Happy New Year!
I am typing this out on a snowy New Year’s Day. Today, and really this past week for me, has felt sort of like the Free Parking space on the Monopoly board. Like I have very little productivity to show, but no guilt either. This e-mail is longer than usual and contains two pictures, so let’s get to steppin.
This sentence now has links to the 100th issue master spread sheet, my instagram, my Outdoor Voices referral link , and old issues of the newsletter.
Number One: You can now invest in/support the Newsletter
Here as Five Things turns two and a half we’re going to add a little spice, as the kids on TikTok say. And by spice I mean a paid subscriber option - stay with me for a sec.
I want to offer a lot of back story and caveats, but I think we all value this e-mail being concise, so I’ll step to it. I’ve never dreamed of being a newsletter millionaire, but I do dream of one day buying a Dutch Colonial house in Brookside close to that park with a tennis court and having a little room with lots of natural light where I get to write every day. I want to keep this newsletter chugging along for as long as it’s fun, and ever so surely become a better writer.
Here is plan for 2021: all subscribers get at least two of the regular Five Things Newsletters and any guest written newsletters. The last Sunday of each month, the “investors of Five Things” will get a newsletter that’s a little longer, it’s behind a paywall so maybe this is where the political rants will be, who knows, any little poems I write through out the month that aren’t flat embarrassing will be sent out then.
The beauty of Substack is that it allows subscribers to support writers starting at $5/month or $50/year - I am not anticipating putting a down payment on a house with this, but I would love to get in-house designer Lucy Manning on some new graphics, and offset my New York Times and Wall Street Journal subscriptions. And maybe get pedicures more regularly. But what I am really looking forward to is creating the margin to invest more in this newsletter and my writing, and feeling inspired and motivated by your support.
Since the beginning of this newsletter I’ve purposely avoided checking which of my friends doesn’t subscribe to the newsletter - or who has unsubscribed - because that serves no one. The same applies here, you can still be a truehead fan of Five Things, and stay in the free newsletter list. However, when my clever little collection of short stories about an ordinary life becomes a bestseller, the paperback reprint will include a little section in the acknowledgments for supporters, if you will.
If you have any questions, let me know! Thanks for even reading this newsletter, I love it, and I love you. I mean it.
Number Two: House Robes
I wouldn’t say I believe in ghosts, but theologically I do believe in the Holy Ghost. And I do have a story about an angel visiting me (and I would tease that as a story I would share in the paid-subscribers only newsletter, but it’s anti-climatic). Also theologically, I believe that the dead are raised to new life with Christ where there is no crying or suffering - so I just don’t know if they are looking past eternity’s veil at us, maybe they are, that’s above my pay grade…
But exactly none of my theology explains that the Thanksgiving after my Grandma E passed, I heard her voice clear as day say, “why don’t you go put some socks on?” And I’ve been wearing socks around the house ever since.
Grandma E was also a fan of House Robes like this one from LL Bean that my mom gifted me and my sisters for Christmas. I’ve been wearing it over my PJ’s in the morning while I do my morning routine and then over whatever top/yoga pants combo I’ve worn the rest of the day and it’s kept me at least 20% warmer. It also serves the dual purpose of making me grateful that I’m single so no one can make snide comments about what I’m wearing around the house - a great investment!
Anyway, here’s a picture of my high school graduation day, Grandma E is on the left, and she knew a thing or two about staying warm at home. Grandpa Fred is on the far right, and he would give you unsolicited advice about putting your stimulus check in savings.
Number Three: The episode of The Great British Baking Show with the Derry Girls girls
As a rule, I don’t normally like British things, but I have watched the GBBS holiday special with the Derry Girls cast at least three times, and will watch it again. It’s delightful. There’s something about amatuers who know how to talk to the camera doing a challenging task that makes for great TV.
Oh my gosh, also The Chase on Netflix - again don’t normally like game shows, not sure why I would ever watch one on Netflix. This show is so corny, maybe even cringey at times, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
Number Four: the Black Pepper Toscano Cheese from Trader Joe’s
If you are looking for a crowd pleasing cheese that isn’t boring but pairs well with almost any cracker, look no further. The Toscano is usually by the Asiago cheeses - it’s less stinky, more creamy, but it still has an edge. I really think if you do black pepper toscano, unexpected cheddar, and maybe like a goat cheese, you have a trifecta for your charcuterie.
This just a picture of the iconic Arby’s sign in Waco, Texas.
Number Five: Shania Year in Review
Every year, my girlfriends from college and I have a “____ year.” First, it was our Gordo year, followed by our Reba Year, and last year was our Shania Year. This year we’re focusing on Faith Hill, and trusting the work God is doing in our lives with #ouryearofFaith.
This is from Issue 83 of Five Things, but it was funny to me on the re-read, so here it is again, and honestly, great things to keep working on this year…
It is still Our Shania Year: Get in the Action, Feel the Attraction, and Our Shania Year: Waiter! Bring me Water: A year to focus on hydration. But I've been listening to more Shania the last few weeks and I would like to add the following....
Our Shania Year: I'm Gonna Getcha Good: A year to embrace accountability
Our Shania Year: In My Car (I'll be the Driver): A year to get a second opinion before agreeing to pay for car repairs
Our Shania Year: Up!: What to think when you're wearing heels at work so you don't stomp around
Our Shania Year: It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing: A year to acknowledge emotions, while knowing that they are fleeting
Our Shania Year: Ka-Ching!: If you can wait on the Outdoor Voices order you can pay off school this year
With rolling out the paid subscription model, I’m closing my Amazon Affiliate account, I made like $46 ever, and I’ve just kind of cooled on Amazon in general. So this section will no longer include a link to Ticket to Ride.
Maybe I’ll tell you what I’m reading? Is that interesting? Any special little quips you would like to see in the last section of Five Things?
Currently reading: The King at the Edge of the World, Fix Your Period, and this year I am starting to read the books of the Bible in alphabetical order, so I’m rockin with Acts and Amos.