THERE HAS BEEN a lot going on and now I’m having to try to remember two weeks of my life. I got my new desk chair. The Deacon Swivel Office Chair from West Elm. She’s pretty. I got my hair cut. I’ve decided to stop coloring it. So far it doesn’t look bad. There’s not that much gray. Yet. Liz at Forté Salon is amazing and I always look forward to seeing her. I went to my Writer’s Circle at the Frenchtown Bookshop. I bought two books of personal essays, In the Shelter by Pádraig ÓTuama which I’m well into and it is INCREDIBLE and Life Forms by Jenny Slate. We got a couple mini snow storms and the kids have had late starts and snow days. We took a trip to Children’s Hospital, which is a very impressive place, and even though we’d rather not be planning a cardiac procedure for our son, we do feel like we’re in good hands. At the end of last week, the husband made his signature chocolate chip cookies. I ate so many of them that I had to go on a complete sugar fast. This happens this time of year. I have to recalibrate.

DC VISIT

I was in DC this past weekend to hang out with my dad. I took a few random photos on a walk around Tenleytown, got lunch in Georgetown with my friend Jerry. We got bowls at Dig which was delish. I told him the building used to be a “Little Tavern” because as a native Washingtonian I love to tell people what places used to be, though they didn’t ask. I spent almost a whole day going through old photos and paperwork and even though it was almost all trash, I found a few little treasures like a matchbook with a photo on it of my dad and a Lebanese girlfriend who turned out to be a soviet spy. (I know, this needs to be a whole post of it’s own.)

WHAT AM I WATCHING

I have one week to watch everything on AppleTV before our free trial ends. I am three episodes into Severance season 2, have one more episode available, then I have to wait a week. so I know I’m going to want to sign up for a subscription. Also on Apple is Loot, where I have two more episodes to watch. I have to finish Bad Sisters season 2. I’m only half way through. On Netflix, we just finished watching No Good Deed. It was okay. I’m almost done with the Night Agent which I’ve sort of gotten tired of. I’m loving Queer Eye, as always, but especially now that this season has Jeremiah Brent! On Prime, I’m watching Castle. What do you call it when you don’t hate something but it’s so cheesy so you just watch it to fall asleep? “Sleep-watching”? Occasionally I watch Schitt’s Creek. Am I the last person on the planet to love that show? Last, I’m watching The Fall with Gillian Anderson which is an amazing British crime drama but very dark, because serial killer. My Prime lineup is so sad, so behind the times, but there isn’t much new on there that I like. Besides the fact that they added commercials to most of their content makes me irate. Oh, and there’s Hulu. I know, I know, too many services. It’s crazy. I’m watching The Bear which I didn’t like at first but it just keeps getting better and now I get why everyone was raving about it. It’s one of the best shows on. Also Abbott Elementary. Okay, I have to admit, we also have YouTubeTV which I really only watch for the occasional HGTV home renovation show. If you don’t have it, it’s like having cable. But we will probably turn it off after the Superbowl.

CARS, CARS, CARS

I mentioned we got a car for the kids. A 2016 VW Tiguan. We’re still waiting to find out just how much our insurance will be with two new drivers. Then my husband’s truck got in a accident. Not too bad and no one was hurt, so now it’s plus one car, minus one car. I went to look at a 2008 Acura TL when I was in DC that is priced very affordably. We have to go down and get it, but I think it’s a done deal. So plus one more car. We’ve talked about getting another. And maybe selling the ’66 Mustang we have. Shopping for cars is fun. And endless. When I was in DC, I got to ride in my friend’s Tesla. I didn’t hate it. If money was no object, I might. We’ve talked about a used Porsche 911, or a vintage Camaro. I’ve always wanted a Mini Cooper. Or a Volvo XC70. But really I’m good with what we’ve got. I just want everyone to be safe. And for no more icy roads. This morning it was sunny and above freezing and it felt like Spring was somewhere nearby. My daughter said, “Do you hear that? The birds are singing.”

I was lying on the floor at the end of yoga this morning when I remembered I didn’t post a weekly update on Friday so this is a little late.

We are well into January and as far as Januarys go, I think it’s going pretty well. Pennsylvania is the land of snow and ice and I have to work at feeling positive this time of year. I know “self-care” is a bit buzzword-y, but I think it’s descriptive and I like it. And it is the key to getting though the season. This past week I was slower than usual work-wise so I had more time to enjoy the things mean self-care for me: buying new glassware, eating perfectly ripe avocados, using my new sauna, reading books, wearing perfume, doing the New York Times crossword, and sending funny Instagram reels to my friends.

Saturday my daughter took her driver’s test…and she passed! How exciting and terrifying to see your tiny baby drive off in a car by herself. I am so happy for her, though.

I went to H&M and bought a beige sweatshirt. I almost bought a pair of leopard patterned jeans but talked myself out of them. I just knew I wouldn’t wear them and if I’m going to buy something new I want to be sure I will love it. But then I found myself asking existential questions about whether my true nature is a fierce predator or merely a soft-hued house pet. House pet apparently.

I also went to World Market to look at dining chairs. That place is magical, but I didn’t see any chairs I loved. I am in an endless search for the perfect ones. These are the top contenders.

Sunday I went to yoga. My usual instructor was sick so we had a sub. Why is it I’m resistant to taking yoga from anyone but Lisa? It was still a good class, but not the same. It started snowing midday and after braving the grocery store, I settled in for the big storm. The Eagles played an intense game in the snow and won.

Monday was a holiday. MLK plus Inauguration Day plus snow day. I mean, the kids would’ve had off if they already didn’t. Everyday now begins with opening my window shades to see the glass frozen over which is really quite pretty. Then I check to weather to see if it will be sunny or the high will be above 32 degrees.

On Tuesday we had a 2-hour delay. I went to my writing workshop with Abby. I ordered myself a new desk chair. This white upholstered West Elm chair has been on my wish list for like six months. Having a comfortable chair for work is very important. Because sitting.

Wednesday I donated to a family effected by the fires in LA. I had been feeling overwhelmed by the news of the devastation and at the same time feeling powerless over the enormity of it. Then an email came through that suggested donating to a family. Any family. Any amount. Once I did, I was glad I did.

The puffer jacket I ordered online at Uniqlo arrived. I have needed to replace my very old one from Gap. I tried one on at Muji that was really good, then my daughter tried it on and loved it. I ended up getting it for her and we joke that we’re sharing it. I considered ordering one for myself but by then it was sold out. The Uniqlo one is almost exactly the same and I’m very happy with it. If winter is difficult for you, I highly recommend getting a very comfy new coat.

Thursday was uneventful. Still adjusting to the new experience of my daughter just driving herself to all the places she needs to be.

Friday was a student holiday but I don’t even know why. For some reason I woke up with renewed motivation and energy and got all the things done.

Saturday my son took his driver’s test…and he passed! He celebrated by taking his girlfriend out to dinner. Still not used to them being out and about on their own. The husband and I went out to eat at KOME, a sushi place in our area. It was delish. Then we came home and watched Saturday Night, the movie about SNL. Very entertaining.

Today (Sunday) I went to Dig Yoga, an awesome studio in Frenchtown, NJ. (Lisa was still sick and there was a sub). I ran into my friend Lauri and we went for coffee afterwards at Early Bird Espresso. Then we went to the Frenchtown Bookshop and I bought two books of essays. Homework for publishing my book.

EARLY BIRD, FRENCHTOWN, NJ

Driving home from school the other day my daughter described life these days as having, “no texture” and I’ve never heard a better description of January.

Hello! Happy Friday. Another week has flown by. Flown by like a flock of geese, making a racket, pointed purposefully in a classic V formation, but never flying south because they continue to fly back around to the pond down the street.

Saturday morning was unexpectedly snowy. I went out to brunch with some women friends and we had the best time, talking about life, food, relationships, all the important stuff. We went to a diner and the food wasn’t very good but the waitress was a real character and we felt so at home. I planned a date night for Saturday night but we couldn’t make a decision about a restaurant so we got pizza and stayed in and watched TV, a new show with Lisa Kudrow called No Good Deed. Choosing a boring at-home-date felt surprisingly special. Like, when you remember that you can do whatever you want because you’re the adult and what you really want to do is eat greasy pepperoni pizza in the living room. This was after I told everyone at brunch I decided to be vegetarian.

Sunday I went to yoga and it was even more crowded. It made me want to say, “I see a lot of new faces. Which means a lot of people are breaking the first rule of Fight Club.” Lisa’s class was, as always, amazing. Then I had my Writing Circle get together with the original group of women that kicked off my obsession with creative writing. We hadn’t met since April and it was so good to be back together. Brooke hosted and she made homemade chocolate chip scones. There was a roaring fire in the fireplace, cups of hot tea, and a sleeping cat. It remains to be seen if we will all continue to write together or if we will merely solve all the world’s problems. Either way, I’m in!

Monday was fairly uneventful except that we picked up the car we purchased for the kids who will be driving soon! We got a used VW Tiguan that looks brand new on the outside but smells a little like dog grooming on the inside, as well as cigarettes. But it was a great deal. This is really happening.

Tuesday I had my writing class and I scheduled some time to talk to Abby and got some very helpful suggestions about “my collection of personal essays.” She shared insights on getting them edited, finding an agent, and ultimately getting published. I went out to dinner at a place called Cancun of Easton with a couple friends. Again, mediocre food, excellent company. I mean, I’ll take not-great Mexican food over most other options. The staff was very friendly and I was reminded how much I love Mexico and wish I was going there again this winter.

Wednesday was fairly unexciting. Since there wasn’t much going on, I went to IKEA. I joke that it’s my spiritual home. Sometimes I need to immerse myself in inexpensive Swedish decor. I got a new set of drinking glasses, a thermos, flannel sheets, and a new duvet cover. I thought I’d treat myself to a hot dog but it turned out to be pretty disappointing. Usually I get a salad with smoked salmon and potato salad. Next time. When I got home I did some online shopping for dining chairs but could not find what I wanted. I just want six matching danish modern chairs that coordinate with what I have but aren’t $1000 a piece! Loving everything on the Danish Design Store and the Finnish Design Shop.

Thursday was a day of dropping off and picking up. Cars for oil changes. Kids for kid stuff. Then it snowed again. Rather unexpectedly. You’d think I never heard of the weather channel. The road conditions were terrible and my daughter was driving and it was harrowing.

Today is Friday and I did make a reservation. We’re going out to dinner at The Bayou. It’s a very good cajun restaurant in Bethlehem. Cajun? Creole? I always forget the difference. Google says Creole is more refined and Cajun is more rustic, and spicy! When Bayou first opened you could not get a table, period, so I think we gave up on it. Now you can. I’m excited to go back.