Another week down in the strangest year of our lives! I have some delightful treasures for you this newsletter. But before we do that, I have one Q+A that I want to answer. I intended to answer more, but…alas. Time is a flat circle. Q: “Weight gain during this craptastic time. Feels hard, but I don’t want to just ignore it.” — anonymous
I think I've spent enough time lurking around here to have a pretty good idea how things work, so here we go:
I had a pretty intense talking-to from my boss this week, which I 100% deserved but that doesn't keep me from taking it really personally (like I tend to do with all criticism) or replaying the whole thing constantly. I'm not planning on staying at this job too much longer anyway but I need to be able to leave on good terms, so basically I really need to get my ish together. And also to sleep.
I just started Schitts Creek and it is a delight. If the whole show was Stevie and David I wouldn't be sad about it.
I feel confident that there must be at least one other Star Trek fan in this group because I NEED someone to talk about Discovery with. This is easily the best season yet and I can't get over how good it is. Saru and Tilly are the power team 2020 needs.
I am late to the party this week but just read through all the comments. I love this little community!
Quick treasure (OK, in a re-reading it’s not super quick 😳): a little back story here. I started work at a firm in Jan of 2009. At one week shy of being there ten years, I left to take a job that was FOUR MINUTES from my house and that I believed would give me more flexibility and time with my family. After a year and a half at the new job, I got a THIRD call from the old firm asking me to come back but the circumstances had changed and the new job just was not as advertised, so I said yes. At my job I went back to, I am now working for a partner that I really didn’t work with previously (for a lot of weird reasons), and my confidence took a pretty big hit at the “interim” job, so I was unsure if he’d think I did good work and want me to stay. We basically agreed to a part time situation through next spring tax season and then re-evaluate. Since I got back to the old firm in August, I haven’t had a ton of feedback about my performance but have been really happy with how things have gone. I don’t normally work on Friday but today I wanted to run by my office and do a couple of things to set up next week to be a little easier. While I was there my boss gave me both a Christmas bonus and a performance bonus (both unexpected) but more importantly, told me he has been really happy with my work and hopes that we can find a way to keep making it work. This novella doesn’t even begin to cover all the bizarre things that have happened in the last couple of years but today was such a huge relief to me.
Also, I don’t know if we have any others in the group who watch the Voice but if you need to hack your crying, here you go: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UkSBqACFYmM
I just found out this afternoon that my daughter’s school is having only 5th grade go virtual next week due to low attendance - she’s in 2nd, but I am now wondering if they’ll make it to Christmas break in person. Other than that, it’s been a “no news is good news” boring kind of week, which is a weird treasure but I’ll take it.
The real treasure, though, is my 4 year old’s all-out belief in Santa this year. She is Buddy-the-elf levels of fanatic. I helped her write her letter to him & it’s the most hilarious, pure thing and it almost makes up for all the times she’s driven me insane this year.
Also: cinnamon tea with honey & a bit of milk? Delightful. My new afternoon drink. Hope you all have a wonderfully uneventful week!
While sitting in my car waiting for rapid covid test results, I got a venmo notification from the we got you spreadsheet. I freaking love you guys. (btw, I'm negative!)
this week was just a nightmare of 2020 for me personally :| i am looking forward to vegging this weekend and recovering, but without further delay, some Tiktoks for a night cap!
So glad you mentioned Intuitive Eating! I’ve been trying to live as an intuitive eater for awhile now, but even with that history and practice and knowledge, seeing the scale creep up during the pandemic has been tough. The best answer to that is, of course, to throw the scale in the garbage, but I haven’t been that brave yet. It also helps me to remember that any time I consider dieting or talk badly about my body, I’m helping line the pockets of an incredibly harmful and profitable diet industry. Also can’t recommend the book The F*** It Diet enough. It was a game changer for me, and I think I’m in need of a reread.
I am in some weird half-checked out mode lately, so I doubt I will make sense.
Treasures this week: We put lights on the front of our house for the first time, and they're lovely. My preference is white lights, but my husband argued for colored lights for the kids, and he was right.
Rewatching old GBBO with my kids (Mel and Sue! I miss you!) and them enjoying it.
My ulcer is feeling better this week, I say tentatively as I hope it continues. I upped my med to twice a day and am now sleeping lying down every night. I realize how weird that sounds.
Turds: - Apparently, my high-risk brother and SIL are NOT being Covid-careful like they claimed and I'm struggling with it. I want to be all live and let live, but also love them and want them to be okay. It's hard.
- Nervous about my four year old's IEP meeting next week. He's about to turn five, so this is the big one where we discuss kindergarten and whether or not he's ready for it, which is difficult. He's in a special ed pre-K room now where he gets extra help because he has a language delay, and in a normal year, he would go into the mainstream 4K classroom more and more so we would get a better idea of how it will go. But Covid, so. We'll see.
I am currently living with my parents because of some non-covid things that happened (and honestly, thank you Jesus, because I could not have handled my empty one bedroom this past year) and I decided I needed to go all out for some bedroom Christmas decorations. I scoured the hoblob (what my family affectionately calls hobby lobby) and target and came home with an absurd amount of bottle brush trees, pre-lit garland, stocking, etc. and the piece de resistance a Santa cookie jar that I filled with reeces trees. When my niece and nephew are over they come in and look at the lights and ask to take a piece of candy from the Santa and I am the best Aunt ever in their eyes. It's staying up until epiphany at minimum.
I love this. As a person who hasn't always had her own space to decorate fully, I can totally appreciate using what you've got. I applaud all of these choices you've made! :)
So I'm at home. Finished Lincoln's lessons for the day, bought a gift for my nephew, exchanged snapchats with Max and my niece for her 12th birthday...I'm wearing some killer lipstick aaaaand here we go. Time for a list related to this week.
1. Today I got an email, text, and robot VM all about how Covid testing starts at my office next week. It's voluntary in December and will be mandatory 2x a week. It's a lot. Also it's funny how it was communicated to me in my position and how it was framed to those who WFH as someone sent me the message they got. Yeah. I could say more, but. I'll just apply the Thumper/Flower rule to allllll that.
2. Been shipping gifts to family this week. Been repurposing boxes from online purchases annd yes I know that using a Priority Mail box is cheaper, buttttttt I have all this ding dang boxes and I packed them and brought them to work (hey if I'm there, I'm using our office mail room to my advantage). I am impressed out fast they got things out -- but I know I paid a pretty penny to get them out ;)
3. Advent practices have still been a part of my post 9 pm routine. I am loving it. Tsh O, Emily P. Freeman and Kate Bowler are angels that walk among us.
4. I got a box of 6 bottles of wine (Firstleaf) and it is also a part of my post 9 pm routine. A small glass of wine whilst in bed is a dang treat.
5. Making a new activity goal for 2021 using Charity Miles has been set. I plan to "mindfully move" for an hour a day 6 days a week. 312 hours of dedicated movement. Maybe this will be Stupid Walking (lol) or jogging or just dancing around my house. But I'm aiming for that goal of 6 hours a week. This gives me grace and will probably give me the equivalent of 1500 miles or more again.
6. FLYING through the Selena series on Netflix I know the ratings were meh and many have feelings on the "Pro-Abraham" vibe because the family made it/executive produced it and there is a weird Target ad push (also it might be because they have a vinyl exclusive sold only there of one of her albums) -- but I loved the music, I loved the fashion....it was a FAST watch for me.
7. Keeping extra boxes around to use GiveBackBox to pack up gently used books, clothes and toys the kids don't want when I am home more this month.
8. Listening to Greenlights by Mr, Alright Alright Alright Matthew McConaughey -- this audiobook is a riiiiiide. Knox was spot on with his encouraging one to listen to this rather than read it. Fun fact *ding* -- I saw A Time to Kill wayyyyy too many times in the theatre. Sweaty Matthew in a suit. Like. Le Sigh, Le Swoon.
Now this afternoon as I catch up on podcasts, I am diving into the comments.
Oh a shout out to my offer to knit for Swipers on the We Got You spreadsheet. Please know that offer stands forever and I have loved making things for everyone that has asked.
Why were they all so so sweaty in that movie?? I know they had air conditioning and ceiling fans. They were just completely soaked and slippery with sweat.
I just repurposed a box today, and I found great satisfaction in using my geometry and/or Tetris skills in order to fill that sucker in a way where nothing moves (and, therefore, cannot break) and where I fit the maximum into the box I've chosen. It's a weird adult thing, and I'm here for it.
That’s a special skill / my mom is great at this after so many years of moving. I like to just fill in with pillows or towels. Which is like Tetris cheating. Actually Tetris might be more interesting if it had a piece that just morphed....I really was not planning on this going so much into Tetris
Wow, did anyone else feel like this was the week that would never end?! Between getting fingerprints and blood tests for work, and leading a few trainings for some over-energized high schoolers, I feel like I'm barely crossing the finish line. So thankful nothing is really going on this weekend so I can sleep in and just go back and forth from the bed to the couch.
Possible treasure in the making --- I found out this afternoon I got a job interview for next week, and because it's an internal position I have to tell my boss about it...... My boss and I don't have a bad relationship, but I definitely have a hard time connecting with her, so I'm kind of nervous about how that's going to go. But, I'm thankful for the opportunity to interview for something new. And come what may, I know I'm really lucky to be in this situation, so I'm going to try not to fret over it too much.
I hope everyone has a fun, restful weekend, and that each of you get to do something that makes you happy!!!
I’m currently working on a Santa photo set, and often a comment from girls will be “I look fat” when they see their photos. As a fat person, I can say with certainty that these girls are not fat.
Yesterday a girl’s mum replied to her comment about her body with, “I’d kill to have your body!”
Ever hopeful me interjected. “And there are so many things about you that matter more than your weight.”
Then.
THEN.
Mum comments, “and you have DD boobs at twelve. I’d love to have had that.”
And I processed the rest of the sale and felt gross for the rest of the day (also I’d had to rush my dog to the vet that morning and already felt gross because seeing your puppy unable to walk is scary and sad and she should be okay now but UGH.)
Anyway, the point is: quarantine weight is a thing but on the list of things that matter about you, your weight doesn’t even make the top 1000.
Yes to your final statement. It's a hard lesson to learn when we live in a society that makes it a major thing to be worried about all the time. I appreciate you and your words here.
Oh gosh Tamara!! What a gorgeous thing to say!! It needs to be printed on shirts, mugs, wall hangings etc!!!! On the list of things that matter about you your weight doesn’t even make the top 1000!!!! I’m new here and wow what an intro!! Needed to hear that freedom making statement so thanks for sharing!!!
Oh. On the food topic, can I humbly recommend these Christmas cookies? I sent a box to work with my husband and the box came back with a note requesting more, so they’re a winner.
I kind of wanted to yell at her after it. “Ma’am, please stop creating pain for your daughter. She doesn’t need you to add pressure for her to have a perfect body - the world does it enough.”
You guys this week I might have died and the cause of death is my graduate studies. I'm at the very beginning stages of gathering data for my thesis project that will be turned in next May. I'm studying the effects of individualized member care on single female missionaries' feelings of stigmatization in evangelical Christian communities. In case, any of you had forgotten, I am a single female missionary stuck in the States while the globe endures a pandemic. The previous fact makes me incredibly passionate about my research topic, which is good but also really may be too invested in it too, which is not great as a researcher. I've spent the last week designing a quantitative study (which isn't the best way to study this in my opinion) and my weekend will be spent designing a qualitative one (which is more conducive). I described my feelings of weariness, lack of motivation, and focus to my staff on Monday and our senior pastor quickly pinpointed my affliction: senioritis. SO TRUE! But I digress, here's some turds and treasures.
Treasures:
* Thank you for holding my face in your hands and telling me I'm doing the best I can, Erin. I've realized that I cannot touch very many people right now and even if it's virtually and from a stranger on the internet that I feel like I know, it will touch my heart and soul on a deep level.
* My church parents from my home church, not my internship church, came over to my house yesterday. My sister who is not the source of Christmas cheer in our household ordinarily has become very invested in decorating for Christmas and VERY into it, which I am glad for because as the usual source of Christmas cheer but a recent patient afflicted with senioritis I do not have the bandwidth for decorating this year. Anyway, she decided we need to put up outside lights because we live on one of those streets that goes crazy with outside lights, which is a whole other way to become a Grinch at Christmas. Just try driving down one of those streets with no intention of looking at lights, just I don't know wanting to get to your home and the spirit of the Grinch and Scrooge will fill your heart. Sooooo, my church dad has built those white silouhettes of the nativity in the past and I asked him to make one for my newly christened spirit of Christmas sister and her outside light display. They came over yesterday to install it on our lawn and I got to chat with my church mom about all the things while helping my church dad with manual labor, like we always did "before."
* Cherry limeades and Oreo Sonic blasts on the way home from Target Drive Up pick up with my sister and a 90s Pop Amazon music playlist. (by the way, this was the first time I left the house since Sunday)
*Using gift cards from pastor appreciation to buy Christmas gifts
*Did you know Knox and Jamie did a Ted talk? It made me cry when they validated pop culture as a means of connection.
* Ireland is accepting visa applications so I can finally apply for my visa and perhaps start moving forward on this whole being a missionary in Ireland thing.
Turds
* I still have a week of class to go and I do not want to do any of it, no matter how invested and passionate I am about my research topic. I'm tired, I woke up with a huge headache. I want to bake and watch Virgin River and rewatch The Crown and Veronica Mars.
* Stay at home orders were re-instituted/this is what we've been supposed to be doing this whole time/re-mandated etc. in California so it increases my anxiety that I thought I had under control
the first time around.
* Being able to apply for a visa messes with my head in a weird way. I had gotten really used to waiting and delays in this journey towards full-time ministry in Ireland. When I realized I could do something that has forward momentum it threw me and it was jarring to that homeostasis of waiting. Please pray for my tender new confidence in our big big God who will work things out the way He wants to no matter what I do to control freak and perfectionist my way into this. That confidence is really putting a target on my back for the enemy to screw with my head.
I also am so very interested in your research! I used to work for a missions organization (after serving with them for two years), and I got so fired up many times about care for our single missionaries. (Are you a married couple who’s only suggestion for how to make your retreat better was to “have the singles do childcare so we can have another date night” after the staff provided childcare SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE A DATE NIGHT?! Guess what- never sending one single person to serve alongside you!!) Whew. Getting fired up just remembering it 😆🤦🏻♀️ All that to say- I have a number of single female missionary friends if you need additional help 😊
It also makes me real happy to hear a married person advocate for us. I get a false story in my head that all married people are oblivious so thank you.
Absolutely! I served as a single person, and when I was on staff my role was focused on our short-term programs (which was defined as 9months-3 years), so I tended to work more with our single workers. Advocating for and mentoring them on their assignments was the biggest joy of my job.
Thanks Jacki, yes it's exactly stuff like that that I hope my research will bring to light and normalize caring for singles differently. What org did you work for? I'm building a design that will need a larger sample to survey and a smaller sample of that sample to interview. So I would love to connect with your friends. My email is mollymorton321@gmail.com, send them my way and I'll keep an eye out while I write today.
I worked for Eastern Mennonite Missions and served with them (and Rosedale Mennonite Missions) 😊 A few of my contacts are serving in very sensitive locations so I’m not sure if they would be able to complete surveys right now, but I will make sure to mention it to those that I can!
Amanda! I kept forgetting to tell you that I read your book and it was such a delight. Thank you for a wonderful respite of golden years love in the midst of the chaos that is the world right now.
My sister and BIL are also missionaries in limbo. They were supposed to leave around now but now things are just up in the air... I also know a couple single female missionaries if you need to connect with any!
Thanks Lindsey, I was thinking of using this space to recruit from but thought it would sully the pureness of our community with a weird MLM recruitment vibe.
Your research sounds fascinating! My mom is also a single female missionary, so I'm very interested.
Hang in there with your senioritis! You've got this! And I'm glad you're getting your Christmas spirit. You can also do this with your visa application--it will probably take some time anyway, but of course it's normal to feel jittery about it. Especially right now when everything has an extra edge of anxiety to it.
omg that tweet about "passions" . I also do not have passions, just thinks i saw on social media that I think I should try. Is that why i was on ebay late at night searching "beeswax foundation sheets" as a way to make candles without having to buy the kits and do the whole thing? Yes, yes it was. I did not make the purchase yet because I'm skeptical that it would work well. You basically roll the wick up in the beeswax sheet and just end up with a candle.
No news is good news and we made it to Friday in a flash. I have been struggling with the headaches (maybe sinus, maybe stress) and I haven't been posting anything on my foodstagram at all. But yesterday I did make a couple things to photograph. I got another job rejection. My friend asked if it was better to be ghosted or rejected by employers and I can say although both are bad, there is a certain feeling that accompanies a rejection - like: "Oh, yes, we looked at all your statements that we made you right and your resume you spend hours on and feel that it's not even good enough to warrant an interview. good day!"
This week i stayed up late several nights in a row and watched a lot of Hart of Dixie. Sadly, they're removing it from netflix today, so hopefully i can still find it somewhere to watch. I hope to watch some xmas movies, maybe the newest Little Women. Oh, and I am rewatching Downton Abbey, which gives me all the good feels.
I started eating bagged salads from the grocery store and although they are wildly overpriced for what they are (a couple handfuls of lettuce, a tbsp of cheese, and a couple tbsp of something crunchy) it helps because I wouldn't eat meals, I'd just snack on junk food all day because i do not make an effort to nourish myself. And since I feel like shit all the time...just connecting the dots here. Any way I told my sister this and she told me not to eat any lettuce from anywhere right now because of some salmonella outbreak that has caused kidney failure in several people over several states LOL. I'm like, that's just great! But low key, I'm gonna still eat the lettuce! I'll wash it, but I will be eating it. What is it with salmonella and lettuce anyway?? It's a constant threat!
Trying to decide if I should make christmas cookie plates. Time is flying, the kids are always around, there seems to be no time for baking. Motivate me! Please tell me your favorite Christmas cookie! Or favorite cookie...I am a firm believer that any cookie can be a xmas cookie, it's all about the presentation.
Bagged salad kits saved me after my second munchkin was born. But my body doesn't like raw cabbage these days and a lot of them have it so... that's out. But no have developed a love of roasting all the vegetables and them eating that all the time, usually with a big hunk of cheese on the side. Ok, now I hungry.
I’m planning on making a yuuuge batch of Snickerdoodles this weekend and freezing some dough for “Santa’s” cookies in a few weeks. We basically inhale them in fall/ winter because of the perfectly seasonal cinnamon sugar coating.
I have a friend who uses the beeswax sheets to make her advent candles every year and she swears by them! I am tempted but already have candles for this year.
I'm so sorry about the job, Mona. Rejection is always hard. Hugs and hopes that you will find a good fit soon.
Hart of Dixie is one of my faves and I'm so sad to hear it's leaving Netflix! Guess what I'm adding to my Christmas list now... I also probably also need a Downton Abbey rewatch sometime soon. (I was pregnant with my first during season three, which was a SITUATION. Do not recommend.)
Christmas cookie motivation: My favorites are Big, Soft Ginger Cookies and Orange Balls, two family favorites that I try to save for the holidays to keep them special. The ginger cookies are similar to gingerbread but tastier and soft and gooey, and the orange balls are mostly butter, powdered sugar, and ground pecans with orange juice concentrate. While I would not sell out my family for Turkish delight, I absolutely would for orange balls.
Erin, thank you for sharing that about intuitive eating. I immediately placed a hold on that book at the library! I've been feeling down in the dumps about how many lbs I've gained in quarantine (I've been calling it the 2020 Twenty) and how my clothes are uncomfortable and don't fit anymore and this was the reassurance I needed.
Treasures for this week:
- During last week's Sabbath I laid around, played the Harry Potter ambiance video that Bethany shared last week (forgive me if it wasn't you who posted about it!), and read a book. It was delightful. Also, the fireplace videos on Netflix are great. I put it up on the projector and it looked like my wall was burning down, but provided allll the cozy vibes.
- I've been obsessed with this little girl on TikTok who's loves Chopin and wakes up on the daily demanding that her dad put the Chopin record on. She's also demanded brie and a cappuccino. She's officially the boujee-est baby. Did a 2 year old teach me how to properly pronounce Chopin? Yup. And I'm not afraid to admit it. But let me tell you: she's onto something. Chopin is great and SO relaxing. (If I have time later, I'll find the TikTok and post it in the replies)
- Due to my new infatuation with classical music, I placed an order at a local used record/CD store for some classical CDs. Ya girl is going to be blaring Chopin, Debussy, and Bach on her Sabbaths for the foreseeable future.
- The Marco Polo app has single-handedly saved my friendships during the pandemic. After a long day of typing and staring at a screen non-stop the last thing I want to do is type a text, especially because I'm chatty and my texts are novels. Marco Polo has been great because I can just listen to my friends, see their faces, and respond without staring intensely at a screen.
If you are starting a classical music collection, may I suggest Tchaikovsky and Copland? I also like Shostakovich and Dvorak but they are angrier so idk if that's your thang.
My treasure is that I wore new pajamas and slept in clean sheets last night, turned out my light by 8:45 pm, and slept until 6:45 am. One week left in the semester of teaching in person and virtual at the same time = treat yo' self to new jammies and an early bedtime!
My goal for the rest of however long this pandemic lasts is to expand my pj's and loungewear collection. The Target sleepwear aisle has been taking all of my fun money lately.
Yes! This was a waffle knit red and white striped set from Target- my friend called them candy cane PJs. I also recently ordered a long sleeve button-up nightgown from Target.
I think I've spent enough time lurking around here to have a pretty good idea how things work, so here we go:
I had a pretty intense talking-to from my boss this week, which I 100% deserved but that doesn't keep me from taking it really personally (like I tend to do with all criticism) or replaying the whole thing constantly. I'm not planning on staying at this job too much longer anyway but I need to be able to leave on good terms, so basically I really need to get my ish together. And also to sleep.
I just started Schitts Creek and it is a delight. If the whole show was Stevie and David I wouldn't be sad about it.
I feel confident that there must be at least one other Star Trek fan in this group because I NEED someone to talk about Discovery with. This is easily the best season yet and I can't get over how good it is. Saru and Tilly are the power team 2020 needs.
Schitt's Creek is Simply The Best. This comment will make more sense soon. ;-)
I started Schitt's Creek a few weeks ago and I'm so mad at myself for sleeping on it this long. I love it so much!
I am late to the party this week but just read through all the comments. I love this little community!
Quick treasure (OK, in a re-reading it’s not super quick 😳): a little back story here. I started work at a firm in Jan of 2009. At one week shy of being there ten years, I left to take a job that was FOUR MINUTES from my house and that I believed would give me more flexibility and time with my family. After a year and a half at the new job, I got a THIRD call from the old firm asking me to come back but the circumstances had changed and the new job just was not as advertised, so I said yes. At my job I went back to, I am now working for a partner that I really didn’t work with previously (for a lot of weird reasons), and my confidence took a pretty big hit at the “interim” job, so I was unsure if he’d think I did good work and want me to stay. We basically agreed to a part time situation through next spring tax season and then re-evaluate. Since I got back to the old firm in August, I haven’t had a ton of feedback about my performance but have been really happy with how things have gone. I don’t normally work on Friday but today I wanted to run by my office and do a couple of things to set up next week to be a little easier. While I was there my boss gave me both a Christmas bonus and a performance bonus (both unexpected) but more importantly, told me he has been really happy with my work and hopes that we can find a way to keep making it work. This novella doesn’t even begin to cover all the bizarre things that have happened in the last couple of years but today was such a huge relief to me.
Also, I don’t know if we have any others in the group who watch the Voice but if you need to hack your crying, here you go: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UkSBqACFYmM
Hope you all have a relaxing weekend.
That’s so lovely! What a great encouragement from your job.
I just found out this afternoon that my daughter’s school is having only 5th grade go virtual next week due to low attendance - she’s in 2nd, but I am now wondering if they’ll make it to Christmas break in person. Other than that, it’s been a “no news is good news” boring kind of week, which is a weird treasure but I’ll take it.
The real treasure, though, is my 4 year old’s all-out belief in Santa this year. She is Buddy-the-elf levels of fanatic. I helped her write her letter to him & it’s the most hilarious, pure thing and it almost makes up for all the times she’s driven me insane this year.
Also: cinnamon tea with honey & a bit of milk? Delightful. My new afternoon drink. Hope you all have a wonderfully uneventful week!
Yes! No news is good news, and I'm hoping that trend will continue for the rest of the year :)
While sitting in my car waiting for rapid covid test results, I got a venmo notification from the we got you spreadsheet. I freaking love you guys. (btw, I'm negative!)
Hello friends,
this week was just a nightmare of 2020 for me personally :| i am looking forward to vegging this weekend and recovering, but without further delay, some Tiktoks for a night cap!
Free Jazz McDonald’s - Part 1 - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgFEnh/ - Part 2 - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgA34G/
Me this week doing anything non-phone related LOL - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqg6Yqc/
My guy, who gets the rules of Nativity Scenes - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgdfKp/
Bird party - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgMTRN/
Just Me Rod’s Celine Lip Sync - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgdn9H/
Niche choir joke that I needed this week - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgRCrW/
Ouch, close to home and hilarious - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqb7NBH/
A treasure hunt! - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqbWySr/
Phone banking for Georgia runoff (political but hilarious to me) - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqbKxWg/
Dog Facetime - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqbofXy/
Muggles at Hogwarts - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgrdoU/
Billie Eilish Pad Thai - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgNRXC/
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now backup band - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgYdsd/
Toto’s Africa goes punk - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgYdsd/
Signature tap moves - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgYdsd/
How do you spell delicious? https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgYdsd/
The Crown Season 4 in Kardashian quotes - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgYdsd/
The Lorax - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgYdsd/
Jane Boston Tok - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqg4kdt/
Not me seeing this after I made toast two ways unironically - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgVWW3/
This guy calculates heigh: my fave so far - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgVWW3/
Muppets in Les Mis - M Thenardier - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgU8hV/
Bird beats - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgxYcd/
Dad’s stayin' busy - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqggcMB/
...I love this Impossible parody, please proceed with caution - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqg5EM9/
Geese crossing the road - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgfXnL/
Dog beatz - part 1: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgVJeS/ part 2: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgHnne/
And finally, this mashup to all star - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqgkjSD/
(and this honorable mention - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqg9TdD/)
love you swipes mean it.
I rebuke all 2020 nightmares!!! Get away from Jillian!
- McDonald's clarinet was astounding
- How do I find niche orchestra jokes on the Tok?
- I never knew how much I would enjoy recorder harmonization
- I regret to inform you that Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now got linked in the next 5 links :(
- thinly sliced apple with a mandolin has been my snack of choice as of late lol
Ok that Billie eilish pad Thai. People are so creative. I could watch that over and over 😂
And impossible was amazing. As was Georgia phone bank 😂😂😂
Oh my goodness. The backup band. I was not ready for that. What a riot!
I think I could listen to the all star mashup guy sing absolutely anything. His voice is like honey
Me too!
AGREED! He was great!
((hugs))
Thank you friend 💕💕
So glad you mentioned Intuitive Eating! I’ve been trying to live as an intuitive eater for awhile now, but even with that history and practice and knowledge, seeing the scale creep up during the pandemic has been tough. The best answer to that is, of course, to throw the scale in the garbage, but I haven’t been that brave yet. It also helps me to remember that any time I consider dieting or talk badly about my body, I’m helping line the pockets of an incredibly harmful and profitable diet industry. Also can’t recommend the book The F*** It Diet enough. It was a game changer for me, and I think I’m in need of a reread.
Good afternoon, Lil Swipes!
I am in some weird half-checked out mode lately, so I doubt I will make sense.
Treasures this week: We put lights on the front of our house for the first time, and they're lovely. My preference is white lights, but my husband argued for colored lights for the kids, and he was right.
Rewatching old GBBO with my kids (Mel and Sue! I miss you!) and them enjoying it.
My ulcer is feeling better this week, I say tentatively as I hope it continues. I upped my med to twice a day and am now sleeping lying down every night. I realize how weird that sounds.
Turds: - Apparently, my high-risk brother and SIL are NOT being Covid-careful like they claimed and I'm struggling with it. I want to be all live and let live, but also love them and want them to be okay. It's hard.
- Nervous about my four year old's IEP meeting next week. He's about to turn five, so this is the big one where we discuss kindergarten and whether or not he's ready for it, which is difficult. He's in a special ed pre-K room now where he gets extra help because he has a language delay, and in a normal year, he would go into the mainstream 4K classroom more and more so we would get a better idea of how it will go. But Covid, so. We'll see.
I hope you all have wonderful weekends!
Prayers for the IEP meeting!
Thank you!
I am currently living with my parents because of some non-covid things that happened (and honestly, thank you Jesus, because I could not have handled my empty one bedroom this past year) and I decided I needed to go all out for some bedroom Christmas decorations. I scoured the hoblob (what my family affectionately calls hobby lobby) and target and came home with an absurd amount of bottle brush trees, pre-lit garland, stocking, etc. and the piece de resistance a Santa cookie jar that I filled with reeces trees. When my niece and nephew are over they come in and look at the lights and ask to take a piece of candy from the Santa and I am the best Aunt ever in their eyes. It's staying up until epiphany at minimum.
I am also fond of the hoblob! 😂
This is Auntie magic!
You do sound like the best Aunt and filling a cookie jar with Reece’s trees is a revelation.
I love this. As a person who hasn't always had her own space to decorate fully, I can totally appreciate using what you've got. I applaud all of these choices you've made! :)
I love it all (including the Hoblob nickname) Sounds magical.
That sounds fantastic!
Hey gang heyyyy!
So I'm at home. Finished Lincoln's lessons for the day, bought a gift for my nephew, exchanged snapchats with Max and my niece for her 12th birthday...I'm wearing some killer lipstick aaaaand here we go. Time for a list related to this week.
1. Today I got an email, text, and robot VM all about how Covid testing starts at my office next week. It's voluntary in December and will be mandatory 2x a week. It's a lot. Also it's funny how it was communicated to me in my position and how it was framed to those who WFH as someone sent me the message they got. Yeah. I could say more, but. I'll just apply the Thumper/Flower rule to allllll that.
2. Been shipping gifts to family this week. Been repurposing boxes from online purchases annd yes I know that using a Priority Mail box is cheaper, buttttttt I have all this ding dang boxes and I packed them and brought them to work (hey if I'm there, I'm using our office mail room to my advantage). I am impressed out fast they got things out -- but I know I paid a pretty penny to get them out ;)
3. Advent practices have still been a part of my post 9 pm routine. I am loving it. Tsh O, Emily P. Freeman and Kate Bowler are angels that walk among us.
4. I got a box of 6 bottles of wine (Firstleaf) and it is also a part of my post 9 pm routine. A small glass of wine whilst in bed is a dang treat.
5. Making a new activity goal for 2021 using Charity Miles has been set. I plan to "mindfully move" for an hour a day 6 days a week. 312 hours of dedicated movement. Maybe this will be Stupid Walking (lol) or jogging or just dancing around my house. But I'm aiming for that goal of 6 hours a week. This gives me grace and will probably give me the equivalent of 1500 miles or more again.
6. FLYING through the Selena series on Netflix I know the ratings were meh and many have feelings on the "Pro-Abraham" vibe because the family made it/executive produced it and there is a weird Target ad push (also it might be because they have a vinyl exclusive sold only there of one of her albums) -- but I loved the music, I loved the fashion....it was a FAST watch for me.
7. Keeping extra boxes around to use GiveBackBox to pack up gently used books, clothes and toys the kids don't want when I am home more this month.
8. Listening to Greenlights by Mr, Alright Alright Alright Matthew McConaughey -- this audiobook is a riiiiiide. Knox was spot on with his encouraging one to listen to this rather than read it. Fun fact *ding* -- I saw A Time to Kill wayyyyy too many times in the theatre. Sweaty Matthew in a suit. Like. Le Sigh, Le Swoon.
Now this afternoon as I catch up on podcasts, I am diving into the comments.
Oh a shout out to my offer to knit for Swipers on the We Got You spreadsheet. Please know that offer stands forever and I have loved making things for everyone that has asked.
Be well everyone!
Mel
Why were they all so so sweaty in that movie?? I know they had air conditioning and ceiling fans. They were just completely soaked and slippery with sweat.
I just repurposed a box today, and I found great satisfaction in using my geometry and/or Tetris skills in order to fill that sucker in a way where nothing moves (and, therefore, cannot break) and where I fit the maximum into the box I've chosen. It's a weird adult thing, and I'm here for it.
That’s a special skill / my mom is great at this after so many years of moving. I like to just fill in with pillows or towels. Which is like Tetris cheating. Actually Tetris might be more interesting if it had a piece that just morphed....I really was not planning on this going so much into Tetris
I love your Charity Miles goal! Sounds smart and therapeutic and all around great.
I really need to add that audiobook to my hold list at the library.
It is an adventuuuuure! It's also not safe for listening around Jamie's Mom ;) Pop the earbuds in.
Wow, did anyone else feel like this was the week that would never end?! Between getting fingerprints and blood tests for work, and leading a few trainings for some over-energized high schoolers, I feel like I'm barely crossing the finish line. So thankful nothing is really going on this weekend so I can sleep in and just go back and forth from the bed to the couch.
Possible treasure in the making --- I found out this afternoon I got a job interview for next week, and because it's an internal position I have to tell my boss about it...... My boss and I don't have a bad relationship, but I definitely have a hard time connecting with her, so I'm kind of nervous about how that's going to go. But, I'm thankful for the opportunity to interview for something new. And come what may, I know I'm really lucky to be in this situation, so I'm going to try not to fret over it too much.
I hope everyone has a fun, restful weekend, and that each of you get to do something that makes you happy!!!
Good luck with the interview (and telling your boss)!
Good luck on your interview! That situation with your boss would make me nervous, too, but you've got this. :)
This week was truly 2 weeks in one. Enjoy a restful weekend!
I’m currently working on a Santa photo set, and often a comment from girls will be “I look fat” when they see their photos. As a fat person, I can say with certainty that these girls are not fat.
Yesterday a girl’s mum replied to her comment about her body with, “I’d kill to have your body!”
Ever hopeful me interjected. “And there are so many things about you that matter more than your weight.”
Then.
THEN.
Mum comments, “and you have DD boobs at twelve. I’d love to have had that.”
And I processed the rest of the sale and felt gross for the rest of the day (also I’d had to rush my dog to the vet that morning and already felt gross because seeing your puppy unable to walk is scary and sad and she should be okay now but UGH.)
Anyway, the point is: quarantine weight is a thing but on the list of things that matter about you, your weight doesn’t even make the top 1000.
Ack ack ack that mom’s response. Breaks my heart. Good on you for speaking truth!
Ugh. What a disappointing interaction. I hope your dog is doing ok so
Yes to your final statement. It's a hard lesson to learn when we live in a society that makes it a major thing to be worried about all the time. I appreciate you and your words here.
Oh gosh Tamara!! What a gorgeous thing to say!! It needs to be printed on shirts, mugs, wall hangings etc!!!! On the list of things that matter about you your weight doesn’t even make the top 1000!!!! I’m new here and wow what an intro!! Needed to hear that freedom making statement so thanks for sharing!!!
Aw, I’m so glad. I truly mean it - for the amount of time we spend obsessing over our weight, you’d think it was the most important. But it isn’t.
Welcome, new friend!
Pull up a cookie and a cup of your preferred drink. You’re welcome here.
Oh. On the food topic, can I humbly recommend these Christmas cookies? I sent a box to work with my husband and the box came back with a note requesting more, so they’re a winner.
https://www.recipetineats.com/christmas-cookies-vanilla-biscuits/
Way to go you for responding to that mom! But ugh her response in return...
I kind of wanted to yell at her after it. “Ma’am, please stop creating pain for your daughter. She doesn’t need you to add pressure for her to have a perfect body - the world does it enough.”
You guys this week I might have died and the cause of death is my graduate studies. I'm at the very beginning stages of gathering data for my thesis project that will be turned in next May. I'm studying the effects of individualized member care on single female missionaries' feelings of stigmatization in evangelical Christian communities. In case, any of you had forgotten, I am a single female missionary stuck in the States while the globe endures a pandemic. The previous fact makes me incredibly passionate about my research topic, which is good but also really may be too invested in it too, which is not great as a researcher. I've spent the last week designing a quantitative study (which isn't the best way to study this in my opinion) and my weekend will be spent designing a qualitative one (which is more conducive). I described my feelings of weariness, lack of motivation, and focus to my staff on Monday and our senior pastor quickly pinpointed my affliction: senioritis. SO TRUE! But I digress, here's some turds and treasures.
Treasures:
* Thank you for holding my face in your hands and telling me I'm doing the best I can, Erin. I've realized that I cannot touch very many people right now and even if it's virtually and from a stranger on the internet that I feel like I know, it will touch my heart and soul on a deep level.
* My church parents from my home church, not my internship church, came over to my house yesterday. My sister who is not the source of Christmas cheer in our household ordinarily has become very invested in decorating for Christmas and VERY into it, which I am glad for because as the usual source of Christmas cheer but a recent patient afflicted with senioritis I do not have the bandwidth for decorating this year. Anyway, she decided we need to put up outside lights because we live on one of those streets that goes crazy with outside lights, which is a whole other way to become a Grinch at Christmas. Just try driving down one of those streets with no intention of looking at lights, just I don't know wanting to get to your home and the spirit of the Grinch and Scrooge will fill your heart. Sooooo, my church dad has built those white silouhettes of the nativity in the past and I asked him to make one for my newly christened spirit of Christmas sister and her outside light display. They came over yesterday to install it on our lawn and I got to chat with my church mom about all the things while helping my church dad with manual labor, like we always did "before."
* Cherry limeades and Oreo Sonic blasts on the way home from Target Drive Up pick up with my sister and a 90s Pop Amazon music playlist. (by the way, this was the first time I left the house since Sunday)
*Using gift cards from pastor appreciation to buy Christmas gifts
*Did you know Knox and Jamie did a Ted talk? It made me cry when they validated pop culture as a means of connection.
https://youtu.be/B8900xMZ4Mw
* Ireland is accepting visa applications so I can finally apply for my visa and perhaps start moving forward on this whole being a missionary in Ireland thing.
Turds
* I still have a week of class to go and I do not want to do any of it, no matter how invested and passionate I am about my research topic. I'm tired, I woke up with a huge headache. I want to bake and watch Virgin River and rewatch The Crown and Veronica Mars.
* Stay at home orders were re-instituted/this is what we've been supposed to be doing this whole time/re-mandated etc. in California so it increases my anxiety that I thought I had under control
the first time around.
* Being able to apply for a visa messes with my head in a weird way. I had gotten really used to waiting and delays in this journey towards full-time ministry in Ireland. When I realized I could do something that has forward momentum it threw me and it was jarring to that homeostasis of waiting. Please pray for my tender new confidence in our big big God who will work things out the way He wants to no matter what I do to control freak and perfectionist my way into this. That confidence is really putting a target on my back for the enemy to screw with my head.
I also am so very interested in your research! I used to work for a missions organization (after serving with them for two years), and I got so fired up many times about care for our single missionaries. (Are you a married couple who’s only suggestion for how to make your retreat better was to “have the singles do childcare so we can have another date night” after the staff provided childcare SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE A DATE NIGHT?! Guess what- never sending one single person to serve alongside you!!) Whew. Getting fired up just remembering it 😆🤦🏻♀️ All that to say- I have a number of single female missionary friends if you need additional help 😊
It also makes me real happy to hear a married person advocate for us. I get a false story in my head that all married people are oblivious so thank you.
Absolutely! I served as a single person, and when I was on staff my role was focused on our short-term programs (which was defined as 9months-3 years), so I tended to work more with our single workers. Advocating for and mentoring them on their assignments was the biggest joy of my job.
Thanks Jacki, yes it's exactly stuff like that that I hope my research will bring to light and normalize caring for singles differently. What org did you work for? I'm building a design that will need a larger sample to survey and a smaller sample of that sample to interview. So I would love to connect with your friends. My email is mollymorton321@gmail.com, send them my way and I'll keep an eye out while I write today.
I worked for Eastern Mennonite Missions and served with them (and Rosedale Mennonite Missions) 😊 A few of my contacts are serving in very sensitive locations so I’m not sure if they would be able to complete surveys right now, but I will make sure to mention it to those that I can!
Hang in there! You can do it! I'm glad you got to see your church mom and dad too.
Amanda! I kept forgetting to tell you that I read your book and it was such a delight. Thank you for a wonderful respite of golden years love in the midst of the chaos that is the world right now.
Aww, thank you! I love hearing when people like it!
My sister and BIL are also missionaries in limbo. They were supposed to leave around now but now things are just up in the air... I also know a couple single female missionaries if you need to connect with any!
Thanks Lindsey, I was thinking of using this space to recruit from but thought it would sully the pureness of our community with a weird MLM recruitment vibe.
Your research sounds fascinating! My mom is also a single female missionary, so I'm very interested.
Hang in there with your senioritis! You've got this! And I'm glad you're getting your Christmas spirit. You can also do this with your visa application--it will probably take some time anyway, but of course it's normal to feel jittery about it. Especially right now when everything has an extra edge of anxiety to it.
I would love to chat with her if she's open to it. Thanks for validating my senioritis and my jittery-ness.
If you email me at riversong83@gmail.com, I’ll see if I can hook you up.
praying for you to trust as you move forward!
omg that tweet about "passions" . I also do not have passions, just thinks i saw on social media that I think I should try. Is that why i was on ebay late at night searching "beeswax foundation sheets" as a way to make candles without having to buy the kits and do the whole thing? Yes, yes it was. I did not make the purchase yet because I'm skeptical that it would work well. You basically roll the wick up in the beeswax sheet and just end up with a candle.
No news is good news and we made it to Friday in a flash. I have been struggling with the headaches (maybe sinus, maybe stress) and I haven't been posting anything on my foodstagram at all. But yesterday I did make a couple things to photograph. I got another job rejection. My friend asked if it was better to be ghosted or rejected by employers and I can say although both are bad, there is a certain feeling that accompanies a rejection - like: "Oh, yes, we looked at all your statements that we made you right and your resume you spend hours on and feel that it's not even good enough to warrant an interview. good day!"
This week i stayed up late several nights in a row and watched a lot of Hart of Dixie. Sadly, they're removing it from netflix today, so hopefully i can still find it somewhere to watch. I hope to watch some xmas movies, maybe the newest Little Women. Oh, and I am rewatching Downton Abbey, which gives me all the good feels.
I started eating bagged salads from the grocery store and although they are wildly overpriced for what they are (a couple handfuls of lettuce, a tbsp of cheese, and a couple tbsp of something crunchy) it helps because I wouldn't eat meals, I'd just snack on junk food all day because i do not make an effort to nourish myself. And since I feel like shit all the time...just connecting the dots here. Any way I told my sister this and she told me not to eat any lettuce from anywhere right now because of some salmonella outbreak that has caused kidney failure in several people over several states LOL. I'm like, that's just great! But low key, I'm gonna still eat the lettuce! I'll wash it, but I will be eating it. What is it with salmonella and lettuce anyway?? It's a constant threat!
Trying to decide if I should make christmas cookie plates. Time is flying, the kids are always around, there seems to be no time for baking. Motivate me! Please tell me your favorite Christmas cookie! Or favorite cookie...I am a firm believer that any cookie can be a xmas cookie, it's all about the presentation.
Enjoy your weekend Swipes fam!
Bagged salad kits saved me after my second munchkin was born. But my body doesn't like raw cabbage these days and a lot of them have it so... that's out. But no have developed a love of roasting all the vegetables and them eating that all the time, usually with a big hunk of cheese on the side. Ok, now I hungry.
I’m planning on making a yuuuge batch of Snickerdoodles this weekend and freezing some dough for “Santa’s” cookies in a few weeks. We basically inhale them in fall/ winter because of the perfectly seasonal cinnamon sugar coating.
I have a friend who uses the beeswax sheets to make her advent candles every year and she swears by them! I am tempted but already have candles for this year.
I'm so sorry about the job, Mona. Rejection is always hard. Hugs and hopes that you will find a good fit soon.
Hart of Dixie is one of my faves and I'm so sad to hear it's leaving Netflix! Guess what I'm adding to my Christmas list now... I also probably also need a Downton Abbey rewatch sometime soon. (I was pregnant with my first during season three, which was a SITUATION. Do not recommend.)
Christmas cookie motivation: My favorites are Big, Soft Ginger Cookies and Orange Balls, two family favorites that I try to save for the holidays to keep them special. The ginger cookies are similar to gingerbread but tastier and soft and gooey, and the orange balls are mostly butter, powdered sugar, and ground pecans with orange juice concentrate. While I would not sell out my family for Turkish delight, I absolutely would for orange balls.
Ugh so many typos. I swear i can spell the word write
Only this newsletter could make me laugh out loud on this dumpster fire of a day. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Erin, thank you for sharing that about intuitive eating. I immediately placed a hold on that book at the library! I've been feeling down in the dumps about how many lbs I've gained in quarantine (I've been calling it the 2020 Twenty) and how my clothes are uncomfortable and don't fit anymore and this was the reassurance I needed.
Treasures for this week:
- During last week's Sabbath I laid around, played the Harry Potter ambiance video that Bethany shared last week (forgive me if it wasn't you who posted about it!), and read a book. It was delightful. Also, the fireplace videos on Netflix are great. I put it up on the projector and it looked like my wall was burning down, but provided allll the cozy vibes.
- I've been obsessed with this little girl on TikTok who's loves Chopin and wakes up on the daily demanding that her dad put the Chopin record on. She's also demanded brie and a cappuccino. She's officially the boujee-est baby. Did a 2 year old teach me how to properly pronounce Chopin? Yup. And I'm not afraid to admit it. But let me tell you: she's onto something. Chopin is great and SO relaxing. (If I have time later, I'll find the TikTok and post it in the replies)
- Due to my new infatuation with classical music, I placed an order at a local used record/CD store for some classical CDs. Ya girl is going to be blaring Chopin, Debussy, and Bach on her Sabbaths for the foreseeable future.
- The Marco Polo app has single-handedly saved my friendships during the pandemic. After a long day of typing and staring at a screen non-stop the last thing I want to do is type a text, especially because I'm chatty and my texts are novels. Marco Polo has been great because I can just listen to my friends, see their faces, and respond without staring intensely at a screen.
I love Chopin. That baby is class.
Ok, now I want to rediscover classical music too! Megan, you are an influencer. 🙂
Doooo ittttttt! In a year when I just want everyone to SHUT UP, listening to music without lyrics is so nice.
Yes, I think that's it.. NO WORDS.
I'm also a huge fan of lo-fi hip hop, which also doesn't have words. But listening to classical music makes me feel like I'm in a Jane Austen movie.
Well now I feel like I need to listen to classical music. I've always wanted to get into it!
Highly recommend! I'm sure spotify has some dope classical playlists. I haven't even delved into the world of playlists yet.
Marco Polo is the BEST. I love it so dearly. But I refuse to get Plus 😂😅
I'm definitely too cheap to get Plus. Why would I pay for it when the free version does everything I need it to?!
If you are starting a classical music collection, may I suggest Tchaikovsky and Copland? I also like Shostakovich and Dvorak but they are angrier so idk if that's your thang.
Thanks! I'll check them out!
Also, I'm an enneagram 8. Anger is definitely my thing. 😂
Ooh, then def listen to them!
My treasure is that I wore new pajamas and slept in clean sheets last night, turned out my light by 8:45 pm, and slept until 6:45 am. One week left in the semester of teaching in person and virtual at the same time = treat yo' self to new jammies and an early bedtime!
Heaven!
heaven!!
My goal for the rest of however long this pandemic lasts is to expand my pj's and loungewear collection. The Target sleepwear aisle has been taking all of my fun money lately.
Yes! This was a waffle knit red and white striped set from Target- my friend called them candy cane PJs. I also recently ordered a long sleeve button-up nightgown from Target.
I now have two pairs of these pajama pants and they are BUTTER. I have a nightgown from the Beautifully Soft line as well and it's just soooo good. https://www.target.com/p/women-s-beautifully-soft-pajama-pants-stars-above-8482-gray-xxl/-/A-54178306
Gosh that is the BEST feeling. New sheets and new pjs!? So good.