The Weekly Digress | 6.26
An addictive yogurt bowl, a bizarre yet un-putdownable book, and the summer of casual shorts
Quick question for any mom reading this — does the indecision about what to do during their naps ever dissipate? It’s been almost 8 months of Ziggy, and I still waffle every single nap time about how spend the time, so I’m wondering if this daily decision gets any easier? Clearer? I could deal with laundry, write, read, shower, bake something, cook something, deep clean something… the list goes on and the decision is never an easy one. The logistics are a never-ending calculation that I try to find new equations for every single day.
Anyway.
Today’s letter is a standard Weekly Digress for freebies with a weight loss update from both my sister and me toward the end for paybies, so here go!
READING
Allie was in charge of choosing this month’s book and went with a Reese’s book club picked called Isola. I kinda sorta read the synopsis before diving in but didn’t pay too close attention because I’d always rather just dive in and find out for myself. I don’t really know how to react to this book. I definitely like it but it’s also so different than anything we usually read, so it kind of caught us both off-guard. It takes place during the 1500s in France and is written in first person from the protagonist’s POV who, by the way, is orphaned and put in the custody of her older male cousin who is a little chat (pronounced SHA in French. Look it up) (it’s “cunt”) (hehe).
As different as it is for my typical taste, it’s very easy to read and I can’t seem to put it down. I’m about halfway through and it’s really flown by so far. Jury’s out on whether or not I’d recommend it just yet. Let’s check back next week.
WATCHING
Zac and I watched this on the plane ride out to Oregon a few weeks ago and LOVED it. Timothee did such an excellent job not only acting but singing. I have a very special place in my heart for Bob Dylan because I got into him during college so any time I hear one his songs, I am transported back there (for better and for worse). In fact, one of my younger professors (sociology/psychology/some ology. I can’t remember) was so obsessed with Bobby D that he somehow tied every lesson back to a Bob Dylan song. The same younger professor came into the coffee shop I worked at the summer before I had his class and flirted with me (neither of us knew we would face each other once more in a classroom setting). Anyway, it was an excellent movie and done really well.
Season one of Tires was entertaining enough, but season two is so much better. Shane Gillis and Steve Gerben star as cousins working for Steve’s dad’s car shop and it’s semi-autobiographical. I love it so much because it’s the kind of comedy we grew up with and isn’t apologetic for its crassness. It’s a mostly male cast who are all best friends and comedy buddies IRL so the shit talking and gross humor is alive and well. Season two had a lot more heart and expanded on several storylines because I think they know they’ve got something really good going if they can make it last. The hilarious Veronika Slowikowska makes her acting debut in season two as Shane’s love interest and she did so well. Makes me excited about what’s to come for her. Anyway, Tires is hilarious.
Zac watched the first episode on his own and felt I might really like it, so he re-watched it with me and I DID like it, but then episode two started to feel corny, and by episode three, I was like “STOP TRYING TO MAKE ‘FUCK NUTS’ HAPPEN. IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.’” So, I’m out.
The way Sylvester Stallone is still kicking is kind of incredible. We’re late to this show, but were instantly hooked after episode one. Anything with mobs and crime and drugs is almost a sure bet I’m gonna be into it, and I’m INTO it. I’m really enjoying the way things are unfolding, and it’s truly kind of incredible to see Sly kick serious ass as a gangster at the ripe old age of 75.
LISTENING TO
I have never once in my late 30s life listened to Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast, BUT I realized Benito Skinner was on back in October and I never got to listen to his episode because I was too busy that week shitting my brains out before giving birth to Ziggy (IYKYK). So I treated myself to going back 8 months ago and listening to their Halloween special episode and it was a delight and a half. At one point, they were both talking so fast, I checked to see if I had accidentally sped it up; I hadn’t. They are just incredibly fast and furious chatters. It was a delight.
I don’t listen to Not Skinny But Not Fat regularly (she has a lot of reality stars on and we all know how I feel about reality TV in general), BUT she had Olivia Munn on last week so I tuned in. I love love love Olivia Munn so so much. First of all, I think she may be the prettiest, most perfect woman. Second, I love that she’s now married to and parents with John Mulaney (although I have a lot of mixed feelings about him and his previous marriage and what he put her through with his addiction, etc). Third, after hearing her on this podcast, I can officially say I love how no bullshit, straightforward, honest, and real she is. It was a great listen and I am dying to be on a fly on the wall when the mics are off and she’s giving Amanda the tea.
MAKING
I’ve been going back to old tried and true recipes for a few weeks now, BUT I have upped my greek yogurt bowl game.
Greek yogurt is one of the easiest and yummiest ways to consume protein IMO, and when I saw Emily Schuman add honey and vanilla extract to hers and WHIP IT WITH AN IMMERSION BLENDER, it was like seeing someone split the atom. I immediately tried it and have to tell y’all — it’s SO delicious. For a while, I was adding Le Bonne Maman preserves to my plain greek yogurt for sweetness, but this way is so much better. You don’t NEED an immersion blender; you can whisk the honey and the vanilla into the yogurt yourself. But if you WANT one, this is the one I have and it’s great!
I add berries, granola, and mint to mine just like Emily. The mint really takes it to the next level.
SHOPPING
Around here, it’s the summer of casual shorts. Er, the summer of trying to find the perfect casual shorts. I have spandex workout shorts. I have denim shorts. But what I realized is that I don’t have casual, bee-bopping around shorts and it was becoming a real annoyance for me. I kept going to my drawers wanting to pull them open and grab some easy pull-on shorts to wear around the house or to run errands and found none. So, I did what any red-blooded, budget-conscious female would do — I went to Old Navy’s website and ordered (what felt like) one of every casual short they’re offering to see what worked and what didn’t. Well, the joke’s on me because almost every single short I ordered worked, and I kept them all. The only hang up I have with every pair is the sizing, but that’s a me problem. I’m a marge, if you will — AKA in-between a medium and large — and it’s super annoying. Medium is a little too tight, large is a little too big. But I tend to go with large for comfort.
Anyhow, they’re ALL ON SALE so here’s the casual short breakdown:
Extra High-Waisted Dynamic Fleece Short
The waist band on these is thick in the right way. They come up super high and flare just a bit, which I love. They also have built-in shorts, which is a huuuuuge plus. I love that you can tuck a fitted tank into them, wear them with just a sports bra, or a more-fitted tee and they look great all ways. I got three colors because mama don’t fuck around when she finds cheap things that work.
High-Waisted CloudMotion Shorts
These are like an elevated, modern-day Soffe short but softer and looser. These are definitely an around-the-house short and could even moonlight as a PJ short if you wanted to go that route. They’re so soft and comfy.
I think this is Old Navy’s take on a running short, and I really love them. My only complaint is they don’t have built-in shorts, which the chafe-prone need. Alas, I still love them and think I could take a walk in them without them riding up. Maybe. We’ll see.
Extra High-Waisted SoComfy Sweat Shorts
Who doesn’t love a good ole sweatpant short?! I got them in black and gray because I had to. You understand.
Okay, freebies. This is where I leave you. Paybies, keep reading for an update on my sister and my’s summer weight loss journey.
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