1) I woke up yesterday morning thinking, “I should revive 7 Quick Takes Friday” on my blog! This was a series I did regularly on Fridays back in 2011-2012 days, and I don’t know why I thought about it at this moment in time. But I couldn’t get it out of my head to do, so I’m bringing it back but I’m just going to write however many quick takes I want (less than 10, more than 5) and challenge myself to keep each “take” short, three sentences or less.
2) I finally started watching Big Little Lies on HBO. We’re reading the book for my work book club and since everyone but me and another person have also watched the show, we wanted to do a book vs. show debate. I’m three episodes in and I am loving it, and can’t believe I waited so long to watch it!
3) My mom and I did something totally crazy yesterday: we booked a trip to Ireland! I got an email about crazy low fares to Dublin, and since my mom has told me repeatedly how much she wants to visit Ireland, we started texting about it. And suddenly, tickets were booked and I was scouring the Internet for Ireland itineraries. We leave at the end of April, and I couldn’t be more nervcited (<– my new term for being nervous + excited at the same time)!
4) Some new podcasts I’ve added to my feed: Sarah’s Book Shelves Live (she’s one of the few snarky book people I know of, and I love her for it!); Terrible, Thanks for Asking (I’m bingeing through her archive now, but I may need to space of the episodes as they make me so sad); Up and Vanished (thoroughly engaged with season 1), and Enneagram & Coffee (Sarahjane’s voice makes me want to curl up and fall right asleep… it’s so soothing!).
5) I have a massage scheduled for tomorrow and a part of me wants to ask my therapist to just massage my hands for the whole 50 minutes. My hands have felt so achy lately and I’m not sure why! I can’t even do a plank anymore because the pressure on my hands is excruciating.
6) This weekend is the 24in48 readathon, and I’ve been going back and forth if I want to participate. I have a fairly plan-less weekend; the only things on my plate are a massage on Saturday and a writing date on Sunday. I think I’m going to give it a try, though, and see how close I get to that magical 24 number.
7) I’ve loved watching Eloise get more and more comfortable with me, and I swear she’s become my little shadow lately! She always wants to be near me, even when I’m in the bathroom, and I can’t lie: I love it. Dutch was permanently affixed to my side and I wasn’t expecting to have that kind of closeness with a cat, but Eloise has proven me wrong.
April
ooooh, I want to try #24in48! I don’t know if I possibly have the time but it might be the kickstart I need to read.
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
Eloise sounds like Oscar. We call Oscar ‘Velcro kitty.’ She always wants to be by Phil’s side. She also follows him when he gets up to go to the bathroom. A lot of people think cats are anti-social but some of them can be very dog-like.
That is so exciting that you are going to Ireland!! That’s a place I’ve never been! So cool that you guys were spontaneous and booked a big trip like that! Fun!!
Tara P
UM SO JEALOUS OF YOUR IRELAND TRIP!! Hubs and I have talked about this before, but we have just never been able to get the financial picture to line up. Stupid adulting. I am super pumped to hear all about it!
I’ll have to check out Enneagram and Coffee, too – I wish I listened to more podcasts, honestly, because I think I would like them (haha especially considering I am totally, without question a Type 1) but for some reason, I always struggle with them. Like finding time to fit them into my day. This is especially weird since it’s not like they are competing with much else in terms of media – I read a lot and listen to music but it’s not like I’m a big TV watcher. I don’t know. Maybe I just need to find the right podcasts for me?
And cats…cats are the best, man. I think people totally underestimate how close you can get with a cat. I think it likely has to do with cats having a reputation for being stand-offish. Which they can be. But they can also be super loving and adorable. I’m so glad things are going so well for you with Eloise 🙂
Stevie
You will absolutely LOVE Ireland! Dublin is the most charming city and the people are so friendly. You and your mom will have a great time!
Kara
IRELAND?! That’s amazing! I’d love to go there one day! So jealous … I’ll be living vicariously through you, for sure!
Do you think your aching hands may be carpal tunnel syndrome? Just a thought, but I definitely wouldn’t ignore it!
San
soooooo excited about your Ireland trip! AWESOMESAUCE!!!!
Kate
I am always so happy when dog people bond with a cat & realize that they can be just as affectionate, loyal, & cuddly, too. I can only imagine how much you still love & miss Dutch, but I’m so glad this new girl is filling some of those holes & bringing you lots of good cuddles. I miss my kitties so much when I’m out of town (& I’ve been gone a lot lately). When I get back, they’re always so extra-cuddly!
Lacey
I LOVE Terrible, Thanks for Asking! Gonna check out the book podcast too. And Ireland is amazing! When are you going? I was there for work last June and we’re going back this June – can’t wait!
kim
Aww yay I love that Ellie is your shadow! That is awesome!
I am excited about your Ireland trip! I know a few people who’ve gone and love it. You’ll have a great time!
I wonder what is going on with your hands. Did the massage help?
Is the series Big Little Lies true to the book? I’ve seen the show but haven’t read the book!
terra
Oh man, that first season of Up and Vanished is SO, SO good. I listened to a lot of it while running because it held my attention and I wouldn’t even think about the effort I was putting in on my run.
Also, YAY FOR IRELAND!! That’s SO COOL!