Our son said a bittersweet farewell to middle school this week. Do you ever look at your kids and think, “I’m not old enough for this!” Yet, here we are! We celebrated the occasion as we celebrate many of our biggest milestones…by stuffing ourselves with sushi. Frankly, there is no better way to celebrate!
I hobbled to the finish of the school year once again. I am so glad we all get some time off to relax. We have a whole lotta nothing planned and I am welcoming it.
Here are a few other things that are making me happy this week!
Fantastic Television
I’m not usually much of a television junkie, but between the new season of Master of None (it is EVERYTHING especially the Thanksgiving episode), The Keepers (watched the entire season in a single day- phenomenal), and The Handmaid’s Tale, I’ve become a couch potato.
In preparation for the series, I read The Handmaid’s Tale this year. Since the election season, this book has seen resurgence in popularity and Atwood even shared about what her book means during the Trump era with the New York Times, as it rocks the bestseller list once again.
This timeless dystopian novel, written all the way back in 1984, explores what the world looks like when women lose power over their own bodies and a religious totalitarian government dictates how and when they can reproduce. Women are given roles and seen as objects limiting them to roles like wives, Marthas, Handmaids, Aunts and Unwomen and everyone’s main focus is on procreation.
This book is disturbing in many ways, but I couldn’t put it down. I’m also really glad I waited to read it until this year because it hit me at just the right time and gave me a lot to chew on, even if I found the ending to be an unsatisfying one.
I highlighted almost the entire book because there are so many beautifully written passages. Atwood certainly has a way with words! One line in particular has stuck with me…“We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories.”
I really couldn’t put the book down and I was hopeful that Hulu would be able to do the book justice.
I am happy to say, this series REALLY delivers. It’s perfectly cast, the costumes are phenomenal, the music is perfection, and it has done so well that they are expanding it into a second season. I find myself holding my breath through the entire show because it is so dark and suspenseful. I can’t begin to tell you how incredible it is and I can’t wait to see how they expand upon the book.
People ask me if they should read the book first and I say, do it! I didn’t feel like it took away from the show at all and I haven’t found myself comparing the book and show. They are both incredible and I enjoyed each of these experiences with this story.
Beautifully Styled
It has been a long time since I have requested a Stitch Fix box, but my new pain relief device I’m wearing is a bit bulky and can be a challenge to work around. I am learning that being more specific with my requests and sizing issues has really improved the offerings in my box. In fact, I kept everything in my box this time.
Here is what was sent in my box. Being petite means most maxi dresses and skirts require altering or wearing heels. I am so excited that nothing I got required alterations and even the simple bracelet they included fits my wrist. The dress on the right was my least favorite item, but they always get me with the 25% off if you keep everything so I kept it. Although pricier than making a dress run at Target, I loved knowing that I wasn’t going to have to take everything to the seamstress for altering. All in all, REALLY happy with Stitch Fix.
I also discovered they have Stitch Fix for men now too. I think that would make for a pretty incredible Father’s Day gift. Here is my referral link for some savings on your first box!!
Back in the Saddle
After putting it off forever, I have finally started physical therapy and I am kicking myself for not doing this sooner. I am finding that a lot of my problems are just not being aware of how to use my body in the proper way. Now that I am starting that, I figured it would be a good time to get back to exercising so I’m back in the saddle again.
I can’t tell you how much I love my foldable stationary bike and using my CycleCast app for motivation. This week my odometer crossed over 100 miles! I like to do a 20 minute routine with the instructor volume on and then I do the routine again minus the instructor and just catch up on my email and such while I’m biking. It’s such a great way to workout and I love how tiny this bike folds up.
I also picked up some barre classes over at this studio and I am loving it. I am still figuring out the best ways to modify for my body, but I love that I’m not the only one making modifications in these classes which gives me a little more confidence. I’m really proud that I’m working out again and I’m learning that it is better to go slow and modify then push myself into another setback.
Cheers to getting strong and feeling good again! If you need a little motivation for summer, here is a free fitness tracker printable!!
Eating: 5-ingredient Caprese Pork Chops are on the menu this week. My chops are marinating right now for tonight- yum!
Reading: I started this book on audiobook and it is beautiful! I’m also still working my way through this book. I was sucked in from page one!
Loving the Interwebz Because of This:
Love that they made this.
Oh, the talent!
This is my mayor– way to go, Mayor Pete!
This is just all kinds of fantastic.
Things millennials are accused of killing this year– the comments are hilarious too!
Have a lovely week, friends!! xoxo
*this post may contain affiliate links- I only recommend what I love though. Check out past editions of It’s the 3 Little Things!