Some Good Things
Okay okay the last post was a total bummer so I’m trying to think of good things. Non cancer things - Things that have made me smile or forget about the torture I’m currently in. So here goes.
One of my favorite bands, Cold War Kids, had their latest album drop on Friday and it’s amazing! I love them so much and have seen them every time they’ve played SoCal for the past several years and can’t wait to get to hear these new songs live. I love all of their albums but this one and the one they released last year which are part of a trilogy of EPs have really spoken to me. I especially love the song called Somewhere - gives me all the feels.
The hosts of my favorite podcast “Luminol” Sarah and Caitlin gave me a lovely shoutout on last week’s podcast (their second shoutout for me and my blog). These are not people I’ve ever met in real life, but have become friends with through comments about their podcast. Making friends as adults is weird but I love it. Also, if you love true crime as much as me - give Luminol a try. There’s cussing and beer and murder - all things I love.
I got a reply from the boys in Lovelytheband about my head shaving video set to their new song “Buzz Cut” and they all individually reached out with kind words and well wishes and they asked for my approval to repost my video. We were so sad when their tour got cancelled - we had tickets to take the kids and see them in May. I hope we can go see them in 2021 when the dates are rescheduled. Their music is so fun it’s certainly been a much needed distraction in this time. Oh and the folks at Wahl (the company who made the buzzers I used) also reached out wanting to repost my video too - my life is weird right now.
We bought tickets to a drive-in concert for next weekend. This is the longest stretch of time I’ve gone without a concert in decades. I’m nervous I won’t be feeling well, but we’re going to give it a try. It’s ScaryPoolParty (aka Alejandro from last year’s American Idol). He’s amazing and we all watch that show as a family so the kids love him too. Maggie even cried when he got voted off. We’re keeping it a secret from the kids just in case I’m not able to go (they don’t read my blog either - Maggie says she’s waiting to read it at the end? The end? Funny kid). I’m really curious to see how these drive-in concerts work. I’ve got to fix this concert itch.
I finally got my beautiful scarves from Australia. Thanks to my amazing besties Rebecca, Sabrina, and Chelsea! This company is amazing. Bravery Co. is owned by a cancer survivor Emily and her scarves really are pieces of art and they’re the best to stay secure on a bald head too. Oh and she also sells these earrings (picture below). - I couldn’t pass them up!
This basic lady loves all things Pumpkin Spice so of course I was thrilled to see Starbucks was bringing it back early this year. Pumpkin spice season is really the only time I go to Starbucks and even though we’re in the middle of a heat wave I was picking up my order first thing Tuesday morning. I like to change it up a little and substitute half the pumpkin spice for white mocha (called a Cinderella Latte). There’s just something about pumpkin spice that just makes me feel comforted and calm and I’ll take anything these days that makes me feel cozy.
Love Island is back! Okay I know this show is not for everyone, but it’s been my biggest guilty pleasure show since quarantine started. I’ve watched all available seasons - that’s 6 seasons of Love Island UK, 2 seasons in Australia, 1 in the US, and now we have a new season in the US (the quarantine edition). It’s a terrible show - really just awful- and by that I mean it’s the best if you’re like me and get a weird voyeuristic thrill watching train wrecks airing their dirty laundry on TV. 5 Stars! Highly recommend for some truly bad realty tv.
Last week had to make our final decision on what to do about the kids school for the year. Our school district offered 2 options - year long virtual academy or the in person option which would begin as virtual until the governor says it’s safe to reopen. We were hoping there would be an option to keep the kids home for the first half of the year and then go back to in person classes for the second half of the year, but our district is not having that as an option - it’s a decision for the entire year. This was a tough decision primarily because I’m going to be in treatment for several more months and I can’t risk the kids bringing germs home from school while I’m immunocompromised. I talked with my oncologist on what he would recommend and he didn’t think there was any way Orange County would be opening up their schools until next year which is what we all thought too. We made the decision to be safe and go with the virtual academy anyway and man am I glad we did. Now it looks like there’s a chance schools could reopen in September! I don’t think it’s safe yet to let them return so I’m so glad we made the call we did. They’re now all registered and ready to start on September 9th. I’ve been trying to get the house and the kids ready with some organizers, school supplies, new laptop, and even back to school clothes. We’ll try to make it as fun as possible and it’s even a little bit of a blessing that I’ll be home so I can help them while Eric is working. Tough decisions this year for all of our kids and we’re all just trying to do our best and make the right choices for our families. I feel confident we made the right call for our situation.
I finally started reading the new novel by Brit Bennett, The Vanishing Half. Last year I read her book, The Mothers - I loved this one so much! Just so beautiful and heartbreaking! So far, The Vanishing Half, is just as tragic and real and I love it. It’s been a great distraction for me this week.
I know I sound like a broken record but I have to say the best part about my life right now has to be my amazing family and friends. Oh and all the strangers that continue to amaze me with all of their kind words. I continue to receive meals and care packages and gifts and I can’t thank all of you enough. I’m constantly reminded of how much I’m loved even by people I’ve never met. I’ve saved every card I’ve received and I want you all to know how much I appreciate all of them. I cry while reading each and every one. I know you’re all pulling for me and I sure hope I don’t let you down.
