Things I Learned in August

Last month I was talking to a friend about how I sometimes long to go back to school. (Who would have ever thought I would think that?!) I don’t miss the grades or the stress, of course, but oh–how much more would I would appreciate the learning as a 30-year-old?!

But that’s why I’ve been having fun making up my own course schedule and filling it with things I really want to learn about. And it’s also why keeping these monthly logs of things I’ve learned are so fun. Sure, there’s no astrophysics in here, but let’s be honest: from algebra on, I knew there was no reason for me to learn anything else math-related. That’s what calculators are for. 😉

I’m much happier learning life lessons, with some Skillshare thrown in. (Try it free for a month here.) 🙂 Here’s what I discovered in August:

1. How to stop being interrupted during meals to fetch drinks.

Truth be told, I haven’t fetched anyone but the toddler a drink in ages. My kids know they’re expected to pour their own drinks and clean up the subsequent messes. (Boundaries are so good!) But that often means they’re popping up during dinner to refill their cups, and I’m often up to refill mine, too.

Enter the most obvious solution ever: a water pitcher.

This baby was $6 at Homegoods, and she now graces our table at dinnertimes. The kids think its magical and always want extra drinks of the special water from the pitcher.

(Also: yes! My succulent is still alive one month later!!!)

2. There are approximately 1 million uses for coconut oil.

Okay that may be a slight exaggeration.

But after impulsively buying this ginormous jar of it from Costco for $15 (is this a really strange impulse purchase? Costco does things to me.), I asked facebook at large what on earth to use it for. Here’s what my friends came up with (try all these at your own risk, because I can verify none of them so far haha):

• In a recipe for DIY Chocolate “Magic Shell” for ice cream
• As a substitute for other oils in cooking veggies, fish, chicken, eggs, etc.
• As a replacement for butter in baked goods like cookies, banana bread, etc.
• As a healthy fat supplement added to oatmeal, smoothies, etc. (or for your pups–add to their food!)
• As a lotion to soothe dry skin and eczema
• As a deep conditioner to soften and shine your hair
• As eye-makeup remover
• As a medium for essential oils
• Combined with baking soda to make deodorant
• And… 101 other ways

I’ve got two kiddos with skin issues, and my loooong hair is super dry, so I’m excited to try it as a lotion/conditioner!

3. I do not like plain Greek yogurt.

There. I said it.

I’m learning to mix lots of things into it, though, which does seem to help.

4. How to save websites to read later without leaving a million tabs open in my browser.

Am I the only one who does that?

Last month I learned about Pocket from Emily P. Freeman (founder of the “What We Learned” tradition!) and it is one of my NEW FAVORITE THINGS. It’s a nicely constructed app that lets you save stuff for later–kind of like you’re curating your own little magazine!

It syncs across my phone, computer, and iPad, so whenever I have a few moments sitting by my kids while they play in the tub or waiting at the doctor’s office, I can read through something fun I’ve saved in my Pocket. 🙂

Get it & use it (it’s free!). Yay!

5. Why one of my kids actually NEEDS to follow me around and talk, talk, talk a LOT.

It’s always driven me a little crazy how my oldest would come home from school and talk my ear off. Not about anything in particular. Just lots of words, all aimed at MOM.

But this month as I read an interesting take on introvert and extrovert kids:

Apparently introvert kids (like me) need time alone after school to chill out and cool down. Thats what recharges them. Extroverts (like my daughter) are recharged by socializing, and that means that her talk, talk, talking is actually her way of refilling after a long day of school.

Now instead of feeling annoyed/depleted by this long (and previously overwhelming!) stretch of chatter, I just take it easy and contribute as needed, kicking back while she refills her energy stores.

This little shift in perspective has made our after school interactions so much more lovely for both of us!

6. How to get Google to make you an “Auto-Awesome Video” on demand.

If you’ve got an android, you may have seen a notification pop up after a day of quick videoing, telling you that google has made an Auto-Awesome Video. It’s just a service that throws together clips from your day and puts them to music.

We had our first experience with it (because remember, we’ve only had smart phones since we found that $10/month plan a few months ago!) this month after videoing our kids riding bikes on Saturday morning. Suddenly Steve’s phone dinged and BOOM! This video was waiting for us on the internet with zero effort on our part:

Magic!

And, there’s an easy way to make one without waiting for Google to surprise you. Ta-da! Technology!

7. That I still love Ikea oh so very much!

At 1.5 hours away, I currently live the furthest from an Ikea I’ve ever been. If you’ve met me in real life, you know that this is sad because I really, really love Ikea. (Seriously, stylish furniture that’s compact and inexpensive? Are you kidding me?)

They’ve got a kids area where they will watch your children for an hour. (Yes. A store with babysitting.)

They’ve got a cafeteria with the best slice of chocolate cake on the planet. (Seriously. Ikea has amazing chocolate cake.)

They’ve got furniture I love with crazy Swedish names. (My favorite purchase this time was the nickel plated FORSA work lamp pictured below–gorgeous and only $19!!!)

The kids an I made the drive to meet up with a friend and her girls, and we had so. much. fun. The littles tried out every bed and sofa. I stocked up on all the things I’d been adding to my Ikea list (everything from curtains to a scrub brush with a suction-cup foot). And then we had lunch there, with chocolate milks and Swedish lingonberry juice, and a shared slice of the aforementioned cake.

That place is the best.

What did you learn in August?

xo,
Jamie