36 Comments

I just about died at "the personality hire". Like, I doubled over laughing because I could FEEL it in my bones.

Masterpiece, Dia. Utter masterpiece.

Expand full comment

I’m here to make you laugh babe… that’s it 😍

Expand full comment

Shout out to the people who look at Beef Jerky in the aisles at the hardware store and think “yup, that’s the healthy snack I’m looking for!” 🙋🏽‍♀️

Expand full comment

Always the hardware store toooo 😂 low key my fav store for some reason???

Expand full comment

It’s the possibilitiiiiiiiiiies - weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Am I there for a drill bit? Cleaning supplies? A new vacuum cleaner? Coffee filter refills? Nobody knows 🤣🤣

Expand full comment

Haha the parents showing up with baked goods on moving day! I could taste the chaos.

Expand full comment

It’s a layer of sugar you can’t quite brush off 😩😂

Expand full comment

The line about Andrew being a roomba and Beyoncé rehearsing for Coachella 2018 and you going LOAF MODE is the funniest most loving most wonderful ish I’ve ever read. What Isabel said: THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE. Andrew gets all the gold stars!

Also “the gaps of teeth all flecked with carcass” *chef’s kiss*

I love you, I love this, I love your art. Can’t wait for part 2 😍

Expand full comment

Andrew deserves THE WORLD. 😂🤩 LOVE YOU MOST

Expand full comment

When I left New York I felt like I’d pulled my arm out of an electric socket. Who knew you could go to sleep without the nerve endings of your molars aching from a constant quietly violent pulse? Welcome home. I hope you never floss.

Expand full comment

In the end, country girls gotta country 🌪️

Expand full comment

Baby I can hear Creedence from here!! And I see you sitting in the soft light under that tree and my heart could burst 💥 🙌

Expand full comment

Any time you and D wanna run around in a yard, I GOTCHU 😍

Expand full comment

I'm shipping her up now!

Expand full comment

“But I managed to do exactly none of it until the night before.”

omfg prayers for Andrew.

the line about the rosary in the rearview mirror… beautiful.

Expand full comment

Prayers for Andrew all the damn time… 🫣

Expand full comment

My go-to is Schweppes tonic and honey-roasted peanuts. I could live off of that for weeks.

Expand full comment

I think I love that… genius

Expand full comment

Teriyaki beef jerky. You get me.

Expand full comment

And that’s on family 🤝😎

Expand full comment

This was such a fun read, every word was so vivid.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much beauty 😍

Expand full comment

I’m leaving New York after 10 years to move across the country and wow I needed to read this piece today!!

Expand full comment

with a name like Dizzy Zaba you will be the shining star of anywhere you go. ⭐️ onward and upward, love!

Expand full comment

"I do not “trust the process” because I do not “enjoy the process” but I get that shit the fuck done because the sooner I do, the sooner I’m on the couch eating peanut butter off a spoon, glued to my “Home” Pinterest board, building out The Vision."

REAL

Expand full comment

I just wanna be on the couch always you know???

Expand full comment

I loved the vivid depiction of your moving experience, especially the contrast between Andrew’s hyper-organized approach and your more relaxed, almost resigned attitude. The blue Gatorade and beef jerky became symbolic of your coping strategy, turning the stressful move into a survival routine. The way you described your transition from the hectic city life to a quieter suburban existence, all while juggling the absurdities of the move, was both relatable and engaging. Your reflections on the treadmill and the contrast between Andrew's methodical preparation and your laid-back handling of the process really highlight the personal and emotional impact of moving. It’s a striking reminder of how a simple change of scene can feel both liberating and exhausting.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for reading and for such a thoughtful comment. You read this with the kind of consideration that inspires me to keep writing. 😊

Expand full comment

This was art and perfectly captured the feelings involved with moving. Going loaf mode is 100% relatable and thank you to husbands like Andrew who understand where our strengths are. Coming up and maintaining the vision is hard enough work. R.I.P to your treadmill, and good luck with everything else!! Looking forward to the update :)

Expand full comment

Ahh thank you so much for reading 🤩🤩❤️

Expand full comment

such a fun and honest read! i loved the bit about being gas station versions of ourselves and the rosary hanging on a rearview mirror.

Expand full comment

Ahhh thank you so so much 🥹❤️ I appreciate this deeply

Expand full comment

Hell yeah survive the torture that is coming face to face with all the crap you have

Expand full comment

Exaaactly truly a godless experience

Expand full comment

Love bridges, Betsy Ross, Walt Whitman, Tacony-Palmyra bridge, my fave is gov cuomo, such serenity ❤️

Expand full comment

Are you in Jersey?! Need more Jersey Substack people 😍

Expand full comment