It's time for my Friday link up with A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals.
On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, 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.
Good morning and Happy 2025! I hope everyone has had a great start to the new year. Mine started with a range of emotions that can only be described as . . .hmmm . . . shall we say, ABUNDANT? Which emotions did I feel on the 1st of January in the year of our Lord, 2025?
If presented with this chart, I only could have eliminated "bored" from the feelings I felt on New Year's Day. That's it. I would have given my left arm for a moment of boredom, to be honest.
This is because the Skinners (minus Kyle) road tripped to Atlanta for the quarterfinals of the College Play-offs where it was assumed that the mighty Longhorns would beat the Arizona State Sun Devils by at least 12 points. You know what assuming does, right?
It makes you long for a horse tranquilizer to get you through a football game.
Long story short: Texas scored two touchdowns in their first three plays of the game. It appeared that it was going be smooth sailing for the day.
But then Cam Skataboo, the Arizona State running back who is some kind of superhuman, decided to take the wheel of that particular ship. He simply refused to give up. Also, our kicker, bless his heart, had some major issues trying to get the ball in between the uprights which caused me all manner of despair.
It got down to the point that there was a 4th and 13 "do or die" situation for my beloved Longhorns which appeared to be leaning heavily on the "die" side of that equation, but our own superhuman quarterback, Quinn Ewers, who has ice in his veins (and a rock solid faith in his Lord and Savior, by the way) remained completely calm and full of confidence, delivering the most perfect pass to keep us in the game.
Then there was double overtime and I lost and found my mind about 17 different times.
Finally, our guy intercepted the football to seal a victory for Texas and at that exact moment Drew Skinner and I basically pulled off this move in Section 129C, row 21 of Mercedes Benz Stadium.
It was a start to the year like no other.
We play Ohio State tonight and there is not one college football expert that thinks we'll win because Ohio State looks like an NFL team right now and I'm terrified of them. But that's why no one recruited me to play college athletics. (Well, that and my complete lack of talent in any sport.) I don't know much, but I do know the boys on the Texas Longhorns aren't scared of anything. We'll see how it goes. Your prayers for my emotional health and that Drew and I might recreate our "Had the Time of My Life" moment yet again are much appreciated.
Shall we get to other favorites from the week? Here we go:
1. Martha Stewart Documentary
The Martha Stewart documentary on Netflix is very interesting. The woman is a force. I have a feeling if I tried to do anything in the presence of this woman I'd start crying because she scares me to death, but goodness is she impressive.
2. Judy Blue Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans
For months, I had been looking everywhere for a wide-leg, casual jean with a mid rise. This proved to be a very long journey, but I think I found a unicorn in the Judy Blue Mid Rise Cell Phone Pocket Dad Jean. Is that a lot of words for a pair of jeans? Yes, it is. However, I'm a fan. They have lots of stretch and a great medium wash. Might be worth a try if you want to have at least one pair of jeans that aren't skinny jeans and also have a waistband that doesn't come all the way up to your bra strap.
3. Trader Joe's Cinnamon Roll Blondie Bars
I'm not sure you can still get these at Trader Joe's because they are probably seasonal, but if you can, I would stock up. These were a huge hit with my people during Christmas.
4. Osea Body Oil
Another Friday Favorites shout out for this Osea Body Oil magic. We've had terribly cold weather and snow this week and my skin is so dry it hurts. This body oil is awesome. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave you feeling sticky. I love it.
5. Life is Beautiful (except when it's not)
This week I was reading again about how everyone on the internet shows only the good stuff - a highlight reel, filtered and curated to show that we're all living our best life. This is obvious, but also easy to forget. Rest assured, that sometimes determining five favorites from the week is not an easy task. Because I have a real life. One where I often feel insecure and excluded, tired and purposeless, overwhelmed, anxious and woefully inadequate. And sometimes just real sad. This is why in many weeks the only favorite I can come up with is a $6 lip gloss.
The main purpose of most of my writing over the past 15 years has been to continue to point myself and any reader who stops by to Jesus whether it's through intentionally and painstakingly trying to recognize the smallest joy or relaying evidence of the most stunning miracle. When we truly believe that God is interested in the smallest details of our lives, it's easier to seek and find Him when the biggest struggles show up.
Anyway, in the past couple of months, among all the celebrating and family fun and travel and favorite things, I've felt all of the ups and downs of being a human person, plus some significant physical pain that I ignored for a long time. This is not where I tell you I have a debilitating disease. It's basic and boring, but such a bummer. I have really jacked up my neck and shoulders. My neck has bothered me for a long time, but it was manageable pain that recently took a turn for the worse. I can't seem to sit at my desk to write for long periods and working out has been a struggle.
Pain makes you irritable, frustrated, anxious and a real drag to live with. Steve and I celebrated our 30th anniversary on Tuesday (favorite), but the pain was causing me to be nauseous and dizzy and unable to be a person that anyone would want to be married to for three decades (not a favorite - also not the end of the world, but we are really testing out that "in sickness and in health" portion of the vows.) I've tried shorter stints of writing at my laptop and skipping workouts which makes me an insane person, toning down my workouts which makes me less insane but very annoyed, Aleve and Advil, heating pads and hot showers, cervical pillows and stiff drinks, chiropractic treatments and crying. This week, I went to two doctors and I'm praying that the plan we have will work.
Boy, are we rambling in 2025 or what?
Well, I can't get myself to stop the rambling there. I'm itching to mention that as much as it is frustrating to see a fake life full of rainbows and unicorns, filtered photos and flawless families on the internet, I also have a real distaste for those who use the internet to whine, complain and point out the brokenness of the world at every turn. It reeks of virtue signaling and attention-seeking as much as anything else does.
Perhaps that's why there is a mute button on social media that I should employ? And even more, that's why God gave us a big wide world out there beyond the little device we hold in our hands.
Ahem.
In conclusion (Thank you, Jesus, right?) if you are still here and have any tried and true remedies for neck/shoulder/back pain, your girl is open to suggestions.
No matter what you are facing in your perfectly, imperfect life, this is the verse I've been hanging on to this week:
"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." - Exodus 14:14
I'm really bad at being still, but I'll try.
Have a blessed weekend, friends, and thanks for stopping by. Hook Em Horns.
Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well/
