Life Archives - Page 40 of 96

This week in…: Volume it’s been too long and I’ve lost count

December 11, 2015 by Jana 25 Comments

Currently reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Infinite Home. Picked up 5 books from the library (Fates and Furies, Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Norther Michigan Farm, American Salvage, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Mothers, Tell Your Daughter) and if you can’t tell from the titles, I’m getting prepared for my winter reading challenge. I also got two books from NetGalley. GIVE ME ALL THE BOOKS!!!

Thanks to everyone who joined me and Steph for Show Us Your Books! We have a bonus edition coming your way on December 29 and the next regularly scheduled one will be January 12, 2016.

For those who asked, the criminal justice book I read for work is Cold Serial: The Jack the Strangler Murders by Brian Forschner. You can buy it from Amazon or his website (where you can also learn about the crimes, see pictures, and other cool shit)

SERIAL STARTED AGAIN THIS WEEK!!! Did you listen? To say I am intrigued by this story would be an understatement.

Finished my first Whole30. Lost just about 10 pounds, a few inches, and learned a ton. Will be sharing my experience next week.

My daughter turns 9 on Sunday. NINE. How is that even possible? I mean, I am filled with crazy amounts of gratitude because I hit the kid jackpot with this one but still. She’s 9. We had her friends party last weekend and four of her friends slept (I use this word loosely. VERY loosely) at our house. We had a popcorn bar for them. If you plan to do this, make sure you have 80 billion bags of Gummi Bears because that’s what they will go apeshit for. Trust me.

Had these songs on repeat: “Blow” by Theory of a Deadman, “America’s Sweetheart” by Elle King, and “First” by Cold War Kids. Very different types of songs that make no sense together. But such is my eclectic taste. Listen to Elle’s song and tell me it’s not awesome.

Found out that the 10 episode miniseries or whatever it’s called for Prison Break debuts in March. I. CANNOT. WAIT. I am also looking forward to the return of many shows I enjoy like American Crime, Bloodline, House of Kevin Spacey, Better Call Saul, Orange is the New Black, and Silicon Valley. And John Oliver. Or as he’s known in our house, the reason we have HBO.

Since I always miss the confessions post, I’m going to start doing a confession of the week in these recaps. Here’s my first: This week, at the child’s cheer gym, I was talking to another mom who, last week, made some arrogant, unnecessary comments (no joke, cheer moms are worse than pageant moms) so she sort of already left a bad taste in my mouth. Then, this week, she called “rhinestones” “rhiMestones”. I confess that I can’t talk to her anymore because I have zero patience and tolerance for people who mispronounce words that under no circumstances should be mispronounced.

Laughed at these

We have a full weekend with the child’s family birthday party and a trip to see Santa at the beach. Hope you guys have a great weekend, too! Make sure you stop by next week for a recap of my Whole30 and an edition of Judging Covers with the Husband!

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The return of #inthedrawer: Holiday Instagram fun

November 27, 2015 by Jana 8 Comments

Hey there! Just popping in from my turkey coma/readcation to bring you a special announcement.

Remember last year when Nadine and I did the Instagram challenge #inthedrawer? It was based on this picture (and also a little bit my hatred of the Elf on the Shelf):

Well, we decided that since we had so much fun with it (and also we both shit the bed on our own challenge, mid-challenge) we’re going to do it again. All you need to do is find a Barbie doll (or any doll, really. Even a stuffed animal is fine. No stuffed animal or Barbie in the house? You can buy one for about $5 or $6, or even $1 at a dollar store, and use it. Then, when you’re done, if you don’t want to keep it, donate it to a homeless shelter or battered women’s shelter or group home) and follow the prompts. Nadine will have a linkup every Friday on her blog so you can share what you’ve done.

Also, make sure you follow both of us on Instagram (I’m @saysjana, she’s @lifebynadine) and tag your pictures #inthedrawer. Don’t use the word “whore”. We don’t want to cause any kinds of trouble (or bring about weirdos and creepers).

Here’s the prompts:

Do your best. Be creative. Don’t feel pressure to do them all. But we hope you do!

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Thanksgiving playlist with Erin and Jana

November 24, 2015 by Jana 12 Comments

This entry is part 4 of 8 in the series Playlists

Ordinarily Erin and I do these playlists on the last Thursday of the month but since the last Thursday of this month is Thanksgiving, we’re bringing it to you a few days early. Also, we usually group all of our songs into one big list; this month, we’ve broken it down because we wanted to explain why we’re thankful for the songs we picked. So when you’re done reading my picks, go visit Erin to read hers.

When Erin and I thought of the idea for this playlist, I thought picking songs would be easy. After all, there isn’t a day that goes by I’m not thankful for all the music in my life. But as I narrowed down the list, it became increasingly difficult to choose (only picking about 5 or 6 songs didn’t help). So I added some criteria: songs that I’ve listened to for years, songs that transcend stages of my life, songs that have a special meaning, and songs that I go to when I need something specific.

I confess that it didn’t make it much easier to pick but it helped some. So here’s what I’ve got for you:

Count on Me by Default–This song was a loose interpretation of popular when I was pregnant with the child way back in 2006 and maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, maybe it was the lyrics, but every time I heard it I got a little (read: a lot) weepy. It still makes me choke up at times and if I ever made a playlist of songs for my daughter, this one would be at the top. So, I’m thankful that this song gives me words to say to her when I’m at a loss, or the words that I will say to her when I can’t.

Reach for the Sky by Social Distortion, Troublemaker by Weezer, and The Middle by Jimmy Eat World–I’m lumping these songs together because they’re my go-to songs for motivation or when I’m feeling down about my career choices or stage in life or just a case of the blahs about everything. They’re my kick in the ass trifecta, if you will. Every time I listen to them, it gives me just the mood boost I need to realize I didn’t make all the bad choices and eventually, I’ll get to where I need to be. I’m thankful for these songs because it’s nice to have some rockin’ jams to help me when I’m feeling like crap.

This is the Time by Billy Joel–I know! A HUGE departure from the rock songs you’re used to from me. But once I explain, you’ll get it. If there was ever a song that encapsulated nostalgia for me, it’s this one. Not only does it bring up many, many fond memories of sleepaway camp, but I feel like it’s what describing living in the present and cherishing all the moments should sound like. I’m thankful for this song mostly because it’s just so beautiful. (see also: Here’s to Us by Halestorm)

Subdivisions by Rush–If you read Ready Player One, you most likely remember (or don’t) the reference to this song. I threw a bit of an excited fit because it’s basically my favorite Rush song. I first heard in high school, around 1991 or 1992 (it was released in 1982 but I was 5 so it makes sense that I didn’t hear it for another 10 years), and my first thought was “OMG, this song! It gets me! This is exactly what it’s like living here!” And then it was on repeat on my CD player. I’m immensenly thankful that this song came to me at a time in my life when I needed it and helped a very weird, very lonely girl feel not so lonely and weird.

Honorable mention: If You’re Going Thru Hell by Rodney Atkins. Yes, it’s a country song. Yes, I know that’s WAY off base for me. But this song meant a lot to me when I was in the deepest recesses of my depression and I’m thankful for its understanding and message that yes, things are bad now but don’t let it get you. Ask for help. It’ll get better.

I had a dozen or so other songs I could have used but many of them are by women and Erin and I have a playlist devoted solely to badass women coming up in January and I didn’t want to duplicate songs.

While these are the ones that stand out, I’m mostly thankful for music in general. It means as much to me as books do. I appreciate music like some people do a painting or a photograph and it makes my life that much fuller when I can put a song to an event or memory. It reminds me of people who’ve come and gone, times and places I might have forgotten, and helps me work through emotions, good and bad.

What are some songs you’re thankful for?

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This week in…: Volume 40

November 20, 2015 by Jana 20 Comments

This week’s edition brought to you from a haze of NyQuil.

- Finished Gangsterland and Maybe in Another Life. Started Beneath the Bonfire. Picked up Some Luck and Rising Strong. I am now fully stocked for my readcation next week. And don’t forget, next Show Us Your Books linkup is December 8. We have another giveaway planned for you.
- Thanks for all the suggestions about what to binge watch next! And since the most commonly suggested show was Master of None, I’ll be making my way through that series during some down time from my readcation.
- So Kurt Sutter canceled his own show. That’s pretty badass. Au revoir, The Bastard Executioner. Although I have a feeling you might get picked up elsewhere.
- Our first full week at the child’s new cheer gym was awesome. I am beyond pleased with the staff, the child is happier than she’s been in a year, and one of her friends from her old squad even joined as well! It proves that sometimes, a hard decision is definitely for the best, even if it’s uncomfortable.
- After not wearing nail polish for over a month because of the horrid conditions of my nails, I finally painted them the other day with a brand new color (Essie Frock N Roll. It’s a dark, sparkly purple. LOVES). I feel like myself again.
- We are now just about 2 weeks through our Whole30. Definitely eye opening, some days are harder than others, but I’m glad we bit the (grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free) bullet and are doing it. I don’t know that I can go back to eating the way I’d been but I am looking forward to maybe adding back some cheese. I’m thinking about writing a post about our experience with it. Would anyone be interested in a post like that?
- Some internet reading about reading–20 problems only book lovers understand (from Goodreads’s blog). This very long piece from The New Yorker, Can Reading Make You Happier (side note, I want to be a bibliotherapist). This Bookish Mix-Tape from BookRiot (a post idea I’m borrowing at a date TBD). And, while this isn’t bookish or reading related, Broadway is now offering a $15/month streaming service for their shows (h/t Lifehacker). As someone who loves Broadway but doesn’t have the funds to afford all the shows, I will definitely be checking this out.
- This funny:

Have a wonderful weekend and to those who will be celebrating, Happy Thanksgiving! I’ll only be posting once next week (in a joint playlist post with Erin) but other than that, I’m taking a much needed internet and social media break. I’ll see you soon!

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Pop culture things older than me

November 19, 2015 by Jana 35 Comments

The other day, while talking to a friend, it dawned on me that my age (38) is closer to 50 than 21. And that 50 really no longer seems that old (I mean, it seems a little old but not intimidating old like 30 did when I was a kid. Or in my 20s). And that freaked me out. Because does that mean I’m old???

I think maybe it does, a little.

So I got to brainstorming all the things that are older than me, and are still relevant and/or popular and are not historical landmarks or things of that ilk, just to make myself feel a little better.

This is what I came up with.

Star Wars (it’s true! The first one came out like a week before I was born so it totally counts)

Rocky

Saturday Night Live

George Clooney. Matt Damon. Kyle Chandler. Wentworth Miller.

Amy Poehler. Tina Fey. Kristen Wiig. Meryl Streep.

Dr. Who

James Bond

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. But let’s face it, they’re basically the definition of timeless and awesome

Sesame Street

The Beatles. Led Zeppelin. Rush.

A whole lot of really important, popular, and groundbreaking books. For example: The Catcher in the Rye. The Diary of Anne Frank. Where the Sidewalk Ends. How To Win Friends and Influence People.

Rolling Stone magazine. The New Yorker. Time.

Baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and all the other sports.

Apple (it’s true! Jobs and Wozniak formed the company in 1976)

Monopoly. The Game of Life. Clue.

Also of note: Elvis has been dead almost as long as I’ve been alive. I don’t know why I felt the need to include this but yet, here it is.

There you have it. A not at all complete list of the things that are older than me.

I don’t know that it makes me feel better, per se, but it certainly puts it into perspective.

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This week in…: Volume it’s been too long and I’ve lost count

The return of #inthedrawer: Holiday Instagram fun

Thanksgiving playlist with Erin and Jana

This week in…: Volume 40

Pop culture things older than me

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