Me too! I can have general interaction on several popular shows but I’m *out* if you deep dive on Game of Thrones, Ted Lasso, Only Murders (maybe one day), The Walking Dead (from Negan onward), B99, or generally any comedy of the past 30 years. LOL But I’m THERE if you wanna talk about Marvel, Galactica, Billions (pre-last season), or CBS crime procedurals. 😂
Lucy Crabtree's tweet made me cackle. Dealing with a pain flare (I know hormones are a necessity of life, but this whole cyclical living in a world that prefers straight lines... isn't my favorite) right now and I resonate deeply with I already know the score.
We just got notice we've got 30 days (well, now 28) to vacate our living situation. I knew it was coming, the husband convinced me to be in denial, and the thing I'm learning about the both of us is that he needs approximately 30 minutes to switch from denial mode to 'okay, let's move' and I take a wee bit longer than that WHICH IS WHY I DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN DENIAL IN THE FIRST PLACE
I love how you talked about the surprising healing journey. How it feels so long when suddenly, “Hey, wow, is that…progress??” I’ve felt that acutely in my own life, especially these past few weeks. I think my Zoloft is finally working. I can actually get off my couch and do my dishes or get the groceries or even journal. It’s been magical. And the slow growth is showing in more tangible ways. I finally have a solid baby bump and last night I felt my little girl moving and kicking for the first time.
After 3 solid years of grief and depression and shit, it’s nice to find myself with my head above the water for once ♥️
Every single one of those tweets filled my soul. So good this week! I have also been listening to the new 10 minute version of All Too Well on repeat, with the occasional sprinkling of the new vault track featuring Phoebe Bridgers who is one of my top 5 favorite musicians ever.
This week has been... full of unexpected things. I'm a children's librarian and my manager is resigning at the end of the year. My regional children's director is leaving at the end of the month. I got an offer for more hours at my part time job that I love (childcare at a private weekday preschool) and I absolutely did not think I would even consider it. I've been in libraries for 10 years, 5 of those as full time in my current job. I'm in library school (master's) and I thought it was where I wanted to stay forever. And I don't think I want to leave forever but the past 18 months or so here have been so hard and I'm so tired. So burned out. There are a lot of logistics to leaving, mainly that this new option is only 16 hours a week and not salaried. I'd have plenty of time to pick up hours babysitting or with a part time job somewhere else. I have to make a decision quick and my gut says to go into the somewhat unknown.
I had an intake appointment with a new office and have ADHD and anxiety evaluations scheduled for next month but I'm still waiting to hear how much that will be and I'm a little worried considering the intake alone was $150 after insurance.
It's been a long week but I'm excited to go home and crawl into bed with a book and then sleep in tomorrow (if my body will let me)!
What a decision! After so many years of overthinking and questioning and pushing back against my gut, I would personally say to go with it if you can. But sending you many good thoughts about decisions and feeling confident in them!
Happy Friday everyone! Maybe later today I'll break out some wine, hide in my room, & read through the comments. The kids had off school yesterday and today for conferences, & I feel like it's been 1,000 years. Why are they so hell-bent on making what could have been two very nice days so unpleasant (asked facetiously)? That's all I've got today, other than I feel that if we only had to dress from the waist up, and made a social contract that sweatpants & leggings were 100% socially acceptable for all situations, including work, the world would be a better place.
Oh, I heaved a heavy sigh when I read Erin's comment about feeling like we're getting back to "normal". I love that for all of you "normal folks", but for those of us out there in the immunosuppressed community, we have a lot longer of a wait until we can even see what "normal" looks like again. Oh, I envy people who feel like they're back to normal. I'm in community with lots of unvaxxed peeps, (I love them, it's their choice, and...) and until we move closer to something resembling herd immunity, I'm stuck here in 2020. I got so sad when I saw photos of friends at Disneyland. Christmas at the land is my absolute favorite (I'm an 8 year old girl in my head...), and my medical team told all of us not to even think about Disneyland for at least another year... Three jabs in and hoping that I'll register a little antibody response this time!
On the positive side, I get so see some friends I haven't seen in forever (outdoors and distanced) and that brings my heart so much joy! I am an introvert, so I didn't think the lack of socialization bothered me much, but I've realized how much I need to see people.
Our little nonprofit got to see another transplant patient go home just in time for Thanksgiving and that brings my heart joy! We've got another in post transplant housing and she's hoping to be discharged to her home before Thanksgiving too! Treasures all around!
All the prayers requested for our third patient who received his new heart and is having pretty serious complications. Praying for full healing for him and peace for his family in the midst of this storm.
You all are lifegiving community and I so appreciate all of you - more than you know!
I think so much of my anger and exhaustion at people right now is because of that disregard you mentioned. When did society decide we don’t protect those who are struggling and not able to “move forward”? I remember hearing statements in the beginning that we were probably looking at 4-5 years of the pandemic before we could see anything “normal” again, so that’s what I settled into. I appreciate the quick vaccine *so much* but constantly remind myself that we’re still at the beginning of this season. I hate that more people don’t look around to see that things are not *over*. We’re not okay till EVERYONE is okay.
Holding you and others like you very close to my heart, Denise. Thank you for reminding us to see each other.
Hi Jules - I feel ya! I get that everyone is so tired of all of this and just want it to be over. And if you're "healthy" and vaxxed, and so is your community, then it feels like it too. Everywhere you go, and everyone you see is largely back to something that looks more normal. Travel, movies, theater, all of it. All it takes is to venture out of your healthy bubble and befriend one person in the immunocompromised community to learn that your reality isn't everyone's reality. Thank you so much for your kind words...
Denise, this is all so hard. I've got 3 kids 5 and under, and we aren't near any family or friends, so this whole ordeal has been more than a little isolating. We are beyond excited to have one more member of our family vaccinated (my 5 year old CANNOT WAIT to get his shot in a week), but I can imagine it's still incredibly challenging to feel stuck. So glad your nonprofit is doing well and thriving. Lots of prayers and good thoughts coming your way!
I relate to your comment so much. Having a baby and a under five-year-old old Pandemic is not over in our household. Very hard to continue being safe when we’re so tired. But I know it’s worth it.
So tired...and with two little ones. I feel ya, friend. Sending a hug and solidarity. Just like my volunteer tomato plant that is still struggling on, and thriving while it grows through the rocks, we too will thrive through the struggle. Or at least try to...
I'm a public health professor and it feels like we've spent the past 18 months standing on the beach staring at tidal wave after tidal wave and yelling at folks to move to higher ground. It's exhausting and the process of navigating what comes next and moving back out into the world is so fraught. This introvert who is starting to miss people too is sending solidarity right back to you. <3
Anne - thank you so much for what you are doing! A Public Health Professor - wow! You are doing the work of champions, friend and I appreciate all that you are going through as we navigate what comes next...
Hi Rebecka! Thankful for your comment and kind words! Coming to a peace with others choices and my immunosuppressed life has been an adventure in prayer for sure.
As a chronically ill person, I resonated so much with your post. There is so much that is tricky to navigate at the moment but I just love the expression "an adventure in prayer" and I am going to hold on to it. Thank you, Denise!
I'm so sorry, Denise. I did not mean to make you sigh a heavy sigh. I know so many people are experiencing what you're experiencing, and I am so sorry not to honor that.
Oh gosh, Erin, no need to apologize - you are totally allowed to feel all the feelings. If there's anything I've learned in this adventure of heart transplant, is that we're allowed to feel what we feel based on our own dang reality. For most of the world, life is inching towards whatever normal looks like. Heck, my pastor preaches about coming out of Covid and it's so dang tone deaf...and yes, we've talked...
You're inching towards normal and that makes me happy! Feel the feelings! I'm here feeling mine, but not letting them own me. Love you and all of your words!
Last weekend I helped out with a spay/neuter event and it was fun and back-breaking and I may never do surgery on a non-adjustable table again. I spent the entire next day in recovery mode and so treated myself to Angela Lansbury's excercise tape (as featured on Maintenance Phase, https://youtu.be/lE7icznIxLc).
I kind of have a job? I'll be starting very part-time with a non-profit (one day/week max) with the hope that they'll have more work for me in the new year. I told them I would need at least 3 days/week for it to be worth it for me to move and stick with them long-term, but in the meantime it will help me get my feet wet and stretch my savings a little further.
I've always been ambivalent about Taylor Swift's music, although Folklore was total Beth-bait and Evermore gave us an excellent murder ballad. The thing that landed me firmly in Taylor's corner was a scene in Miss Americana where she's passionately explaining why she feels she has a moral imperative to get involved in the TN Senate race even though she's previously been publicly apolitical and all she gets in response is a metaphorical head-pat and patronizing lectures from the old white guys in her circle. I'm pretty sure I was yelling at my TV, "She is a grown-ass woman! Shut up and take a seat!" So there's that.
I have to go get drug tested for my new job today, so wish me luck I guess.
Forgot some stuff, as usual. Saw Eternals yesterday and enjoyed it even if I wasn't always able to keep up with it. The mid-credits scene definitely made me excited for the next installment. I've also been enjoying the past few episodes in particular of the Bible Binge, but would be very happy to provide Jamie with a primer on the difference between a breed and a species.
Happy Friday! Things are still pretty Covid-y in my area, but I have felt that slow coming out of the dark that Erin describes. It's good to feel a bit this way.
✈Toward that end I created a savings bucket for a trip to Europe. (We were planning on spending Christmas in Italy in 2020 to celebrate our 10th Anniversary - whomp whomp.) Who knows what will end up happening in the end, but I'm setting up the thing anyway as an act of hope.
💐I also ordered Thanksgiving centerpieces from a friend's new floral arrangement business. I ordered 5 to drop off at different friend's houses, and I'm so excited!
🎶I can't remember how I got on this kick but I spent time reading/watching/listening to Rich Mullins a bunch this week. Man. Swipes doing dis-entangled - that is a dude who *wrestled* with God.
📺I haven't done much other media consumption this week. When I am not working, I'm trying to stay away from screens as much as possible, but after a particularly bad workday this week I set up GBBO to play in the background while we did evening chores and made dinner etc. It did the trick.
That's all I've got today. Looking forward to seeing your treasures!
GBBO always does the trick. I was feeling rotten last week and my husband suggested we try watching the new season. I grumbled, but within 10 minutes, I had already picked out my favorites and was so happy. Maybe because everyone helps everyone else? I don't know, but it's a delight.
I was about 20 years late to the party, but I got really into Rich Mullins about a year ago. Truly one of the great songwriters of his generation in any genre. There's a fair amount of concert footage on YouTube, this one's a favorite: https://youtu.be/b46KK4Fzkpw
Someone please tell me if you've tried that bourbon cocktail! I am going to make it as a punch for Friendsgiving next week. I feel like at the least it'll smell delicious while I'm making it.
I don't have a lot of energy this morning for writing perfect prose, so I'm just going to get right into it:
Turds:
- I have to go to the probate office today and I'm going to get in trouble because I am late registering my vehicle in the county I moved to this year. Plz pray.
Mix of Turd and Treasure:
- I like it being dark when I get off work because that just makes it feel like the holiday season to me, but it has made my commute home horrendous. I guess because it's dark people are driving a lot slower. But the time change has made it really easy to get up early in the morning and get stuff done around the house.
Treasures:
- I am getting to take half the day off to go to the probate office, which hopefully will take less than an hour so I can go home and relax for the rest of the afternoon
- We saw DUNE in the theater and got movie popcorn with lots of butter and it was so fun!
- We have been going to Steak N Shake before our small group on Wednesdays and have kind of become regulars. We know all the staff and they recognize us when we walk in and I really love it.
- Thanksgiving plans are set and everyone knows what they are responsible for bringing and there will be no drama!
- I started wrapping Christmas presents this week and it has brought me so much joy! I love wrapping! I will happily do it for you if you need me to!
- I get to see my parents tomorrow! They live in a cabin on the lake that's surrounded by woods and I can't wait to see all the Fall colors!
- We started watching Dopesick on Hulu and it is very very good! It is super sad and revolves around the opioid epidemic, but I am really enjoying learning more about how we got to where we are now and it is teaching me a lot about drug addiction.
Movie theater popcorn YUM. I am right there with you about wrapping Christmas presents: I love it. I just throw on The Family Stone, grab a few snacks, and wrap (and cry) through the whole movie!
Checking in after being MIA for a bit! I’ve missed you all!
This week has been ROUGH with Daylight Savings (why do we do this still? Why?) and anxiety, but two enormous treasures:
- My son has been in special ed for a language delay since he was 2, and after evaluating him, everyone at his new school recommended that he exit special ed. I’m so glad we stuck to our guns and insisted he stay in general ed earlier this year because he is thriving!
- My daughter Maggie finally had her second MRI yesterday, which was rough, but they evaluated the results much more quickly than expected and we got a call that it is completely normal! We still have to figure out what is causing her proprioception and vestibular issues, but knowing it is for sure not a tumor or lesion is such a huge weight lifted that I can’t process it yet!
The only real turd from this week other than Daylight Savings (save yourself, girl), was my in-laws getting all bent out of shape after investigating our new church. But my conflict-averse 9 husband was very straightforward with my MIL and didn’t back down in that conversation and I’m so proud of him.
😂 I’m with that dude about Timothée; I’ll never unsee “Chimney Taliban” just as I’ve never gotten over “Bandersnatch Cummerbund.”
📸 My treasure this week was seeing all the Lil Swipes OneDayHH photos on Instagram. It was just so cool to peek into your lives for a day! Lindsay S won favorite caption with the video of her twins waking up with smiles but labeled “This is a lie.” Followed shortly after by enormous tears and wailing from said twins. 😂 You are a rock star, Lindsay! Following all of you was so comforting; like visiting friends for a day. We absolutely have to plan Lil Swipes Camp in post-pandemic times!
💉 Yesterday Mom and I got Moderna vax boosters and I’m expecting a long weekend of recovery. We had J&J in the first round and, really, experienced little side effect, but every story about Moderna has been a bit traumatizing. I insisted on it this time because of its higher rate of effectiveness, but I assumed it might kick our butts for a few days after. Right now I’m feeling the usual soreness at the puncture site, but I’ve also not slept yet (blasted insomnia). Just in case of side effects, I’ve cleared our schedule till next Wednesday. Has anyone received Moderna’s booster and has a tale to tell?
🥤 In other news, this week I attempted a sugar detox… and I made it 3.5 days till I broke the fast. 🤦🏻♀️ It wasn’t necessarily intentional – we didn’t eat breakfast before the vax appointment and it was nearly 3 hours until we got food – but I consciously chose IHOP and got pancakes instead of sticking with the protein. Plus, whenever I eat takeout, I crave Coca-Cola, so I stopped for a bottle before getting home. But THEN… the Coke tasted all kinds of wrong! I had my mom double-check that it wasn’t a “bad batch” and it really was my own palate! I’m now wondering if just 3 days was enough to change my taste buds? I’ll be testing it again today, just to be certain of course… in the name of scientific exploration and all 😏… but I’m kinda encouraged that maybe a short fast could actually help me kick the Coke habit for good. And maybe sugar, too. I gave in to cravings so quickly because I was actually *sad* in those 3 days of fasting and didn’t think I’d been emotionally ready to pursue the full detox. I kept thinking about Gretchen Rubin’s principle of being a Moderator versus Abstainer. I’ve never been one to deny myself of anything, so I assumed I’d have to be an abstainer and just rid the house of all temptation. But now I’m thinking I might do better with moderation. Willpower is never a friend to me, but I’ve also never been this old before, with all the health issues that come with middle age. So, who knows? 🤷🏻♀️ I’ll definitely be keeping a close record of this from now on!
🎅🏻 On the family Christmas front, my sisters have decided to do a BINGO gift exchange now, so all the work with our stocking stuffer presents has lost a bit of steam. 😕 We’re still gonna give them (Mom hates not giving presents to every person and just refuses to limit herself), but I’m going to be a good sister/aunt and join the gifting game. You’ve heard me describe these family members as basic and uncreative, so I’d love some suggestions for small-priced gifts that work well in a white-elephant-style exchange for mixed company of adult ages. Like $5-10 and maybe not so serious? I’m kinda at a loss.
🎧 I’ll end with a Confession: I never liked TSwift’s music until Fearless. She always sounded so young and pop-ish, while I was a middle-aged woman with musical tastes formed in the disco/New Wave/R&B eras. But I’ve been listening to *you guys* and giving her backlist another chance – fueled especially by that “Sour” mashup playlist and Jillian’s special complication. And now I’m getting on board with Taylor. I still prefer the current version (more mature, as was already mentioned), so I’m very much looking forward to spending time with “Red” this weekend. Your comments have me excited!
Hooray for boosters! Hope the side effects are easy please! Am setting my Moderna up too (also a J&Jer) hopefully for next week and am trying to make it happen at a time when I can recover.
I do fast food gift cards. Movie passes or red box rental (are those still a thing?) With popcorn and movie candy to go with it. This doesn't work for guys but my sister in law came one time with all these fun lipstick and perfume samples from Ulta. Ladies got to pick one each. It was fun!
Once upon a time in olden days (pre-2020) I was a regular giver of movie-themed bundles with cinema gift card or DVD, fave snacks, bagged movie popcorn, and fave bottled drink arranged inside a reusable popcorn container. It was my Lazy Genius decide once gift. I still love it! But I like the small Ulta products idea! Definitely budget-friendly. Thanks!
Well wishes on your booster! So far I’m just feeling the injection site soreness. 🤞🏻
I haven't gotten a booster, but I had Moderna the first time and just had some moderate injection site soreness. Most people in my office got vaxxed at the same time, and we were about 50/50 on NBD side effects vs. full weekend of recovery.
Pre-Covid, our office Christmas party featured a white elephant - $20 limit, no joke gifts. Soft warm things (i.e. throw blankets, fuzzy socks) and drinking vessels were always staples and pretty popular.
Hope the side effects aren’t too bad. I’m getting my booster next week. But I am Pfizer which I think seems to be a little less symptomatic. It’s amazing the power sugar has over us. I know I could do better with less in my life.
I had my Moderna booster last Friday. It did knock me on my butt, but I also entered into the scenario with an elevated sense of confidence. Headache and a golfball sized lymph node were the culprits. Definitely manageable! Hydrate! Tylenol! Also, I am 100% an abstainer in the abstainer/moderator debate. I think about that dichotomy all the time!
There was no school yesterday (or today) so we took our granddaughter to the beach. The coast of California is perfect in early November and she declared it the best vacation ever. I got to spend the day with my feet in the waves. The ocean is my happy place. She spent the night so I’m looking forward to some sleepy cuddles in a couple of hours.
I think there is something so calming about being near the water, especially a huge body of water. So glad you got to spend some time with your granddaughter!
📚 My mom has started her Christmas shopping and since I won't see her, she's sending them to my house. I know what books I asked for, and I have the package, but I told her I wouldn't open them early. It's torture! Lol
Oh...that tweet about googling synopses of shows I don't watch...it me....
Also, the tweet about garlic and vanilla...also me...when the weather starts to get colder, I mentally double all garlic in all the recipes.
Thank-you Erin for including links to all the books mentioned in your #onedayhh. My TBR and book wish list are getting updated today!
Onward to treasures!
1. Got my tickets for the Popcast Live Show in Dallas and I. Am. PUMPED. This will be my first Live Show, and my first time in Dallas. A good friend and I will be road tripping (unless flights get super cheap) and I am ready for this adventure and all the laughs. Any other Swipes going to be at the Dallas show? Meet up? Also, send me all your suggestions for where to eat/coffee/what to see in Dallas, please!
2. Lectio 365 continues to be a treasure. How does it know exactly what I need to hear/pray about every ding dong day???
3. The Pour Over continues to help me stay up to date on news without feeling overwhelmed. https://ref.thepourover.org/fdd19584 Also Sharon McMahon on IG @sharonsaysso.
4. Speaking of Sharon McMahon, she is fundraising to give those in need some holiday cheer, and it has been such a joy to watch her and the governerds show up. Her stories make me tear up and soften my heart on a daily basis.
5. The Popcast BFOTS AUA last night was the laugh I needed after a meh kind of week.
6. Colder temps. I am a Minnesotan at heart and love to use my layering super power at this time of year.
7. Bringing my boys to their first college basketball game tonight. I am secretly a big sports fan, but don't get many opportunities to express this, so I am very, very pumped to hang with some good friends and cheer on the Jayhawks in person.
All righty then, hope you all have the very best weekend available to you! Can't wait to read all your treasures today!
Sharon and her updates about giving are reminding me about the goodness in the world right now. The Popcast AUA is always one of my favorite nights of the month, you never know what will happen or who will show up in an airbrushed shirt. I hope you and your boys enjoyed the basketball game, college sports are so fun!!
Should we have a Lil Swipes party in Dallas? That seems extravagant, but I kind of want to do it now! I don't even know if our schedule would permit such a thing!
Ooof, that tweet about googling shows absolutely came for me.
Me too! I can have general interaction on several popular shows but I’m *out* if you deep dive on Game of Thrones, Ted Lasso, Only Murders (maybe one day), The Walking Dead (from Negan onward), B99, or generally any comedy of the past 30 years. LOL But I’m THERE if you wanna talk about Marvel, Galactica, Billions (pre-last season), or CBS crime procedurals. 😂
I can handle one show at a time (not including all things paw patrol and peppa pig), so I am perpetually behind.
I’m currently bingeing Scandal. Only 9 years behind! lol
Lucy Crabtree's tweet made me cackle. Dealing with a pain flare (I know hormones are a necessity of life, but this whole cyclical living in a world that prefers straight lines... isn't my favorite) right now and I resonate deeply with I already know the score.
We just got notice we've got 30 days (well, now 28) to vacate our living situation. I knew it was coming, the husband convinced me to be in denial, and the thing I'm learning about the both of us is that he needs approximately 30 minutes to switch from denial mode to 'okay, let's move' and I take a wee bit longer than that WHICH IS WHY I DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN DENIAL IN THE FIRST PLACE
I love how you talked about the surprising healing journey. How it feels so long when suddenly, “Hey, wow, is that…progress??” I’ve felt that acutely in my own life, especially these past few weeks. I think my Zoloft is finally working. I can actually get off my couch and do my dishes or get the groceries or even journal. It’s been magical. And the slow growth is showing in more tangible ways. I finally have a solid baby bump and last night I felt my little girl moving and kicking for the first time.
After 3 solid years of grief and depression and shit, it’s nice to find myself with my head above the water for once ♥️
Oh, Hillary, this is wonderful to read! ❤
Also All Too Well the short film absolutely wrecked me. Long live Queen Swift
SAME
Every single one of those tweets filled my soul. So good this week! I have also been listening to the new 10 minute version of All Too Well on repeat, with the occasional sprinkling of the new vault track featuring Phoebe Bridgers who is one of my top 5 favorite musicians ever.
This week has been... full of unexpected things. I'm a children's librarian and my manager is resigning at the end of the year. My regional children's director is leaving at the end of the month. I got an offer for more hours at my part time job that I love (childcare at a private weekday preschool) and I absolutely did not think I would even consider it. I've been in libraries for 10 years, 5 of those as full time in my current job. I'm in library school (master's) and I thought it was where I wanted to stay forever. And I don't think I want to leave forever but the past 18 months or so here have been so hard and I'm so tired. So burned out. There are a lot of logistics to leaving, mainly that this new option is only 16 hours a week and not salaried. I'd have plenty of time to pick up hours babysitting or with a part time job somewhere else. I have to make a decision quick and my gut says to go into the somewhat unknown.
I had an intake appointment with a new office and have ADHD and anxiety evaluations scheduled for next month but I'm still waiting to hear how much that will be and I'm a little worried considering the intake alone was $150 after insurance.
It's been a long week but I'm excited to go home and crawl into bed with a book and then sleep in tomorrow (if my body will let me)!
What a decision! After so many years of overthinking and questioning and pushing back against my gut, I would personally say to go with it if you can. But sending you many good thoughts about decisions and feeling confident in them!
The way these tweets sang to my soul... Thank you, Erin!
Happy Friday everyone! Maybe later today I'll break out some wine, hide in my room, & read through the comments. The kids had off school yesterday and today for conferences, & I feel like it's been 1,000 years. Why are they so hell-bent on making what could have been two very nice days so unpleasant (asked facetiously)? That's all I've got today, other than I feel that if we only had to dress from the waist up, and made a social contract that sweatpants & leggings were 100% socially acceptable for all situations, including work, the world would be a better place.
I think I'm making sweatpants/leggings at all times my Decide Once decision for the rest of the year lol
Oh, I heaved a heavy sigh when I read Erin's comment about feeling like we're getting back to "normal". I love that for all of you "normal folks", but for those of us out there in the immunosuppressed community, we have a lot longer of a wait until we can even see what "normal" looks like again. Oh, I envy people who feel like they're back to normal. I'm in community with lots of unvaxxed peeps, (I love them, it's their choice, and...) and until we move closer to something resembling herd immunity, I'm stuck here in 2020. I got so sad when I saw photos of friends at Disneyland. Christmas at the land is my absolute favorite (I'm an 8 year old girl in my head...), and my medical team told all of us not to even think about Disneyland for at least another year... Three jabs in and hoping that I'll register a little antibody response this time!
On the positive side, I get so see some friends I haven't seen in forever (outdoors and distanced) and that brings my heart so much joy! I am an introvert, so I didn't think the lack of socialization bothered me much, but I've realized how much I need to see people.
Our little nonprofit got to see another transplant patient go home just in time for Thanksgiving and that brings my heart joy! We've got another in post transplant housing and she's hoping to be discharged to her home before Thanksgiving too! Treasures all around!
All the prayers requested for our third patient who received his new heart and is having pretty serious complications. Praying for full healing for him and peace for his family in the midst of this storm.
You all are lifegiving community and I so appreciate all of you - more than you know!
I think so much of my anger and exhaustion at people right now is because of that disregard you mentioned. When did society decide we don’t protect those who are struggling and not able to “move forward”? I remember hearing statements in the beginning that we were probably looking at 4-5 years of the pandemic before we could see anything “normal” again, so that’s what I settled into. I appreciate the quick vaccine *so much* but constantly remind myself that we’re still at the beginning of this season. I hate that more people don’t look around to see that things are not *over*. We’re not okay till EVERYONE is okay.
Holding you and others like you very close to my heart, Denise. Thank you for reminding us to see each other.
Hi Jules - I feel ya! I get that everyone is so tired of all of this and just want it to be over. And if you're "healthy" and vaxxed, and so is your community, then it feels like it too. Everywhere you go, and everyone you see is largely back to something that looks more normal. Travel, movies, theater, all of it. All it takes is to venture out of your healthy bubble and befriend one person in the immunocompromised community to learn that your reality isn't everyone's reality. Thank you so much for your kind words...
Denise, this is all so hard. I've got 3 kids 5 and under, and we aren't near any family or friends, so this whole ordeal has been more than a little isolating. We are beyond excited to have one more member of our family vaccinated (my 5 year old CANNOT WAIT to get his shot in a week), but I can imagine it's still incredibly challenging to feel stuck. So glad your nonprofit is doing well and thriving. Lots of prayers and good thoughts coming your way!
I relate to your comment so much. Having a baby and a under five-year-old old Pandemic is not over in our household. Very hard to continue being safe when we’re so tired. But I know it’s worth it.
So tired...and with two little ones. I feel ya, friend. Sending a hug and solidarity. Just like my volunteer tomato plant that is still struggling on, and thriving while it grows through the rocks, we too will thrive through the struggle. Or at least try to...
Thank you Denise!
I'm a public health professor and it feels like we've spent the past 18 months standing on the beach staring at tidal wave after tidal wave and yelling at folks to move to higher ground. It's exhausting and the process of navigating what comes next and moving back out into the world is so fraught. This introvert who is starting to miss people too is sending solidarity right back to you. <3
Anne - thank you so much for what you are doing! A Public Health Professor - wow! You are doing the work of champions, friend and I appreciate all that you are going through as we navigate what comes next...
Yes, this! I feel the same way. Thank you for putting words to my feelings. (And doing it in a much more polite way than I've been able to 😂)
Praying for your patient!
Hi Rebecka! Thankful for your comment and kind words! Coming to a peace with others choices and my immunosuppressed life has been an adventure in prayer for sure.
As a chronically ill person, I resonated so much with your post. There is so much that is tricky to navigate at the moment but I just love the expression "an adventure in prayer" and I am going to hold on to it. Thank you, Denise!
I'm so sorry, Denise. I did not mean to make you sigh a heavy sigh. I know so many people are experiencing what you're experiencing, and I am so sorry not to honor that.
Oh gosh, Erin, no need to apologize - you are totally allowed to feel all the feelings. If there's anything I've learned in this adventure of heart transplant, is that we're allowed to feel what we feel based on our own dang reality. For most of the world, life is inching towards whatever normal looks like. Heck, my pastor preaches about coming out of Covid and it's so dang tone deaf...and yes, we've talked...
You're inching towards normal and that makes me happy! Feel the feelings! I'm here feeling mine, but not letting them own me. Love you and all of your words!
Last weekend I helped out with a spay/neuter event and it was fun and back-breaking and I may never do surgery on a non-adjustable table again. I spent the entire next day in recovery mode and so treated myself to Angela Lansbury's excercise tape (as featured on Maintenance Phase, https://youtu.be/lE7icznIxLc).
I kind of have a job? I'll be starting very part-time with a non-profit (one day/week max) with the hope that they'll have more work for me in the new year. I told them I would need at least 3 days/week for it to be worth it for me to move and stick with them long-term, but in the meantime it will help me get my feet wet and stretch my savings a little further.
I've always been ambivalent about Taylor Swift's music, although Folklore was total Beth-bait and Evermore gave us an excellent murder ballad. The thing that landed me firmly in Taylor's corner was a scene in Miss Americana where she's passionately explaining why she feels she has a moral imperative to get involved in the TN Senate race even though she's previously been publicly apolitical and all she gets in response is a metaphorical head-pat and patronizing lectures from the old white guys in her circle. I'm pretty sure I was yelling at my TV, "She is a grown-ass woman! Shut up and take a seat!" So there's that.
I have to go get drug tested for my new job today, so wish me luck I guess.
That Angela Lansbury video is everything I didn't know I needed.
Yay for Maintenance Phase!!!! I haven’t watched the actual exercise video, but wow that podcast episode was delightful
Another Maintenance Phase fan here! I am very excited to have this link!
Forgot some stuff, as usual. Saw Eternals yesterday and enjoyed it even if I wasn't always able to keep up with it. The mid-credits scene definitely made me excited for the next installment. I've also been enjoying the past few episodes in particular of the Bible Binge, but would be very happy to provide Jamie with a primer on the difference between a breed and a species.
Happy Friday! Things are still pretty Covid-y in my area, but I have felt that slow coming out of the dark that Erin describes. It's good to feel a bit this way.
✈Toward that end I created a savings bucket for a trip to Europe. (We were planning on spending Christmas in Italy in 2020 to celebrate our 10th Anniversary - whomp whomp.) Who knows what will end up happening in the end, but I'm setting up the thing anyway as an act of hope.
💐I also ordered Thanksgiving centerpieces from a friend's new floral arrangement business. I ordered 5 to drop off at different friend's houses, and I'm so excited!
🎶I can't remember how I got on this kick but I spent time reading/watching/listening to Rich Mullins a bunch this week. Man. Swipes doing dis-entangled - that is a dude who *wrestled* with God.
📺I haven't done much other media consumption this week. When I am not working, I'm trying to stay away from screens as much as possible, but after a particularly bad workday this week I set up GBBO to play in the background while we did evening chores and made dinner etc. It did the trick.
That's all I've got today. Looking forward to seeing your treasures!
GBBO always does the trick. I was feeling rotten last week and my husband suggested we try watching the new season. I grumbled, but within 10 minutes, I had already picked out my favorites and was so happy. Maybe because everyone helps everyone else? I don't know, but it's a delight.
It is so life affirming. A true comfort show. 😊
Love Rich!
Rich Mullins sure did wrestle. So good. I still remember when I found out he had died. Gotta go make a Rich Mullins playlist now.
I was about 20 years late to the party, but I got really into Rich Mullins about a year ago. Truly one of the great songwriters of his generation in any genre. There's a fair amount of concert footage on YouTube, this one's a favorite: https://youtu.be/b46KK4Fzkpw
So good! What a loss to the church to have died so young.
He was the exact same age as my dad (like, birthdays within about a month of each other), which is a weird thing to think about.
Oh wow! Yeah. That is.
Someone please tell me if you've tried that bourbon cocktail! I am going to make it as a punch for Friendsgiving next week. I feel like at the least it'll smell delicious while I'm making it.
It's perfection!
Good morning, everyone!!!
I don't have a lot of energy this morning for writing perfect prose, so I'm just going to get right into it:
Turds:
- I have to go to the probate office today and I'm going to get in trouble because I am late registering my vehicle in the county I moved to this year. Plz pray.
Mix of Turd and Treasure:
- I like it being dark when I get off work because that just makes it feel like the holiday season to me, but it has made my commute home horrendous. I guess because it's dark people are driving a lot slower. But the time change has made it really easy to get up early in the morning and get stuff done around the house.
Treasures:
- I am getting to take half the day off to go to the probate office, which hopefully will take less than an hour so I can go home and relax for the rest of the afternoon
- We saw DUNE in the theater and got movie popcorn with lots of butter and it was so fun!
- We have been going to Steak N Shake before our small group on Wednesdays and have kind of become regulars. We know all the staff and they recognize us when we walk in and I really love it.
- Thanksgiving plans are set and everyone knows what they are responsible for bringing and there will be no drama!
- I started wrapping Christmas presents this week and it has brought me so much joy! I love wrapping! I will happily do it for you if you need me to!
- I get to see my parents tomorrow! They live in a cabin on the lake that's surrounded by woods and I can't wait to see all the Fall colors!
- We started watching Dopesick on Hulu and it is very very good! It is super sad and revolves around the opioid epidemic, but I am really enjoying learning more about how we got to where we are now and it is teaching me a lot about drug addiction.
Okay, I think that's it. Goodbye.
“everyone knows what they are responsible for bringing and there will be no drama!” 😂 So say we all!
Movie theater popcorn YUM. I am right there with you about wrapping Christmas presents: I love it. I just throw on The Family Stone, grab a few snacks, and wrap (and cry) through the whole movie!
This is a great list. I love that you have Steak and Shake buds.
Fall colors by a lake sounds like a dream! Have the best time!
The Steak and Shake is my favorite Treasure.
Hope it goes OK with the probate officer. Let us know next week. Would gladly pay you all the monies to gift wrap. Not one of my spiritual gifts😆.
Checking in after being MIA for a bit! I’ve missed you all!
This week has been ROUGH with Daylight Savings (why do we do this still? Why?) and anxiety, but two enormous treasures:
- My son has been in special ed for a language delay since he was 2, and after evaluating him, everyone at his new school recommended that he exit special ed. I’m so glad we stuck to our guns and insisted he stay in general ed earlier this year because he is thriving!
- My daughter Maggie finally had her second MRI yesterday, which was rough, but they evaluated the results much more quickly than expected and we got a call that it is completely normal! We still have to figure out what is causing her proprioception and vestibular issues, but knowing it is for sure not a tumor or lesion is such a huge weight lifted that I can’t process it yet!
The only real turd from this week other than Daylight Savings (save yourself, girl), was my in-laws getting all bent out of shape after investigating our new church. But my conflict-averse 9 husband was very straightforward with my MIL and didn’t back down in that conversation and I’m so proud of him.
Completely agree about DST - NOT FUN. But I'm glad your son and daughter seemed to have good weeks and are thriving!
Good for him! And this all sounds like great news about your kids.
Your in-laws choosing to investigate your new church is a turd all in itself. Yikes. Stay in your lane, people!
Checking in! 👋🏻
😂 I’m with that dude about Timothée; I’ll never unsee “Chimney Taliban” just as I’ve never gotten over “Bandersnatch Cummerbund.”
📸 My treasure this week was seeing all the Lil Swipes OneDayHH photos on Instagram. It was just so cool to peek into your lives for a day! Lindsay S won favorite caption with the video of her twins waking up with smiles but labeled “This is a lie.” Followed shortly after by enormous tears and wailing from said twins. 😂 You are a rock star, Lindsay! Following all of you was so comforting; like visiting friends for a day. We absolutely have to plan Lil Swipes Camp in post-pandemic times!
💉 Yesterday Mom and I got Moderna vax boosters and I’m expecting a long weekend of recovery. We had J&J in the first round and, really, experienced little side effect, but every story about Moderna has been a bit traumatizing. I insisted on it this time because of its higher rate of effectiveness, but I assumed it might kick our butts for a few days after. Right now I’m feeling the usual soreness at the puncture site, but I’ve also not slept yet (blasted insomnia). Just in case of side effects, I’ve cleared our schedule till next Wednesday. Has anyone received Moderna’s booster and has a tale to tell?
🥤 In other news, this week I attempted a sugar detox… and I made it 3.5 days till I broke the fast. 🤦🏻♀️ It wasn’t necessarily intentional – we didn’t eat breakfast before the vax appointment and it was nearly 3 hours until we got food – but I consciously chose IHOP and got pancakes instead of sticking with the protein. Plus, whenever I eat takeout, I crave Coca-Cola, so I stopped for a bottle before getting home. But THEN… the Coke tasted all kinds of wrong! I had my mom double-check that it wasn’t a “bad batch” and it really was my own palate! I’m now wondering if just 3 days was enough to change my taste buds? I’ll be testing it again today, just to be certain of course… in the name of scientific exploration and all 😏… but I’m kinda encouraged that maybe a short fast could actually help me kick the Coke habit for good. And maybe sugar, too. I gave in to cravings so quickly because I was actually *sad* in those 3 days of fasting and didn’t think I’d been emotionally ready to pursue the full detox. I kept thinking about Gretchen Rubin’s principle of being a Moderator versus Abstainer. I’ve never been one to deny myself of anything, so I assumed I’d have to be an abstainer and just rid the house of all temptation. But now I’m thinking I might do better with moderation. Willpower is never a friend to me, but I’ve also never been this old before, with all the health issues that come with middle age. So, who knows? 🤷🏻♀️ I’ll definitely be keeping a close record of this from now on!
🎅🏻 On the family Christmas front, my sisters have decided to do a BINGO gift exchange now, so all the work with our stocking stuffer presents has lost a bit of steam. 😕 We’re still gonna give them (Mom hates not giving presents to every person and just refuses to limit herself), but I’m going to be a good sister/aunt and join the gifting game. You’ve heard me describe these family members as basic and uncreative, so I’d love some suggestions for small-priced gifts that work well in a white-elephant-style exchange for mixed company of adult ages. Like $5-10 and maybe not so serious? I’m kinda at a loss.
🎧 I’ll end with a Confession: I never liked TSwift’s music until Fearless. She always sounded so young and pop-ish, while I was a middle-aged woman with musical tastes formed in the disco/New Wave/R&B eras. But I’ve been listening to *you guys* and giving her backlist another chance – fueled especially by that “Sour” mashup playlist and Jillian’s special complication. And now I’m getting on board with Taylor. I still prefer the current version (more mature, as was already mentioned), so I’m very much looking forward to spending time with “Red” this weekend. Your comments have me excited!
Wishing you all the best! ❤️
I get so many stocking stuffer ideas from here every year, but maybe you could get a few ideas from this list (or her past ones) https://everyday-reading.com/2021-5-gift-guide/
I’ve never seen these! YAY!!!
Hooray for boosters! Hope the side effects are easy please! Am setting my Moderna up too (also a J&Jer) hopefully for next week and am trying to make it happen at a time when I can recover.
I do fast food gift cards. Movie passes or red box rental (are those still a thing?) With popcorn and movie candy to go with it. This doesn't work for guys but my sister in law came one time with all these fun lipstick and perfume samples from Ulta. Ladies got to pick one each. It was fun!
Once upon a time in olden days (pre-2020) I was a regular giver of movie-themed bundles with cinema gift card or DVD, fave snacks, bagged movie popcorn, and fave bottled drink arranged inside a reusable popcorn container. It was my Lazy Genius decide once gift. I still love it! But I like the small Ulta products idea! Definitely budget-friendly. Thanks!
Well wishes on your booster! So far I’m just feeling the injection site soreness. 🤞🏻
Hoping you and your mom don't have much in the way of side effects, Jules!
I haven't gotten a booster, but I had Moderna the first time and just had some moderate injection site soreness. Most people in my office got vaxxed at the same time, and we were about 50/50 on NBD side effects vs. full weekend of recovery.
Pre-Covid, our office Christmas party featured a white elephant - $20 limit, no joke gifts. Soft warm things (i.e. throw blankets, fuzzy socks) and drinking vessels were always staples and pretty popular.
Good ideas! I just saw a fun gift in a tumbler.
Hope the side effects aren’t too bad. I’m getting my booster next week. But I am Pfizer which I think seems to be a little less symptomatic. It’s amazing the power sugar has over us. I know I could do better with less in my life.
All Too Well (the shortened version) is my ultimate breakup song. Enjoy!
I had my Moderna booster last Friday. It did knock me on my butt, but I also entered into the scenario with an elevated sense of confidence. Headache and a golfball sized lymph node were the culprits. Definitely manageable! Hydrate! Tylenol! Also, I am 100% an abstainer in the abstainer/moderator debate. I think about that dichotomy all the time!
Hydrate. Tylenol. Good to know!
There was no school yesterday (or today) so we took our granddaughter to the beach. The coast of California is perfect in early November and she declared it the best vacation ever. I got to spend the day with my feet in the waves. The ocean is my happy place. She spent the night so I’m looking forward to some sleepy cuddles in a couple of hours.
I think there is something so calming about being near the water, especially a huge body of water. So glad you got to spend some time with your granddaughter!
The California coast in November is one of my favorite places to be! What part of California? I'm in Sonoma County!
We’re in the Central Valley and New Brighton State Beach is our favorite nearby beach. We also love the Morro Bay area.
Ahhh! Pismo Beach is my favorite and we are winter camping at New Brighton in January! Can not wait!
This sounds magical!
Sleepy cuddles = 💯
And I’m not a fan of the beach at any time except cool weather, so this sounded perfect!
It has been such a wacky week. I came in late Monday and started at a different library and I've been confused ever since, lol.
📅I've made it through the Nov set of projects and have a few weeks to catch my breath before the December round!
🎉 I work 3hrs today and 5 Sat, so having Veteran's Day off was so nice. I did some reading and sewing, just taking a break.
👟 I got these boots (https://www.chacos.com/US/en/fields-chelsea-waterproof/41334W.html?dwvar_41334W_color=JCH108886#cgid=women-footwear-boots&start=1) and these house shoes (https://www.chacos.com/US/en/revel/47163W.html?dwvar_47163W_color=JCH108904) from Chaco last week and was stalking the mail all day yesterday until they were delivered. I have serious flat feet, so having supportive shoes is a must for me!
📚 My mom has started her Christmas shopping and since I won't see her, she's sending them to my house. I know what books I asked for, and I have the package, but I told her I wouldn't open them early. It's torture! Lol
Ahh, I just got boots like that as well and I cannot wait until they are delivered!
Oh dang I love those boots!
Those boots are cute. I’m on the hunt for some Chelsea boots this year. There are so many!
Oh...that tweet about googling synopses of shows I don't watch...it me....
Also, the tweet about garlic and vanilla...also me...when the weather starts to get colder, I mentally double all garlic in all the recipes.
Thank-you Erin for including links to all the books mentioned in your #onedayhh. My TBR and book wish list are getting updated today!
Onward to treasures!
1. Got my tickets for the Popcast Live Show in Dallas and I. Am. PUMPED. This will be my first Live Show, and my first time in Dallas. A good friend and I will be road tripping (unless flights get super cheap) and I am ready for this adventure and all the laughs. Any other Swipes going to be at the Dallas show? Meet up? Also, send me all your suggestions for where to eat/coffee/what to see in Dallas, please!
2. Lectio 365 continues to be a treasure. How does it know exactly what I need to hear/pray about every ding dong day???
3. The Pour Over continues to help me stay up to date on news without feeling overwhelmed. https://ref.thepourover.org/fdd19584 Also Sharon McMahon on IG @sharonsaysso.
4. Speaking of Sharon McMahon, she is fundraising to give those in need some holiday cheer, and it has been such a joy to watch her and the governerds show up. Her stories make me tear up and soften my heart on a daily basis.
5. The Popcast BFOTS AUA last night was the laugh I needed after a meh kind of week.
6. Colder temps. I am a Minnesotan at heart and love to use my layering super power at this time of year.
7. Bringing my boys to their first college basketball game tonight. I am secretly a big sports fan, but don't get many opportunities to express this, so I am very, very pumped to hang with some good friends and cheer on the Jayhawks in person.
All righty then, hope you all have the very best weekend available to you! Can't wait to read all your treasures today!
Sharon and her updates about giving are reminding me about the goodness in the world right now. The Popcast AUA is always one of my favorite nights of the month, you never know what will happen or who will show up in an airbrushed shirt. I hope you and your boys enjoyed the basketball game, college sports are so fun!!
Lectio 365 has been so good this week!
Should we have a Lil Swipes party in Dallas? That seems extravagant, but I kind of want to do it now! I don't even know if our schedule would permit such a thing!
Can we somehow have on in Chicago too?!!?
It's been awhile since I've been there, but I used to really like White Rhino Coffee if there's one near you.