🙈Checking Back In
Last issue was about foundations.
Black Betty hit and I was back in the jump seat of my dad’s little old Nissan — whole memory, all at once. It was a gut check on legacy and whether I’m making work that lasts or just optimizing trash. This week I’m shipping in real life — after a week-long gap.
I used the long weekend to publish three basics: a tip jar, an upgrade page, and a second promo page — so making money from this damn thing is easier. Maybe I can finally afford a regular video editor.
And yes, I’m still for one who knows what longform interviews and short social reels are…and is also willing and able to share their rates/portfolio when requested.
🤑Subscriber Drive (Sept 3 – 10)
Goal: Just 1 paid subscriber. That’s it. Nothing crazy. I just want to see if one person besides me finds value in this thing.
Progress: I’ll post a simple counter on Threads + LinkedIn each day.
How to help (in 30 seconds): upgrade, tip, or forward this to one friend who’d love the tacos/legacy bit.
🍞Black Betty & stories worth saving
A song, a car, my dad, and a hundred conversations we still haven’t had. The pieces of my grandfather I never wrote down. The questions I’ll never get to ask my grandmother. I want a living archive — history from the progenitor lion’s mouth — and I’m giving my parents a “your life in stories” gift so their words live for decades past my life and into their great-great-great whoever’s future.
Why I’m doing this:
I’m a creator-journalist building a bridge between builders ↔ buyers so average people can find good homes, better materials, and make saner, safer money moves — without gatekeeping. Less hype, more help.
🧈Couch draft, fall debate
This is how the “living archive” shows up at my table: tiny rituals and recipes that carry stories.
Written from the couch — TV low, husband out, me in PJs — and a very serious group chat about pumpkin butter in tacos because we’re already in fall mode. Food is time travel; a song took me to my dad’s car, a taco can take me back to this exact season.
Quick vote: pumpkin butter taco — yes or hard pass? Hit reply.
After a week of thinking about it, I’m making pumpkin butter tacos/taco bites a thing. I’ll test both and report back.
I resisted creator for a long time, because I’m not an “influencer,” and don’t want folks to think of my media brand My lane is a media practice that makes the home industry more transparent, accessible, and trustworthy.
The messy middle I’m working through:
on-camera vs. words
hire help vs. DIY after the 9–5
AI speed vs. protecting voice
push vs. protect health
Today’s stack is one memory, one experiment, one ask — so the work outlives the scroll.
CONFESSION: I forgot about my personal sourdough long enough that it grew the bad stuff and had to be thrown out. And guess what happened? Nothing. The shame wizard did not make an appearance. It's flour and water – don't worry about it! We mess up, we start over. It's called starter, not give up-er.
Crumbs I’m Following…
🏙️ Grand Prairie’s “Goodland” development
“Goodland” is a vibe promise. I’m watching if it’s real placemaking (streets, shade, third places) or just new rooftops with cute branding.
📊 DFW housing inventory hits a 10+ year high
More inventory = breathing room. Buyers get time; sellers need condition + pricing discipline. Legacy beats timing when the tide changes.
🔎 Google usage after ChatGPT adoption
People still search — just differently. Answer the task, not the keyword. Useful > clever every day.
🏡 Barbara Corcoran’s “one investment I’d never sell”
What’s your never-sell? (Mine: tools that compound — skills, source network, and yes, this newsletter’s archive.)
The Last Slice
Perfection is a stall tactic. Do one tiny thing. Maybe it’s texting your dad. Maybe it’s writing down a recipe from someone you miss. Maybe it’s trying the ridiculous taco.
I’m running a tiny one-week subscriber drive with a micro-goal of one new paid subscriber — because reader support keeps this work free for the next person who needs it.
You’ll see all the creators publishing and pushing against the mainstream participating in the Back Indie Media Drive. Check out their work and see if you can find a new ‘channel’ worth paying for.
🍽️Thanks for being at the table.
If this made you pause, plan, or see your home a little differently — that’s the whole point.
Know someone who’d love this? Pass it on. Or hit reply and tell me what’s on your plate.
Warmly,
Amanda
Helping folks feel at home.