Hello everyone! I’ve read the swipe up for many moons now, but didn’t venture into this lovely place of comments until today when I subscribed for swipe up+!
I’m already a little weepy reading all the comments and seeing the vulnerability being continuously displayed and met with kindness and safety.
🏡 I’m desperate for that vulnerability and safety in my own life- I’m very much in dry season with God. I was spiritually and emotionally abused for years working for a church. (Listen to the rise and fall of mars hill podcast and it is both triggering and therapeutic). I left that job when my husband and I moved to Colorado hut as Covid hit last year, which lol super hard to make friends or have any community since then.
🏥 I have also had 2 surgeries and 6 months of hormone therapy (I have been an emotional monster with hot flashes to boot lol) and hoping that my one remaining ovary will soon work and allow my husband and I to get pregnant. It has to happen quick because my PCOS and endometriosis can come back very quickly.
BRIGHT SPOTS:
☀️We are moving to Nashville at the end of the year (Greenbrier to be exact) and are under contract for a home! Just waiting for the dang appraisal to happen.
🌺 growing flowers has been both therapy and delight for me, and we’ll have half an acre to try to be amateur flower farmers. So any of you near Nashville, I’d love to bring you flowers next year! 😊
❄️ it has gotten cooler this week in Colorado Springs which is a Godsend as our home doesn’t have a/c and this Texas girl has never lived without it in the summer til this year! I slept under the covers last night! Woohoo!
That’s all for now. I love y’all already. I’m so excited to dive deeper, comment more, and get going in swipe up+!!!
I’m starting off the 10th month of the year with ten days off work, and I’m thrilled! To say that I needed a break would be an understatement. My last real break was in May and burnout has made my brain become completely unreliable. Like I was locked out of my personal computer last night, because even muscle memory couldn’t remember my passcode despite using it the day prior
⛸ Ice skating update: I’ve been in classes for over a month now, and I’m actually decently good at it! And more importantly, I’m loving it!
🎉 I’m going to Disney World for a few days and hopefully will get to see Jillian while I’m there! I plan to eat everything and buy too much stuff. I cannot wait!
⚽️ I’ve been mainlining Ted Lasso to maintain sanity
Yesterday started off with a glass mason jar filled with mini chocolate chips shattering on the ground, and that's basically how the week's been over here.
Still struggling with my oldest and school - my Mama Bear Advocate instincts and my Special Education Behavior Specialist knowledges have combined and the whole thing feels like a huge puzzle that needs to be solved with some observation and thoughts about antecedent behaviors. While I still cry because it feels like every day a teacher has to tell me what my son did wrong, I'm also feeling a bit empowered in remembering all the observational questions and role-playing actions I can take at home. But still. Friends who have children that struggle with behavior in school, what else can I do?
Treasures:
- Bought a half bushel of honeycrisp apples at the farmer's market (that's 25 lbs of apples) that I may be hoarding and only handing out as treats around here, they taste that good
- Putting a spoonful of TJs salted caramel hot cocoa mix into my coffee YUM
Next week I get to go surprise visit my sister at JMU and watch her perform in the marching band! And it's October, all the leaves are changing, and it's finally crisp outside; so FULL FALL STEAM AHEAD.
Hello friends. It has been two weeks full of some big feelings. Between navigating the ongoing reality that it has been a full decade since my dad died, some weird dynamics with my in-laws, and how disoriented I feel about the choices about covid and political stances from some of the people I love most- the wild women have been especially wild this week. After a nap time incident that involved an entire container of Vicks and some 💩 diapers, I completely lost my ish on the girls yesterday. It was a disaster and I’m NOT proud of how I handled myself. I was not the mom I want to be. Thankful for grace and new mercies and that my spicy-sweet babies forgave me. Super thankful for a husband who is truly a partner. Thankful for a friend who dropped off a loaf of freshly baked sourdough- made with the recipe and over a century old starter that she was given from her dad before he passed away from Covid last year. And- really thankful for this consistent welcoming loving space every Friday. Much love to you all ❤️
Y’all, I have missed you like wow. I have been MIA for months, because *gestures around*. But I haven’t hit “Subscribe Now” this fast since Erin first announced The Swipe Up, lo those many years ago. So freaking excited.
☀️ Just as everyone is dusting off their boots and ordering their Pumpkin Chestnut Apple Toffee Spice All The Things, Southern California is hitting its summer stride. It is quite literally the thing that almost does me in every year. The weather is a delight 9 months out of the year, but even after almost a decade here, I’m not sure trading fall for 9 months of temperate weather is worth it. Look, I know. All you TX summer people and Midwest/Northeast winter people are the real MVPs with your extreme temps. But I just want to stomp through some dang leaves in my dang boots without sweating my a$$ off.
🍂So, it’s October 1st, and apparently I woke up salty. So I’m going to stop there and give myself a time out to think about what I’ve done. Sorry for the whiny rant.
Y'all we made it to October. One more heat wave here in Sacramento this weekend and then 70s and 80s. I could cry. I dont comment much, but the last time I did it was about how I felt solidarity with Erin about packing and moving. Well. We decided to rent back our old place until May. Some of our stuff is in boxes. Including, I think, our winter coats. So it will be a weird fall and winter. But its all good. We are getting used to limbo in so many areas of life what's one more? Anyway. Excited for Swipe Up+. And for trying to participate more around here. Meanwhile, one of the places we might move is Wisconsin. Any Wisconsinites have the scoop on life and real estate in the Other Land of Cheese?
Good morning! I am writing this on the sly from my desk at work, where I am not usually sitting on Fridays. But alas, tax deadlines and my darn work ethic (and also inability to say no). This week has been a mix of turds and treasures. I'll skip the turds and go straight to treasures.
First, my son tested negative for Covid not once, but twice. (All the eye rolls for all the tests this kid has had in the last five weeks.)
Second, the weather finally cooled off here in central Oklahoma and it looks like we have 70s for at least a few days. Am I wearing a sweater today? 100%.
Lastly, I received my fall gift exchange gift and, you guys, when I tell you this was absolutely the highlight of my week it is not an exaggeration. First, I received a "Bartlett for President" coffee mug which by itself was fabulous. But then. I got a box that had this really pretty packing tape printed with what I assumed was the sender's name (it was). I opened it and found a very kind note that explained what was included. It was an art print. But not just any art print. Morgan Auten Smith is an artist in our group and last year she did a large painting inspired by the Stupid Walk™ and was kind enough to include a print of that painting as a gift. It is so lovely! I set it up in my closet until I can get a frame and it was the very first thing my eyes saw when I turned on the light the next morning and I literally felt a spark of joy. She also sent a hand painted ornament that will jazz up my tree this year (y'all, seriously go follow her on IG).
Alright, I really have to get back to work as I have an appointment at 1:00 and really want to finish this so I'm not taking it home with me. I will try to remember later to post a pic of the print on my IG so you can all enjoy it with me!
Just a note to say how proud I am of Erin for taking the leap to the Swipe Up+! I'm also thrilled for the dis/entangle study as I'm one of those humans who pesters her in the DMs about this very topic!!
Hellooooo October! I love the -ber months and the signal that fall and winter festivities bring ☺️☺️ Erin, that drivers license tweet sent me 😂
Feeling contemplative and trying to be kind to myself, so here are a few treasures that have been lovely utensils in my toolkit.
🎮 not usually a gamer, but Hrishikesh Hirway wrote about the game Gris in his most recent newsletter (https://hrishikesh.bulletin.com/1012871106162999/). I was intrigued and downloaded it, and it has been the perfect little balm of focus and processing. Would recommend if you have a few bucks to spare!
☕️ have to share my favorite way to have the Apple Brown Sugar syrup at Starbucks: in their shaken espresso! For best results, order a shaken espresso with Blonde espresso, oatmilk, and 3 pumps of the syrup for a grande.
📺 I’ve been dogsitting for my friend this past week, and cannot recommend enough rewatching Gilmore Girls and having puppy snuggles
Good morning! I'm so excited for Swipe Up+!! Good for you, Erin! I love the logo, too! (Has that always been there...?) It has been a very draining and rough week at work. I've leveled up my job search and had an interview yesterday. I'm in a weird place of being excited for the possibility, but squashing down my hopes so they don't get dashed... Anyways--if you know of an event planning or communications position in the Atlanta area (or remote!) let me know! :) Treasure from this week was getting pictures of our students in Malawi getting new school uniforms! <3
1) Love that someone else calls themselves by their last name when they need a start talking it! It's like "Van Ee GET OUT OF BED!" every day ending in y.
2) Why is a white shirt and jeans my favorite outfit yet I cannot keep a white shirt over 2 months before it's devastatedly destroyed by food/drink/sweat?
3) Taking suggestions for bridesmaid proposal box. Trying to not have it cost like my whole paycheck but also want it to be fun but also want people to get something they'll use and not just another tumbler that will sit in their cupboard.
4) Treasure: Looking up all the local trails for anticipating color change!
5) Turd: on going random days of nerve pain. Please Lord Jesus may the doctors have some ideas next week!
Yaaaay swipe up+ !!! That is amazing Erin. Pumped!
Thank you to all of you who prayed and said kind excited things about the wedding! I have Lots of Thoughts and Feelings™️ about the last two weeks so I’ll try to keep it brief…
- the day itself was an beautiful blur. I wish I could’ve stayed and talked to everyone for ten hours but I swear I blinked and the reception was over.
- we honeymooned in Portland, Maine and it was awesome. 10/10 recommend as a vacation spot. I ate a caprese grilled cheese sandwich that low key changed my life.
- being married is beautiful and also hard and weird. This new last name doesn’t fit me yet. My life feels upside down and my body is spitting out a lot of anxiety in response to this transition. Married folks, would love your thoughts here: did you feel this way? is there anything to be done about this other than just a good ol fashioned “give it time”?
Are comments on Lil Treasures posts now limited to Swipe Up+ members only?
Erin! I'm excited for your membership option! Could you share more about where the community will be housed for interaction?
Congratulations on your membership launch, Erin! ⭐️
Hello everyone! I’ve read the swipe up for many moons now, but didn’t venture into this lovely place of comments until today when I subscribed for swipe up+!
I’m already a little weepy reading all the comments and seeing the vulnerability being continuously displayed and met with kindness and safety.
🏡 I’m desperate for that vulnerability and safety in my own life- I’m very much in dry season with God. I was spiritually and emotionally abused for years working for a church. (Listen to the rise and fall of mars hill podcast and it is both triggering and therapeutic). I left that job when my husband and I moved to Colorado hut as Covid hit last year, which lol super hard to make friends or have any community since then.
🏥 I have also had 2 surgeries and 6 months of hormone therapy (I have been an emotional monster with hot flashes to boot lol) and hoping that my one remaining ovary will soon work and allow my husband and I to get pregnant. It has to happen quick because my PCOS and endometriosis can come back very quickly.
BRIGHT SPOTS:
☀️We are moving to Nashville at the end of the year (Greenbrier to be exact) and are under contract for a home! Just waiting for the dang appraisal to happen.
🌺 growing flowers has been both therapy and delight for me, and we’ll have half an acre to try to be amateur flower farmers. So any of you near Nashville, I’d love to bring you flowers next year! 😊
❄️ it has gotten cooler this week in Colorado Springs which is a Godsend as our home doesn’t have a/c and this Texas girl has never lived without it in the summer til this year! I slept under the covers last night! Woohoo!
That’s all for now. I love y’all already. I’m so excited to dive deeper, comment more, and get going in swipe up+!!!
Hey friends!
I’m starting off the 10th month of the year with ten days off work, and I’m thrilled! To say that I needed a break would be an understatement. My last real break was in May and burnout has made my brain become completely unreliable. Like I was locked out of my personal computer last night, because even muscle memory couldn’t remember my passcode despite using it the day prior
⛸ Ice skating update: I’ve been in classes for over a month now, and I’m actually decently good at it! And more importantly, I’m loving it!
🎉 I’m going to Disney World for a few days and hopefully will get to see Jillian while I’m there! I plan to eat everything and buy too much stuff. I cannot wait!
⚽️ I’ve been mainlining Ted Lasso to maintain sanity
🍪 Chick-fil-A cookies are a necessity these days
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Yesterday started off with a glass mason jar filled with mini chocolate chips shattering on the ground, and that's basically how the week's been over here.
Still struggling with my oldest and school - my Mama Bear Advocate instincts and my Special Education Behavior Specialist knowledges have combined and the whole thing feels like a huge puzzle that needs to be solved with some observation and thoughts about antecedent behaviors. While I still cry because it feels like every day a teacher has to tell me what my son did wrong, I'm also feeling a bit empowered in remembering all the observational questions and role-playing actions I can take at home. But still. Friends who have children that struggle with behavior in school, what else can I do?
Treasures:
- Bought a half bushel of honeycrisp apples at the farmer's market (that's 25 lbs of apples) that I may be hoarding and only handing out as treats around here, they taste that good
- Made these pretzels and may make them again, SO DELICIOUS (don't skip the dip, it's essential) https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/hard-cider-pretzels/
- Read this book IN A DAY and hardcore Hacked My Crying (trigger warning: cancer) https://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Summer-Morgan-Matson/dp/1416990682
- Rereading this book because it's the perfect moody autumn evening book and I LOVE the Austin Family above all https://www.amazon.com/Young-Unicorns-Austin-Family-Chronicles/dp/0312379331
- Putting a spoonful of TJs salted caramel hot cocoa mix into my coffee YUM
Next week I get to go surprise visit my sister at JMU and watch her perform in the marching band! And it's October, all the leaves are changing, and it's finally crisp outside; so FULL FALL STEAM AHEAD.
Just subscribed for the year - so excited! 📚😎💖
Hello friends. It has been two weeks full of some big feelings. Between navigating the ongoing reality that it has been a full decade since my dad died, some weird dynamics with my in-laws, and how disoriented I feel about the choices about covid and political stances from some of the people I love most- the wild women have been especially wild this week. After a nap time incident that involved an entire container of Vicks and some 💩 diapers, I completely lost my ish on the girls yesterday. It was a disaster and I’m NOT proud of how I handled myself. I was not the mom I want to be. Thankful for grace and new mercies and that my spicy-sweet babies forgave me. Super thankful for a husband who is truly a partner. Thankful for a friend who dropped off a loaf of freshly baked sourdough- made with the recipe and over a century old starter that she was given from her dad before he passed away from Covid last year. And- really thankful for this consistent welcoming loving space every Friday. Much love to you all ❤️
Y’all, I have missed you like wow. I have been MIA for months, because *gestures around*. But I haven’t hit “Subscribe Now” this fast since Erin first announced The Swipe Up, lo those many years ago. So freaking excited.
☀️ Just as everyone is dusting off their boots and ordering their Pumpkin Chestnut Apple Toffee Spice All The Things, Southern California is hitting its summer stride. It is quite literally the thing that almost does me in every year. The weather is a delight 9 months out of the year, but even after almost a decade here, I’m not sure trading fall for 9 months of temperate weather is worth it. Look, I know. All you TX summer people and Midwest/Northeast winter people are the real MVPs with your extreme temps. But I just want to stomp through some dang leaves in my dang boots without sweating my a$$ off.
🍂So, it’s October 1st, and apparently I woke up salty. So I’m going to stop there and give myself a time out to think about what I’ve done. Sorry for the whiny rant.
Love you guys. Mean it.
Y'all we made it to October. One more heat wave here in Sacramento this weekend and then 70s and 80s. I could cry. I dont comment much, but the last time I did it was about how I felt solidarity with Erin about packing and moving. Well. We decided to rent back our old place until May. Some of our stuff is in boxes. Including, I think, our winter coats. So it will be a weird fall and winter. But its all good. We are getting used to limbo in so many areas of life what's one more? Anyway. Excited for Swipe Up+. And for trying to participate more around here. Meanwhile, one of the places we might move is Wisconsin. Any Wisconsinites have the scoop on life and real estate in the Other Land of Cheese?
Good morning! I am writing this on the sly from my desk at work, where I am not usually sitting on Fridays. But alas, tax deadlines and my darn work ethic (and also inability to say no). This week has been a mix of turds and treasures. I'll skip the turds and go straight to treasures.
First, my son tested negative for Covid not once, but twice. (All the eye rolls for all the tests this kid has had in the last five weeks.)
Second, the weather finally cooled off here in central Oklahoma and it looks like we have 70s for at least a few days. Am I wearing a sweater today? 100%.
Lastly, I received my fall gift exchange gift and, you guys, when I tell you this was absolutely the highlight of my week it is not an exaggeration. First, I received a "Bartlett for President" coffee mug which by itself was fabulous. But then. I got a box that had this really pretty packing tape printed with what I assumed was the sender's name (it was). I opened it and found a very kind note that explained what was included. It was an art print. But not just any art print. Morgan Auten Smith is an artist in our group and last year she did a large painting inspired by the Stupid Walk™ and was kind enough to include a print of that painting as a gift. It is so lovely! I set it up in my closet until I can get a frame and it was the very first thing my eyes saw when I turned on the light the next morning and I literally felt a spark of joy. She also sent a hand painted ornament that will jazz up my tree this year (y'all, seriously go follow her on IG).
Alright, I really have to get back to work as I have an appointment at 1:00 and really want to finish this so I'm not taking it home with me. I will try to remember later to post a pic of the print on my IG so you can all enjoy it with me!
Just a note to say how proud I am of Erin for taking the leap to the Swipe Up+! I'm also thrilled for the dis/entangle study as I'm one of those humans who pesters her in the DMs about this very topic!!
Hellooooo October! I love the -ber months and the signal that fall and winter festivities bring ☺️☺️ Erin, that drivers license tweet sent me 😂
Feeling contemplative and trying to be kind to myself, so here are a few treasures that have been lovely utensils in my toolkit.
🎮 not usually a gamer, but Hrishikesh Hirway wrote about the game Gris in his most recent newsletter (https://hrishikesh.bulletin.com/1012871106162999/). I was intrigued and downloaded it, and it has been the perfect little balm of focus and processing. Would recommend if you have a few bucks to spare!
☕️ have to share my favorite way to have the Apple Brown Sugar syrup at Starbucks: in their shaken espresso! For best results, order a shaken espresso with Blonde espresso, oatmilk, and 3 pumps of the syrup for a grande.
📺 I’ve been dogsitting for my friend this past week, and cannot recommend enough rewatching Gilmore Girls and having puppy snuggles
📝 a few affirmations on IG (https://www.instagram.com/p/CUbFcpUptXH/?utm_medium=copy_link // https://www.instagram.com/p/CUa4lK3PdlJ/?utm_medium=copy_link // https://www.instagram.com/p/CUaKZA4M4sN/?utm_medium=copy_link) and some ways to show up for friends and family who need help (https://www.instagram.com/p/CUa-Eq6v13y/?utm_medium=copy_link)
📱 this Tiktok made me LOL when I desperately needed a belly laugh. Fair warning, 💩 humor so proceed at own risk - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRcnEgyR/
🎥 tiktok runners up, presented without comment 😂 - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRcnKqhX/ // https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRcWe4s5/ // https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRcWShr2/ // https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRcWRRXj/
love all you noble land mermaids 😘😘
Good morning! I'm so excited for Swipe Up+!! Good for you, Erin! I love the logo, too! (Has that always been there...?) It has been a very draining and rough week at work. I've leveled up my job search and had an interview yesterday. I'm in a weird place of being excited for the possibility, but squashing down my hopes so they don't get dashed... Anyways--if you know of an event planning or communications position in the Atlanta area (or remote!) let me know! :) Treasure from this week was getting pictures of our students in Malawi getting new school uniforms! <3
I hope you all have the best weekend possible!
1) Love that someone else calls themselves by their last name when they need a start talking it! It's like "Van Ee GET OUT OF BED!" every day ending in y.
2) Why is a white shirt and jeans my favorite outfit yet I cannot keep a white shirt over 2 months before it's devastatedly destroyed by food/drink/sweat?
3) Taking suggestions for bridesmaid proposal box. Trying to not have it cost like my whole paycheck but also want it to be fun but also want people to get something they'll use and not just another tumbler that will sit in their cupboard.
4) Treasure: Looking up all the local trails for anticipating color change!
5) Turd: on going random days of nerve pain. Please Lord Jesus may the doctors have some ideas next week!
6) Treasure: Found a French Macroon class!
Yaaaay swipe up+ !!! That is amazing Erin. Pumped!
Thank you to all of you who prayed and said kind excited things about the wedding! I have Lots of Thoughts and Feelings™️ about the last two weeks so I’ll try to keep it brief…
- the day itself was an beautiful blur. I wish I could’ve stayed and talked to everyone for ten hours but I swear I blinked and the reception was over.
- we honeymooned in Portland, Maine and it was awesome. 10/10 recommend as a vacation spot. I ate a caprese grilled cheese sandwich that low key changed my life.
- being married is beautiful and also hard and weird. This new last name doesn’t fit me yet. My life feels upside down and my body is spitting out a lot of anxiety in response to this transition. Married folks, would love your thoughts here: did you feel this way? is there anything to be done about this other than just a good ol fashioned “give it time”?
Non-wedding treasure: I’m a sucker for a live recording and this classic (but with a twist) from John Mark McMillan just about did me in this morning. Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/track/2TcRnACU4UoiraVU9UbqMI?si=7BOFo1z_RH26-jtwZ6481A&dl_branch=1