five finds friday (why I’m sticking around for fridays and shows that make me laugh)

You know what’s discouraging?

When you type a whole post and then your son unplugs the internet connection and your computer doesn’t save what you typed.

That’s a bummer.

Also, it’s a bummer when you are so old or distracted or tired or distracted or distracted that you honestly can’t recall the words you typed mere minutes earlier.

I think I said something about how I really don’t know how much time in this new year I can commit to writing in this sweet space because I really do want to finish that book. And how Ruth, my writing coach, said that it will be hard and that I will want to quit. And IT IS HARD and I DO WANT TO QUIT.

(You know what I’m good at? Starting things.
You know what I’m bad at? Finishing things.)

I value this space, however, and I value you guys. I don’t know if I’ll get a post a week or a post daily – I doubt that. But I do know that I want to commit to writing at least the Friday post each week because it makes me happy. Because it’s fun and pretty easy and it gives me a rhythm to my weeks and a space to touch base here.

So – here I am. It’s Friday.

funny

Everyone feels every which way about TV shows and movies and I get that. There’s a lot of good reasons to feel a lot of ways and I can certainly confess that my opinions and thoughts about shows have shifted and changed over seasons and years of my life as well.

We don’t have to all enjoy the same things and we sure won’t think all the same things are funny.

But right now, I CANNOT stop laughing at the writing and the characters on Schitt’s Creek.

Of course I’m late to the game. I always am. (Can we call me fashionably late? No? Well, whatever.)

It’s 21 minutes, perfect for my attention span.

At first it feels very Arrested Development – a rich and out of touch family is suddenly poor and out of luck and all they have (kind of) is one another.

And I adored Arrested Development. But, in many ways, this is even better. Because something Schitt’s Creek does with incredible charm and disarming humor is to create characters who grow. Characters who have a full story and learn and change and come to new truths about themselves and about the world around them.

Are they lovable? Oh my word yes.

Do I find myself practicing their accents and nuances and hand gestures? Maybe.

Do I watch this show with headphones if the kids are awake? Of course.

The writing is clever. It’s heartwarming and that’s a dumb phrase but I just cannot do better right now. I’ve laughed so loudly that the kids tease me. I’ve shed tears and there’s this pure joy that’s impossible to ignore despite the cynicism and bad attitudes and selfishness of the characters.

I’m kind of obsessed with talking about this show with anyone who is watching it, just so you know. I’m on Season 6 and I think I’ll legitimately be sad when it’s over.

fashionable

Remember when I used to wear dresses like every day?

I feel like now I never change out of my black leggings. I’ve purchased more sweatshirt type shirts this past year than I have in my entire actual life. (This is a fact.)

I actually miss wearing fun clothes but it does feel a little pointless to wear them when I’m home all day.

My Stitch Fix box arrived this week and there was a sweater in it that definitely looked like David’s in this photo. (See, Schitt’s Creek is overtaking my life.)

While that particular style is not my own and I will be returning it, I actually kind of like some of David’s sweatshirts in the show. Also, many make me laugh.

I mean, I don’t know – should I keep it?

Also in this month’s Stitch Fix box – wide legged jeans. I have not yet tried them on, but should I? Is that what the world is wearing again?

Speaking of black leggings – this company right here – RBX – a brand I first found at TJ Maxx, has great sales and really nice leggings with pockets actually large enough for my behemoth phone.

By the way, you can join Stitch Fix through this link and get $25 – but maybe hold out for the $100 deal which is the best. (I’ll definitely shout the good news if I get another one of those offers.)

flavorful

As my children (and Jane) like to gently remind me – taking food pictures is not exactly in my wheelhouse.

So forgive this one – it’s less about beauty and more about a story.

And a trick I think you’ll appreciate.

(Although, of course, I could be late to this game as well and you may already know and frequently employ this method for yourself.)

Anyway.

Did you know that you can take hard as a brick frozen chicken breasts and dump them right into your Instant Pot, add a little broth or tomatoes or what you choose and in less than half an hour have cooked chicken to shred – in this case we made tacos.

I mean – freezer to dinner in less than half an hour??

That’s a game changer for me.

faithful

Last week my dad stopped by a few days.

It’s always good to have him in town. Usually there’s a tasty breakfast at the Hungry Drover and this visit was no exception.

I grew up without grandfathers. My dad’s father passed away when Dad was only 18. My mom’s dad died when I was a toddler.

I think it’s an incredible gift that my own father has the privilege of knowing not only my children but also my children’s children.

That is a rare and lovely gift and I’m really grateful for it.

feels

So often I feel like my house is some sort of revolving door. This kid is babysitting. That kid is at class. This one is running an errand and that one is at work. This child is outside at the trampoline and this one is having lunch with friends.

Everyone seems to have their own lives more and more and more.

Which, sure, is the goal and the end game here.

But I sure do love the nights we are all at home. The nights where we just hang out, play a game or two, dance in the kitchen, bake chocolate cake at ten p.m. Those are the best days and the best nights and the best moments for this fan of a full house.

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