Hello friends! This week has felt a bit heavy, but here are some things that have helped get me through (does anyone else feel like this mid-July?).
-Beth Silvers' Sporty Thursdays and Republican Candidate Karaoke on the Premium channels. I adore this woman.
-This Atlantic piece (July/August 2023) on luxury weddings by Xochitl Gonzalez had my mom and I laughing uproariously and thinking more deeply about the wedding industry.
-I am reading Arielle Estoria's book 'The Unfolding' and it is so soothing. Her poetry and essays are a gift.
Thank you for the tweet and threads this week because my treasure was laughing to tears with my 19 yo as we waited at CFA in the middle of a day of apartment shopping got him.
I have not yet worked up the necessary emotional fortitude to watch Shiny Happy People, but it's on my list....
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for pajamas that they love? I prefer a lightweight-shirt-and-pants set even in the summertime because I hate how my leg hair gets scratchy at night in shorts, and I also hate nightgowns because all the fabric ends up scrunched around my stomach and I might as well have just worn a t-shirt. The longer the nightgown, the more material there is to trap me like a mummy.
I've got some nice flannel pajamas for winter, but the thought of flannel right now makes me want to die. It is so stinkin' hot right now! ...But I still want lightweight pants so my legs don't scratch each other all night. Help!
I don't know if these are light enough because I need lightweight pants in winter and the thought of sleeping in pants in summer makes me want to die, but they're very comfortable and get around my personal pet peeve about pajama pants, which is why are they always so short? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078K95ZHJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
As I was driving away from my house on Wednesday to head home to stay with my grandma for a few days, I saw the FedEx truck pull up in front of my house. I had forgotten about the order that had come in two parts and went about my business, only to discover later that the FedEx guy was in fact there for me. Ts and Ps that my package is still there when I get back on Monday.
I'm a bit late, but I'm finally reading Jesus and John Wayne, and just when I think I'm over it I discover that yes, I'm still mad about all of it. I definitely need the PMG take on Shiny Happy People - I'll be listening on the long drive back so I can contribute to the conversation without causing anyone concern.
I am that caffeine thread at least once a week. Sometimes my typical 1.5 cups isn't enough, but I don't know what will happen if I have another too soon.
A couple weeks ago, I had to go inside a gas station in Canada and prepay for my liters of gas... I tried to convince my brother to do, but he wouldn't. Thankfully they helped this pitiful American figure out how much gas she needed.
Brother and SIL are celebrating their anniversary this weekend with a quick getaway and I'm excited to have the house to myself for a little while.
I've planned a little vaca for myself at the end of the month and I've very excited to just be alone and do nothing but read. I guess the theme is sometimes Eliza needs to be completely alone, lol.
We have to swipe a card at the pump prior to purchase, then it will register the total charge after filling the tank. We have to prepay inside the store if paying with anything other than a card but we’re so used to being brainless at the pump that most can’t tell you how much will fill up the tank! If a card reader isn’t working on a pump and we have to “see cashier” to pay... NOPE. Also, if the pump has no receipt paper, it will give a message to “see cashier for receipt” and we’re so lazy that we just won’t go inside. ‘Merica. 🙄
Even the ones with tiny shacks have an attendant. I’m sure it’s because of capitalism and wanting to always upsell customers, yet under the guise of “friendly service.” 🙄
Remembering one kindly gas station cashier in the UK that patiently explained to me that I needed come back inside to pay after filling up. What is this, 1998?
I have 100% had the gas nozzle in my car and thought that the idea of going inside to see a cashier was so terrible that I would rather face the embarrassment of undoing all the steps of preparing to pump gas than go inside. This was pre-kids and pre-pandy too 🙈
Loved the poem!! ❤️ I'm so here for celebrating besties. Now that I'm in my 40s I have a whole new perspective on friends.
Side note: on a quick vacation with my husband while our kid is on a church trip...we are in Aruba and can see the scientology ship from where we are staying. Just learned about it yesterday. After watching Shiny Happy People, I'm seeing some parallels and just freaking out a bit thinking that people could be trapped there while I'm over here relaxing. 🫠
That poem was gorgeous - thank you for sharing! Will def be passing it along to some friends. I'm swamped, preparing for my outdoor Barbie birthday party. The new Barbie movie opens on my 59th birthday, so I'm throwing myself a ridiculous bash. I got a gallon of Diva Glam bright pink paint, and spent all afternoon yesterday painting tables, a photo booth, shelves, a cooler, anything that didn't move! We'll be serving strawberry brownies, pink candied popcorn, pink lemonade vodka slushes, and fruit skewers. My freak flag is flying high this week; I'm having a ball! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Am I the only one who can barely read the threads? So tiny. Between this, and people somehow starting to follow me on substack when I don’t even have a proper account and there’s no way to remove them from following me, I definitely feel like I’m aging out of social media. Had not considered substack social media before this, but here we are. I just want to be able to read the lovely writings. Guess you guys get venting Kelcey this morning as I procrastinate prepping the house for a visit from the in-laws. Hope everyone’s weekend has more clear skies than it looks like we will get.
Devoured Meredith’s intro and first chapter. I’m so glad you shared! I’m definitely pre-ordering.
I’ve also listened to the Duggar episode and man... it’s so good.
The tweet about Prime Day had me cackling in my office as I ordered stuff all day Tuesday 🤣
And you know what? The vacation town are correct
So much fudge! And if you’re lucky, taffy too.
Yes! Or when it's hot, gourmet ice cream. My parents and I spent our week last week in the small ice cream shops of the Central California Coast lol
Hello friends! This week has felt a bit heavy, but here are some things that have helped get me through (does anyone else feel like this mid-July?).
-Beth Silvers' Sporty Thursdays and Republican Candidate Karaoke on the Premium channels. I adore this woman.
-This Atlantic piece (July/August 2023) on luxury weddings by Xochitl Gonzalez had my mom and I laughing uproariously and thinking more deeply about the wedding industry.
-I am reading Arielle Estoria's book 'The Unfolding' and it is so soothing. Her poetry and essays are a gift.
Have the best weekend available to you!
Yes, I feel the same way about mid-July!
Thank you for the tweet and threads this week because my treasure was laughing to tears with my 19 yo as we waited at CFA in the middle of a day of apartment shopping got him.
I have not yet worked up the necessary emotional fortitude to watch Shiny Happy People, but it's on my list....
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for pajamas that they love? I prefer a lightweight-shirt-and-pants set even in the summertime because I hate how my leg hair gets scratchy at night in shorts, and I also hate nightgowns because all the fabric ends up scrunched around my stomach and I might as well have just worn a t-shirt. The longer the nightgown, the more material there is to trap me like a mummy.
I've got some nice flannel pajamas for winter, but the thought of flannel right now makes me want to die. It is so stinkin' hot right now! ...But I still want lightweight pants so my legs don't scratch each other all night. Help!
I found some good all-weather pjs on Amazon made from bamboo rayon. I’m a suuuuuper hot sleeper and they work for me. Search “Latuza bamboo pajamas”
I’ve found a couple great pairs of summer weight pyjama sets from La Vie En Rose here in Canada. They’re SO soft!
I don't know if these are light enough because I need lightweight pants in winter and the thought of sleeping in pants in summer makes me want to die, but they're very comfortable and get around my personal pet peeve about pajama pants, which is why are they always so short? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078K95ZHJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I sleep in pants during the summer too. Some of the Stars Above line at target is so so soft and lightweight!
I have three pairs of Third Love pajamas that are super comfy. Highly recommend!
As I was driving away from my house on Wednesday to head home to stay with my grandma for a few days, I saw the FedEx truck pull up in front of my house. I had forgotten about the order that had come in two parts and went about my business, only to discover later that the FedEx guy was in fact there for me. Ts and Ps that my package is still there when I get back on Monday.
I'm a bit late, but I'm finally reading Jesus and John Wayne, and just when I think I'm over it I discover that yes, I'm still mad about all of it. I definitely need the PMG take on Shiny Happy People - I'll be listening on the long drive back so I can contribute to the conversation without causing anyone concern.
I am that caffeine thread at least once a week. Sometimes my typical 1.5 cups isn't enough, but I don't know what will happen if I have another too soon.
A couple weeks ago, I had to go inside a gas station in Canada and prepay for my liters of gas... I tried to convince my brother to do, but he wouldn't. Thankfully they helped this pitiful American figure out how much gas she needed.
Brother and SIL are celebrating their anniversary this weekend with a quick getaway and I'm excited to have the house to myself for a little while.
I've planned a little vaca for myself at the end of the month and I've very excited to just be alone and do nothing but read. I guess the theme is sometimes Eliza needs to be completely alone, lol.
Have a wonderful weekend friends!
So lovely to have the house to yourself this weekend!
Do you guys not have to prepay for gas in the States? That’s wild to me - I’m used to prepaying for every tank!
Your solo reading vacation sounds absolutely heavenly. I hope you’ve got a big stack of books to choose from
We have to swipe a card at the pump prior to purchase, then it will register the total charge after filling the tank. We have to prepay inside the store if paying with anything other than a card but we’re so used to being brainless at the pump that most can’t tell you how much will fill up the tank! If a card reader isn’t working on a pump and we have to “see cashier” to pay... NOPE. Also, if the pump has no receipt paper, it will give a message to “see cashier for receipt” and we’re so lazy that we just won’t go inside. ‘Merica. 🙄
How about unmanned gas stations, is that a thing in America?
I honestly can’t think of any! 😧
That's so interesting, they're super common here!
Even the ones with tiny shacks have an attendant. I’m sure it’s because of capitalism and wanting to always upsell customers, yet under the guise of “friendly service.” 🙄
Remembering one kindly gas station cashier in the UK that patiently explained to me that I needed come back inside to pay after filling up. What is this, 1998?
I have 100% had the gas nozzle in my car and thought that the idea of going inside to see a cashier was so terrible that I would rather face the embarrassment of undoing all the steps of preparing to pump gas than go inside. This was pre-kids and pre-pandy too 🙈
Loved the poem!! ❤️ I'm so here for celebrating besties. Now that I'm in my 40s I have a whole new perspective on friends.
Side note: on a quick vacation with my husband while our kid is on a church trip...we are in Aruba and can see the scientology ship from where we are staying. Just learned about it yesterday. After watching Shiny Happy People, I'm seeing some parallels and just freaking out a bit thinking that people could be trapped there while I'm over here relaxing. 🫠
It's several years old now, but there's a doc about Scientology called Going Clear that's very good.
Aruba, Jamaica, ooooh I wanna take ya..... Have fun!!! Also, I've never heard of the Scientology ship. Need to google.
That poem was gorgeous - thank you for sharing! Will def be passing it along to some friends. I'm swamped, preparing for my outdoor Barbie birthday party. The new Barbie movie opens on my 59th birthday, so I'm throwing myself a ridiculous bash. I got a gallon of Diva Glam bright pink paint, and spent all afternoon yesterday painting tables, a photo booth, shelves, a cooler, anything that didn't move! We'll be serving strawberry brownies, pink candied popcorn, pink lemonade vodka slushes, and fruit skewers. My freak flag is flying high this week; I'm having a ball! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
I love this so much!
Please keep us updated, Sara!
This sounds amazing!
I think you just gave me the idea to have a Barbie themed birthday party this year! 🥳🩷
Am I the only one who can barely read the threads? So tiny. Between this, and people somehow starting to follow me on substack when I don’t even have a proper account and there’s no way to remove them from following me, I definitely feel like I’m aging out of social media. Had not considered substack social media before this, but here we are. I just want to be able to read the lovely writings. Guess you guys get venting Kelcey this morning as I procrastinate prepping the house for a visit from the in-laws. Hope everyone’s weekend has more clear skies than it looks like we will get.
I have five Substack followers. I hope they’re prepared to be disappointed.
SAME like what are they even thinking?
Ha! Yup.
I’ll just be over here crying a little. Thanks for sharing my poem, friend. ❤️❤️