Alyssa Bane is here!!
I am beyond excited to introduce you to the very first 2021 Five Things Guest Writer, Alyssa Bane.
Bane and I worked at Kids Across America 3 way back when. KAA is a Kanakuk Kamp for groups of kids that otherwise might not have a summer camp experience. And because it’s Kanakuk, it’s technically branded as “sporty,” but there was no telling the high school girls that signed up for swimming class that. We promised the girls that they didn’t have to get their hair wet, and it was always a goal to get more than half the class to get in the pool by the end of the week. Day one most of the girls would serendipitously be on their period, so they would do calisthenics by the pool with Molly while Bane and I led everyone else in water aerobics and holding on to the pool wall and kicking. Day two almost everyone was off their period and in the pool having fun. Crazy how our bodies work!
The counselors in G5-G10 (pictured above, apologies for the blurriness, plus Chrissy who I think was G4, but could hang. Alyssa is right to the right of me) would sneak out to the picnic tables after the kids were asleep to eat candy and talk about boys. It was the best of times. If you would like to do the eat candy and talk about boys equivalent when it comes to this newsletter, join the paid subscription party below.
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.
I’m going move Safety Sam and let Alyssa take it away (but first if you know any tall Oklahoma cutie boys who love Jesus, send them her way)…
Hey Y’all!
Hey y’all, my name is Alyssa Bane and it is an absolute honor to be a guest writer for this week’s newsletter! I religiously read each week's Newsletter at my office desk every Monday morning before I start actually working. Cause we all know how Monday’s are and I make sure I save the newsletter to start off my week right every time.
I met Katherine 7.5 years ago at a little place called Kids Across America, aka one of the best places on this planet. We had the privilege of teaching swim class together to high schoolers every week and let me tell you, my ginger self has never been more tan. Katherine and I also challenged the rest of the counselors to not shower for a whole week… pretty sure Katherine and I were the only ones that made it. (Sorry to anyone who got in that pool that week…)
Katherine here: Bane, I think it was 11 days - like it was a long time. And I still had one of the football coaches asking me out, but not the one I wanted to.
I am a very proud Enneagram 8, have a masters in Marriage and Family Counseling and currently work in Residence Life at a little D2 college in western Oklahoma and LOVE my job. College kids are truly where it’s at. Even when they make you want to pull your hair out on a consistent basis.
One: White Noise
My whole life I have never been the person to need a fan going or noise when I sleep. 2020 changes me. I listen to this every night. And I mean EVERY night. If you have never tried white noise when you sleep, it's a game changer.
I have tried asking my Alexa to play white noise instead but whatever she plays, I'm not a fan.
There is no other white noise track like this one. It's superior in every way. Don't ask why, it just is.
Number Two: Silver Dollar City at Christmastime
I know Christmas festivities have just ended and we have 10 more months until we put those trees back up, but you have to add SDC during Christmastime to your MUSTS for 2021. If you have children or are a 28 year old like me, it’s magical. A group of friends and I went in December and I have not felt more childlike joy and happiness in a very long time.
Lights everywhere, all the cozy Christmastime snacks and drinks, and a massive 7 story Christmas Tree that lights up in synchronization with the songs playing. Truly a dream.
Big bonus was riding the roller coasters late at night when you can't see anything… you truly haven't lived until you ride Outlaw Run in the pitch dark.
Full transparency, we were blessed with free tickets through a sweet friend who works there (Jess, you the real MVP), but without a doubt I would pay full price for the ticket to experience it against in case.
Number Three: Carly Jean Los Angeles
Alright ladies, this ones for you. (I apologize to your wallets in advance). Look no further for quality, incredible pieces for your wardrobe.
For years I was buying new $8 shirts from Target or Old Navy every couple of months to replace old ones. Buying the crazy prints that were “in” that summer, wearing them to one wedding, and then never wearing them again. Then I found Carly Jean.
Carly Jean Los Angeles (CJLA) is an online based clothing store/small business that specializes in “capsule wardrobe” basics and so much more. A couple years ago I stopped wearing bright colors and buying the “in” colors and patterns and started down the rabbit hole of capsule wardrobes. There are about a billion blogs and pinterest boards on capsule wardrobes, but I have included this one for basic understanding.
Admittedly, I started tossing clothes and buying CJLA every few months to build the capsule wardrobe… then have just kept buying CJLA clothes. Over the last 4 years I have acquired over 45 pieces of CJLA clothing and accessories and have loved and worn them over and over. They can be on the higher end of the price range for myself and my typical Target budget (Don't get me wrong, I still buy clothes at Target every so often too), but CJLA runs sales ALL the time. And I promise they are worth it.
Number Four: The Mingling of Souls
For a very long time I thought because I am 28 and single, it was weird for me to read relationship books like this. (I recognize that the fact that I have a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and still had this thought makes absolutely zero sense but welcome to my brain). Then I realized how ridiculous that thinking was.
Wherever you are on the relationship scale, read this. 10/10 recommend. A beautiful read about God’s design for love, marriage, sex, and redemption.
This is one of those books I will try to make a yearly read. It's that good.
Number Five: Enneagram Memes
I take great pride in the fact that I have been “into” the Enneagram for a long while now. Like before it was the thing it is now. (Pride as an 8… neverrrr). But while the Enneagram is a great tool for understanding yourself and others better, it can also be quite entertaining.
Regardless of what ‘type’ you are, find an Enneagram Meme account on Insta. Or two. Or 7. It is constant entertainment and highlights the things we love about our types and also the struggles or “room for growth” places as I like to call them. I receive an endless stream of these memes from my fellow Enneagram loving friends in my DM’s weekly. .
Thank you so much Alyssa! I’ll catch you guys on the flipppity flop!