POST GRAD LIFE

this episode we're catching up on everything that's been happening lately! from doctor appointments and surviving on basically no sleep to realizing post-grad life somehow means every single weekend is booked.

i also chat about selling clothes online, starting Hotworx, the Love Island finale, spending a friday night at a country concert with friends, and the adventure of driving to kansas city for a couch... that almost flew away on the interstate before we even made it home. and, am i blake sheltons biggest fan? 

grab a coffee or a fun drink while you listen! 🤍

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:09

Hello everyone. Welcome back to Long Story Longer. It's Macy. What's up? I'm in bed in my PJs. Just finished a movie and I'm ready to chat. I just finished the voicemails from Isabelle, uh, Netflix movie. It's like number one on Netflix right now. And my mom told me to watch it. It was so cute. Like, I love a Netflix movie like that. Like, that on Netflix gets a love rating from me. Um, and next I want to watch Office Romance. Um, it's like another, it's with JLo and um Brett Goldstein, the guy who plays Roy Kent on Ted Lasso. And I want to watch that one too. It's another like probably like cheesy Netflix movie, but those are like the best. So um, yeah. It was cute, and um I feel like that what what? I feel like I can actually watch things now, like other things than now that Love Island's over. And it's quite amazing. Um, I will talk about Love Island at some point in this episode because the finale was two nights ago, and I haven't even talked about it at all. Um, because I last podcast was my Europe one and I didn't have time to talk about anything else. So yeah, now I feel like I have my nights back, which don't get me wrong, I loved watching Love Island, okay? It's I have so many thoughts, but um it's nice to have like my nights back so I can do other things other than just sit in front of the TV um and watch it. So let's do a little check-in with me, okay? Does anyone care? Um so I'm officially over a month into my job. If you don't know, I'm working in um doing marketing and sales for Midland Co. Shrimp, which is a um company based here out of Ames. Um, and it's super fun. I won't get into all of it. I've done that in the past episodes, but anyway, doing my full-time job for a company that raises shrimp here in Iowa, very sustainable, um, very ethical, yada yada. And it's great. Like I really like it. Um, I really like the work I'm doing, and honestly, it is a good mix between marketing and sales. Like obviously they go so hand in hand, but there is for sure a difference. Um, and I never really thought to myself that I liked sales. I just kind of was freaked out by it. I was freaked out of the I like about the idea of I don't know, I guess cold calling, which is like so crazy because sales is not just cold call. Sales like that is like so so so small. Like I'm doing sales every single day, and you don't catch me cold calling. Like, I mean, unless I need to, but it's like not a cold call where you have to like do a pitch, it's just like a conversation with someone. Um, and so as I'm doing like sales stuff, like trying like building relationships with you know grocery stores or farmers or whatever, like that's sales. Like you're I have the goal of like for them to have shrimp, and like the part of sales is just like building the relationship, and it's like so fun. And then marketing, I do all of that too. Like it's that's also just like in my marketing is like what I'm doing is like in my wheelhouse, it's like fun and comfortable, and sales is like pushing me, which is fun. So some days um when I get to like just sit down and make social media posts or make graphics or help people with logos or help them with their website or um make brochures or make merch, like that stuff is like my fun projects um that I love doing. So yeah, it's it's great. Although I think that the lifestyle change is like starting to hit me. Um, so I go into the office five days a week, like, you know, normal or normal what normal used to be. Last summer I worked remote, and so I think I got a little bit spoiled with that. And going into the office, it's great. Like we're a small team, we work really well together. It's it's honestly necessary at this point to be in the office. But it's just like a lot, like every day. Like it doesn't okay, like duh, but like it it's like there's no end, like it's every day. I don't know if I'm even like making sense, but like you know what I mean. Every day I wake up, it's like the same, um, which is what a job is, like duh. I'm just saying, like the lifestyle change is a little different. Um and partially with that is and I'll get into this in a second, but I think sorry, okay. I've recently learned that I don't get good sleep. And I think that that's starting to catch up with me because I've had days where I feel almost delusional. Like I don't know how else to explain it other than I'm like, I feel so physically exhausted and tired that like I can't like I can't even do oh my god, Nate's calling me. Okay, pause. Hi Hey Nate. Um, I'm recording a podcast episode because I thought you were busy. Okay. I talked to Nate for a couple minutes. I didn't need to record all of that, but I feel like he calls me every episode, which we do. Like we don't really well, I say not really, but we talk on the phone like more than we like text. Like we talk on the phone probably like four times a day. Just like check in throughout the day. Well, it's harder now because I am working, but so I guess we text more now, but um anyway. I feel like I'm I was like getting physically exhausted, and like I'll get into this in a sec, but I've always been like a tired person, and what I mean by that is just like I was I'm able to take naps. Like I it was like I would take a nap every day in college, like if I could, I wouldn't actually take one every day, but like if I had the opportunity to, I would. And so a lot of times I would get you know a full eight to ten hours of sleep, I would wake up, I'd feel good for maybe one to two hours, maybe three, and then I'd hit a slump. Um, and I'd be like really tired. Some days it was to the point where I like actually couldn't keep my eyes open. Some days I was just, you know, yawning, like a little bit tired. Um, and I guess I didn't ever think about what it was. What I kind of chalked it up to be was that I don't drink caffeine. So I was like, maybe if I just drink caffeine, then I'll um not be tired. But I was like, I don't want to rely on that. It also makes me anxious. So I just kind of chalked it up to I don't drink caffeine, so I'm gonna be tired. Well, since starting my job where I can't nap, um, and if I can, it's at like 5 p.m. when I get home and I don't let myself do that. I've done it like once, and then I like regretted it because then 10 o'clock came and I was like, okay, I feel weird now. So all that to say, I feel like it's been hitting me where I don't get good sleep and then I can't sleep throughout the day, and I'm genuinely never getting good sleep, and it's starting to like drain me. Where I can't explain how I was feeling, but it was very weird, like like delusional. Yeah, like I said, like delusional, kind of, right? I I I don't know how to explain it, but so after talking to Nate, I was like, we kind of both came to the conclusion where I was like, okay, I feel like I need to like see a specialist about sleep because I don't think I'm getting good sleep or something is wrong with me. Because like I shouldn't be this tired. And it got to the point where I'm not gonna say when, because I was with someone in the car, but I was driving us, and I like actually was falling asleep. Like I didn't fall asleep, but my eyes were like clo, like they were closing, like multiple times. Like it got to the point where I was like seeing blurry vision because I was so tired. Like it was bad, like very bad, like it was very scary. And I had to like like sit myself up, lean forward into the steering wheel, and like literally like talk myself out of it, be like, you need to wake the F up. Like seriously. Um, and so after that, I was like, that was actually terrifying because I was like, I was trying to be awake. Like I was like, wake up, wake up. And my eyes were just like closing, like I was so tired. And that's really scary when you're driving. So, where when I'm sitting at a desk sometimes all day, I'm like, well, yeah, I'm gonna get a little tired because I'm just sitting here all day. But anyway, so last Tuesday, actually a week ago today, I went and saw a sleep specialist in Des Moines. I went to the Des Moines sleep specialists, and it was good. Um I met with the doctor and kind of told her how it was feeling. I explained everything to her, and she was like, Well, um, obviously we haven't done a test or anything, but I think that you probably have some sort of sleep apnea. Um, she said, I think that you are sleeping a lot, um, you know, eight to ten hours a night, taking naps if you can, but you're never hitting REM because your body won't let you go into REM because if you do, it won't get the oxygen it needs. So your body's like keeping you above REM so that it can control like your oxygen and stuff. And I was like, Okay. And like, how long has this been going on? And she was like, Well, it's hard to say, but like if you've always been a tired person and you've always been able to take naps, like I don't know if you've ever really gotten like full sleep. And I'm like, what? So, and I don't know, I feel like maybe it's gotten worse lately, but it's hard to say because like I said, I've always been able to take naps, and now it's just where I'm not able to, so I feel more tired. So I'm gonna do an at-home sleep test. Um, I should actually be doing that this week sometime, but they have yet to call me and tell me that it's ready. So I'm gonna do an at-home sleep test. Um, I'm gonna see how that comes back. If it comes back that I do have sleep apnea where I'm never hitting REM, um that would explain why I am exhausted all the time. And what I will have to do is probably get a CPAP machine. Which I'm like so scared. Like, do I want an answer to this problem? Yes, absolutely. Do I want a CPAP machine at 22 years old? F to the no. Um, so I like kind of laughed with her and told her that, and she was awesome, and she was like, Yeah, I know, but you know, that might just be like what you have to do. And so then I was like, okay, I am under the impression that like you get sleep apnea when you're like middle-aged and like maybe like overweight. Like, am I like like is there something wrong with me? And she was like, no. She's like, You can get sleep apnea from all these different things. Some most people, or not most, I guess some people do end up having sleep apnea as they get older and as they gain weight, and then they get a machine and whatever. She's like, but you probably have sleep napia because your like airway is smaller than most, or it's even possible that you have like a deviated septum and it's not letting you breathe correctly. Um, it's possible that your tongue is like larger. Because I guess sleep apnea is when your tongue like rolls back into your mouth and like blocks your airway or something like that. She said you could have a like a large tongue where it's like rolling back, and then she's oh, she said, Do you still have your tonsils? And I was like, Yeah. She's like, Okay, it's possible that your tonsils are large or you know, bigger than average, and they're like blocking the airway and whatever. She's like, There's a lot of reasons other than you know, the like common um sleep apnea like patients that you see. It's not just for you know people like that. And I was like, Okay, that makes me feel a bit better. Because I'm like, why is it gonna be me and the overweight 50-year-old men that have sleep sleep apnea machines? Like, no, thank you. Um, but yeah, if it helps me sleep, like whatever. So we talked about some different options, and like I said, I haven't even got my results back yet, so I don't know what it's gonna be, but she said, like, there is um machines where it's not like the full mask covering. I could like just put like a little um connector into my nose and stuff like that. So anyway, so if that comes back negative though, for some reason, then she's like, I'm not just gonna like give up because she's like, your habits are abnormal. Like there is something. So then I would actually go into the center and do a sleep test overnight there with them. And then they would keep me that whole next day, and they would so they'd monitor my overnight sleep. Um, because sometimes the at-home sleep tests don't catch things that they would in the center. And then they would keep me that whole next day and they would give me five opportunities to take a nap. And they would monitor how quickly and if I if I was able to fall asleep and how quickly, and how like long and well I slept during those naps. And what they're testing for there is basically narcolepsy, like if you can fall asleep just on the spot, like whatever. And if that's the case for me, which I don't know if it well, whatever, I won't, I don't know what it is, but if that's the case, then I'd have to go on like a stimulant of some sort, um, to like keep me awake throughout the day. So, which again, I get in my head because I'm like, okay, caffeine is a stimulant too. Do I just need to like drink an energy drink or something?

unknown 15:23

I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 15:24

But the doctor, I told her that, and she's like, no, you don't know. You don't you don't need to like rely on caffeine to keep you awake throughout the day. Um, and if you do have like sleep apnea and stuff, it's something deeper. It's not just like, oh, drink a energy drink or something. So that's that. Um, I Nate joked to me when I told him that if I had to go in and do the um sleep test where they let you nap five times throughout the day, he was like, That sounds like your dream day. Like, yeah. Literally, just being stuck in a room with a bed and I just get to take five naps, like my dream, my literal dream. I should just ask the doctor, can I just come in and do that just for fun? Um, so yeah, updates to come on the sleep thing for me, but so I talked to I don't know if well, they probably won't care. Um, I was talking to Nate's mom, because his Nate's dad has a C Map C PAP machine, and he's only had it for a couple years, and she's like, it completely improved like his quality of life. Like his brain became like sharper, he had more energy to work out, like all these different, he had more energy just in general, he was more present, like all these different things. And I've seen I've like seen that before too when I started looking into sleep apnea. Is once you finally get good sleep, like it really can change your life. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I want that for me. Like, imagine I just get this new burst of motivation. That would be amazing. And like, like, I don't know. I guess I thought being this tired was normal. Like, is it not normal to wake up and your first thought right when you wake up is like, oh, when can I take a nap today? Because genuinely that's me every day. Like, I'll wake up at 7 a.m. and I'm like, oh my god, I'm so tired. Like, when I get home at five o'clock, I'm taking a nap. And if I'm like in the office at two o'clock, whatever, I'm like trying to keep myself awake. Not every day, like I said, some days it's different, but I don't know. I guess I thought that was normal, and it was it actually was very validating to talk to the doctor, and she's like, Yeah, those habits are abnormal. And I'm like, Okay, good to know. Um, so last week I had that appointment, and then I had another appointment. I finally, if you guys know me, you know that I'm like really freaked out by doctors and medical settings. So honestly, I just like push those things off and in the back of my mind, and I'm like just never gonna think about it. But something that I have been wanting to do for a a long time is go to the dermatologist dermatologist and get my moles checked. Um, my parents have both done it. Brady now goes to the dermatologist. I just feel like with my back is like mole city. Like, I don't know. I have so, so, so many, and honestly, all over my body, but mostly my back. And I have a lot that are different colors. Um, most of them are good shape, like most of them are circle shape, which is I've learned now is good. Um, I have ones that are really like puffy above the skin, just kind of all different shapes and sizes and colors. And so I will say, they're on my back, so I can't see them. I don't, I mean, I if I look in the mirror, but I don't look often. Um, it's mostly like when I see pictures of my back, I'm like, whoa. Or if I have friends or Nate or whatever like sees my back, they're like, oh, that mole is like crazy. And I'm like, oh, really? I don't know. Um, so I went to the dermatologist. I knew that there was a chance that I would have to get one removed or, you know, biopsied, and that that would include a little bit of a procedure, and that I was scared for that. So luckily, my amazing mom came with me to my appointment. I asked her if she could just come and be there in case I faint or whatever. And she had kind of said, so like I talked to the receptionist on the phone when I was making the appointment, and I was like, I'm a little nervous about like um needles and stuff. And the receptionist honestly told me she's like, we don't usually take moles like on the first, you know, appointment. And especially because I was I wasn't referred by a doctor, I just self-referred myself. I think she probably thought like it's probably nothing. But after talking to my mom, she's like, no, they're definitely like she's like, I've had dozens of moles room, they're definitely gonna take some of yours based on how they look and stuff. And I was like, okay. So I was kind of prepared. Um, and so my mom came with me. She sat in the waiting room, she's like, Do you want me to come back with you or not? And I was I debated, and she's like, I think you should try to be brave and go back by yourself, and then if you pass out, they'll come and get me. And I was like, Okay. So I went in. I I was a sight to see, okay. I had an apple juice prepared because I knew, like, I was like, if I pass out, I need juice. So I just was like, I'll save them the hassle. I'll bring my own. Literally brought my own. Brought my own bottle of apple juice. I use the calm carry thing, which I think I've talked about before, but it's basically this little um device that I got on Amazon, and you turn it on and it like kind of shocks, you put it in your hold it in your left palm, and it like shocks your palm, and somehow the nerves there connect to the your nervous system somehow and calm you down. They're supposed to like lower your heart rate and calm you down in an anxious situation. So I use that. So I was holding that, and I I do feel like I feel like I keep it pretty calm on the outside, but inside I'm like, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. Because they were like, Oh, are you nervous? Like, you're nervous, and I was like, Yeah, I'm like freaking out. And they were like, Oh, you are great, like to us. And I was like, Oh, okay. So I go in, put my robe on, doctor comes in, she checks over my back. Immediately she's like, Yep, I want to take pictures of that, that, and that. I want to monitor that. And I'm like, okay. And then um, we had been talking, she was an Iowa State grad, she was chill, she knew I was nervous. And um then she would like she was looking at my back, and she came around to the front of me and she's like, Okay, there is one that I I do really. And I was like, and she's like, I know, I'm sorry, but I I really feel like I should. And I was like, okay. And she goes, but that'll be at the very end. So don't worry about it. I'm like, no, girl, I'm gonna need you to do it now before you proceed. Otherwise, I will actually faint before you even start. So, because I'm gonna get so worked up. But I obviously didn't say that. I was just like, okay. And she went really quick. So she took some pictures of some other ones, like, there's one on my foot, there's one on my like chest boob area. Um, that she was like, if this one that I'm about to take on your back comes back bad, I am gonna want to take those other ones. And if it comes back fine, then I feel safe about those ones. And I was like, okay. So then she's like, All right, you ready? And I was like, Do I have a choice? Or some she's like, You ready to start or something? And I was like, Uh, and she's like, Yeah, you don't really have an option. I was like, Yeah, I know. And she's like, Do you want us to get your mom? And I was like, No, just let me try to be brave. Let me try to go through it first. So she was like, Okay, how will you be most comfortable? You can lay on your stomach or you can lay on your side. I laid on my side. I had my calm carry, like I said. Um, she got me an ice pack before it started because she's like, Okay, let me just get you an ice pack, just like in case, you know, whatever. So I was holding the ice pack on the back of my neck already. And I was like, I don't want to t you to tell me anything you're doing, just like we can talk, whatever. And she gave me a little numbing shot. I felt it, and the worst part was if you've ever mole removed, you'll understand the burn of the numbing going in. Oh my god, it was so painful. She did it once, it went in, and I was like, ooh, okay. And then she did it again in another spot, and the burning went in again, and it lasts like probably lasts like five seconds, but it's a long five seconds because it's like it's burning so much, it makes me want to like grab something and like squeeze. Like, it's pretty painful. Then she did it a third time, a third shot with and then the numbing goes again, and I actually made a sound out loud. I was like, and she was like, I know, and then it was done, and she pressed around and she's like, Can you feel any of that? And uh, she must have been touching me, and I was like, No, and she was like, Okay, you're numbed. And she was like, Girl, the hard part's over. Like, you did so good. She's like, Your mom should take you out to lunch, like, good job. And I was like, Yeah, actually, after the shots, like 10, 15 seconds later, I was like, uh, I don't feel good. As it was happening, I was like, Okay. And then right after, I was like, actually, I don't know if I I don't feel very good. And she's like, Okay, well, let's roll you onto your back. And, you know, I was like, okay, okay. So I rolled on my back, I had my eyes closed, had the ice back on the back of my neck. She went and got a wet paper towel, and then the nurse, I don't know what she is, like a nurse practitioner, maybe or something. She went and got a huge, like, she was holding a huge fan, blowing it right on my face. And um, so I laid there on my back, and I like I guess I I never went unconscious. I will say that. So I'm proud of that. Um, and I didn't like make a big scene or anything. I just was like, okay, I don't feel good. I'm gonna pass out. I rolled to my back. I laid there for probably two minutes, just with like my eyes closed and like trying to like I'm trying to not lose unconscious. Like, I'm trying to not lose consciousness. I'm like trying to keep myself awake. And I'm laying there and breathing, and they have the fan on me and whatever. And then after about two minutes, I like opened my eyes and I was like, okay, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna go unconscious. Like, I'm feeling better. And they're like, okay, we're gonna just leave the fan in here blowing. You drink your apple juice, we're gonna go get your mom. Whatever. So they left, my mom came in. I was like, I was laying there with my eyes closed. I'm like, sorry, mom. She's like, it's okay, it's okay, that's why I'm here. I'm like, I know, but I really tried not to. Um, and I will say, it's previously, like, I've thrown a fit in like a scene, and obviously I'm older now, so it's like I'm not gonna do that. But like I was calm. Like, I just was like, okay, I'm gonna faint, and then close my eyes. Like, previously, oh my god, like I don't even want to get into how I used to act at the doctor's office. So my mom came in, she sat on the edge of the seat with me and um just kind of talked me through. I had a little snack, drink my juice, and then she's like, Okay, are you feeling better? And I was like, uh, let me sit up and see. That's the real test. So I sat up for about five another five minutes, and she was like, You're starting to get your color back. She said when she walked in, I was like just completely white. Um, and yeah, then I will say I turned around. So before I um got on my back, they didn't have time to bandage me, bandage the like incision. So she like took the skin out and then just laid me on my back. And so when I sat up and turned around, I saw like a little pool of blood from like my incision that still wasn't bandaged, and I was like, oh no, no, no, I do not like seeing that. So the nurse came in, bandaged me up, gave me the then the doctor came in and told me how to care for it and stuff, and then I walked out and I was okay, but uh, just doctor's offices are just quite the experience for me, and I am praying, obviously for my health. I'm praying that the you know the mole is benign or whatever, but also just for my anxiousness, I'm praying that they don't like call me this week and say you need to come back in and get the other ones removed. Um, but yeah, she's like, I want to see you in six months. Um, I know you're probably not gonna be really excited for that appointment. And I was like, no, not at all. Especially because I know the thing, the um kind of service. Like I know what's gonna happen now, and I'm gonna be definitely freaked out, and I'm definitely gonna talk myself into passing out again as well. But yeah, those are my doctor's experiences. I'm still dealing with my incision. It's like painful still, and it's like big, and I'm still wearing bandages on it and stuff, and it probably doesn't help. So I'll talk about this, but I've been going to Hotworks and obviously I sweat like a shit ton there. And I have it bandaged, but like I feel like some sweat might be like leaking into it, and I I don't know, because I get in the shower and it like burns, and I'm like, ugh, this probably isn't good. I don't know. I'm still dealing with the incision, but anyway, that is my little health update, if anyone was wondering. Um, what else? I have random things to talk about. So, oh, so I'm selling clothes. I've already given some of my friends um or girls that wanted their mystery bags their clothes. I posted about this on my TikTok and Instagram story. And my friend Avery, who I gave a bag, she well, gave, she paid for it. But she made a TikTok video about it, and I had three girls message me from that who I don't know that are like, hey, are you still doing the mystery bags and whatever? And I was like, sweet, thanks, Avery. She's getting me business. So I have two girls that I have to meet this weekend in Des Moines to um give them bags and stuff. So yeah, it's just so fun. Thanks to everyone who has bought a bag. I still have so I now I have one, two, three. I still have five that I have I've only given two, I guess. But I have five that I need to deliver still now. Oh no, I've given three. Yeah, I think. No, I've given four. Yeah, I've given four already, and now I have five that I have left to do. So super fun. Um speaking of weekends, I don't have a free weekend until September, which is fine. Um, what I mean by that is a free Saturday and Sunday. Um, I am working every Saturday, starting this Saturday, up until the last weekend in August. I'm working at the Ames Farmers Market selling shrimp from 8 a.m. to 12.30 every Saturday. So if you're in the Ames area, you should come to the Ames Farmers Market and see me. But um, except one weekend, I have Jenna's bridal shower, so I won't er wait, what is it? Yeah, yeah. Um, her bridal shower. So I won't um be working that day. But yeah, I don't have a free weekend. But it is nice because I get to take either Friday or Monday off from work. Which when I work a Saturday, I get to take, I get to choose which one I want off. So I'm probably gonna end up working Friday and Saturday, you know, at the farmer's market and then take Sunday and Monday, or obviously I get Sunday off. Take Monday off. So there is a compromise. It's not like I'm working six days a week. It it's good, but it's just like when I think about my Saturdays, I'm like, oh gosh. But that's okay. Um, my weekends will kind of just be Sunday, Monday now. So this weekend, I'm actually very excited to work at the farmer's market. Um, I think it'll be fun. I'm like knowledgeable and very passionate about like the product I'm selling. So I I do think it'll be fun and I like talking to people and in aim. I just love the farmer's market vibe, and being in Ames is fun. I will say though, Nate and I are going to Post Malone on Friday at Jack Trice. I'm so excited. It's his dream concert. So I'm honestly so excited to like experience it with him because he's gonna be like on top of the world, but I'm also excited for myself. It's Post Malone and Jelly Roll, and we're going yeah, at Jack Trice on Friday night. And the next morning I gotta work at the farmer's market at like 7 a.m. And I'm like, oof, that's gonna be that's gonna be a rough morning. Not rough in the sense where I'm gonna, I probably won't even drink because I'm like, I will not be hungover standing at a farmer's market booth in 95 degree weather trying to be a good salesman. But I just mean it's gonna be an late night, early morning. I'm definitely gonna speaking of sleep, I'm definitely gonna need a nap on Saturday afternoon. But that'll be warranted, okay? I deserve it. Um What else? I wish I could like talk, like I wish you guys could answer. Like, how's what what are you guys doing? Um oh yeah, this past weekend, all my weekends have been filled too up to this point. But they're great, like they're filled with like friends, family, weddings, whatever. It's super fun. Um this past weekend I went to the Dallas County Fair with Campbell and Kenzie, and we saw Tyler Braden in concert. He was really good. Um, we kind of just like only paid attention to like two songs, maybe, but it was nice like music to have there. Like live music is fun. So that was fun to see them. I actually I went so Friday morning was my dermatologist where I had the little fiasco, and then Friday night was at concert, and actually, like throughout the day, like I went back to work and I was like, I don't feel like doing like I didn't fully faint, but like going through all that is so much on your nervous system. Like you just feel so exhausted afterwards, like your body is just like, ugh. And so I honestly thought about being like, guys, I'm not coming to the concert, but I also was like, I haven't seen them in a month, probably not gonna see them for another month. Like, if I want to see my friends, I gotta just, you know, suck it up and not suck it up. I was excited, but and once I got there, it was super fun. But I just like during the afternoon, I was like, I don't feel 100% yet, but it was it was really fun. Um then on Saturday, Nate and I went to Kansas City and picked up a couch from his cousin. Shout out his cousin Lindsay. She gave us her couch for free, um, which is amazing. I'm so grateful because I love it. I think it's so nice, so comfy, and it's such a cute color. Like, I see all these couches, you know, that are good price on Facebook Marketplace, and it's like they're not very cute, but like they're a cheap couch, whatever. We got this one for free. It's cute. I'm really excited about it. So Nate and I pulled a trailer down and picked it up. Um he drove the entire way there and back. He didn't want me to drive. He felt that we would be in danger if I drove. Um, which whatever. Um, but I am the one who knows how to use the ratchet straps. And I say that like I'm bragging. I learned that morning from my mom when I went and picked up the trailer. She gave me a rundown on how to use the ratchet straps. Um, and anyway. So we get the couch loaded up, um, ratchet strapping it in. We put sheets on top of the couch so that the friction and like the rubbing from the ratchet strap wouldn't make like a hole or anything in the couch. And we get on our way, and we went Okay, there's so much. Like we stopped at we stopped at this barbecue place to eat lunch after we got the couch, and we drove around the parking lot, and there was no like space for a truck and a trailer. So we went over to this hotel parking lot, and it was like a dead end. Like we pulled in, and the only way to get out was to back out, and we got in, and we pulled all the way down to like where the dumpsters were, and we were parked in between the two dumpsters. And Nate was like, let's just park here, and I was like, I don't think we should. And then I saw a like vacant parking lot across the street, and I was like, we need to go over there. Well, to do that, we did like a 16-point turn to try to get out of there without hitting the other cars in the hotel parking lot, without hitting the dumpster, without hitting the truck into the trailer by turning and cranking and reversing. This honestly really put a test. I told Nate this on the way home. This was actually a good test for our relationship because we went through some tough times and we both stayed very calm. Um, there were times where I definitely knew that Nate wanted to just be like, what are you talking about? Like, what are you saying? And to him, I was saying, like, turn the wheel, turn the wheel, and he was like, No, like, but we did good. Um, so like at one point, like he had his window down, and I was outside of the truck, like giving him directions, like, okay, this more, more, more. And then like, turn this way, turn this way, and whatever. And he just looked at me, just rolled the window up. I was like, I'm done listening to you. Your directions make no sense and they're not working. And I was like, right, okay. And then he figured it out, and I was like, All right, just let me get in the truck and shut up. Um, it's it's hard to explain. Like, I'm it's it as a driver, I'm sure he's like, just let me like do it. But I was trying to tell him, like, you have more room, you have more room. Turn the wheel this way, but I actually was wrong about which way to turn the wheel. Anyway, so we go and park in this vacant parking lot. Then it's all good. He was like, Great, great look on that finding that parking lot. I was like, Yeah. Then we have to get Dutch Rose before we leave, of course. I was like, we gotta get Dutch Bros, and he was like, Oh my god, fine. So we go to this Dutch Bros. Again, you can pull through the drive-thru, which is way too small for the truck and trailer that we're doing, or you can pull into their parking lot. Well, you enter out one side and you gotta exit out the same side. So we pull in and we're at a dead end again. And I like there was no option to just like put it in park and go in and grab it, and no. Um, so Nate starts to try to back out again. Well, cars, I mean, this Dutch Bros is popular. Cars are like rolling in. People are like going around us, people are stuck behind us. And Nate at one point looks at me and I can tell he's about to like freak out. Like he his face is so red. Like, not freak out like on me, but like have like a panic attack. Not actually, but he his face got so red and he's looking at me and he's like, I don't know what to do. I Macy, I don't know what to do. Like, what do I do? Like, I have no idea what to do, like all that. And I'm like, I don't know, I don't just just calm and let these people all go around you. Let us let them go around us and then just back straight out. Don't try to do like a turn, turn, turn, turn. Just back exactly straight out from where we came from, and then whatever. And he was like, Okay, so we let all the cars go by us, and then he's backing straight out, and I was like trying to, I was like, okay, just slow and straight, slow and straight. And he gets out and he was like, Okay, that was a good call. And I was like, Yeah. Um, then we pull over to like a Casey's and just again, both these places, like we should have just been on the lookout for we shouldn't have been trying to pull in the parking lot of the place. We should have been looking for open parking lots near it, and then we could park and walk. But both times we were like, like, why do we think it was smart to pull into Dutch Bros? Like, obviously, there's not a spot for a truck and trailer. Like, yeah, we should have looked at the Casey's across the street that had 14 parking spots open where we could just pull in. Oh my god. So they actually stayed in the car, in the truck, in the Casey's parking lot, because there was people like in the drive-thru line, and there was obviously workers, and there was people waiting like at the area where you can walk up to the Dutch Bros and wait, um, which is what I did because obviously I wasn't in a car for the drive-thru. And he was like, I'm not getting out. And I was like, Well, he's like, I'm I just embarrassed the hell out of myself. Like, I I do not want these people to see me because like everyone saw us. Like, it's a small parking lot, and these two people come in with a truck and trailer, like, and then we can't get out, and people are going around us. And he's like, I'm staying in the car. And I was like, Okay, whatever. So I walk across the street, I get our drinks, and then I got back into the truck and I was like, Yeah, people were like, Did you see that guy with a trailer? Like, what an idiot. And he's like, Are you serious? And I'm like, No, I was making that up. I was just trying to mess with them. But um, anyway, then on the way home, that all happens, we're like, okay, let's get on the road. Well, at one point, we pull off, we're almost to Iowa because we're like at that like southern or that northern part of Missouri where they sell all like the fireworks and stuff. And we pull off to one of the firework places and we readjust the couch because one of them they it was strapped, but it had just like shifted a little bit and we couldn't really tell how it was on the like from the rear view mirrors. So I got we both got out and like readjusted it and restrapped it. Um, and then we got back on the road. Well, we lost our sheet, like we looked back, and all of a sudden both sheets gone. Or one sheet gone. Um, so that flew out somewhere. Somewhere along the inner I-35 is a sheet that came off of our couch, a full like king-size sheet. Um, yeah, we didn't see that one come off. And then I figured out on the truck you can turn on this camera that like has a camera from the tailgate of the truck that you can watch the trailer. So I turned the camera on. Literally, it was like God's timing. Right as I click the camera, one of the parts of the couch, because it was in like five parts, like flies over and is leaning half of way off the trailer as we're going down the interstate. And I go, Oh my god! And I'm like, pull over, pull over. And he's like, whoa, and I'm like, pull over. So we put the hazards on, we pull over. The we are so lucky that it did not fall off the trailer in the middle of the interstate. I would have been running on the interstate and grabbing it and dragging it off the side. So I I'm on the passenger side, so I get out, and Nate's like, I don't want you to have to go. And I was like, it's fine. Like, I'm fine. He's like, he's like, I don't want you to get hit. I'm not gonna go, I'm not gonna walk into the road. Like, I'm fine. So I get out and I go to the trailer. Literally, the chair is hanging halfway off, and I grab it, put it back on, and and I'm the one who knew how to do the straps, so it made sense that I went back there and I strapped that shit tight. And I was like, okay, we're good. And anyway, get back in, and we made it back to Greenfield and unloaded the couch and we're ready to move in in a couple weeks. But my god, it was a journey. I literally told Nate, I was like, I think that was good for our relationship. Like, we've never like done something like that together. I well, that's a lie. We did move in and out of our Minnesota apartment together. Moving in was a breeze because we had my mom and Blake. Moving out, like, he gave me the silent dream for like an hour because it was horrible. I'm not gonna get into that, but it was horrible. Um, but I was like, I think this was good for us. Like, you know, we We didn't get worked up. We were patient with each other, like whatever. And he was like, Yeah, okay. But anyway, that was fun. Um, speaking of furniture, this sorry, this episode is so random. Like, if you haven't picked up on that, like literally just random. Speaking of furniture, I bought a furniture set off of Facebook Marketplace from this girl in Anckney. This girl and her husband were moving, or this lady, and um I'm really excited about it. Like, it's very nice. Um, they just got it like this year, they just like don't want to move with it or they don't need it anymore. Anyway, besides the point. So I saw the picture on the listing, obviously. And I didn't ask for measurements or anything. Um, it just looked like two chairs and Ottoman, two chairs, two like Ottoman footstool things, and then a like middle side table. And it looked relatively, you know, small. I was like, okay, if I if I clear up my backseat, like I should be able to fit everything. You guys know what I drive? I drive the smallest car on earth. And I show up, I go after work one day. These chairs will not fit in my car. She has they're moving in like three days from then. They will not fit in my car. And I'm like, okay, this is on like a Monday or Tuesday night. And they're what did she say? She said their their trailer of like their big semi of stuff was leaving on Wednesday or Thursday, but they weren't actually leaving that like property until the following Wednesday. So I guess they're moving out in about a week, but their trailer of stuff was leaving on Wednesday. That's why I needed to like come get it before they sent their stuff. Because if I wasn't gonna buy it, then they were gonna send it with to their new place. Um the chairs do not fit. Her and I are we put my seats completely down to like from the trunk to the like through the back seat. Still, they're just too wide. They won't fit in any door, they won't fit in my trunk, nothing. And I'm like, I am so embarrassed. It's this girl and her mom, and we're all trying. And I'm like, I am so sorry. I feel like such an idiot. Like, why did I think these would fit in my car? I I don't know. I am so sorry. Like, I don't know what to do. And they were like, well, just and I I so they were like, just take what you can and can you come back at any point? So I was like, okay, let me pay you in full now. I will take the footstools and the table, middle table, and I will come back and get these with a truck or some other vehicle when I can. Um, and she was like, okay, like will can it be before like we move out, obviously. And I was like, yeah, let me figure that out. So this was on like Monday or Tuesday, like I said, I think it was on a Monday. And um I came and got it in my mom's truck after my doctor's appointment with the dermatologist on Friday. So it all worked out, but I was like, I feel like such an idiot. Like, I don't know. I I I told Nate the story, and he's like, Yeah, why did you think those would fit in your car? Like, I don't know. I just was like, let's just make it work. Um, oh my god. So yeah, it was quite embarrassing. I felt like an idiot. I was like, well, here I am to get my chairs, and we're gonna leave them at your house for another few days. But they were totally chill. They were like, it's all good. So yeah, that was a little embarrassing moment last week. I was like, I'm just a girl, like, I'm sorry. I don't know. Um speaking of being like in working mode, so I really started to like the radio because it's like a little daily podcast. Like, I get in my car, okay, at the same time every morning. 97.3 Country Des Moines station is on. Nash FM. And it's Danger and Lindsay. I listen to them every morning. It's like we're like, people are gonna be like, duh. That's what a radio station is. But like I never listened to the radio station, but now I look forward to getting in my car and listening to them all my way to work. It's amazing. Like, I get to listen to them, I get to hear what they're talking about. Today they were talking about the State Fair New Foods, and then play a little music. My car ride, my drive's only like 12 minutes, so it's not like I listen that long. But I'm like, it's the little things in life. Like, I love listening to the radio in the morning because I get to catch up with the radio hosts. Like, well, not me, but they're talking. It's so fun. It's yeah, it's like a little short little daily podcast that I'm listening to. It's like really stupid, but like so fun. Like, I love it. Um, so yeah, I've been going to Hotworks. This is my I've been going. I just did my second day today, and I'm so excited about it. Like, sweating feels so good. I did a 15-minute workout today, a cycling class. That was the hardest shit I've ever done. Oh my god, 125-degree room cycling class, and it's only 15 minutes. Like I said, like I was like, I can do anything for 15 minutes. Like, that's not that bad. Oh, it was hard. Like, really hard. Um, and then I went in and did a 40-minute, like easier, easier. It's still hot as hell, it's still 120 something degrees. But it was like a it wasn't hot yoga, but it was hot, but I forget which one I signed up for today and which one I did yesterday, but an a different, like slower um one for 40 minutes and it felt great. Yeah, I'm like kind of like finding motivation to like work out when it's there. And maybe it's just like cause it's new and like exciting, but like I really feel like I'm gonna love it and stick with it. I'm also like paying for it, which makes me motivated to go. Um, where the Iowa State gym, you know, is in my tuition or whatever, and I was like, uh, whatever. But Hotworks, I'm I'm really, really liking it. So yeah. Okay, what else? Oh my gosh, random thing. So I commented on a TikTok of Blake Shelton singing. Um, like a couple weeks ago. It was like a live video of him singing. I think it was on his page, or maybe it was on a random person's page, and I said, like, what song is this? It was like a new song that he has now released, I think, but I didn't know it. And so I just commented, I was like, What song is this? Hoping that someone would respond to me and like tell me what it was. I have gotten probably 15 follows on TikTok from Blake Shelton fan accounts, like bots, real, I don't know. And they all like message me. Thanks for supporting Blake. I got this one from this random account saying, Hey, this is Blake Shelton's mom. Thanks for supporting him. Like, what are what? It's so weird. It's literally so weird. I get bots every single day that are connected to Blake Shelton. It's the weirdest thing in the world. Like, if I go to my message requests, all of them, yep, this one. Hi love, it's Blake's mom. Sending you some warmth today because a soulless sweet as yours deserves to be recognized. Thanks for supporting him. Another one. Hello, missus. Thank you for support, your amazing support of Mr. Blake Shelton. Have you been a longtime supporter of Mr. Blake's music? What? Oh, uh wait, what the hell? Oh, wait, this guy's an actual Oh wait, this guy's an actual person. He has 168,000 followers. He's an artist manager and entertainment sec at Blake Shelton Music Management. Wait, what? This is weird. Why would he be why would he be messaging people? Okay, I'm not I'm still not responding, but anyway, I have like all these Blake Shelton fan accounts following me, and I'm like, okay. So I guess if you need some more followers, just comment on a Blake Shelton post. All these bots are gonna love ya. Um, okay, last thing, I just want to tell this. Oh wait, no, I was gonna talk about Love Island. God damn it. Okay. I'll talk quickly, but well, we all know that's not true. I don't even know why I say that anymore. So I just want to tell this cool story quick. So I follow this influencer named JC Marie. She's Redhead. Um, she hosts the What We Said podcast with her best friend Chelsea. Um, I love it. It's like one of my favorite podcasts. Um she makes YouTube videos. I watch them. Like, I just love her content. I really love her vibe. I've followed her for years. I followed her before she was a mom. Like, one of my favorite people to follow. Anyway, she and her mom love to like vintage shop and stuff. Like, if you follow her, you know that she loves like antiquing and vintage. And if you have been like introduced, you know, if she's shown her mom and stuff you've watched, you know that she um recently opened a vintage store in Gilbert, Arizona called Scout Vintage. And her mom is just great at um like finding thrifting pieces, vintage shopping, and whatnot. And so she opened Scout and she basically thrift shops and then sells it at her vintage store. Anyway, so she came to California to visit JC and they made a YouTube video and did like a little thrifting haul of what they found. And her mom, Jill, um, or Jilly, is what like JC and her followers call her, was um, she was shopping, obviously, and then taking stuff back to sell at her store. And they were doing a haul and they were showing all these things, and I was watching it on YouTube, and one of the things that they found they held up, it was this adorable little towel, like almost like a little tea towel, and it has this beautiful like stitching in it that says MR. Like the initials, and the stitching is like a light bluish purple color, it's so pretty. And the towel is white and it has like um scalloped edges, and she held it up and she's like, Look at this adorable towel I found. And then JC was like, if anyone has the initials MR, like you better like go to Scout and like find this towel or something. And I was like, How do I get that towel? Like, I need it, like it's so cute and so perfect, and my initials are MR. And they hopefully always will be. Um, and so I found Scout's email address and I emailed them and I was like, hi, I watch JC's YouTube videos, and keep in mind, I didn't know if this email was going to Jill or someone that works for her or whatever. It was just like the Scout vintage email. And I it was like, hi, I watched JC's YouTube videos. I just watched this vlog of hers and you showed this MR towel you got. I was like, my initials are MR. I would love this towel, but like I'm not gonna be in Arizona anytime soon to be at Scout. I was like, is there any way you would ship? Because I they don't like do an online store. And so I was like, is there any way you would ship? Like, I'll pay for you to ship it, I'll buy it, however much you would charge, whatever. I just I really want this towel. I think it's really cute, and like I love the idea that it's like a vintage thrifted find. And she is the sweetest. She responded. Let me pull up my email. She responded and basically was like, You like, thank you so much for reaching out. This is so sweet. You can have it for free. Like, I will send it to you. Okay, this is what she said. Hi, Macy. I love that you reached out. It is the cutest little towel. Please send me your address and I will ship it to you sometime next week when I get back home. My treat. With a heart. She said, Exojy. I was like, You're joking. Like, oh my gosh. I was like, I totally would pay for it. And I said, Hi, that is so sweet of you. Thank you so much. I sent her my address. I said, Let me know if you need anything else from me. I appreciate it. She said, I'm so happy that it will be going to a good home. I will ship it at the end of this next week. And what's crazy is I obviously followed JC and I knew that she was in Europe with Jill, her mom, and her dad, and her husband and her baby. So they were on like a little family trip, and they were in the English Cotswolds. And I was following JC and seeing their trip. And so I knew when Jill was saying, like, I'll be home at the end of next week and stuff, I was like, I know that she's like on vacation. Um, I didn't want to be creepy and be like, you know, yeah, when you get home from vacation, like, you know, but I said, sounds great. She emailed me then a couple weeks later and said, Hi Macy, I shipped your little hand embroidered towel today. I'm sorry it's taken me so long. Life has been so busy. I hope you love your little treasure. Exo Jilly. I then said, again, I didn't want to say like while she was on vacation, like, hope you're enjoying vacation. Like, that'd be weird. But I knew that she had just gotten back from the Cotswolds, and she knows that, you know, I follow JC and whatever. So I said, Hi, thank you for the gift of the little towel again. I also hope you had a great trip with JC and her family. It looked wonderful. My mom, boyfriend, and I recently got back from a trip to Switzerland and Italy. Europe is just breathta breathtaking, and mother-daughter time is the best. I hope I can make it to Scout in person someday. And she responds and says, Hi Macy, I'm so glad you received the towel. Sorry again, it took so long. We had such an amazing time in the Cotswolds. Wow, it was amazing. Or no, why did I read that right? Wow, it was beautiful. Then me and my husband went to Denmark and Sweden, which was also just incredible. We went to Switzerland last year, and it honestly seemed fake. It was just so breathtaking. We couldn't get over the views. Wow, what a fun trip with your mom. Please let me know if you ever get a chance to come to Arizona. Scout is a fun little spot to visit for sure. Have a great summer. I was like, I just love her. And like, I know it sounds weird because I'm like, I don't know her, but I've followed her daughter so long, and like her mom is such a big part of her life and like her content that I feel like I know this lady, and like she's just so sweet. And the fact that I was emailing her and the fact that she sent me this towel for free, and that we like bonded over mother-daughter time and Europe travel, like it just made me so happy. I was like, wow, you really can connect with people like anywhere. Um, so it was so cool, and I just wanted to share that story. And I have my towel, and she wrote me a note that said, um, she wrote me a handwritten note, and I don't have it with me right now. It's in a tote somewhere ready to move. But it's like, she said, Hi Macy, thanks again for reaching out. Like, I hope you really enjoy this little towel. I hope it brings an extra boost of happiness to your life. Something, something, something. I'm like, oh, she's just so sweet. Like, anyway, makes me really want to like go to the store and meet her in person someday or something. So, anyway, okay, last thing, Love Island before I go to sleep. I've been trying to go to sleep at like 10 every night and it's already 10 30. Um, you guys know after this episode, I need my sleep, even though it doesn't really do anything. So Love Island wrapped up on Sunday. I'm assuming a lot of you listening watched, or at least you know what's been happening. But Bryson Trinity won. I am happy with that. I really do think they're cute. Um, at the beginning, I was honestly not a rooter for them. A rooter, does that make sense? Um, I was honestly not rooting for them just because I didn't really feel like they had that vibe. Like, they were definitely a slow burn. And I was like, I don't know if they really like each other, but they are adorable. I really like them both. Um Kada and Zach, I feel indifferent about like whatever. Kind of like them, kind of don't. An eye on Carl. I kind of rubs me the wrong way in some sort of way, and I don't know if that's like controversial, but something about her kind of just bothers me. Um, can't really like pinpoint it, but I do think Carl's a sweetheart, and I think they do make a cute couple. Like I am happy for them, and I hope they stay together. Um, but just her with the whole KC situation, I I don't know. I didn't really like that. But Melanie and Sincere. What are we doing? What are we doing? Like, I cannot fathom why she is still giving him the time of deck. Obviously, to us watching throughout the whole season, we saw what he was doing. We saw what he was doing with Soul. We saw him, you know, disrespecting her, or whatever. Movie night when she saw the beloved scene, she saw him sitting in for hours in soul ties with Soul when he just told Melanie that morning that he's not exploring her, and then he kisses Soul, and then he lies about it, and blah, blah, blah, blah. And after that, it's like, why are you giving the time of day? And then when the families come, his own father says, I did not come here to support you. I was not supposed to come here. I traveled 7,000 miles to tell you that I do not support what you're doing. You're acting like an idiot, you're acting like a piece of blank. Um, yeah, like, no. And then that's from his own dad. Then her mom and sister are like crying, telling her, you deserve more. He is playing you, he is playing you. We all can see it. She says, Okay, okay, okay. The second they leave, she's like, Okay, I'm giving you one more chance. Girl, I I can't. Like it, like I I it it makes me sad. Like, you've you you have to have more self-respect than that, right? Like, you're this gorgeous girl. I I think she is so pretty. I'm like, come on. It's it's honestly just like, I don't know. I'm I'm I'm not gonna say I hope they stay together. I don't. I hope that they break up. I hope that she gets out there and is like, what am I doing? And her mom, oh my god. So her mom only spoke Spanish, but they had subtitles on. She said, Why what did she say? Sorry, I gotta get this right. Something like, Why are you letting him have a second chance when there are still people out there waiting for their first chance? She ate. She killed it with that line. And her sister, too. Everything like, you are beautiful, you are smart, you are this, he is like bringing you down. And it honestly was sad to see, like, I feel like over the whole season, Melanie just was like drained and drained and drained. Like this man, like, she needs to get away from him. She's given him like three chances, like, he's going to cheat. Like, he already cheated on you there. If you I mean, they call it exploring, but it's cheating, whatever. Oh my god, like I can't, I literally can't. So I hope at the reunion they're split up, or like he did something to actually prove to her once and for all that like she deserves better. And we can like see that, and she's like, I'm literally done. I'm wiping my hands clean of you. Uh anyway, I I like could go into like stuff about every person and like my opinions of them, but I won't because the season's over. We've all been like, we're fatigued by it. Like every single day, it's really fun to follow along, but towards the end, you're like, holy shit, like, oh, this is getting like a lot. Um, you know, you already know, you guys probably already know all the people, all the whatever you don't probably care for my opinions on everyone, and I honestly don't care to give them because the season's over. What does it matter now? So, anyway, I'm gonna wrap it up here. Thank you for listening to my life update. Um, that was kind of all over the place, but I appreciate you if you're listening. I appreciate you if you this is your first time listening or this is your, you know, 20th. Um follow me on the long story longer Instagram. I need to get more active on there, but anyway, it's hard when I've got, you know, a full-time job. It's like, oh, I actually have to set aside like very intentional time for my hobbies. AKA podcasting. So thank you for listening. I will talk to you next episode. Have a great day. Bye.