![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4236d9a6-a1e3-41c9-aac4-c4cf8cd55555_3503x4671.jpeg)
I’ve reached the point of summer where I’m no longer in “goblin mode” where I laze about and now I’m in hyper-organization mode. I am already fairly organized, but I went so far as to organize (and label!) all of our extra charging cords.
This may be beyond “hyper-organization” and into “distracting myself from writing/life” mode, but dang, my house looks good. I’ll take it.
Reading
I finished Housemates, by Emma Copley Eisenberg, this weekend after two different close friends sent me texts telling me that I needed to get INTO it immediately. Thankfully, it came in at the library, but I have already purchased my own copy, which is the highest level of endorsement I can give. I don’t know if I will never stop talking about how much I love this book.
Where to begin about this book? First, it’s gripping, smart, and interesting. Eisenberg nails what it’s like to have roommates (and it made me grateful not to have roommates anymore), and the particular growth and learning that happens in the optimism of your early adult years.
Secondly, it’s the least fat-phobic book I’ve read, maybe ever. It was refreshing to read well-written fat characters who aren’t tragic. They exist. They’re viewed as sexual, they live full lives, and they have value. There’s no effort dedicated to weight loss or even a suggestion of it needing to happen in order for the characters to be valuable. Conversely, there’s a heart-breaking scene involving the fat character that will stick with me forever because while it’s not an experience I’ve had, it’s one I’ve witnessed and the way it’s written is so real.
Beyond that, this book has so much to say about what it means to make art, and how it shows up in our lives, but also what it means to wake up to our lives. A quote (edited for length and to avoid any whiff of a spoiler):
“If this were a different kind of story, I might tell you that there is only a certain amount of time a living person can remain asleep and/or suffering before they wake up and change their life…People roll toward happiness, eventually, goes the theory. But if you want to know how long I really think a person can stay asleep, the answer is: a whole life. People do it all the time…I believe in what happens on the smallest possible human scale, in the specific atoms that flow between two specific people and produce a particularly juicy—even lifesaving—force field.”
Read it. I promise you’ll love it.
Writing
I’m currently in a phase where I’d rather do anything BUT write. My house is organized, my next school year's lesson plans look incredible, and I’ve been making it to spin class more frequently. I am trying to give myself space: I just finished my MFA semester (including a thesis!) and am still writing most days. I am also in purgatory, waiting for news! I’m gearing up to teach classes and reading a lot. I’m not out of touch with my work. But I’m also not engaged in my work the way I’d like to be or as disciplined as I typically am.
Past versions of me would find this stressful or a sign that something is wrong or that I don’t have what it takes. Instead, I’m trying to give myself a little break. I’m taking notes, I’m writing what I want to and when I feel like it, I’m giving myself time and room to let it happen. I don’t want writing to become a thing I force myself to do (when I don’t have to). I feel excited about what I’m working on, and I don’t want to ruin it by forcing it.
Ranting
This is controversial, especially this time of year, but I’m going to say it.
I hate tomatoes. I hate them with the fire of a thousand suns, and I’m tired of Tomato Culture. Let’s face facts: tomatoes are watery, membranous, explosive little goobers. The flavor? No. Are they a fruit? Allegedly! Are they a vegetable? Apparently not, yet, they’re used like one. Don’t get me started on the little cherry ones that you can “eat like candy?” Have you had candy? Do you also believe zucchini is noodles and cauliflower is pizza? WHO HURT YOU? Candy doesn’t explode in your mouth with seeds and gross juices. I hate the slime that tomatoes leave on everything they touch.
Summer is rough for me and my ilk. Tomato sandwiches! Tomatoes and burrata! Fresh tomatoes everywhere! LEAVE ME ALONE. THEY ARE NOT GOOD. I don’t want a tomato and mayonnaise sandwich. I don’t want a BLT! I don’t want any of it! STOP FORCING TOMATOES ON ME AND STOP PUTTING THEM ON EVERYTHING.
I will accept ketchup, thank you.
Recommending
When I was in my early 20’s and new to living alone, I got a stomach bug flying home from a trip. As I stood in line at the drug store, begging my stomach to hold itself together until I got home with my Pepto, Ginger Ale, and Gatorade, I remembered something that I read in an issue of Real Simple when I was a kid: your home should always be a great place to be sick in.
I’ve made it a rule ever since.
Getting sick is the literal worst, and I hate it. The advent of DoorDash and GoPuff and such has made it much easier to acquire sick day supplies (as does having a very kind spouse) but personally, when I don’t feel well (and, if we’re being honest, when I do), I’m impatient and want what I want immediately if not sooner.
Enter my Human Care Closet.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6a3e582b-6bb8-4c84-9616-2e47743565b0_3024x4032.heic)
In my hall closet, where I keep the cleaning supplies, I also keep every possible item anyone could want while sick. I am a big fan of the Brightroom containers from Target, and I separate items into categories: cough/cold, pain relief, body pain, injuries, and oral care. I also keep things both Amy and I need from time to time: migraine patches, heating pads, etc.
There is nothing I hate more than needing Advil and trying to figure out which bathroom it’s in or trying to recall where the Mucinex is when I want to go to bed, and I have a sore throat. I keep some basics in “my” bathroom and Amy does as well, but in general, I try to keep most of our supplies in here.
I also love being able to tell guests that if they need anything (Toilet paper! Tylenol! Toothpaste!), they can access it freely and easily. I’ve been in the awkward situation of desperately needing toilet paper while staying with friends and not knowing where it is, and despite being an adult, I find it embarrassing to ask! We don’t often host overnight guests but even if friends are over, I want folks to grab things they need and make it easy for people to access things they need.
Additionally, I keep many backups of other products in this closet (hand soap, body wash, extra toothbrushes), paper products and all cleaning supplies (separated by room).
My other sick day tips:
I also keep at least one ice-cold Ginger Ale in my fridge at all times
If you know me well you likely know I have a severe vomit phobia — something I can write more about — but I have a Zofran prescription so I never throw-up and it’s my biggest tip for migraines, stomach issues, and general nausea. It’s changed my entire life.
I always have Gatorade and/or Liquid IV for replenishing fluids and to balance electrolytes
I try to have a set of clean sheets ready all the time for that first post-sick shower
I have comfort items I love when I don’t feel well (an ice roller, a weighted heating pad, shower steamers, a weighted eye mask,…) so I keep those around to help when I’m under the weather
Gross but real: I try to keep my bathroom floor/toilet clean so that in the event I’m sick, it’s not made worse
A bonus tip for teachers: MAKE EMERGENCY SUB PLANS. I try not to leave for the day without everything being prepped for the following day. I also keep different emergency plans for different absences: one day, two days, and then extended versions, like 3-10 days of emergency plans, just in case. I leave them clearly labeled in my classroom and have copies made, answer keys ready, and instructions ready to go (I never make them dependent on technology, and I make sure they’re things kids can do with minimal help AND that can be done any time of the year without totally screwing up the rest of my instruction). I keep a Sub Binder with general information about my class and procedures, my safety folder, etc.. When I update seating charts throughout the year, I update them in the binder so that I have one less thing to think about in case of an emergency. Obviously, I prefer to be more organized and have warnings, but things happen! This is just a friendly tip if you don’t want to search Teachers Pay Teachers at 3 AM with a 101-degree fever for something to occupy the children.
Random, semi-related question: I’ve had a few requests for more teaching posts, and specifically an office-supply/Back-To-School themed post. Is that a yes? A no? I don’t want to bore y’all. But this will be my 19th year of teaching, so I do have A Lot To Say About It, especially in terms of what new teachers should know but also OFFICE SUPPLIES and CLASSROOM MUST-HAVES. Sound off in the comments or whatever, lol.
Your rant about tomatoes speaks to my heart. Tomatoes are awful and are definitely NOT candy. How people can think they are the greatest thing is beyond me. I think they are only meant for pasta sauce and like Michelle said "no big chunks" either. Thank you for voicing your dislike of this fruit vegetable.
When I was a teacher, we were REQUIRED to have emergency sub plans. They actually kept them in the office!
I love this post today. Perfect.