Real Talk

The other day, a suggested post in one of my social media feeds introduced me to the idea of NO-vember. In a nutshell, you are free to say no to ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING this month if it drains your energy. This isn't necessarily a new concept, but I like to think of it as Marie-Kondo-ing my so-called and quite often self-inflicted obligations (instead of my home). If it doesn't spark joy, then you can say no to it with no guilt whatsoever. Honestly, it shouldn't take social media posts or witty phrasing to help us understand something we should already be doing. There should never be any guilt associated with doing what is best for you, even if that means...

Raise your hand if you are guilty of the following: Saying “Please excuse my mess!” when someone comes into your home for the first (or 26th) time. BONUS POINTS IF YOUR HOUSE IS ACTUALLY CLEAN WHEN YOU UTTER THIS PHRASE. Stop apologizing for being human For years, I’ve wondered how stay-at-home moms keep their homes clean, only to discover that THEY DON’T (for the most part). And I felt absolutely BETRAYED - not by real and true stay-at-home moms, but by the expectation presented via social media. The local stay-at-home moms I’m friends with have unequivocally told me that a perfectly clean and straightened home is a myth, a pipe dream, for most of us. From August through May, I am a middle school...

When did the norm become filtering our lives down to only the perfect details to brag and show off? To get the approval of others? Scrolling through perfectly curated feeds being influenced to buy outfits that make us match every other girl out there? Do NOT get me wrong, I LOVE a good blog just like the next girl. But I think I am finally exhausted of it all. I am worn out of looking at sales that are not sales, beauty products that might not even work, and a filtered snapshot of what seems to be a perfect life.Yes, I know, “instagram is only a snapshot,” and I’ve seen the “instagram Vs reality” posts. We all read about bloggers going...

I met Chad 14 years ago. I lost him in July. I am still in disbelief, unable to process, this can’t really be happening. The painful void is so great that it feels like all the air is escaping from a hole burning in my chest. It feels almost unthinkable to be able to move forward from such a loss. Our friendship was instant and effortless. He quickly became part of my family. If you saw me and my husband out somewhere, Chad was sure to be right there with us. The three of us were a packaged deal. We were the Three Amigos.          Chad was snarky, quick witted, and fiercely loyal. He was sarcastic and stubborn. He loved...

To the moms that tiptoe across the house in hopes they can get their first sip of coffee in before seeing a kid, I see you. To the ones who set their alarms earlier and earlier each day as the list of morning to-do’s grows, I see you. I see you. This is the first year I started school with a child of my own at home. I wear a new hat - MOM. I am a wife, a teacher, and a mom. All three jobs requiring an outpouring of love, understanding, patience, lots of energy, and constant smiles. To say all went well would be a lie. There were a lot tears from me, from my son, and from students. There were...