Hi everyone! I’ve been quiet in the comments for many months (family medical situation over the summer/early fall, then life in general). That said, Erin’s weekly email and this group of internet friends continue to be one for which I am incredibly thankful!
Hope everyone had a lovely holiday, whatever that definition is for you. And to our international friends, happy beginning of the winter holidays to you!!
Adam Grants tweet really gave me pause. It helped me see that being upset about the influence of my husbands family (that we spent with our kids at Thanksgiving) is ok! I shouldn’t dismiss what I value as my core beliefs as selfishness on my part. And that I should examine my anger and frustration and use that to move me to action.
Hello Lil Swipes!!! It’s been a hot minute since I commented. So, hey, y’all!
Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. We went into ours with high anxiety and lowest of low expectations. Due to some family trauma we had last year, we didn’t know what to expect. Well, it exceeded our expectations and everyone behaved like actual adults and not we are the parents and even though, you, our kids, are literal adults, we can still tell you what to do. My husband and I were very pleased that my family understood that we had to leave soon after lunch yesterday. As my therapist told me, you have to do what is best for you and your family. And, I had a revelation almost like a prophecy, we can have just Thanksgiving with our “core four” (me, hubs, kids) and we can go away for Christmas if we want to. No one should be getting upset and should understand the need for the Core Four™️ to be together.
Happier notes:
My town now has an indie bookstore and ya girl got to help curate and shelve all the fiction. My Kathleen Kelly dreams are coming true. It has been so much fun and the store opened just this week. Even my husband as impressed! 😂
If you haven’t watched Midnight Mass on Netflix, do it! I binged it last weekend and can’t stop thinking about it. I’m on my second listen of the Bible Binge’s deep dive on it and an probably gonna rewatch it again soon. It’s so well done and extremely interesting and thought provoking.
Christmas movie viewing began last night with Home Alone. Probably gonna watch Elf and maybe Christmas Vacation this weekend. We reserve A Christmas Story for Christmas Eve.
Happy Christmas to all who celebrate and to borrow from the beloved Pantsuit Politics ladies, may you have the best holiday season available to you.
I am so, so thankful for my lil swipe friends. The past week was hard but filled with several pockets of joy. I'm trying to get better at finding the treasures, to hold the bitter and the sweet. I officially quit my full time job, effective at the the end of the year. I feel such relief but according to a fight I had with my husband last night, he does not. It's been a difficult year for both of us and he's had some of his own heavy personal stuff. I guess I haven't done the best job at communicating how difficult this year has been for me. It feels a little bit like we've been living separate lives in the same house this past year and it's so hard.
As I approach my 30th birthday I am trying to let go of putting everyone else first and shoving my emotions down instead of feeling and processing them. It's, um not going great? Or I guess maybe it is. I had a very emotional reaction to my mom giving her kitchen table to my little sister despite telling me my whole life that I would inherit it. My feelings were mostly around the fact that she didn't discuss it with me and I found out via a Facebook post. I tried to explain how I felt and my mom didn't really get it. It's exhausting to keep trying to explain so I just stopped.
I went to the appointment that was supposed to be my ADHD evaluation and it was just an intake (that cost $150) and I had to schedule another appointment for the actual evaluation. The office called me Tuesday to explain that the cost would be almost $1000 and I'd have to have half up front. Apparently it was for 10 different evaluations even thought I only asked for ADHD so I had to cancel and now I have to try and follow up to see if I can get just the ADHD evaluation. So frustrating and I feel like I threw away $150.
We got to see family we've missed for a few years and got a few days off. I read two books in two days and it was exactly what I needed. I've had the new Adele album on repeat and I'm obsessed. I've got one discussion post and one paper in between me and Christmas break and I am so ready.
I’m excited for the advent study after totally crapping out on the last one. 😬
My son got a terrible cold last week and then passed it to my daughter and now me. Not Covid, not anything else horrible as far as anyone can tell, but so unfun.
The trip to my in-laws’ has so far been okay, with just a few sticky spots of questionable theology being taught to my daughter. I never know how to navigate those in the moment. Does anybody have any tips? I know they want to tell her about Jesus and in theory that’s great but in reality, the way it’s simplified down into black and white is damaging in the long term, IMO. And I’m missing my family.
The trip back home is tomorrow and my anxiety does not handle road tripping in congested traffic always ramps it up, plus my husband leaves Sunday evening for a conference out of town for several days, so I’ll be parenting solo for three days.
I wasn’t sure we’d get the Swipe Up today, so I was glad to see this and y’all! ❤️
Meredith Anne Miller on IG has been a great follow for me as I think about how I want to introduce God to my kids (hint not like I was introduced 😑). I am sure you look thru her highlights/message a question to help.
- If you use Paypal for your online shopping, you get one cash giveaway entry per order. A girl can dream, right?
- If your options for local bookstores are limited, check out bookshop.org. They profit-share with a whole bunch of independent stores and you have the option of designating a specific store for the profits from your order. Free shipping this weekend.
I've been thinking a lot about grief recently, so thank you Pastor Andrew for that reflection.
I had Thanksgiving yesterday with a dear friend and her family, which was delightful. I turn 31 tomorrow, and while there are some things about fully entering my 30s that I'm not thrilled with, I can already feel myself starting to shed my give-a-damns, so watch out world. I have my first shift at my new (extremely part-time) job next Friday, and I'm getting nervous because it's New and Unknown and therefore scary. I was discussing this with my friend's husband yesterday and said something along the lines of "I guess we'll see if I can hack it" and he gave me this really confused look and said "why wouldn't you be able to hack it?" So thanks to David for helping me keep a lid on my imposter syndrome, may you all be so fortunate with the married-ins of your friend group.
Well, we did it. My dad has come and gone from NC in short it was a giant turd for me and Nana. But the week has had many treasures so I'm focusing on that!
My older brother is here! It's always fun having him stay with me. We watched Sorcerers Stone last night with a commentary from a HP podcast we listen to.
We had a lovely time with the family that was able to come. I have a lot of family in edu and they were so excited for me to be in the library and just really encouraging.
I spent the morning drinking coffee and finishing The Matzah Ball and now I'm going to put up my Christmas decorations!
Have the best weekend available to you my lovely friends. So thankful for you all!
I would also like to know! I used to listen to Harry Potter and the Sacred Text pretty consistently but I’m sure there is a whole plethora of them out there.
Happy Thanksgiving! "You help us sew our wounds back together. 😭
🦃 Zoomgiving was lovely and delicious and had a bonus guest, which all the best Thanksgivings do. Today we have an in person, outdoors Thanskgiving with another family that has been super isolated. They are gluten intolerant so I picked up desserts at a local gf bakery - so fancy!
🍁 We took 3 walks yesterday in all these gorgeous neighborhoods with beautiful tree canopies. I slept like a baby for the first time in weeks. So Erin is really onto something with her Stupid Walks™️. I just apparently need 3 of them for it to work. 😆
🎄 I'm biting off more than I can chew, but I am excited to do some advent studies/devotionals, etc. So I am doing Erin's with you all. Kate Bowlers with a friend. And going through the lectionary with my new Bible buddies at forward day by day. (Like the Daily Bread but for Episcopalians). I have been lurking in the comments as the cutest retirees discuss the daily readings and encourage each other. They are just darling!
I am getting so much joy from these comments today - I wasn't positive if there would be a newsletter on this holiday week, so what a joy! :)
Treasure this week - while trying to wake up a kiddo to give them some meds, without ever fully waking up, he said, "Fee fi fo fum," then rolled right back over while my husband & I silent laughed and dashed for the hallway.
While picking out our Christmas wreath, I impulsively also got a large magnolia branch to put also by the front door in a planter ... I kind of regretted it the whole way home, but it's my new favorite holiday decoration & I'll probably have to get one every year now!
🦃 🛍 Happy belated Thanksgiving and Black Friday! Have I shopped a lot today mostly for myself, yes I have. Thank goodness for the Internet.
👰🏼♀️💕 I went to my first post quarantine wedding and had me a blast. I did have to deal with some post wedding jealousy that I haven’t dealt with in a long time, and thankfully I had some friends outside of my church circle that I could talk it out with. It led to some really sweet God moments that reminded me how loved I really am, married or not!
🦞😩 My parents and I went to a seafood place at Disney Springs for Thanksgiving and it was fun, but nagging mothers will nag and it’s annoying. I don’t want to get into it but I’m in a very similar situation with feeling like I always have to walk on eggshells with my parents. It’s so hard.
🍪😍 I finally got this limited holiday cookie at Gideon’s at DS that I haven’t been able to get a hold of for two years. I ate one half last night (these suckers are huge) and will eat the other half tonight. I also have another one in my freezer for next month.
📖 💝 Can anyone recommend an independent online used bookstore? Does such a place exist? If anyone can do it, I know the Swipe Fam can!
🍲🔪 I’m meal prepping my favorite chili tonight! Problem is, I eventually have to go to the grocery store to do it…
🏃🏻♀️🎉 …but first, I’m getting back into my good habits that have slipped away from me, namely running. See y’all in December! 😘
And it’s also nice to know that I’m not completely alone in having different views from my parents and having to watch every word and action I say and do. It’s hard, so very hard. My heart is with you too!
Bookshop.org! They profit-share with a whole bunch of independent bookstores, and you can designate a specific one to recieve the profits from your order if you have a fave in mind. Between this and my local Half-Price, I am completely off Amazon for physical books and typically only read the free ones on Kindle.
Holiday Greetings! This is my favorite time of year and I’m already WAY into the gift shopping, so finally arriving at Advent season is truly bringing me the most joy. I also know it’s very difficult for so many, and I’m holding you guys close in my thoughts during these days. The past 5 years have been equal parts joyous and mournful with my dad absent, and that’s made Advent feel a lot like Lent, at times: carrying the sorrow of waiting and looking to a future reuniting with the celebration of relationship and Christ’s birth. Bittersweet only begins to describe it. But I love this season enough that I seek out the joy at all times. It’s probably the only time of year that I am truly, literally filled with joy. I hope all of you can experience some of those moments, as well.
📬 There’s a little spreadsheet in cyberland that contains a few Lil Swipes addresses and birthdates and personal interests, but it’s been a while since I’ve mentioned it. Perhaps some of us might want to send Christmas cards (or another preferred holiday? please note!). If you want to add your info, go here:
🍽 For Thanksgiving, my mom wanted the traditional dinner she always made for our family so I spent two days making *all* the dishes. We discovered a 3-pound turkey breast last year that is perfect for two people (with leftovers), but I overshot that mark on my grandmother’s cornbread dressing (it’s my fave so I’m not sad for “too much dressing”). Y’all know I don’t like cooking, so I spent days planning the most efficient methods and time management to not exhaust myself, and it worked out pretty well. It was still A LOT and then I had to clean it all up 😫, but it’s probably the first time I’ve ever cooked a meal almost perfectly. My mom, though, wanted her yeast rolls, but with her health issues she could only get to the dough stage before tagging me in. So I attempted to finish the process, and, well… they’re a bit like golf balls. It’s just another reminder of what keeps changing with my mom and what will likely be lost when she’s gone. Despite the failed rolls, we had a very good meal and I’m not nearly as exhausted as I thought I’d be. Success!
🎬 After our meal, we spent the evening watching KING RICHARD. So, so good! Every performance is fantastic, and the film is so well made. Definitely make time to see it.
📖 Along with our advent study, I’m planning to start Emily Freeman’s “The Next Right Thing Journal” next week. Has anyone been using it this past year? How has it gone for you? I’m a consistent journaler, so I’m excited for it, but I don’t always go as deep as I’d like. Have you found the reflection aspect to be helpful? Share some tips if you have any!
🗓 Finally, I’m also trying out a digital Advent calendar this year. I’ve always wanted to buy a gifting one for myself (like Bonne Maman or one with beauty products), but they are always out of my budget so this one seemed perfect. It’s $5 and giftable! Plus, this year’s theme is London Christmas, so nothing could thrill me more! https://www.jacquielawson.com/advent
Wishing you all a peaceful weekend and maybe even some sugar plum dreams. ❤️
I'm so glad your dinner turned out fabulously! I got the NRT journal last Christmas and have only sort of used it. I recommitted in October to try and reflect more as I make this career change and I really enjoy it. It's not overwhelming, I read over the lists most weekends and add a few things.
Congrats and kudos for pulling off the whole traditional meal. It is a lot of work! What a beautiful way to love your mom. Holidays are such a mixed bag of emotions. Bittersweet is right. Sugar plum dreams back atcha!
I really am learning how to hold the bitter with the sweet too as I get older. *cue Landslide by Fleetwood Mac*
BUT I am so grateful you’ve been able to find little pockets of joy even in the hurt. As an enneagram six, I’m learning how to do that well and it’s a practice that gets better with time.
Happy almost advent! Really looking forward to the study starting on Sunday. I feel like we have been living in a perpetual advent the last couple pandemic yrs. Speaking of the big P I got my booster last week-no line in my small vaccine adverse town 😫😭. Symptoms included sore arm, tiredness and a little headache. Still totally worth it!
While choring it around home I enjoyed listening to Dateline's latest pod “The Thing About Helen And Olga. It is narrated by Keith Morrison and is campy true crime about two grandmas who get up to no good in LA. A quick 6 episode story.
Looking forward to move campy fun with the new season of Selling Sunset (gorgeous houses 🤩 and sky high stilettos that I would never wear).
We got our outdoor Christmas started yesterday, but really starting indoor stuff is leaving me stalled out. With so much baby gear (play gym, seat etc) thinking of adding more stuff around makes me feel 🙃. I will get there just maybe not today 😅.
Hooray for your booster! And campy fun! I hear you on the indoor decorations. Adding Christmas on top of a cram-packed life is tough. I hope you land on something festive but not stressful. Just enough twinkle to spark joy and not overwhelm.
It’s been many many weeks since I’ve been able to pop into the comments, but I’m so happy to be here today. Things have been level 10 hard (as Hannah Myer calls it: #RealFeel95) out here in these streets and my emotional sanity was hanging on by a single thread that finally popped last night. Longgggg story short, I don’t have family to spend holidays with, so I opened up my home to my small group and my friend who also doesn’t have family. No one in my small group came (which wasn’t really a surprise - I figured most of them had families to go to, but just thought I’d offer just in case). But my friend flaked on me very last minute, which left me sobbing into my trays of baked mac and cheese and sweet potato casserole. I’m so so SO grateful for my big sister and beloved Lil Swipe Danielle who let me FaceTime her and ugly cry and just sat with me in my feelings. I’m so grateful for the community that this newsletter has brought into my life. I have some of the sweetest friends who are there in the darkest times of my life because of this corner of the internet.
Speaking of: ATTENTION ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING TO THE CHICAGO SHOW. Now, that I have your attention: hi, hello! Can’t wait to see you. Just wanted to start throwing it out there that we will be having a Lil Swipe Chi Town meet up after the Popcast show at a bar near the venue. Location TBD. Just wanted to put it on everyone’s radar.
Okay now lemme hit some treasures:
- Watching The Family Stone on Thanksgiving night. It’s one of my favorite stolen traditions (thanks JBG).
- today I’m going to take my time browsing a bookstore. In my general theme of being gentle with myself this week, this sounds like the perfect thing to bring joy and delight to this weekend.
- today I will also be watching Die Hard while putting up my Christmas Tree and making a batch of chicken and dumplins (see: line above about delight and gentleness)
This breaks my heart for you. I’m so sorry. I’m sending a hug across the miles and hope you’ve been able to find ways to celebrate this weekend that feel good to you and remind you that you aren’t forgotten or alone. Saying a prayer for you now.
I'm so sorry about your thanksgiving. (Though, is there any better cure to a broken heart than mac n' cheese? what a blessing that you had it on hand). Can't wait to see you in Chicago and squeeze you tight.
Oh, I am so sorry about your Thanksgiving! I would have sobbed into the Mac and cheese too. How brave and creative of you for inviting others to begin with! Your weekend sounds wonderful. I hope Die Hard and Dumplings becomes a thing. ❤
I'm so glad you had a good holiday! Isn't it lovely to be welcomed in? And thanks for the pie recipe. My mom always mad chocolate pie for Christmas, so maybe I will take up the tradition with this one
Yesterday was good and hard. I want to have a better relationship with my parents but I feel like I am walking on 1,000 eggshells. I hosted in my little house and our friends also joined us and that was great but at one point I wanted to crawl in a hole and cry because I felt so overwhelmed. I have to go shopping with my mom today and I am worried she will ruin my experience. We’re only going to small businesses - no big black friday craziness. But still. It’s hard.
I am excited for Small Shop Saturday - I hope everyone has a small business they’re supporting this season! I had such a great response to sharing small businesses on my IG story. I only did about 20 and it was so tiring (how do IG influencers do it!?) but so many people told me they were going to shop those small businesses this weekend - it was totally worth it.
I don’t have much else to say because I am just tired but friends - please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I am trying to work through decades of trauma and emotional hardship and it feels like every time I see my parents, it sets me back 6 months.
Oh, I relate to the overwhelm and the eggshells. Do you have people/therapist to debrief with? I always tried to build the debrief into the plan for any family visit. It helped to come home to people who care for me and remind me I am not the problem. Will be praying for you today - for no issues and for moments of rest and even delight. Totally supporting small businesses, both here and in out little town where we are staying.
Thank you♥ I have a therapy appointment scheduled for Tuesday morning. I learned about even more family trauma than I could have ever known and it explains so much.
We hosted my husband's family yesterday as well, and at one point my husband found me hiding in our boys' bedroom watching a Muppet movie with my youngest. I just gave him the "What?" face as he slowly backed out of the room 😂
❤️ I feel you with walking on eggshells around your parents. I hope your shopping day goes smoothly and that you have time to be alone and process soon. 💕
Thank you for sharing the small businesses! I'm trying to decide what to buy from Bella Joy pottery because everything is so beautiful!
Hi everyone! I’ve been quiet in the comments for many months (family medical situation over the summer/early fall, then life in general). That said, Erin’s weekly email and this group of internet friends continue to be one for which I am incredibly thankful!
Hope everyone had a lovely holiday, whatever that definition is for you. And to our international friends, happy beginning of the winter holidays to you!!
Those HBH apple cinnamon rolls are ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️!!
Adam Grants tweet really gave me pause. It helped me see that being upset about the influence of my husbands family (that we spent with our kids at Thanksgiving) is ok! I shouldn’t dismiss what I value as my core beliefs as selfishness on my part. And that I should examine my anger and frustration and use that to move me to action.
Hello Lil Swipes!!! It’s been a hot minute since I commented. So, hey, y’all!
Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. We went into ours with high anxiety and lowest of low expectations. Due to some family trauma we had last year, we didn’t know what to expect. Well, it exceeded our expectations and everyone behaved like actual adults and not we are the parents and even though, you, our kids, are literal adults, we can still tell you what to do. My husband and I were very pleased that my family understood that we had to leave soon after lunch yesterday. As my therapist told me, you have to do what is best for you and your family. And, I had a revelation almost like a prophecy, we can have just Thanksgiving with our “core four” (me, hubs, kids) and we can go away for Christmas if we want to. No one should be getting upset and should understand the need for the Core Four™️ to be together.
Happier notes:
My town now has an indie bookstore and ya girl got to help curate and shelve all the fiction. My Kathleen Kelly dreams are coming true. It has been so much fun and the store opened just this week. Even my husband as impressed! 😂
If you haven’t watched Midnight Mass on Netflix, do it! I binged it last weekend and can’t stop thinking about it. I’m on my second listen of the Bible Binge’s deep dive on it and an probably gonna rewatch it again soon. It’s so well done and extremely interesting and thought provoking.
Christmas movie viewing began last night with Home Alone. Probably gonna watch Elf and maybe Christmas Vacation this weekend. We reserve A Christmas Story for Christmas Eve.
Happy Christmas to all who celebrate and to borrow from the beloved Pantsuit Politics ladies, may you have the best holiday season available to you.
I am so, so thankful for my lil swipe friends. The past week was hard but filled with several pockets of joy. I'm trying to get better at finding the treasures, to hold the bitter and the sweet. I officially quit my full time job, effective at the the end of the year. I feel such relief but according to a fight I had with my husband last night, he does not. It's been a difficult year for both of us and he's had some of his own heavy personal stuff. I guess I haven't done the best job at communicating how difficult this year has been for me. It feels a little bit like we've been living separate lives in the same house this past year and it's so hard.
As I approach my 30th birthday I am trying to let go of putting everyone else first and shoving my emotions down instead of feeling and processing them. It's, um not going great? Or I guess maybe it is. I had a very emotional reaction to my mom giving her kitchen table to my little sister despite telling me my whole life that I would inherit it. My feelings were mostly around the fact that she didn't discuss it with me and I found out via a Facebook post. I tried to explain how I felt and my mom didn't really get it. It's exhausting to keep trying to explain so I just stopped.
I went to the appointment that was supposed to be my ADHD evaluation and it was just an intake (that cost $150) and I had to schedule another appointment for the actual evaluation. The office called me Tuesday to explain that the cost would be almost $1000 and I'd have to have half up front. Apparently it was for 10 different evaluations even thought I only asked for ADHD so I had to cancel and now I have to try and follow up to see if I can get just the ADHD evaluation. So frustrating and I feel like I threw away $150.
We got to see family we've missed for a few years and got a few days off. I read two books in two days and it was exactly what I needed. I've had the new Adele album on repeat and I'm obsessed. I've got one discussion post and one paper in between me and Christmas break and I am so ready.
No, not great but you sound like God has you on a healing path. Hugs too!
Ugh, all of that sounds so hard. *hugs*
I’m excited for the advent study after totally crapping out on the last one. 😬
My son got a terrible cold last week and then passed it to my daughter and now me. Not Covid, not anything else horrible as far as anyone can tell, but so unfun.
The trip to my in-laws’ has so far been okay, with just a few sticky spots of questionable theology being taught to my daughter. I never know how to navigate those in the moment. Does anybody have any tips? I know they want to tell her about Jesus and in theory that’s great but in reality, the way it’s simplified down into black and white is damaging in the long term, IMO. And I’m missing my family.
The trip back home is tomorrow and my anxiety does not handle road tripping in congested traffic always ramps it up, plus my husband leaves Sunday evening for a conference out of town for several days, so I’ll be parenting solo for three days.
I wasn’t sure we’d get the Swipe Up today, so I was glad to see this and y’all! ❤️
Yes! Meredith Miller for life!
Meredith Anne Miller on IG has been a great follow for me as I think about how I want to introduce God to my kids (hint not like I was introduced 😑). I am sure you look thru her highlights/message a question to help.
A couple of Black Weekend PSAs:
- If you use Paypal for your online shopping, you get one cash giveaway entry per order. A girl can dream, right?
- If your options for local bookstores are limited, check out bookshop.org. They profit-share with a whole bunch of independent stores and you have the option of designating a specific store for the profits from your order. Free shipping this weekend.
I've been thinking a lot about grief recently, so thank you Pastor Andrew for that reflection.
I had Thanksgiving yesterday with a dear friend and her family, which was delightful. I turn 31 tomorrow, and while there are some things about fully entering my 30s that I'm not thrilled with, I can already feel myself starting to shed my give-a-damns, so watch out world. I have my first shift at my new (extremely part-time) job next Friday, and I'm getting nervous because it's New and Unknown and therefore scary. I was discussing this with my friend's husband yesterday and said something along the lines of "I guess we'll see if I can hack it" and he gave me this really confused look and said "why wouldn't you be able to hack it?" So thanks to David for helping me keep a lid on my imposter syndrome, may you all be so fortunate with the married-ins of your friend group.
Way to go David!
Well, we did it. My dad has come and gone from NC in short it was a giant turd for me and Nana. But the week has had many treasures so I'm focusing on that!
My older brother is here! It's always fun having him stay with me. We watched Sorcerers Stone last night with a commentary from a HP podcast we listen to.
We had a lovely time with the family that was able to come. I have a lot of family in edu and they were so excited for me to be in the library and just really encouraging.
I spent the morning drinking coffee and finishing The Matzah Ball and now I'm going to put up my Christmas decorations!
Have the best weekend available to you my lovely friends. So thankful for you all!
What is the HP podcast you listen to?
It's called Mugglecast! I haven't listened to Sacred Text but I've heard good things, I'll have to check it out.
*frantically looks it up on Spotify*
I would also like to know! I used to listen to Harry Potter and the Sacred Text pretty consistently but I’m sure there is a whole plethora of them out there.
Happy Thanksgiving! "You help us sew our wounds back together. 😭
🦃 Zoomgiving was lovely and delicious and had a bonus guest, which all the best Thanksgivings do. Today we have an in person, outdoors Thanskgiving with another family that has been super isolated. They are gluten intolerant so I picked up desserts at a local gf bakery - so fancy!
🍁 We took 3 walks yesterday in all these gorgeous neighborhoods with beautiful tree canopies. I slept like a baby for the first time in weeks. So Erin is really onto something with her Stupid Walks™️. I just apparently need 3 of them for it to work. 😆
🎶 I watched Dan in Real Life the other evening, and I have Let My Love Open the Door in my head now. My husband heard me singing it and made me a fun playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2UtAJwAjEnF0sFeoPlZqac?si=kLAq92MsTt6Yh0Pbh-xepA&utm_source=copy-link
🎄 I'm biting off more than I can chew, but I am excited to do some advent studies/devotionals, etc. So I am doing Erin's with you all. Kate Bowlers with a friend. And going through the lectionary with my new Bible buddies at forward day by day. (Like the Daily Bread but for Episcopalians). I have been lurking in the comments as the cutest retirees discuss the daily readings and encourage each other. They are just darling!
Stupid Walks FTW!
I am getting so much joy from these comments today - I wasn't positive if there would be a newsletter on this holiday week, so what a joy! :)
Treasure this week - while trying to wake up a kiddo to give them some meds, without ever fully waking up, he said, "Fee fi fo fum," then rolled right back over while my husband & I silent laughed and dashed for the hallway.
While picking out our Christmas wreath, I impulsively also got a large magnolia branch to put also by the front door in a planter ... I kind of regretted it the whole way home, but it's my new favorite holiday decoration & I'll probably have to get one every year now!
Happy shopping, everyone!
Ooh a magnolia branch sounds lovely!
Fee fi fo fum! Ha! That is great!
🦃 🛍 Happy belated Thanksgiving and Black Friday! Have I shopped a lot today mostly for myself, yes I have. Thank goodness for the Internet.
👰🏼♀️💕 I went to my first post quarantine wedding and had me a blast. I did have to deal with some post wedding jealousy that I haven’t dealt with in a long time, and thankfully I had some friends outside of my church circle that I could talk it out with. It led to some really sweet God moments that reminded me how loved I really am, married or not!
🦞😩 My parents and I went to a seafood place at Disney Springs for Thanksgiving and it was fun, but nagging mothers will nag and it’s annoying. I don’t want to get into it but I’m in a very similar situation with feeling like I always have to walk on eggshells with my parents. It’s so hard.
🍪😍 I finally got this limited holiday cookie at Gideon’s at DS that I haven’t been able to get a hold of for two years. I ate one half last night (these suckers are huge) and will eat the other half tonight. I also have another one in my freezer for next month.
📖 💝 Can anyone recommend an independent online used bookstore? Does such a place exist? If anyone can do it, I know the Swipe Fam can!
🍲🔪 I’m meal prepping my favorite chili tonight! Problem is, I eventually have to go to the grocery store to do it…
🏃🏻♀️🎉 …but first, I’m getting back into my good habits that have slipped away from me, namely running. See y’all in December! 😘
I love the Bookshelf in Thomasville. ❤️
Me too!
Okay, tell me about the holiday cookie at Gideon's!
Here with you in the parents situation. 💕
And it’s also nice to know that I’m not completely alone in having different views from my parents and having to watch every word and action I say and do. It’s hard, so very hard. My heart is with you too!
It’s called the Krampus cookie and it’s a dark chocolate Andres mint cookie. It is richhhhhhhh but so delicious!
Ahhh, that sounds amazing!!!
Bookshop.org! They profit-share with a whole bunch of independent bookstores, and you can designate a specific one to recieve the profits from your order if you have a fave in mind. Between this and my local Half-Price, I am completely off Amazon for physical books and typically only read the free ones on Kindle.
Ahhhhhh this is a gold mine! THANK YOU THANK YOU! 😍
I’m so glad that God has given you the friendships you need to remember how loved you are!
Me too. 😭❤️
I'm glad you had friends to talk with, and have a renewed sense of your belovedness. I have never heard of these cookies. I am intrigued...
Gideon’s Bakehouse is a local Orlando treasure! My favorite holiday cookie from there is a dark chocolate Andes mint cookie topped with sea salt. 🤤
Yowza!
Holiday Greetings! This is my favorite time of year and I’m already WAY into the gift shopping, so finally arriving at Advent season is truly bringing me the most joy. I also know it’s very difficult for so many, and I’m holding you guys close in my thoughts during these days. The past 5 years have been equal parts joyous and mournful with my dad absent, and that’s made Advent feel a lot like Lent, at times: carrying the sorrow of waiting and looking to a future reuniting with the celebration of relationship and Christ’s birth. Bittersweet only begins to describe it. But I love this season enough that I seek out the joy at all times. It’s probably the only time of year that I am truly, literally filled with joy. I hope all of you can experience some of those moments, as well.
📬 There’s a little spreadsheet in cyberland that contains a few Lil Swipes addresses and birthdates and personal interests, but it’s been a while since I’ve mentioned it. Perhaps some of us might want to send Christmas cards (or another preferred holiday? please note!). If you want to add your info, go here:
http://bit.ly/lil-swipes-birthdays
🍽 For Thanksgiving, my mom wanted the traditional dinner she always made for our family so I spent two days making *all* the dishes. We discovered a 3-pound turkey breast last year that is perfect for two people (with leftovers), but I overshot that mark on my grandmother’s cornbread dressing (it’s my fave so I’m not sad for “too much dressing”). Y’all know I don’t like cooking, so I spent days planning the most efficient methods and time management to not exhaust myself, and it worked out pretty well. It was still A LOT and then I had to clean it all up 😫, but it’s probably the first time I’ve ever cooked a meal almost perfectly. My mom, though, wanted her yeast rolls, but with her health issues she could only get to the dough stage before tagging me in. So I attempted to finish the process, and, well… they’re a bit like golf balls. It’s just another reminder of what keeps changing with my mom and what will likely be lost when she’s gone. Despite the failed rolls, we had a very good meal and I’m not nearly as exhausted as I thought I’d be. Success!
🎬 After our meal, we spent the evening watching KING RICHARD. So, so good! Every performance is fantastic, and the film is so well made. Definitely make time to see it.
📖 Along with our advent study, I’m planning to start Emily Freeman’s “The Next Right Thing Journal” next week. Has anyone been using it this past year? How has it gone for you? I’m a consistent journaler, so I’m excited for it, but I don’t always go as deep as I’d like. Have you found the reflection aspect to be helpful? Share some tips if you have any!
🗓 Finally, I’m also trying out a digital Advent calendar this year. I’ve always wanted to buy a gifting one for myself (like Bonne Maman or one with beauty products), but they are always out of my budget so this one seemed perfect. It’s $5 and giftable! Plus, this year’s theme is London Christmas, so nothing could thrill me more! https://www.jacquielawson.com/advent
Wishing you all a peaceful weekend and maybe even some sugar plum dreams. ❤️
I cannot wait to watch King Richard!
Cornbread dressing is the true star of thanksgiving
Truly, no such thing as too much dressing/stuffing!
I'm so glad your dinner turned out fabulously! I got the NRT journal last Christmas and have only sort of used it. I recommitted in October to try and reflect more as I make this career change and I really enjoy it. It's not overwhelming, I read over the lists most weekends and add a few things.
The annual Jacquie Lawson Advent calendar is a favorite in our house!
That birthday list has brought so much joy to my life this year I’m sending some cards out so I thank you for making it!
Congrats and kudos for pulling off the whole traditional meal. It is a lot of work! What a beautiful way to love your mom. Holidays are such a mixed bag of emotions. Bittersweet is right. Sugar plum dreams back atcha!
I really am learning how to hold the bitter with the sweet too as I get older. *cue Landslide by Fleetwood Mac*
BUT I am so grateful you’ve been able to find little pockets of joy even in the hurt. As an enneagram six, I’m learning how to do that well and it’s a practice that gets better with time.
fellow enneagram six here to say it is so hard but does get easier
Happy almost advent! Really looking forward to the study starting on Sunday. I feel like we have been living in a perpetual advent the last couple pandemic yrs. Speaking of the big P I got my booster last week-no line in my small vaccine adverse town 😫😭. Symptoms included sore arm, tiredness and a little headache. Still totally worth it!
While choring it around home I enjoyed listening to Dateline's latest pod “The Thing About Helen And Olga. It is narrated by Keith Morrison and is campy true crime about two grandmas who get up to no good in LA. A quick 6 episode story.
Looking forward to move campy fun with the new season of Selling Sunset (gorgeous houses 🤩 and sky high stilettos that I would never wear).
We got our outdoor Christmas started yesterday, but really starting indoor stuff is leaving me stalled out. With so much baby gear (play gym, seat etc) thinking of adding more stuff around makes me feel 🙃. I will get there just maybe not today 😅.
Happy weekend and shopping if that is your jam!
Hooray for your booster! And campy fun! I hear you on the indoor decorations. Adding Christmas on top of a cram-packed life is tough. I hope you land on something festive but not stressful. Just enough twinkle to spark joy and not overwhelm.
Thank you Dawn!
Selling Sunset is a guilty pleasure of mine too!
I saw they are starting a FL verison in December 👀.
Oh shoooooooot is it a Miami edition with Maya? I’d watch that!
Oh that would be good. It looks like it’s in Tampa?
Ooooooooh Tampa would have some interesting houses to feature (and I know because I lived there in college!)
Cool! We will have to check it out
Happy Friday, babes!
It’s been many many weeks since I’ve been able to pop into the comments, but I’m so happy to be here today. Things have been level 10 hard (as Hannah Myer calls it: #RealFeel95) out here in these streets and my emotional sanity was hanging on by a single thread that finally popped last night. Longgggg story short, I don’t have family to spend holidays with, so I opened up my home to my small group and my friend who also doesn’t have family. No one in my small group came (which wasn’t really a surprise - I figured most of them had families to go to, but just thought I’d offer just in case). But my friend flaked on me very last minute, which left me sobbing into my trays of baked mac and cheese and sweet potato casserole. I’m so so SO grateful for my big sister and beloved Lil Swipe Danielle who let me FaceTime her and ugly cry and just sat with me in my feelings. I’m so grateful for the community that this newsletter has brought into my life. I have some of the sweetest friends who are there in the darkest times of my life because of this corner of the internet.
Speaking of: ATTENTION ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING TO THE CHICAGO SHOW. Now, that I have your attention: hi, hello! Can’t wait to see you. Just wanted to start throwing it out there that we will be having a Lil Swipe Chi Town meet up after the Popcast show at a bar near the venue. Location TBD. Just wanted to put it on everyone’s radar.
Okay now lemme hit some treasures:
- Watching The Family Stone on Thanksgiving night. It’s one of my favorite stolen traditions (thanks JBG).
- today I’m going to take my time browsing a bookstore. In my general theme of being gentle with myself this week, this sounds like the perfect thing to bring joy and delight to this weekend.
- today I will also be watching Die Hard while putting up my Christmas Tree and making a batch of chicken and dumplins (see: line above about delight and gentleness)
That’s all from me! See you when I see you!
This breaks my heart for you. I’m so sorry. I’m sending a hug across the miles and hope you’ve been able to find ways to celebrate this weekend that feel good to you and remind you that you aren’t forgotten or alone. Saying a prayer for you now.
I'm so sorry about your thanksgiving. (Though, is there any better cure to a broken heart than mac n' cheese? what a blessing that you had it on hand). Can't wait to see you in Chicago and squeeze you tight.
I am so sorry about your Thanksgiving. What a freakin' bummer. ❤️
I'm so sorry about your Thanksgiving. I hope your weekend brings the gentleness and joy you deserve 💕
I will be at the Chicago show, and the meetup sounds amazing!!!
I'm so sorry your gathering didn't go as planned! Taking the time to be gentle with ourselves and feel feelings is hard work. Much love ❤!
Oh, I am so sorry about your Thanksgiving! I would have sobbed into the Mac and cheese too. How brave and creative of you for inviting others to begin with! Your weekend sounds wonderful. I hope Die Hard and Dumplings becomes a thing. ❤
Sorry Tday didn’t pan out as you wanted. I hope you can enjoy some awesome leftovers this weekend. Truly their loss.
That's what I thought too! This gal has cozy, warm, inviting down pat.
Aw Megan, that sucks. I’m so sorry your friend flaked. Your Weekend of Gentleness sounds so nice - I hope it brings you joy & rest!
Happy Friday, friends!
Thanksgiving with my sister's in-laws was lovely! Her mother-in-law is the kindest person I've ever met, and she made us feel so welcome and loved.
I made this pie, and it was maybe the best thing I've ever eaten. I'm already planning to make it again for Christmas! https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/chocolate-pie/
And now it's time to decorate for Christmas!!!
I'm so glad you had a lovely holiday!
Anything from Sally is delicious! I love chocolate and no one in my family makes it so I'll have to try this!
I'm so glad you had a good holiday! Isn't it lovely to be welcomed in? And thanks for the pie recipe. My mom always mad chocolate pie for Christmas, so maybe I will take up the tradition with this one
Yesterday was good and hard. I want to have a better relationship with my parents but I feel like I am walking on 1,000 eggshells. I hosted in my little house and our friends also joined us and that was great but at one point I wanted to crawl in a hole and cry because I felt so overwhelmed. I have to go shopping with my mom today and I am worried she will ruin my experience. We’re only going to small businesses - no big black friday craziness. But still. It’s hard.
I am excited for Small Shop Saturday - I hope everyone has a small business they’re supporting this season! I had such a great response to sharing small businesses on my IG story. I only did about 20 and it was so tiring (how do IG influencers do it!?) but so many people told me they were going to shop those small businesses this weekend - it was totally worth it.
I don’t have much else to say because I am just tired but friends - please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I am trying to work through decades of trauma and emotional hardship and it feels like every time I see my parents, it sets me back 6 months.
You're doing great work on yourself. It's worth it! ❤️
This made me teary. Thank you, Erin.
Praying for you Shelby, family relationships are so hard! I so feel you on the setbacks every time you have to see them.
thank you. may we both survive together.♥
Oh, I relate to the overwhelm and the eggshells. Do you have people/therapist to debrief with? I always tried to build the debrief into the plan for any family visit. It helped to come home to people who care for me and remind me I am not the problem. Will be praying for you today - for no issues and for moments of rest and even delight. Totally supporting small businesses, both here and in out little town where we are staying.
Thank you♥ I have a therapy appointment scheduled for Tuesday morning. I learned about even more family trauma than I could have ever known and it explains so much.
Oh, I'm so glad! It is sometimes painful to find those things, but at the same time it is nice to have real answers.
We hosted my husband's family yesterday as well, and at one point my husband found me hiding in our boys' bedroom watching a Muppet movie with my youngest. I just gave him the "What?" face as he slowly backed out of the room 😂
Amazing.🤣
I love this!
Parents are so hard. I’m proud of you for doing the work.
Thank you.♥
You are not alone in feeling you have to walk on eggshells with family. I’m in it too. Praying for you, friend! ❤️
Thank you. Holding space for you.♥
You are not alone in the parent angst. Courage for good boundaries friend! I hope today goes ok.
Thank you! It went better than I anticipated.
❤️ I feel you with walking on eggshells around your parents. I hope your shopping day goes smoothly and that you have time to be alone and process soon. 💕
Thank you for sharing the small businesses! I'm trying to decide what to buy from Bella Joy pottery because everything is so beautiful!
Thank you! Also, please tell me what you end up deciding to buy!