1. I felt the tweet about remembering random people’s birthdays in my soul. I will tell him/her happy birthday on Facebook or something and then go back days later and think oh gosh do people think I’m weird for telling that person Happy Birthday. So that’s my life.
2. The teachers got Wise at my kids school and scheduled a teacher workday for Valentine’s Day so they had parties yesterday, so they didn’t really get out of the whole party part but I was so proud of myself because I bought skittles as Valentine’s Day gifts and I didn’t even have to write the kids names on them I literally just put enough skittles (individually wrapped bags of course ) in a plastic bag for each kid’s class and told the kid to pass them out accordingly.
3. I am currently conducting my pre-Super Bowl prep of listening to the performers scheduled for the halftime show so that I can remember what song is facing out of time.
I did not expect to Olympic as hard as I usually do because a) we just had one and b) China is sketch, but I physically can't not watch Olympic figure skating and the next thing I know the only thing on my TV for 2 weeks straight is Olympics. Sorry not sorry. Some thoughts on the games so far:
- We are proud of Nathan Chen for his beautiful win, yes, but also for his extremely conscientious masking practices. Good job Nathan!
- Was anyone as excited as I was to see Jason Brown back on the Olympic team? He is so good and has obviously grown up so much and I'm just so proud of him. Jason, if you're reading, I want to be your friend. Hit me up.
- Shaun White leaving the corral after his last ever run to be met by all his snowboarding bros? Cue tears.
- The AUDACITY of the NFL to have a Superbowl during the Olympics. You couldn't postpone for 2 weeks? Really?
I can't get any agents to return my emails about helping me find a rent house, so it looks like I may be on my own for this particular chore. I just want to give someone a list of what I'm looking for so they can narrow it down and the whole thing can be done in a day or two.
Nathan is me. I'm the Nathan Chen of my community. Most people don't even wear masks in Target anymore, meanwhile I'm dutifully continuing to mask up, both so I can stay healthy for the Popcast live show in April, and for my two under 5 children who cannot get vaccinated yet Karen, so please stop mouth breathing on us in line at Trader Joes, I just want to buy my orange chicken.
Beth, we can embrace BOTH the Olympics AND the Super Bowl by cheering on all the athletes, then enjoying the snacks and superior music from the halftime show. Then going back to the athletes.
Lol you go, girl. “I just want to buy my orange chicken” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I flip-flop over whether I think it’s worth it daily. So sometimes I’m you and sometimes I just don’t have the effort and pray my vaccine and natural immunity hold me through 😅
Yes to Nathan Chen! My mom said “wow it’s crazy they have to wear their mask at that point still” during the warmups and I was like “no, it’s just him. He’s just being that diligent” 🤣
Oh yeah me too! so many from other countries missed the team competition, too! It sucks for them that they’ve trained their whole lives for this moment and they get the one chance, maybe 2 or 3 if they are lucky and devote even more of their lives, and then they have to sit out for a disease that if it wasn’t so contagious they probably wouldn’t even notice they were sick or would power through for this moment 😷 😟 can you imagine getting THAT close and having to sit out even though you’re feeling perfectly fine? 🥺
I mean, at least he got to skate for the team and help them earn the silver, but yeah, a lot of people didn't even get that kind of consolation prize. I didn't even watch the whole video that he posted, but he was so obviously heartbroken about it.
Is it cool to just pop in here to say “present” 🙋🏻♀️?
This month has been bipolar; one week of vampire hours + hibernation with shingles vax side effects, the next week of creative energy and restless sleeplessness. I’m DRAINED. Your treasures and your trash moments are refilling my spiritual tank and reminding me to just chiiillll. Love you gals!
I feel like I could write the memoir about having to apologize for what I said when I was hungry. There would be a nice long entry for last night when I had to apologize to my boys while I put them to bed🙄. Also, from now on I shall consider evangelical culture a teeny tiny tea bag😂
Treasures this week: today, honestly. We all slept in. I made pumpkin bread. I did some work from home while the boys made me snacks in their pretend kitchen. Then we played games together. It was basically perfect. Tonight is our valentines date night and my mom is coming over to hang with the boys- I know everyone will have a good time and no one will go to bed at a reasonable hour. Here’s hoping they sleep in again tomorrow😂
Fingers crossed your boys slept in today. My kids didn't come out of their rooms until 6:15, which meant almost 45 extra minutes of sleep today, it was MAGICAL
I get to see my cousin and his boyfriend tomorrow- they live in Brazil so it's definitely a special occasion. Also my dad had prostate surgery Tuesday and is doing well. I'll get to see him, my mom, and sister as well. I was looking forward to going to the movies by myself tomorrow to watch Jackass Forever and Death on the Nile (I contain multitudes) but this is better, at least the seeing my cousin part for sure!
It's homecoming week and it's been so much fun. Monday was 'anything but a backpack' day and we had everything from a microwave to toddler shopping carts to a traffic cone!
I bought a humidifier for our bedroom. The old one still turned on but didn't actually put out any humidity.
Turd: I'm still apparently gritting my teeth while I sleep and it's affecting both my sleep and my daytime.
Erin, I am very much looking forward to the Lenten study. Psalms! Can't wait.
Today's turd that was also kind of a treasure was that I didn't have internet access for most of the day. I couldn't get here until late, then again, not starting the day with social media was kind of great. Who knew? 😉
This week has been kind of "meh" with the biggest turds being hormonal and/or involving slipping on ice and landing on my sacrum. Zero stars, would not recommend. But there have been some pretty nice treasures as well!
🎂 Birthday leftovers. Cake and bubbly for days, baby!
📺 Starstruck, season 2. I blew through it and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
🎧 If you're looking for a short podcast episode that somehow manages to combine spiritual formation, anti racism and Encanto, may I direct you to the latest episode of The Slow Way?
Well hello friends! What a week! Erin - you are the biggest treasure! Thank you so much for what you do (waves arms expansively) here for all of us!
In the world of both and - a treasure and a turd - it was almost 80 here yesterday and will be again today...the weather is simply spectacular and yet, Californians know that warm weather this early with no rain in sight means an early fire season and the PTSD that anyone who's been close to a fire carries with them starts cropping up. While it lasts, I'm definitely enjoying this weather, and watching the hills turn prematurely brown.
I had a tough conversation with leadership at my church this week about the ableism I see as the rush is on to get back to "normal" - whatever that is. Love my church, and know that we have to move forward both as the small c church and the capital C church, but hoping that leadership is looking over their shoulder to see who they're leaving behind as they move forward. Was I heard? No idea... I'm part of a study group for people who have a chronic illness and the consistent feeling globally is the knowledge that they are not seen and being left behind at church. Oof. It's a hard one, that's for sure.
Treasures! Our little nonprofit that could is getting a tiny bit of traction and may even have found our first corporate sponsor! Whoo hoo! We've also been nominated for a local "Spirit" award and if that brings media coverage, yippee! Our patients could sure use the help!
Have a great weekend friends - my birthday is next week, and my transplant anniversary was last week, so I'm celebrating! I sent an email out to our nonprofit friends asking them to do a random act of kindness to honor my transplant anniversary and my birthday and will issue that challenge here too! Let's all find a random act to kindness to do for someone who needs it! If you do - tag our foundation - I'd love to know about it! @heartfelthelpfoundation
Good for you having the tough conversation. I hope you can feel that though the church may leave you behind, God does not. Congrats on your transplataversary!
I'm sorry that you had to have tough conversations this week, but good for you for stepping up and voicing your concerns, especially as you're speaking out on behalf of others. And hooray for your nonprofit hopefully gaining more coverage, I'm sure your patients are excited as well!
Hi friends! Frequent lurker, rare commenter here with a heartfelt endorsement specifically for Every Broken Thing. That guide cracked my heart wide open. Stoked for Mercy Seat! (Is it weird to be stoked for Lent? I always am though.)
Treasures:
- Winter sunsets on the Gulf Coast. Florida really delivers in the sky department from October - February.
- After scoffing *so hard* and not even attempting to finish the introduction a couple of years ago, I finished listening to the audiobook of Jess Connolly's "You Are the Girl for the Job" and whew, I needed that. Would highly recommend her audiobooks because this lady's preaching/reading voice is v effective.
- Half off Target cozy clothes
- My precious middle school students, I just love them.
Turds:
- I work in the front office of a public middle school and this week I had some rough parent interactions. Our sweet teachers, staff, admin and kiddos are doing their very best but some parents are just cruel and it's hard.
- Hormones, an eternal mystery to manage yet can ruin your day
Hoping all of you have a gentle respite of a weekend, if you're able!
In the current education climate I keep wondering if parents have *always* been this mean? Is it worse now or does bad behavior finally have a spotlight? It’s horrendous to see it and I know it’s worse to experience it. Bless you!
Bless you for working not only in the front office of any school, but a middle school. Anyone in education deserves every good thing in life, but especially for middle school!!
TGIF!!! I have been needing a day off. This week was long and weird. Between super demanding/entitled clients and other more unusual happenings it’s just been weird. Not necessarily bad, but I definitely don’t have any energy left.
Treasures this week include getting my Galentines gift of a puzzle and a fantastic Golden Girls mug. Slight turd: I kept the gift note so I could properly thank my person and my husband who INSISTS on tidying up ALL THE THINGS seems to have thrown it away. I’m pretty sure it was Tara?! If you see this, please let me know who you are! I love my gift!
Other treasures include looking forward to our annual friend date for the Super Bowl, getting ready to move to a new office at work (my mentors old office which is both very weird and also kind of full circle), lunch with a friend, and some fantastic weather after a week or so of super cold nasty weather.
Also, I would 100% be on board with adult field trips. Wonder how I can make this happen at my place of employment.
I actually really love Lent. Thanks for doing another guide for us, Erin.
Well, I spoke too soon, I guess. The scary eye situation is still evolving. Follow-ups. More exams. No answers yet. Waiting. Watching. Cultivating that sweet hypervigilance. Sigh.
A few treasures:
💝 For Valentine's I cut out pastel hearts and then my husband and I write "conversation heart"-style sayings on them, buy they are personal to us and then hang them up. It makes me laugh every day to see "jingle bells" and "ya fagaht ta file ya papahwahk" (Roz from Monsters Inc) along with sweet notes. It's dumb but makes me happy.
Everything is so expensive I want lots of info before I spring for something. Does anyone have a vacuum they love? Those robot mops kind of scare me a little. Do they work?
I had just been introduced to the existence of solar punk (which I guess is a sub-sub genre? I don't really know how it works) the other day and I was intrigued, because so much literature is bleak and dystopian, it was cheering to find out that people are thinking up art that is hopeful. I could use some hopeful art. Does anyone read these kinds of books?
I really love my Dyson stick vacuum! Maybe the v7? It's up to like v11 now and they can get really pricey, but I use my several times a day. I personally don't use the robot vacuums because I constantly have toddler confetti on my floor that would get stuck, but if that wasn't an issue for me I'd totally get a robot vacuum. I've so heard people love their Shark stick vacuums!
For what it's worth, I've never had an issue with the battery running out mid-cleaning! I was concerned about that when we bought it, but 3 years in and it hasn't died on my yet.
I also have a cordless stick vacuum in a small house and I haven’t had issues with the battery running out. We went with a random brand off of Amazon, and I’m not sure I would recommend. It’s enough, but I think I would go with the Shark if I could do it again.
I am feeling the chaotic energy this week! So here's just some scattershot treasures & turds. I'm going to be employing the "end everything with exclamation points" from the tweet roundup a few weeks ago, because I feel that fits my energy today
Treasures
+ Super Bowl!!
+ girls night with sangria!!!
+ got nominated for a work project where I work with campus big wigs who don't know I exist on the evening shift!!!
+ husband has an opportunity to pick up a side project that would bring in some much needed cash!! ...
Turds
- .... this side project would mean I would be solo parenting for 9 days .... what even! ....
- I have to get the next part of my gum graft done next month; in deep denial!
- there's a whole situation going on with my in laws where we are getting deeply involved in finding them somewhere safe to live, something they are extremely reluctant to do but is super necessary!!!
I am the big 4-2 today, and never have a felt my age until this week. My biggest turd was falling down our stairs while holding the 6 month old, and gracious, my body is still not speaking to me. (Baby was fine, just freaked out.)
I have never owned earbuds and am super excited to not have a wire tangling up in my hair and clothes or getting caught on cupboard handles while doing chores and listening to podcasts.
I am very excited to read them later and mark them up with washi tape.
3. I told my boys that since it is my birthday, we are going to do some things that mom wants to do, which includes watching some Olympics and reading. It's going to be a great day.
I will be spending some time it this poetry when we have birthday reading time later.
That hangry memoir tweet gets me; this morning I told my oldest that I was going to write a book called Invasion of the Mutant Socks: Memoirs on Raising Boys. Which got me thinking about memoir titles - what's your favorite? What would yours be?
May your weekend be filled with all of your favorite things, plus snacks.
Happy Birthday Sarah! Those earbuds are great, and both those cookbooks are EXCELLENT (the tropical lassi smoothie is really delicious, we highly recommend it over here!)
Happy birthday, girlie! As a part-time Four (when my 5-wing settles the frak down), I appreciate the joy of receiving something from your wish list. Why is it hard for people to understand that a list you personally put time and effort into making is not a vague *suggestion* but a literal roadmap to the heart?!? I mean, I just spelled it out for you! Follow the yellow brick road! How is this hard?!? 🤪 Congrats on getting what you want! AirPods changed my LIFE.
Once upon a time, before caregiving and having to take on ADULT responsibilities, my memoir title was my actual identity: “Confessions of a Pop Culture Junkie.” Alas, those days are gone and I now live in a world of TikToks I don’t understand, celebs I don’t care about, music I don’t like, and TV chosen by my mom (which is always the NCISes and Blue Bloods episodes). Officially 👵🏻 at 52. Blech.
It’s colorful tape you can get in the craft aisle of most stores, and I believe it is also easily removable…? But at any rate, it’s like a Post-It that doesn’t stick out and get all mangled.
Don't mind me, just over here crying about Bob Saget telling all of his friends that he loves them.
We had friends from college spend the weekend with us, which was super fun and also kind of exhausting (my "spending time with people" muscles have still not recovered full strength). We were talking about how neither of us have found a church yet after moving to Florida, and my friend said, "Have you heard of deconstruction? Because I think that's what I've been doing for the past few months!" 😅 It was really comforting because I've always thought of her as way more spiritual and secure in her faith than I am, and it was nice to feel like we're going through this together.
Related, the phrase from the end of the deconstruction and tea TikTok is sticking with me: Admit our complicity and prioritize empathy. It feels like a good mantra for life.
I cannot express to you how excited I am to have a sporting event to watch this weekend that isn't football. We are planning to have all the Super Bowl snacks but only watch the Olympics. However, I haven't yet decided on which snacks to make, so I'd love to know what your favorite Super Bowl snacks are!
Also, can I hop on the only watching the Olympics train but with all the snacks? My middle child got up late last night and we bundled her onto the couch with us to watch the end of the curling match, so now she wants to learn how to do it too!
Those nachos look incredible! I just made carnitas for the first time this week and it was so good I'm already trying to figure out when to make it again, and I think it's gotta be this! Also I have never made a queso I was happy with, so I can't wait to try this one!
Hooray for snacks! I only watch football on Super Bowl Sunday and truly I’m only there for the ads and the snacks. We’re planning sheet pan nachos (Kendra Adachi has terrific instructions, below), and I’m going to make some pineapple cookies. I also bought a can of spray cheese because my heart decided to be a 10-year-old when I was shopping. 😂
Gator tails is what we call them (I'm sure there's lots of names) but it's cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos! I like to mix in some cheddar and green onions with the cream cheese before stuffing the jalapenos, and then I cook them on the grill.
Also, bacon wrapped dates are delish! Basically anything wrapped in bacon.
There's also a snack I've had that is essentially candied Pirate's Booty. It's crispy and caramelized, salty sweet. It's like caramel cheddar mix popcorn, but all in one bite. I'll see if I can find a recipe link!
Truly, any kind of dip with veggies or chips or crackers is my favorite Super Bowl snack. I just picked up Trader Joe's Spicy Hummus and Everything and the Elote dip and their new naan crackers and am very, very excited for Sunday.
Happy Friday! I am on my last full day of vacation and while I am bummed to be leaving Disneyland Resort, I’m so relieved that I’ll be back in my own bed tomorrow because Lord Jesus these beds here are TOUGH. I’ll be in the comments when I can! ❤️
Happy Friday! My allergies are acting up and anytime I'm remotely sick I think of Emily in The Devil Wears Prada saying "I feel like death warmed up", so that's the vibe for today, lol.
💩 The turd of the week is that I'm probably not going to London in August. I was going to piggyback on my brother's work conference, but it's been switched to virtual. I'm not surprised and it's probably the right decision for the conference, but I also don't think I'm ready to travel internationally by myself.
☕ I've been following Kevin Wilson for a little while and just love him, the tea/deconstruction comparison is on point.
🖋 My new pens came and their delightful! 0.38 is my favorite and to have some in colors makes grad reading more fun.
👨 My mom has a boyfriend and she called Sunday to tell me how well it's going. He's met all the family local to St Louis and they got a long really well. I think mom's surprised that it's going well and that's treating her right. It's really cute.
Alright, that's all I've got. Looking forward to catching up in the comments.
For what it's worth- solo travel is the best gift you can give yourself (if it's available to you). Especially a city that speaks the language you do. You discover stuff about yourself you'd never be able to otherwise, and it's nice to have your own agenda. I completely understand that the original circumstances have changed, but you should still think about it. I highly recommend, and am happy to chat with you if you'd like. I've done only solo travel for the past 6 years - I want to get to 100 countries in my lifetime and being single, I had to take the plunge if I wanted to accomplish my goal.
Solo travel can be a big step, but I lived in and around London for 5 years, and if you can get over the total lack of city planning I think it's as good a place as any to start that journey. Feel free to hit me up if you have questions!
Oh, so sorry about your trip! My friend is considering going this summer to visit her sister in London; I wish I could connect you two! I understand not wanting to travel solo on a trip like that.
1. I felt the tweet about remembering random people’s birthdays in my soul. I will tell him/her happy birthday on Facebook or something and then go back days later and think oh gosh do people think I’m weird for telling that person Happy Birthday. So that’s my life.
2. The teachers got Wise at my kids school and scheduled a teacher workday for Valentine’s Day so they had parties yesterday, so they didn’t really get out of the whole party part but I was so proud of myself because I bought skittles as Valentine’s Day gifts and I didn’t even have to write the kids names on them I literally just put enough skittles (individually wrapped bags of course ) in a plastic bag for each kid’s class and told the kid to pass them out accordingly.
3. I am currently conducting my pre-Super Bowl prep of listening to the performers scheduled for the halftime show so that I can remember what song is facing out of time.
I did not expect to Olympic as hard as I usually do because a) we just had one and b) China is sketch, but I physically can't not watch Olympic figure skating and the next thing I know the only thing on my TV for 2 weeks straight is Olympics. Sorry not sorry. Some thoughts on the games so far:
- We are proud of Nathan Chen for his beautiful win, yes, but also for his extremely conscientious masking practices. Good job Nathan!
- Was anyone as excited as I was to see Jason Brown back on the Olympic team? He is so good and has obviously grown up so much and I'm just so proud of him. Jason, if you're reading, I want to be your friend. Hit me up.
- Shaun White leaving the corral after his last ever run to be met by all his snowboarding bros? Cue tears.
- The AUDACITY of the NFL to have a Superbowl during the Olympics. You couldn't postpone for 2 weeks? Really?
I can't get any agents to return my emails about helping me find a rent house, so it looks like I may be on my own for this particular chore. I just want to give someone a list of what I'm looking for so they can narrow it down and the whole thing can be done in a day or two.
If you have some time, this ACL episode with Phoebe Bridgers and Olivia Rodrigo is worth a watch. All of Olivia's teenage fangirls were so precious. https://www.pbs.org/video/olivia-rodrigo-phoebe-bridgers-umz1ai/
Nathan is me. I'm the Nathan Chen of my community. Most people don't even wear masks in Target anymore, meanwhile I'm dutifully continuing to mask up, both so I can stay healthy for the Popcast live show in April, and for my two under 5 children who cannot get vaccinated yet Karen, so please stop mouth breathing on us in line at Trader Joes, I just want to buy my orange chicken.
Beth, we can embrace BOTH the Olympics AND the Super Bowl by cheering on all the athletes, then enjoying the snacks and superior music from the halftime show. Then going back to the athletes.
Lol you go, girl. “I just want to buy my orange chicken” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I flip-flop over whether I think it’s worth it daily. So sometimes I’m you and sometimes I just don’t have the effort and pray my vaccine and natural immunity hold me through 😅
Yes to Nathan Chen! My mom said “wow it’s crazy they have to wear their mask at that point still” during the warmups and I was like “no, it’s just him. He’s just being that diligent” 🤣
He saw what happened to Vincent Zhou (I felt so bad for him).
Oh yeah me too! so many from other countries missed the team competition, too! It sucks for them that they’ve trained their whole lives for this moment and they get the one chance, maybe 2 or 3 if they are lucky and devote even more of their lives, and then they have to sit out for a disease that if it wasn’t so contagious they probably wouldn’t even notice they were sick or would power through for this moment 😷 😟 can you imagine getting THAT close and having to sit out even though you’re feeling perfectly fine? 🥺
I mean, at least he got to skate for the team and help them earn the silver, but yeah, a lot of people didn't even get that kind of consolation prize. I didn't even watch the whole video that he posted, but he was so obviously heartbroken about it.
Is it cool to just pop in here to say “present” 🙋🏻♀️?
This month has been bipolar; one week of vampire hours + hibernation with shingles vax side effects, the next week of creative energy and restless sleeplessness. I’m DRAINED. Your treasures and your trash moments are refilling my spiritual tank and reminding me to just chiiillll. Love you gals!
Hello! Rest and refill. Also how did we need call them *trash* and treasures. I mean, the alliteration is right there!
Whenever I see “turd” I hear my dads voice that “ladies don’t use crude language.” 😂 Some things just can’t be unlearned.
Lol. I hear ya. 😄
Hi! Sending you hugs and completely agreeing that this space is what helps me refill my tank each week!
SAME. Every single week.
Sending lots of love your way, Jules!
Thank you! I need it. Lots of love.
I feel like I could write the memoir about having to apologize for what I said when I was hungry. There would be a nice long entry for last night when I had to apologize to my boys while I put them to bed🙄. Also, from now on I shall consider evangelical culture a teeny tiny tea bag😂
Treasures this week: today, honestly. We all slept in. I made pumpkin bread. I did some work from home while the boys made me snacks in their pretend kitchen. Then we played games together. It was basically perfect. Tonight is our valentines date night and my mom is coming over to hang with the boys- I know everyone will have a good time and no one will go to bed at a reasonable hour. Here’s hoping they sleep in again tomorrow😂
A good day can do a lot of good. Hope date night was lovely and that everyone slept in two days in a row.
Fingers crossed your boys slept in today. My kids didn't come out of their rooms until 6:15, which meant almost 45 extra minutes of sleep today, it was MAGICAL
Replying to my own comment like a goofball because I forgot to say that the Pantsuit Politics episode this week on drinking was so excellent🔥🔥🔥
This sounds magical! Crossing my fingers for a replay tomorrow morning!
I get to see my cousin and his boyfriend tomorrow- they live in Brazil so it's definitely a special occasion. Also my dad had prostate surgery Tuesday and is doing well. I'll get to see him, my mom, and sister as well. I was looking forward to going to the movies by myself tomorrow to watch Jackass Forever and Death on the Nile (I contain multitudes) but this is better, at least the seeing my cousin part for sure!
It's homecoming week and it's been so much fun. Monday was 'anything but a backpack' day and we had everything from a microwave to toddler shopping carts to a traffic cone!
I bought a humidifier for our bedroom. The old one still turned on but didn't actually put out any humidity.
Turd: I'm still apparently gritting my teeth while I sleep and it's affecting both my sleep and my daytime.
A microwave?! I feel like no one at my school would have put that much thought into it. Plus, a microwave sounds so HEAVY lol
Hahaha I love anything but a backpack day! That is so creative!
It was really good. They mixed it up a lot for the days this week.
Hello all!
Erin, I am very much looking forward to the Lenten study. Psalms! Can't wait.
Today's turd that was also kind of a treasure was that I didn't have internet access for most of the day. I couldn't get here until late, then again, not starting the day with social media was kind of great. Who knew? 😉
This week has been kind of "meh" with the biggest turds being hormonal and/or involving slipping on ice and landing on my sacrum. Zero stars, would not recommend. But there have been some pretty nice treasures as well!
🎂 Birthday leftovers. Cake and bubbly for days, baby!
📺 Starstruck, season 2. I blew through it and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
🎧 If you're looking for a short podcast episode that somehow manages to combine spiritual formation, anti racism and Encanto, may I direct you to the latest episode of The Slow Way?
https://theslowway.libsyn.com/ep-12-beloved-community-is-the-antidote-for-your-exhaustion-0
Finally, here is some live footage of me writing an email/Instagram caption/Lil Swipes comment. https://twitter.com/5tevieM/status/1490281467393495045
Have a great weekend, friends!
Love The Slow Way! And here's to enjoying every last crumb and drop of your birthday! 🥂🍰
It's so good! Thank you, Dawn!
"What are you afraid of?"
"Wolves?"
This is how I write all my emails. Sometimes these comments too. I cannot!
I'm glad it's not just me! 😂
Happy belated birthday, Rebecka! I hope you had so many opportunities to celebrate however felt good to you. ❤️
Thanks, friend!
Ohhh starstruck season 2🥰 hope it comes stateside soon!
I hope so too!
Happy belated birthday sweet friend!
Thank you!!!
Oh my interest is very piqued about this podcast episode!
I hope you like it!
Well hello friends! What a week! Erin - you are the biggest treasure! Thank you so much for what you do (waves arms expansively) here for all of us!
In the world of both and - a treasure and a turd - it was almost 80 here yesterday and will be again today...the weather is simply spectacular and yet, Californians know that warm weather this early with no rain in sight means an early fire season and the PTSD that anyone who's been close to a fire carries with them starts cropping up. While it lasts, I'm definitely enjoying this weather, and watching the hills turn prematurely brown.
I had a tough conversation with leadership at my church this week about the ableism I see as the rush is on to get back to "normal" - whatever that is. Love my church, and know that we have to move forward both as the small c church and the capital C church, but hoping that leadership is looking over their shoulder to see who they're leaving behind as they move forward. Was I heard? No idea... I'm part of a study group for people who have a chronic illness and the consistent feeling globally is the knowledge that they are not seen and being left behind at church. Oof. It's a hard one, that's for sure.
Treasures! Our little nonprofit that could is getting a tiny bit of traction and may even have found our first corporate sponsor! Whoo hoo! We've also been nominated for a local "Spirit" award and if that brings media coverage, yippee! Our patients could sure use the help!
Have a great weekend friends - my birthday is next week, and my transplant anniversary was last week, so I'm celebrating! I sent an email out to our nonprofit friends asking them to do a random act of kindness to honor my transplant anniversary and my birthday and will issue that challenge here too! Let's all find a random act to kindness to do for someone who needs it! If you do - tag our foundation - I'd love to know about it! @heartfelthelpfoundation
Good for you having the tough conversation. I hope you can feel that though the church may leave you behind, God does not. Congrats on your transplataversary!
I'm sorry that you had to have tough conversations this week, but good for you for stepping up and voicing your concerns, especially as you're speaking out on behalf of others. And hooray for your nonprofit hopefully gaining more coverage, I'm sure your patients are excited as well!
Thank you for having those tough conversations. Lord knows they're needed!
Happy transplant anniversary and I hope you'll have a wonderful birthday next week!
Happy Transplantiversary!
Big celebrations for you! Love all this and so glad you're having tough conversations, even when they are hard.
Hi friends! Frequent lurker, rare commenter here with a heartfelt endorsement specifically for Every Broken Thing. That guide cracked my heart wide open. Stoked for Mercy Seat! (Is it weird to be stoked for Lent? I always am though.)
Treasures:
- Winter sunsets on the Gulf Coast. Florida really delivers in the sky department from October - February.
- After scoffing *so hard* and not even attempting to finish the introduction a couple of years ago, I finished listening to the audiobook of Jess Connolly's "You Are the Girl for the Job" and whew, I needed that. Would highly recommend her audiobooks because this lady's preaching/reading voice is v effective.
- Half off Target cozy clothes
- My precious middle school students, I just love them.
Turds:
- I work in the front office of a public middle school and this week I had some rough parent interactions. Our sweet teachers, staff, admin and kiddos are doing their very best but some parents are just cruel and it's hard.
- Hormones, an eternal mystery to manage yet can ruin your day
Hoping all of you have a gentle respite of a weekend, if you're able!
I'm sorry about the cruel parents. Thank you for all you do. I have a soft spot for middle schoolers too.
Hugs to you for dealing with tough parents, I hope you get to see lots of lovely sunsets this week!
In the current education climate I keep wondering if parents have *always* been this mean? Is it worse now or does bad behavior finally have a spotlight? It’s horrendous to see it and I know it’s worse to experience it. Bless you!
Bless you for working not only in the front office of any school, but a middle school. Anyone in education deserves every good thing in life, but especially for middle school!!
TGIF!!! I have been needing a day off. This week was long and weird. Between super demanding/entitled clients and other more unusual happenings it’s just been weird. Not necessarily bad, but I definitely don’t have any energy left.
Treasures this week include getting my Galentines gift of a puzzle and a fantastic Golden Girls mug. Slight turd: I kept the gift note so I could properly thank my person and my husband who INSISTS on tidying up ALL THE THINGS seems to have thrown it away. I’m pretty sure it was Tara?! If you see this, please let me know who you are! I love my gift!
Other treasures include looking forward to our annual friend date for the Super Bowl, getting ready to move to a new office at work (my mentors old office which is both very weird and also kind of full circle), lunch with a friend, and some fantastic weather after a week or so of super cold nasty weather.
Also, I would 100% be on board with adult field trips. Wonder how I can make this happen at my place of employment.
Happy weekend to all!
Completely agree, this week WAS long and weird, I hope you have a great Super Bowl and enjoy your move!
My husband is also a forgetful tidier. So unhelpfully helpful. 😅 Hoping the note crops up or she sees your comment! That is a great gift!
I actually really love Lent. Thanks for doing another guide for us, Erin.
Well, I spoke too soon, I guess. The scary eye situation is still evolving. Follow-ups. More exams. No answers yet. Waiting. Watching. Cultivating that sweet hypervigilance. Sigh.
A few treasures:
💝 For Valentine's I cut out pastel hearts and then my husband and I write "conversation heart"-style sayings on them, buy they are personal to us and then hang them up. It makes me laugh every day to see "jingle bells" and "ya fagaht ta file ya papahwahk" (Roz from Monsters Inc) along with sweet notes. It's dumb but makes me happy.
🏖While looking for something else, i saw this lounge chair with a face hole, arm holes, and patent-pending boob hole 😁 that lets you read face down. Get comfortable, ladies! Does anyone have one of these? Does it work? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FYHB0A/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_ZRYA7EEKJ4V3GGRE4B9K?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
🤖I'm getting ready to upgrade some of my cleaning tools - hello DJ Roomba! - and someone posted this the other day. A tiny steam cleaner sounds kind of handy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016HF5GK/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_V60FQSNKP89DPDAHV4GD
Everything is so expensive I want lots of info before I spring for something. Does anyone have a vacuum they love? Those robot mops kind of scare me a little. Do they work?
🚀I was looking up books to suggest for book club and came across this article that talks about "hope punk" (a Sci fi sub-genre). https://www.wired.com/story/is-becky-chambers-ultimate-hope-science-fiction/
I had just been introduced to the existence of solar punk (which I guess is a sub-sub genre? I don't really know how it works) the other day and I was intrigued, because so much literature is bleak and dystopian, it was cheering to find out that people are thinking up art that is hopeful. I could use some hopeful art. Does anyone read these kinds of books?
Looking forward to your comments everyone!
Dawn, I LOVE the idea of personalized conversation hearts! I might use that on Monday and stick them all over for my husband and kids to see!
It is so fun! Little jokes or memories. Or sweet things that are unique to the person. Make sure to take pictures to remember them later.
I had no idea I could love a vacuum until I bought this one (similar to Lauren's, but I have a dog with velcro hair): https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/shark-apex-duoclean-with-self-cleaning-brushroll-corded-stick-vacuum/5337688?brandId=121
Sharks are a lot less expensive than Dyson, and I don't have much experience with Dyson, but based on reviews they're pretty comparable quality-wise.
This is the carpet cleaner I have. My main complaint is that the hose isn't as long as I would like, but it works pretty well. https://www.amazon.com/BISSELL-SpotClean-ProHeat-Portable-2694/dp/B07Q2MKX5C/ref=bmx_dp_bl45z9fn_5/132-9814086-3110644?pd_rd_w=w5E1X&pf_rd_p=2880ac9d-e430-4ce2-acac-7da76f6887bf&pf_rd_r=9H1MRTK8FE78HKNDGZ44&pd_rd_r=24e4462c-312b-4695-a828-f7d06460aba9&pd_rd_wg=ev46p&pd_rd_i=B07Q2MKX5C&th=1
Thank you! We have 2 dogs, so I appreciate hearing from others who also deal with all that hair/fur.
I have the Shark corded stick vacuum and I love it. It's super easy to maneuver and clean out. And it can get up under the bed, coffee table, etc. They have a cordless version, but the reviews said the battery didn't last long. We don't have pets or kids, so there's not much mess to vacuum, but it's perfect for our house. https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/shark-reg-rocket-reg-corded-stick-vacuum/3287681?skuId=41747186
Thank you! I've been torn about corded/cordless. Our current house is small, but it might not be fun to have to recharge in the middle of things.
I really love my Dyson stick vacuum! Maybe the v7? It's up to like v11 now and they can get really pricey, but I use my several times a day. I personally don't use the robot vacuums because I constantly have toddler confetti on my floor that would get stuck, but if that wasn't an issue for me I'd totally get a robot vacuum. I've so heard people love their Shark stick vacuums!
Thank you for sharing your experience! My husband voted for a Dyson stick vacuum too. Oh Toddler confetti! A delightful (sticky) mess. 😄
For what it's worth, I've never had an issue with the battery running out mid-cleaning! I was concerned about that when we bought it, but 3 years in and it hasn't died on my yet.
Thanks! My husband is really lobbying hard for the cordless stick vacuum, so this is good to know!
I also have a cordless stick vacuum in a small house and I haven’t had issues with the battery running out. We went with a random brand off of Amazon, and I’m not sure I would recommend. It’s enough, but I think I would go with the Shark if I could do it again.
Good to know. Thank you!
Ooh, I need that lounge chair! 😂
So sorry about the scary eye situation. Praying for you!
I kind of want it! Thanks for praying.
I am feeling the chaotic energy this week! So here's just some scattershot treasures & turds. I'm going to be employing the "end everything with exclamation points" from the tweet roundup a few weeks ago, because I feel that fits my energy today
Treasures
+ Super Bowl!!
+ girls night with sangria!!!
+ got nominated for a work project where I work with campus big wigs who don't know I exist on the evening shift!!!
+ husband has an opportunity to pick up a side project that would bring in some much needed cash!! ...
Turds
- .... this side project would mean I would be solo parenting for 9 days .... what even! ....
- I have to get the next part of my gum graft done next month; in deep denial!
- there's a whole situation going on with my in laws where we are getting deeply involved in finding them somewhere safe to live, something they are extremely reluctant to do but is super necessary!!!
All right, off to the races, comment section!!
The exclamation point energy we're all looking for
I'm here for the exclamation points!! Yay for sangria and work projects and extra cash! Boo for solo parenting, gum graphs, and housing challenges!!
In all seriousness, we're navigating a housing issue with my in-laws and it is not the business. Sending prayers!
I am the big 4-2 today, and never have a felt my age until this week. My biggest turd was falling down our stairs while holding the 6 month old, and gracious, my body is still not speaking to me. (Baby was fine, just freaked out.)
Birthday treasures:
1. My hubby paid attention to my wish list (which is in itself the biggest gift - I am an enneagram 9, so if I make a wish list, it means I actually have an opinion, please pay attention to said opinion) and got me these earbuds https://rayconglobal.com/products/e25-true-wireless-earbuds?variant=39559430570007
I have never owned earbuds and am super excited to not have a wire tangling up in my hair and clothes or getting caught on cupboard handles while doing chores and listening to podcasts.
2. I also received these two cookbooks from my folks: https://www.amazon.com/Smoothie-Project-28-Day-Healthy-Matter/dp/1419740423/ https://www.amazon.com/Half-Baked-Harvest-Cookbook-Mountains/dp/0553496395
I am very excited to read them later and mark them up with washi tape.
3. I told my boys that since it is my birthday, we are going to do some things that mom wants to do, which includes watching some Olympics and reading. It's going to be a great day.
4. Oh! I got the sweetest Galentines gift this week from Lil Swipe Sara: https://www.etsy.com/listing/786437421/the-moon-says-hello-book-of-original
I will be spending some time it this poetry when we have birthday reading time later.
That hangry memoir tweet gets me; this morning I told my oldest that I was going to write a book called Invasion of the Mutant Socks: Memoirs on Raising Boys. Which got me thinking about memoir titles - what's your favorite? What would yours be?
May your weekend be filled with all of your favorite things, plus snacks.
Happy Birthday Sarah!! 🧁🌸🥳
Happy Birthday Sarah! Those earbuds are great, and both those cookbooks are EXCELLENT (the tropical lassi smoothie is really delicious, we highly recommend it over here!)
Happy birthday! Your gifts sounds awesome. I’m so glad your people are hearing you. ❤️
Happy Birthday! So glad you got gifts that you love.
Happy birthday, girlie! As a part-time Four (when my 5-wing settles the frak down), I appreciate the joy of receiving something from your wish list. Why is it hard for people to understand that a list you personally put time and effort into making is not a vague *suggestion* but a literal roadmap to the heart?!? I mean, I just spelled it out for you! Follow the yellow brick road! How is this hard?!? 🤪 Congrats on getting what you want! AirPods changed my LIFE.
Once upon a time, before caregiving and having to take on ADULT responsibilities, my memoir title was my actual identity: “Confessions of a Pop Culture Junkie.” Alas, those days are gone and I now live in a world of TikToks I don’t understand, celebs I don’t care about, music I don’t like, and TV chosen by my mom (which is always the NCISes and Blue Bloods episodes). Officially 👵🏻 at 52. Blech.
Happy happy birthday, Sarah!! FUTBOL IS LIFE 😍
Happy birthday, Sarah!!!
Happy birthday!!!!!!!!
Happy birthday!!! I hope you have the best day ever with lots of reading and Olympics!
Happy, happy birthday!
I am a lover of cookbooks - what is this marking up with washi tape you speak of?! I know what washi tape is 😂 but don't know about this application.
It’s colorful tape you can get in the craft aisle of most stores, and I believe it is also easily removable…? But at any rate, it’s like a Post-It that doesn’t stick out and get all mangled.
Happy birthday, Sarah! I didn't understand wireless earbuds until I got some, they are the best!
Wow I watched that deconstruction TikTok no less than 10 times, that was just *chef's kiss*
I've shared it all over today. So good!
Happy Friday, friends!
Don't mind me, just over here crying about Bob Saget telling all of his friends that he loves them.
We had friends from college spend the weekend with us, which was super fun and also kind of exhausting (my "spending time with people" muscles have still not recovered full strength). We were talking about how neither of us have found a church yet after moving to Florida, and my friend said, "Have you heard of deconstruction? Because I think that's what I've been doing for the past few months!" 😅 It was really comforting because I've always thought of her as way more spiritual and secure in her faith than I am, and it was nice to feel like we're going through this together.
Related, the phrase from the end of the deconstruction and tea TikTok is sticking with me: Admit our complicity and prioritize empathy. It feels like a good mantra for life.
I cannot express to you how excited I am to have a sporting event to watch this weekend that isn't football. We are planning to have all the Super Bowl snacks but only watch the Olympics. However, I haven't yet decided on which snacks to make, so I'd love to know what your favorite Super Bowl snacks are!
Melanie, I love you.
Also, can I hop on the only watching the Olympics train but with all the snacks? My middle child got up late last night and we bundled her onto the couch with us to watch the end of the curling match, so now she wants to learn how to do it too!
We always do a huge nacho tray, and while this one takes some extra work to fry up the homemade chips, I think it's totally worth it. If nothing else, make the queso, it's SO GOOD https://www.howsweeteats.com/2015/05/crispy-carnitas-oven-nachos-with-homemade-tortilla-chips/
Love you, Amanda.
Those nachos look incredible! I just made carnitas for the first time this week and it was so good I'm already trying to figure out when to make it again, and I think it's gotta be this! Also I have never made a queso I was happy with, so I can't wait to try this one!
Hooray for snacks! I only watch football on Super Bowl Sunday and truly I’m only there for the ads and the snacks. We’re planning sheet pan nachos (Kendra Adachi has terrific instructions, below), and I’m going to make some pineapple cookies. I also bought a can of spray cheese because my heart decided to be a 10-year-old when I was shopping. 😂
https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/blog/stupid-easy-oven-nachos
Ahh, sheet pan nachos are such a good idea!!
My new favorite is avocado egg rolls, I do them in the air fryer and so easy and good!
Ohhh, those sound so good!
Gator tails is what we call them (I'm sure there's lots of names) but it's cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos! I like to mix in some cheddar and green onions with the cream cheese before stuffing the jalapenos, and then I cook them on the grill.
Also, bacon wrapped dates are delish! Basically anything wrapped in bacon.
There's also a snack I've had that is essentially candied Pirate's Booty. It's crispy and caramelized, salty sweet. It's like caramel cheddar mix popcorn, but all in one bite. I'll see if I can find a recipe link!
We just call them jalapeno poppers, but Gator tails is so much more fun! I am here for any popcorn-adjace recipe, so that sounds amazing!
https://www.thecreativemom.com/pirates-booty-caramel-corn-puffs-recipe/
Truly, any kind of dip with veggies or chips or crackers is my favorite Super Bowl snack. I just picked up Trader Joe's Spicy Hummus and Everything and the Elote dip and their new naan crackers and am very, very excited for Sunday.
I finally just tried their elote seasoning this weekend and it was so good!!
Happy Friday! I am on my last full day of vacation and while I am bummed to be leaving Disneyland Resort, I’m so relieved that I’ll be back in my own bed tomorrow because Lord Jesus these beds here are TOUGH. I’ll be in the comments when I can! ❤️
Your California Adventure posts gave me LIFE this week. 🥰
This is exactly what I was coming on here to say as well. I ALMOST felt like I was there too!
Awwwww this makes me so happy to hear! I’m super grateful that I get the next two days at home to recover though! 😁
This week has been just the funnest!
Happy Friday! My allergies are acting up and anytime I'm remotely sick I think of Emily in The Devil Wears Prada saying "I feel like death warmed up", so that's the vibe for today, lol.
💩 The turd of the week is that I'm probably not going to London in August. I was going to piggyback on my brother's work conference, but it's been switched to virtual. I'm not surprised and it's probably the right decision for the conference, but I also don't think I'm ready to travel internationally by myself.
☕ I've been following Kevin Wilson for a little while and just love him, the tea/deconstruction comparison is on point.
🖋 My new pens came and their delightful! 0.38 is my favorite and to have some in colors makes grad reading more fun.
👨 My mom has a boyfriend and she called Sunday to tell me how well it's going. He's met all the family local to St Louis and they got a long really well. I think mom's surprised that it's going well and that's treating her right. It's really cute.
Alright, that's all I've got. Looking forward to catching up in the comments.
For what it's worth- solo travel is the best gift you can give yourself (if it's available to you). Especially a city that speaks the language you do. You discover stuff about yourself you'd never be able to otherwise, and it's nice to have your own agenda. I completely understand that the original circumstances have changed, but you should still think about it. I highly recommend, and am happy to chat with you if you'd like. I've done only solo travel for the past 6 years - I want to get to 100 countries in my lifetime and being single, I had to take the plunge if I wanted to accomplish my goal.
Boo about your trip and allergies, but hooray for new pens and your mom's boyfriend!
I'm so sorry about your trip. I hope you can figure out a do over/replacement one.
Solo travel can be a big step, but I lived in and around London for 5 years, and if you can get over the total lack of city planning I think it's as good a place as any to start that journey. Feel free to hit me up if you have questions!
Sorry about your trip, but so happy for your mom!
Such a bummer about your trip!
Oh, so sorry about your trip! My friend is considering going this summer to visit her sister in London; I wish I could connect you two! I understand not wanting to travel solo on a trip like that.
There is something magical about new pens! Your mom's romance made me smile. That's such a special thing to find!