Hi friends! I had a rough week last week, and a good week this week. 🙂 Welcome to my Friday recap! Here’s what’s been going on.
I Decided I Really Need to Make Chicago Friends.
Obviously, I don’t get too lonely, living with my husband and three rescue dogs. I do have family in town, too; I’m more often the one pushing to get together, but I don’t mind. I have lovely online friends, and I couldn’t do without them! But I would really like a bunch of women friends to get together with and hang out with in person.
It’s hard to make friends after a certain age, I’ve heard many people say with a sigh, but I’m still going to try.
I meet with a few fellow romance authors every month, and my ADHD may have messed me up a little with them. For instance, I tried to go to one of their book release day events, and I got the time wrong…I was crushed. But I really like them and I’ll keep being the best friend that I can.
I’m in the Chicago North Romance Writers group, which is great. (They have their fantastic romance writing convention next year, Spring Fling, and there’s a hefty early bird discount if you register in the next few days.) I’m in three book clubs now—two are virtual (this romance book club and this mystery/thriller book club, so anyone can join them, but they’re more or less Chicago-based. I feel like there are a lot of ways I can meet people and make friends.
You know how I do the Word of the Year? I’ve already decided that 2024 will be my Year of Friendship, and I’m keeping a diary about the whole experience.
I Had a Horrible But Not Serious Medical Thing
I’m fine now! This was something I let go for way too long because we had an error with our insurance (we were paying, but they weren’t covering.) The procedure was scary and actually felt violent, although that was unavoidable. It left me in pain for a couple of days, feeling stupid, weak, old, and poor. But now I’m fine.
I Read The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore
I’m the kind of person who always thinks, “Things could be worse!” But if I’d needed a reminder, this book would’ve done the trick. Mirielle, the wife of a silent film star who’s grieving a terrible loss, develops leprosy and is sent to a colony. I thought this was a bit underwritten, but it was based on history I’d known nothing about, and it was a fascinating read.
I Watched the Pilot of Suits,
which first aired in 2011, because my sister likes it and because I needed something to watch while doing the elliptical machine in the basement, and I think it’s perfect for that: a cute, clever, and slick story about a bunch of smartypants. (I feel like “smartypantses” should be the plural of “smartypants.”)
I Bought Two Christmas Sweaters…
from eBay, where I actually do most of my clothes shopping. I’ve been trying not to shop too much even there, but look: my mom has at least twenty Christmas sweaters. I have zero. Is that fair? Annoyingly, these are often labeled “ugly sweaters,” even when they’re perfectly nice-looking. I know people wear them ironically, but I don’t do anything ironically! And it gets cold here in Chicago in the winter.
Do you wear Christmas sweaters? Do you feel the urge to make more friends?
Do you watch Suits? Have you read anything good lately? Tell us how it’s going, if you want to! And have a lovely Friday and a fun weekend!
Hi Bryn, I watched Suits years ago before Harry met Meghan! My favourite was Donna. Just the kind of woman I love writing about. Smart, street-wise and vulnerable all rolled into one. Great series.
Have a lovely weekend!
It’s so much fun to see her before she was a duchess! And Donna really does seem like a great character. Have a lovely weekend yourself!
OMG, I just started Suits with my daughter. Fun and clever. Plus, the main lawyer who is a bit of a jerk in episode 1 is my fave character in one of my fave rom-coms–Because I Said So (looove me some Diane Keaton, too!). Side note: my new cowgirl veterinarian heroine collects campy holiday sweaters. It’s how the hero proposes in the end, hehe. Thanks for sharing all this. I know we’re not in the same town, but it’s nice to know there are connections even across the void in this romancelandia life. 🙂
Heyyy you! You know what, I don’t think I ever saw Because I Said So—I need to check that out! Oh my gosh, I love it that your new heroine wears campy Christmas sweaters. I can’t wait to read. Yes, even though we’re not in the same city, I really appreciate online friends like you, too! 🙂
Joining my local RWA back in 2013? 2014? Made such a huge difference in my life. Since the implosion everyone has spread out, which makes it tricky to keep up with everyone but I’m so grateful because I had very few female friends before, ones who didn’t pay me on the head and put me in the weirdo corner. I hope you find them too! As for Xmas…the only sweater I have is Krampus. Which is fitting for me because I’m all about creepy. And Suits is a show my husband has watched and rewatched for years and so I’ve seen a lot of it. Harvey might just be one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen and the women? So hot. My husband is a lawyer and he loves the show although he says there’s one huge flaw that bugs him, which I won’t say here but feel free to message me haha. HUGS!
The romance community really is a wonderful community! Krampus, hahaha, that’s amazing. I had no idea they made Krampus sweaters! I am very curious about the flaw that bugs your husband, but I think I’ll find out after I watch season one. 😀 Hugs! Have a great weekend!
I have used Meetup.com a ton since moving to a new city two years ago. Now I have enough good friends to go out and do things whenever I feel like it, so, it really works!
It’s really a great site! Like play dates for adults 😀
This post made me think of this book I read ten years ago… MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search For A New Best Friend by Rachel Bertsche. It’s not easy! But you’ll nail it.
Hi Jessica! Oh my gosh…it is like that book! Definitely, making friends IRL is a challenge. I appreciate the confidence 🙂
I’m sorry you had to go through a scary medical procedure. If I lived in Chicago, I know we would be friends! Your posts are relatable and cheerful and uplifting. I love the sweater (although I don’t buy many in Florida) and I also loved binge watching Suits!
Hi Jill! You are too kind, and oh my gosh, you and I would hang out all the time. 🙂 And we even like the same things! I really appreciate being online friends with you!
I love being online friends with you, too! 🙂
I had a cardigan in the 90s which would be considered an ugly sweater now. I had pullover with a soft, fine knit in the early 2000s, it had a tree made from sequins which I thought was pretty, but I think it would probably be one considered ugly now. I no longer have them.