I’m so happy that you’re enjoying less driving and making packing progress. As someone who took the plunge and built a patio by myself this summer, I know landscaping is no joke.
Really interested to hear your thoughts on “How to Stay Married .” I don’t think I’ve ever felt so conflicted about a book before.
Finally, what is that painting? I’ve been brainstorming some laundry room art and don’t think I’ve seen that one before.
I’m so excited to hear your thoughts also when I’m done this book. It is so complicated, and I keep making my friends read it and we keep having so many different conversations about it, it is kinda endlessly fascinating.
I’m so sorry I didn’t put the name of the painting up, I also had so my typos it was embarrassing, but that is what happens when you think it’s a good idea to make yourself finish a post at midnight on a Friday! The painting is by Lars Jorde and it’s called, Interior With Two Women Washing Clothes.
Thank you for sharing your life! I love hearing about all the different facets and makes me feel more normal with my wide array if interests! I too immediately got the book after Emily’s podcast and devoured the first 4 chapter last Saturday and then my family and teaching job demanded all my attention and I haven’t touched it any more but will be so grateful to hear what you think! I hope and pray November is kind to you all up north as I now can embrace fall since my farmer husband has completed harvest and we can accept its presence in Ohio
It’s so annoying how real life interferes with our reading plans! I too haven’t been able to read as much as I wanted this week because of stuff like sick kids, or driving kids places coming up unexpectedly but I want to finish it as soon as I can!
Having lived in our house for nearly 7 years now I think I have moved furniture/redecorated at least 3 times soooo It's a Journey, as they say! I am still so impressed that you were as calm and carefree as you were in Ireland having just come out of a move. It was truly the best to travel with you and I wish we could just do many a high tea oriented pilgrimage together :) Also yes, I barely followed the election but am now an addicted political news junkie, what's going on!?
I think international travel is a great way to deal with stress! Did it add to my stress beforehand? Yes. But once across an ocean nothing matters anymore Katie! It's all whiskey and pubs!
The moving and resettling is just its own thing isn’t it? It is far easier to move into a bigger space though, as opposed to needing all the space and having to shuffle things around while you organize. I do think there’s a few phases you go through. You have to get the initial settling in and kitchen set up, then you realize about 3 months in that the living room is horrible and try out seven different furniture arrangements, and then maybe about 6 months in you’re inspired to organize again. And maybe… maybeee after 2 years you might actually feel like you know the place well enough to decorate. But don’t ask me what happens after that because we’ve never stayed long enough to know! I do think it takes time and patience to know a house. Do you ever listen to Myquillin Smith? She has some really good podcast episodes about some of this and I still sort of want to buy her House Rules book…
Yes I'm sure you're right! I'm trying to give myself time, but I also want completely finished rooms! It's a battle of my personality. Mostly we just have half furnished rooms everywhere because of the tiny house and no furniture situation, but I do feel at a loss of where to hang anything on the walls and know I should just start. I also joined The Nester's community thinking now I have desire to actually follow through on her steps, and my rooms have been properly ripped apart so I don't know if I'm in a mental and emotional space for this.
I had one closet in my house before that wasn't in a bedroom, and only two in bedrooms. A three closet house which is better than no closets, but I fit the entirety of my closets into one closet space in the new house. Which was something.
And of all the election cycles in recent decades to pay attention to, it certainly seems like this one was of note! Regardless of which political party one adheres to, it's been a wild ride!
I, too, read How to Stay Married at Emily's suggestion and have been wanting to discuss it!
It could have been a Hosea/Gomer story and we get to see a pretty good image of the Lord with his unfaithful people. Harrison has to face his own imperfection, but when it comes down to his wife's telling, it's ultimately his baffling mercy that pulls her out of the mess she's made.
I feel like it was all summed up in this exchange with his pastor:
"You could leave her, you know, even Jesus says it's okay."
"But there might be a better way."
The theology that Catholics can't quite get behind isn't why we all have been so drawn in by the book - it's because Harrison takes the better way. Harder, at times, but the path of real love and mercy which holds hope for healing and forgiveness.
It's so relatable because Key is completely down-to-earth, never preachy, and hilarious. His sacrilegious walk through the Bible is brilliant and the chapter written in the style of the Book of Job is absolutely wrenching.
For anyone thinking of reading it, don’t read it for his theology or ecclesiology or even his advice (despite the title, lol). Read it because it’s a raw, wrenching story to which you can probably relate on some level - wrestling with God, figuring out what really matters, and, whatever he gets wrong, he gets the most important things right: marriage and your family aren’t some trifling things to be discarded when the going gets tough. Supernatural love and mercy will be needed. Please also note: not PG!!
Christy, I really look forward to hearing your thoughts on it! And I do apologize for dropping this book report in your comment box 😬
Yes I totally agree with you! It really is a description of real love that happens in ordinary, unglamorous, and most of the time, extremely difficult life. We do need to see examples of it because we are just so saturated in a society that says if you're not happy leave the marriage, that marriage isn't worth your unhappiness, but to see someone live through it so normally is very inspiring.
I absolutely loved How To Stay Married. Can’t wait to read your thoughts. I’ll be wild one day to notice you have new routines, that you are, in fact, settled (so many commas!).
I keep feeling as if my whole year has been a blur and that I can hardly believe it's November and winter and I think it's in part because of the unsettled-ness of everything. Part of me thinks I'll feel officially settled once I live through each season in the house, so we'll see about that too.
I'm so glad you loved the book! I'm almost seeing this book as a qualifier as to whether or not I can be friends with someone, but that's probably being a tad bit dramatic.
“learning more facts and reasons to hate Cromwell proved richly rewarding.”😂😂 love it.
Would love to hear your thoughts on How to a stay Married! I read it last year after Haley recommended it, and I wrote a bit about it in a Pairings… I loved it. That chapter written like the Book of Job was brilliant. But I also found it hard at times because it certainly made it seem like infidelity is easy when life is busy and you just need someone to be nice and helpful.
I remember you writing about it as well, and it was on my to-read list, but you know how that can be, neverendingly long so something needs to jump start it to the top of the list! There are so many thoughts that I've talked about with my friends over this book, and it's pretty fascinating those who sympathize with the wife and those who don't. Not that anyone is entirely without sympathy, but can we just park infidelity in a box because our parents died or because our husband doesn't cook dinner? The justification feels lacking to me as well, but again, my personality is not known for empathy. It's hard to understand others wounds and how deeply they effect someone. I thought he did a fantastic job being charitable towards his wife, and I've been shocked to see people criticize him because he wrote incredibly respectfully and much better than I could have had I been in his shoes. Anyway, currently writing a post about the book...that isn't even this comment...
I’m so happy that you’re enjoying less driving and making packing progress. As someone who took the plunge and built a patio by myself this summer, I know landscaping is no joke.
Really interested to hear your thoughts on “How to Stay Married .” I don’t think I’ve ever felt so conflicted about a book before.
Finally, what is that painting? I’ve been brainstorming some laundry room art and don’t think I’ve seen that one before.
Thanks Jo!
I’m so excited to hear your thoughts also when I’m done this book. It is so complicated, and I keep making my friends read it and we keep having so many different conversations about it, it is kinda endlessly fascinating.
I’m so sorry I didn’t put the name of the painting up, I also had so my typos it was embarrassing, but that is what happens when you think it’s a good idea to make yourself finish a post at midnight on a Friday! The painting is by Lars Jorde and it’s called, Interior With Two Women Washing Clothes.
Thank you for sharing your life! I love hearing about all the different facets and makes me feel more normal with my wide array if interests! I too immediately got the book after Emily’s podcast and devoured the first 4 chapter last Saturday and then my family and teaching job demanded all my attention and I haven’t touched it any more but will be so grateful to hear what you think! I hope and pray November is kind to you all up north as I now can embrace fall since my farmer husband has completed harvest and we can accept its presence in Ohio
Nothing feels as good as finishing harvest!
It’s so annoying how real life interferes with our reading plans! I too haven’t been able to read as much as I wanted this week because of stuff like sick kids, or driving kids places coming up unexpectedly but I want to finish it as soon as I can!
I did enjoy this whole entire post but just here to ask whether or not the title “bits and pants” is a typo or not hahaha
Omigosh! How embarrassing. This is what I get for posting around midnight on a Friday night!
Having lived in our house for nearly 7 years now I think I have moved furniture/redecorated at least 3 times soooo It's a Journey, as they say! I am still so impressed that you were as calm and carefree as you were in Ireland having just come out of a move. It was truly the best to travel with you and I wish we could just do many a high tea oriented pilgrimage together :) Also yes, I barely followed the election but am now an addicted political news junkie, what's going on!?
I think international travel is a great way to deal with stress! Did it add to my stress beforehand? Yes. But once across an ocean nothing matters anymore Katie! It's all whiskey and pubs!
The moving and resettling is just its own thing isn’t it? It is far easier to move into a bigger space though, as opposed to needing all the space and having to shuffle things around while you organize. I do think there’s a few phases you go through. You have to get the initial settling in and kitchen set up, then you realize about 3 months in that the living room is horrible and try out seven different furniture arrangements, and then maybe about 6 months in you’re inspired to organize again. And maybe… maybeee after 2 years you might actually feel like you know the place well enough to decorate. But don’t ask me what happens after that because we’ve never stayed long enough to know! I do think it takes time and patience to know a house. Do you ever listen to Myquillin Smith? She has some really good podcast episodes about some of this and I still sort of want to buy her House Rules book…
Yes I'm sure you're right! I'm trying to give myself time, but I also want completely finished rooms! It's a battle of my personality. Mostly we just have half furnished rooms everywhere because of the tiny house and no furniture situation, but I do feel at a loss of where to hang anything on the walls and know I should just start. I also joined The Nester's community thinking now I have desire to actually follow through on her steps, and my rooms have been properly ripped apart so I don't know if I'm in a mental and emotional space for this.
I’m trying to hear myself up for doing this in a cottage with no closets😅 and I have to remind myself how much I hate the settling in stage…
I had one closet in my house before that wasn't in a bedroom, and only two in bedrooms. A three closet house which is better than no closets, but I fit the entirety of my closets into one closet space in the new house. Which was something.
Congratulations on the new house! So exciting!
And of all the election cycles in recent decades to pay attention to, it certainly seems like this one was of note! Regardless of which political party one adheres to, it's been a wild ride!
Thank you!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-habit/id1466283174?i=1000625114664
Christy, I listened to a podcast with the author of that book last year, I was curious but didn’t get it. I think I’ll get it now.
This podcast is on my list I hope to listen to it soon! Thanks for sending it!
I, too, read How to Stay Married at Emily's suggestion and have been wanting to discuss it!
It could have been a Hosea/Gomer story and we get to see a pretty good image of the Lord with his unfaithful people. Harrison has to face his own imperfection, but when it comes down to his wife's telling, it's ultimately his baffling mercy that pulls her out of the mess she's made.
I feel like it was all summed up in this exchange with his pastor:
"You could leave her, you know, even Jesus says it's okay."
"But there might be a better way."
The theology that Catholics can't quite get behind isn't why we all have been so drawn in by the book - it's because Harrison takes the better way. Harder, at times, but the path of real love and mercy which holds hope for healing and forgiveness.
It's so relatable because Key is completely down-to-earth, never preachy, and hilarious. His sacrilegious walk through the Bible is brilliant and the chapter written in the style of the Book of Job is absolutely wrenching.
For anyone thinking of reading it, don’t read it for his theology or ecclesiology or even his advice (despite the title, lol). Read it because it’s a raw, wrenching story to which you can probably relate on some level - wrestling with God, figuring out what really matters, and, whatever he gets wrong, he gets the most important things right: marriage and your family aren’t some trifling things to be discarded when the going gets tough. Supernatural love and mercy will be needed. Please also note: not PG!!
Christy, I really look forward to hearing your thoughts on it! And I do apologize for dropping this book report in your comment box 😬
Yes I totally agree with you! It really is a description of real love that happens in ordinary, unglamorous, and most of the time, extremely difficult life. We do need to see examples of it because we are just so saturated in a society that says if you're not happy leave the marriage, that marriage isn't worth your unhappiness, but to see someone live through it so normally is very inspiring.
I absolutely loved How To Stay Married. Can’t wait to read your thoughts. I’ll be wild one day to notice you have new routines, that you are, in fact, settled (so many commas!).
I keep feeling as if my whole year has been a blur and that I can hardly believe it's November and winter and I think it's in part because of the unsettled-ness of everything. Part of me thinks I'll feel officially settled once I live through each season in the house, so we'll see about that too.
I'm so glad you loved the book! I'm almost seeing this book as a qualifier as to whether or not I can be friends with someone, but that's probably being a tad bit dramatic.
“learning more facts and reasons to hate Cromwell proved richly rewarding.”😂😂 love it.
Would love to hear your thoughts on How to a stay Married! I read it last year after Haley recommended it, and I wrote a bit about it in a Pairings… I loved it. That chapter written like the Book of Job was brilliant. But I also found it hard at times because it certainly made it seem like infidelity is easy when life is busy and you just need someone to be nice and helpful.
I remember you writing about it as well, and it was on my to-read list, but you know how that can be, neverendingly long so something needs to jump start it to the top of the list! There are so many thoughts that I've talked about with my friends over this book, and it's pretty fascinating those who sympathize with the wife and those who don't. Not that anyone is entirely without sympathy, but can we just park infidelity in a box because our parents died or because our husband doesn't cook dinner? The justification feels lacking to me as well, but again, my personality is not known for empathy. It's hard to understand others wounds and how deeply they effect someone. I thought he did a fantastic job being charitable towards his wife, and I've been shocked to see people criticize him because he wrote incredibly respectfully and much better than I could have had I been in his shoes. Anyway, currently writing a post about the book...that isn't even this comment...