Veteran’s Day Class Recap

Veteran’s Day Class Recap

How did you spend your Veteran's Day? Were you one of the lucky ones who had a day off? Did you take the time to thank a Veteran for their service? I had the privilege of running two Self Esteem Through Art classes on Veteran's Day. One was a scavenger hunt. The other...

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Sleepovers, HIV, Pride in Ownership, and Sugaring Up the Troops

Sleepovers, HIV, Pride in Ownership, and Sugaring Up the Troops

What do these four things have in common? Sleepovers HIV Pride in Ownership Sugaring Up the Troops They all represent my last four days of giving. If you recall from my last post, I am taking part in a challenge to "give" one thing away each day for the month of...

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A ‘Random Act of Kindness’ Army of…One?!

A ‘Random Act of Kindness’ Army of…One?!

Yesterday, I put a challenge out on my Facebook page. It read: "I am challenging you all to something this month: each day, you must give one thing away. It can be money, it can be time, it can be a charitable donation, it can be a cup of coffee, it can be a flower or...

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The Unveiling of the Exclusive “Our Home” Project

The Unveiling of the Exclusive “Our Home” Project

Happy weekend, everyone! This is going to be a fun little post! I've been giving some thought to our home lately. Thoughts that go beyond the obvious things like: the smallish square footage, the annoyingly inadequate kitchen and bathroom, and the way the stairs groan...

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Halloween, Daughters, Society in General

Halloween, Daughters, Society in General

So, this afternoon, I want to share a few of my thoughts on Halloween. You may or may not like what I have to say, but I'm going to just throw it out there anyways: why do women think Halloween is a great excuse to dress like a slut? Why do people think it is okay to...

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Memory Lane Is Sometimes Littered With Rubbish

Memory Lane Is Sometimes Littered With Rubbish

I spent a part of this past weekend taking a walk down memory lane. It's always an interesting thing for me, reliving the past.  Sometimes when I go back there, when I let my mind wander, when I let myself "feel" -- I don't know whether to laugh, or cry, or both. It...

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Hallmark, Eat Your Heart Out

Hallmark, Eat Your Heart Out

Sat at my new desk and made some cards over the weekend. I was asked to create some cards for a card swap. Here is what I came up with. (autumn themed card with Perfect Pearls, a tree mask, and Walnut Ink) (funny, off color joke inside; moustache rub-on from Hambly...

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Dear Sixteen Year Old Me —

Dear Sixteen Year Old Me —

Hello Old Friend, It's been about 24 years, and I want you to know that everything is fine. It's not exactly what you envisioned life would be like back when you knew it all in high school. But, I swear to you, it's more than fine -- it's perfect! I want to start by...

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Weighty Follow Up #1

Weighty Follow Up #1

Good morning, my friends! If you remember, I posted a while back about how my husband and I finally decided to make a lifestyle change for our health. Then, I posted about how we fought the Fat Monster -- and WON (boy, it felt good to write that post)! Then, I...

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You Hate Me?

Believe it or not, I hear that a lot. The words, "I hate you." People compare and they critique. They belittle and they begrudge. "I hate you." Followed by a lighthearted chuckle or a smirk. "I hate you." Followed ever-so-closely by a "just kidding." "I hate you."...

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Love, Your Lifeguard

Love, Your Lifeguard

Dear Beloved Daughters, You are both growing up so fast! I am afraid that if I blink, I will miss something important. I am doing my absolute best to bring you up to be strong, genuine, intelligent, compassionate young women. It's hard today -- there are so many...

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Nervous? Scared? Apprehensive? All Of The Above!

Nervous? Scared? Apprehensive? All Of The Above!

Okay, here's the deal: September is a really tough month for me. Most of my nearest and dearest know that I have a love/hate relationship with September in even the best of years. It is when school starts and our schedules get completely insane. It gets colder, the...

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