Friday, August 21, 2020

5 Friday Favorites: August 21, 2020





 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote or Bible verse, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.


Hello, Fellow Americans. I come to you this fine Friday morning with a confession. I know our beloved country is in a bit of a state right now and we've kind of got a big election coming up. As everyone knows, the conventions started this week. I used to love watching the conventions from both parties. I used to stay up and watch all the speeches and feel all patriotic and hopeful about our democracy. However, as a free American citizen with both a Hulu and a Netflix account, I spent every night this week watching multiple episodes of The Mindy Project and Last Chance U

Then I told myself that since I had to spend an hour and a half in the car during Drew's baseball practice last night, I would spend that time looking into some of the speeches so that I would become an informed member of the voting public. But then I found this Disney Princess Filter on Instagram and proceeded to send my sister a bunch of photos because sometimes you have to prioritize your life.


Today is the day I will search all the speeches and listen with an open mind and heart. I plan to do the same next week with the other convention. The only problem will be that I've got to see if Dior is ever going to be able to forgive his dad and if Nu'u will stop plagiarizing his English papers and if Rezjohn will recover from his injury in time for the next game on Last Chance U.

Here are some of my favorite things from this week that did not include Mindy Kaling or Junior College football players or taking selfies in my car.


1. Lou & Grey Soft Stretch Linen Pants

I actually walked into a Loft the other day to return something I had bought online. It's the first time I've been in a clothing store since March. I found these Lou and Grey soft stretch linen pants that I love mainly because they were really cute and fit well, but also because they meet my goal of only wearing stretchy pants in 2020. You can get them for 40% off and free shipping today with the code TREAT.


2. Dove Body Polish


Most days my sister and I talk about how the world is on fire (and her world is literally on fire as she lives in Northern California, so please pray for her community. Thanks.) Most days we also try to cheer each other up with random suggestions of things that have made us happy in the midst of the fire. Last week she suggested this Dove Body Polish with Kiwi Seeds and Cool Aloe. She said that it smells amazing and she loves it. I haven't bought it yet, but I will because my sister is smart and honest and trustworthy and also makes me laugh a lot. Maybe she should run for President. 

Edited: She just texted a response to my Disney Princess photo which read: "That's creepy. Get a life."

I will NOT be voting for her for president. 

3. Best Books I Read This Week

I mentioned The Vanishing Half a couple of weeks ago and I finished it this week. It just might be the best fiction book I read this summer. I highly, highly recommend it.

I heard about Dear Martin on a podcast recently. It's actually in the Young Adult category and I bought it for Drew, but started to read it while I was waiting for him during his baseball practice (I mean, after I spent 30 minutes on the Disney Princess filter) and I can already tell it's going to be good. Also, since Drew will be doing his schooling online at home all fall, I'll finish it and then give it to him and then we'll meet on the porch for our Mother-Son Book Club. He's going to be so excited.


4. Sheri Salata on Jen Hatmaker's For the Love Podcast


I had never heard of this woman. Apparently, she worked with Oprah. But when I saw the title of this interview - Sheri Salata on Falling in Love with Change - I first thought, "No, thank you. Sheri." and then realized I should listen. Your girl here does not like change. And the only thing that is certain is that things will change. Granted, 2020 over-did it in this regard, but all I find from resisting change is a lot of sadness, grief, anxiety, and a whole lot of anger. FYI: these are not components to a content life.  This is a great podcast for anyone, but especially for women of my age. I wrote down this line and kept it on my desk:

"Things have changed. We are not going back to the old way-the exact same way. Things have changed and things are changing and things are continuing to change. Your ability to choose happiness on a moment to moment basis is going to absolutely depend on your ability to embrace and celebrate and fall in love with the idea of change."


5. These Guys 


Both of these jokers are back at college in their favorite places - State College, PA and Knoxville, TN. I'm so happy for them and so hopeful that their experiences will be fun and meaningful and productive and safe. And if you would have asked me two weeks ago, I would have said "It's time for them to go. It's TIME." And it was and it is. Also, I'm sad today. It was fun having them here for five months straight (most of the time). Our family is at its very best (most of the time) when we're all together. They make me laugh all the dang time and laughing is my favorite. But they aren't meant to be here making me laugh all the time and I'm trying to embrace and celebrate and fall in love with the idea of change. Because I trust that God is with them and with us and that He has big, beautiful things in plan for all of us on the other side of the missing. It's just that today, the missing is a lot. 

Have a great weekend!

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1 comment:

Joanne said...

Aw, I get that you both want them gone and yet wish they were still home. I think we all tend to feel that way about our kids as they grow.