Can I tell you that this Substack app is going to be a gamechanger for how I interact here. Truly, I tell you, I have never looked at the comments before but now HERE I AM. My treasure this week is that I am reading the book Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino and it is absolutely a fantastic read. Highly recommend. Ok see you in the funny pages.
The degree to which Greg Abbott is just completely fine with people dying in his state, on his watch, absolutely scrambles my brain. And that's all I've got to say about that (for now).
Yo Yo Ma content!
- I hadn't listened to this Tiny Desk concert in awhile and when I pulled up the link just now I decided I should. He is an absolute delight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uiUHvET_jg
Hello - I have been struggling to feel my emotions. I feel a little on autopilot until yesterday when I went down the Broadway Baby spiral I like to call Jeremy Jordan and it goes on from there. Here are some gems:
Hello friends! Commenting from the app which is a delight!!
That salary negotiation tweet SENT ME - I just recently went through this with a new job offer, and though writing and submitting my counteroffer made me want to puke, I did it and guess what?!? I got some of the things I asked for (including increased salary!!)
👩⚕️ I went for my first ever “skin check” at the dermatologist and besides one small spot on my arm she needed to freeze, I was all clear!! Plus I got a retinol RX so I can work on my JBG skin
📚 I am reading and loving “Prayer” by Richard Foster as part of my Lenten feast each night and I’m really enjoying it.
I am stealing a few sunny minutes on my back porch before pre-school pick up. The highlight of my week was definitely yesterday, when I saw a dear friend face to face for the first time in weeks and met her new baby! And then came home to an impromptu backyard happy hour with the neighbors. It truly felt like Before Times - kids running around screaming and playing together while the adults clinked glasses and ate tortilla chips. Sometimes my introvert self forgets how very important my people are.
Eagerly anticipating finishing Love is Blind this weekend while (fingers crossed) finishing up the basement reno we began in November. We're supposed to get 3-5" of snow tomorrow, which is wild considering I'm wearing sandals right now. I suppose the biggest news is that we are officially joining the church we've been attending on Sunday, which feels exciting and overwhelming and very adult all at once. It's the first place we've really chosen, as opposed to stumbled into, and though it took a few years to get to this point I am so grateful for all the kind and patient people who listened and asked questions and were curious alongside me as I began to rebuild my faith.
See you in the comments and may your weekends be filled with lovely little moments.
Hi everyone - I'm trying to get better about being in the comments. Friday's always tend to be busy work days for me (definitely not because I spend most of the week procrastinating) and so I don't get to the email until Saturday and then it feels like folks are out of the comments.
Things around here are feeling pretty bleak. The friend I wrote in about last week looking for prayers - he had another "stroke like event" (where he is losing feeling in parts of his body for a time, but I guess it isn't actually a stroke?) and isn't doing well. Being tested for a lot of different things with no definitive answers. He also is the type to not ask for help or accept what is offered so I am both scared sick for him and also kind of mad at him for being so stubborn. I saw him last weekend on a "good day" and he seemed fine, so it's a shock to hear a few days later that he's back in the hospital. Ugh my heart hurts.
I'm still looking for a new job, I have a few applications out there and I hope something comes soon because my current job is making me miserable.
My treasure is that I am reading the 6th (?) Outlander book right now. I love a good 1000 page book where I can forget myself and be completely in another world, and I really like this series. Sometimes it feels like all the comfort I have in what is otherwise an oppressively dark world. Idk here's to spring, hopefully new beginnings, and finding some answers and stronger footing on shaky ground. Amen.
I found Outlander early in the pandemic and it has my heart forever (Book only! Couldn't get into the show, but I know a ton of people love it). Please give me all your thoughts on Brianna because I just cannot with her. How she ends up so blah with her parents continues to astound me, and if she's one of your favorites I apologize 😂 Who/what have been your favorite parts so far?
And praying for your friend - I have a similar medical issue that is actually a type of seizure. I know how scary it is to wait and doubt and question when all you want are answers - keep us posted.
Oh also - honestly I was such a huge "little house on the prarie" fan that what I love most are the descriptions of every day life and the modern medicine in not-modern times. I love the little glimpses of magic too but like that it doesn't overwhelm the story.
Oh fascinating. He is being tested for seizures now. So maybe the Drs are on the right track there.
Brianna is such a turd. Have you read the whole series? Tell me where you're at so we can discuss without spoilers!
I really love Roger and I feel like he (and Jamie, and Claire) deserve so much better. I also don't love the show. I've watched most of it because i'm a sucker for the landscapes, music, and costumes but I think the acting and writing are pretty poor. And the actress playing brianna makes me hate her even more!
Well, this week is my university’s spring break, so I was very excited to have a light work week, WFH, and get allll the house projects and errands done. And then Monday night I sprained my ankle. 😬🙄
I’m grateful nothing is broken, but it is a bad sprain. And I live in a two-story apartment that also has a set of stairs to get to my car. 😑 Thankfully my sweet husband was able to work from home this week (bless), but this stress has brought up my old pattern of “I can do everything by myself, I don’t need any help”, when LOL I really do need help. That, and it’s just so inconvenient. 😂
Anyway, I’d appreciate allll the prayers for a speedy healing - I am giving a toast at a friend’s wedding in Portland next weekend and would love to be dance / walk normally / not need crutches. I’m also having a hard time giving myself grace. I was being silly and that’s what caused me to miss a step and fall.
Also, I haven’t sprained my ankle or been on crutches since middle school, so friends, got any advice for ya girl? (Besides the rest, ice, compression, elevate bit which I am working on). Also, is it normal to get bruises on your ribs after only using crutches for a day or so? 🥴
🫖 My treasure for the week is my favorite brand of tea, Harney & Sons. Have been drinking copious amounts of their Paris blend and it is lovely. They sell them in the cutesut tins *and* you can find them at target! What a win.
Okay, looking forward to spending my Friday in the comments with you all! 🥰
Oh noooo, I'm sorry your ankle is sprained! I definitely feel you as far as wanting to do everything by myself, especially right now when everyone is sick, including me. I hope you're able to accept help and be kind to yourself as you heal. And hooray for good tea!
Ooh, I haven't heard of that brand of tea, I'll have to check them out! I don't have advice for your ankle, but I hope you're able to give yourself grace and rest!
Yes for the crutches - are you putting towels over the top for cushioning? Also make sure they are the right height (sound like they may be a little too short). It also helps to do the ABC (make the letters) with your foot several times to try and get movement down. Also helps with circulation and swelling! Hope it goes quickly from the person who sprained her ankkle just walking on the sidewalk... I'm here for all your tips!
Oh Jen, those are such great tips!! I know they’re the right height, but I am deathly gonna put towels over the top. For sure could use some cushioning! And that ABC exercise is so smart! Thanks a ton 💛
Juliana, I am so sorry about your sprained ankle! I had a bad sprained ankle five years ago for doing exactly what you did. 😭
My tips for you are of course RICE (which you mentioned), and if things don’t improve in a couple weeks, getting an appointment to see a podiatrist, who should be able to refer you to a physical therapist if necessary. While my ankle will never be the same again, physical therapy helped me be able to walk normally again and relieve a lot of my pain without medication. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on the wedding too!
Jackie, those are GREAT tips, thank you so much! I have a PT office that I went to a few years ago (for a different injury) that I love, so I will keep that at the front of my mind, if I don’t start feeling better. Thank you! ❤️
Ohhh girl. I sprained my ankle November 2020. It was also a bad sprain (top 5 worst ones my doctor had seen!) I was told it would have been better if I had broken it because it would heal faster. If it's anywhere near as bad as mine...prepare yourself. It took me 5 months and a lot of physical therapy to heal. I hope it's not as bad as mine but my biggest regret is not getting physical therapy sooner. It helped tremendously. Also not being able to really walk for 5 months really contributed to a weight gain I am still struggling with. So I will send prayers for healing and I hope you can give yourself some grace. I also found a CBD rub/cream really helped with the dull throbbing pain I had for weeks. Good Luck!
Oh Alison, that is so hard! I have done a lot of PT in the past, so I really appreciate the recommendation. 💛 At the very least, I am tempted to buy some fuzzy topped for my crutches to make them cuter and less uncomfortable 😆
Oh yeah the crutches are horrible painful! I stopped using them and just kind of hopped around for awhile but my house has no stairs which I'm sure made it a lot easier. Good luck!
Oh, happy Friday! Thanks to the Substack app, this is the first time I’ve checked out the comments!
Anybody feel like this Substack app is giving Google Reader vibes? (RIP Google Reader, that got me through MANY a boring day temping in my early twenties!)
Hello everybody! It's my every-other-Friday off, and I made myself sauteed greens with an egg on them, and I'm still in my pajamas because my amazing husband took the kids to school so I wouldn't have to get up.
My parents have come out to Denver for a couple of months. They have a townhouse about half a mile from us, so they have their own space, but it's draining to have to keep them in mind all the time. They don't have any kind of social network out here - that's all back in Illinois, and they're here for the grandkids anyways - so every day I have to debate about whether we need to invite them over for dinner. I can barely be civil to my own husband and kids by the end of a typical day, and my parents are decidedly guests. And we're all introverts. It's exhausting.
I just finished reading Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher, and it was just what I needed. All of her books should come with a snuggly blanket and a perfect cup of English tea, and should only be read when water is falling from the sky in some form. There's very little plot, just a bunch of people who end up together because of the hospitable nature of the main character. And now I want to move to northern Scotland.
That's it from me! Off to try to finish turning the office/storage room into the teenager's basement lair.
Oh my word. My parents are talking about moving to Tennessee once my grandma passes, and then they would be doing what your parents are doing now. This is my exact fear. Also a family of introverts 😬
I'm glad everyone is enjoying the new app, but I'm feeling a little old because I always read the comments on my computer. I just keep a Lil Swipes tab open all morning to check in on what's happening.
❤ Hope and I met up in the cute little town of Anderson, SC on Saturday. It was so fun to finally meet in person and get to know each other a little bit more. I did have to explain to several IRL friends how I had internet friends from the comments on a newsletter which made them even more confused.
🎂 My pastor's youngest turned 2 Monday. I lived with them 2 years ago! It feels wildly far away and yet like yesterday. E is not really a cuddler, but kept coming to me to hold him all night which was really sweet. Living with a family during the first few months of the pandemic was such a blessing.
🎂 My mom's bday was Wed and her boyfriend took her out to a fancy dinner. We talked yesterday and she's so happy being with him and it sounds like he treats her like the treasure she is. I'm just so glad, relationships of any kind have been hard since the divorce. She lost a lot of friends simply because she choose to leave her husband and people were unwilling to see past my dad's church mask to see the abuse.
💩 Kind of in the same vein, I've been realizing that I carry a lot of fear and imposter syndrome around being a happily unmarried almost 30-year-old woman. None of the men in my church have made me feel less than for my choices and have often encouraged me to continue pursuing education, but when the loudest voice growing up was very conservative/fundamentalist views of women it's hard to cast that off. I'm thankful to be able to see it for what it is and start working through it, but it's been a challenging thing to sit with this week.
Alrighty, friends, I'm off to reshelve some library books and write a midterm essay that's due tomorrow.
I always read on my laptop and I'm a "happy as a clam" 37 yo single female that hasn't dated in a decade-- I struggle with the feelings at times, but mostly just very content in my life.
I am also on my laptop- it's just easier to have it in large form for my old eyes, lol. I prefer playing Wordle on here too and my 5 year old always gets annoyed and wants it on my phone (he picks my starter word every day and isn't half bad!)
I relate to so many of your feelings on singleness as a 32 year old. I’m actually the sole single girl in a small group full of married couples and I have learned so much about the ins and outs of marriage where I am able to hold in tension much better the gift of singleness (trust me, there are moments where after I hear a story, I silently think to myself OH THANK YOU LORD THAT I’M SINGLE) and the longing for marriage and companionship (because despite some of the awkward and hard stories, there are also so many stories of victory and intimacy and love).
I read the newsletter on my iPad and have never had any trouble seeing the comments so you aren’t alone in wondering if you need the app. Good for you for working through childhood crap to get to the best mindset available to you.
Hey gang, happy Friday! This week has been pretty "meh" and uneventful. I had two medical appointments/treatments and spent the rest of the week on the couch recovering from them while reading books and watching the latest season of Queer Eye. And that's pretty much it. 🤷♀️
Oh right, I went back to the Big Library to return a book and accidentally left with three more, even though I still had twelve unread library books at home. Is there maybe a support group I can join? 😂
Hi friends! Coming in late with lots of Big Feelings. My dad sent me an email this morning, and while the situation with my parents is long and complicated to type out, suffice it to say that it emotionally exhausted me before 7am, and I haven't even responded yet!
I'm trying to decide whether to apply for a promotion at my library, even though I've only been in my current position for a few months. I'm qualified for it, but also I don't want to overstep anything since I'm still so new?
Going to wrap myself up in my coziest cardigan and try not to think about my parents today. Looking forward to getting to the comments when I can!
Melanie! Huge hugs for you friend, that sounds so frustrating to hold. Right now it feels like once we have one thing handled, something else shows up and it would be nice to catch our breaths for once sometimes! We can breathe deep in a few weeks when we're laughing at Shelby dipping her toes in freezing Lake Michigan!
Oh man, family relations, parental relations...the exhaustion is real. Remember that you're allowed to put space between yourself and other people's problems and it isn't always your burden to bear. Learned that the hard way. Definitely apply for the promotion, the worst thing they can say is no!
I think you should apply! I think it will show the leadership that you care about your career and and the library. And if they see it differently, that’s on them, not you.
Ugh, I'm so sorry about the situation with your parents. Praying for peace in your heart and that God will give you the right words for your email (if you choose to reply, not everything requires/deserves a response).
I always think we should apply for things we are interested in. At the very least it will make the leadership folks at your work aware of your qualifications and that you are serious about career development. I hope that helps <3
Hello, happy Friday! Erin, gah, your story on your amazing dentist - should I move to Birmingham just so I can go to this dentist? Maybe? I once drove 5 hours each way from coastal Mississippi to Bham and slept in a Walmart parking lot in my car so I could attend a Needtobreathe concert. Which leads me to think that Birmingham is somewhere you go when you're doing something that doesn't 100% make complete sense? lol
Speaking of dental work, I had the 2nd part of my gum graft yesterday, and so far it seems to be going better than the first one. My husband leaves tomorrow for his 9-day work trip. I decided to lean into this week/month/Lent of "doing hard things now in the hopes of a good outcome at the end," and am also doing Whole30, #day9. So hoping April finds us with a better looking bank account, oral surgeries behind me, and having detoxed from a bunch of food sensitivity issues. But I am hoping this coming week goes okayish & I can report next Friday that we enjoyed it and not survived it.
Treasures -
- realized I had never watched Big Bang Theory season 9, so I have that to look forward to this week
- our hellebores are blooming
- we got a new HR person at work who immediately created a work from home policy, so now I can work from home on Mondays instead of burning vacation days, due to childcare reasons
- snagged a Boden dress I had wanted to get 2 years ago but didn't want to pay the $$, on Ebay for $24. Now I just need it to warm up 10-ish degrees
Morning, Swipes! We returned from Epic Road Trip 2022 on Monday night and the rest of the week has been spent getting our feet back under us and the mounds of laundry done (so. Much. Laundry.).
🎡: We had such a great time at Legoland California with our friends. It is such a great park for families with young kids, and the park hotels do a fantastic job of making kids feel seen and special.
📚: I read 7 books on this trip. 🤯 Favorites were The Guest List by Lucy Foley, A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah Maas, Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg, and Dessert Can Save the World by Christina Tosi.
✈️🤠: Booked flights and Airbnb for the Dallas live show! I am SO PUMPED! Any other Swipes going to be at the Dallas Popcast Live?
🥾: A mom in our co-op started an Adventure Club, and we met up this week for a fantastic 2 mile hike/walk and enjoyed a beautiful Kansas day.
🎮: Hubs and I finally watched Free Guy, and it was the perfect way to veg out after our trip. It’s funny, and we’ll acted, and I think Ryan Reynolds might be my season pass.
Treasure/Turd:
😴: Sleep training the wee one. My husband and I are going on a trip sans kids in 3 weeks, and I need to get my 7 month old Re-sleep trained so my in laws don’t need to do overnight feedings. It’s going to be great once we are through it, but I forgot how tough it can be on me in the moment. Note to new mamas: sleep training is way, way harder on the mama than the baby! 😭
Okay, Swipes, I still have two more loads of laundry to fold (it never ends!!!!). I hope you all have the very best weekend available to you. ❤️
Have you read the rest of the Court of...series by SJM? Curious to hear your thoughts if so - she had totally lost my interest by the Silver Flames (didn't love the character development/relationship b/t Nesta and Cassian. And please give us something b/t Elaine and Az!)
I have read all of the Court of...books. 1 was great, loved #2, 3 and 3.5 were boring, but she got me back with Silver Flames. I actually love Nesta and Cassian and a book that wasn’t focused on Feyre and Rhys. However, yes and amen to Elaine and Az!
Yes to #2 being so good. I think Silver Flames went back to that kind of feisty flirting with Nesta and Cassian like Feyre and Rhys had in book #2. And I will ship Elaine and Az all day long!
Happy Friday, friends! My week started off with breakfast at a farm in Texas. My first time having biscuits and gravy. That’s the biggest treasure I could have asked for.
I have a meeting with a realtor today to start the process of buying my very own home. I know nothing so today will be a day of a lot of questions but this realtor seems great so I’m hopeful!
The new Substack app is so good. Enjoyed reading your post!
Can I tell you that this Substack app is going to be a gamechanger for how I interact here. Truly, I tell you, I have never looked at the comments before but now HERE I AM. My treasure this week is that I am reading the book Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino and it is absolutely a fantastic read. Highly recommend. Ok see you in the funny pages.
The degree to which Greg Abbott is just completely fine with people dying in his state, on his watch, absolutely scrambles my brain. And that's all I've got to say about that (for now).
Yo Yo Ma content!
- I hadn't listened to this Tiny Desk concert in awhile and when I pulled up the link just now I decided I should. He is an absolute delight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uiUHvET_jg
- Cello Support: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPv4ohPTC4M
It has been a very long day, but the housing situation is looking up and I probably won't be homeless at the end of the month.
Hello - I have been struggling to feel my emotions. I feel a little on autopilot until yesterday when I went down the Broadway Baby spiral I like to call Jeremy Jordan and it goes on from there. Here are some gems:
- Found/Story of Tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aQykuIaJVI
- 10 Minutes Ago/Next 10 Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g03joGMamlg
- Glee's Take me to Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCmjd4b2OAw&list=RDMM&start_radio=1
And finally Jeremy Jordan Run Away With Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVwtGU3KOro
Jeremy Jordan is an absolute delight!!
Well. I just went down a way too long rabbit hole of Jeremy Jordan and landed here, DID ANYONE ELSE KNOW THIS WILD STORY?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08AGzOmCk-s
Yes! I had seen him doing the singing during that meeting but didn't know the backstory until this current deep dive
YES he is a precious cinnamon roll and we love him! 🥰
You had me at Jeremy Jordan. 🥰
the videos of him and his wife must be protected
💯
Hello friends! Commenting from the app which is a delight!!
That salary negotiation tweet SENT ME - I just recently went through this with a new job offer, and though writing and submitting my counteroffer made me want to puke, I did it and guess what?!? I got some of the things I asked for (including increased salary!!)
Ok other treasures this week:
🌎 my husband and I are about to do the Infinite Experience and I’m so excited! (see here https://theinfiniteexperience.world/?gclid=CjwKCAiAyPyQBhB6EiwAFUuaklRfiVV-P-xQAeOeV2-XnZlUxUmU6N_oJoKo162srtZP4wbqgmiVCBoCcyEQAvD_BwE#rec358337976)
👩⚕️ I went for my first ever “skin check” at the dermatologist and besides one small spot on my arm she needed to freeze, I was all clear!! Plus I got a retinol RX so I can work on my JBG skin
📚 I am reading and loving “Prayer” by Richard Foster as part of my Lenten feast each night and I’m really enjoying it.
Ok that’s all today folks - Happy Friday!
Congrats on beginning your JBG skin journey. ✨️ That infinity experience thing looks cool! And I love that book. Happy Friday!
Thanks Dawn!!
Hello all,
I am stealing a few sunny minutes on my back porch before pre-school pick up. The highlight of my week was definitely yesterday, when I saw a dear friend face to face for the first time in weeks and met her new baby! And then came home to an impromptu backyard happy hour with the neighbors. It truly felt like Before Times - kids running around screaming and playing together while the adults clinked glasses and ate tortilla chips. Sometimes my introvert self forgets how very important my people are.
Eagerly anticipating finishing Love is Blind this weekend while (fingers crossed) finishing up the basement reno we began in November. We're supposed to get 3-5" of snow tomorrow, which is wild considering I'm wearing sandals right now. I suppose the biggest news is that we are officially joining the church we've been attending on Sunday, which feels exciting and overwhelming and very adult all at once. It's the first place we've really chosen, as opposed to stumbled into, and though it took a few years to get to this point I am so grateful for all the kind and patient people who listened and asked questions and were curious alongside me as I began to rebuild my faith.
See you in the comments and may your weekends be filled with lovely little moments.
This all sounds so lovely. New babies and happy hours and a new church home all sound so comforting right now!
This is a great update! Congrats on clinking glasses and finding a church home. 🥂
The end of LIB is a trip! 🙃😆😳
Hi everyone - I'm trying to get better about being in the comments. Friday's always tend to be busy work days for me (definitely not because I spend most of the week procrastinating) and so I don't get to the email until Saturday and then it feels like folks are out of the comments.
Things around here are feeling pretty bleak. The friend I wrote in about last week looking for prayers - he had another "stroke like event" (where he is losing feeling in parts of his body for a time, but I guess it isn't actually a stroke?) and isn't doing well. Being tested for a lot of different things with no definitive answers. He also is the type to not ask for help or accept what is offered so I am both scared sick for him and also kind of mad at him for being so stubborn. I saw him last weekend on a "good day" and he seemed fine, so it's a shock to hear a few days later that he's back in the hospital. Ugh my heart hurts.
I'm still looking for a new job, I have a few applications out there and I hope something comes soon because my current job is making me miserable.
My treasure is that I am reading the 6th (?) Outlander book right now. I love a good 1000 page book where I can forget myself and be completely in another world, and I really like this series. Sometimes it feels like all the comfort I have in what is otherwise an oppressively dark world. Idk here's to spring, hopefully new beginnings, and finding some answers and stronger footing on shaky ground. Amen.
Books are truly the best medicine to escape reality. Thinking of you💜💜.
I found Outlander early in the pandemic and it has my heart forever (Book only! Couldn't get into the show, but I know a ton of people love it). Please give me all your thoughts on Brianna because I just cannot with her. How she ends up so blah with her parents continues to astound me, and if she's one of your favorites I apologize 😂 Who/what have been your favorite parts so far?
And praying for your friend - I have a similar medical issue that is actually a type of seizure. I know how scary it is to wait and doubt and question when all you want are answers - keep us posted.
Oh also - honestly I was such a huge "little house on the prarie" fan that what I love most are the descriptions of every day life and the modern medicine in not-modern times. I love the little glimpses of magic too but like that it doesn't overwhelm the story.
Oh fascinating. He is being tested for seizures now. So maybe the Drs are on the right track there.
Brianna is such a turd. Have you read the whole series? Tell me where you're at so we can discuss without spoilers!
I really love Roger and I feel like he (and Jamie, and Claire) deserve so much better. I also don't love the show. I've watched most of it because i'm a sucker for the landscapes, music, and costumes but I think the acting and writing are pretty poor. And the actress playing brianna makes me hate her even more!
Good morning from California, Swipes!
Well, this week is my university’s spring break, so I was very excited to have a light work week, WFH, and get allll the house projects and errands done. And then Monday night I sprained my ankle. 😬🙄
I’m grateful nothing is broken, but it is a bad sprain. And I live in a two-story apartment that also has a set of stairs to get to my car. 😑 Thankfully my sweet husband was able to work from home this week (bless), but this stress has brought up my old pattern of “I can do everything by myself, I don’t need any help”, when LOL I really do need help. That, and it’s just so inconvenient. 😂
Anyway, I’d appreciate allll the prayers for a speedy healing - I am giving a toast at a friend’s wedding in Portland next weekend and would love to be dance / walk normally / not need crutches. I’m also having a hard time giving myself grace. I was being silly and that’s what caused me to miss a step and fall.
Also, I haven’t sprained my ankle or been on crutches since middle school, so friends, got any advice for ya girl? (Besides the rest, ice, compression, elevate bit which I am working on). Also, is it normal to get bruises on your ribs after only using crutches for a day or so? 🥴
🫖 My treasure for the week is my favorite brand of tea, Harney & Sons. Have been drinking copious amounts of their Paris blend and it is lovely. They sell them in the cutesut tins *and* you can find them at target! What a win.
Okay, looking forward to spending my Friday in the comments with you all! 🥰
Oh noooo, I'm sorry your ankle is sprained! I definitely feel you as far as wanting to do everything by myself, especially right now when everyone is sick, including me. I hope you're able to accept help and be kind to yourself as you heal. And hooray for good tea!
Gah, I hear you Amanda! Thanks my friend 💛
Ooh, I haven't heard of that brand of tea, I'll have to check them out! I don't have advice for your ankle, but I hope you're able to give yourself grace and rest!
Thanks Melanie, I appreciate that 💛 And yes, that tea is amazing 🥰
Yes for the crutches - are you putting towels over the top for cushioning? Also make sure they are the right height (sound like they may be a little too short). It also helps to do the ABC (make the letters) with your foot several times to try and get movement down. Also helps with circulation and swelling! Hope it goes quickly from the person who sprained her ankkle just walking on the sidewalk... I'm here for all your tips!
Oh Jen, those are such great tips!! I know they’re the right height, but I am deathly gonna put towels over the top. For sure could use some cushioning! And that ABC exercise is so smart! Thanks a ton 💛
Ugh! Sprains can be worse/more painful than a break. I am so sorry. Hope you have some fun tv/books to read while you recover.
Oh no! Prayers to you - and what type of their tea is your favorite? I just picked up their peppermint and it is divine!
I really love their Vanilla and their Paris! I'll have to try the Peppermint 🥰
Juliana, I am so sorry about your sprained ankle! I had a bad sprained ankle five years ago for doing exactly what you did. 😭
My tips for you are of course RICE (which you mentioned), and if things don’t improve in a couple weeks, getting an appointment to see a podiatrist, who should be able to refer you to a physical therapist if necessary. While my ankle will never be the same again, physical therapy helped me be able to walk normally again and relieve a lot of my pain without medication. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on the wedding too!
Jackie, those are GREAT tips, thank you so much! I have a PT office that I went to a few years ago (for a different injury) that I love, so I will keep that at the front of my mind, if I don’t start feeling better. Thank you! ❤️
Ohhh girl. I sprained my ankle November 2020. It was also a bad sprain (top 5 worst ones my doctor had seen!) I was told it would have been better if I had broken it because it would heal faster. If it's anywhere near as bad as mine...prepare yourself. It took me 5 months and a lot of physical therapy to heal. I hope it's not as bad as mine but my biggest regret is not getting physical therapy sooner. It helped tremendously. Also not being able to really walk for 5 months really contributed to a weight gain I am still struggling with. So I will send prayers for healing and I hope you can give yourself some grace. I also found a CBD rub/cream really helped with the dull throbbing pain I had for weeks. Good Luck!
Oh Alison, that is so hard! I have done a lot of PT in the past, so I really appreciate the recommendation. 💛 At the very least, I am tempted to buy some fuzzy topped for my crutches to make them cuter and less uncomfortable 😆
Oh yeah the crutches are horrible painful! I stopped using them and just kind of hopped around for awhile but my house has no stairs which I'm sure made it a lot easier. Good luck!
Oh, happy Friday! Thanks to the Substack app, this is the first time I’ve checked out the comments!
Anybody feel like this Substack app is giving Google Reader vibes? (RIP Google Reader, that got me through MANY a boring day temping in my early twenties!)
Google Reader take me back! And WELCOME!
Same!!! This Substack app is making the comments so much more organized for my fried brain! Game changer for me!
loved google reader!!
Welcome to the comments section Christina! ☺️
I had the same thought about the comparison to google reader RIP. Welcome to the comments!
Yes! Comments are so much easier here! I never really checked them before either! Wow! 😄👏🏼
Me either! So much better!
Hello everybody! It's my every-other-Friday off, and I made myself sauteed greens with an egg on them, and I'm still in my pajamas because my amazing husband took the kids to school so I wouldn't have to get up.
My parents have come out to Denver for a couple of months. They have a townhouse about half a mile from us, so they have their own space, but it's draining to have to keep them in mind all the time. They don't have any kind of social network out here - that's all back in Illinois, and they're here for the grandkids anyways - so every day I have to debate about whether we need to invite them over for dinner. I can barely be civil to my own husband and kids by the end of a typical day, and my parents are decidedly guests. And we're all introverts. It's exhausting.
I just finished reading Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher, and it was just what I needed. All of her books should come with a snuggly blanket and a perfect cup of English tea, and should only be read when water is falling from the sky in some form. There's very little plot, just a bunch of people who end up together because of the hospitable nature of the main character. And now I want to move to northern Scotland.
That's it from me! Off to try to finish turning the office/storage room into the teenager's basement lair.
Oh my word. My parents are talking about moving to Tennessee once my grandma passes, and then they would be doing what your parents are doing now. This is my exact fear. Also a family of introverts 😬
Ooo, this book sounds so interesting! I'll have to squeeze it in while there's still snow on the ground in IL!
That book sounds delightful!
Scotland is #1 on my list of places to visit after reading Outlander - adding this book to my list!
I'm glad everyone is enjoying the new app, but I'm feeling a little old because I always read the comments on my computer. I just keep a Lil Swipes tab open all morning to check in on what's happening.
❤ Hope and I met up in the cute little town of Anderson, SC on Saturday. It was so fun to finally meet in person and get to know each other a little bit more. I did have to explain to several IRL friends how I had internet friends from the comments on a newsletter which made them even more confused.
🎂 My pastor's youngest turned 2 Monday. I lived with them 2 years ago! It feels wildly far away and yet like yesterday. E is not really a cuddler, but kept coming to me to hold him all night which was really sweet. Living with a family during the first few months of the pandemic was such a blessing.
🎂 My mom's bday was Wed and her boyfriend took her out to a fancy dinner. We talked yesterday and she's so happy being with him and it sounds like he treats her like the treasure she is. I'm just so glad, relationships of any kind have been hard since the divorce. She lost a lot of friends simply because she choose to leave her husband and people were unwilling to see past my dad's church mask to see the abuse.
💩 Kind of in the same vein, I've been realizing that I carry a lot of fear and imposter syndrome around being a happily unmarried almost 30-year-old woman. None of the men in my church have made me feel less than for my choices and have often encouraged me to continue pursuing education, but when the loudest voice growing up was very conservative/fundamentalist views of women it's hard to cast that off. I'm thankful to be able to see it for what it is and start working through it, but it's been a challenging thing to sit with this week.
Alrighty, friends, I'm off to reshelve some library books and write a midterm essay that's due tomorrow.
I always read on my laptop and I'm a "happy as a clam" 37 yo single female that hasn't dated in a decade-- I struggle with the feelings at times, but mostly just very content in my life.
Yes to reading this newsletter on a laptop! I'm so glad you were able to meet up with Hope irl, it sounded like a lot of fun!
I am also on my laptop- it's just easier to have it in large form for my old eyes, lol. I prefer playing Wordle on here too and my 5 year old always gets annoyed and wants it on my phone (he picks my starter word every day and isn't half bad!)
I relate to so many of your feelings on singleness as a 32 year old. I’m actually the sole single girl in a small group full of married couples and I have learned so much about the ins and outs of marriage where I am able to hold in tension much better the gift of singleness (trust me, there are moments where after I hear a story, I silently think to myself OH THANK YOU LORD THAT I’M SINGLE) and the longing for marriage and companionship (because despite some of the awkward and hard stories, there are also so many stories of victory and intimacy and love).
I read the newsletter on my iPad and have never had any trouble seeing the comments so you aren’t alone in wondering if you need the app. Good for you for working through childhood crap to get to the best mindset available to you.
Hey gang, happy Friday! This week has been pretty "meh" and uneventful. I had two medical appointments/treatments and spent the rest of the week on the couch recovering from them while reading books and watching the latest season of Queer Eye. And that's pretty much it. 🤷♀️
Oh right, I went back to the Big Library to return a book and accidentally left with three more, even though I still had twelve unread library books at home. Is there maybe a support group I can join? 😂
I'm going to leave you with this reminder that spelling is important. 😳😬 https://twitter.com/HeyMPT/status/1499785661989232649
I mean...is that tweet wrong though?
I'm no theologian but it seems true.
yes - it's acalled book clubs :D
Haha, true!
I will join you in this support group you are forming
Welcome!
That is me at the library too! Always! Speaking of which, I need to visit my new library in my town and check out something.
Hi friends! Coming in late with lots of Big Feelings. My dad sent me an email this morning, and while the situation with my parents is long and complicated to type out, suffice it to say that it emotionally exhausted me before 7am, and I haven't even responded yet!
I'm trying to decide whether to apply for a promotion at my library, even though I've only been in my current position for a few months. I'm qualified for it, but also I don't want to overstep anything since I'm still so new?
Going to wrap myself up in my coziest cardigan and try not to think about my parents today. Looking forward to getting to the comments when I can!
I have resolved never to send my kids when they are adults emails for this exact reason, having gotten many of them myself. So sorry!
Yes, it's the worst!
Melanie! Huge hugs for you friend, that sounds so frustrating to hold. Right now it feels like once we have one thing handled, something else shows up and it would be nice to catch our breaths for once sometimes! We can breathe deep in a few weeks when we're laughing at Shelby dipping her toes in freezing Lake Michigan!
Exactly! Ahh, I can't wait!!
Oh man, family relations, parental relations...the exhaustion is real. Remember that you're allowed to put space between yourself and other people's problems and it isn't always your burden to bear. Learned that the hard way. Definitely apply for the promotion, the worst thing they can say is no!
Yes, I am really bad about trying to bear the burden of my whole family's relationships with each other as well as myself
Go
For
It!!!
Haha, thanks! It seems to be unanimous!
And I hear you on complicated parental relationships. So hard.
I think you should apply! I think it will show the leadership that you care about your career and and the library. And if they see it differently, that’s on them, not you.
That's what I'm hoping they'll see!
I agree with Lauren. Apply for that position!
I think I will!!
Ugh, I'm so sorry about the situation with your parents. Praying for peace in your heart and that God will give you the right words for your email (if you choose to reply, not everything requires/deserves a response).
I always think we should apply for things we are interested in. At the very least it will make the leadership folks at your work aware of your qualifications and that you are serious about career development. I hope that helps <3
Yes, right now I'm taking my time, because who knows what I'd say if I responded immediately!
Thank you, it really does! Even if now isn't the right time, I do want them to know that I want to progress in my career!
Oh Melanie, that's so though. Sending you big hugs!
Thank you!!
Hello, happy Friday! Erin, gah, your story on your amazing dentist - should I move to Birmingham just so I can go to this dentist? Maybe? I once drove 5 hours each way from coastal Mississippi to Bham and slept in a Walmart parking lot in my car so I could attend a Needtobreathe concert. Which leads me to think that Birmingham is somewhere you go when you're doing something that doesn't 100% make complete sense? lol
Speaking of dental work, I had the 2nd part of my gum graft yesterday, and so far it seems to be going better than the first one. My husband leaves tomorrow for his 9-day work trip. I decided to lean into this week/month/Lent of "doing hard things now in the hopes of a good outcome at the end," and am also doing Whole30, #day9. So hoping April finds us with a better looking bank account, oral surgeries behind me, and having detoxed from a bunch of food sensitivity issues. But I am hoping this coming week goes okayish & I can report next Friday that we enjoyed it and not survived it.
Treasures -
- realized I had never watched Big Bang Theory season 9, so I have that to look forward to this week
- our hellebores are blooming
- we got a new HR person at work who immediately created a work from home policy, so now I can work from home on Mondays instead of burning vacation days, due to childcare reasons
- snagged a Boden dress I had wanted to get 2 years ago but didn't want to pay the $$, on Ebay for $24. Now I just need it to warm up 10-ish degrees
Looking forward to reading the comments!
Hooray for blooming flowers and working from home!
Love a good thrifted dress!
Truly one of life's small joys!
Morning, Swipes! We returned from Epic Road Trip 2022 on Monday night and the rest of the week has been spent getting our feet back under us and the mounds of laundry done (so. Much. Laundry.).
🎡: We had such a great time at Legoland California with our friends. It is such a great park for families with young kids, and the park hotels do a fantastic job of making kids feel seen and special.
📚: I read 7 books on this trip. 🤯 Favorites were The Guest List by Lucy Foley, A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah Maas, Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg, and Dessert Can Save the World by Christina Tosi.
✈️🤠: Booked flights and Airbnb for the Dallas live show! I am SO PUMPED! Any other Swipes going to be at the Dallas Popcast Live?
🥾: A mom in our co-op started an Adventure Club, and we met up this week for a fantastic 2 mile hike/walk and enjoyed a beautiful Kansas day.
🎮: Hubs and I finally watched Free Guy, and it was the perfect way to veg out after our trip. It’s funny, and we’ll acted, and I think Ryan Reynolds might be my season pass.
Treasure/Turd:
😴: Sleep training the wee one. My husband and I are going on a trip sans kids in 3 weeks, and I need to get my 7 month old Re-sleep trained so my in laws don’t need to do overnight feedings. It’s going to be great once we are through it, but I forgot how tough it can be on me in the moment. Note to new mamas: sleep training is way, way harder on the mama than the baby! 😭
Okay, Swipes, I still have two more loads of laundry to fold (it never ends!!!!). I hope you all have the very best weekend available to you. ❤️
Have you read the rest of the Court of...series by SJM? Curious to hear your thoughts if so - she had totally lost my interest by the Silver Flames (didn't love the character development/relationship b/t Nesta and Cassian. And please give us something b/t Elaine and Az!)
I have read all of the Court of...books. 1 was great, loved #2, 3 and 3.5 were boring, but she got me back with Silver Flames. I actually love Nesta and Cassian and a book that wasn’t focused on Feyre and Rhys. However, yes and amen to Elaine and Az!
Yes to #2 being so good. I think Silver Flames went back to that kind of feisty flirting with Nesta and Cassian like Feyre and Rhys had in book #2. And I will ship Elaine and Az all day long!
Happy Friday, friends! My week started off with breakfast at a farm in Texas. My first time having biscuits and gravy. That’s the biggest treasure I could have asked for.
If you struggle migraines, I was just gifted something that has been a game changer. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082WN9NJL?pd_rd_i=B082WN9NJL&pd_rd_w=Jy5Hx&pf_rd_p=d3994b33-ac52-4180-a64c-4b6aa007fe3e&pd_rd_wg=KmM5s&pf_rd_r=GZG2QD1QPG4T74J99G7P&pd_rd_r=29f5b952-56d0-43ad-9bea-878e50e4fbf8 And thank the sweet Lord, you can get it on Amazon! 🙌🏻 My friend that gave it to me told me that the real move is to have this and the heating pad at the same time. I’m real excited about my old lady status 👵
I have a meeting with a realtor today to start the process of buying my very own home. I know nothing so today will be a day of a lot of questions but this realtor seems great so I’m hopeful!
Happy househunting!
Biscuits and gravy and househunting sounds like lots of fun!
Biscuits and gravy are a true treasure! Glad you're finding some relief for your migraines.