Total Eclipse of the Sun
In August 2017, Taylor and I went to Nashville to see our first total solar eclipse. We were newly dating at the time. It was a life-changing experience, and as soon as it was over, we knew we wanted to see the next one. So in April, now married with a 2-year-old, we drove into the boonies outside Paragould, Arkansas to watch the sun get dark again! (Taylor took most of these pictures.)
Where was C, you ask? He fell asleep in the car, and after some waffling, I decided not to wake him so we could enjoy the eclipse. I can still tell him when he’s older that he was there!
The drive up to totality was pretty fast, but it took FOUR HOURS to get home due to traffic. However, we saw a rainbow. :)
Reading
I never win Goodreads giveaways, but I recently broke the streak! Rainbow Rowell is one of my favorite authors and I got to read her new book, Slow Dance, five months early. It’s another adult novel like her Attachments and Landline, a romance with a bounce-around timeline a la This is Us. I give it 4.5 stars, only because it took me a minute to get into it, and Shiloh’s persistent cynicism was frustrating (even though I understood it). As with all Rainbow books, it’s chock full of brilliant dialogue and one-liners. Other things I read in April:
Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself: 5 Steps to Banish Guilt and Beat Burnout When You Already Have Too Much to Do by Dr. Morgan Cutlip (4.5 stars) This helpful book truly does not beat around the bush. Dr. Morgan provides realistic advice for keeping yourself afloat as a parent. My only gripe is that there was a little too much information/acronyms for me to remember and put into practice. More of a “refer to as needed” book.
The Cure by John S. Lynch (2.5 stars) This was our April church book club selection. I totally see how it might have been life-changing for me ten years ago, but current me had a hard time connecting with it. Also it marketed itself a little too heavily (we had fun reading the authors’ bios aloud).
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears (4 stars) This was heartbreaking and I think her whole family should be prosecuted. My favorite quote: “You can’t f— with a woman who knows how to pray.” #FreeBritney
Birdie & Harlow: Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn’t Want Kids by Taylor Wolfe (3.5 stars) I enjoyed The Daily Tay and enjoyed hearing more details about her life, her dog, and her journey to parenthood.
Fanfic-wise I’ve been reading a lot of one-shots. I’ve had Secrets and Masks in my virtual stack for a while but am just Never Ready for the Pain!!
Listening
Speaking of artistically-induced pain! I had a few Swiftie friends over to celebrate the release of The Tortured Poets Department. We watched all the lyric videos in album order. It took hours. At first I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of (sad) music, but as always, the songs have started to distinguish themselves. My faves: Down Bad, But Daddy I Love Him, Florida!!!, Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me, I Can Do It with a Broken Heart, imgonnagetyouback.
Where are my Forever35 listeners? What are our thoughts about Kate leaving the pod?? I’m inspired by her doing what’s right for her health. I saw this coming eventually, because IMHO the vibe started going downhill about a year ago. Looking forward to her new novel this summer!
Random Happiness
My friend Bethany came to town for the eclipse! She stayed with our friend Alanna because there wasn’t enough space at our house for her and her kids, but we got to hang out some. I hadn’t seen her since my wedding and that is not acceptable, pandemic or no.
From about March through May, Midtown is home to several nesting yellow-crowned night herons. Their old nesting site is a few blocks away, but we haven’t seen them there for a couple of years now. One evening C and I walked to the other end of the neighborhood for a block party, and I found the herons’ new hangout! You can barely see their nest here, but they were flying around and I was so excited.
The zoo, which is adjacent to Overton Park, has a new dinosaur exhibit right over the fence. This has made trips to the park extra interesting!
At Home
The azalea (and early hydrangea) bloom at our house has been spectacular.
I planted a native wildflower patch with seeds from Midtown Bramble & Bloom. I check for growth almost every day, but it’s slow going so far. Hoping for lots of flowers for the butterflies and bees!
Meanwhile, the veggies and herbs in the greenhouse are doing great. I have a hanging cherry tomato plant in addition to the one in the ground, and it’s already producing!
Wearing
On the left is the loungey outfit I put together for my TTPD party. I found the robe in my lingerie drawer and now think it’ll make a great summer layering piece!
I got the Chilli shirt on Etsy. It looks like it’s not available anymore, but you can probably search for a similar one.
Has anyone had their colors done? I’m 90% sure I’m a Dark Autumn but am still considering getting a professional opinion. I mentioned last month I’m looking for more simplicity and coordination in my wardrobe, and this might help.
Beauty
Some beauty notables from the last few months:
- I have vitiligo (so far limited to a few small spots, not on my face), and last summer my derm prescribed this new Opzelura cream. It has noticeably shrunk my spots, and even better, it also works on eczema! One-stop shop for all your skin autoimmunes! Instead of having an eczema patch under one eye in the winter, I now apparently have it under both eyes year round, and this is the only stuff that consistently keeps it away.
- I think this Feel Vitamin E balm is a lip balm, but it is unbeatable for a dry flaky nasal area when you’ve had a cold. It smells great. Also, not pictured: LARGE TUB OF AQUAPHOR.
- This Farmacy Filling Good serum came in a sample pack I got last Black Friday. I honestly don’t know that it does much, but it feels very nice and is the only Farmacy product where I can actually smell the honey.
- I am almost the designated six weeks into using Terez & Honor eyelash serum, and I am sold. IT WORKS!!
- If you’ve always wanted to line your eyes with a Crayola fine-tip marker, this eyeliner is for you.
Wellness
I’m about three months out from my surgery and feeling good! This is the most energy I’ve had since before I got pregnant with C. Even my back pain is reduced now that an 8 cm fibroid isn’t pressing on my spine. The fitness comeback is in full swing – I even started running a little bit again. (I need to get refitted for new shoes.) I’m back on the Peloton and back at Pilates. On a whim, I started using My Fitness Pal. It gave me a very manageable calorie range and I’m seeing a little progress! I feel like my expectations are healthy and I’m not in a hurry. My early-2020 weight is like my eventual stretch goal at this point.
Mental health wise, I have good days and bad days. Parenthood is kind of kicking my butt lately. See below.
Toddler Update
This beautiful boy is right between the terrible twos and being a threenager. He is a loving and funny child, but we’re constantly struggling to get him to do the most basic daily things like eating, drinking, bathing, and getting dressed. It can feel like everything is a fight. We are tired. That’s not even factoring in his diabetes, which, believe it or not, is still pretty new! We hope to get him started on an insulin pump next month. That should be the last big change for a while and will make life easier for all of us. Anyway, his conversationalism has just exploded. He absorbs everything he hears and misses nothing. He’s also finally in his Bluey era, which I’m excited about. He watches Rain followed by Pizza Girls every morning.
We took him to the local drum shop for the first time, and his drumming heritage made itself known. Right after this he talked into a microphone for the first time, was immediately smitten, and started singing the ABCs.
Your Monthly Rufus
I got this sweater at the last church clothing swap, and Rufus claimed it before I could hang it up. He currently spends most of his time on it. You never know what he’ll decide is a perfect bed.
Good Reads
I Went on Summer Vacation to Italy to Finish My Novel and All I Brought Back Was Big Sicilian Energy
Amazon is filled with garbage ebooks. Here’s how they get made.
Tradwives, stay-at-home girlfriends and the dream of feminine leisure
Is it dumb to quit something I worked hard to get?
Reflections on Reading My Evangelical Journals
The art, science, theory, and practice of perceiving yourself
Also pretty sure I’m a deep/dark autumn, but I’ve never been officially typed for color. This is just based on what colors I’m naturally drawn to/get compliments when wearing. What really helped me see it was dumping literally my entire closet on my bed in a giant pile, and sorting by what I feel good wearing. Recommend.