. So I made various colored hats of various sizes for that teachers could have and give to any kid they see without one.
That is incredible! What a great idea!
It was a great way to use up random worsted amounts I had. :) I also went to the dollar store and bought a nice amount of gloves and mittens and added it to what I knit. :)
Yaass!! Do it! I really want to get back in the knitting habit. I put it away for a while when I was having trouble with my first lace shawl (still haven't finished that). But I decided a few months ago to get back to basics with practical knitting and am working on a collection of dish cloths. You should follow my friend Sarah on IG. She has a bunch of patterns, but also sells a lot of adorable knitting accessories: https://instagram.com/thesexyknitter?igshid=11apx06xnetvq
following! :)
hits the follow button HARD!
I love practical knitting.
It's funny you say that exact phrase because it is 100% my knitting vibe.
I have to choose projects/patterns that bring me joy, not frustration, and that I can also set down and pick back up without wondering where I left off. #BecauseMomLife
I think I have been saying, “I just don’t have it in me this week” for the last.... 30-odd weeks. Thanks for always being real, Erin, and for still sending this out even when you don’t have it in you. It’s a bright spot in my day and week.
Yes! Me too!
Same!
Hey everyone. I strongly relate to Erin's general *vibe* up there. It's been A WEEK.
Ever since the president was diagnosed last Friday and I have been checking Twitter compulsively, waiting for more news updates, and it's entirely unhealthy. I tried to set up Screen Time on my phone but WHY IS IT SO EASY TO IGNORE?! I thought I could have my husband set a key-code to prevent me from ignoring the limits, but no, it just prevents me from changing the settings? It's dumb. Any tips on how to abide by those boundaries appreciated.
I have also come to terms with the realization that I am mildly depressed. This has happened to me a few times in life, but I've never done much about it except ride it out until my circumstances change (bad semester in college, medical issue resolved, etc.). Any tips from seasoned depressed people? I know I need to exercise more, and I've been trying to get back into my Bible Recap plan, but I'm in Ezekiel and that's like... not helping that much?
ANYWAY. I do have a few treasures:
1. @mrsFridayNext on Instagram has a highlight about Devastating Crush Music where she crowd-sourced tunes to which people "nursed a devastating crush." It brought back lots of memz of listening to a One Republic song over and over in college thinking about my crush who I am 75% sure may be gay now. What was your devastating crush song??
2. It's the spit-up for me: https://www.tiktok.com/@negative_normal/video/6879057365799308549?_d=secCgsIARCbDRgBIAIoARI%2BCjzhPXcFUUATSdjbpXCsQKsEOmXsdx3wnTW7yAqMvVYZNB2SvR7Auy6xB7Nbs6voRV3Am6kogsNtUQ9666QaAA%3D%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&share_item_id=6879057365799308549&share_link_id=282BDBF8-BD73-47DC-9191-2085433CFC63×tamp=1601860612&tt_from=sms&u_code=0&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=sms&source=h5_m
3. Votes for Dinos: https://www.tiktok.com/@iam_cking/video/6880581836494458117?_d=secCgsIARCbDRgBIAIoARI%2BCjxyaSjLhhPY0Yci%2FevUi%2FM0rLNDYGt9yMjnPWU7LJCZGNmR41NjL5YTNGII6Qs7PvFFG%2BAPJkNfP6BoAagaAA%3D%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&share_item_id=6880581836494458117&share_link_id=F75BE530-D8D7-4EE9-A473-DD657F673303×tamp=1602074075&tt_from=copy&u_code=0&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6811518528836847109&is_from_webapp=1
Ok everyone, I took a step further today than I have ever before and called to make an appointment with a clinic that for sure takes my insurance! Of course I had to leave a message since it was 4:49 on a Friday but STILL. Baby steps.
Devastating Crush Music: "See You When You're 40" and "Stoned" by Dido. Literally the soundtrack of my junior year of college.
I totally do that same thing with the app limits on my phone. It basically works only as making me aware when I cross my time limit. Cause I always cross it. Haha. I have found an app that actually takes everything away and locks you out and you cannot bypass. Unfortunately it costs money and I haven’t really used it since then. It’s called FocusLock, I think. It used to be called Flipd.
I might suck it up and pay for it if it actually works lol
Devastating Crush ALBUM: Under My Skin by Avril Lavigne. "Devastating" might be an understatement when it comes to that album. 😳
Lindsay, I felt that way all this spring and summer after Leo was born (and other various times in my life). I hear you loud and clear, friend. It looks like some people have already suggesting counseling, which would be my #1 suggestion. Having space to just talk about anything and everything helped me so much because I found that in that postpartum stage, I often don't have the mental capacity to share with my husband or friends/family what's going on in my head. I had to be very intentional in seeking out time with my counselor to do that. It was like a release valve, and then I was able to come home and articulate my thoughts and feelings so much better. Thinking of you as you navigate this - it's so hard.
Also, PS - thank you for your IG story yesterday re: voting. I really appreciated it!!
AVRIL! Yes. And I've started to look at counselors again this afternoon *deep breath* Man, tripling the number of kids you have during a pandemic is hard, man! lol
And thanks so much for watching! I'm growing :)
I've gone to talk therapy and also am taking a very little dose of Celexa (spelling?). Both were hard decisions to make but have been very helpful to me. Of course we all know walk, water, sleep, meditate, breathe, etc....but sometimes a small little bit of help (like my medication) helps so much. Prayers hugs for you as you navigate this!
Celexa makes a world of difference to me. I went off it once, thinking it wasn’t really making a difference and then found myself crying over every random thing in the world AND on tv. I’m Enneagram 5. Excessive crying is not a welcome guest. I finally asked my GYN if it was a side effect of hysterectomy and he said, “Sounds like depression.” 😳 I went back on Celexa and will likely stay here till death. It just smooths out the edges for me.
That’s an excellent way to put it. I always say that it helps me like people better...lessens my rage 😂
Devastating Crush Song: Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. I was technically dating him, but only as much as you can date the bad boy who was 9 years older than you and covered in tattoos and wouldn't know a functioning relationship if it slapped him in the face.
THE definitive devastating crush song
Thank you for sharing - it's hard to take care of our mental health as parents of very littles (or honestly as people in general). I echo everything here, but take time (as you can) to care for yourself. Therapy, walks, journaling, and honesty were all such good tips. <3
Yes! I feel like so much of what I am feeling is like, "Well, this IS what I imagine is normal for someone parenting three 3 and under during a pandemic. Who am I to complain or think I am any different than anyone else out there?" But just because it might be sadly normal does not mean I shouldn't get help.
Devastating Crush Song: White Daisy Passing by Rocky Votolato and It's All Coming Back To Me Now by Queen Celine.
Iris by the GooGoo Dolls
Ugh my heart goes out to you about the depression. A few years ago I had the realization that I was just constantly miserable and needed to seek help for extreme anxiety and mild depression. At the time I didn't realize I was depressed, until I talked through my feelings with my therapist and she was straight up with me. Luckily, it's not chronic and there are basic rituals that I have to do (but have failed at many times) to not spiral back. I actually am experiencing a season of depression right now, so truly my heart goes out to you. Some things that help me:
1. Deep breathing/meditation - I'm really bad at doing this on the regs, but it really does help regulate my emotions
2. Regular meetings with my therapist - I'm currently seeing her every two weeks which is a good amount of maintenance for me.
3. Going on walks
4. Honesty: this has been something that I've been working on recently. I tend to constantly cover up my emotions by telling my friends or people in my community that I'm "good" or "fine" when they ask how I'm doing. I have a lot of shame with my emotions and often feel like they're too much or heavy for other people. I also don't want to burden or annoy others with my feelings so it's easier not to share. I'm learning that this perpetuates my depression and anxiety, so I've been more honest with how I've been doing which has helped. There is no shame in your feelings, and your emotions are not a burden to other people. If you ever want to talk about it, I'm all ears! (I think you follow me on Insta - so even a DM is always welcome too!)
Yes! I'm an Enneagram 7 and have to work to not be positive/optimistic in a dysfunctional way. Toxic positivity and pretending everything's fine/GREAT! is a hard habit to break.
Your #4 here felt like reading something I could have written. "I'm fine" is my bff's least favorite phrase to come out of my mouth because she knows I'm full of it and just trying to push away the feelings because I'm afraid they are too much for me and for everyone else. She told me once that being a burden doesn't have to be a bad thing--that she is willing to help me carry my burdens, even if it means output for her, because she loves me. (God bless best friends who are social workers. Lol.)
Yes!! What a good friend.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Lilian! <3
all the hugs to you, friend. I've dealt with depression and anxiety since I was a teen. It's old hat for me now, which almost makes it worse. I have persistent depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder which is a real fun combo in the middle of a pandemic and has led to learning to manage panic attacks. I need to get my rituals and routines settled, but my life has been extra chaotic lately so it hasn't been the priority it should be. I've recently finished reading Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies and it was full of practical and helpful advice.
Big hugs to you. I hope you are able to incorporate some of everyone's excellent advice r.e. depression. Take care of yourself!
oh man, my tip for helping with depression outside therapy is doing the small thing, like putting on your shoes and walking for 5 min. you can stop after 5 if you still hate it.
devastating crush song - Andy You're A Star by The Killers. This guy married one of my best friends from high school, so he is still in my life and such a blessing. Glad it worked out the way it was supposed to! Also I love Margaret H Willison and her Pop Culture Happy Hour guest spots
I’m so sorry you’re feeling depressed. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my adult life, and when it’s bad, it colors everything with a gray hue. Some things that have helped me regain some color in my world are therapy, an anti-depressant, and creating a list of things that help me feel supported and less alone when I am in that gray place. Sometimes I need to take a nap, sometimes I need to talk to a friend, sometimes I need to go on a walk, etc. It’s not always the same thing that helps. By having the list, I can sort of take stock of where I’m at and what I need at that moment. I’m so glad you told us how you’re feeling—asking for help is really brave. Make sure you acknowledge your courage today. ❤️
Yes! I just feel like everything is just a bit gray. I feel like an overwhelming mopey-ness. Like... I just don't want to DO anything.
That's how my depression often manifests, too. My husband usually encourages me gently to "activate" when I'm struggling to do something...anything. And then sometimes I just let myself do nothing (which I realize is a huge privilege--not everyone has the ability to sit around and do nothing). Whatever you're feeling is okay, though.
Oh, also, I read Christine Hoover's Regretting You over the weekend thanks to @k8_smallthings' book club, and it jump started my reading rut if you need a jump start!
As someone who goes through depressive episodes as well, the very best help I've found was three-fold: talking to a professional/therapist (made me feel normalized in my struggle), reading If You Feel Too Much by Jamie Tworkowski (made me feel less alone), and verbally processing my "bad brain" days with someone I trust instead of minimizing and repressing my thoughts and feelings (keeps me from feeling like I'm going insane.) I hope this helps.
Also I *felt* your One Republic reference. My devastating crush song would have to be Far Away by Nickelback... bahahaha.
Verbal processing (with a counselor AND a trusted friend) has made a much bigger impact on my depression than i ever thought it would. Also the fact that having a trusted friend to talk through bad days in real time is almost as essential as the professional counseling was a breakthrough. ❤️
I really need to get on the counseling train. I did it once in grad school because it was free at the student counseling center, and I did look into pre-emptively finding a therapist when I was pregnant because I had some PPA with breastfeeding last time, but my options either were super expensive, or didn't really align with my needs (i.e. marriage/family therapists, no one specializing in post-partum). And I think I just keep talking myself out of it since "I'm not THAT depressed." Maybe I should look into some online options that aren't in my local therapy-desert...
Lindsay, I started therapy online in April because that was the only option available (because pandemic). I thought I was going to hate it and rush to in-person as soon as I could. But I've actually loved it, aside from sometimes having a hard time finding a quiet/private spot. One upshot of the pandemic is that a lot of places are offering services to people who normally would be too far away, because all their sessions are online anyway. I hope you find something that works for you!
Yes I am loving some of these pandemic services changes!
I had a wise friend tell me once when i was in the middle of a “it’s not that bad i don’t have anything to talk about” period: Do you want to get THAT depressed?
I promptly flipped her the bird, but it stuck with me.
Haha! Good friend and also good reaction 😊
I think it should be required for moms, women actually in general could use an hour of talking about no one but themselves in therapy. Not because we’re all nuts but because we rarely focus on ourselves. That hour of self focus feels so good!!!
Therapy is my favorite hobby!
I take the Garden of Life Stress ashwaganda supplement nightly and it is a life saver.
Note: St. John’s Wort can decrease the effectiveness of birth control.
You also shouldn't take it with any prescription antidepressiants.
HAHA! THANK YOU for this warning as I am fairly sure the presence of two 5-month-olds in my house is contributing to the depressy. That being said, depressy is also inhibiting babymaking sooooo lol... oh life.
THIS ^^
OH and forgot to comment, also SUPER excited for the Selena series. FUN FACT *ding* -- when I was in college (oh so long ago) we had this On Campus movie channel where every week there was this schedule of random movies that they'd air on this special channel that you could tune into from your dorm rooms. I remember when Selena was on the docket and I watched it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. it aired. It made me OBSESSED about Selena and as a gal in Minnesota in the early era of the Internet I remember learning so much about her. Did I use napster to download her music? YUP! And remember the Behind the Music on VH-1 about her?! OH MY WORD (thank you internet) it was amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf3X-PnsnWU
Your “FUN FACT *ding* is killing me 😂
tm- Erin Moon! LOL
Fun fact: a friend in college would go to the school library to download music and the school actually reported him to the FBI! Back when downloading music was a thing. He got a letter and a visit and everything. hahahahah
STOP! *laughs* That is hilarious. What a rebel!
NAPSTER - man, kids these days don't even know
Right? (cue my ornery old woman voice) What with their spotifies and the soundstreams and the youtubesss
We had to keep our computers on OVERNIGHT to download an album
And we loved it! *laughs*
It's Friday, I'm in my mask. I have flip flops on and linen pants, the coffee is now at super gulpable temp..... LET'S GO!
A list of the treasures and feelings from my week in no particular order
1. Last week of a burst of warm weather in Minnesota. Now everyone, I love me some fall temps. I love that crispness in the air. The smell of the leaves. The fact I can sleep with windows open and not have pollen issues (I am a spring tree-budding allergy mess but the fall? NOTHING).... but having that moment of warmth to remind us that we will miss those temps before the winter rushes in. I don't mind it.
2. Still really loving my daily journaling practice. I'm not aiming for "x" words or pages or even time, but just taking SOME time and getting out some key feelings is helpful right now.
3. Jillian, Danielle, Erin S -- you all are amazing women that I am so thankful to getting to know. Please know you are gifts.
4. Sharpie gel pen- Due to the tikTok of the office supply lover that Jillian shared last week I did obtain some of these and they are great. Still not sure if they are THE PEN. So what pens do you all love. Drop em in the comments. I love a good pen.
5. Finished Even The Rich's Versace episodes -- they are great. I had a weird obsession with the Versace tragedy - because of its MN connections. I loved the Ryan Murphy series. I read books about this family. This podcast was a quick binge. And now I will listen to their Kennedy eps.
6. Celebrated my anniversary this week. 19 years. NINETEEN YEARS! Guys. It's a lot. Marriage is a lot or it can be at times. Darin and I are not perfect people so there have been times our marriage is not "perfect" but we have done a lot of work and we still are and its feeling better than it has been in a long time. We also binged on some take-out food from a favorite local steak place. As part of my entree there was a GORGEOUS tomato. Of course I showcased it on IG. (laughs)
7. The Voting posts. Oh my word. I don't have enough hearts to throw out related to these posts. Erin, Jamie, Kendra, Laura, Bri, --- so many of you. You stood up and you made amazing, thoughtful, well-written posts that truly inspired me. I actually cried to Danielle (girl, thank you for listening to me) expressing my relief and my feelings about these posts. This season. All of this season has been so hard to feel like an outlier for doing basic human kindness to protect others. Add in everything that has happened in Minneapolis this summer. Seeing those who can be so quick to show their hate and ugly. It made me so scared for the status of the world....Of my community. So those posts. Reading them just made me love all of these women a little more. Thank you for being brave. Thank you for speaking your truth. So many are seeing these. And those who seek to express their disdain on you. THIS SHALL NOT PASS. I will slam down a staff for each and every one of you.
8. Plugging away at my knitting for those who have requested items via We Got You Club. :)
9. The power of garlic bread. Got any random hamburger or hot dog buns in your kitchen? First off, of course you do, who actually magically uses them all out? I love adding a little butter or a drizzle of olive oil, some italian seasoning, some garlic powder or salt and some red pepper flake and placing under the broiler just long enough to get perfect golden brown and then eating quickly even if this means burning the roof of your mouth and scalding your fingertips. Did I eat 3 hot dog buns this way? ... Don't judge me! ;)
With that image. (laughs)
I wish you all the best of things
I wish you all the light that lifts you
Mel
The voting post, oh those post. They gave me hope and made me feel event closer to these amazing ladies (my self proclaimed internet friends). Thoughtful, powerful, and inspiring. I am so grateful for each of them.
*Hard Left Turn* I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the instagram glory of that gorgeous tomato or congratulate you on 19 years. NINETEEN YEARS!!!
Also, 3 cheers for the power of garlic bread. I feel like this is closely akin to the goodness that is dipping bread in oil and vinegar - really good garlic olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cracked black pepper and parmesan cheese (which I may have let constitute a meal at least once this week)
Long story about a single pen. 😏
I recently switched to Pilot Precise V5 RT pens and they’ve changed EVERYTHING. It’s a rolling ball that writes like a felt tip, and it’s a very fine point. I struggled with pens because I’m a journaler and use many different notebooks for various topics, but for some reason my single favorite pen wouldn’t write well on every page. I saw a video describing different papers and how some are more porous than others, so that not all pens work well on all papers. 🤯 That’s when I realized that the higher quality papers in my journals required felt tips! BUT... I have a 5 year memory journal with tiny sections, so I needed a very fine tip to write all my thoughts each night. (Brevity is not my superpower. See: this comment. 🙄) So, I finally landed on the Precise V5 RT and it’s super smooth, like a gel pen, but quick drying like a felt tip. And it works on every type of paper I use. I also just found some pretty ones, which made my office supply loving heart pitter patter. Win win!
https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Collection-Retractable-Refillable-41980/dp/B01N2RPQO8/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=pilot+precise+v5+rt&qid=1602272188&sprefix=pilot+&sr=8-4
Your pen passion delights me! Hooray for Pen People!!
I have entire containers and bags full of pens, and those are still never enough because every pen and marker works for a specific purpose and on specific paper. 🤷🏻♀️
This pen sounds amazing!
It is! It totally is.
I love this pen journey. I love that there are so many Pen People here. :)
I totally clicked this link,
I need Amazon's algorithm to send me all sorts of pen emails LOL.
I clicked the link too. Pen People Party!!!!
Yes! Let’s be sure to share all the pens we come across.
I’m my father’s daughter, who couldn’t tell a story without preamble and epilogue. 😬
19 years! CONGRATULATIONS!
Did you listen to Dr Russel Moore on That Sounds Fun? I thought it was really inspiring when he talked about journaling.
Currently, I almost exclusively write with Pilot Frixion Clicker in different colors. They're not the perfect pen but they're erasable and I make too many mistakes to use regular pens! 😂
I love the Frixion Clicker. It's changed my life.
Thank you friend!!
I have a BACKLOG of That Sounds Fun I need to listen to. SO MANY GOOD PODCASTS!
Yes, my older sons LOVE those Pilot pens. Which we really felt we NEEDED after they were promoted so heavily on Project Runway lol.
Podcast backlog is a whole thing. I'm trying to get through mine now and I'm starting to miss silence, lol.
There are some that I am 100% up on
Others
That I literally set a timer and power binge. If I am not "into" a guest or concept a certain span of minutes in, BUH bye, I delete and go to the next one.
Most of the ones I haven't gotten to yet are ones I want to be able to really focus on but I have a feeling they might make me cry. 😬
RE-LATE-ABLE
I found my favorite pen (the uniball signo 0.38 in lavender black) from a sampler set from Jet Pens https://www.jetpens.com/ You get a pack of up to 10 pens in a category so you can try them out and see which one you like best!
Lavender black?!? 🥰
A TREASURE
OHHH MY GOSH THIS SITE IS HEAVEN!
https://www.jetpens.com/JetPens-Pen-Samplers/ct/3973
This.
Is.
Dangerous.
Happy Birthday to me!!!! I know what I'll be treating myself to next week.
Go forth and try all the pens!! 😂
Marking a date on my calendar to make an order from here as a bday gift to myself.
I've been a hot dog/hamburger bun garlic bread person my whole life! Learned it from my mama!
SAME!!!!!!! It was how she never wasted them.
I so need to get into daily journaling and it just hasn't happened. I feel so much better when I do it but I don't remember it as a viable option until I'm basically asleep. I recently purchased some of the Sharpie Gel pens and while they are great, they don't come close to my favorite, which is absolutely THE pen for me. It's the TUL gel pen in black. I recently ran out of ink in ALL of mine and I am so sad. They sell refills though and I totally do that.
I’m not a journaler either but have found that answer the same 5 questions a week have helped me so it is once a week instead of every day. Though sometimes I write more often, it is the no pressure journaling that helps me.
I just totally googled them and am looking at them on Amazon so they can be in my browsing history.
I support taking the time to even do a page of writing a day in any way. It so helps me.
I love PaperMate Ink Joy pens... but often there is one BAD one in the pack, which angers me. However, in general they are FABULOUS. so like an 80% positive? They are not THE PEN but close. I am intrigued by the sharpie gel pen.
YES, those are good and you are so right that sometimes there is a wonky one in the bunch, but thankfully mine has been a color I may not have really liked that much either ;)
Sometimes you have a garlic bread emergency! Thank you Mel for the shout out! The feeling is mutual! 🤎🤎🤎🤎
The garlic bread emergencies are real. Just let me shove a ton of hot dog buns in my mouth like the amateur competitive eater that I am and leave Mom alone! Sheesh! ;)
But truly Erin.
You are seen.
And my goodness you are doing all the things so well.
Never doubt that.
With shiny hair and brows on point
High fives from states away.
Listen, I love my hair but it’s trying to betray me!
AS someone who has inherited some more 'sparkle' this year. I ROCK IT OUT! Except for that one random white hair that wants to sprout like a dingdang unicorn horn from the center of my hairline. That one, HAS TO VACATE THE PREMISES *grabs tweezer*
I have few claims to fame, one of them is no gray until my 40s. I intend to fight this to my dying day! My other one I’ve never had a cavity and my favorite food is cheeseburgers. 🤎
I have had 3 cavities. All that happened when pregnant with my 1st at 30. None since. I totally blame him lol and my body being like "I'm growing a human, so I'm weakening your enamel!" lol I think my grays started in my 30s, but I also still colored it here and there. I stopped coloring altogether in my 40s so my hair is ALL mine and chemicals be gone. I miss highlights here and there, but it's kind of a treat to be like "huh so this is my real unadorned color" and being 100% okay with it.
"all the light that lifts you" that is beautiful~ thank you for that!!
From one Melissa to another :) Be well friend!
honestly, so here for this garlic bread hack.
- i am still deciding on my favorite pen, but thanks to you, I'm working on a journaling practice myself, mostly to process some things going on and some gratitude. WILL BE BACK. I do love Le Pen on some fancy thick cardstock, less optimal for journals. I have enjoyed this pen as a ball point but it is shortlived - https://riflepaperco.com/juliet-rose-writing-pen
- happy anniversary! thank you for the encouragement of imperfect people maintaining relationships, and glad to hear you had a lovely COVIDtimed celebrations
- and YOU MY FRIEND are the gift. i relish the chance to chat and HEAR YOUR LAUGH which is similar to mine. hoping Lil Swipes camp can be a thing so we can laugh in person!!!
Oh my word I want Camp! I would hit PURCHASE and RESERVE so fast!
That pen is really pretty.
You know I love a pen with good flow. That glide is VITAL ;)
I do that with leftover buns, tooooooo!
Isn't it a delight???!
I have a lot of leftover buns with a purpose now!
It is my 2 minute TREAT YO SELF moment.
Oh my gosh! That grocery store musical made my morning. I started crying when the squeaky wheel joined😂😂 can’t wait to to start the comfortable words next week!
RIGHT??
That grocery store musical almost made me down load tik tok but it 100% made me laugh so hard I choked AND I woke up my whole family. What a perfect way to start the weekend. As always you are doing the lords work Erin Moon.
Happy Friday LIL SWIPES!!
Erin, that tiktok musical made my geeky musical performing heart burst! Love it so much!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank you also for reminding me to buy Comfortable Words. I’ve procrastinated yet again 😆
I’m having a minor surgery today so all of your comments about your lives and various treasures is keeping my mind off what’s going on.. thank you!!! 🥰
For those who have struggled with infertility— how do you balance being hopeful and trusting God’s timing while simultaneously realizing that starting down the road of treatments could be a long haul? Some days I’ll be fine.. others, it feels overwhelming.
We NEED Lil Swipes camp! For sure! Each of you are a treasure to this community and I appreciate all of you.
Praying for you ❤️
That balance of hope and trying to trust but also seeing through human eyes is HARD (and for me, hope and trust was a much harder choice anytime artificial hormones were involved.) My journey with infertility continues to be one of the ways that the Lord most shaped my faith and softened my heart.
One of the things that helped me the most was a small group of friends who were also walking through infertility/child loss. We called ourselves MAHUP (short for Moses-Arm-Holder-Upper-People) and when any of us were having a terrible day and couldn’t hold onto hope for ourself, we could just text the others and they could hold up hope for us.
If you need to talk, or process though anything, or vent, or someone to hold onto hope for you- my email address is jacki.isatou@gmail.com ❤️
Prayers for your surgery.
Sarah posted today that many weeks she reads comments here but doesn’t have the energy to say anything and I feel that so hard. Most weeks I just wander around our alley and listen and click on those hearts but finding the energy to post something myself is just undoable.
But I have a treasure this week. I watched the Evolving Faith conference last week and it was phenomenal! I’ve struggled with my faith a lot but the past 7 years at a particular church has really done some bad things to me. But that conference... It didn’t fix things but it spoke to my soul. It made me feel not alone in my questions and struggles and anger. But also gave me a picture of faith on the other side of deconstruction. A faith that can handle questions & a God whose arms are open wide to all. It was just amazing and water for my parched heart.
And now it’s Friday! Which I have never celebrated so much as I do now that we’re doing remote learning. Just gotta make it to 3:30!
I wanted to listen to the Evolving Faith conference! it looked amazing and I just didn't get my act together. I'm so glad that it was a balm for you.
You can still purchase a ticket if you want. The rewatch is good til April!
Reannon- I bought a ticket for Evolving Faith too! Haven’t watched yet but will be setting aside time this weekend to do so. I’ve spent the past 5 or so years deconstructing and then reconstructing my faith. It can feel so very lonely. I just want you to know I see you. I’m on the journey too.
Thank you! It has been so lonely. Finding other wanderers makes me take a deep breath.
Me too. 😊 Fellow sojourners
Love hearing from a fellow heart tapping alley wanderer here. I didn’t get to see any of the Evolving Faith conference but sounds like something I should check out. My heart needs all the encouragement it can get these days.
It is so good! Not an ad, but it’s worth every penny of the $100. And everything is watchable til April, so you can rewatch or take it in small pieces or whatever you need. As someone with severe OCD, I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to go in person. So I hope they keep having a virtual option.
This has truly been the gift of the pandemic for me as well! I can attend so many more things when they are virtual!!! Traveling is not my favorite or my best.
I watched EF, too! Like you said--it didn't fix things, but I felt not-so-alone. <3
So glad!!! I feel like I need a way to find my EF peeps.
Did you join the fb group? They are going to leave it up longterm. It has been really nice to connect with people, share resources, ask questions, etc.
I joined but I’ve been really hesitant to post. Maybe with it being there long term, I can gather the courage to post something. That’s good news!
I haven't posted an "intro" either. Just lurking (lol) and commenting on some posts. It still feels like a good community!
Lurking and posting encouraging comments is kinda my jam. 🤣
thank you for sharing, Reannon! this is lovely! I believe God wants us to wrestle with our faith, it's part of the beauty of having a choice to engage in it. glad to hear you have gotten some much needed soul hydration!
Thank you for posting and sharing your heart! The fact that you are engaging and asking questions means the world to God. I’m so sorry for the hard experiences you’ve had at church. Know that God is proud of you and He likes you. He is not afraid of you asking questions. You are in a safe place to ask and process ❤️
😭😭😭 Thank you so much for those words. You don’t know how much I need them.
Ahhh! So glad you attended too! I need to rewatch all of Friday because I only got to half listen but I think I sobbed for half of Saturday. I’ve had an emotional hangover all week.
Many weeks I spend here reading comments without the energy to say anything. Today I attempt to muster some words.
📚Thankful to the person who commented somewhere about reading The Bear and the Nightingale trilogy which I have just finished. A delightful escape.
Spent a few hours this week debating Gods love with one of my sisters. It makes me tired. I already struggle to experience the love over the condemnation. The prevalence of this view in the church drives me away. More than ever I am thankful for the internet which allows me glimpses of my people who are out there even though I can’t always see them.
pro tip from your resident librarian: Katherine Arden also has two spoooky children's novels which I highly recommend.
Thank you - I’ll be trying both and hoping they ease my book hangover.
Seconded from another children's librarian :D
Awesome. So thrilled she has more books for me to read! Also would love any suggestion for my kids who have been obsessed with Stuart Gibbs and are about finished with his entire catalog. Please and thank you 😊
I loved that trilogy! ❤️ As someone who has also struggled with understanding and experiencing God’s love, I found that talking through it with my Christian therapist was really helpful—she helped me see all the ways I had conflated the love of sinful people here on earth with the perfect love of God. Learning how to separate those two things has really helped me. ❤️ (You also weren’t asking for advice...so if this feels obnoxious, just ignore it. 😉)
Thank you! I think that being able to try and think on God’s love that way is tricky. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 49:14-16 where God compares his love to that of a nursing mother. I was nursing one of my children at the time and it had a profound affect on me. It helped that I heard it explained in a sermon by Tim Keller. All that is to say - I appreciate your thoughts and the reminder. ❤️
sounds like i need to read this trilogy - Nightingale is my last name so i am drawn to any mention of them! and we are here for you <3
It’s so good - jealous you have it to look forward too. I have a book hangover now. The worst.
That's a great last name!!
i love it :) really torn on keeping it should i get married, but that's for future me who has a boyfriend to figure out
I feel everything here so much. Most weeks I just read in here because mustering the energy to post is just undoable.
I also love that trilogy!
And I struggle soooo much with God’s love and the church I’ve been at the past 7 years has broken me even more. But I’m finding little bits of light & others like me on the internet too.
It was too wonderful for me in the sense that I didn’t want to deal with anything else in my life but reading it.
Hi friends!
Happy friday! Not much worth mentioning happening 'round these parts lately.
- Thank you, Erin et al, who are participating in #thisiswhy2020. It helped me feel less alone in my red state; I may have started drafting my own.
- Leslie Odom Jr singing Without You from Rent - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWSHal1Hk-E&ab_channel=cassiopeia
- If you haven't listened to this week's episode of the popcast in which Knox and Jamie preview the Bachelorette contestants, please do. It single handedly saved my Wednesday.
I look forward to reading about your weeks! When Lil Swipe Camp happens, I am there! :)
Love the Bachelorette recap! I don’t even watch the show, but I LOVE hearing Knox and Jamie dissect it
Oh my goodness.. excuse me while I RUN to watch Leslie Odom Jr. sing this!! Thank you for sharing 🥰
MORE LOJ SINGING EVERYTHING PLS
Ummm, YES.
Does anyone watch the Masked Singer? I think LOJ is on this season!!
I'm for real ready for Christmas so I can have his Christmas album on repeat!
Christmas starts Nov 1 in my household, so it is JUST AROUND THE CORNER :)
Oh, see, my household is an immediately post Thanksgiving household. I just NEED more time with all thing pumpkin, but I also frequently keep my tree up until mid to end of January :) Apparently I just don't like lettings things end haha
Me too! To all of this
i think you are in the majority! I follow the Disney Parks calendar of holidays in the fall and winter, and it helps compensate for no literal weather season changes :)
Good morning everyone!
This week was also a little blah for me as well. I'm moving next week and lots of things are happening this month that I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed. I cried three times Tuesday over the internet connection in my new house...shout out to everyone like me who suppresses their emotions until they cannot suppress anymore and then literally start crying about how their AT&T Fiber is in the garage...oof. Thank goodness it's Friday. Anyone have any moving tips/tricks they would like to share?
Some treasures:
1. I'm sure there are a bunch of you who are Ben Rector fans...or Ingrid Michaelson fans...can we just talk about the acoustic version of "It Would Be You?" ft. Ingrid??? Ugh so beautiful. (Also, one of the co-writers on that song is Jordy Searcy and he's an awesome musician as well and I 10/10 recommend his music)
2. I know that Jamie gave Emily in Paris a red light this week...but y'all I love this show. Not because its good. I love it because it's like watching bubble gum and is basically "basic American girl living abroad" porn. I thought about minoring in French in college and after watching this show I regret it. Maybe after COVID settles I can just quit life and move to Paris?? I'm willing to be the Lil Swipe living in France if we need someone there ;)
3. Kamala Harris's side eye during the debate gave me life. What a great example of being equal amounts of respectful and stern in sticky situations. I'm horrible at having that balance (re: me yelling at my mom that "I will never effing care about Fox News" during a heated debate one time) so it was nice to have an example of how to smile through the turds ya know?
I would also accept any moving tips and I extend all the solidarity to you on that front. We are a month and a half into our temporary place and it's looking like our new house will be ready to move into November 1st. I am not at all looking forward to the actual process of moving again, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Also, condolences on the wifi issues. My husband works for AT&T and they are kind of the worst.
I squealed when I opened Spotify and got the notification for the new song with Ingrid! I am a die hard Ingrid fan and this was a delight.
Moving tip: if it can’t move in the box, it can’t break. You will feel like you are using too much packing paper, but you aren’t. Also, use sweatshirts, sweaters, sheets, towels, and blankets to pad and pack large items and/or kitchen items. (Ex. Put a plate in the middle of a sweatshirt, then fold the arms over it. Put another plate on top and fold down the hood and/or the remaining sweatshirt, then place a final plate on top. Place in box. Repeat and stack, then fill in corners of the box with plastic utensils or other non breakables and packing paper until nothing moves when you shake the box.) I wish I could help you—I’ve moved like 12 times.
The only tip I have is back a suitcase like you are going for a 3-day drip, and have a "First Night" box with sheets, TP, paper towels, trash bags, SHOWER CURTAIN, paper plates/utensils/napkins/etc. so that you can have some semblance of normalcy when everything else is in boxes.
I have zero moving tips 😆 But supporting you along the way! It’s completely normal for emotions to come out during random situations. Give yourself plenty of grace in this stressful season for you.
I need to look up those songs ASAP! Love Ingrid! Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE Ben Rector's collab with Ingrid Michaelson - it's like musical melatonin. Jordan Searcy is wonderful! Forever listening to Love and War in Your 20s and Explaining Jesus.
About your #2, I am well aware that Emily in Paris is not high quality TV. But did I squeal with delight at watching it? Yes, yes I did. I will take all of the cheesy plot lines and beautiful scenery, please and thank you.
We need a Lil Swipe living in Paris! Thanks for volunteering! Your sacrifice is appreciated. 😂
sending all the good moving vibes! i tried to use colored post its taped to the outside of the box to say which room a box should go to, orange for kitchen, pink for bathroom, etc, so it's easier to place those boxes on the actual moving day!
hahaha i am with Jamie on a soul red light on Emily in Paris, but I think it's my secret snobbery about the trope of Americans living in Paris (i am sorry for being so judgy). France is beautiful and hard and a culture shock, but WORTH IT as all subtle nuanced secret treasures are. so basically saying, I support this dream!
Lol no need to apologize about your judging. My sister lived in France for a time during and after college (she was a French major so she had more business living there haha) and from learning from her experience, I know it was not all croissants and berets. She ate a lot of bread, but it was also hard. Tbh the Paris dream I have is just a pretend Paris that doesn't really exist, with an unlimited amount of money in my bank account. We need something to dream about during ~these times~ don't we?
MAIS OUI, ne quittez pas rêver!!
Happy Friday, everyone! My treasure was actually delivered to me in a round-about way this week... by a potential Covid exposure. I saw my brother outdoors for about an hour last Sunday. He had no symptoms and we both wore masks the entire time. He tested positive for Covid two days later on Tuesday. I am a Kindergarten teacher, so when I reported it to my school, I was told I had to quarantine for 14 days from the exposure. I have cycled through sadness (I am 20 weeks pregnant tomorrow and had to reschedule THE big anatomy ultrasound that was supposed to happen yesterday- which was the first appointment my husband would have been be able to attend due to Covid), anger (I have been SO careful and diligent about wearing masks, etc. and this one incident has sidelined me for two weeks), guilt (what about my Kinders? How are they doing without me there?), fear (what happens if I do get Covid at 20 weeks pregnant?) and finally arrived at acceptance. I am feeling fine with no symptoms, and hopefully will stay that way. I woke up this morning with a refreshed spirit and am going to try to make the most of this unexpected break in real life, which I probably really needed.
Delaying the scan is definitely a valid thing to be sad over! Praying you stay healthy. <3
So glad you took the precautions of wearing that mask and hopefully you end up covid free!
I’m so sorry you had to delay THE scan. Praying and declaring healing and protection over you and baby right now ❤️ and what Jillian said.. I hope for no shame or guilt over you. There is no guidebook on how to handle a pandemic while pregnant. You are making the wisest decisions you can with the information you have. Gentle air hugs to you 🤗
Thank you so much- the ultrasound was honestly the part that made me the most sad to reschedule. I cried and cried over it. My doctor's protocol is slightly different that my school, so I can go in after 10 days, which puts me at next Wednesday. So not too much of a delay, but still! I appreciate your kind words so much- hope you have a great weekend.
praying that you are covid free and can enjoy this break guilt-free!
Thank you!!! Today is day 5 and no symptoms yet, so I'm trying to be positive and get some things done around the house- which may or may not actually happen!
Here I am, writing from a coffee shop, trying not to snort over the grocery store musical number. And also trying not to sing "writing from a coffee shop" to the same tune.
I want to thank you all for your prayers and encouragement re: sleep. THE LORD HATH PROVIDED. My oldest has been sleeping through the night again, and the baby popped two teeth. So we sleepin' over here, y'all. Holding on to it while I can. 😅
Things I'm looking forward to right now:
⭐️Comfortable Together. Of course. ❤️
⭐️Penny & Sparrow's Live on the Internet show a week from today. My heart could explode I'm so freakin' excited. They're going to premier a new original song and just... so much goodness. Anybody else going to watch?!
⭐️Yes, The Bachelorette. Do we need more nonsense? Well, no. But do we need more Popcast content? Always. 😂
⭐️One of my favorite up & coming artists, Charli Adams, announced that she's going to release her first full-length album next year. I've been waiting for this for SO LONG. If you're into nostalgic feelings and reveling in what it means to be young, she's your girl. Her EP "Good At Being Young" is in my ears often: https://open.spotify.com/album/2kVUq4DbkaS6xA33CC6EmQ?si=43WtinMvQ9KZtiuaQ5to7w
⭐️Not to mention, my baby turns 1 in a matter of weeks, and I can hardly believe it. He's going to be an astronaut for Halloween, and his birthday is right before Halloween, so hello space-themed birthday party.
Love to you all, MEAN IT. So grateful for what we have here. Whenever Swipe Up Camp happens, I'm there. ❤️
I'm going to try to make it to the P&S livestream!
YESSSS hope to “see” you there! 😆🙌
Hooray for sleeping through the night! That's great news. Also, a baby astronaut? That's freaking adorable!
Thanks, Rebecka!! And YES I'm so excited for all the pics 🤩
Please bring lots of pics to Swipe Up Camp!
Hannah, my middle was an astronaut when she was two and the only costumes were men astronauts with six packs and muscles so we have all these pics of her with abs and biceps. It's a JOY.
Can we please get some pics?!?
This is glorious. 🤣
Yes to all of these things!! And a one year old space birthday sounds darling 😍
YES, I'm pumped for all the fun decor I've found so far!
Mel and I decided that we would be chanting "HIMBO" at the screen whilst watching the Bachelorette this season and snicker at the recaps. Himbo = derpy man, per the youths of Tiktok. please join us in this endeavor.
and i CANNOT wait to see your sweet babe as an astronaut 1 year old!!
THIS IS GOLD. I will be participating wholeheartedly with you and Mel. Cannot WAIT.
I'm already waiting for my husband to be like "are you watching this??"
And then I will turn and begin my chant LOL
😂😂😂😆😆😆
HIMBOOOOO HIMBOOOOO HIMBOOOOO! (boooo= bowwwwww) lol
I cannot wait for HimboFest 2020
BIG YES to being excited about the bachelorette because it brings back more Knox and Jamie! I have been counting down the days!
Yes, girl!!! Grateful for their ministry 😆
I'm so excited. I can share a link to the costume so you can have somewhat of an idea! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A08RPR2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
SO CUTE!
Good lord, that makes my ovaries hurt.
Good morning, Lil Swipes!
Just last week I was just thinking, "man, I'd love to have a retreat with these people." LIL SWIPES CAMP NEEDS TO BE A THING. IN JESUS NAME.
My treasures this week are:
- making my own pizza like Bri McKoy. I bought a pizza stone and everything. It's legit.
- the Peloton app. Because I am not a rich white suburban mom (shout out to all y'all who are tho, keep doin' your thang) I cannot afford the actual Peloton bike, but because gyms are closed-ish and I feel some type of way about working out in a public space in a pandemic (a large room where EVERYONE is breathing heavy, even through masks, gives me the heebie jeebies), I NEED some kind of work out. My mental health and stress management has been off the walls since the pandemic started. I finally decided to explore my options and I found a cheaper spin bike on Facebook Marketplace, drove out to a Chicago suburb to pick it up, and the lady was like "yeah, we did the Peloton hack with this for a couple of months, but we became so obsessed with it that my husband was just like, 'Babe. We're getting the Peloton.'" And if that isn't a romance for the ages, I don't know what is.
So anyway, I now have this bike, a cadence sensor from Amazon, and the app on my iPad and I'm obsessed with Cody's workouts. If any of y'all are Peloton people, please post your usernames in the comments! I'd love to follow more people. Also, please let me know who your favorite instructors are.
- I finished a pretty good mystery novel this week. It's called "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley. If you're a fan of Tana French, this also takes place in Ireland, but I'd say it was a lot more fast-paced than the TF books I've read. I normally don't like books that switch points of views, but this one was actually not confusing to follow at all. Not only does it switch points of view, but it jumps around in points in time, which again: sounds like it would be confusing and frustrating, but I actually found it easy to follow and it added to the suspense of the book. So if you're looking for some escapism into a beautiful island off the coast of Ireland where people are dying, give this one a read.
Ooooh I have been tempted to do a Peloton hack! There was an Echelon bike Walmart was selling for like $500 but it’s been out of stock!
Check Facebook Marketplace! I got my bike and a mat for $300! And it already has a spot for the iPad.
I have deemed Pizza Friday and official thing moving forward because of Bri McKoy and may or may not be contemplating names for the pizza dough that is currently rising on my counter (I blame her for that too).
I really enjoyed "The Guest List" too. Very much a page turner and I appreciated the twisty plot.
I've been naming my doughs too! I can't decide if I want to do Pizza Friday or Pizza Saturday. This week it happened to be Friday.
I figured out who died pretty quickly, but figuring out who did it was another story!
I really very much need to start doing Pizza Fridays but I'm trying to transition into gluten free, dairy free for health reasons and it's hard to make a pizza without flour and cheese. I need to come up with an alternative to Pizza Friday, maybe? Also, are you naming your pizza dough too?
Also, I have been naming my doughs. I apparently can't seem to help it! Today's was Betty.
I have a friend with celiac and she still makes pizza! Gluten free crust is possible! Can't help you with the dairy free, but I'm sure Whole Foods has dairy free stuff or maybe your nearest grocery store.
But do you name your pizza doughs? ;)
I do 😂🤦🏻♀️ When she said that I was like, "huh. That's weird. But you do you, boo." and then I made pizza last week and was like "This one seems like a Dot."
Today's was Betty.
I love it! 😂
The Guest List is on my TBR! I need to request it from the library...
Girl, get on it! My wait list was a mile long and I had to wait a long time to get it. I even kept it for a few days past the due date because I wanted to finish it. There were like 900 people behind me (literally 900. That's Chicago Public Library for ya).
I finished The Guest List this week too! I felt somewhere in the middle about it. Loved the setting but hated all the characters. What a bunch of wankers! 😜
All of the characters sucked, but I think that was kind of the point. I actually felt the warmest toward Hannah though. She was the only decent one and it was obvious because she stuck out like a sore thumb in the midst of all those a-holes.
Yes, she was the only decent one. Def stuck out amidst all the rest of those losers.
I NEED A LIL SWIPES CAMP PLZ
WON'T HE DO LIL SWIPES CAMP (I have a secret dream that we all gather at a PCUSA campground for this, not sure why that specific thing but here we are)
I am a pelofriend! #jilliankmf, add me boo! and i treated myself to the new bike...it arrives in a couple weeks, so we will have to sync up and ride together!
LETS BE BUNK MATES.
And yes! I'm adding you right now! Super jealous that you're getting the new bike!
Happy Friday Lil Swipes!
Yesterday morning I opened my gmail app excited to read Erin’s latest newsletter and it wasn’t there. What? I am on the West Coast so it’s always there waiting for me bright and early. I thought to myself, “That’s weird she wouldn’t leave us hanging this week of all weeks when we need some treasures.” I finally realized that it was only Thursday 🥴🤦🏻♀️. That's my week in a nutshell.
I want to thank Erin and the other peeps who shared yesterday about why they’re voting the way they are. It was so meaningful to hear their honest reflections. Thank you! Also I can’t wait for your latest review of the princess Christmas movie.
Treasures this week included getting up early for a long-ass hike up to Zanja Peak. Hiking has become a lifeline for me, especially this year. I am all about completing those stress cycles thanks to the fabulous book “Burnout” by the Nagoski sisters. Seriously, if you haven’t read it please do. It is such a wellspring of info to help combat *all this*.
When I’m stressed I often find comfort in consuming darker material. I don’t know why🤷🏻♀️-makes me thankful for my life I guess? “Hard but good” is one of my favorite genres. All that to say I really enjoyed the ESPN 30for30 podcast called Heavy Medals. It is a tight seven episode run that follows Bela and Marta Karolyi from Romania through their USA Gymnastics careers. All the top gymnasts were interviewed and it was a very eye-opening, sobering listen.
I also watched Emily in Paris. Was it a scintillating, deep character study with thoughtful dialogue? Hell no. But the clothes were fun, Paris as a backdrop was dreamy, and with our bare TV landscape it was a passable pallet cleanser from the news.
Looking forward to Monday and The Comfortable Words read through. I know I need it!
Your description of Emily in Paris is spot on! I read a review yesterday with the line "Watching Emily in Paris is like drawing a warm bath for my brain cells" and promptly started watching! 😂
Haha! That is a great line.
I now know what I’ll be listening to this weekend. Thank you for the podcast recommendation!
my favorite piece of media to consume is the My Favorite Murder podcast but I was also raised on Law and Order: SVU so darker material is literally my life blood. Also, I'm a 6 and I like knowing every possible outcome.
Yes to true crime! I am not a six but relate to wanting to know all outcomes.
I've been reading darker things as well, and I do think it is a way of processing all the real-life mess going on in the world in some weird way.
I think you are totally right!
You are not alone in wanting something darker when stress pops up. Have you tried Fiona Apple’s music, particularly her first album? It’s a go-to for me when I need to hang in the dark place for a bit.
I haven't, but will def check it out. Thanks!
"But the clothes were fun." A MOOD.
Haha! Big Mood!
I totally binged that 30for30 about the Karolyis it was a HARD listen. That and Athlete A documentary on Netflix. OOF. I also was oddly intrigued by the 30for30 on horseracing.
I just started that one! Their deep dive into Bikram yoga a few seasons ago was really interesting too.
They do a great podcast!
i LOVE hard but good!! will add that podcast as a lifelong gymnastics fan! and would love to see any pics from your hike if you have them!
Oh you will love it then. I could see certain moments in my mind as they talked about them-Kerri's vault etc. My most recent post on IG has a few pix. My handle is @jtillay
It was very interesting to me to understand what their lives were like in communist Romania and how that informed their coaching.
Just opened this email and need to go ahead and say all the YESSES to Swipe Up Camp. Packing my foot locker now
Good morning gang!
This has been a hard fought week. Everyone has had over flowing feelings ever where I look. My own house included, I’ve decided no less than one million times this week that I no longer want to be the mom and or in charge.
But y’all it doesn’t work that way, which sucks! My sister who is a barely functioning addict is getting on my nerves and my mom who is in the throws of grief over her sister is bugging me too. According to them I’m not grieving hard enough. I made a decision to ignore them for now.
My only treasures were a trip to Aldi and Target ( both of these stores are about 35 minutes away so it takes a big of planning) with my bff. Where I spent recklessly and bought a zillion pumpkins for $2.50 each. I have yet to figure out what to do with them all but something will!
I totally hear you on the over flowing feelings front and admit that I have tried multiple times to turn in my ticket to adulthood but no one will take it from me. So adult we must. Which includes setting healthy boundaries and knowing when to use the mute button. [Insert Erin H. Moon Adulting Award Ribbon here]. You are doing a good job at being a mom, being in charge, and grieving in your own way.
God bless the ministry that is Aldi and Target and reckless pumpkin purchasing.
I’d just like to call in sick for a solid month!! 🤎
When I was working in an office, I spent Friday evenings at WalMart or SuperTarget. It was a strange sanctuary in which very few other people were present and I could roam the aisles just looking at things I couldn’t afford. I’m not a good shopper, but the time among the aisles yet without people in my vicinity was truly relaxing. I’d stay until my feet started to hurt. It was the most therapeutic way to cast off the work week and open up the weekend. Granted, I had no one at home to ruin the silence, but those few hours in the stores were a true balm to the spirit.
Boundaries are really important. Good for you for setting and holding them. That's no small feat in the midst of other life stuff. Target helps all the things, though. Keep taking care of yourself.
Erin, good for you choosing to ignore them. You are doing great and grief is a very personal process that other people just should not have opinions on! I'm glad you got a bff shopping trip and I'm curious to find out what will become of all those pumpkins.
Right now the pumpkins are currently out front with our scare crow “Corny B”. The kids have been using them as balls they roll across the yard.
Pumpkin bowling comes to mind. 😮
My nephew and I once did some tomato bowling. It got a little messy after a while... 😳
Hang in there...family can be so challenging. Aldi and Target are always fun to me!
You gotta take care of yourself however you got to. If it's with a zillion pumpkins and shutting negativity out, I support you however you need to do it.
Thank you. The mute button is very healing!
After my dad died, my therapist told me approximately 1 million times that “there’s no right way to grieve.” Whatever you are doing is what you need to be doing for yourself. And everybody else can just get over it!
Right?! They also forget that I still have six kids at home. I have to have grief moments- not long stretches.
Yes!!!
i look forward to your pumpkinscape - please post to IG. and i hate an overflowing week of emotions for the household. you are grieving perfectly, and i'm sorry your fam is shaming you for it.
The pumpkins are a situation!!
"I'm not grieving hard enough" - I screamed at my monitor for you. SCREAMED. Erin. You are amazing. You are amazing every. single. day. I need you to know that.
Thank you!!! I really appreciate it, truly.🤎
Sorry it's been so rough ❤️
The Great British Bake Off has been my hour of complete joy and peace for the past few weeks since it's been back. As it is for so many of us. I know the low-key and polite Britishness of the show calms us all. Then I realised I may be sitting on a goldmine of British shows that most lil' swipes don't know about yet and they could be calming your soul too. So I've written a list.
▪ Great British Sewing Bee
As it says on the tin. Like the bake off but with skirts instead of cakes. Same vibe, very non-competitive, happy to help each other, sewing competition.
▪ The Repair Shop
People bring in their beloved treasures that are worse for wear and a team of amazingly talented restorers bring them back to life. A huge variety of different objects every episode. The one constant, I always cry. Do you feel the need to cry about a jigsaw being repaired? Or maybe boxing gloves? This is your show.
▪ Countdown
A British treasure for nearly 40 years. It's basically just trying to make the longest word you can out of nine letters and the occasional maths game thrown in. Very sedate, but a British staple. So beloved they've actual made a post water-shed edition!
▪ QI
Stands for Quite Interesting. Is actually very interesting. The later seasons are hosted by Sandi Toksvig and Stephen Fry was the original host. Both are excellent. What I fall asleep to. Have an almost pavlovian response to the theme tune now.
▪ Taskmaster
Okay, so this one doesn't quite fit in with all the rest, but Noel Fielding is a contestant for series 4, it you're looking for more of him. It's a comedy game show and there is some adult language, but I enjoy it very much.
▪ Gogglebox
It is literally just people watching TV. I don't know why it's so good, but it is.
▪ Location, Location, Location
Just a property show, but with the beloved Kirstie and Phil.
▪ Grand Designs
Another property show, this time with only Phil. Shows unusual house builds from start to finish.
▪ Celebrity Bake Off
Did you know this was a thing? We have one-off episodes of bake off for charity where the four celebrities compete for just one day. You won't know who nearly any of the celebrities are, but does it matter? It's still more Bake Off. Tan from Queer Eye is in one episode.
QI is one of my all-time favorite shows! Do you listen to No Such Thing As a Fish? Have you watched Junior Bake Off? I love it so much!
Yes to no such thing as a fish but somehow I’ve missed Junior Bake Off. It sounds great. I’m hoping my 3 year old might watch it.
It's lovely, the kids are so kind and sweet to each other!
All of these sound fantastic! I’ve watched Repair Shop but not the others. I can’t wait! (Except where do we watch them?!)
I think some of these are on Amazon Prime? My mom watches a lot of these...
I looked up some and there are similar shows, but not all. And I even wanted to see if I could buy a season from Prime Video -- nope -- then the BBC Viewing app is ONLY in the UK (WUT??!) -- like I want to view these legitimately! LOL Where is the app??!
When I first started reading this list I thought you were suggesting hypothetical shows that would be nice (Sewing Bee), but then I realized THEY'RE REAL (Repair Shop). I want to watch them all!! Do you live in the UK?
Haha! Yes, I’m British. I’m Welsh but I live in Scotland.
I would like to know how to access the sewing bee!! My mom LOVES sewing shows and GBBO, but hates the DRAMA of stuff like Project Runway. She'd flip over a sewing version of GBBO!!
YESSSS SAME HERE! Between PR, that show that *tried* to be a thing on Amazon and the other one on Netflix, they all have a level of cattiness to them that,.... like, no..... so the idea of a genteel sewing show??! Are you kidding me?! Like, I would be ALL over that.
I would watch all of these shows.
Especially the sewing ones. I LOVE ADMIRING PEOPLE'S SEWING
Wait, where can we see this??!?! I want to watch it.
Is it on Acorn? Didn't Big Boo have a sponsor code for that? DO I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE? YESSSSSS
okay
calming down
But .... for real, I want the sewing show in my veins.
I’m afraid I’m British so I just watch it on TV and can’t help there. But it’s a BBC show if that helps. It’s really lovely and my childhood best friend is a model in the most recent series.
I did a hard google search on how I could watch, I can't even buy an app for this? COME ON BBC! TAKE MY AMERICAN MONEY!! King George would want this!!!
WOWOWOW WHAT A TREASURE TROVE. where should Americans like me attempt to watch these?
My greatest treasures this week were the fly on Mike Pence’s head and finishing Ted Lasso. Y’all. Ted Lasso is the best show on tv right now (maybe ever) and will 100% cure what ails you with all *this* going on.
So sad that Ted Lasso is over. Easily the best thing on TV.
looking forward to it after a Knox green light and Jason's interview with Brene Brown this week!
I have only treasures as my rose colored glasses are fixed firmly on my face during what is my first vacation since October 2019...(a moment of silence for 2019...) First of all, huge shout-out to Hannah Myer, yes, our Hannah Myer of the Lil Swipes community, for Best Snail Mail Pen Pal award. I went "dark" for a couple months and she checked in by email to see if I was ok 😭❤️. And she said she'd still be my friend even though I'm voting straight ticket R this year.
Other treasures: Reading Caste and engaging a 2 hour book book discussion with someone who doesn't agree with me politically. It was a gift to talk about these important things and come away still deeply respectful of each other.
And I discovered a beautiful historical fiction novel by the title Code Name: Helene that has been a delight to read on my vacation. (And now I sneak back to Jillian's Til Tok curation to watch them all).
Ooo, I've got Code Name Helene downstairs right now. I'm in the midst of Harry Potter re-reading but since that one's a library book, I might take a break and dive in now that I know it's good.
LIZ. My friend. You are a gem. Glad to have you back. YAY for vacation, YAY for great books! ❤️❤️❤️
as a fellow recipient of snail mail from Hannah this week, CAN CONFIRM. :) I will also still be your friend despite our political differences - thank you for sharing, and so glad to be able to cultivate friends of all walks of life!
Aw, shucks. You guys are the best.
Between allergies, a very hectic work week, and all the other things, my brain feels like mush. Let’s hope I can successfully make it through the work day. But anyways, here we go:
- Mindy Kaling secretly had another baby two months ago and just announced it last night 😳 Also her essay collection that released on amazon this week is fantastic!
- Challenger: the Final Flight on Netflix. As a lifelong NASA/space nerd, anything like this makes me emotional, both the tragic and triumphant. This is an important watch for anyone in a decision-making role in any capacity and a beautiful tribute to those lost as we hear from their loved ones
- I’ve been strictly isolating so that I can safely (and with peace of mind) see my grandparents this weekend for the first time in at least 10 months. I’m very excited!
- The delicate manner of this llama https://www.instagram.com/p/CFutarlpzcB/?igshid=1hruix8dlf5dd
Ok WHAT Mindy Kaling?!? Will definitely check out her essays. You’re the second person to recommend them and I loved her books.
Also fellow NASA/Space Nerd here and I second the Challenger series. It was very well done. I work for the Health & Medical Technical Authority at NASA now, which is one of the organizations that came about after Challenger and Columbia disasters - they need to have an independent Technical Authorities to raise concerns outside of programmatic budget/schedule constrains.
Oh wow! That’s super fascinating and such important work. Any time human lives are involved, you really have to take every precaution and not bend to those constraints
WHAT?! Mindy Kaling has another baby????
I mean... that is a flex. Also does any one else just choose to believe in their heart that BJ Novak is the dad of her daughter, but also feel sad about that?
Major flex. Apparently she was going to announce it at the Met Gala, but when that got canceled, she decided to go the secrecy route!
I so, so respect the privacy to not share that info but 100% believe BJ is the baby daddy.
yep agreed
YES AND YES AND YES. Respect but also WTF (which is what i texted my best friend)
WAIT WHAT?! I MISSED OUT ON KALING BEBE #2?! thank you for this important alert. wishing my dog would take drinking lessons from that cute llama. wishing you the best time with your grandparents!!
Hahaha I’m convinced that: 1. dogs have zero clue how much water is necessary in a single sitting and 2. don’t care how much water ends up anywhere that isn’t the bowl or their stomach in the process of intaking said water
I was watched the challenger disaster happen in real time from my front yard as kid. It was so heart breaking to watch the documentary with their loved ones but so worth it.
On my list to watch. I remember watching my teacher basically crumble trying to determine what to say, do, how to react and how to explain when we all watched it real time in the library at school. That is burned in my memory FOREVER.
Aaaw, the llama!
Have a wonderful time with your grandparents!
Hi! Hello!
Bad Movie Club is coming back, I'm so excited! Also, Erin, you used the word "chortle" and I just learned an hour ago that it is Lewis Carroll's blend of 'chuckle' and 'snort', so I thought I'd share.
My mission this week was to get up earlier in the mornings. I FAILED. I have been ridiculously sleepy all week. Not only have I slept late every morning, I have also been taking 1,5-2 hour naps in the afternoon and nearly fallen asleep with my face in my dinner plate like a toddler. I blame October. 🤷♀️
I did find a few treasures when I managed to stay awake though.😉
Last weekend I made cinnamon rolls. They were delicious and I've been eating them every day.
On Tuesday I got a haircut and I'm loving it!
Dick Johnson is Dead on Netflix. It's either the best or the worst thing to watch a month after your father's Alzheimer's diagnosis but for me, I think it was the best and I will be watching it again to help me process everything. Gosh, I'm crying just thinking about it. 😭
For those of you who enjoyed Noel Fielding as cakes Twitter thread last week, here is the sequel starring Matt Lucas. https://twitter.com/Pandamoanimum/status/1313545100002287617
I love the GBBO Twitter account. https://twitter.com/BritishBakeOff/status/1314494561817890818
Ok, that's it for me this week. Can't wait to read your turds and treasures! ❤
On the sleeping more in October thing - I am convinced it is real thing! I had a week of just constantly being tired and wondering what was wrong. I took a 5 hour nap one day. WHAT! My family was so confused. It’s something in the air.
It must be!
ahahha l love a good etymological lesson. and i love that you went for sleep this week, it was just tough for all! Sura is a whole-a** mood :)
I love her!
Cinnamon rolls ...mmmm....
Good Morning Swipes!!
Back to Florida being hot as balls. Need the humidity to back up! ☀️
🏈 FNL: wrapping up S2: Larrabee is downright rude! Glad Julie stepped up and confessed to Coach that Riggins didn’t do anything unjust. Took you long enough... why does Julie irritate me so? Jason disappears through episodes... where does he go?
☕️ Living for coffee meetings in the park with one of my friends every Friday morning. So nice to put my feet in the grass and share space with a human.
🛎 Sometimes people are only in your life for a short season and that’s ok. It’s ok to let them go, especially if you’re philosophically different from how you “Friend”.
📚The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. This was a 5🌟snot alarm fictional account of the AIDS epidemic in Chicago in the 80s. Started 🏚👻Home Before Dark by Riley Sager and I’m already SUPER creeped out.
That’s all! Hope everyone has a Happy Friday! 🤓😜
I so needed to hear the perspective that some people are only in our lives for a short season and that's okay. I have struggled for years with friendships that felt deep and lifelong for me but in reality were only meant to be seasonal.
“Sometimes people are only in your life for a short season and that’s ok. It’s ok to let them go, especially if you’re philosophically different from how you “Friend”.”—THIS IS SO REAL. It’s taken me a long time to accept and live this. I don’t have to keep building bridges if they keep walking farther away. Just let them walk.
Me too Karen. AND it’s much easier said than done in real life. I’m finally ok with letting them go. 👩🏼🤝👩🏽 It creates space for new friendships. 🤓
I've never seen FNL and I'm loving your recaps but I also don't want to read them because spoilers. 😂
It’s on Hulu! Jump in Rebecka!
I would but I live in Sweden and it's not available anywhere here...
Well dang it! Maybe DVDS are available somehow?
I'll look into it!
girl, i am dying this week, i feel you. and great point about friendship longevity. That truth has made me treasure those who have stuck around even more
FNL season 2 is a wild ride! And yeah, Julie is blargh
I have Home Before Dark on my nightstand! Glad to hear that it’s already intense haha October is spooky read month!
Yes! Almost hard to read before bed. The good news is you can easily read 100 pages in one sitting...
Fellow Space Nerd here - Spot the ISS is so cool! We drag our boys outside whenever there is a good viewing to watch. Taught my Dad about it when we went to visit him at his land out in the country (he gets the BEST views!)
Treasures:
🎧 walking & listening to podcasts as a break from work. This has been amazing for my stress level, and gives my eyes a break from the screen. I shoot for 15 minutes, twice a day.
💇🏻♀️ getting my hair cut and colored today. Letting my color process and reading a book uninterrupted is seriously self care to me!
Also loved all of the #thisiswhy posts yesterday. Helped me put into words how I was feeling and inspired me to consider making a similar post.
Happy Friday, y’all!
I got a haircut yesterday and it was a treasure! First time in over a year!
It’s the best feeling!
Getting my hair did this evening, too! Yay!!!!
Oohh salon time!! Have so much relaxing fun!
Also drop your podcast recommendations! I’ve got 4 hours of driving a head of me this weekend!
Well I am new to their Erin Moon world, so I love Bible Binge (and her Faith Adjacent series!), Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd, Unlocking Us with Brene Brown, Houston We Have a Podcast (space nerds unite!), and The Lazy Genius!
Looks like plenty of good treasures to me! The Tiktok thread is exactly why I love it, and part 6 SENT me. And thank you, Erin, for being part of the group of sharing about your voting platform and important issues yesterday. Well worth the energy, and I hope you feel that way too.
This week was also a doozy for me 😐
💩 a coworker was let go this week and it’s doubled my workload (as well as the rest of my team’s to pick up the slack) so been trying to get my head above water at work. This has meant way more hours spent - praying this is just a season and for the perseverance to get the work done well.
🎶 made this spotify list this week for instant serotonin and motivation. Each song has a memory tied, and listening to it to power through the week has been the comforting familiarity and drive I’ve needed. Have at it, but be warned it is a little wild 😂 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/063Lfg322sVwc8lQDVwkUc?si=RpyFl5xoSmWroXQ0FB8LjA
🎧 Annie F. Down’s podcast ep with Maddie and Tae - what a freaking treasure. I’ve been a fan of Maddie and Tae for a few years, and I loved hearing this convo amongst friends 💕💕 https://www.anniefdowns.com/2020/10/09/episode-250-maddie-and-tae/
👥 My mom and I had a lovely chat this week, talking about some of the things I’ve been wrestling with faith-wise and her college aspirations to politics that I never knew about (a summer internship with the Dept of Education changed her mind 😂). It was good to talk through some of the disenchantment I have because many Christians in my circles growing up approach other people as debate opportunities, not as people worthy of love and care. That has really bothered me, and I’m looking for the right balance of care and “reputation” before we debate - how are we to be believed if we don’t have any actions backing it up?
💃🏼 and now for the main event 😂
After school activities - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJyorNXT/
Welcome to Potatok - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJyoBkXc/
Me furiously grocery shopping to replace the snacks I ate at my friend’s house after dogsitting - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfF6dkG
A moment of calm - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfF7QtF/
A recipe I’ll actually try - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfFgV2V/
The most wonderful watchalong I’ve seen - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJf5bKdJ/
This week’s WAP content - kid misunderstood lyrics - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfGrpo4/
Pick your favorite awkward HP publicity photo - it’s the deep ice skating lunge for me - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfGLT9B/
Someone help me because I cannot stop watching - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfGhW7w/
My kinda lady - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfGNYVq/
Here for this halloween series - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfEjU9A/
A Sound of Music bliss moment - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfELnnK/
Dad pun quota - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfESDx4/
YO IF THIS AIN’T THE WEATHER TRUTH - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfEU2HL/
Ouch, just at me next time for office culture - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfESXcL/
Rating mid-2000s hair products for nostalgia - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfEyWqT/
A British reminder for us all - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJfERBWK/
SO. MUCH. GOODNESS.
Reactions -
* I need a piano to hide under. Like seriously. I don't think it's too much to ask.
* That recipe looks delicious but it also reminds me of all the things I want/need from Trader Joe's and that I do not have the patience or perseverance to survive the never ending, parking garage line that never disappears at ours. I need online options :(
* Searching for that Dolly Parton Prayer Candle NOW!!!! I needs it!!!
* I will now only hear "holes in this house"
*Hammermill & The Jam Session....I. CANNOT.
Sorry about the extra workload. Hoping it levels out for you and your coworkers soon.
*Office Culture YES! Also makes me think of the difference between office phone voice and normal voice.
*Gold stars for the hair product nod to the bump-it!
*I need someone to just play the British reminder for me when I'm cranky.
Ahahaha I am so delighted you loved all these 😂
Laughed out loud at the after school activities, the 2000s hair products, and the British reminder. Oh, AND Harry Potter looking like he's taking a poop on his broom stick. Classic. Also...please take me to the Swiss Alps...like, now?
ahahaha perfect! i too would like to go to the Swiss Alps! We were supposed to see the Austrian Alps this summer, and I have not gotten over it.
I think my new self care is just going to be to play that British Reminder tiktok every day.
i would be lying if i said i only watched that once.
OH my word I took notes
Yes
I grabbed a piece of paper, my sharpie gel pen and took NOTES like the good type A gal I am over these TikToks
because what says more fun like a list?
1. TRL --> Okay so I'm a little older but holy crap that is 1000% accurate. That video and TRL? COME ON!!!! (sings Come onnnnnn like *Nsync, see what I did there?)
2. Potatok -> Do I need to report suggestive material? That is almost SpudHub. ALL PRAISE THE POTATTTTTOOOEEE (said like a hobbit)
3. Piano Pedal POV: Okay that brought back a SUPER specific memory of my grandparents house. They had a piano and my gramma and aunt would play a lot. It was an old piano. It was badly in need of tuning. There were keys that stuck because my demon spawn cousin Brandon stuck coins between the keys like the idiot he has always been -- and one of the pedals sort of had a sticky click that would happen when you used it. So when seeing the pedal POV I am brought back to my aunt Michelle playing Beatles songs on the piano as my grandpa warbled from the kitchen making this shrimp dip she always had in the fridge to eat with chips (most likely in a plastic parkay margarine tub) as that weird click of the pedal would happen.
4. Harvest bowls -- YES. Also take that same recipe, add chicken stock, some kale or spinach and a can of your favorite white bean or chickpea = delightful soup.
5. I CACKLED during the Scooby watchalong. That is so my house.
6. I want to attend Rev. Lizzi's church -- going to google her to see if her place of worship does live streaming. (not kidding)
7. JAM FREE - OMG I love this man and I love Hammermill and wish we could order from them but our office has all sorts of contracts and its stupid
8. THE COWORKER THE COWORKER! Jillian, please see your IG inbox for my immediate reaction. Thank you for the ab workout.
Melissa, as a fellow Type A notetaker, I feel so seen!
I had to take notes! LOL
I was thinking I want to hear Rev. Lizzi preach too!
Here she is!!! --> https://churchofthecrosslaketravis.org/team/lizziemcmanusdial/
Her cats are called Mary Poppins and Burt!!!
OF COURSE THEY ARE SHE IS MY KINDA LADY
that voice memo DELIVERED - thank you for this treasure of all the reactions. i needed this BADLY this week
I know if I go back and watch again, SAME reaction will be had. DY-IIIIING
I mean I LOVE carbs. That tiktok might be too much for me!
Scanning this playlist, and I'm excited! Seems right up my alley. Coming back to TT reactions later!
perfect, i'm glad you share a venn diagram of music loves! can't wait to hear your favorites!
Listening to your delightful Spotify playlist as I alternate between working and scrolling through my Lil' Swipes Neighborhood this morning!
glad you are enjoying! :)
Jillian, I’m so sorry about the workload. Thank you again for posting all of this goodness! I have a minor surgery today.. so all of these tiktoks will be my post-anesthesia recovery treat 😊
Kaillie, thank you for your kind words as always! praying for a quick and successful procedure and complete enjoyment of the treats!
Oooh, so excited to check out your playlist later! I bet it will make the vacuuming I need to do a lot more fun! Loved the TikToks, the last one was a reminder I needed today!
Praying for your work situation.
thank you so much - feeling a little better today, but sure it will continue to be a roller coaster!
When someone creates a Spotify playlist and they share it...it's literally my favorite thing. In high school I use to consider it an HONOR if someone gave me a mix CD. Excited to check yours out :)
AGREED. What do the kids these days do now? I think the permanence of a CD made it that much more exciting. Enjoy this one - i didn't go for any order, so shuffle is your friend!
I think my favorite of the HP photos is the "get off my lawn" pose is Daniel Radcliffe's. 😂 I hope work eases up for you soon!
thank you Amanda, and that get off my lawn pose is ICONIQUE
There aren't many thing I love more than a spotify playlist!!! Thank you!
this one is best enjoyed on shuffle and with an open mind :) happy Friday!
Excellent picks this week, Jillian!
I’ve never watched that scooby doo movie but I now feel like I’ve gotten the gist and never need to. Win!
Why was Daniel Radcliffe so awkwardly slouched??
ahahah thanks Avery! and likewise, i'm not sure I ever watched that Scooby movie, but who needs to now? :) and the wild awkward slouching, hard staring with "wands at the ready", so wild.
Same. Texas Weather will not let the cooler weather stay.
Jean Ralphio 👂🏻👋🏻🎶🎶THE WOOOOOOORST
welcome to my and Britany's life. they ain't kidding, it's 90* today with a real feel of 98*
Love it friend. Your this is why post made me weep yesterday. Me and my 3 girlfriends shared it on our story. Whew. You’re a brave gal. Happy Friday folks!
I've debated about this comment many times, but ultimately landed on the fact that I wanted to participate in the conversations around this neighborhood, and doing so without saying anything about what is going on in my real life felt very disingenuous. I will try not to go on too long, but no promises. So, last week my daughter and I were in a car accident. I am physically fine (just a few bruises and sore muscles), but my daughter suffered a serious head trauma and was life flighted from the scene. She's stable and in ICU, and we are taking things one day at a time. Or at least, I am trying to. Some moments my brain starts spinning. I won't pretend this isn't the hardest thing I have ever done, because it is. But in this darkness, there is also light: 1. Our family and friends and community have SHOWN UP. In dozens of ways. And in a year where I have felt so lonely, this has been extra humbling and remarkable. 2. Living in Houston, she was able to go to one of the best pediatric neuro trauma hospitals in the country. 3. GBBS, The Popcast, audiobooks have been keeping me distracted during moments when I desperately need it. 4. The Comfortable Words. For such a time as this. I KNOW I need it. 5. That Twitter thread about the tree and the ISS was magical!
Ok. That was so long, but I will leave you with a shirt anecdote: a friend i used to work with told me one day about a sermon she heard once where the preacher kept using the phrase "peace and grace" and all she could think of was "peas and gravy." It became our funny-but-kind-of-serious send-off and benediction to each other. So, in that spirit: peas and gravy to everyone.
Amanda I’m praying for complete healing for your daughter and so echo so much of what has been said here we are here for you.
Oh Amanda, I am so sorry. Sending prayers for you and your daughter and the medical professionals entrusted with her care. I'm in the Houston area and I echo the others when I say, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can help.
Oh my gosh, Amanda. We are here for you. Praying for you and for your daughter as you walk through this. Please, as others have said, do not hesitate to let us know how we can help.
Oh Amanda, I’ve had a child life flighted before. The hardest moment of my life. We are all here for you. May Gods grace and peace cover you!! Ask for anything and we’ll do our best to make it happen. 🤎🤎
Oh Amanda. This is so hard. Carrying you and your daughter in my heart and lifting you in prayers. May you feel love from all of us here in this virtual space.
I am so, so sorry about your daughter. I’m glad you shared so we can pray for your family and support you. Please keep us updated.
Amanda, praying for your sweet girl, and for you as well as you process all that occurred! Much peas and gravy and love sent your way. <3
I am so so sorry! Thank you for sharing, though. Praying for you and your girl.
Amanda, sending prayers up right now. I can't imagine.
Sending love. Thank you for letting us know what is going on in your minute by minute life.
Amanda. I am so sorry. I'm praying for you and your daughter right now. I just DMed you on the gram and would love to see how we can support you.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about your accident. Will absolutely be praying for you and your daughter and the Drs and nurses caring for her ❤️
Oh my goodness, prayers for you and your daughter! Please share if there is anything we can do to help, anything! I know the swipes will make it happen
Amanda, I'm so sorry. Praying for you and your daughter, for healing, peace and comfort. Peas and gravy to you. ❤
Peas and gravy be also with you.
Oh, Amanda. I just prayed for healing for your daughter and strength for you and will keep praying.
Oh Amanda. What do YOU need. What can WE do? Please let us know. You know we will all be like Care Bears casting out light to you from all our corners of the world. Please please please know this.
Right now knowing that you all are like Care Bears in my corner is exactly what I need. Thank you.
But truly, if you need *ANYTHING* throw out a flare. I'm serious. Do you like coffee? Is there a restaurant we can gift card you? I am a doer of the things and I want you to know we are here for the helping.
“Your people are out there, even in the dark.” 😭 If that isn’t a fantastic description of the Lil Swipes- I don’t know what is. I’d buy that T-shirt in a heartbeat.
Little Wild Women update. Littlest wild woman has moved on from the oven door ride to two new favs:
1. Stealing my dish towels and hanging them around her neck like she’s a middle age woman who just finished a major jazzercise workout.
2. When she gets really worked up about something, she likes to sit on top of a floor vent behind the couch. You need to put yourself in timeout in a small space with some air blowing on you? Be my guest! Actually a pretty great coping strategy, UNTIL one day when I hear a muffled whining noise. I peek behind the couch to see what’s happening and see... toes just barely sticking out. A smidge later- I see little fingers from underneath the front of the couch. She loves to climb the entire way under the couch, but the way she emerges definitely gives me some flashbacks to labor and delivery 😳😂
Littlest woman also has some BIG feelings and is not the greatest at sleeping (which tends to exacerbate said big feelings). I don’t consider myself to be a very “crunchy” person (on a scale of a flour tortilla to cinnamon twists fresh from the fryer, I’m probably like a cheesy gordita?) but after exhausting every get-your-kid-to-be-a-decent-sleeper tool that I have in my arsenal, I *whispers* bought essential oils. I am NOT a fan of MLMs and the weird voodoo cultish energy around this kind of thing, but I’m desperate to average more than 4-5 hours of sleep a night, so I’m willing to give it a go. I figure worst case scenario, my house just ends up smelling better? Thank you for listening to my confession.
“Your people are out there, even in the dark.” 🥰😍🥰 You are so right, this needs to be on a shirt. Bonus points if it can be on the Camp Lil Swipes shirts when that happens.
I basically cried when I read that part of the tweet. I would also buy that t-shirt in a heartbeat!
Your little wild woman sounds like she could be friends with my little wild woman who takes baby's spit up rags and places them on her chest, saying "so cute. so cute." (shrugs)
Kids are so weird and hilarious 😆
Jacki, this whole comment was a delight. I very much feel that coping strategy in #2 and your crunchy scale :)
Jacki, #2 legit made me laugh out loud! 😂 Best of luck with the sleeping situation!
Cheesy Gordita! 😆😆 Good luck on the sleep front! We are attempting to move our TWO boys out of our room soon (5 y/o barnacle child sleeps on a floor mattress next to my bed and 2 y/o octopus child sleeps in our bed). Sending you good sleep vibes!!
Thank you! I hope your bedroom moves go really well for you! The oldest is and has always been a great sleeper, and the youngest was a great sleeper until literally the night before we were about to move her into the room with her older sister. I’m NOT about to mess with the good thing we have going with oldest’s sleep 😳
Nothing to upset the sleep status quo!!
i feel your scale of crunchy SO hard. love your wild little women, and praying for sleep for all!!
Thank you! (And now I’m also trying to figure out when I can go to TB...)
mmmhmmm - it is time for a baja blast!
Yes! With whatever delicious “food” is in the $5 box
Oh, children and sleep. We’ve been on *A JOURNEY* this year with my formerly great sleeper. Finally, magnesium gummies and the occasional melatonin with necessary have really been helping us. Except I feel like we’ve taken a couple steps back the last couple of weeks, so the bribery to stay in her bed shall commence. Last night was a doozy and I was not the nicest mom when she woke me up *again* after I’d finally just drifted off to sleep. Solitary, sister. May we both get naps today.
Please, Jesus. Let there be naps.
Good luck with the sleep! Desperate times for SURE call for desperate measures.
Thank you for helping me to have grace for myself in trying *just about* anything
Erin, your crest is lovely!!! I need to go back to IG to hear your break down of it. I designed a crest at age 15-16 that was so heavy with symbolism you could clobber someone with it. There were crowns, there was liturgical imagery, there was a full on depiction of my name in pictures (sarah Lindsey means “princess of the linden tree isle” so THERE.) and that tells you the kind of kid I was.
I loved the ISS / tree id’er story. That’s the kind of thing that would happen to my mom and she would be in wonder of the whole thing as well.
TREASURES 🏴☠️⚔️👑
- Im a lefty and the boy is a righty. He sent me this on Instagram Tuesday: “If you date a left handed person as a righty it means you can hold hands together while holdings swords in your dominant hands and fighting off mutual enemies ⚔️ 💛” 🎶so this is love hmmmhmmm so this looveeee🎶
- Related to that, we are nearing the time of year when I said, hmm I think I like that boy and he said hmmm I really should buy that motorcycle so I can get that girl. (Not because he thought the motorcycle would woo me, but because boy logic says if you have the motorcycle before the girl, the girl can’t tell you not to get a motorcycle. Reader. I helped him decide on his motorcycle. I didn’t care.) I’m not saying I’m a person who remembers every little date but I’m totally that girl. It makes me happy to pass road markers in my memory and see how far we’ve come.
- My grandparents are in the state for the first time since my sister got married last year, so I’m taking a weekend trip to Nashville to see them and the rest of my family. I’m excited. Also a little nervous cause it’s politicking season, and I’m the weird progressive/conservative of my fam but yeah.
- ENOLA HOLMES! I had a rough day Wednesday and my sweet friend in Charlotte, NC asked if I wanted to have a virtual movie night to cheer me up. We have sworn to raise our daughters to fight in dresses well, and our Victorian hearts were all a flutter with thats earnest handclasp at the end. What a delightful two hours spent.
— my only TikTok contribution is this delightful human who is making an Aravis from Horse and His Boy cosplay based on historical Turkish fashion. I am in AWE. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJPYRULT/
I love this update. You sound so happy. And as a fellow lefty, I approve of this boy and his memes. ⚔️
As a Lindsay, I always thought my name meaning was so boring, but it pairs nicely with Princess Of!
Ok, the sword quote made me literally LOL because it's SO DORKY and yet SO CUTE.
WE ARE DORKY AND CUTE.
That is a good combination.
Maybe you and the Boy should get a crest with swords and a motorcycle on it. 😉
ooh... not saying I'd monogram linens with that, but..... That would have to go with the "she is clothed in strength and dignity and keeps her sword sharpened" cross stitch sampler he jokingly suggested I make 😂 oh gosh. who let us be in a relationship. 😂
😂😂😂
Grinning.
Sarah, I just love you. The way you tell a tale...
Happy motorcycleversary. I hope you guys go for a lovely fall ride and have a wonderful visit with the grands.
💛 ☺️
oh MY the Narnia cosplay! Loving the anniversary of an auspicious occasion in your relationship, and may we all find our sword fighting partners to be able to raise up a generation of Enola Holmses. have the BEST time with your fam, praying for sweetness and good conversation and fellowship
Enjoy family time! And happy motorcycleversary. I deeply love the image of two people holding hands and sword fighting. *Swoon"
My first date with my husband featured a motorcycle ride, and I have such fond memories of the years we had the bike. I’m really looking forward to when we buy another one someday. Also- I love the sweet glimpses into your relationship with The Boy that you share with us 😊
I knoowww. I cherish that Boy of mine. 💛