The (NOT SO) Skinny Girl

I am reminded on  International Women's Day that I am a woman, and that that is something that is a force to be reckoned with. I am reminded by Hillary Clinton, Ashley Judd and countless other feminists that being a woman is a bold, brazen (nasty?), and strong thing to be.  I just want to take a moment now to count down the times I truly felt like a strong woman. When I learned to throw, hit, and catch like a girl. When I put pen to paper and drew a detailed picture or wrote a moving poem. When I made it onto the honor and high honor roll (the first time and every time) The first time I rode a horse- and every single time after. When I won my first blue ribbon. When I fall off, and get back on. Also, when I realize it's ok to not get back on right away. The first time I decided I had to be strong for someone else. Even though I was dying inside. When I earned my Girl Scout Silver award. When I learned to drive a stick shift. And every time I get to drive one. When I...

I had told my husband- after being invited to many of them and seeing more than 'a few' on social media - that I didn't want to have a gender reveal. To me, it's stupid. Being invited to one, I'm like "Do we bring a gift?" or "How does this work?" I think that after being pregnant, I have a better grasp on them and a more solid opinion of them. For my first child, we decided to hold off on a few things. We didn't do the 14 week blood test that would 100% tell us the gender, because it would also tell us a slew of other genetic information (such as if it had Downs or other diseases) that we decided was inconsequential. We didn't find out together during the ultrasound at 20 weeks what baby was, we took home an envelope. We didn't even open that envelope together. My husband actually ran inside the house, opened it, and had it tucked away before I got inside. He HAD TO know, I didn't. I was happy with having a healthy baby growing...

I use the "Glow Fertility- ovulation/period tracker" app, I have been a 'member' of the Glow community for about 2 years now. I have learned that there is something called the 2WW (not to be confused with WW2)- the two week wait. So, the way I understand it is- women who are trying to conceive should wait 2 weeks after projected or confirmed ovulation to take a pregnancy test. 2 weeks. Assuming that 14 days post ovulation is time enough to see if you've gotten the deed done and if the oven's got the bun. So this month I decided to look at my "ovulation date"- which was confirmed by a very painful ovulation- and calculate the exact # of days from that day to the day my period was due to arrive. 15 days projected, it arrived in 16 days. All of the ladies who are looking for support during the 2WW say things like "When is it too early to test, I just can't wait the 14 days I want to know now". Multiply that by like, 100 people. Oooor, ...

So after the HSG there were many reports of conception for couples because the procedure opens up the tubes and cleans them out. So my husband did some research and got a little excited about it, told me about it, and I have been (trying really hard not to!!) waiting, watching and counting down until the day my app says I should get my period. And again, like clockwork, the floodgates opened. My husband asked me last night why I was acting weird. I told him I was tired (overtired really), sore, grumpy. I seriously was starting to think I was pregnant. My boobs were tender at one point this week, I had these pangs in certain areas, I felt nauseous a few days. I was starting to settle in to the thought of finally being pregnant- because I KNOW what it felt like- and then starting to worry about life decisions like going out on the motorcycle earlier that day and feeling uncomfortable and unsafe (what if I wasn't traveling alone??), like having a f...

No, my dear, you are. You really are. Did you look up from your phone while making that statement, or did you just post it to social media?  The Washinton Post (horrible journalism and reporting, not a legit news outlet, often considered "fake news") made a video where they interviewed some Gen Z-ers, to prove they are not as bad as everyone thinks. The only problem with this is that it didn't accomplish that goal. My mouth dropped open and I rolled my eyes a lot. And apparently, I am a "millennial" so I am either a 'step behind' Gen Z or right on track with them. Hmmmm... So again I say: No, you are as bad as people say you are- BUT at the young age of the kids in the video, it's not their fault. It's their parent's fault. The people saying they are a horrible, terrible generation probably didn't raise a Gen Z-er though. The parents did, and they created a generation of children who are plugged into tech instead of reality. I mean, t...

I absolutely love this.  Let me break it down for you: Observe:  notice or perceive something and register it as being significant Taste:  perceive or experience the flavor of Dream: thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep, to contemplate the possibility of doing something Feel: be aware of or experience a sensation Live: to remain alive Why wouldn't you do all of these things?  (Ask yourself that...)

I used to frivolously spend money. If I saw it and wanted it I got it- even if it meant racking up the credit card bill. One day I realized that all these things were temporary. They didn't make for great stories or conversations. They got me minimal compliments. And they didn't make me feel their worth in the long run. My mindset changed. I am now (and hopefully forever will be) a huge advocate of EXPERIENCES over possessions. Spend money on life experiences, not everyday objects.  Of course, there are necessities- food, clothing, shelter. But do you need 5 pairs of leggings?  Not until one gets a hole! How about 5 different heels? Not until the heel breaks on one! Do you need to breath fresh mountain air while gliding down the side of the mountain on a board or skies? Do you need to feel the exhilaration, the adrenaline? Do you need to feel the accomplishment of not falling, or getting back up after a fall? Do you need to know you have good motor skills enough to maneu...

Taking Responsibility For Your Life Everything you are or ever will be is completely up to you. Everything that has happened and is happening in your life is because of your behavior, words, and actions. You have the freedom of choice. Virtually every circumstance in your life so far, you have chosen out of your own free will. This means, that you are completely responsible for all your successes and failures; your happiness; your unhappiness; and everything in your present and future. This realization is like a parachute jump: It’s scary and exhilarating at the same time. Taking total responsibility for your life is one of the most important things you can ever do. Accepting complete responsibility for all your actions represents maturity in your life. When you accept complete responsibility for everything in your life, success, achievement, and self-actualization will follow. You can never accomplish anything of value in your life or have any real measure of happiness without firs...

Even if that something is just getting out of bed. Or eating a banana or yogurt instead of a bagel. Or walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Or holding the door for someone-- or not expecting a gracious response when you do. Or putting in a little extra effort on one project, with one client, or with your spouse or child or dog. Think about what the smallest step you can take towards a huge goal is... and do it.  And the least thing you can do to make your tomorrow better, is to just smile today. The tiniest things, the smallest steps is how you get started, get going. In the words of Dominick Torreto: "It doesn't matter if it's an inch or a mile, winning's winning."

Some thoughts on how to live a better, more positive life 💖 Live beneath your means Return everything you borrow Give clothes not worn to charity Do something nice and try not to get caught Don’t make excuses Don’t argue Stop blaming other people Admit when you make a mistake Listen more, talk less Be kind to people Be kind to unkind people Let someone cut ahead of you in line Be on time Get organized Strive for excellence, not perfection Take time to be alone Cultivate good manners Be humble Realize and accept that life isn’t fair Stop creating unrealistic expectations Know when to keep your mouth shut Go an entire day without criticizing anyone Go an entire day with smile on your face Everyday take a 30 minute walk Learn from the past  --  Plan for the future  --  Live in the present Don’t sweat the small stuff (it’s almost all small stuff). Don't forget- we were born to be REAL, not perfect.