I have a problem. There is so much good reading and podcasting to consume! I've been trying to get on a better reading schedule. I started out the year strong but have since fallen behind. I love to read, especially with the help of Anne Bogel's reading journal. Finding time or motivation has just been difficult. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to focus on what you actually want to read/listen to especially when you get overwhelmed fairly easily?
My treasures this week are Laura Tremaine's #onedaymay and Kaitlin Curtice's poetry prompts. I have also been enjoying getting my garden in order and now the strawberries are in! We will focus on getting the native plants in next.
Matthew Pierce is a national treasure, if for no other reason than that he has taken on the important work of trolling James Dobson and John Piper.
You guys, there are no cats on the planet who want to be loved more than the scrappy, mangey, scarred-up stray toms. They're lovers, not fighters. They're not here by choice, but the world is a hard place and you've gotta be tough if you're gonna make it out on the street. Really they just want a few pets and a lap to sit in and maybe a window to watch birds out of that will also make a sunny patch on the floor. Imagine all of the above said by a cartoon cat with a tough Jersey accent and a smoker's cough. This message is brought to you by the absolutely pathetic "feral" feline specimen I saw at work today, who after meowing persistently enough to convince me to crack open the cat trap, proceeded to shove his whole self into my hand for pets.
I picked it up at the library, LOVED it, and am now eagerly awaiting the next installment due out in November. There are some on-screen sexy times, so viewer discretion is advised.
The past few weeks have been an onslaught in the lives of my people and me:
My mama had a semi-emergent hysterectomy that got more complicated than it was expected to be.
My work team has been decimated by family medical issues and so we’ve all been stressed and in and out and trying to stay on top of things.
My research/practice area is maternal and child health policy, and as you can imagine, it’s been a heavy few weeks there. And led to having to run most important presentation of my career past university media relations in case any press questions about Roe came up. (The presentation/report was on the economic impact of women in Alabama, it wasn’t likely, but wasn’t out of the question that it would come up)
My dearest friend and her sweet fiancé stayed with us for a few days while her mother had brain surgery (y’all, medicine is truly miraculous. After a decade of a major Parkinson’s tremor, her Irish mom can now serve herself tea again.)
So yeah, it’s been an up and down and sideways few weeks, with so many big feelings.
But now I’m sitting on the porch at the beach condo waiting for my Olive and June manicure to dry before wandering over to the Hangout Music Festival (which my husband and I rapidly became too old for 😂) and I will not be replying to emails or picking up the phone until Tuesday.
All that to say, I’m thankful for internet places like this one that keep me company during late nights and early mornings, whether I’m posting or not!
Happy Friday! Usually a comment lurker but have a question today. I am not the person in the Swipe Up+ asking about career change but I did just quit my job without a Plan B and am facing lots of uncertainty. It’s a long story but over the past few months I’ve felt so burned out with work to the point it was affecting my health. When they announced pay cuts a few weeks ago, I realized I never really liked my job (that I’d done for 7! years) and didn’t want to do it for less money. So here I am - resigned last Friday and they told me not to finish out my two weeks on Tuesday.
I know I’m privileged to take time off right now and spend time looking for the perfect fit. And while I’m in this period I want to intentionally spend time each day working on my heart. So my question is if anyone has a recommendation for a good devotional during this season of transition? My heart feels bitter/hardened by the burn out but also tender - if that makes sense.
Howdy howdy howdy! I was supposed to go to Taos, New Mexico with a friend this weekend, but Taos is dealing with wildfires, so earlier this week we pivoted to Steamboat Springs, up in the mountains. But in the Colorado Rockies there's a winter storm warning - a foot of snow on the passes we'd need to cross to get there. So last night we cancelled our trip altogether. I'm bummed because I was looking forward to spending time with my friend, but! Unexpected alone time in my house! It's chilly, cloudy and kind of misty in Denver today, which is my favorite weather, and there's nothing I need to do! I'm planning to read a novel all day and eat all the great snacks I bought yesterday for our trip.
Denver weather is weird, y'all. Yesterday it was in the nineties, and we're supposed to get five inches of snow tonight. We covered all our plants, and I said goodbye to all the irises I passed on my way to take the kids to school.
I'm off to find my slippers and fill up the hot water kettle. Have a great weekend!
Many much needed laughs today! That muppet video was *chef’s kiss*. And on the more serious side, as the mom of a trans kiddo, thanks for the wise words from the pastor. Yeah, May has definitely kicked my butt- we had a high school graduation for aforementioned kiddo so it’s May on steroids! Graduation was Saturday, so since extended family left, I’ve just been kind of in a little puddle for the last couple of days… hoping for a full return to life before driving to Maine🎉🎉🎉 with my youngest kiddo next week- he has had an incredibly challenging freshman year of high school after a lifetime of homeschool, and I’m looking forward to a week to just hang out, eat seafood and ice cream, walk the beach, take obligatory Instagram photos of my toes in the sand, and watch him jump around in ridiculously cold surf!
Happy Friday! Quick question: Does anybody know if the person who does Owl! At The Library on Twitter is also on Instagram? I’m not on Twitter anymore, but I love their quirky brain so much and want it in my life!
I want to have fun things to share, but this week my dad very unexpectedly got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and doesn’t have much time left. He’s the heart of the family and my kids’ favorite person, and I am in complete shock.
Does anyone have any advice or resources for talking to children about sickness and death? Especially when it’s about one of their people? Ages range from four years old up to 11…Any help would be so much appreciated.
The Matthew Pierce line where he ends with "because fresh air" truly got me through the last week. I have laughed so much at his writing. Now my husband and I are starting to quote him often, and I love it.
Happy Friday! I am in the best mood today despite waking up at 5:30 for no reason at all.
My StL visit went surprisingly well and it was so good to see my grandparents. I only really argued with my mom once when she told me I shouldn't be tired bc I hadn't worked that day...ma'am I'm allowed to be tired at 10pm!
👨👩👧👦 My pastor's 5yo Bea and I became best buds when I loved with them because I'd always snuggle her so whenever she doesn't see me for a week I always get the biggest hug. She about jumped out of her car into my arms Wednesday night. Living with them 2019-2020 has been the biggest blessing!
📷 The AUA this week was wild! I watched the replay last night and was laughing out loud so many times!
📚 Anne Bogel's summer reading guide comes out Monday and the book club unboxing last night was delightful! I just love being with book people & saw a few familiar names in the chat which is fun❤ I will be placing loads of library holds today! Don't mind me trying to get books before the patrons, lol.
🧵 I need some new pillows to help off set my dark couch, so I've been messing around with some scrap quilts and such. It's been fun to dip my toe in something new and just see what happens.
Alright, that's all from me! See you in the comments
That video of the little boy upset about having a sister had me rolling!!! Also, the only reason anyone needs to be on Twitter is so you can follow Matthew Pierce.
Ugh, I'm just very much over America right now. I thought we were headed beyond the constant fighting and turning everything into a political statement, but I guess I was wrong. I was at Costco (my safe place) this week getting gas, and a man with a "Let's Go Brandon" tshirt was arguing with an older Black man out in the middle of everyone. I couldn't tell what was being said, but I could tell from his body language and hand gestures that they were arguing and I was so afraid of what it would escalate to. Thankfully after a few minutes they finished pumping their gas and went about their day, but I am so tired of seeing and hearing about neighbors fighting with each other. I know we will have disagreements, but do we have to get so riled up over everything.
Anyway, I commented a few times about us possibly buying a lot and after a lot of deliberation I made the executive decision to not do that. I think we are just going to stay in our baby house for a few more years and then try to move, which will allow us to save a lot more money.
I also commented a few times about a job opening up at work that I have always wanted and the time has finally come. My first interview (a phone screening) is Monday morning.... eeek! I'm trying to stay level headed about it because I know anything could happen. But if I'm not selected this time it will be a looooong time before I can move up in any capacity. So I'm praying God will give me the perfect words for my interview.
For TV treasures:
- Outer Range: we are half-way through and really intrigued. It's Yellowstone but with a Sci-Fi twist.
- Under the Banner of Heaven: a very interesting look at a double homicide within the LDS church.
- Candy: Loved it! The costume and set design were amazing!
- The Flight Attendant season 2: I kind of forgot all that happened in season 1, but it pulled me back in.
Okay, that's it. Can't wait to catch up in the comments <3
I read the “Should Christian Women Have Butts?” piece yesterday and about cried laughing. Especially after watching all the “modesty” stories on The New Evangelicals Instagram this week, I needed that specific laugh. (I recommend that highlight, btw.)
This week has been fairly uneventful except that I am tired. We have one more week of school but then still more end of the year stuff for other things. Could we just spread out the recitals and games and field days? Do they all have to be at the end of the year?
Speaking of which, I’m volunteering at my daughter’s end of the year AR party for a bit today and she doesn’t know. I’m excited to surprise her. ❤️
I’m currently reading How to Walk Away by Katherine Center and wondering: does anyone else ever want to straight up murder fictional characters, or am I the weird one?
🔥 Saw Hadestown lastnight and OH. MY. GAH. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone into a show blind but it was fantastic and reminded me that there are parts of living here I will sorely miss.
Hello, friends!
I have a problem. There is so much good reading and podcasting to consume! I've been trying to get on a better reading schedule. I started out the year strong but have since fallen behind. I love to read, especially with the help of Anne Bogel's reading journal. Finding time or motivation has just been difficult. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to focus on what you actually want to read/listen to especially when you get overwhelmed fairly easily?
My treasures this week are Laura Tremaine's #onedaymay and Kaitlin Curtice's poetry prompts. I have also been enjoying getting my garden in order and now the strawberries are in! We will focus on getting the native plants in next.
Matthew Pierce is a national treasure, if for no other reason than that he has taken on the important work of trolling James Dobson and John Piper.
You guys, there are no cats on the planet who want to be loved more than the scrappy, mangey, scarred-up stray toms. They're lovers, not fighters. They're not here by choice, but the world is a hard place and you've gotta be tough if you're gonna make it out on the street. Really they just want a few pets and a lap to sit in and maybe a window to watch birds out of that will also make a sunny patch on the floor. Imagine all of the above said by a cartoon cat with a tough Jersey accent and a smoker's cough. This message is brought to you by the absolutely pathetic "feral" feline specimen I saw at work today, who after meowing persistently enough to convince me to crack open the cat trap, proceeded to shove his whole self into my hand for pets.
Everything is on fire, but this book is a delight: https://www.amazon.com/Marvellous-Light-Last-Binding/dp/1250831792/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=dKopj&pf_rd_p=bbb6bbd8-d236-47cb-b42f-734cb0cacc1f&pf_rd_r=49P92SKG76VQKNH9WKTC&pd_rd_r=a7e9b064-90b4-4baf-bb0c-121ef6315415&pd_rd_wg=kBKGW&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi
I picked it up at the library, LOVED it, and am now eagerly awaiting the next installment due out in November. There are some on-screen sexy times, so viewer discretion is advised.
The past few weeks have been an onslaught in the lives of my people and me:
My mama had a semi-emergent hysterectomy that got more complicated than it was expected to be.
My work team has been decimated by family medical issues and so we’ve all been stressed and in and out and trying to stay on top of things.
My research/practice area is maternal and child health policy, and as you can imagine, it’s been a heavy few weeks there. And led to having to run most important presentation of my career past university media relations in case any press questions about Roe came up. (The presentation/report was on the economic impact of women in Alabama, it wasn’t likely, but wasn’t out of the question that it would come up)
My dearest friend and her sweet fiancé stayed with us for a few days while her mother had brain surgery (y’all, medicine is truly miraculous. After a decade of a major Parkinson’s tremor, her Irish mom can now serve herself tea again.)
So yeah, it’s been an up and down and sideways few weeks, with so many big feelings.
But now I’m sitting on the porch at the beach condo waiting for my Olive and June manicure to dry before wandering over to the Hangout Music Festival (which my husband and I rapidly became too old for 😂) and I will not be replying to emails or picking up the phone until Tuesday.
All that to say, I’m thankful for internet places like this one that keep me company during late nights and early mornings, whether I’m posting or not!
Happy Friday! Usually a comment lurker but have a question today. I am not the person in the Swipe Up+ asking about career change but I did just quit my job without a Plan B and am facing lots of uncertainty. It’s a long story but over the past few months I’ve felt so burned out with work to the point it was affecting my health. When they announced pay cuts a few weeks ago, I realized I never really liked my job (that I’d done for 7! years) and didn’t want to do it for less money. So here I am - resigned last Friday and they told me not to finish out my two weeks on Tuesday.
I know I’m privileged to take time off right now and spend time looking for the perfect fit. And while I’m in this period I want to intentionally spend time each day working on my heart. So my question is if anyone has a recommendation for a good devotional during this season of transition? My heart feels bitter/hardened by the burn out but also tender - if that makes sense.
Howdy howdy howdy! I was supposed to go to Taos, New Mexico with a friend this weekend, but Taos is dealing with wildfires, so earlier this week we pivoted to Steamboat Springs, up in the mountains. But in the Colorado Rockies there's a winter storm warning - a foot of snow on the passes we'd need to cross to get there. So last night we cancelled our trip altogether. I'm bummed because I was looking forward to spending time with my friend, but! Unexpected alone time in my house! It's chilly, cloudy and kind of misty in Denver today, which is my favorite weather, and there's nothing I need to do! I'm planning to read a novel all day and eat all the great snacks I bought yesterday for our trip.
Denver weather is weird, y'all. Yesterday it was in the nineties, and we're supposed to get five inches of snow tonight. We covered all our plants, and I said goodbye to all the irises I passed on my way to take the kids to school.
I'm off to find my slippers and fill up the hot water kettle. Have a great weekend!
Many much needed laughs today! That muppet video was *chef’s kiss*. And on the more serious side, as the mom of a trans kiddo, thanks for the wise words from the pastor. Yeah, May has definitely kicked my butt- we had a high school graduation for aforementioned kiddo so it’s May on steroids! Graduation was Saturday, so since extended family left, I’ve just been kind of in a little puddle for the last couple of days… hoping for a full return to life before driving to Maine🎉🎉🎉 with my youngest kiddo next week- he has had an incredibly challenging freshman year of high school after a lifetime of homeschool, and I’m looking forward to a week to just hang out, eat seafood and ice cream, walk the beach, take obligatory Instagram photos of my toes in the sand, and watch him jump around in ridiculously cold surf!
The muppets / dirty dancing tweet is giving me life right now....I will be watching on repeat!
The Dirty Dancing video to the Muppets song almost made me spit out my coffee. 🤣
Happy Friday! Quick question: Does anybody know if the person who does Owl! At The Library on Twitter is also on Instagram? I’m not on Twitter anymore, but I love their quirky brain so much and want it in my life!
I want to have fun things to share, but this week my dad very unexpectedly got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and doesn’t have much time left. He’s the heart of the family and my kids’ favorite person, and I am in complete shock.
Does anyone have any advice or resources for talking to children about sickness and death? Especially when it’s about one of their people? Ages range from four years old up to 11…Any help would be so much appreciated.
The Matthew Pierce line where he ends with "because fresh air" truly got me through the last week. I have laughed so much at his writing. Now my husband and I are starting to quote him often, and I love it.
Happy Friday! I am in the best mood today despite waking up at 5:30 for no reason at all.
My StL visit went surprisingly well and it was so good to see my grandparents. I only really argued with my mom once when she told me I shouldn't be tired bc I hadn't worked that day...ma'am I'm allowed to be tired at 10pm!
👨👩👧👦 My pastor's 5yo Bea and I became best buds when I loved with them because I'd always snuggle her so whenever she doesn't see me for a week I always get the biggest hug. She about jumped out of her car into my arms Wednesday night. Living with them 2019-2020 has been the biggest blessing!
📷 The AUA this week was wild! I watched the replay last night and was laughing out loud so many times!
📚 Anne Bogel's summer reading guide comes out Monday and the book club unboxing last night was delightful! I just love being with book people & saw a few familiar names in the chat which is fun❤ I will be placing loads of library holds today! Don't mind me trying to get books before the patrons, lol.
🧵 I need some new pillows to help off set my dark couch, so I've been messing around with some scrap quilts and such. It's been fun to dip my toe in something new and just see what happens.
Alright, that's all from me! See you in the comments
My husband saw me reading that Matthew Pierce article and he raised his fist and shouted "Butts for women!" likesome kind of suffragette 🤣
Good morning, swipes!!!
That video of the little boy upset about having a sister had me rolling!!! Also, the only reason anyone needs to be on Twitter is so you can follow Matthew Pierce.
Ugh, I'm just very much over America right now. I thought we were headed beyond the constant fighting and turning everything into a political statement, but I guess I was wrong. I was at Costco (my safe place) this week getting gas, and a man with a "Let's Go Brandon" tshirt was arguing with an older Black man out in the middle of everyone. I couldn't tell what was being said, but I could tell from his body language and hand gestures that they were arguing and I was so afraid of what it would escalate to. Thankfully after a few minutes they finished pumping their gas and went about their day, but I am so tired of seeing and hearing about neighbors fighting with each other. I know we will have disagreements, but do we have to get so riled up over everything.
Anyway, I commented a few times about us possibly buying a lot and after a lot of deliberation I made the executive decision to not do that. I think we are just going to stay in our baby house for a few more years and then try to move, which will allow us to save a lot more money.
I also commented a few times about a job opening up at work that I have always wanted and the time has finally come. My first interview (a phone screening) is Monday morning.... eeek! I'm trying to stay level headed about it because I know anything could happen. But if I'm not selected this time it will be a looooong time before I can move up in any capacity. So I'm praying God will give me the perfect words for my interview.
For TV treasures:
- Outer Range: we are half-way through and really intrigued. It's Yellowstone but with a Sci-Fi twist.
- Under the Banner of Heaven: a very interesting look at a double homicide within the LDS church.
- Candy: Loved it! The costume and set design were amazing!
- The Flight Attendant season 2: I kind of forgot all that happened in season 1, but it pulled me back in.
Okay, that's it. Can't wait to catch up in the comments <3
I’m so happy to be here today.
I read the “Should Christian Women Have Butts?” piece yesterday and about cried laughing. Especially after watching all the “modesty” stories on The New Evangelicals Instagram this week, I needed that specific laugh. (I recommend that highlight, btw.)
This week has been fairly uneventful except that I am tired. We have one more week of school but then still more end of the year stuff for other things. Could we just spread out the recitals and games and field days? Do they all have to be at the end of the year?
Speaking of which, I’m volunteering at my daughter’s end of the year AR party for a bit today and she doesn’t know. I’m excited to surprise her. ❤️
I’m currently reading How to Walk Away by Katherine Center and wondering: does anyone else ever want to straight up murder fictional characters, or am I the weird one?
🔥 Saw Hadestown lastnight and OH. MY. GAH. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone into a show blind but it was fantastic and reminded me that there are parts of living here I will sorely miss.