Bridge to Brownies

Princess has bridged to Brownies. It was epic. I think I was more excited than she was but not by much.

Brownies was such a great time. I have great memories of some of the fun things that we learned and some of the best times on camp outs and times at ranches in the summer.

I hope that she loves it as much as I did. I hope that learns about herself- her heart and learns to honor it and follow it.

This last year

This last year has been a challenge.

I had numerous procedures and surgeries. Heck, I have a favorite nurse at the hospital who is now my online buddy, it is a little weird.

A few broken bones later, a few surgeries, a few infections and hospital stays, numerous tragedies.. I am still here. Still ready to take on the next thing thrown my way.

If I did not have some of the best friends ever I could not have made it. If I did not have some of the best family ever there is no way that I could have done it.

Without Tease, I could not have done it. In my life, it is really easy to feel overwhelmed. It is easy to feel like I am sinking. Tease has kept me afloat in so so many ways.

I went to my Tease nights even when I could not fully participate because I needed the haven. I needed to be in a place that was healthy for me as a whole person. I needed to feel like I could check all of my baggage at the door and just play.

It has been a hard year. It has been an incredible year. I can feel like I am flying around a pole and come home and take care of my kids renewed.

Thank you for supporting me friends, family and readers. Thank you for everything Tease- tomorrow night cannot come soon enough.

Do Stop Signs Mean Anything?

Are the ones outlined in white optional? They sure seem to be around here!

When I was a kid and learning to ride my bike in the street, I was taught that one was supposed to signal- using standardized hand signals, obey traffic rules (including stopping at stop signs, red lights etc... )

If that is the case- everyone is to stop at stop signs, why then do they give me dirty nasty looks when I honk at them?

I am all for biking. Really. I am also all for safety and not giving this poor mama a heart attack.

Is there a polite way to remind cyclists to stop?

well that is timing- for tea!

The other day I posted about how Peas loves to be pretty and then I opened my email box to find an email from a site that features girls dresses. I know, a dime a dozen right? This one is especially cute.

So many stores feature dresses verging on inappropriate for little girls. This site offers pretty classic outfits that I think are adorable; even Peas will approve of (and lets be honest, her opinion matters more than mine does)

"Pity"

"Pity" = "Pretty" in Peas.

She is decidedly a girly girl who loves to be pretty. When princess was a 3 year old she pretty much never asked to get her nails painted.. Peas has a selection of polishes to chose from. All of which meat her requirements for "pretty".

My little lady does not like pants at all, even underwear can be a debate. She likes dresses.

Our neighbor gave us some hand-me-down really really pretty dresses- that were expensive. Peas thinks they are play clothes. In her mind- the prettier- the better.

So I have photos of her using sidewalk chalk in a sleeveless red satin dress and having a fantastic time. Whats the harm? It makes her happy, she has fun, and best yet? There is the one price dry cleaners down the street.

Its good to be back

Watch out blogging world I am back! and better than ever.. Well maybe better- but well at least with a functional computer- and that is a step in the right direction.

I do not believe that I took this long off from blogging even when I was in the hospital recovering from surgery!

So what'd I miss?

Really? Too Honest?

The woman I wrote about in a previous post, struggling with her teenage son, started a blog. In her first and only post she discussed her feelings of desperation with her limited options.

Someone she knew read the blog and commented to her about how "desperate" she sounded and how she was blowing her response out of proportion, etc. The reader commented that the post was raw, and personal.

This all really bugged me. If you disagree with a blogger, fine. Disagree. Disagree with kindness and understanding. Especially, especially if the subject matter is emotional.

I really was proud of her for starting her blog. It is important to give a voice to feelings no matter how unpleasent they are. Especially- if they are unpleasent. It is vital to have a place to go to feel safe and just dump, just let it all go. It is also crucial to shed light on uncomfortable topics so they will no longer be stigmatized.

If the stigma is removed or at least lessened then more people may be willing to seek help for themselves or their family without fear of judgement this benefits everyone.