Blogging, Humor, Tater Tots

screw it, i’m eating tater tots – episode 75

Kari

if you’re new to my blog, welcome! here is an explanation of the tater tot post.

this month marks 15 years of blogging — june 14th, to be exact. feels like a good reason for cake. i wish you all could be here to share it with me. 💜

purple car

i shared the purple matchbox car that i saw while waiting in line at cvs in my what i kept post last month. my friend chris shared a post about collecting matchbox cars, which made me nostalgic for my own little collection growing up.

what i didn’t share in that post is that a few days before i was at that cvs, i was meeting a friend for dinner and saw this in the parking lot:

synchronistic spring

which leads nicely into this little ditty: i’ve been having some really cool little things happen lately. like the one above.

for example, i watched the pee-wee herman documentary—and just two days later, out of all the lovely things to notice, i spotted this at the botanic garden:

“pee wee oakleaf hydrangea”

while at a local garden center, i spotted a plant pot with my grandmother’s face on it.

she didn’t look this creepy in real life

mike picking these from our yard for our anniversary: better than anything from a store.

then seeing a similar bush in the butterfly exhibit at the botanic garden a few hours later: okay, universe, now you’re just showing off.

coincidences.

but it’s been a lot of fun noticing them.

i love this

one thing i read

the chronology of water by lidia yuknavitch

one thing i listened to

growth by gede yudis

one thing i watched

pee-wee as himself (hbo max and hulu) this was SO good.

also this: the quilters (netflix…only 33 minutes)

and this always makes me smile:

@sunsetchancetiktok

#yipick #homedepot #cutebaby #girl #funny #yipik @The Home Depot

♬ original sound – SunsetChance

links i clicked on last month

50 ways to be ridiculously generous and feel ridiculously good.

Callin’ Oates: The Hotline You Don’t Need (But Might Call Anyway)

Everyone Get in Here: They’re Bringing Back Bain de Soleil

Ohio Shredded Chicken Sandwich

I Want No One Else to Succeed

Ode to the Woman of Odd Jobs

When Your Cup is Empty

On The Morning Of A Massacre Of American Schoolchildren

quotes that had me thinking last month

a society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit. – greek proverb

you might consider your own minor annoyances and turn one into a bell … let it be a bell to remind you to come back, and remember, soon all of this will be gone. – david keplinger

we are the ones we have been waiting for. – alice walker

shame is the lie someone told you about yourself. – anais nin

here’s to 15 years of blogging… a space that’s held my words, my grief, my growth, and so much of my heart. i’m so grateful for every connection, every comment, every moment shared here. 💜🌈🎂🌺

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56 thoughts on “screw it, i’m eating tater tots – episode 75”

  2. Congrats on 15 years of sticking to blogging! When you really consider it, not many people stick to 15 years of doing anything! Be Proud!

    That generosity list is awesome. I’m going to refer back to it. Callin’ Oates made me chuckle. Oh, how I would have loved that back in the 80’s. So much more entertaining than the weather or time!

    I never used Bain de Soleil. Can they bring back the dark brown tub of Hawaiian Tropic? I would like to smell like a fresh coconut again.

    Ok, I’m going to admit to never having had one of those shredded chicken sandwiches that way. I’ve had shredded chicken coated in BBQ sauce and Italian shredded chicken, but not like that. I have to say, it sounds delicious! Just in time for grad parties. Happy June!

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    1. Thank you, friend! I never thought of it that way—and now that I do, it is pretty badass.

      I love that generosity list. I refer to it often. I found Callin’ Oates by accident on Mother’s Day, and it made us laugh so hard. I totally forgot we used to be able to call and get the weather or the time. MAN, our phones do everything now. We really were in the stone age back then.

      I don’t want to buy Bain de Soleil—I just want a sniff, just like you. I would love an ’80s store where I could go and smell all the perfumes and lotions, hairspray and shampoos.

      We used to have chicken sandwiches at our concession stand for football games and band competitions. They were really good.

      Happy June!

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  3. Happy 15th anniversary! You’re just six months behind me, which is synchronicity of another sort.

    My brother actually collects Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars. He’s super into the whole thing. Whenever I see them for sale in vintage stores I’m tempted to buy him one, but I have no idea what he has/doesn’t have, what’s rare, etc. At least it’s a lot cooler than collecting Beanie Babies.

    No offense to any Beanie Baby collectors out there.

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    1. Thank you! Wow, that is so cool!

      It’s very cool that he still collects them.

      I didn’t realize people still collected Beanie Babies—but I guess there are collections for just about everything!

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  4. happy happy blog-versary! Ever so glad I stumbled across your blog years ago- more than 5 because before the pandemic, and then discovered you’d been a guest at our wedding. Never gets old- that story.

    Sweet coincidences are so fun. The video of the lip-tick girl is awesome. I knew I was doing something wrong when it come to makeup- I guess it was not buying my lipstick at Home Depot.

    Hope your blog continues to bring you joy and awesome connections for years to come! XO

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    1. Thank you, friend! I can’t believe we’ve been reading each other’s blogs for over five years now—that flew by! That story is pretty amazing. Definitely synchronicity.

      She’s a hoot.

      I hope it does too, my friend—so far, so good. 💜

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  5. Kari, CONGRATULATIONS on your 15th year of blogging! Doesn’t it blow you away how fast time flies from when you started blogging? It seems like it was only yesterday. I’ve had my current blog since 2007, so it’s been 18 years for me. LOVE that cake! So festive and fun!

    The color of that car you spotted in the parking lot is incredible! It looks almost INDIGO.

    Btw, I saw the Pee-Wee Herman doc and loved it! I miss Paul :(

    And that pot DOES resemble your grandmother’s face indeed. It’s uncanny!

    It’s so ironic you posted a photo of those gorgeous flowers from your garden because I was walking through a park a few days ago and spotted those same flowers!

    Looking forward to watching that Netflix doc The Quilters. Looks so good!

    Delightful post, my friend! As always! Have a fantabulous week!

    X

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    1. Thank you so much, friend!! It really has flown! I can’t believe it’s been this long! 18 years!! OMG! You’ve been blogging as long as Ella has been in my life. I got pregnant with her in 2007! LOVE THIS.

      YES! Isn’t it amazing? Every time I see it around the area where I live, I get so excited—it’s like a slug bug! 🤣💜

      We loved it too. I miss him as well.

      RIGHT?? I was with my mom and Mike when I found it. But I was alone while they were wandering the aisles, and I ran to her and said, “Who does this make you think of?” And she said instantly, “My mom.” 💜

      OMG! SYNCHRONICITY! I’m so glad I posted that!

      I hope you enjoy it—we sure did.

      Have a fabulous week as well, my friend! 💜

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  6. OMG happy 15th anniversary!!! Wow, am I ever glad you started blogging. Otherwise, how would we have met? We wouldn’t have, probably. Dodged a bullet there, I am SO glad you did and do and that we are friends, friends, friends! Speaking of which, today a deer was grazing under that tree with all the birdhouses that I posted about a while ago. You would have loved it. Also, also! My zinnias are getting so strong and healthy! I’ll post about them soon.

    Kari! I had a purple Pontiac Sunfire! A real one that I drove, not a Hot Wheels.

    I see a lot of you in that photo of your grandma.

    I only clicked on a couple of links, and the one that was “I don’t want anyone else to succeed” made me super sad.

    I have definitely read books at the wrong time, and sometimes I remember to revisit them.

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    1. I’m so glad we met too, Nicole. You mean so much to me, and I’ve learned so much from you over the years. OMG—I love the deer, birdhouses, and zinnias! It’s like they’re all celebrating my blog anniversary!

      WHAT??? OMG. I love this so much! And honestly, it doesn’t surprise me one bit. 💜

      It made me super sad too, friend. I really feel like this is part of why we’re in the mess we’re currently in here in the States.

      Me too.

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  8. Kari! Wow! Congratulations on 15 years of blogging! That’s so cool! Thank you for all the lovely, interesting things you share. Your posts always make me think, make me smile, sometimes cry, and I always look forward to them.

    I love the planter with your grandmother’s face. What a fun idea to let the plant be the “hair.” The artist who thought of that was a genius!

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    1. Thank you, friend! And thank you for such a kind compliment—it means so much to hear that you look forward to them. 💜

      I put the plant in there! Well, technically the plant is behind her, and I draped it over. I didn’t want the inside of her to get dirty. 🤣

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  10. So many great nuggets in this post. I love synchronicity. It’s the universe tapping you on the shoulder, getting your attention. By the way, the color of the purple car was out of this world. Congrats on many years of blogging. Truly inspiring!

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  11. 15 years of blogging – wow! <3You are always so perceptive of life’s “coincidences”. I love that about you.I’ll have to watch PeeWee as Himself. I loved PeeWee.That yipick video is one of my all-time faves. In fact, sometimes I call my lipstick, “yipick”. Sorry so short in commenting this time. I’m in a lot of pain right now with my lower back and hard to concentrate. Pulled some muscles? Starting spasming this afternoon. xoxo

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  12. Congrats on 15 years of blogging. That’s a big deal. [Just double-checked that I had you in the proper year on my blogroll. You are.]

    I trust you celebrated with an Ohio Chicken Sandwich. Love the link with the recipe.

    Zen Habits is still around! I haven’t thought of Leo Babauta in years. He was/is fresh air in an uptight greedy world.

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    1. Thank you, friend! It is a big deal!

      I haven’t had one of those sandwiches in such a long time. I remember them fondly from high school football games—our PTO used to sell them at the concession stand. I think the last one I had was during a marching band reunion in 2013, and it was just as delicious as I remembered.

      Isn’t he wonderful? Definitely a breath of fresh air—and we need all the air we can get right now.

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  13. Happy 15th! Wow, what an accomplishment! Tomorrow will be my 4th blog anniversary. You have quite the leg up on me! I love happy coincidences, not weird or scary ones..lol. You lucky duck…you look so much like your Grandmother! Love it! I have watched the yipick video so many times and it always makes me laugh! Go celebrate #15 today!!!!

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    1. Thank you so much! I love that we both started blogging in June—happy anniversary to you too!

      I’m a big fan of happy coincidences, and I do feel lucky to look like her. I resemble my mom as well—we all share the same profile, which is pretty cool. Strong genes for sure!

      I love that Yippick video—she’s absolutely adorable.

      I think I will celebrate! 💜

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  14. Fifteen years, that’s a lot of blogging! How do you know when an anniversary comes up … does some software tell you?

    I almost referred to hydrangeas as philharmonic the other day. I have no idea what I was thinking! Hydrangeas are such an old-fashioned and lovely plant that reminds me of my grandmother’s house. Did you know you can affect the color of the bloom with the chemical makeup of the soil? That’s what I was talking about, in fact, when I almost said philharmonic.

    Don’t mind me – my point is, congrats on your anniversary! I don’t always comment but I often read and always enjoy when I do. Thanks for blogging.

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    1. No, I’ve got the date at the top of my very first post saved in my folders.

      I’ve heard that too! Plants and flowers are just so cool. I really do love nature.

      And I never, ever mind when someone shares their love of plants, flowers, nature—or anything they’re excited about—in the comments. 💜

      Thank you for reading. 😘

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  15. Congratulations on fifteen years. That’s a brilliant accomplishment.

    I loved that purple Hot Wheels, but that wrapped Challenger (?) is divine. I love an iridescent car.

    Those are beautiful flowers, and I love the synchronicity of seeing them again later. Happy anniversary, as well.

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  17. Happy blogiversary! I think I’ve been reading since almost the beginning, and it’s really cool to think about how your blog has evolved as you have. I’m so grateful for the work you do here. Remember how we were both home bloggers? Remember home blogging? Every once in a while I’ll google some big blog from those days to see if they’re still at it. None of that interests me much. But now I have to ask if you’ve ever seen the home renovation show Daryl Hall did back in 2014? Daryl’s Restoration Over-Hall. Looks like it’s on Apple TV. I’m not much of one for those shows these days, but maybe you’d like it? If we’re doing old music star renovations, I much prefer Farmhouse Fixer with a guy from New Kids on the Block. The first few seasons, anyway. Anyway, congratulations on the milestone! (And thanks for the shoutout. I am honored to be included.)

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    1. Thank you, dear friend. And yes you have! I don’t remember you being a home blogger—OMG, Rita, I’m laughing because I’ve only known you as a wisdom blogger. Seeing you get a piece published felt so good—like, from the bottom of my toes to my heart. I just love that we’ve lasted this long.

      By the way, none of that home blogging stuff interests me either. I looked up Blogger yesterday for fun and found old posts in the backend of my blog—plus pictures I hadn’t seen in years. I saved them to my computer. We’ve been in our home 20 years next month, so I’m planning to write a post and share some before-and-after photos.

      I’ve never heard of that show, but I’ll definitely look for it! I had no idea that guy from NKOTB is a real contractor! I love that he did it on the side when he was still in the group.

      You’re doing such amazing work—it’s inspiring to see. 💜

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      1. I was a home blogger! With my husband. You followed me from that blog, to my own blog, to my current thing. And you have absolutely made my day by calling me a wisdom blogger 🙂I’ve never thought of that as a category, but if I were going to make a business card, I’d put that on the job title line.

        I think I like the NKOTB guy’s show because he feels like such a regular guy, but then he goes off and does shows with his old group! And he’s a huge softy; he cries about things the way I do. For me, those shows are always more about liking the creator than about what they actually do–just like it was for me in which blogs I followed. (Like yours!) I do still love homes and design, so I can’t wait to see your post about your house. I love it when you share photos of your home because it looks so soulful and real. It looks so you.

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      2. You are such a wisdom blogger. I’ve learned so much from you. 💜

        Oh, thank you for that compliment. It’s really interesting to see my home before I did soul homework and after. I don’t think I was faking it before — I just didn’t really know what I wanted. It’s so cool to see the difference.

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  19. Happy blogoversary; I’m so happy that we’ve connected in this format.

    You look SO much like your Grandma…as do your girls. DNA is a wonderful thing.

    I love the purple cars, the flowers following you, and pee wee! I need to watch that documentary. I saw something recently with a woman sharing how he was such a sweet and kind neighbor to her for so many years. and people need to remember that part of him; he was a kind and fun soul.

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    1. I’m so happy too, my friend. 😘💜

      I KNOW! We all have that chin! And the nose! I LOVE IT.

      YES. Paul was a bright light. I think you will enjoy the documentary.

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  20. Gah! I’m behind on my feeds and just now seeing this. There’s so much to savor here! — THAT PURPLE DODGE would have had me pull over for a photo shoot.

    I am looking SO forward to watching the Pee Wee Herman doc AND the Quliters.

    That planter resemblance is legit.

    Picked flowers (of any kind) are such an intense delight.

    And I just started reading through the 50 ways to be generous and I just had to stop and catch my breath and say thanks.

    For sharing, for being a bright light, and for being a friend — a friend I hope to meet one day!

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    1. For a few weeks in April and the beginning of May, I was seeing it all over the place and it made me smile. I hope I get to see it again.

      I think you will enjoy both of them.

      RIGHT???

      They really are a delight. I love this time of year.

      Thank you so much, Chris. I appreciate you so much and all you share, and I really hope I get to meet you someday as well, my friend. 💜

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  21. Happy Blog-versary!!!! I am so grateful you started all those years ago. Your posts are a treasure! 💚

    I’m behind on my comments so this comment also refers to older posts too – like May’s 100 Things I Love Part Seven…. Hope ok!

    I love these lists of yours! They bring me such joy!

    Is that a Breyer in 100 Things?! Sooo happy to see your sweet Joy out for a canter!

    I loved that version of Anne too. Found me when I needed it. My fam still says Sorrh-rhee 😊

    Grey hair rocks. When I started going grey, a sweet stranger stopped me and said my hair color was stunning. I coulda cried. It is hard saying goodbye to old versions of yourself even when the new one makes you happy! The kindness of strangers.

    ABBA!!!!! I could sing ABBA all day!

    What do I love lately?
    Songs gifted to me by mah brain:

    I get songs in my dreams & the other day I woke up singing: GOOD! DAY! SUN! SHINE!

    All morning singing: GOOD! DAY! SUN! SHINE!

    Not a song I know but clearly my brain knows it? I googled but had little hope of finding this obscure song prob sung to me decades ago when I was tiny.

    Yah. It is The Beatles. 😂 Not obscure! But I found it so yay!

    Other songs gifted to me by mah brain this week :

    My brain reminding me I had the 90s:
    I’m free (The Soup Dragons) https://youtu.be/hSWbpVjwQGM?si=yPAS-DaC8KmI4JMd

    Waterfall + Don’t Stop (The Stone Roses) together as nature intended  https://youtu.be/7NrLBlw9WZE?si=l9DUNONrDnPjHZLY
    https://youtu.be/yNLx6EUTBlU?si=hEtFbjow8ZIxmOKu

    And the utterly perfect Dreams (Fleetwood Mac). I’m guessing you don’t need a link to that one! 😊

    Speaking of groovy music… Hall & Oats! Totally worthy of a Hotline! Coincidentally, this week I bonded with a Random Gen Z Stranger over H&O in a Waiting Room playing 70s/80s music. H&O’s “I can’t go for that” came on & we were struggling not to sing along. 😅 I was so happy a Gen Zer loves them too.

    I love that you’re having a Synchronistic Spring. What a lovely thing to share here. A hug from the Universe to remind us we’re not alone 💚

    Now about that 70s instrumental muzak mention in May’s 100 Things I Love? Need more details please! What is this???

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    1. I always get excited when I see your comments in my feed! 💜

      Yes, a Breyer! Good eye! Ella still has all of her Breyers in the basement. We’re saving them for her to display in her adult home someday. I think they’d make a really cool shelf wall, honestly.

      OMG, I’m laughing at the “SORRREY”… Ella LOVES when she says that!

      ABBA is the best. They have a documentary on Netflix now. I almost watched it last night, but we ended up watching a really good movie instead (Here), so I might watch the documentary alone this week.

      As soon as you said “Good Day Sunshine,” I knew it was The Beatles! I love that song!

      I love “I’m Free”! And I haven’t heard The Stone Roses in a long time — I’ll definitely listen to those songs today.

      I love “Dreams”! My daughters both love “Landslide” and “Silver Springs.” I found that they each added both songs to their playlists independently of each other, and that made me smile.

      I love Hall and Oates so much. I wish they would get back together and tour again.

      Hugs from the universe feel so good, don’t they?

      I was going to add a YouTube link to the post, but I’ll share one here instead! I love any kind of 70s-style instrumental — department store music, very niche.

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      1. Thank you for sharing those Fleetwood Mac songs! They’re great! I don’t really know FM songs. So I’m very impressed your daughters knew them *and* both put them on mixes separately! Your fam has great taste in music! 😊

        70s muzak links!!!! Get out! I love this type of muzak too! But I didn’t know it was a thing with YT Links!!! What?!

        Funny you calling it department store music! I made a Compilation CD titled “Shopping at [local department store]” decades ago! 😅 Filled it with music that reminded me of the muzak I heard when I was a lil kid with my mom at the local department store.

        This was pre-YouTube/music streaming so it was just from my own collection. Mostly mellow or cool jazz, bossa nova, jazz organ clavinet funk kinda stuff.

        This is like a genre now? *swoon*

        Those links are *amazing*.
        Listening, I feel like I’m strolling down the grocery aisle & should be picking out my cereal for the week!

        Isn’t it awesome to have so much cool music out there just waiting to be found *easily* now? It is amazing. Thanks again for sharing!

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      2. I found the song Sunny Side of Heaven by Fleetwood Mac this past year—I’m not even sure how I stumbled across it, but it’s such a lovely little hippie instrumental. Every time I hear it, I imagine them playing it during a costume change or while rearranging instruments backstage. Or Stevie Nicks just dancing in circles around the stage. 🤣🦋

        YouTube has so many fun gems like this. If you come across any more groovy ‘70s stuff, please send it my way.

        OMG, I love department store music! And the smell. And the little bells that would DING DING! That would actually make amazing ASMR. I just thought of it and had to go looking—this one’s the closest I could find:

        I’d love to listen to that playlist you made—it sounds perfect for doing stuff around the house. And yes, it’s totally a genre now!

        It’s so awesome that we can find things like this so easily—and that we can find people who share these quirky, wonderful little loves. I seriously love that.

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  23. Congratulations on your blogversary – 15 years is an excellent milestone! I looked back to when I started Despatches and discovered it was 8 years last month. I must say it doesn’t feel like it’s been long at all, so I should make a note to celebrate it when the date comes around next.

    Love the synchronicity of that hot wheels and the car in the car park. Could the world be telling you to buy a crazy muscle car?!

    I love the suggestions in the link to be ridiculously generous and feel ridiculously good: this one in particular jumped out at me. “You can share knowledge freely instead of hoarding it” as it’s the perfect reminder that’s what I want to do. I need to re-focus on that desire.

    I’m in tears having read Rita’s essay on Dorothy Parker’s ashes – so powerful, so beautiful, so achingly sad. while the subject matter is sad, it’s so joyful seeing the work of someone you “know” being published.

    <3 <3

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    1. Thank you so much, Deb — and congratulations on your anniversary! I can’t believe it’s been 15 years for me either. I think it goes by fast because we truly love what we’re doing.

      Funny side note: my friend Kristen just bought this car in black last month! Maybe it was the Universe sending her a sign through me! 🤣 (P.S. I saw a purple one just like it yesterday — not the same car, but still. I love that I’m seeing purple cars everywhere now!)

      Yes to sharing knowledge instead of hoarding it.

      It’s so joyful seeing someone we know get published — and that piece is so powerful. 💜

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  24. My brain just melted in delight. Sunny Side of Heaven is the BEST! Thank you for sharing that Kari!

    I love it when you share songs! You have the best taste!

    Particularly this vibe/era – My 60s/70s knowledge is weak but now that I’m old I love that feel. Thank you for sharing your music wisdom 😊

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