Ever wondered about the hidden passions of your podcast hosts? In this spirited episode of Skirts Up, Samantha reveals intriguing hobbies that will leave you entertained and inspired. Discover the mystery behind 'Lottie don't lie' and what's new this season, including a colorful logo challenge and a custom item giveaway created by Melissa!

Samantha talks about her beloved book collection of inspirational titles to romance and thrilling mystery novels. Next Samantha delves into her passion for pen paling, sharing the joy of creative letters, while Melissa reveals that she has participated in her own spin on the craft!

Samantha’s hilarious plant-naming adventures will make even the brownest thumbs green with envy. Don't miss this captivating blend of humor, hobby talk, and heartfelt stories. Skirt up your day with curiosity and creativity!

#MonicaArya #KarenKingsbury #NoraRoberts #ColeenHoover

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If you got a problem?

Lottie's got the answer?

She won't sugarcoat them?

Cause it's Lottie and Lottie don't lie?

Cause it's Lottie and Lottie don't lie.

Hey, guys, it's Samantha and Melissa.

And today we're doing a Lottie Don't Lie.

She don't.

So what is Lottie Don't Lie this season, though?

Because we've kind of made some changes, haven't we?

We did.

We made a few changes.

Okay.

So last year, Lottie don't Lie.

I feel like we were.

She was kind of more of like an advice column is what she was trying to be.

She was trying so hard.

She was cute, but it was, like, forced.

And Lottie is real.

Lottie is real.

And Lottie is you, me, everyone.

We kind of decided, like, she's an embodiment of, like, real life.

So we decided to go ahead and, like, make our Lottie episodes this season.

Like, every other season's a Lottie episode.

If you.

As you know, because you're.

Well, not our fans.

Every other season or every other episode.

Honestly, she's kind of sprinkled in, like, sporadically because we have so many guests.

Holy crap, guys, this season is exciting.

Jam packed.

Yeah.

Of guests.

Yeah.

So that's true.

We don't have as many Lotties as before.

Like, we kind of had to use her as a filler last year, too.

Or I keep saying last year, but.

I know I did season.

It's okay.

But yeah, like, we're.

It's just pretty cool getting to see that we.

Lottie is going to become her own thing.

She doesn't need to be forced.

She doesn't need to be a filler.

She's just going to pop in when she wants to and she needs to.

Yeah.

So our Lottie episodes are going to.

Be more about us, our lives, what's going on with us, and just maybe a lesson in our lives that we learned that we think that you guys need to hear.

Would like to hear and could learn from as well.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Because I think you even had people asking, like, I want to hear more about you.

Yeah.

So what you guys have asked is what today will be about.

Exactly.

Did you guys notice?

Of course you guys noticed.

I'm sure that.

Of course they did.

Let's give them the benefit of the doubt.

They did.

I mean, hello.

That our cover photo and our logo has changed.

Yeah.

She's so cute.

She is cute.

She looks more real, I would say.

And what's really Fun is that.

Of course, we added in all these colors that just kind of like, make you feel.

They make us feel happy.

Happy.

Yeah, it's.

Happy is the word.

Like, I wish there was something more.

Elegant on her face.

You can see it.

She's so, like, vivacious.

Like, she's living life.

Yeah, right.

That's how I see her.

And what I love about the COVID photo is that Melissa and I got a little sneaky.

Sneaky.

This goes into the logo challenge that you saw get released yesterday.

So, like we just said, we have our new cover photo.

There are five images hiding into the COVID photo that we felt like, represented what skirts up is what it's become and her journey.

Yeah, yeah.

So there are five little images hidden.

We want to see if you can comment onto that.

That post what the five images are.

We want you to screenshot leaving us a review on your favorite listening app and sending that to us.

And we want you to share us with your friends that you think would really enjoy us.

Yeah, you've probably, like, listened to some of our episodes and been like, oh, I gotta share this with so and so.

If you're like me half the time, you get it done and forget.

But, like, take this opportunity, because now, if you share us with your friends, you're also getting entered into a prize drawing.

So what are we.

What.

What did we decide we were gonna do for our prize?

You decided what we were doing.

I did.

Melissa is going to make the winner the very first custom item with our new logo on it for you.

And you get to decide what you want the logo on.

Yeah.

T shirt, bag, koozie.

What do you want?

You get to decide, and you get the first item.

And Melissa's making it.

I'm so excited.

So, yeah, that's what we're going to do.

So definitely go on our Facebook page, our Instagram reshare, our post about the contest.

Oh, and here's the thing.

If you do it on Facebook and Instagram, two entries.

Oh, boom.

Okay.

Like we said, Lottie, this season is going to be more personal stories.

Melissa, with that, you do have something going on with the quilt shop.

I do.

I'm really excited.

So this is something that a lot of shops will do in the summers.

Well, they.

We used to.

And in the Atlanta area, we had something called the shop hop.

And in lots of countries and or cities and states, they have it, but we haven't been able to have it here in Atlanta for, like, the last four or five years just because a lot of shops have closed.

But we've got new shops opening now, and we've decided.

We're calling it Stitching Atlanta.

That's our, like, theme.

And it's all about, like, shopping local with your local artisans and crafters.

So the way it works.

And this is so fun.

So if you guys ever thought, hey, I've never been to a quilt shop, or I want to go and check out what these things are about.

The way the shop hop works is going to be from the July 10th to the 25th.

There's, like, 10 or 11 shops participating.

We're going to have, like, a Facebook page.

I don't think it's live yet, but it will tell you, like, the information on how to do it.

And.

But basically what happens is you go to one of the shops that's participating.

The first shop you go to, you get a passport, and then you take that passport around over the next week or two, and you visit every single shop and you get a stamp at every single shop.

If you go to a shop, you get entered to win a prize at that shop.

So like, 10 or 11 entries, one, eight each shop.

And then if you get your passport stamped and you go to all of the shops, you get, like, a huge prize.

There's gonna be, like, a grand prize that all the shops are, like, pitching.

Into together that everyone gets if they complete the whole passport or they enter.

Enter.

Okay.

Yeah.

Okay.

This is fun.

It's kind of like a bar crawl.

Yeah.

For sure.

You guys should have a bar shop is gonna happen.

I mean, we actually.

Mimosa.

Yeah.

The truth is, maybe the distillery will be open across the hall from my shop.

We've got a distillery going in.

And then.

I know, like, if you go to the.

Some of the Duluth shops, like, cool.

There's like.

And string and Story.

There's some.

Oh.

Like, little sipping sip shops nearby wine shops.

But anyway, it's just fun.

There's gonna be demos at each shop, so we're gonna, like, show you something new.

You can learn things if you ever thought, hey, what's all this stuff about?

This will be the time to go.

It will be just so fun.

Get a friend and make, like, a trip.

Maybe we'll even put some little snippets.

Okay.

On our page.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Obviously, I know, Sam, you're the best.

She really is.

But yeah.

So that's our shop hop.

But that's what's going on with me.

And interestingly enough, speaking of that, because that's all about hobbies in a way.

That's our episode today too.

You guys have asked what are your.

Well, okay.

Not what are your hobbies?

Some of you know what my hobbies are and are like, why are you not talking about that?

People want to know more about it.

So, yes, I have some interesting hobbies and we have pre recorded that.

So welcome to Samantha's life.

So today, as you see, we thought that we've heard from several of you guys that I have not talked about my hobbies.

And I guess I have a few weird ones.

Well, there's one in particular that I would say is not super on trend, per se.

That's fair.

I.

We thought it would be fun to talk about my hobbies.

Some of the things that you do for fun.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So tell me.

All right.

The one.

Okay, what should we start with?

I don't know.

Do we start with the odd one or do we talk about, like, the more normal ones?

Let's talk about some of the normal ones.

Okay.

All right, so first of all, I think we've already talked about.

You have a book collection.

I do have a book collection.

And it's right there.

I think it was.

Did we talk about that?

It was like episode three, season one.

Is it with Lola?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think it was with Lola.

And I talk about how I have this, like, shelf of book collection and like, sometimes I rearrange my books, which I have rearranged them and you know, this weekend.

And I like, you know, I expect maybe like low key people to come and be like, oh, I love your book collection.

It's scrum.

No, I know what you mean.

I know what you mean.

I literally have some books on my shelf that I'm like, I'm so proud of this book being here.

Okay.

Okay.

That's like maybe a normal thing.

But yes, like, I love my bookshelf and like, I walk in, I always, like, admire it and like, low key, hope that other people are admiring it when they sit in the living room.

So it's like, really funny.

Yes, I admire your bookshelf, so.

You did.

You did.

One of the first times you came over, remember I had all my books out and you're like, whoa.

And you started, like, actually picking up the books, like, oh, is this one good?

Like, and you're like, looking through the books and I was like, I thought actually, yeah.

Remember that first.

Yes, I do.

At your other house.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That was fun.

So, okay, tell us more.

Tell me what kind of books do you have in that shelf?

So I see quite an array, actually.

There is.

There's.

There's a common theme.

But what's interesting is that some of this collection is from, like, early, earlier on, like, getting into reading, which didn't happen until I was pregnant with Logan.

So the end of high school, and I was, like, mega pregnant, and I end up getting put on bed rest, and I didn't have anything else to do.

And so I was like, I guess I'll read.

And my mom had this collection of Daniel Steele books.

Oh, my God.

I remember my mom used to read Danielle still.

I know.

So I have basically inherited that collection.

And I read all of them.

And then I got really.

I don't know how it happened, but there's a whole series collection that I have on the shelf.

Oh, I remember.

Okay.

There was this movie on Netflix, and it was basically called, like, a inspirational movie.

And I remember when the movie ended, I was like, oh, my gosh.

Like, that was amazing.

Like, that movie was so good.

And then I watched a couple more, and I just always felt like, oh, man, this feels, like, so good.

And so then I started, like, oh, maybe.

Maybe I'll start, like, reading the Bible or, like, you know, learning some things.

And I do not.

This is.

Okay.

I'm so.

It did not last.

I did not know this.

It didn't last long.

But that led.

I found an inspirational author.

She is also a Christian, and I got hooked on her books.

What's her name?

Karen Kingsbury.

Okay.

So all of her books, I say all of them, but the majority of them are all intertwined with the same characters.

So in most of them, the main character is one character, and you, like, see her journey in these different, like, situations and different problems.

But then you might end one of the books in the series.

Maybe it picks up on her cousin's story that you got, like, a little snippet in one of the books, and then that person has, like, a small series.

But all of the series have intertwined characters that you've already heard of and, like, have met.

Yeah, it's really interesting.

And I just got hooked on, like, just wanting to know everything about this whole family and, like, all their little series.

And I just read all of them, and I was really obsessed.

But obviously the religious thing didn't stay.

Yeah, I mean, weird.

I mean, I still really enjoy the books, and I probably would reread them.

Like, they were really good.

Oh, Nora Roberts.

I got into Nora Roberts after that when I decided that makes Sense.

She's a very.

Like, Danielle Steele.

Yes.

But a little more on the dirty side.

I mean, her books aren't.

They're clean, but a little more.

A little more smut.

Yeah.

I mean, it's still like a lead you to the, like, bedroom and then kind of like, leave it at that, but, like, you know, just a little more into it.

And I read a lot of Nora Roberts, except for the ones that go into history, because I cannot get interested in anything that's, like, in the far past.

Really?

Yeah.

I did not know that.

Yeah.

So anything that's, like, oh, in the colonial days, this girl.

Why I'm so obsessed with all of.

It, I.

I think that it bores me, and I can't picture what they're describing.

Okay.

Maybe.

Okay.

I just can't, like, build it in my brain, so I just.

You need something a little more tangible.

Maybe.

I just don't love it.

I love when I feel like it's something that could be happening right now.

Okay.

So Nora Roberts, all of her books are usually mysterious.

Some sort of thriller.

And then I realized when I was, like, looking, I read most of her books that didn't have anything to do with, like, you know, historically history and was like, there's got to be other.

Like, clearly, I like the thriller and the mystery.

Yeah.

So then I was like, oh, maybe I like these books.

And then that led into just pulling all these random thriller books, like, Gone Girl style.

Yeah, I think I actually have that one.

I think you might actually.

Every one of them is good, but I realized that I'm really good at knowing, like, what the end is of each book.

And it kind of, like, was taking some fun.

Like, I would get really hooked on the stories, but then.

And I'm constantly, like, every chapter figuring.

Out, oh, I get so judgmental if I'm like, seriously, I already know the ending.

Come on, be a little more.

Okay.

Yes.

I feel like I do some of that, too, but I have been surprised by some of them where, like, there's no way those are the best.

And.

Yes.

So I'm hooked.

I love to know.

I love these, like, darker, mysterious, and, like, seeing if it's well enough written that I can't guess right.

And for some reason, that's, like, really addicting and fun.

It is fun.

I agree.

We used to do this thing where this is not books, it's movies.

But, like, same thing.

It's the same thing.

And, like, you kind of, like, want to, like.

Although it is annoying when people talk during movies, but if you're just like, pause.

Like, I'm going to call it right now.

Me and Scott and Melissa used to do it.

Oh, yeah.

Like, I'm calling it.

This is what's happening.

And I'm like, because you just want to be the one that was right.

That is true.

But, yeah, it is really fun.

One of the other things that's, like, funny.

So Simon isn't a book reader, and he'll sometimes when he knows, like, he can see that I can't put a book down because once I actually get into a book, like, I literally will get grumpy if I have to do something else other than reading my book.

And so if I put it down, he'll pick it up and he'll flip to the last chapter, last page, and he'll read.

Not out loud.

No, he reads it to himself.

He does.

He reads the ending of what happens, the conclusion of my books a lot of times.

And so that way he can be like, so what do you think is gonna happen?

And then like, oh, my gosh, I'd be so annoyed.

But it's because I would always say, man, I love all these books.

And, like, they're so fun, but I have no one to talk to about them because no one's like, that's really sweet.

Is reading them with me.

Yeah.

And so his way of trying to give me a way to talk.

Talk about.

That's actually really sweet.

It is.

It is.

And he.

He never tells me the ending, even if I'm like, this is what happens.

Okay, tell me.

No, don't tell me.

No, don't.

Just tell me.

Tell me.

Yeah.

Am I right?

Am I wrong?

Yeah.

And then he'll like, you know, he won't give me.

Give it away.

And he has lied before.

He has lied before just so that.

You could kind of keep the thrill.

Yes.

One of them.

I was like, oh, I really.

I don't know who the killer is.

Like, it could be this, it could be that.

I mean, like, one person is dead.

And he was like, actually, two people are dead.

And I was like, two people get killed.

Oh, I can't figure out the other.

He was lying.

There was no second person.

He was like, I just wanted you to feel, like, really intense, like there was still something you were missing.

Oh, thanks.

And then you're kind of, like, let down.

You're at the last page, literally.

I finished the book and I was like, two people died.

Who am I missing?

And I'm like, going through the book, and I was like, you said Two people died.

What did I miss?

And he goes, oh, I made that up.

Thanks.

I thought I went crazy and I missed something, but.

Yeah, that's funny.

Let me do talk about my favorite author.

Oh, yeah, that's right.

Because there's actually a really funny story right now.

I am hooked on someone.

Monica.

Aria.

I don't know how to say her last name.

How's that spelled?

Do you remember?

A R, Y, A.

Okay.

I follow her on Instagram right now, and, like, I'm literally obsessed with her.

Her books.

There is no.

No, no way that I think anyone can ever guess the ending.

It's a challenge.

It is a.

It's a challenge.

Yeah.

I'm gonna do it.

Someone pick.

Yeah.

Pick one of her books.

And I can suggest, you know, at least two of us.

Just two.

Right now.

Right now.

Well.

Or the favorite girl.

And don't believe him.

Which one's better?

Which is your favorite?

Oh, they are different.

I.

The favorite girl was very intriguing and very hooking.

But I will say the writing of.

Don't trust him.

Don't believe him.

Don't believe him.

It does have that I've never read in a book before where it's like, oh, this is what happening?

Just kidding.

No, this is.

It actually happened.

Just kidding.

It's like in a movie where they show you something and then you're like, oh, that was just imaginary.

Like.

Yeah, but you can never.

It's like, there's several points where you can't tell, okay, which one's real?

Like, which one is the, like, imagination.

Oh, I might have to try that.

Yeah.

And so.

Yeah, and it's really funny.

Like, it really gets you.

And to where you're like, okay, wait, let me track this.

What is really happening?

So the author, like, the books were so good that I, like, looked her up and I started following her on Instagram.

And every time one of her videos pops up where she talks about, like, one of her books or, like, just does a reel of some sort, I immediately go, oh, what is Hannah doing?

My sister.

She's not.

She's also watching it.

No, but.

No, I think she looks like my sister.

That's.

Oh, I see.

I see that.

So every time she pops up, you're.

Like, oh, let me look.

See?

Yeah.

And then I go, oh, just kidding.

That's.

That's Monica.

Interesting.

So I screenshotted it or I sent Hannah the link or whatever to.

To Monica's page, and I was like, every time I see her, like, I think it's you until I Realize.

And so my sister pulls it up, and she goes, she looks nothing like me.

And I'm like, you're blind.

And so see her.

I'll show you.

Her boyfriend is in the car as we're going back and forth of.

She does look just like you.

Like, how do you not see it?

Oh, really?

And she shows.

Yeah, she shows her boyfriend, and he goes, hannah, same nose, same eyebrows.

When you do your eyebrows, same colored hair.

Like, oh, she looks like Hannah.

I'm not kidding.

Hannah.

And so it's the shape of the face and the cute little dim.

It's literally when she does her makeup.

Yes.

No, I can't make my lips cute like yours.

And her head is always tilted like how Hannah does it in photos.

Hannah, you're adorable.

And yeah.

Yeah, you guys look like each other.

And I will pop up a picture of Hannah right there for you.

And so.

Yes.

So Hannah's like, no, I don't.

No, I don't.

And her boyfriend's like, yeah, I'm in agreement.

Like, you guys look pretty damn close.

And so I was like, you know what?

I'm gonna prove this.

And so I took.

I screenshotted and took one of the photos of Monica and sent it to mom so you could tell that it was, like, an Instagram, like, post.

And I sent it to mom.

I was like, where did Hannah.

Did Hannah get a new laptop?

And Hannah was like, mom's gonna know.

And so I'm like, literally cackling.

So I'm like, I'm gonna be right.

Yeah.

And so my mom responds, and she goes, I don't know, but that's not Hannah.

And I was like, dang, can we try that again?

And give me a better response.

And so then she calls me, and she's cracking up.

She goes, what are you talking about?

And I was like, no.

Like, you were supposed to think that that was Hannah because they look so much alike.

And then you're supposed to, you know, prove to me that she looks very similar.

We should send a picture of Hannah to Monica.

We should try to get Monica on here.

I would love to.

I actually.

I keep sending her messages and commenting on her stuff of, like, can we record?

Can we record?

You did.

Yeah, I keep trying, and she's not.

She's not taking the bites, but maybe she will now.

Like, I'm literally obsessed.

Yeah.

I haven't tried tagging her in a photo of Hannah.

Shout out Monica.

Ra.

Aria.

All right, Ariah.

I don't know how you say your last name.

Well, maybe she Needs to tell us.

Okay, so you wanted to move on to the other normal one or the not normal one?

I want to hear about the not normal one.

I'm really interested in how.

Because this is some.

Okay, I'm going to say it.

Can I say it?

Yeah.

Pen pals.

So, like, that's something that I did in third grade.

Like, we literally.

Our teacher had us.

I don't know if it was like another school across the country or what, how they did it, but we each had like a pen pal.

Now that you say that, I think I do remember something like that in school where.

Yeah, I think it was another school.

And they were like.

They had.

I think we were learning cursive and we had to write a letter to our pen pal at another school.

Incursive as a way to practice and learn about an old style thing.

Yeah.

So that's funny.

I actually forgot about that.

Yeah.

I think it's really cool because nobody sits down and puts pen to paper that much anymore.

Yeah.

And that's how you do it, right?

Yeah.

Yeah, I have one, so.

Oh, gosh.

I actually don't.

I can't think off the top of my head how many I have.

There's like a handful that is a consistent back and forth.

And then of course there's like several were like an intro letter, if you want to call it like, will get sent and then like no return from them.

Yeah.

There are pen pal collectors where, like they just want to just say they.

Have this many people written them.

Yeah.

Or like, I want a pen pal from all 50 states.

You know, that was a thing.

It's.

It is like.

It's a round thing.

Girl, I want to have sex in all 50 states.

Okay.

A little.

That's a RA thing.

I wouldn't say pen pals are a RAL thing.

No, I just mean these women get catty is what I meant.

I'm really sexy because I have more.

Oh, I see.

It's more just caddy.

Yes.

Yes.

Okay, okay, okay.

I'm so sorry.

Okay.

I can't take you seriously.

No, yeah, no, people on this.

On this site are really catty.

Wait, so it's the site or like a Facebook group or.

It's a Facebook group.

Okay.

And that's a pretty funny story.

It's actually a shitty funny story on how I found that and how it got started.

Why was it during.

I thought it had to do with the seizures.

So we started the podcast essentially because I was having seizures and needed something.

Right.

Sure.

Yeah.

We were looking for Guests.

Yeah.

And so I was on this guest Facebook group, like, where you can find someone.

And I was really, really, really excited because there was an author that was posting about winning awards and.

Okay, yes.

And I was so excited.

And so I invited her to record with us before, like, actually getting to look into her and read her books and stuff.

And so she said yes.

And I immediately ordered her book that's won all these awards.

And dude, I can't get past, like, chapter three because it's awful.

This is what.

And if Sam says that's awful, it's so bad.

I.

Because you try to find good in things too.

I'm.

Well, I wouldn't say that I do, but I was trying so hard to get past it.

It was self published and clearly did not have anyone.

Like, I don't even know if she proofread it.

Read it.

There's so many misspellings.

Misused words like improper punctuation in the storyline as itself is so.

Oh, I don't remember.

I just remember you telling me the story and I was like, that's a weird there.

So I guess I will say.

So the name of the book was the Pen Pal.

Oh, okay.

That's right.

So I'm reading this book that's called the Pen Pal, which there are several books called the Pen Pal.

So I'll let you.

I know.

I was scared for a second.

I will let y'all figure out what I'm talking about if you so choose to.

And any publicity is good publicity.

You're welcome.

You're right.

That's right.

And this is just my opinion.

Maybe some people can get past it, but the storyline is so.

It's like this, like, military wife that's stuck at home and is needing some connection because, like, the husband's on deployment and so she finds this pen pal off of a Facebook group.

They start talking and then, like, really fast, the pen pal mysteriously disappears.

And she's like, immediately like, oh, my pen pal of two weeks has disappeared.

I'm flying to another country and I'm going to save her.

And the whole interaction, like, nothing just didn't make sense.

It makes no sense.

Yeah.

No sense at all.

And so I don't know.

Yeah.

Between all the mistakes and like, the storyline making literal, there's no way, like, a single line of it, like, could potentially have happened.

Like, I just couldn't.

And so I felt I did not finish the book.

I literally think I got to, like, chapter three and I told Simon I was like, I can't.

And I Stopped reading it.

And I learned from that experience that just.

I sh.

We should not invite anyone.

And that's when we actually.

Anyone.

Just anyone.

And that's when we started the pre interviewing process.

Pre recording interview process because of that.

And that was so embarrassing.

And I didn't want to be put in that spot again right where I had it had a chance to interact with them physically and, like, read into their work.

The book's called the Pen Pal.

She found her pin Paul off of a Facebook group.

And I was like, is that even a thing?

And so I'm on Facebook.

I didn't know it was a thing.

I didn't know either.

So I'm on Facebook and I type in pen pal in groups.

And sure enough, there's like, pages of pinpoint groups.

And so I picked one that said, like, women's only or whatever.

Like, so it's like a ladies only.

Sent in a request to be in that group.

I got obviously accepted.

Was in the group reading through it.

I'm like, there's a lot of people and they do this.

And so I just, like, kept watching for a while.

And then eventually I was like, maybe I should try.

Yeah, we'll see how this goes.

I don't know how it works.

And it's, like, really intimidating because I don't think.

Another thing that maybe some people don't realize is that people pen pal differently.

There's like the extreme intense, and then there's just like, the piece of paper writing that's back and forth.

What's the intent?

When I say intent, what do you mean?

One of mine lives in Australia, which I was not specifically looking for out of the country.

This is just one that, like, happened because we had similarities.

When she writes, she makes this whole presentation that is like a smaller, like, you know, those presentation boards.

Trifold, like a diorama thing.

I don't really know what a diorama is, but it's like one of those poster boards.

But the trifold, it'll be covered in this beautiful cloth of just, like, collected papers.

And like, the people do.

Who do extreme journaling.

Yes.

And there's actually people that do what they call junk journaling.

I tried that for really.

I thought I was gonna.

I didn't actually get into it, but.

Okay.

Junk journal.

Okay.

Me and my friend Amanda did, but.

Okay.

Okay, I got questions.

So in this extreme, like, there will actually be pockets that she'll create.

And then, like, oh, in this pocket, it'll be labeled a recipe, and she'll send me a New recipe.

That is the cutest thing ever.

It's cute, but.

Oh, I love it.

But then you feel like you have to.

Yes.

There'll be, like, another pocket of stickers I thought you might like, and there's, you know, stickers in it.

And then there's, like, there'll be an envelope, a second envelope in this, like, little presentation thing.

And that's the letter.

And sometimes I have to, like, unravel it.

It's really cute.

Oh, my God, it's adorable.

I will pull out one of them and open it so that you guys can see.

Oh, I'm.

That's actually really cool.

It is.

It's intimidating, though, because I was like, oh, okay.

All right, I can do that.

I'll do it.

And then I'll put off writing her back for, like, two months and keep saying, oh, I'll have time to do something that creative.

I'll have time.

I don't have time for that, nor am I that creative.

I just can't.

I can't do that.

Right?

And so finally, like, I just wrote her back, and I was like, I love this, and I'm just gonna be honest.

It's not gonna happen for me.

I just can't.

So I felt really bad.

And she was like, oh, no, it's fine.

And she's like, but I'm.

I can still send you cute things, right?

And I was like, yes.

Oh, you can still be you.

I gotta be me.

And so, yeah, there's extreme.

And you'll see people posting of like, oh, this is how extreme my letters are.

And I expect someone just as creative and not in these words, you know?

But, yeah, that's what they're looking for.

And I'm like, y'all are fucking crazy.

He's got time for that, but all power to you.

And then I do have one.

There's some people who are like, if your letters are typed, you're a pastor.

What is it?

Imposter.

Imposter.

Because pen palling is pen and paper writing.

And isn't it about getting to know someone and, like, sharing experiences and giving support and.

And just mailing?

But the process of not knowing when you're getting positive mail and.

Yeah, yeah, getting positivity and.

And, yes, that's.

That's another thing is, like, people are like, I sent my pen pal a Facebook message saying, my letter is on the way, and they can't respond and tell me when my letters are on the way.

And it's like, it's.

Then you have people, like, pressure that's not how pen palling works.

Like, the point is, it's snail mail.

Like, yeah, you don't know.

It's a surprise.

And that's what some people feed off of.

Yeah.

And one of my pen pals, she collects, if I remember correctly, old typewriters and fixes them.

Whoa.

And so she was really excited that she had gotten this new typewriter to work.

New, as in, like, she just refurnished it, got it to working.

And so she typed one of her letters off of this typewriter, and she goes, hey, let me know if this isn't okay.

I was just really excited to use it.

And I was like, dude, I literally just got energy from this.

That is so, like, in my brain as I'm reading it, I could, like, see the ding.

And I was literally, like, no, please only write to me on a time.

That is so cool.

Yes.

I actually, like, got.

Because it's also, like, just incorporating another hobby, another part of her into it.

And actually, she's in a lifestyle that I won't get into that also aligns with something, and so it's someone that I can bounce off of.

The only person that I have to bounce off of, like, situations.

Right.

And so that's actually really cool, too.

Very cool.

So sorry.

That was a lot of talking.

No, it was all fascinating.

I want to know, like, who was your first pen pal?

Like, how was your very first.

Like, I think, or maybe, like, your first letter that went out too?

Like, I want to say my first one is my most consistent one.

I mean, I can't even keep track at this point.

And I.

I save all of them.

But, I mean, her stack of letters sent to me is, like, probably, like, this thick.

Wow.

Because we are so consistent, and, like, maybe it'll be, like, one to two a month.

Do you feel close to her?

I know.

I, I.

It's hard to say, like, what?

Yeah.

Because, like, it's not like, we're physically close.

And, like, I can say, like, oh, we're close.

We talk about things, but, like, we're also physically close.

Yeah.

I do know her personal deep dark.

That's what happens.

I feel like you would be more willing to.

Yeah.

Yes.

And that is a beauty.

With, like, the pen palling is like, yeah, you don't actually know the person, so you could tell them you murdered someone and hid the body, and, like, what are you gonna do about it?

Like, I could be using a P.O.

box.

Like, you won't know where I am.

A lot of what she says and stuff.

Is it's like, I'm talking to Courtney.

That's pretty cool.

Yeah.

So I guess maybe that's why we.

Interesting.

So, like, okay, now I have more questions because I'm thinking about, like, certain things coming to us.

Like, we put out energy, and then, like, it brings back, like, the universe gives back to us.

Yeah.

And it's like, okay, did you go through, like, a lot of pen pals to find this one girl that.

And then it turns out you kind of, like, have a lot in common or just kind of.

Did it happen for you?

What the women will do in this group is a lot of times they'll post this about me thing, and they'll be like, this is my hobbies.

This is what I do for work.

This is what I'm really most passionate about.

I'm religious.

I'm not religious, you know.

Right.

Just, like, keynotes that might.

Someone might be like, you're not religious.

Like, Right.

I don't want to talk to you because I'm just.

I want to talk.

There's people who just want to talk scriptures.

Sure.

And, like, you know, fine.

Cool is what it is.

But you'll post a little bit about you.

Okay.

And so most people will pick their pen pals out of, like, oh, we have a lot in comm.

Like, let's.

Oh, that makes sense.

Actually, when I.

I think when her and I started pimping, though, like, I didn't comment on anyone, and I wasn't participating because I was so overwhelmed by everyone sharing these, like, big, elaborate things.

And like, oh, I'm looking specifically for this.

It and felt very judgmental, and I feel like it shouldn't be judgmental.

So I made a post and I was like, hey, I don't know if this is a thing, but let's.

Blind pen pal.

Let me know if you're interested.

Like, I don't want to know anything about you.

Oh, I like that.

Because I was like, I.

This is so.

How.

How could.

How do these people write?

Like, oh, I don't want to talk to you if you're not religious.

Or, like.

Right.

I'm with you on that.

And it's just so.

Yeah.

Like, I didn't want to be that picky because I feel like the whole point also is you're not having to have personal confrontation.

Not that you're writing confrontationally.

Right.

But, like, it's safe to have a different opinion because there's not someone, like, yelling at you in worst case scenario, they're just not gonna respond.

Right.

Or you Know, say, die, bitch, and then you don't respond.

Bye.

Die, bitch.

Do you ever.

Do you ever send, like, little treats or something from, like, our.

Okay.

I noticed that the majority of them always send at least one sticker, like, unused sticker in their letters.

And I always thought, like, that's weird.

What am I gonna do with this?

And so I kept, like, holding on to them, but I was like, what do I do with stickers?

You keep, like, sending me stickers.

Yeah.

And now I'm obsessed.

And, like, I have this jar of stickers that people have sent to me, and now stickers.

You saw me in D.C.

now anytime I go anywhere, I'm collecting, like, stashes of stickers.

I also collect stickers, but I didn't realize you were collecting them because of that.

That's so cool.

I'll, like, grab anywhere I go.

Like, a whole stack of stickers that I thought were cool.

And you're sharing them?

Yes, specifically with, like, oh, this one would love this sticker.

Like, this one needs this sticker.

And, like, that is so thoughtful.

I love that.

I didn't know that.

I guess that's because we were, like.

Digging through all the stickers together.

But I just thought that you were, like, me being selfish and just wanted them for you.

Because I was selfish.

No.

Now I'm, like, sticker crazed, and I'm like, oh, this person would love this.

That's so cute.

It's just, like, a little.

Little way to think of somebody else and let them know you thought of them.

Yeah.

So I was really confused at first and thought it was really weird that people kept sending me stickers.

And now I'm like, this little sticker whore.

Like, I don't know.

So cute.

And you'll see people post in the group of, like, my pen pal keeps sending me stickers.

What am I supposed to do with this?

Or, what do you do with this?

And then I learned that a lot of people will actually use stickers.

The envelope sent stickers, like, anything, parts of the letter.

Maybe they chop them up and, like, use them.

And they make these junk journals.

And so these junk journals are literally just their favorite parts of maybe a sticker on the outside of the envelope that someone stuck, and they'll cut it out and, like, glue this onto the page with, like, some, like, decorate with the stickers that they sent.

Or maybe the envelope was beautiful or the letter, like, itself, like, was beautiful, and they'll, like, put it in this journal, and they call it a junk journal.

That's how I Used to journal in Japan.

So, like, we would have to.

We.

One of the rules, like, when you're.

And when you say Amanda, is this the Amanda we talked about?

Or is this someone that we talked about today?

Or is this someone.

Wait, when did I say Amanda?

I already forgot.

Oh, when we.

We briefly brought up junk journaling, you said.

Oh.

Oh, yeah.

No, it's different.

Oh, okay.

Okay.

So tell me about the Japanese.

Okay, sorry.

Yeah, you're right.

You're right.

Oh, I'll say that.

So you've done it, like, two different ways.

Yeah, yeah.

So in Japan, when we.

What?

1.

When we lived there, like, one of the things, like, you just.

Just write letters to your family.

You're not allowed to call them and friends.

You're not.

No, they changed the rules, but when I was a missionary for the church.

Oh.

Because, like, the morning Churchillary, like, rule was you couldn't call your.

Oh, no.

Like, calling.

You couldn't have, like.

Yeah.

Like, no contact with home.

That's a cult.

I know, but not anymore.

They did.

They changed the rule.

Oh, my God.

Now I just say you're in a culture or were in a cult.

I told you I was.

You did.

I guess I just.

Oh, my God.

Okay, okay, continue.

So they.

I sell you from your family.

No, wait, wait.

Now I feel like I have to, like, also for our Mormon listeners.

Oh, you're fine.

You're safe.

It's all good.

Okay, we're good.

In Japan, they have the best stationery stores ever.

Oh, it's, like, so hard to find stationary stores.

Oh, my gosh, they're so amazing.

They have amazing pens.

They have super cute paper.

They have amazing stickers.

Is it because they origami?

I.

Maybe that's a part of it.

Okay.

Yeah, yeah, we.

Yeah, there's a lot of cute origami paper and stuff, but I don't know.

They're just cute.

Everything they do is better.

But anyway, yeah, that was, like, a big thing is making sure all the letters were really cute.

But any letters that I would get.

If somebody sent me a letter that had, like, something cute in it, I would cut it out and paste it into the journal and, like.

Yeah, yeah, we would do, like.

We had a lot of, like, journaling like that.

So was this, like, essential?

Was.

Would you keep the whole letter or would it just be, like, a part that you liked and cut out?

It depends.

Like, if I saw something that I just thought was pretty, I would, like, cut that out and then decorate my page with it and maybe talk about, like, Where I got it from or whatever.

To yourself, like writing yourself.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

So this was maybe more of like a diary used as a diary, but, like, incorporated with reminders.

Sometimes the letters, whole letters would be in it, but sometimes just little pieces.

There was this.

Okay.

And there was this other thing.

Oh, I'm just remembering things.

There was another thing we did in Japan because you're missionaries and you're traveling, they.

They don't let you.

You don't stay in one.

It's like, I want to say it was six weeks in one space and then six weeks in another.

Maybe it's longer.

I can't remember.

Okay.

But they transfer you around a lot, so you don't, like, get comfortable, I guess, anywhere.

I don't know.

Okay, but who wants to be comfortable, right?

I don't know.

But one of the things is, like, when you're there, you, like, start bonding and you become friends with the missionaries that are serving in the same area as you.

So we have these things called friend books.

And so anyone who, in that area that you, like, care now, it's kind of like joy is kind of like signing someone's yearbook.

Okay.

They.

You would say, I would want you to.

Felt like a page in my friend book.

So, for instance, Brett, my now husband, he was a missionary in Japan there, too.

And he.

One of the things that happened is the.

The.

The companion that I was with had gotten in a car accident.

And so she was.

I had to push her around everywhere in a wheelchair.

Oh, no.

Because of that, we were not.

Me and her, Aoki Shamay, were not able to go on this one hike that we were so excited to go on, and we couldn't go see these waterfalls.

So Brett, like, had a black and white picture of this waterfall, and he pasted it in my journal.

And then when you lift it up, it was like a color picture of the waterfall.

And he had cut a picture of me and Aoki Shimai with her.

Me pushing her in the wheelchair, and pasted it onto us, like, at the waterfall.

That is adorable.

I know.

And so really cute.

Like.

So this is your journal?

It was my friend book.

And he said, hey, can you put a page in my book and let him take it?

You.

You take.

They take the book.

Yes, exactly.

And so, like, he wrote a few pages of stuff.

And then one of the things was, I know you really wanted to see the waterfalls, and you couldn't be there, but now you can.

So, like, it was just really creative and cute things like that.

And.

But, yeah, you give them the book, and then they, like, decorate it up, and it's not like, in their face.

Like, do something really fast.

Okay.

No.

Okay.

Yeah.

And sometimes they would have to send their.

Your book back to you.

Oh.

Because they accidentally kept it too long or something.

Yeah, but, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

So that kind of into junk journaling.

So then later in Texas, my friend Amanda and you guys met her ex husband, Brad.

He was our musical therapist.

Oh, okay.

So this is Amanda.

Yes, this is my friend Amanda.

And I shout out, hey, Amanda.

But her and I got in this phase where we thought we were going to be, like, major.

Like, what we call.

What was it called back then?

It was like, shoot, Amanda, you'll have to remind us.

But it was like craft journaling or something.

It was like.

Okay.

Or like, extreme journaling.

I think it was literally called extreme journal.

I haven't heard of that.

And it's like scrapbooking, but it's like, just a journal, and you're just like, stickers galore and cutting things out.

And if you see a picture of something that you think is pretty, you're gonna stick it in there.

Okay.

So, like, your journal is just kind of like this book full of stuff that you light.

I wonder if this is what vision boards come from.

Well, yeah, maybe not from that, but.

Yeah, that's another form of.

I would say, kind of like that, too, actually.

Okay.

Yeah, for sure.

And then did you guys, like, send them back and forth to show each other or you guys.

No, we lived in the same town as each other, so we spend tons of money.

We all, like.

We went and got.

We all.

It was her and me, but we went and bought, like, journals.

We bought, like, these, like, cool markers, and we.

We had all the things, stickers.

And then, like, I didn't really keep up with it.

Yeah, I think she did.

She probably did it for, like, a year.

She's really good at, like.

I mean, I.

I did the same thing with baby books.

You have a baby and you get a baby book.

So Logan has, like, an actual, like, baby book, like, where it gives you prompts and, like, where to put things.

And Amelia, when she was born, I was like, well, I'm gonna make my own scrapbook.

And so I bought this scrapbook, all the paper, all these stickers, and let me just tell you, I made the first page with her name on it.

Yeah, it was kind of like me, Sam.

I literally spent, like, probably $200 to make this scrapbook and just to write her name in a book.

So Once.

Yeah, that's.

That's very much like me.

I spent a lot of money on.

Extreme journaling that I didn't do.

Oh, man.

That's the thing with getting into, like, a new hobby.

Like, it's like, sometimes we're not realistic on, like, what are we actually gonna do?

It's true.

And it's just like, this girl that sends me those extravagant and beautiful letters.

Like, I wasn't responding, so I was like, oh, I'll do that, too.

Yeah, I'll do that, too.

And then I'm like, I'm not gonna do it.

I'm actually really proud of you for saying that, because that's where I get in trouble, is like, I think I'm gonna do things.

And so I say yes to everything.

We've talked about this.

I mean, right?

I tried.

I didn't write her for, like, two months because I was.

But then you realize, and you're like, no, let's just be real.

Who am I?

This isn't gonna happen.

I'm not ignoring you, but this isn't gonna happen.

Yeah.

So.

Okay.

Okay.

Pen palling.

Yeah.

Oh, and then there was a lady who was looking for a pen pal.

I did not start pen palling this lady personally, but she had talked about having a daughter that's, like, the same age as Amelia, and that was, like, in her bio.

And I was like, amelia has been, like, jealous, jealous of my pen palling and has thought it's so cool, and she wants one.

And so I had arranged with that mom, like, hey, are you okay?

Like, would you.

Is it okay, like, for the girls to pen pal?

Like, would your daughter like that?

And she was like, she would love.

That is awesome.

And so Amelia ended up getting a pen pal and was writing back.

Is she still writing her?

She has gotten distracted, but they did back and forth, and she was always really excited and would draw pictures to each other.

Yeah, it was really cute.

So Emelia loves drawing pictures, too.

Yeah, she does.

She does.

She drew me pictures.

What?

Yes.

There.

When we took them on the cruise, Amelia brought a little journal to draw pictures on.

That is adorable.

Oh, my God.

I.

You.

I hope I still have them to show you.

So, like, she'd be.

She'd be like, what should I draw?

And we were like, I don't know.

On the way to the.

And so Logan was on our nerves because he was always like, are we there yet?

Can we eat yet?

Like, when are we gonna get to eat?

And so Amelia would draw a picture of Logan, and it would be this, like, outrageous photo.

Like an ogre.

Yes, like an ogre.

Mouth open.

And then it would have this, like, thing in the mouth, and then she'd put, like, a bubble to it and be like, that's me.

Logan's so hungry.

Logan's so hungry, he ate a million.

And so Amelia.

And I was like.

She was coming up, back to.

Back to back.

Just hilarious.

She's so funny.

She's so cute and funny.

She.

She's funny.

I love her funny.

Okay, so cool.

All right.

You have one last hobby.

And I guess you could say it's like, well, not one last.

I know you have other things you do, too, but that we were going to talk about.

This one's more normal, I guess.

Yeah.

But I'm excited to talk to you about this one, too.

Yeah.

And this won't be, like, as long.

But who knows with us?

So one of the other things that I thought that I would dabble in and thought that I, you know, it's something that I could do on my own when I was being babysat, as I call it, like, due to the seizures and stuff, is I don't need someone to babysit me while I plant plants.

So I was like, oh, I'm gonna garden.

And I planted some plants, and, like, they all died outside.

So I was like, oh, this is stupid.

And then we moved, and one of Simon's friends, it's actually.

It's actually his ex girlfriend before me, like, her mom.

Oh, I love her.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You met her.

And she.

Luann, she made the artwork for that we.

That Marcia got for the charity event.

She's.

She's really cool.

She's really awesome.

And so her and I started talking.

She is the plant woman.

Like, okay.

Her yard is, like, decorated with all these different types of plants in, like, very strategic ways.

Her house is like, oh, I do remember that.

At her.

Yes, I remember.

Okay.

Yeah.

So.

But she didn't.

We didn't, like, talk about it, but, like, now that you're saying it, I'm like, oh, yeah, she did have a nice yard.

And she did have plants everywhere.

Yeah.

And so when we moved to this house, we invited her over for dinner.

And I don't remember how it transpired, but it ended up, we're going to the nursery.

And so we made Simon take us to the nursery that was nearby, and we ended up coming home with, like, a bunch of plants.

And so she helped me plant all the plants that are out front and get me started on that.

And they, like, look so pretty.

And I was like, well, I feel like it could be more pretty.

And so now outside I have, like, all these different flowers and.

And I actually have, like, a new favorite flower right now.

Like, I.

It was always sunflowers, but I realized that sunflowers were, like, always my favorite because, like, I felt like it was like this happy thing that you see.

But I realized now that, like, I love my plants and I name them and, like, pet them and tell them, sweet plant, keep growing.

I always say that to Jacob, too.

I'm like, you have to sing to it and be nice.

Yes.

I.

Well, I.

There's some of them that I pet.

And yeah, I'm like, thank you for being so beautiful and providing my air with clean air.

It's so stupid.

No, it's not.

It's literal gratitude.

It's beautiful.

But I realized that one of the flowers that for a long, long time, every time I saw it, it would give me, like, this boost of, like, hope.

Like, oh, this means something good is coming.

Is the daffodil.

Oh, that's a really pretty flower.

Yeah.

I've always thought it was, like, kind of a weird looking flower, but I realized that every time something was, like, really messed up in my life, like when Courtney and I were looking for a place to live together and we couldn't find anyone to rent to us, that house had a singular daffodil in the yard.

And I remember that stood out to me.

And then I realized every time I drive around and like, amen.

A mood or something, like, a daffodil would always, like, show up somewhere.

Oh, wow.

And so Luann gave me, like, a crap ton of daffodils because I'm always saying, I'm gonna get daffodils one day, I'm gonna do it.

And then I forget.

Awesome.

Are they bulbs?

They're.

Or do they have seeds?

They're bulbs.

Okay.

So I need to get those in the ground.

And then I just loved looking at the indoor or the outdoor plants so much, and I started seeing that there were indoor plants that they're like, purpose is basically act as an air purifier.

Okay.

And I was like, well, we have a lot of dogs and shit in the house, so let's get an air purifying.

Like, would you get.

So my intention was to get a snake plant.

We like snake plants at our house too.