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2.27.2017

The State of Things

Life is normal, and its not. Its hard to wrap my head around what's happening in our country right now. Day-to-day, our routine, its the same. That's my privilege, which I recognize. But my heart is heavy, and I just don't understand.

LagLiv said it better, but I just don't understand how the White House Press Sec can flat out lie to us. It makes no sense to me how the powers that be can continue to dismantle the ACA without offering anything in its place, leaving millions without insurance and therefore without access to necessary medical attention. We've confirmed a Secretary of Education with no relevant experience, and who has made it clear she doesn't care about the state of public schools, nor making sure that those with disabilities receive the help they need to learn well (even if their school receive the money for providing those services).

It makes me livid that we're going to end up paying for a damn wall that won't work:



Not to mention being unnecessary since illegal immigrant levels have leveled off! There is no humongous inflow. And I can hardly even talk about the new policies on refugees and people from Muslim countries (but not countries that have actually supplied us with terrorists, instead going with the ones without Trump hotels and interests).

This country was built on the idea of helping those in need, and now we are being run by people who love to talk about how pro-life they are, but don't want to help those lives they consider less then. (Read this, he says it best!)

What are we doing here? We're not making America safer or better, we're making it more racist, more reactionary, and less of everything that actually makes our country great. Our President is the butt of international jokes, and the only place he's polling well is Russia.

I'm frustrated. I'm scared. I'm damn sad.

But I won't back down, I won't stop speaking out, I won't stop standing up for my friends, and I won't stop working to bring our country forward again. I ask you to do the same. If you see intolerance, speak up; call your Reps, make sure they get your support to do the right thing or hear your thanks.

I want to hope for a miracle, but the truth is, this is going to take work. I won't stop, and I hope you're with me.

2.24.2017

Nothing New Update

I walked through Target the other day and only got the dishwasher detergent, socks, and underwear for Gwen that I came in for. So basically, things are going well.  Ha!

Really, as things progress I get more and more used to not "defaulting to buy" and it feels good to be much more conscientious of what I'm spending my money on and WHY I'm spending it. I didn't see a big change in my credit card in January thanks to two big things: Daisy's surgery, and plane tickets for one of the weddings I'll be attending in May. But thanks to Nothing New, having those expenses wasn't as painful as it might have been!

My only other splurge type purchases were new snow boots for Gwen (really a necessity, her old ones had holes!), and a new pair of yoga pants for me (also pretty necessary - as of this month I teach or take yoga 5 of 7 days a week - going up to 6 next month, and two of my current pairs are about to go!). For Valentine's Day I did buy Trav a gift - but it was the gift of a night out (sushi and comedy!) vs another item that would take up space in our house. He gifted me with sushi for dinner and the freedom to book some travels! There were a few birthdays in there as well, but I mostly bought people experiences vs things, and the few things I did buy, I was able to use a gift card to buy. I'm also saving on yoga classes now since I'm teaching at my home studio (score!).

I still have work to do. I notice when I have a sad/frustrating/aggravating day I'm more likely to fall back into old habits. But I plan to keep going, keep trying, and hopefully it gets so routine that I don't fall back into old habits so easily.

Onward and upward!

2.22.2017

Semi-Wordless Wednesday {Birthday Fun}

One last post about Gwen's birthday...

Gwen got to bring in a snack to share with the class on her birthday, she chose donuts! The cupcakes were for our at home celebration. She and I couldn't get over how cute the little animal rings were on top!


Her friend Katie gave her the cutest homemade card! It was so sweet!


At home celebration that night...






This last picture just cracks me up because Gwen and I eat our cupcakes the same way! Ha!

Happy Birthday Baby!

2.20.2017

Birthday Interview: Year 7

[Find previous years here.]


Me: “Hey Gwenie, how old are you now?”

Gwen:  7 

Me: “Who’s your best friend?”

Gwen: Kolten and Carter M.

Me: “What is your favorite thing to do?”

Gwen: Lots of things! Going to Chucky E Cheese, eating pizza, movies... so many!


Me: “What is your favorite color?”

Gwen: Blue and green 

Me: “Do you have a favorite food?”

Gwen: A few: junk, chicken nuggets and french fries, pizza, Chinese.

Me: “What is your favorite thing to do with mommy and daddy?”

Gwen: A million things!

Me: “What is your favorite toy?”

Gwen: Everything I have!

Me: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Gwen:  Almost everything. 

Me: “What makes you happy?”

Gwen: Having my birthday!

Me: “What is something that makes you sad?”

Gwen: When you yell at me or get upset at me.

Me: “Do you have a favorite movie?”

Gwen:  Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Shrek, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Big Hero 6... and so many I can't think of right now. 

Me: How about a favorite TV show?”

Gwen:  Odd Squad, PJ Masks, Wild Kratts, and Jake [Jake and the Neverland Pirates], Lion Guard, and Princess Elena 

Me: “Do you have a favorite book?”

Gwen:  I don't know, SO many! 

Me: What do you like to learn about?”

Gwen:  Math, science, nature... all different kinds of stuff. 


Me: “What are you excited about for your birthday?”

Gwen:  Going to Chuck E Cheese with Kolten! And eating pizza.

Me: “Where’s your favorite place to go when we leave the house?”

Gwen:  Almost everywhere. 

Me: “What is your teacher's name?”

Gwen:  Miss Mramor 

Me: “Do you have a favorite treat?”

Gwen:  No, I don't really have a favorite... except maybe lollipops, ice cream, cupcakes, donuts, popsicles...

Me: “What’s your favorite animal?”

Gwen:  Almost all of them. 

Me: “Do you have a favorite song?”

Gwen: Frozen, Rock and Roll [All Night] and Kiss songs, Funky Nassau [from Blues Brothers 2000]

Me: “What’s your favorite thing to wear?”

Gwen:  Any summer clothes and winter clothes. 

Me: “What are you looking forward to this year?”



Gwen: Cape Cod and going on other adventures!

Me: "I'm super excited for that stuff too! Thanks baby!"