Top 10 Fiction

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood After re-reading The Handmaid’s Tale this year, I finally picked up the sequel. Apparently some readers thought the multiple POVs cheapened the story, but I liked it.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick Sci-fi in which everyone receives a string indicating the length of their life. I’m not sure when this was written re: the pandemic, but I found the way the events unfolded very realistic.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry Upon reflection, I think People You Meet on Vacation is my favorite Emily Henry so far. But this is about writers and a bookstore, so I loved it as well.

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez A believable romcom involving family legacy, an older woman/younger man scenario (represent!), a B&B, and a possibly magical small town.

How Lucky by Will Leitch The most underrated book I read this year – I don’t even remember how I heard about it, but it’s a unique and inspiring mystery with a protagonist you won’t forget. I gave a copy to my SIL for Christmas.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel I think ESJM is just getting better with time. This near-future sci-fi, with creative ties to her other books, was my favorite of her work so far.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley A cute story about a bachelor uncle who takes in his sister’s kids after a family crisis.

Wayward by Dana Spiotta A novel of midlife crisis, gentrification, and needing a place of one’s own.

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub Brenda Crack categories: Time travel? Check. Emotional father-daughter story? Check. New York City? Check.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin This novel of childhood friends who make it big is on everyone’s best-of lists for a reason. So good. BTW, for new fans of Gabrielle Zevin, please go back and read her Love and Chocolate YA trilogy. I’m thinking about a reread.

Other Fiction

• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (re-read)
• The Husbands by Chandler Baker
• Upgrade by Blake Crouch
• The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
• The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
• The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger
• Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez
• An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
• Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
• The Cats Came Back by Sofie Kelly
• A Night’s Tail by Sofie Kelly
• A Case of Cat and Mouse by Sofie Kelly
• The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
• A Chorus Rises by Bethany C. Morrow
• My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins et al.
• Currency by Kiley Reid et al.
• Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
• In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer
• The Vacationers by Emma Straub
• Funny You Should Ask by Eliza Sussman
• This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg
• Impostors by Scott Westerfeld
• Enjoy the Poodle Skirt by Kate Willis

Top 10 Non-Fiction

Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile I reflect on this memoir way more than I expected I would when I read it. If you like stories about the creative process by misfits, you’ll like this even if you haven’t heard Brandi’s music (which you should!!).

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green John Green writes essays about specific things he loves and hates. Enough said.

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl So so good. Based on what Dave shares in this book, I’ve been concerned about him since Taylor Hawkins died. I hope he’s doing okay.

I’ll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood by Jessi Klein This was a right book, right time situation for me. I literally laughed and cried. Cannot recommend enough for any moms, but especially Old Moms.

The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman An engaging overview of my favorite decade. His thesis (which I agree with) is that the 90s actually began with the fall of the Berlin Wall and ended on 9/11. The last few pages haunt me.

I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America by Tyler Merritt I had never heard of Tyler before he became basically Mr. Jen Hatmaker, but I’m glad I did because this book is so insightful, entertaining, and funny.

I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working by Shauna Niequist I was chomping at the bit for this new essay collection by one of my longtime favorite writers, who has publicly Been Through a Lot since her last book. I should have known it wouldn’t exactly be the Shauna Deconstruction Diaries, but I felt she wrote about everything with a lot of class and grace without losing her honesty. Loved it.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah A funny, eye-opening memoir that taught me SO MUCH about South Africa. I wish I had read it sooner (it came out a few years ago).

Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott The new release by another of my favorite essayists. I don’t know how to describe it other than I felt it in my bones. Again, this one is making the best-of rounds for a reason. It also gives the title of her first book (I Miss You When I Blink) a whole new meaning.

The Lord Is My Courage: Stepping Through the Shadows of Fear Toward the Voice of Love by K.J. Ramsey My friend Alanna described this as one of the best books she’s ever read, so I made it an early selection for the book club I’m leading at church. I finally finished it this week. Each chapter fleshes out a section of Psalm 23 with research, scholarship, psychoanalysis, and Ramsey’s own story. It is fantastic.

Other Non-Fiction

• The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi
• I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home by Jami Attenberg
• We Will Rise: A True Story of Tragedy and Resurrection in the American Heartland by Steve Beaven
• No Cure for Being Human: And Other Truths I Need to Hear by Kate Bowler
• Arriving Well: Stories about identity, belonging, and rediscovering home after living abroad by Cate Brubaker
• We Are the Baby-Sitters Club: Essays and Artwork from Grown-Up Readers by Marisa Crawford
• Living Brave: Lessons from Hurt, Lighting the Way to Hope by Shannon Dingle
• The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man’s Quest to Be a Better Husband by David Finch
• Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
• Everything Is Under Control: A Memoir with Recipes by Phyllis Grant
• Dress Code: Unlocking Fashion from the New Look to Millennial Pink by Véronique Hyland
• Paris in Love by Eloisa James
• The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
• Now What?: How to Move Forward When We’re Divided by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers
• Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
• Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott (re-read)
• All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership by Darcy Lockman
• What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
• Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature by Zibby Owens
• Moms Don’t Have Time to Have Kids: A Timeless Anthology by Zibby Owens et al.
• These Precious Days: Essays by Ann Patchett
• My Body by Emily Ratajkowski
• Ramshackle Glam: The New Mom’s Haphazard Guide to (Almost) Having It All by Jordan Reid
• Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer by Richard Rohr
• When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough: A Shooting Survivor’s Journey into the Realities of Gun Violence by Taylor S. Schumann
• Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change by Maggie Smith
• This Will All Be Over Soon: A Memoir by Cecily Strong
• Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
• Forward: A Memoir by Abby Wambach

2022 Total: 78 Books

Add a Comment + Posted in: book reviews, year end

Meet Me At Our Spot – THE ANXIETY // A dad on TikTok did a hilarious dance with his baby to this song, which endeared me to it forever. I just found out this week that the woman on the track is Willow Smith!!

Alaska – Pinegrove // Something about Pinegrove is pleasingly throwback to me.

I’ll Call You Mine – girl in red // Sticks in your head very easily.

Numb Little Bug – Em Beihold // A jaunty tune about depression… perfect for our times.

My Love – Florence + The Machine // Classic Flo drama. Based on the first verse, as far as I’m concerned, this is about writer’s block. Can relate.

Kings & Queens – Ava Max // On International Women’s Day, I saw a video of this playing over the Fearless Girl statue surrounded by broken glass (i.e. the glass ceiling). Now I see it as an anthem.

THATS WHAT I WANT – Lil Nas X // Such a bop.

As It Was – Harry Styles // If I picked one song to represent 2022, this would be it. Truly the Year of Harry. My nieces on Taylor’s side went to his show in Chicago and I was jealous!

The Lightning II – Arcade Fire // A DAY! A WEEK! A MONTH! A YEAR!

About Damn Time – Lizzo // Runner-up for Song of 2022.

Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush // Count me as one who had never heard this before it was featured on Stranger Things, even though I was around in the 80s.

Want Want – Maggie Rogers // SO GOOD. I can’t explain it, but if I was in my early 20s now, I think Maggie Rogers would be to me what Michelle Branch was then.

Bejeweled – Taylor Swift // A song that helps me remember who I am.

Broken Horses – Brandi Carlile // This first verse is so badass. I’ve been guilty of restarting the song multiple times in a row to hear it again. Brandi rules!!

SNAP – Rosa Linn // Just a song that made me stop and ask, “Who is this?” Right in my wheelhouse.

With My Heart – Super Simple Songs // In this house we listen to hours and hours of Super Simple Songs. Of their whole catalog, this song is probably my favorite. I love the accompanying cartoon too. (Me more than once: “The mom just sets the baby in the crib and it happily goes to sleep with no fuss?!?”)

Your Labor Is Not In Vain – The Porter’s Gate // We sing this occasionally at my church. It’s a message I continue to need.

What were some songs you loved this year?

Past Years: 2021 // 2020 // 2019 // 2018 // 2017 // 2016 // 2015 // 2014

Add a Comment + Posted in: music, year end

I’ve completed this survey every December since 2001. This year, complete with collages to capture my best and/or most meaningful moments of the year! You can find past posts in the Year End tag.

What did you do in 2022 that you’d never done before? Got covid; became a liturgist at church; enrolled in a group diet and exercise program; lost a family member younger than me; enrolled my child in daycare; got a couple of store credit cards; didn’t make it to a single Tiger football game; dedicated my child at church (on my first Mother’s Day!); got physical therapy; experienced the theft of a family car; took my child to his/our ancestral homeland of Miami; lived in a different state from my mother for almost six months; got another piercing in my ears.

What was your word for the year? My One Word for 2022 was Renew. I must admit that despite my hopes and efforts, I did not experience much renewal. Maybe I’ll see it years from now in retrospect. My mantra for the year was I Am Doing My Best, and I’m keeping it for at least another year.

What new places did you visit? I don’t think I went anywhere new. I went to Miami three times, which was good for my soul even if two of the trips were for sad reasons. I also had a fun long weekend in Destin with Kara.

What dates from 2022 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 4 – officially went back to the office (2 days a week at that point). May 8 – C’s dedication at church and my first Mother’s Day. June 5 – C’s first birthday! June 13 – my cousin Diana died. September 22 – my grandma died. October 1 – started a new work schedule of three set days per week in the office.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 43. It was a Tuesday. I took the day off and went to the first session of my 8-week exercise class, where we measured all the “befores” (not the most fun on my birthday, but oh well). Then I got Starbucks, went downtown to Golden Hour and treated myself to a plant, and picked up Panera for lunch. In the evening, my MIL watched C so Taylor and I could go to dinner (Fancy’s Fish House) and a movie (Nope).

How will you spend Christmas? We’ll spend Christmas Day with my parents and Taylor’s parents. My siblings and their families will all be here the following week!

Did anyone close to you have a child in 2022? My brother and his wife had a beautiful baby girl. I can’t wait to meet her!!

Did anyone close to you die? My cousin Diana (age 24) and my grandma (age 84). It’s been a hard year for my family.

What 2022 achievements are you most proud of? I got physical therapy that I really needed; stuck with the Peloton and have completed over 100 rides; suggested a women’s clothing swap at church that’s already become an exciting semi-annual event; hit five years at my company; KEPT A TODDLER (and myself) ALIVE.

What do you wish you had done differently? I wish I’d learned how to do more with my fancy espresso machine than make a basic espresso. Maybe next year.

What was the biggest challenge you faced? Childcare; trees falling on my house. (This was a placeholder and I planned to elaborate, but really, what more can you say.)

Did you suffer illness or injury? I continued recovering from pregnancy, which has been a longer and more complex process than I ever expected. I got covid for the first time ever (we made it over 2 years!!), and the flu for the first time in 10 years. Thankfully I was vaccinated for both and am fine. My son has been sick a lot since starting daycare in July, but Taylor and I have stayed fairly healthy.

What was your best purchase? A Costco membership. Undergarments that actually fit. This grape cutter. Also, I got this rice cooker for Christmas last year and am thankful for it each time I use it. (It does quinoa too!)

Where did most of your money go? Baby accoutrements and things for the home. (I went through a serious throw pillow cover phase this fall.)

What did you get really, really, really excited about? C’s baby dedication at church; C’s first Tigers and Grizzlies games; my first Cooper-Young Fest and Central Gardens Home Tour since the pandemic; the haircut my hairdresser gave me in August; Grizzlies going to the playoffs again.

What song will always remind you of 2022? I’m still working on The 2022 Soundtrack – will come back and link it later.

What concerts did you attend this year? Weezer and Counting Crows at Music Fest. I went with Ashley. It was my first concert since February 2020, and I had just gotten over covid, so I was euphoric. I felt so free!!

What were your favorite books? I’ll come back and link the year-end book post. I wait until the end of December to make sure I get them all in!

What were your favorite TV programs? Two of my favorite shows, This Is Us and Better Call Saul, ended this year (give Rhea Seehorn the Emmy!!). I was also obsessed with For All Mankind, the greatest show that no one is watching. I didn’t see season 1 of The White Lotus, but Taylor invited me to watch season 2 with him and it was SO GOOD. Other things I watched this year: Station Eleven, Inventing Anna, Sins of Our Mother, Blockbuster, The Inventor.

What were your favorite films? I need to start keeping better track of movies I watch. I have record of only four, all good: Don’t Look Up, Matrix Resurrections, Encanto, and Nope. I don’t get much time to watch things.

What was your favorite sports moment? Steven Adams carrying the Bulls’ Tony Bradley away from a fight.

What was the best gift you received? A “tree of life” necklace from Tiffany’s from Taylor for our anniversary. I also really enjoyed my birthday party at Wiseacre. It was a gift in itself.

What did you want and get? A reliable daycare for C; for C to start walking; a hybrid work schedule; to lose a little baby weight; for democracy to survive.

What did you want and not get? To go to New York for our anniversary; for C to sleep through the night; various non-substantive car repairs; clean floors; more time to exercise; more quality time with my husband.

How would you describe your personal style this year? I went a little sportier this year and am trying out more sneaker looks. Rarely wore a dress and got rid of a lot of skirts. Still living in my Lucky Brand Ava skinny jeans, even though skinnies are supposed to be dead. I do have a couple of thrifted straight-leg jeans that I’m trying out, but I feel weirdly sloppy in them.

What was your Color of the Year? I’ve always loved the range of blue-greens, but I recently noticed that I’ve purchased a lot of sea green? mint? items this year.

What celebrity or public figure did you fancy the most? Honestly, various TikTokers and Instagrammers are my celebrities these days.

Who was the best new person you met? I met a neighbor of mine last fall at our friend Vada’s going-away party, and have basically been trying to get together with her this entire year. LOL. Life!!

What political issue stirred you the most? How about, not discussing my political beliefs on most platforms because I’ve taken a big left turn in the last 10 years and I do not have the time or energy for pointless arguments with people I’ve known a long time. Or the fortitude to explain why people should care about other people, or mothers shouldn’t have to die preventable deaths, or Nazis are bad. Even though this stuff occupies a sizable chunk of my brain daily. I’m tired!

How have your beliefs changed this year? My beliefs per se haven’t changed much, but my perspective on many things is different now that I have a kid.

What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked this year? See above “what did you want and not get.” An even more flexible work schedule would also do wonders for my life, but I don’t really see that happening.

What behaviors do you want to change in 2023? Everything? I just want to be better. I feel like I’m failing at everything all the time. I can’t do even half of what I want to do. Any moments of inner peace or contentment with myself are short-lived.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I tried to find something cheerier, but honestly:

Do you ever get a little bit tired of life?
Like you’re not really happy but you don’t wanna die?
Like you’re hanging by a thread but you gotta survive,
‘Cause you gotta survive. – Em Beihold

Add a Comment + Posted in: year end

Main Events

Happy belated Thanksgiving! We celebrated with my parents, Taylor’s parents, and Taylor’s brother and his family at our house. For various reasons, we decided to order a ham dinner from Fresh Market this year instead of cooking everything ourselves. It was a great decision. Highly recommend. I did make a pumpkin pie, and our family brought many other desserts. I set the table with the good china and felt like our 100-year-old house was happy to be hosting a formal holiday.

The best part of Thanksgiving was that C took his first steps, and all of his grandparents were there to see it! <3 He’s been cruising for a long time and walking with support for a few weeks, but he finally took a few independent steps from my mom to me in the kitchen. Not sure if it was a fluke, we brought him out to the living room, where he successfully walked back and forth between loved ones multiple times. It was so special! He’s still not roaming around on his own, but he’s on his way!

We celebrated Taylor’s birthday at the Grizzlies game. My FIL watched the baby so Taylor and I could go to the game together (a now-rare occurrence), and my MIL upgraded our seats. I felt bad that we didn’t do something more exciting, but he seemed content.

My in-laws had a 45th anniversary party at The Medicine Factory, a very cool space that I’d never been to. I forgot to take any actual pictures of them because it was a little chaotic, but I loved the Heather Howle exhibit in the gallery area, especially this piece.

On Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, Debra and my nieces came to town for a Three Generations Girls Weekend with my mom. We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, shopped for new outfits, and my mom got a second hole pierced in her ears like Debra and I did last month.

On Sunday, we all went to Nut Remix at the Cannon Center, which I love and have seen about eight times. My mom and I wish we could take the girls every year. Fifoo was very into it, while E (my middle niece) spent the whole show requesting snacks. Regardless, we had fun!

After the show, the cousins spent some time together back at our house.

Reading

The Measure by Nikki Erlick (4 stars) A sci-fi novel about what happens after everyone over 22 receives a string indicating how long their lives will be.

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (4 stars) You can always count on Abby Jimenez to deliver a smart, realistic romance. This one concerns a Minneapolis doctor pressured by her family’s legacy and a much younger small-town B&B owner.

Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature by Zibby Owens (3 stars) This was advertised as a memoir in books, but that part only consisted of a tossed-off list of what Owens was reading at that time in her life. I was also confused by the gaps in her story (like meeting her current husband without mentioning her divorce from her first husband, with whom she had an infant at the time). Whatev.

My Body by Emily Ratajkowski (3.5 stars) This essay collection has a lot of interesting things to say about bodies and feminism and objectification of women. But it’s not a light or fun read.

Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change by Maggie Smith (3 stars) This collection of poems and essays would have been life-changing for me years ago, but now it’s just kind of an appreciative nod.

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon (3.5 stars) Another romance about a Seattle meteorologist, the sports reporter at her station, and the feuding bosses who bring them together.

Forward: A Memoir by Abby Wambach (3 stars) I saw this book at thrift and wanted to learn more about Mrs. Glennon Doyle. If you’re a soccer fan, you’ll love it. I appreciated her real talk about the many faces of addiction, but it also kind of bummed me out.

Listening

Still rocking out constantly to Midnights. Thanks to the persistence of my sister’s best friend Erin, the three of us are going to the Eras Tour in Nashville next May!!!

Good November podcast episodes: Radiolab, Butt Stuff (this is about our sizing system and how the “ideal” body was determined); Good Inside, Reclaim the Holidays for You; Prophetic Imagination Station, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Watching

Taylor asked me to watch The White Lotus with him (I didn’t see the first season) and now I’m hooked. The cast is amazing. We’re also almost finished with Blockbuster on Netflix, a Superstore-esque comedy about the last Blockbuster. It’s pretty silly but there are a few LOL lines.

Around Town

I took C to his first Grizzlies game (with my MIL’s help)! He watched with great enthusiasm and we were able to stay through the third quarter. I was just trying to make it to halftime, so I was pleased and impressed.

Another night, we took him to a Tigers game in my company’s box. The box situation was GREAT for him. He could run around freely and got lots of attention.

My mom has kept C overnight a couple of times since coming home from Miami early this month. I am very appreciative. Once when we went out to pick him up, we all went to IHOP, and it was a hit.

At Home

We got our Christmas tree! I grew up with a fake tree and have continued that in my adulthood, but this is the second year that Taylor has wanted a real tree. I have to say this one is beautiful. The limbs and overall shape are just right.

Eating

Our wedding lemon tree produced one lemon this growing cycle. We picked it this month and I baked a copycat Starbucks lemon loaf, which we ate on Thanksgiving. I’m very careful and precise with my lemon-tree baking because there are no do-overs. This cake was truly worthy of the lemon and I’ll probably make it again!

Wearing

After looking at white sneakers here and there for months, I finally found the Reeboks for me on clearance at DSW! They’re really comfortable and look right on me, unlike a lot of the Adidas I tried on. I weatherproofed them thoroughly before wearing, so we’ll see how the white holds up.

I also treated myself to a Girlfriend Collective matching set to celebrate/reward myself for my 100th Peloton ride (which I’m planning to take live on Friday)! I got the Tommy cropped bra and the high-rise bike shorts in plum. They were 40% off at the time and are still 35% off at this writing. I’m a big Girlfriend fan and am still wearing the crap out of the maternity leggings. (I can technically get into my pre-pregnancy ones now, but they’re a lot less comfortable.)

I wore a merino wool-type jumpsuit to my in-laws’ anniversary party. I got it in our last clothing swap at church, which is the best way to try new things. It is so comfortable, warm, and easy to dress up or down. I’m sure it’ll make an appearance at other winter events!

Wellness

The second half of November passed in a blur for me, because I got the flu. I started feeling bad on a Monday and shrugged it off at first. Covid test was negative. By Tuesday morning I knew exactly what I had. I hobbled into CVS the next day and got the test to confirm. I worked when I could, but spent most of the week in bed and couldn’t even drop off or pick up C from school. I was tired for most of the following week and still have a slight lingering cough. I can also confirm, having had the flu from hell ten years ago, that it is much easier with a vaccine than without. Thankfully, somehow, neither C nor Taylor caught it from me. We are now in a rare moment of health, which I am praying continues through the holidays. One or more of us has been sick since July (#daycarelife) and WE NEED A BREAK.

Your Monthly Rufus

On Thanksgiving, someone left a door open on the part of the console table under the TV where we keep throw blankets. Rufus hopped up and made himself at home the whole day. It was a smart way for him to be part of the social scene yet still feel safe.

On the Blog

I posted my annual recap of One Day HH!

Good Reads

How Did We Get So Obsessed with Streaks?

Riding the Subway with Anna Delvey

The Velveteen Rabbit Was Always More Than a Children’s Book

For the Last Time: Body Types Are Not Trends

“The biggest challenge with 2022 is that the world, all industries, and society at large are treating us like we are still in 2019. We aren’t. And we can’t go back.” On Preventing (Or Preparing Or Coping) With “Overwhelm” During The Holidays (And A Letter To The Universe On Behalf Of Women)

How to be a more joyful homemaker

Jennifer Aniston Has Nothing to Hide

The Curse of Kentwood

The Day I Moved Out

1 Comment + Posted in: celebrate, month in review

Last week was the tenth anniversary of #OneDayHH, an annual Instagram challenge created by one of my favorite writer/podcasters, Laura Tremaine! I’ve always recapped the whole day in a blog post, and am still doing so even though I now have a public Instagram for this blog. It allows me to go more in depth about various details that are fun to revisit later. I would have had this post up sooner, but have been too sick to function for most of the week since… as foreshadowed in the below.

Past years: 2013 // 2014 // 2015 // 2016 // 2017 // 2018 // 2019 // 2020 // 2021

Monday, November 14, 2022

6:15 am: My son, 17-month-old C, wakes up. I turn on his morning cartoons (Super Simple Songs) to keep him happy while I slowly start my morning. As usual, Rufus the cat arrives for pets the moment someone is awake. I pet him while doing the day’s Wordle.

6:30 am: Stumble into the bathroom and run some water for Rufus to drink. He will only drink fresh water from a faucet.

6:35 am: My actual alarm goes off while I’m starting the coffee. I have different alarms for office days and WFH days – today is the latter, so I can be more relaxed. The weather will be chilly.

I randomly got a bag of Peanuts branded coffee at TJ Maxx a while back, and, when it was empty, just couldn’t throw the label out and taped it to my coffee canister. I realize this is something both my mom and late grandma would do. Meanwhile: my friend Jenny and I exchange Wordles every day. She consistently does hers first thing, whereas I sometimes forget about it until afternoon.

6:45 am: Quick tidy-up sweep through the living room.

6:50 am: Current product regimen for freshly washed hair. I love the smell of the Kristin Ess products, but this leave-in cream is too light for me and doesn’t bind my curls together well. I’ll be going back to a heavier product. I forgot to take a picture of my morning skincare, but it’s a swipe of Pixi Glow Tonic, followed by Kiehl’s Vitamin C cream all over and a moisturizer under my eyes. I am constantly getting sample undereye creams in my Ipsy bags and may never need to buy one again. Brands currently in rotation are Yensa, First Aid Beauty, and H20+.

7:15 am: L’Oreal Pro-Matte was my full-coverage foundation of choice for years, but when I ran out recently, I decided to see what else is out there. I am now using Tarte Face Tape (I went to Ulta to find the right shade in person). I like it, but it’s definitely a dewier finish than I’m used to. Today also includes Anastasia Magic Touch concealer (one of my best Ipsy gets ever), my go-to NYX eyebrow mascara, Cover Girl Perfect Point eyeliner, IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout mascara (Ipsy), It’s a Date blush (Ipsy again), and a Tarte palette that’s no longer available.

7:35 am: Dress C and brush his hair. He loves hair brushing and putting on socks and shoes. He doesn’t love getting dressed in general, and I have to chase him around.

7:40 am: Log in to my work computer to ensure nothing is on fire and no one has called an 8:00 meeting.

7:50 am: Normally C would be at school by now, but today isn’t a normal day. We get to have breakfast together, cooked by Daddy! He devours his eggs and pancakes. Yay!! We just moved his high chair here from the dining room, and he seems to like it better.

8:00 am: We have our first appointment with someone who’s going to help C with walking and speech. She is fantastic and we feel encouraged after the meeting!

8:40 am: I drop C off at school. For the first time, I help him walk into the building from the car instead of carrying him. Everyone is so excited to see him walking that it’s like dropping off a celebrity. I love his teachers.

8:45 am: My mom got me this Dagne Dover phone sling last Christmas. It’s perfect for my mom-of-toddler life. I can wear it as a crossbody, or take the strap off and use it as a wallet. (Any tips for cleaning it??)

9:00 am: My week ahead. Time to work.

9:30 am: My at-home #OOTD, all favorites: Lucky Brand Ava jeans, Skechers, and my favorite old Mossimo v-neck from Target. It was uncomfortably snug in the spring, so I’m excited that it fits again.

10:30 am: Water cup and favorite hand cream.

11:45 am: Taking a short break to unload the dishwasher and eat lunch.

Today’s lunch is leftover Thai curry soup, a staple for me in the cooler months.

Current reads. I basically have one Kindle book and one physical book going at all times. I have a lot of physical copies of books I want to read, but Kindle is my only option for reading while rocking C to sleep, or any time my hands are occupied.

12:45 pm: Taylor goes to the store for us a couple of times a week. I send him my list of immediate needs.

2:00 pm: I used to get excited about cooking Thanksgiving dishes, but this year I’m not feeling it. Last year I got food poisoning on Thanksgiving Eve. We were hosting, I couldn’t eat anything, and I’m still kind of traumatized. We’re kicking around some alternative ideas. (Later in the week, we decided to order our whole meal from Fresh Market. I’m already thanking myself for this decision.)

2:15 pm: Feeling chilled and kind of bleah (FORESHADOWING!!), so I wrap up in this afghan knitted by my late grandmother, as well as this Banana Republic sweatshirt wrap that I got at thrift and refer to as an “adult swaddle.”

2:45 pm: Kitty is also feeling cozy.

3:00 pm: Afternoon snack, and texts from my sister and her best friend about the Taylor Swift ticket presale the following day. This is even funnier now that we all know how that went. Thanks to Erin spending her ENTIRE DAY online, we did get tickets to one of the Nashville shows!!

3:50 pm: Taylor has picked up C from school, and they’re now having their daily juice and snacks time together while I finish my workday. <3 I throw a spaghetti squash in the oven to roast.

4:45 pm: Squash is out of the oven. Aaaaand it’s dark. I will say that working from home, in this bright, south-facing room, helped my SAD tremendously for the last two years. We’ll see what the impact is this winter when I’m back in the office three days a week.

5:10 pm: One of C’s current favorite activities is taking spice jars out of their drawer and putting them back again. This keeps him busy while dinner is being prepared. For months after he started solids, I prepared him lovely plates of healthy, homemade food, all of which he loudly rejected and/or threw on the floor. He doesn’t want whatever I’m eating either. So mealtime is a daily stress and struggle. If you also have a toddler who’s not a baby-led weaning model, you are not alone.

5:30 pm: Predictably, C was not cooperative about dinner, so I’m eating my spaghetti squash standing up to keep him away from things he needs to leave alone in the kitchen.

6:00 pm: Family together time and play time in the living room. C finds his hairbrush and brushes his own hair for the first time, looking pensive. Then he initiates a game of hide and seek with the brush.

6:30 pm: I take C up to his room to wind down. He doesn’t need a bath tonight. We play quietly with his shape sorter drum. He likes to put in only one shape, then have me take it out before he moves on to a different shape. He has most of them down now, except for the star. A few weeks ago I had to hide the drum because he got so frustrated at himself about the star. My child? You think?

7:00 pm: Bottle, books, and rocking to sleep with our bedtime playlist.

7:35 pm: On Mondays, I get on the Peloton as soon as C is in his crib. I’m still not feeling 100%, so I choose the new LOL Cody ride, which is more focused on fun than output. I’m starting to think about what I’m going to do for my upcoming 100th ride!

8:10 pm: Post-workout stats. Didn’t close my stand ring today. Are you guys ever up walking around for an extended time, then the moment you sit down, your watch tells you it’s time to stand? I blame this glitch for every day I don’t hit my goal.

8:15 pm: After the hot shower I’ve been thinking about all day, I put on the new Old Navy pumpkin pie pajamas I treated myself to in September. I waited until it was cold to wear them! Meanwhile, Swiftie discussion continues, and I decide to take a covid test since I’m feeling increasingly bad. Negative! (Spoiler alert: IT WAS THE FLU!!) On Monday nights, I cleanse with a special enzyme cleanser and follow it with this collagen cream. I got a facial last summer and the aesthetician gave me these samples. She also taught me about skincare cycling before TikTok did.

8:30 pm: Time for meds. They have saved my life over the last year. I’m pretty sure literally. Also: results continue to come in from the election almost a week ago.

8:35 pm: Time to prep for the in-office stretch of my week. I move my Dagne Dover wallet to my “real” purse, and prep oatmeal jars to take to the office. (I would end up not needing any of this.)

8:45 pm: Finally relaxing in the kitchen with some pumpkin bread, Tik Toks, and People magazine (which I get for free for unknown reasons).

9:00 pm: Normally, at this point in the evening, I move to the living room to spend the remains of the day with my husband. I usually work crossword puzzles and pay moderate attention to whatever he’s watching. But tonight, it’s raining and he’s out in the gazebo listening to the rain. So I decide to go ahead and get in bed.

9:11 pm: Bedside must haves.

9:50 pm: I can no longer stay awake. Good night and thanks for joining me!

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