Sunday Edition: In a Bit of a Funk This Week (and That's Okay)
Plus, let's finally start a book club!
The Sunday Edition is Tuesday’s little sister—off-the-cuff updates I’d bring up over a coffee catch-up with a friend.
I’ll be writing much more about this soon, but Thursday was a big day: I hired someone to help me organize my garage and seperate my things from my ex husbands things. After I split with my ex, the garage kind of became a storage space. Anything I didn’t want to deal with or make a decision on went in the garage. I dreaded going in there. I had been putting the inevitable off for so long because I didn’t have the capacity, and he wasn’t needing anything in the garage immediatly so I generously stored it. Although, it’s been some time now since we split, the final undoing hit me hard. In the days leading up to it, the anticipation of the divide sat like a raincloud over me and left me in a funk, despite some really lovely moments this week… read on for some Summer recs, an incredibly addicting podcast, a ‘new to me’ band I’m enjoying, and a chance to vote on The Second Act book club kickoff!
Things that made it feel like Summer. Ever since mentioning my jersey pajama set (mine are Old Navy), I’ve decided I will only sleep in cute pajamas. I also have been enjoying this flavor of my favorite Ollipop drink, and I just learved a trick to add a splash of coconut milk to it and its soooo yummy! Enjoyed a solo dinner at Annex Kitchen for their seasonal Fresno State corn pasta. I look forward to it every Summer.
An addicting podcast. Between shuffling kids to and from school, working, and endless chores, I usually reserve any rare “free” evenings for time to bask in my introvert quiet time. Last Tuesday, when I stayed in I vegged hard. I made pasta and listened to several episodes of Call Her Daddy, a popular (to say the least!) podcast I’ve never really dug into. I finally took a friend’s recommendation to listen to the John Mayer episode (I’ll always have a soft spot for my boy, John). Things spiraled quickly from there with this reality show-style episode, plus interviews with Jane Fonda and Kelsea Ballerini (big fan of Kels). I don’t know much about the host, Alex Cooper, but from my listens, I found her extremely likable and a talented interviewer. It’s like listening to a best girlfriend chat with celebs. I think my sister was the one to introduce me to this podcast in the first place. Here is your shout out, sister.
I asked one of my friends what he had been listening to lately—we always like sharing ‘new to us’ music. He shared this song, and I’ve been listening to their album all week.
11:11! (When you see this do you believe it will bring good luck?? My co-workers and I text it to eachother every time we see it. (I’ve heard others say it is a sign someone is thinking of you.)
The Second Act Book Club! I’ve been teasing this for ages, and have put it off because I wanted it to be a big and official. But, I recently realized that the pressure was only delaying what can, in the meantime, be a low-key monthly club for those interested. Here’s what I’m thinking: Later this month, I’ll select a book (with your help) that we can have bi-weekly check-ins and chats about, and possible a Zoom chat if there’s interest. Open to feedback and ideas! I’ll also reach out to the publisher to see if I can wrangle some give-away copies… until then, help me choose between the options: A brilliantly funny book about friends, lovers, Ireland in chaos, and a young woman desperately trying to manage all three, a book I’ve been dying to read (that I was gifted by a friend!), an upcoming release, and a novel that spans three generations in one family and asks: What makes us who we are? (This will be a book club for paid subscribers, ILYSM.)
ICYMI: This 10 minute video of stretches for tight neck and shoulders is a perfect mid-work break. Patricia Arquette on playing Cobel in “Severance” (clearly still not over that ending). Holy smokes, this is expensive real estate. Sponsored by mangoes (no, really). How Gmail became our diary. The ripple effects of compassionate parenting, and this slower model of motherhood. The world of luxurious airport lounges (a total mystery to me).
So much goodness in this newsletter this week, Danielle! Wish I could respond to everything. I’m really happy for you that you’re getting some help with your garage. I seem to hit a mental block with clutter and need a body double. My mom helped a lot with my daughter’s room this weekend and it was such a relief. Almost everyone I know is in a really hard, busy season and it’s good you’re taking some time to rest and reflect while also getting shit done!