I spent all of yesterday believing it was Wednesday. The whole day. It wasn’t until dinner when one of the kids said, “Isn’t Thursday supposed to be Make It Your Damned Self night?” that I realized I was on the wrong day. (That’s what we call it when you’re on your own and eating leftovers, by the way.)

To be fair, the kids were off school for Yom Kippur, which really threw me. Plus, Todd and I had gone to see Dua Lipa on Tuesday night. Let’s just say there’s a direct correlation between how much fun I had at the concert and how old my knees felt the next morning. Thank God my liver still thinks it’s 1999.

Also, if you follow me on social media and you've noticed an uptick in my video content, you're not imagining it. I'm teaching myself video editing and digital storytelling using the Edits app, and using my daily life as the storylines, including glamorous things like spraying for bugs. I'm finally at a point where it feels more fun than frustrating! Take a look at my recent Instagram posts @thecooperkoch and let me know what you think!

HIT PLAY

The Life of a Showgirl

Here’s the upside of my little scheduling snafu: Taylor Swift dropped a new album, The Life of a Showgirl, last night, and now I get to talk about it while it’s fresh. I’ve listened four times, cried four times during Ruin The Friendship. And I love that she worked with George Michael's estate to use his iconic Father Figure track. I’m not even someone you’d call a Swiftie, but maybe I'm gently converting. (Listen on Apple Music and Spotify.)

ADD TO CART

Plant Kink with Martha

I’m currently deep into Martha Stewart’s Gardening Handbook, which I bought fully aware it was going to confirm Mason’s long-held suspicion/accusation that his dad has a “plant kink.” He’s not wrong. The book is actually stunning and is increasingly motivating me to look at our backyard like it’s a blank canvas. I'm not sure Todd knows what's in store. Here's the book on big sale at Amazon, if you want to join me.​

GET MOVING!

Build Your Own Burn

I came across this nifty interactive app on the NYTimes website for creating a simple four-step HIIT workout with exercises you choose. It’s surprisingly fun to play with and also surprising how few exercises it takes to make a difference. My chosen workout takes just 12 minutes and involves only jumping jacks, squats, push-ups and the Russian Twist. I’m sore just typing that. (That link is a gift from my subscription and should get you past the paywall.)

SH!T COOPER SAYS

"Most people don't have their current jobs simply because all the rocket scientist positions were already taken."

- Cooper

It sounds bitchy, but it’s really not (totally) meant that way. It’s more about managing expectations to preserve my own sanity when dealing with someone whose role may not actually require great feats of brainpower or problem-solving...with a "bless her heart" twist. :)

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That's it for this week! If you ever want to refer back to previous editions of Cooped Up, you can always find them at cooperkoch.com. And thank you for helping spread the word about my newsletter! See you next Thursday!

In the meantime, always remember...

YOU ARE LOVED!