Top 5 Things I Wish My Parents Did Differently

My mom and her lapse in judgement. She doesn't believe she would ever do something like this. I have a picture to prove this event transpired.

    It seems like all parents to to give their children a better childhood and life than the one they had. I was blessed with a very happy childhood, and I am trying to give my children close to the same one I have. However, there were things in my own childhood I wish my parents had done or hadn't done (see above picture). Here is a list of what I learned not to do from my parents: 1. I will teach my children how to ride a bike! That's right, my parents totally … [Read more...]

Confession of the Day- I’m a Pirate.

I actually have a pretty bad confession, and I want to share it because I never thought about how I might be contributing to something immoral. We live in a building that is super close. Our floor leaves doors open and we treat it like an open community. After the TIME cover came out we were welcomed back to a supportive and protective group of people. We also share our technology. We all share the same internet, have synced iPods, a communal iPad, and any other technological device is … [Read more...]

Waterlink Africa: Why is Water Life-Altering?

Brian and his weapon of choice- equally as terrifying as the above picture

Did you know? $1 can give clean water to one person for over a decade. Why is water life-altering? Unsterile water is the number two killer amongst children. Around the world, fetching water is a woman’s task. Thus, one of the most crucial health issues for women in Africa is the clean water shortage. 1 in 5 children worldwide dies of a water-related disease. Water is a women’s issue. In order to get access to clean water, women and girls must carry up to 50lbs of water every day … [Read more...]

Hunger Hits Home

Hunger Hits Home flyer

My confession for the week: I've ignored hunger in our country. I've been so caught up in the famine ravaging east Africa, and all other areas of the world where people desperately need food. It doesn't mean we should ignore those places that need help now, but we can't overlook the fact that there are children in our home country going hungry. The Food Network is airing a documentary about child hunger in America. Hunger Hits Home airs April 14 8/7c I'm definitely going to be watching … [Read more...]

Confession Friday- The Hunger Games

I am obsessed with The Hunger Games I was at the book store today and I saw it on a stand that said “teen fiction.” I cringed when I saw the label because I am currently reading the series. I was up until 2:30am this morning reading Hunger Games. It is the crack cocaine of books. My husband had to drag me out of my hypothermic bath I had been sitting in for hours, attempting to just get through reading “a few more pages" before bed. I grew up in the cottage of great historical … [Read more...]

My Unpopular Political Views

Confession: I hate politics. Sort of... Okay, in itself that isn’t a worthwhile confession, but my political views are. It came to my attention the other day that I quite possibly am a closet anarchist. Why I hate politics: I love people. Period. My personal goal in life is striving to understand why people believe what they do. In situations when I do this correctly, if there was any judgement to begin with, it will be gone when I reach my goal of understanding the person or … [Read more...]

Confession Friday

val3

I don't like dogs. Heart of stone, you ask? Possibly. I'm a cat person. Here are a few of problems I have with the little mongrels: When you pet a dog your hand smells . (FYI does not happen with cats) They follow you around begging for food (the nerve!) When you pet them your hand smells They just look stupid (look in those eyes and honestly tell me you don't think, "the lights are on, but nobody's home") When you pet them your hand smells They poop on the ground (sure, a … [Read more...]

Confession Friday

My sister at age 35- still hot stuff

When I was little, I scanned a picture of my sister and pretended I was her in chat rooms. In my defense, I was only 12 and it was my brother's idea. We had this picture of my sister when she was 21 in a bikini. It cracked us up. I wish I had it with me, I would show you all. My sister was (and still is) hot stuff- it was fun for my awkward 12-year-old self to get all the computer geeks excited thinking they were really talking to her ;-) … [Read more...]

Confession Friday

Me and my Uggs in 1992 (my poor sister had the flu and still dressed up for me)

"I don't like it when things I like become popular." That's weird, right? I guess that is why it is my confession. Hear me out. Example 1: I liked Ugg boots way before they became popular. I don't have a problem with other people liking the same things as me. My issue that is once it becomes popular it will have its moment and eventually become unfashionable. Uggs held true to that. They had their fleeting trendy moment and now they are considered part of "train-wreck … [Read more...]

Confession Friday

I go to IKEA for the food. What Can I say? I'm a sucker for Swedish meatballs. [insert inappropriate joke here] And at those prices? Really? Can you blame me? Before you give me a disgusted look, first ask yourself if you've even tried it.....If not, I suggest you do before you scoff at the idea of eating at a discount furniture store... … [Read more...]