Would you look at that — it’s Friday the 13th. I’m not superstitious, but I’ll admit I paused for a minute when I saw the day/date combo!
Moving on.
The kids had lots of fun extracurriculars as their school term winds down. Belle and her class went to see The Outsiders at our little in-town theatre (they read the book this term). Another day, they went to Halifax for their graduating class field trip to an interactive gaming facility.
Unfortunately, I was really tired for a good chunk of the week. I have struggled with fatigue off and on for well over a decade and feel like I’ve tried everything.
- I battled and finally dealt with anemia.
- I’ve prioritized sleep (with a sound machine and eye mask).
- I take magnesium, Vitamin D3, and Omega-3.
- I eat mostly whole foods.
- I exercise regularly.
- I’ve worked with professionals for mental health support.
- I’ve stepped back, so my paid workload is well below average.
And I’m still tired.
Over the years, I’ve been tested for Lyme disease, thyroid issues, hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, and celiac. I’ve gone gluten-free for months, completed two Whole30s — you name it, I’ve probably tried it. My labs are excellent (aside from past anemia, which my ablation helped resolve), but I’m still exhausted.
Maybe it’s early perimenopause? Maybe this is just midlife? I have no idea what’s normal anymore.
Still, my first happy thing this week is having the flexibility to rest when I need to. It’s a gift — even if it’s frustrating to feel like I’m sometimes pushing through sludge to get things done.
Another small but satisfying happy thing: I learned a new trick for swallowing my jumbo Omega-3 pills (they are massive, but I refuse to pay extra for the smaller version). Someone in the comment section of Suzanne’s post suggested lowering your chin toward your chest while swallowing. Game-changer!
And, I know that my allergies have been next-level horrible this year. This week I discovered that putting a warm compress on my eyes 3-4 times a day helps relieve symptoms and helps with fatigue (at least some of my energy issues are definitely related to seasonal allergies).
DANCE MUSIC
Our kids love music and have for years. They’re all about blasting tunes on long drives. Lately, they’ve been dancing around the living room to their favourite songs (Shakira is a current obsession). It’s hilarious to watch. I especially like it when they do these little performances after breakfast. Mornings can be iffy mood-wise while everyone wakes up; music and movement help smooth the transition from warm, cozy beds to the school-day grind.
NEW-TO-ME JEANS
One evening this week I had some unexpected time to fill and popped into a local thrift store. I walked out with perhaps the most comfortable jeans I’ve ever owned — light, soft, and buttery.
Price? $5.99 (but $4.75 after my discount).
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- Getting to see the incredible Wizard of Oz production put on by a local community group. There were people flying on wires, incredible singers and actors, and gorgeous sets. It was so well done, and extra fun because we knew some people in the performance. Both kids are keen to volunteer next year, though it’s a big time commitment. We’ll see…
- Marry Me Chicken (I used ½ cup cream cheese + ½ cup coffee cream to thicken the sauce since I used rotisserie chicken and skipped the flour dredge).Served over rice pasta with garlic bread and cauliflower on the side, it was a huge hit with everyone.
- A delicious, veggie-only salad for lunch. I’m a low-lettuce-ratio person, and this one skipped it entirely: cucumber, snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and pickled asparagus. Every bite was so good.
- Buying watermelon is always a gamble but this one was absolute perfection. I salt mine (a habit I inherited from my mom). A guest this week introduced us to mustard on watermelon. I tried it. It was… fine. I’m sticking with salt.
- Thank you to everyone who commented on Sunday’s post or reached out via text and e-mail to tell me you understand. I was not expecting so many of you to relate so deeply!
- Remember the one spoonful of ice cream? This week it was a lone slice of pickle. Both kids swear it wasn’t them, but I have my suspicions.
- Nicole’s post about nourishing our bodies and moving our bodies joyfully was so inspiring. Such a gentle, yet empowering, message!
- Postcards from: Michelle (Montana). San + Birchie + Julie (California). Kyria (TĂĽrkiye).
- Sunshine.
- Monopoly Deal. I’m not much of a game person, but this one is fun, fast, and hits the sweet spot between luck and strategy. Bonus: a full game takes less than ten minutes.
Now it’s your turn.
- Tell me something fun you have planned for this weekend.
- Do you have an odd fruit quirk?
- Did anything show up in your fridge or cupboard this week in a near-empty state?
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Tobia | craftaliciousme
Happy Friday.
I am finishing a week of vacation – that felt more like a week of chores but we got stuff done. And I had lots of time to catch up on blog reading and writing.
Also I cleaned all windows and it’s ridiculous how very very happy this makes me.
Also I booked a trip and will see Kyria next months. So excited. More on that soon.
Elisabeth
I’m glad it was a mix of rest and productivity. Those are my favourite ways to spend a week.
Our windows are horrible. We had them professionally cleaned a few years ago and haven’t touched them since and it shows. But I think I’ll wait until the fall, maybe?
And you’re going to see Kyria???? That’s so exciting!
Dia
Have you tested for sleep apnea? I felt the same – I was sleeping sound 8-9 hours and was still exhausted. I test for sleep apnea and with my new Maschine I have a much better sleep quality and don’t feel as exhausted as before. It’s a work in progress.
Elisabeth
I haven’t been tested for apnea, though my Oura ring tests for changes in breathing and I don’t have any irregularities, but I have definitely thought of asking to have a sleep test. I’ll chat with my GP next time I’m in to see her!
mbmom11
The play sounds amazing – the dedication of smaller theater groups can result in wonderful productions. And those exams look fabulous on you- nothing like a great thrift store find to perk one up!
I second checking for sleep apnea- even if you’re not snoring, you can have it. ( looking at youngest daughter who developed it again even after tonsillectomy!)
I’m having the piano tuned this weekend-the extent of my fun.
Someone left the tiniest bit of milk in the jug this week, and I opened the container of ice cream and found about a spoonful left. Why why why?
Enjoy the weekend!
mbmom11
Jeans! Not exams. Wow, my autocorect needs coffee.
Elisabeth
Don’t we all…thank goodness it’s almost the weekend 🙂
Elisabeth
It really is incredible what can be accomplished with dedicated work. I thought it was absolutely mind-blowing how well it was performed. And tickets were like $30!!!
I don’t snore much, and my Oura ring doesn’t detect breathing irregularities BUT that doesn’t mean I don’t have apnea. This is one thing I HAVEN’T had tested, and it’s fairly easy (and inexpensive) to get a sleep study done.
The little bit of milk kills me. Especially if I’ve made oatmeal for a kid and then discover there is no milk to cool it down. Argh.
Suzanne
I relate so intensely to your fatigue conundrum. It is wearying in itself, trying to get to the bottom of it. My next step is an in-lab sleep study and I am balking because I know it will be disruptive and tiring and will probably turn up nothing. Maybe I am just tired at baseline.
As always I love your happy things. Cracks me up that the pickle made the cut. Sometimes I will find a pickle jar empty of everything but pickle juice!
Have you ever tried pickled watermelon rind? My husband and mother love it.
Let’s see. My weird fruit thing is that I love to fill a green pepper half with cottage cheese. Such a fantastic combination!
Elisabeth
Yes! It’s exhausting being exhausted. I have a friend who has had the same issue for years and years and I ran into her at a party a few years ago and she said something like: the doctors want to keep looking for the root cause, but I want to just accept this is who I am. I think being low energy is just the reality for some people (maybe especially as an introvert who has kids who are busy/extroverts). That said, I’d always love to boost my energy.
I have found an empty pickle jar too. Why. Just why? At the very least, leave it on the counter for me to deal with (Sigh).
I have never had pickled watermelon rind.
Michelle G.
Yay! I’m happy your postcard arrived, and it makes my Friday list of Happy Things that you wrote about it! ❤️
I’m right there with you in the fatigue department. My sleep schedule is a disaster these days! Now it’s light out from 5:00 a.m. to almost 10:00 p.m. It’s much harder to go to sleep when the sun is still high in the sky!
I salt my watermelon, too! I thought everyone did until I met my in-laws, who put sugar on theirs. Also, I’ve always eaten fruit at room temperature, and I prefer it that way. My in-laws refrigerated everything, even tomatoes!
(I loved and miss my in-laws.)
Elisabeth
I think I sleep better in the winter and, perhaps ironically, feel less tired in the winter. The early evenings and the coziness of things generally means I sleep better.
I have never met another person – outside of my family – that salts their watermelon. This makes me so happy!
I prefer fruit at room temperature, too!
Katie
I missed your post on burnout earlier in the week. I can totally imagine feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. I think taking a step back from the comments will be nice! And I would read anything you write, paid or unpaid!
Elisabeth
Aww. Thanks <3
Katie
Pressed submit too early! My weird fruit thing is eating the white part of watermelon just above the rind. It’s the best part!
My happy thing is water aerobics at our local pool with a friend!!! So fun! I think getting out of the house is a game changer for me with exercise
Elisabeth
I like the white part, too. I don’t go all the way down, but the final slice that has just a hint of pink and some white is my favourite. It’s extra crunchy!
Gold stars for getting out and exercising with a friend. Two good things at once.
Jan Coates
Don’s a chronic last-pickle in the jar offender:) We’re going out for Thai food on Fathers’ Day! And yesterday, I updated my mum’s tuna buns – tuna, egg, onion, cheese, mayo/lemon mashed up and toasted on pumpernickel bread with side salad that included local strawberries – yum! Have fun celebrating your dad and John!
Elisabeth
Ha! I can just picture a Wanted poster for Don’s pickle crimes.
Those tuna buns sound delicious. We make tuna melts and they are a family favourite. Enjoy the Thai food!
Bijoux
Middle Child was in 3 or 4 productions in a local theatre and yes, it’s a huge time commitment. But a great experience for her. We are going to a huge retirement party for a friend and coworker of my husband. They are expecting 80 people at their home and it looks like rain. We’ve had bad weather for a month now. I guess my only odd fruit quirk (since you wouldn’t like it 🤔) would be putting just about any fruit on lettuce and dressing it with olive oil and red vinegar.
Elisabeth
8-0?? Oh goodness, I am traumatized just thinking about it!
I don’t mind a bit of fruit mixed in with my salad (especially berries or apple). It’s a mix between sweet and savoury.
Nicole MacPherson
I’m so sorry you’re fatigued again, friend. I mean, you have done so much to deal with it and still feeling exhausted. Ugh, I’m so sorry. It’s good you have the flexibility to take rest when you need. Maybe this is just a tired time of life? I don’t know, but I’m so glad you can rest.
Those jeans look awesome on you! You are so good with thrifting. I love a well-fitting jean, it makes all the difference.
Your salad looks delicious, although I will say I’m not sure about the mustard on watermelon. I can see salt – the sweet/ salty thing. But mustard doesn’t seem quite right to me. But who am I to say, I don’t even eat much watermelon (I like it, it’s just a pain to cut up, etc).
I hope you have a wonderful, restful weekend!
PS Thanks for the shoutout. xoxo
Elisabeth
I think it IS a tiring time in life. The last time I felt truly rested was before I had kiddos but I think that’s standard? I’m just hard on myself because I feel like I should be able to have more energy (especially when I see people with more on their plate that seem to have more energy). BUT, I’m sure lots of people see me and think I have lots of energy. Does that make sense?
I am all about high-rise. They work so much better with my body type.
The mustard was…okay. It wasn’t horrible, but I will not be adopting it as a habit.
Ally Bean
Mustard on watermelon? Not for me, thanks. I do like TajĂn on mine, though.
For what it’s worth, everyone I know is tired just about all the time. We live in stressful times with too much bad news bombarding us. Exhaustion is real and unavoidable.
Elisabeth
A good point. The state of the modern world does lend itself to exhaustion, unfortunately. And yes to the news being fatiguing, even though most of the time I’m utterly helpless to impact things in a positive way.
Jenny
Yay for Happy Things! But I’m sorry you have this ongoing fatigue. That is very frustrating! Well- I’m a big believer in naps. If a nap helps, and you can manage it, then it’s a great thing.
It’s funny- this week my husband made a recipe for “Marry Me Tofu.” I didn’t have any, but he and my daughter loved it. I would imagine it’s the same flavor profile as the chicken version.
The most comfortable jeans you’ve ver owned??? For $5.99???? What a find.
I’ve never put salt on watermelon, but my favorite flavor of LMNT is the salted watermelon, so I can see how it would work. Mustard- NO. That’s just wrong.
Elisabeth
For $4.75, actually! I know. They are so, so comfy! And I went back the next night and bought a second pair in a similar fit (Old Navy), but actually got them for $0 because of a refund situation. I’m so happy. TWO pair of jeans that fit well.
I love naps, too. But then sometimes I have issues sleeping at night so I have to be so careful. The ideal is taking a 15-minute nap 3-4 times a week so I never get too exhausted, but I’m not always so good at prioritizing that.
Birchie
Happy Friday the 13th! For whatever reason I have a good association with Friday the 13th. In particular Friday the 13th of March 2020 was my first Covid mandated WFH day, which kicked off an intensely happy time in my life.
I haven’t taken my Omega 3 or my massive multivitamin yet, so I’ll try the chin trick when I do. Warm compresses are gold for eye relief, and yes when my allergies get bad I have crushing fatigue. Luckily things are good right now, but there’s something in the transition from spring to summer and then summer to fall that always gets me.
Never have I ever made a “marry me” dish and I want to. Note to self to get on that. My mom liked to salt watermelon occasionally, and I like it once in a while, too. I’m just going to make the call that I will not be trying mustard.
Our weekend is going to depend on the weather. There is a chance of thunderstorms, but hopefully they won’t happen during the day. As long as the weather allows, we’re going to get back to our biking trail.
Elisabeth
I remember March 13th 2020 VERY well. John came back from a huge conference in Las Vegas. Needless to say, that was the end of that sort of work function for many, many years.
Let me know about the chin trick. I’ve done compresses the last few days and I notice a MARKED improvement in my allergies and my energy. I’m not saying it’s a perfect solution. I didn’t think it would help with allergies, but I did see a forum on Reddit where someone mentioned that warm compresses do wonders for relieving allergy symptoms. So this is a win, win for me.
The Marry Me Chicken was good and very kid friendly.
Good idea to skip the mustard. It wasn’t awful but it also wasn’t good!
NGS
I am also always tired. In my case, it’s because I probably need 8-9 hours of sleep a night and I rarely get 7. Whatever. It is what it is.
This weekend! It’s a DAY in our town. Farmer’s Market, Dairy Day at the Moo-seum, and a Cheese Crawl. I am excited to do all the small town things.
Elisabeth
This is DEFINITELY part of my issue. When I think back to the last time I consistently felt rested it was in my undergrad. I slept 9 hours almost every single night. Now I average a little over 7. It’s just too hard, especially with aging kids, to get to bed early enough to sleep that long.
What a fun weekend. I know you love these events each year. Enjoy <3
Suz
I wish you could get to the bottom of why you are tired. I mean, that really is terrible. (Suzanne, too)
The jeans are perfection on you and I can’t believe the price! BooYa!
I’ve never salted my watermelon, but mustard? really? 🤪
One pickle. I’m dying!
I’m going to see one of my favorite comediennes with four girlfriends tonight; there is going to be a lot of laughter–more than the regular Lots Of Laughter.
Elisabeth
Try the salt, skip the mustard.
I love to laugh and all the better to do it with friends. Enjoy 🙂
Jacquie
I was ready to make a sandwich and pulled out the loaf of bread that had a single slice of bread remaining. I didn’t want an open faced sandwich. There was more bread, downstairs, in the freezer (GRRR!), so down I went, and made myself a toasted closed sandwich.
We have a wonderful small group theatre called Vagabond Players that are actually the oldest community theatre in B.C. They put on 4 plays a year at the Bernie Legge Theatre which is only 130 seats. It’s such an intimate setting and the plays range from intense dramas, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to comedy, Faulty Towers and musicals.
This weekend we are going to a BBQ celebration our neighbours are hosting for their daughter’s graduation from high school. Very excited for her and them!
Elisabeth
Oh yes, we have single slices of bread left, too. Sometimes I’ll set the single slices (often heels) aside in the freezer until I have enough to make Baked French Toast.
What a fun weekend; enjoy what is sure to be good food and a wonderful time socializing.
Lisa's Yarns
Huh. I LOVE mustard more than most people I’ve met but cannot get behind putting it on watermelon! But I don’t like fruit combined with other flavors, like salt or chocolate, etc. My mom did salt her watermelon when I was a child but she was the only one that did that.
Our weekend is pretty up in the air since it’s been terribly rainy here and the rain is expected to continue through the weekend. If the weather is nice on Sunday, I’d like to take boys to a pool. That is most likely to happen on Sunday and we’d leave Phil behind so he can enjoy a quiet, empty house (I think time alone is the best gift to a parent of young children… but I know the optics of not being with your kids on Father’s Day would raise some peoples’ eyebrows – but I know you get it!).
Elisabeth
I don’t like fruit with chocolate, either (except Brooksides). Chocolate-dipped strawberries. Ugh. No thanks!
I’m so sorry you’ve had so much rain. It is such a nuisance, especially with kiddos on the weekend.
We very much see eye-to-eye on the best gift. Each Mother’s Day the thing I most want is time away from my kids. I don’t care about the optics. I’m a better mom when I have time away from them! We will spend Father’s Day at church and then Indy’s soccer game. Not very festive. But John and Indy are going to a fishing derby tomorrow morning, so that will be fun.
Rebecca Jo
There’s something about unknown exhaustion that is even more tiring than words can say.
Elisabeth
You nailed it! Yes, yes, yes!
XYZ
Look into folate and b12 for low energy. Folate should be methylfolate as it’s the most easily digestible form for our bodies. I’ve taken b12 and it’s helped with my low energy. I’ve had low iron (ferritin) my entire life and have always felt tired and fatigue. For b12 you want to look for it to have the two forms: methylcabamalin and adenosylcobamalin.
Elisabeth
Thanks! I used to have very, very low ferritin and Feramax definitely helped with that. My levels are much, much better after my ablation. But I don’t take folate or B12 and will look into those right away. Thanks again for the recommendation!
Stephany
Gah, I’m sorry you are dealing with chronic fatigue! Does your Oura ring track your blood oxygen levels while you sleep? That’s what clued me into the fact that I may have sleep apnea – not saying you have that (I also was a HEAVY snorer!), but could be a reason behind feeling so tired all the time. Also – have you had your iron checked recently? I know you said you conquered anemia, but wondering if your iron is dipping low again. I was SO tired all the time before I learned about my anemia diagnosis and being on an iron supplement has helped so much.
But I’m also just a sleepy girl no matter what! I’m amazed at the people who never nap because naps are LIFE for me! I am LESS sleepy since being on CPAP therapy + taking iron supplements, but I will still opt for a siesta whenever possible because I love them so much.
Elisabeth
My Oura ring does track blood O2 and my levels are fine (but it’s obviously not nearly as detailed as a sleep study for apnea would be). I rarely snore (mostly just when I’m sick/have a stuffy nose). But it’s definitely something I should talk to my doctor about.
I think part of it is me thinking I SHOULDN’T want to take a nap most days. I never, ever napped as a teen/early-adult and so as much as I love naps, I know there is a part of me that chastises myself for being tired enough to want a mid-day rest. Which is a horrible attitude. I did a whole year centered on the Biblical concept of shmita. I SHOULD KNOW BETTER!
Maria
Sorry to hear about the fatigue! That’s so exhausting, literally.
Nice find on the jeans! I had a great thrifting moment yesterday that I immediately thought of sharing here given your thrifting prowess. Our dishes are a thrift store set that I love (Corelle with bees as the pattern!) and yesterday I was looking for something else and there were 8 more plates and 5 more bowls of the exact same thing just sitting there! I snapped them up as we’d only had five bowls to start and I love these dishes so much that I definitely wanted eight more plates. Even “unbreakable” Corelle might not last that long here.
We did have something fun planned for this weekend, which was using the free passes from the library to go to Kings Landing, except I misread the validity dates so it’ll be next Saturday instead. So it’ll be a quieter weekend but I’m sure it’ll be fun!
Elisabeth
My parents have a big set of Corelle and it really is unbreakable! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single item in their set break. And with bees on it sounds adorable. What a great find!
I haven’t been to Kings Landing in several decades. A free pass from the library sounds incredible! What a deal. I’ve never taken my kids there either, but should consider it sometime soon. I bet they’d still enjoy it. (We’ve done Ross Farm here in Nova Scotia, but it’s much, much smaller than Kings Landing).
Melissa
One thing I’ve found that helps with fatigue is having a sports hydration drink every day. Most days, I use a low-sugar version, but when I have bigger runs, I’ll use one with more glucose. I have at times used Dr Sims homemade hydration mix which is a 1/4 tsp salt and a teaspoon of maple syrup in a water bottle. The salt and sugar help the water be absorbed compared to plain water. Monopoly Deal is one game that I was happy to play with the kids.
Fun things? We are taking all the kids (including E’s fiancee) out to dinner tonight to celebrate our eldest’s 26th birthday.
Elisabeth
I do wonder if I’m not getting enough sodium. I eat mostly whole foods and that means there isn’t much added salt. I sprinkled some salt on top of my natural PB today (that doesn’t have added salt), and then topped it with salted pumpkin seeds!
Enjoy the celebration. Sounds like a fun (and delicious) evening for everyone.