tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84489074324073236182024-03-18T22:32:49.508-05:00She's Always WriteWelcome to the Party in My HeadShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-74314295947510918052019-02-20T11:30:00.003-06:002019-02-20T11:30:47.984-06:00Lessons from the Freelance Life - The Difference Between Offering a Discount and Shooting Yourself in the Foot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vh6tMuOWNMjm4tk8tyiYDtEZDElefW7w38S8xmMMxxmTPspr0knQVY7cD-hLIgkqEO-33IOL1U_XZ4_uI2SbjGEZbtNwOb_Ey9XwpNoj4_Mqp4SPuKchiIR8PO340gaYmFEPgTbmqI8/s1600/Discount+Percent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image of a bright red star with a percent sign in it to indicate discounts" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vh6tMuOWNMjm4tk8tyiYDtEZDElefW7w38S8xmMMxxmTPspr0knQVY7cD-hLIgkqEO-33IOL1U_XZ4_uI2SbjGEZbtNwOb_Ey9XwpNoj4_Mqp4SPuKchiIR8PO340gaYmFEPgTbmqI8/s200/Discount+Percent.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a>Discounts are a standard marketing tactic, but for service based businesses they're a double edged sword.<br />
<br />
People tend to devalue creative services. Even veteran professionals are frequently asked for free advice, and to "do it for exposure."<br />
<br />
Our time and expertise are largely intangible, therefore many folks can't wrap their brain around the fact they have value. It's common for a creative's project quote to be met with haggling.<br />
<br />
Getting paid what your work is worth is an uphill battle. That said, there are some valid reasons for offering discounts. But if they aren't handled carefully, you can make the problem worse.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Just Say No to Introductory Rates</h4>
When I first started out as a freelance copywriter I made the rookie mistake of offering discounts up front, thinking it would entice commercial clients to use my services.<br />
<br />
It did, to a certain extent. Except, even though I was very clear about it being an "introductory rate," I consistently got pushback on my regular rates on subsequent work. <br />
<br />
One of the worst things you can hear from a client is "But you only charged us $XXX last time, and this is the same type of work." They conveniently forget everything about it being an introductory rate.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTp778CJwx1awjHz7Y3XjIMVtRxylmI9Ly9tPsWsIACsf0Z187di6bf0cNYX2nt4ZWa0wX6yHJ8O4HOSTPeFR5SWXKSP6w6Q35JkeAduNALEtJOEDoJbZ59CzLRWS-bmGZ7UXjN3DzTF0/s1600/gettyimages-200188587-applesoranges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1024" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTp778CJwx1awjHz7Y3XjIMVtRxylmI9Ly9tPsWsIACsf0Z187di6bf0cNYX2nt4ZWa0wX6yHJ8O4HOSTPeFR5SWXKSP6w6Q35JkeAduNALEtJOEDoJbZ59CzLRWS-bmGZ7UXjN3DzTF0/s200/gettyimages-200188587-applesoranges.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me, every time this comes up.<br />
Image Credit: <a href="http://gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Getty Images</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A close second is hearing from a prospective client "But Bob told me you only charged him $XXX for the same type of work."<br />
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They don't care it was an introductory rate. They don't care their project is more complex, has different deliverables and will take twice as long.<br />
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They think writing is writing. They heard a number. They want that number.<br />
<br />
Creative work is subjective. Once a value is established in a client's mind, you will be hard pressed to get more.<br />
<br />
Once you're there, you often have to choose between losing the client or working for less than you should. <br />
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Charge your full rate up front and don't feel bad about it.<br />
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<h4>
Professional Courtesy Discounts</h4>
There are plenty of times it makes sense to consider a professional courtesy discount with a repeat client, and there are several benefits:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It's a nice surprise for the client to get an invoice for less than they expected</li>
<li>It builds goodwill by demonstrating you value fairness in your working relationship</li>
<li>If done right, it supports the client's willingness to pay your full rates </li>
</ul>
<br />
A professional courtesy discount is something to consider in cases such as when the work is an update to something you created previously, or an extension of that work that's technically a new project, but you were able to generate with less effort than usual due to your existing knowledge of the client's materials.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq quote-right">
Always document the full project rate on the invoice.</blockquote>
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This can be a set percentage you set up as a Professional Courtesy Discount and let your accounting software figure out. Or you can go with your gut and base it on what feels fair for your time and effort.<br />
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I go down the middle - I start with what Quickbooks shows as a 25% discount, then I round up or down to something that feels appropriate.<br />
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The key is to always list the discount on the invoice. Create the invoice for the full amount the client was originally quoted. Make the last line item Professional Courtesy Discount, and include a brief explanation.<br />
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My explanations are things like "Robust source materials expedited content generation," "Content integration less complex than predicted," or "Less time required for interviews than expected."<br />
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This tells the client:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz1cqpKTOOrH5ky0f6xXmGECjTEKq68fdeC6u0aJFfHT-RuVQCColw4HteisMYtCv80mr2zJ3tIpFUIrmKWxLfd7EZBBFcjyxLLYXSY0Aoxj1VXqZLChMcVK9GP9WJ5Mp9d8agxkKDc4/s1600/gettyimages-sb10069094g-001-hourglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="794" data-pin-nopin="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz1cqpKTOOrH5ky0f6xXmGECjTEKq68fdeC6u0aJFfHT-RuVQCColw4HteisMYtCv80mr2zJ3tIpFUIrmKWxLfd7EZBBFcjyxLLYXSY0Aoxj1VXqZLChMcVK9GP9WJ5Mp9d8agxkKDc4/s200/gettyimages-sb10069094g-001-hourglass.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image Credit: <a href="http://gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Getty Images</a></i></td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>The regular rate for the service is still what you initially quoted</li>
<li>You recognized there was a concrete reason the fee could be less this time </li>
<li>That concrete reason only applies to this specific situation</li>
<li>Your regular rates still apply for other work</li>
</ul>
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<br />
Used strategically and in moderation, professional courtesy discounts can end up making you more money through happy repeat customers and word of mouth referrals than invoicing the full amount.<br />
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<h4>
Friends and Family Rates</h4>
We know when those closest to us can't afford to pay us, or it would create family tension or other social challenges to charge them. When this is the case, often we simply cannot bring ourselves to charge them a dime for something that would cost a regular client hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.<br />
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If you really, truly can't bear to ask your friends and family for money, it's very important to still acknowledge the fact that this is your job and your service has value. The easiest way to do this is to decide what you can trade for. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq quote-inline">
Full disclosure: It took me a very, very long time to become comfortable with this. I have a hard time saying no, and a burning need to be helpful to people I care about. I have easily done ten thousand dollars worth of free resume work over the years for personal connections, and have sometimes felt frustrated and taken advantage of. Don't be me.</blockquote>
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Some people in your life will ask for your help assuming you will do it for free. Most ask assuming they will pay you... something. No one who falls under friends and family ever seems to think they will be charged full rates for any service, no matter its nature. That doesn't happen to bother me, because I feel guilty charging friend and family my full rates. <br />
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I learned the solution to solving the awkward question of charging loved ones is quite similar to the solution to the awkward conversations with professionals who are clearly hoping to get you to do work for barter or exposure... address it proactively.<br />
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Don't give them a chance to put you on the spot, intentionally or otherwise.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4MFYYUE1cXXObACVfcas6kzXKZLKEbqfceZks2QMBkncq2KgEGqJrJTPCXOyng2bhqXUfpJZ1xEoMvD6_P0h6CD-__NCeDKGN55hVkqLt_WwaakP1xJRbRblPNaZvUR9-hqi4EE6Dus/s1600/gettyimages-492644653+bourbonwriter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" data-pin-nopin="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4MFYYUE1cXXObACVfcas6kzXKZLKEbqfceZks2QMBkncq2KgEGqJrJTPCXOyng2bhqXUfpJZ1xEoMvD6_P0h6CD-__NCeDKGN55hVkqLt_WwaakP1xJRbRblPNaZvUR9-hqi4EE6Dus/s320/gettyimages-492644653+bourbonwriter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I work for bourbon. I know. You're so surprised.<br />
Image Credit: <a href="http://gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Getty Images</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Treat it like an inquiry to a project with a flat rate, and casually mention your friends and family rate/barter option as early in the conversation as possible.<br />
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What I've found is that most people feel awkward about asking a friend what they would charge for services, and seem relieved when it's addressed as a matter of course when talking to you in your professional capacity.<br />
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It helps establish the tone for the working relationship, and results in a smoother overall experience.<br />
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<h4>
Business vs. Balance</h4>
Finding the balance between charging what your work is worth and leveraging discounts to foster personal and professional relationships can be tricky. But overlooking the importance of this effective business tactic is just as problematic as using it incorrectly. Either way, you're shooting yourself in the foot.<br />
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<h4>
Related Posts</h4>
This post is one in what will be a series on lessons I've learned as a freelance professional creative. I'll link the others as they go up.<br />
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This post isn't directly part of the series, but is conceptually related as it speaks to establishing credibility in this profession: <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2017/02/nevertheless-she-persisted.html" target="_blank">Nevertheless, She Persisted</a>ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-21734960992477691572019-01-25T10:58:00.000-06:002019-01-25T11:10:15.232-06:00Sensory Friendly Fun: Pit Balls and Bubbles<i>This post is a throwback to sensory activity ideas I saved because our EI therapists were geniuses but I was so busy being a mommy to small sensory seeking autistic humans that posting them at the time wasn't something I could prioritize.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu03UKuF_u8R6DFOmwRBJo9kH4IWy0X4bhGsGtv_jOY0GRBETJS5Hf8z60R3KS6QkC3r24NCmdMdFKAr8gxNUBzUSVRD1g1jtwQunqGN8FArLZJ6gPCtVchvklSvNWhrky8OSFoxGSyU/s1600/Pin-SensoryBubbleBalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu03UKuF_u8R6DFOmwRBJo9kH4IWy0X4bhGsGtv_jOY0GRBETJS5Hf8z60R3KS6QkC3r24NCmdMdFKAr8gxNUBzUSVRD1g1jtwQunqGN8FArLZJ6gPCtVchvklSvNWhrky8OSFoxGSyU/s640/Pin-SensoryBubbleBalls.jpg" width="561" /></a></div>
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The concept is pretty self explanatory...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Wading pool</li>
<li>All the balls</li>
<li>Seriously. So many balls.</li>
<li>You'll be picking up balls forever. </li>
<li>Bubbles</li>
<li>Small human </li>
</ul>
We also added one of those little plastic slides because it was there on account of garage sales are great. I can officially report it's toddler approved fun!<br />
<br />
My son's DT loved that we had the ball pit set up for indoor winter sensory input, and decided to incorporate it into his session. He loves it so much it was a great reward to motivate him through the session, and her addition of bubbles made him explode with joy.<br />
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He asked us to do bubble balls endlessly for a while. Totally worth it.<br />
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<h4>
More Pit Ball Activity Ideas</h4>
This activity is an extension of one I posted a while back when my older son was still small. If you're looking to make one yourself you can read about the <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2011/09/sensory-activity-pit-ball-wading-pool.html" target="_blank">wading pool ball pit</a> situation here.<br />
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And this one's an extension of my little guy just plain loved to be buried in balls and I was looking for ways to make that more engaging and maybe even a little educational - <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2010/10/sensory-activity-fun-with-spinners.html" target="_blank">color matching pit balls with game spinners</a>.<br />
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<h4>
Socials</h4>
I <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553544818180/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pinned this post</a> to the <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/shesalwayswrite-blog-posts/sensory-diet-activities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sensory Diet Activities section of my blog board</a>.<br />
I shared it from my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/posts/1169402073233938" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ShesAlwaysWrite Facebook page</a>.<br />
<br />ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-46660986476187938872018-09-19T09:48:00.001-05:002019-01-25T10:14:05.532-06:00Free Printable Swim Training Dry Erase Workout Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHf-2v2tkjK5NpTHpUJspSVzYWDMTdJN5JCPrxc7Nxf-OA1iPGUCo6Ysc99q2TD2FAklTBiUV9iRpI036QfQV-VXX5ZwrE13bMKK4mIn6oiJWHHHCqNwCedRb9A-szfiDTcMN3GuCXm0/s1600/Pin-SwimCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHf-2v2tkjK5NpTHpUJspSVzYWDMTdJN5JCPrxc7Nxf-OA1iPGUCo6Ysc99q2TD2FAklTBiUV9iRpI036QfQV-VXX5ZwrE13bMKK4mIn6oiJWHHHCqNwCedRb9A-szfiDTcMN3GuCXm0/s320/Pin-SwimCard.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
I'm very open about the fact that I'm a lousy swimmer. I figure it's nothing to be ashamed of. I never learned properly as a kid, I was never on a team.<br />
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But for reasons that still elude me, I really wanted to do triathlon. So I cobbled together knowledge from swimmer friends, fellow tri bloggers, my triathlete PT, and the little bit of coaching I've been able to afford along the way.<br />
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Moving up to 70.3 triathlon distance this past season was a huge motivator, in an abject fear of the swim cutoff kind of way.<br />
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I knew my regular routine of slogging through junk yards at the gym wasn't going to cut it. Especially after months of recovery from plastic surgeries, followed by my compressed spinal cord situation, kept me out of the water for over a year... and let's be real, I hadn't been in it all that much since my comically bad performance in the 2015 Chicago Tri that I won't even pretend was due to the 58 degree lake.<br />
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I had always assumed I'd go to the Master Swim class at my gym once I was ready to take the next step. But it's currently not happening due to lack of instructor, so I was on my own. <br />
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Started researching training plans. Understood I had to add things like drills and speedwork. <br />
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Quickly discovered that I can't keep track of it all in my head.<br />
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Then I remembered seeing swim sets being laid out for the Master Swim on the white board at the lap pool. Thought about using that, but since I'm not an experienced swimmer, I couldn't entirely figure out the cryptic notes.<br />
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I needed something simple. So, I made myself a card that incorporated options for all the various types of swim training plans and drills I've seen floating around tri geek world.<br />
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Then, I...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Laminated it to make it waterproof and dry erasable</li>
<li>Punched a hole in it</li>
<li>Used a binder ring to hang it from my swim bag</li>
</ul>
Before I head to the gym, all I have to do is fill out the card with the swim sets in the training plan.<br />
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The only catch so far is that if I shove it in my bag, the dry erase can rub off. But I'm too lazy to bring the hard copy of the workout and a dry erase marker to the gym, so I just try to be careful not to rub too much off.<br />
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It sits poolside, right next to my pull buoy and other related torture devices.<br />
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Sometimes I secretly use checking it as an excuse to take a few extra seconds of break between hard sets. It makes me look like some fancy athlete doing something all official when the truth is I'm just a terrible swimmer with no stamina in the water.<br />
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But it really has helped a ton. I waste a lot less time pausing between sets trying to remember what the hell I was supposed to do next, or counting on my fingers trying to sort out how many more laps are left of a given set.<br />
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It helped take my tri swim from abysmal to below average. That's a big win for me. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqtkeLzNuPu7P6S_dm06X5qPgxEjHBysVB3FcKlxvOSG6hZJX6caonIbDjzrfDDm66u7bB_rZGurGxFJb1bLaK0n8SQbS1d30JJn6wBc7lAyBq3HAlQs40WpInZSjl6_Hzwlv6K_W1bw/s1600/20180812SteelheadSwimFinish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqtkeLzNuPu7P6S_dm06X5qPgxEjHBysVB3FcKlxvOSG6hZJX6caonIbDjzrfDDm66u7bB_rZGurGxFJb1bLaK0n8SQbS1d30JJn6wBc7lAyBq3HAlQs40WpInZSjl6_Hzwlv6K_W1bw/s400/20180812SteelheadSwimFinish.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The guy crawling behind me was all of us <br />after that unbelievably hard swim.<br />Rescue pulled 210 athletes from the lake that day.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The swim coach I worked with this spring very much approved of it as a training tool. Between her fixing my stroke and general approval of the direction I was taking my training plan with help from this planning tool, I was able to take my swim from never gonna make 1.2 miles inside 1:10 to reliably doing it in roughly 48 mins in practice.<br />
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Of course, we all know you never know what race day will bring. In the case of Steelhead 70.3 2018, it brought huge waves and, because Lake Michigan is a fickle bitch, an are you freaking kidding me wetsuit optional water temp of 76.4. Hundreds of us opted in, because we like not drowning.<br />
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This picture is of me frantically checking my watch as I cross the timing mat to find out if I was disqualified after surviving the uphill swim through the washing machine stuck on the murder cycle.<br />
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I squeaked in with 2:34 to spare. <br />
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I couldn't have made it without the focused effort I made in the pool with an appropriate training plan, made easier with this swim training aid.<br />
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If you're like me, you're heading into winter thinking about <strike>lazy </strike>easy ways to work on your skills so you come out of the off season ready to train. This card is an easy tool to help with that.<br />
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You can make your own handy dandy swim training card with this <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FHwo1JLy0SNDMoAz3m6K6PHPZqJpOzT3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">free PDF download</a>.<br />
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Laminator not included. Sorry, Google hasn't sorted out how to digitize that yet. But they assure me they'll get to work on it as soon as they nail down the self driving cars.<br />
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<b>Socials</b><br />
This is cross posted on my <a href="http://hitmystride.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-being-crafty-made-me-better-swimmer.html" target="_blank">dusty old triathlon blog</a>.<br />
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I <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553543655451/" target="_blank">pinned this post</a> to the triathlon section of my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/shesalwayswrite-blog-posts/" target="_blank">blog posts board</a>.<br />
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I shared this post on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/posts/1089171857923627?__xts__[0]=68.ARATLlIc2G9fsJ_ztMEPDaT8ybT5vonlRT4F2KgWEEEpmOm5wq1NFGzgvQBw0eqcmZPvA14E3szEJyGAxw-6x2MGGoCZiQ3EkA-zzp2Pu4idNXDCXag5uknK8iFZSuamRbZ5RT6EcUoG0XRuOLywLf_K9I5H9u3TYqScvOj9L_9IRUeI2SB_sA&__tn__=-R" target="_blank">ShesAlwaysWrite Facebook page</a>.<br />
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<br />ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-56164573008944089072018-06-11T17:56:00.001-05:002018-06-11T18:37:17.739-05:00Do I Have Issues? Nope. I Have A Subscription<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidwB8kYKUbaW9gtu6YgAL7nUuL_MRxpUIolMYNYDP0UmZpMmRcUE9qW_UBtdNcAJh4Lj4U0nB2YQaVCr3sDgdm2MmAJFBjKqwd711kHxdM3HziHNsC0rfxbZxLgb1EXElPBxoNGAIWpg/s1600/AnxietyMeme-TheForce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="585" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidwB8kYKUbaW9gtu6YgAL7nUuL_MRxpUIolMYNYDP0UmZpMmRcUE9qW_UBtdNcAJh4Lj4U0nB2YQaVCr3sDgdm2MmAJFBjKqwd711kHxdM3HziHNsC0rfxbZxLgb1EXElPBxoNGAIWpg/s320/AnxietyMeme-TheForce.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image credit: Unknown Redditor</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The impression most people have of anxiety disorder is discomfort at parties, or lying awake at night worrying.<br />
<br />
The reality is that it's much more insidious and invasive. It makes things harder, more time consuming. It takes up space in every corner of your life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Disorganization and clutter are a huge anxiety trigger for me. It also sends my OCD into overdrive. I spent a good bit of time and money last year purging and redecorating my office because of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuna6otmkcK7sV58Q-wJ4oiNE__hUEdFGWtBzaeSBoqaqU5jJUhJy281lgafBiJh_43gN0-of0e7JMRVznJEeIxY70D2eGzSBN-wOfJwsbx_di7k-X0rts-TMEHx22KlPS3BKCg4oDJI/s1600/1-home-office-organization-storage-ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuna6otmkcK7sV58Q-wJ4oiNE__hUEdFGWtBzaeSBoqaqU5jJUhJy281lgafBiJh_43gN0-of0e7JMRVznJEeIxY70D2eGzSBN-wOfJwsbx_di7k-X0rts-TMEHx22KlPS3BKCg4oDJI/s400/1-home-office-organization-storage-ideas.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I have a Pinterest board called Organization Porn.<br />It's full of fantasy scenarios like this.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
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My office had become a chaotic catch-all from a decade of prioritizing my special needs kiddos. It got to where I was having anxiety attacks just walking up to it. I would stand outside the door with my heart racing, trying to breathe, willing myself to approach my desk.<br />
<br />
I had to start from scratch. But I'm still working on the purge because I cannot simply discard things I no longer need. I will spend absurd amounts of time obsessively seeking a placement for any item, no matter how inconsequential, if it is still useful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Emptying out the things I no longer need is easy because creating open space where once was clutter soothes my anxiety.<br />
<br />
Finding homes for them takes time, but it's a necessity because if I don't the OCD would make me so anxious about I would regret it every day for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
Most of the piles in my office are things like boxes of family photos that go back generations because my relatives heard I was interested in geneology. Craft supplies for projects I've been planning for years, and have not yet given up on. Things that can't be discarded, and must be organized.<br />
<br />
Those are easy. Organizing things is soothing. I get to buy a new storage unit? It's like Christmas!<br />
<br />
But then there are the other things. Functional things.<br />
<br />
Reference books I no longer need.<br />
<br />
Craft supplies from projects I definitely gave up on.<br />
<br />
And the one that haunts me worst of all... a pile of unread Writer's Digest magazines dating back to 2008. (Spoiler Alert: I had my first special needs baby in late 2007.)<br />
<br />
I kept insisting I would read them. <br />
<br />
I would move individual issues to my nightstand... and then put it back on the pile after a month or two.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13LlbcqCvo8qTdD1KS8xmgJY7YAo6gxlGiB8Bjy_3d2ozgpaWFxWjEEGHu_01v2gPWNAqL3q3mB0ljwi5TxTz2TUXgTYfhNmkhr9rm4l-cKDN7QnupB1mNgEo6rENvXpjibVA9YAQ5ik/s1600/OCDMeme-Circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="654" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13LlbcqCvo8qTdD1KS8xmgJY7YAo6gxlGiB8Bjy_3d2ozgpaWFxWjEEGHu_01v2gPWNAqL3q3mB0ljwi5TxTz2TUXgTYfhNmkhr9rm4l-cKDN7QnupB1mNgEo6rENvXpjibVA9YAQ5ik/s320/OCDMeme-Circle.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I'd think about recycling them. <br />
<br />
I'd move the pile to an end table to force me to see them.<br />
<br />
I'd think about recycling them.<br />
<br />
I'd move the pile back to a corner of the bookcase.<br />
<br />
I'd think about recycling them. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjioamesxQrE32tMqDG-0-WytcKkNyBiGfJ3bFkGLwh2D8u5GcisxHbka0EYxOJa7ZAk3p2t_ZZOxxbkRY4cpo9AW-uB_otVTta2Sx7a1dGyKUqmPBRboIVBt1VHRiGnDsA8fdlKw6vGQ/s1600/OCDMeme+-+TwoBrains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjioamesxQrE32tMqDG-0-WytcKkNyBiGfJ3bFkGLwh2D8u5GcisxHbka0EYxOJa7ZAk3p2t_ZZOxxbkRY4cpo9AW-uB_otVTta2Sx7a1dGyKUqmPBRboIVBt1VHRiGnDsA8fdlKw6vGQ/s320/OCDMeme+-+TwoBrains.jpg" width="320" /></a>I've moved this stack of magazines around more times than I can count, insisting I would not fail in my sacred duty to read them.<br />
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I felt terrible guilt and anxiety.<br />
<br />
I should read them. But they had become clutter.<br />
<br />
I should eliminate clutter. But I should read them.<br />
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And around and around it went. For 10 years.<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzB5xn2ins-VLqxSey8291bLJnKBSj9UtXcGcRu5q8dLpeNtaQffZpLFIc1KDX5hpWyEFwZq7usw5XUY09K9rGvwaPPcLn4LHBQdkKVWhDpnBRU-Fba2gCBw1DKw0nzHWV8xV5Swz8Bw/s1600/AnxietyMeme-YouGotMe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="578" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzB5xn2ins-VLqxSey8291bLJnKBSj9UtXcGcRu5q8dLpeNtaQffZpLFIc1KDX5hpWyEFwZq7usw5XUY09K9rGvwaPPcLn4LHBQdkKVWhDpnBRU-Fba2gCBw1DKw0nzHWV8xV5Swz8Bw/s320/AnxietyMeme-YouGotMe.jpg" width="320" /></a>The voices that live in my head were pretty sure if I got rid of these dusty, decade old magazines, that...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I would be forever be branded as a failure at my profession<br />
</li>
<li>Everyone would hate me<br />
</li>
<li>The world would end</li>
</ul>
<br />
Not necessarily in that order. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My shiny new office is once again a cluttered catch-all, because family and kids and life. But it is much better. I eliminated a lot and organized more. But it's already triggering anxiety, and the magazines are one of the reasons why.<br />
<br />
They became a tangible symbol of my mental illness.<br />
<br />
I decided it was time to confront them.<br />
<br />
Then... I waited almost 6 months. Because I needed to consult my therapist. Except I knew what she would say, and I had to give myself one last chance.<br />
<br />
We all know I didn't read them.<br />
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I bit the bullet. Today was the day. I confronted the anxiety and I did the thing any reasonable person would have done 10 years ago.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI4fetwTOZuJTATqzlqZIoR_o9DAkhKTYu1tbiSqicSoKsVKfooLglqXrXy_lPUj3rQJ8WvpF4B38Ihm-d8qb0_JMM0nbGJu7KUpMlv-jQHWMSK0ZQS4MBeY8b54c694jyPJL4aPDliU/s1600/RecycleMagazines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI4fetwTOZuJTATqzlqZIoR_o9DAkhKTYu1tbiSqicSoKsVKfooLglqXrXy_lPUj3rQJ8WvpF4B38Ihm-d8qb0_JMM0nbGJu7KUpMlv-jQHWMSK0ZQS4MBeY8b54c694jyPJL4aPDliU/s400/RecycleMagazines.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow is garbage day. The bin went out for the night as soon as I put them in. That guaranteed I can't let the guilt win and try to rescue them.<br />
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So... if the world ends tomorrow... sorry y'all. My bad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DMKvXTw5akjZ9X0hUs4oZTbczPN1OHcRFRj3FJ2ddtRlI5HNKnXv4VXi-Bz-5jv4WF3UwfxDiodWgRJHIr26DfHTozk9KpgUGuktehc4u36NXYw6EivYMG3FdL5kVhiNX2HskMnduUk/s1600/AnxietyMeme-WhatGoWrong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DMKvXTw5akjZ9X0hUs4oZTbczPN1OHcRFRj3FJ2ddtRlI5HNKnXv4VXi-Bz-5jv4WF3UwfxDiodWgRJHIr26DfHTozk9KpgUGuktehc4u36NXYw6EivYMG3FdL5kVhiNX2HskMnduUk/s1600/AnxietyMeme-WhatGoWrong.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<i><b>Socials</b></i><br />
This post can be shared from my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/posts/995941903913290" target="_blank">ShesAlwaysWrite Facebook page</a>.<br />
I <a href="https://pin.it/gmu4aqujbbrydl" target="_blank">pinned this post</a> to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/shesalwayswrite/" target="_blank">ShesAlwaysWrite Blog Posts board</a> under Mental Illness.ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-35756434618971380832017-10-09T14:00:00.000-05:002019-01-25T10:13:25.325-06:00Healthy Halloween School Snacks - Juice Box Ghost<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTXxi8MJ-qzrJRLlFEdeeLkZxQbHAIsUiDyqjtOhyQqN6lZo2hTXbjmA4BO9SQ3-GTslfhWN8S3KXQjB9jZVuCPKSfUFcTwzyKX2tqGdKi1UFpkRvrGLssCTFlDTKGS-mvgJxEu2u91I/s1600/Pin-Halloween+Juice+Box+Ghosts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="900" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTXxi8MJ-qzrJRLlFEdeeLkZxQbHAIsUiDyqjtOhyQqN6lZo2hTXbjmA4BO9SQ3-GTslfhWN8S3KXQjB9jZVuCPKSfUFcTwzyKX2tqGdKi1UFpkRvrGLssCTFlDTKGS-mvgJxEu2u91I/s400/Pin-Halloween+Juice+Box+Ghosts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In recent years, school policies regarding the kind of treats that parents send in for parties have required they either be healthy snacks or not food at all. I am fully on board with this, because the first couple of years of having a kid in school were spent incredulous at the sheer volume of treat bags my kid brought home. <br />
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Since Halloween is basically synonymous with candy, it felt important to do something good enough to distract the kids from the fact they're not getting any candy at their class's Halloween party.<br />
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I spent a lot of time <strike>at my place of worship</strike> on Pinterest, rolling my eyes at the complex, time consuming, super cute and crafty ideas from moms who either have far more time on their hands or, like me, sometimes forget to take their meds.<br />
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But I still wanted to do something for my son's preschool class, and the Mommy Who's <strike>Psycho</strike> Notably Enthusiastic About Halloween needs to deliver.<br />
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So I looked poked around the pantry and came up with this <strike>half-assed</strike> adorable idea for juice box ghosts that you can throw together in minutes. Enjoy!<br />
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<u><b>Supplies</b></u><br />
Juice Boxes<br />
Coffee Filters<br />
Sharpie<br />
Glue Gun<br />
Small Child (optional)<br />
Coffee (optional... Who are we kidding. This should be the first item on every project supply list.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMDxi3g-67PRAd94-jpoHttu4Z7iPYwN6Sfb2_TqexyahKgceOVx39R60rlW-USGJe8vY-hpGxm8ssV7XJ8B_diiU3G6g0tiCCJapiUTKZXojPbdIUO-LBvdd-r_oQOAjldPgOwM9Yes/s1600/JuiceBoxGhosts1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMDxi3g-67PRAd94-jpoHttu4Z7iPYwN6Sfb2_TqexyahKgceOVx39R60rlW-USGJe8vY-hpGxm8ssV7XJ8B_diiU3G6g0tiCCJapiUTKZXojPbdIUO-LBvdd-r_oQOAjldPgOwM9Yes/s400/JuiceBoxGhosts1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>He was super helpful. Super. Helpful.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u><b>Assembly</b></u><br />
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<i><b>Step 1 - Draw The Ghost Faces</b></i> <br />
Ask the small child to help because he wants to help and drawing ghost faces on coffee filters seems pretty harmless. Immediately realize putting a Sharpie in the hands of said small child was a mistake.<br />
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<i>Bonus Round:</i> Realize after you've already done half of them that the Sharpie is seeping through the coffee filters and your countertop now features a series of little ghost faces.<br />
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<i><b>Step 2 - Glue The Ghosts On</b></i><br />
Plug in the glue gun to heat up. Sip coffee. Leap into action every time the small child tries to touch the hot glue gun.<br />
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Put a dollop of glue on two edges of the sides of the each box.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ52nbIu6SAdVQJiXPE9fh70k0xtGlSrJHmAI_m99tJNZH9H1HZYk7omM_VhkSH8X7q3BokZWs_spMbbf3RnMX35mgoeLU4SFjSzC2Kc2rDjlp3AG8LAjk-rWrKWxZWsYAt1FM7_plSjY/s1600/JuiceBoxGhosts2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ52nbIu6SAdVQJiXPE9fh70k0xtGlSrJHmAI_m99tJNZH9H1HZYk7omM_VhkSH8X7q3BokZWs_spMbbf3RnMX35mgoeLU4SFjSzC2Kc2rDjlp3AG8LAjk-rWrKWxZWsYAt1FM7_plSjY/s400/JuiceBoxGhosts2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bucket List Item: do a glue gun project and not burn my fingers</i></td></tr>
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<i>Important</i>: Don't use too much glue, or the poor teacher will be cursing your name while 17 small humans ask her for help getting the coffee filters off so they can then ask for help putting the straws in.<br />
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More or less center the ghost face on the front of the box and lightly press the coffee filter into the glue. Burn your fingers and drop the juice box. Repeat as necessary.<br />
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I knocked out enough of these for a preschool classroom in about 10 minutes, managed to drop it off at school just in time for the class's Halloween celebration, and the teacher gushed like it was the coolest thing she'd ever seen. <br />
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Next time you're scrambling for a tribute to maintain your spot in the Cool Mommy Brigade, give this a shot. <br />
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Do you have any ideas for your own super simple Halloween themed healthy classroom snacks? I'm all ears!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PAxxpcJU2O__I5-AWaOLf0rKQww1jV0ReXy-oUsSqfQAYWUzSw68CXUPKgogoJVw2AXtm2-HsnYd_2eEzFduBlsvNNkHbHub8UeFDSJnFIAYqse2I3jSmc-eaXS6MQjTuFzdY-0wTns/s1600/JuiceBoxGhosts3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PAxxpcJU2O__I5-AWaOLf0rKQww1jV0ReXy-oUsSqfQAYWUzSw68CXUPKgogoJVw2AXtm2-HsnYd_2eEzFduBlsvNNkHbHub8UeFDSJnFIAYqse2I3jSmc-eaXS6MQjTuFzdY-0wTns/s320/JuiceBoxGhosts3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cutest ever army of the undead</i></td></tr>
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<br />
<u><i><b>Socials</b></i></u><br />
I pinned this post to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/halloween-party-foods/" target="_blank">Halloween Party Foods board</a>.<br />
I tweeted this post because I can't help myself. The Twitter, it's shiny. ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-75054960042722330722017-10-03T10:00:00.000-05:002019-01-25T10:11:47.779-06:00Halloween Burlap Bubble Wreath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF7c0P1gfpE9dXSuSJjjNYgyC9Ntu31tZcPPwii3F36pXbC2_zPLo0CicnH8czc0amBnxN6Fk6mc2Oh00gBPs7AGqPi2ECLmn3A9c2Acd_hJa30idm89BVgL04no5aK2fk0AZzOe9Llo/s1600/Pin+-+Halloween+Wreath+Square+Burlap+Bubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF7c0P1gfpE9dXSuSJjjNYgyC9Ntu31tZcPPwii3F36pXbC2_zPLo0CicnH8czc0amBnxN6Fk6mc2Oh00gBPs7AGqPi2ECLmn3A9c2Acd_hJa30idm89BVgL04no5aK2fk0AZzOe9Llo/s640/Pin+-+Halloween+Wreath+Square+Burlap+Bubble.jpg" width="561" /></a></div>
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<br />
As I mentioned already, I ended up hosting a wreath making party.<br />
<br />
You can see the obsessively planned and agonized over <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2017/10/halloween-themed-burlap-ribbon-wrapped.html" target="_blank">burlap and ribbon wrapped Halloween themed wreath I made that day in this other post</a>.<br />
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What I hadn't planned on, though in hindsight I should have expected, was that just like after any party where guests bring things... people left their leftovers.<br />
<br />
Since wreath making supplies can get expensive they didn't leave the big stuff. But, I was left with a good bit of mismatched floral flotsam.<br />
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Cut to the week or so before said estrogen drenched gathering... I was helping my good friend and neighbor (and instigator of said wreath gathering) do her yard for Halloween. There was a little styrofoam skull and hands that had fallen off something else; she said I could take it or throw it away. I knew it was perfect for... some project I hadn't yet conceived. <br />
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Needless to say, I had my peanut butter meets chocolate moment and... voila! Between a square frame I'd found on clearance but didn't know what to do with, a random sampling of wreath party leavings, a little freaky fabric I pulled from my stash, and the rescued body parts, I ended up with one of my most favorite wreaths I've made.<br />
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Moral of the story... hoard other people's trash and you can make pretty things! Wait, no.... that can't be right. Anyway. Poing being: WREATH! Skulls! Halloween! HAPPEE!<br />
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<u><i><b>Socials</b></i></u><br />
I <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553538750570/" target="_blank">pinned this post</a> to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/halloween-wreaths/" target="_blank">Halloween wreath board</a> and my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/shesalwayswrite-craft-posts/" target="_blank">crafts board</a>.ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-18743153729141912812017-10-02T09:14:00.000-05:002019-01-25T10:11:55.266-06:00Halloween Themed Burlap & Ribbon Wrapped Wreath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cGCVE43HYngT8JuTQ4vzOKgAHN67gQ5gZdDkX8YhnRc7PrB4xbP0oFMjZ5GGNgQYDLT7cmkS6DLRhkRTIoqSftkrNsl6_tGUaSqq-6BpeHWzNf4VurtFeEeoHl7qDblmomt3CE5YKmU/s1600/Pin+-+Halloween+Wreath+Burlap+Ribbon+Wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cGCVE43HYngT8JuTQ4vzOKgAHN67gQ5gZdDkX8YhnRc7PrB4xbP0oFMjZ5GGNgQYDLT7cmkS6DLRhkRTIoqSftkrNsl6_tGUaSqq-6BpeHWzNf4VurtFeEeoHl7qDblmomt3CE5YKmU/s640/Pin+-+Halloween+Wreath+Burlap+Ribbon+Wrap.jpg" width="561" /></a></div>
<br />
So I ended up hosting a wreath making party. (<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/seasonal-decorating-fall-wreaths/" target="_blank">I</a> <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/home-decor-wreaths/" target="_blank">know</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/halloween-wreaths/" target="_blank">you're</a> <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/seasonal-decorating-summer-wreaths/" target="_blank">totally</a> <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/seasonal-decorating-christmas-winter-wreaths/" target="_blank">shocked</a>!).<br />
<br />
I bought the printed ribbon you see above quite some time before. I fell instantly in love with it and I'm pretty sure the world would have ended if I didn't take it home. <br />
<br />
I agonized over this project because I wanted to make sure I was absolutely certain how to deploy my special ribbon. I knew it wouldn't survive my incompetent fumbling and having to be redone several times like my much sturdier first <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2014/10/halloween-burlap-wreath.html" target="_blank">wreath project with burlap and felt rosettes</a>.<br />
<br />
I got so busy hostessing at the wreath party, plus ended up sharing my glue gun with basically everyone, that I didn't manage to finish it until after everyone left. Which was probably for the best, because my frustration levels with the natural tendency of wrapped wreaths to come out unevenly is not really suitable for public consumption.<br />
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But finish it I did, and I am so so so happy with how it turned out! <br />
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It's deceptively simple. This project is really about patience. I should probably get some of that before I attempt another wreath like this. But, totally worth it. Because it's. so. pretty!! Morticia Adams would be proud.<br />
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Oh, and I totally made another Halloween wreath with the party leftovers. Because of course I did.<br />
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<br />
<i><u><b>Socials</b></u></i><br />
I <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553538727447/" target="_blank">pinned this post</a> to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/halloween-wreaths/" target="_blank">Halloween wreath board</a> and my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/shesalwayswrite-craft-posts/" target="_blank">crafts board</a>. ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-72485820220443026772017-09-27T16:55:00.004-05:002021-10-12T09:46:32.776-05:00Pirate Theme Birthday Party - DIY Water Bottle Labels<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GwkUNj_FZRXXF216xd0_Iv5VShaXe5NweFArZbdVJ-9gVeI3sP4ZhxfNeArzKNRx9crvdDTeClcOtTHcohVK7tAxEr2Vp2ROC0M_Kk1A5639XfCecljnAVGQG0Fe0TU7lgn1Jb3pbxE/s1600/Pin-Pirate+Party+Water+Bottles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="900" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GwkUNj_FZRXXF216xd0_Iv5VShaXe5NweFArZbdVJ-9gVeI3sP4ZhxfNeArzKNRx9crvdDTeClcOtTHcohVK7tAxEr2Vp2ROC0M_Kk1A5639XfCecljnAVGQG0Fe0TU7lgn1Jb3pbxE/s400/Pin-Pirate+Party+Water+Bottles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Backstory </b></i><br />
<i>When my first one turned 6 and wanted a pirate themed birthday party I took plenty of pictures of all the projects with every intention of turning them into a series of DIY pirate party blog posts.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>That kiddo is about to turn 10 and my second is about to turn 6... and wants a pirate themed birthday party. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>So this is me, finally putting it all together for you and for me. I'll add links and make a master collection once I get enough up.</i><br />
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<i><b>Custom Labeled Birthday Party Water Bottles</b></i><br />
For reasons that escape me, making your own labels for water bottles is one of the easiest ways to impress people with your party planning prowess. <br />
<br />
I love them because they're a quick, cute and kid friendly project. <br />
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<i><b>Supplies</b></i><br />
Flat(s) of bottled water (I get the little 8 oz bottles, I find there's less wasted)<br />
Scissors<br />
Scotch tape<br />
<br />
Printed labels (<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QbE5zcjhYVmR3Wnc/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-IguL_1poWEII8jyvCEUSDQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">download a free PDF printable of the water bottle label</a> pictured above)<br />
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There are 7 bottle labels per page, so just do the math for how many pages to print based on the number of water bottles you're doing.<br />
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<i><b>Assembly</b></i><br />
1) Cut out the labels. <br />
<br />
If your kiddos are old enough, they can do this with scissors. If you're lazy like me, a paper cutter will make quick work of this, but that's decidedly <i>not </i>a kid friendly option.<br />
<br />
2) Tear the existing labels off the water bottles. I highly recommend letting the kiddos do this. It's fun and easy.<br />
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3) Tape the new labels on. This is pretty kid friendly, though if precision matters to you then your mileage may vary.<br />
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That's it. That's the project. It's so self explanatory I thought about just throwing up the picture and the printable download, but for the sake of search engines and all I figured I should include some words.<br />
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<i><b>Learn From My Mistakes</b></i><br />
These labels won't survive being dunked in a cooler full of melting ice at a party. Which should go with out saying... yet here we are. <br />
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<i><u><b>Socials</b></u></i><br />
I pinned this post to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/birthday-party-pirate-theme/" target="_blank">Pirate Theme Birthday Party board</a>, which mostly consists of mind blowing cakes made by incredibly talented people (read: not me).<br />
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I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/posts/857036661137149" target="_blank">shared this post to my obligatory blog Facebook</a> page.<br />
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I <a href="https://twitter.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/status/913163475232358402" target="_blank">tweeted this post</a> from my ShesAlwaysWrite tweeter thingy.<br />
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<br />
<u><i><b>Other Pirate Theme Birthday Party Posts</b></i></u><br />
<a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2013/11/pirate-party-birthday-cake.html" target="_blank">Pirate Theme Birthday Cake</a>ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-50498631478351872522017-07-12T11:04:00.000-05:002017-07-12T11:04:24.427-05:00Mixed MessagesThere's no doubt about the kind of negative messaging women get about their bodies from fashion. I have learned that goes double for fitness gear.<br />
<br />
I thought the problem was that I was really, really overweight. Turns out that wasn't it at all.<br />
<br />
Now that I've lost 140 pounds and am eyeing my first Half Ironman, I realized I need a new wetsuit.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE3i6V6Maj6Jv8foFp_I4i6_eSPl295AkNYDA7bIzwItnXlO6_RiROat7Nq5_Xb7_L2_xgFul77HtMMGOIIRha_TnlgR2PBM6vfDo6HF5hG4kXarrJaR47S1O-x0atgDnyfpiT6HqTwA/s1600/338649_203281734_Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="425" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE3i6V6Maj6Jv8foFp_I4i6_eSPl295AkNYDA7bIzwItnXlO6_RiROat7Nq5_Xb7_L2_xgFul77HtMMGOIIRha_TnlgR2PBM6vfDo6HF5hG4kXarrJaR47S1O-x0atgDnyfpiT6HqTwA/s320/338649_203281734_Medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 Chicago Triathlon ~ size 14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The one I wore 80 pounds ago is simply too big now. I passed it on to an awesome woman in my running group. She's a far better swimmer than I will ever be and races more often, so I'm happy to see it get used like nature intended.<br />
<br />
My old suit is a size Large/Athena ("Athena" is code for "fat" in triathlon world) only because it was the largest size available anywhere, from anyone. I really needed one a few sizes bigger. Many women who need suits that much bigger go for men's suits. I'm very short and very curvy - men's cut suits simply aren't an option for me.<br />
<br />
Imma be honest, the suit baaaaaaarely fit when I was size 22. That alone was depressing, because I'd lost 50 pounds at that point. But it's stretchy enough it got the job done, with the caveat I could only sort of breathe, on account of even women's cut wetsuits aren't intended for my pre-mastopexy 40J girls. <br />
<br />
That said, it saved me in several races, and made the biggest race of my life so far possible because hello, Lake Michigan was 59 degrees. It was all I had and I was grateful it got me in the (really fucking cold) water.<br />
<br />
Cut to present day. Based on my shiny new weight, I figured I'd need a Small. That's my regular size now in most things, and they're stretchy. <br />
<br />
To my dismay, based on my measurements (a muscular 5' 2" and 135-140, which is somehow both a size 4/6 and technically overweight) I discovered I need either a size Medium/Athena or a size Large. <br />
<br />
This is from the size chart of the wetsuit company that was the first (and may still be the only) brand to offer designs in Athena sizes and with designs that account for things like hips and boobs.<br />
<br />
I like this company a lot. They made it possible for me to have a wetsuit at all. But... damn. Way to make a girl feel like crap.<br />
<br />
I shouldn't be surprised, I routinely have to size up to Medium or even Large in running gear. It all tends to run small. But it pisses me off to no end. I shouldn't have had to spend the last decade feeling grateful I was able to force something to sorta work when I spent just as much money as everyone else.<br />
<br />
It was far worse when I started out at a size 26/28 - finding fitness clothing was my biggest barrier to becoming fit. With exception of the Danskin brand, which will have my loyalty forever for clothing me in accurate sizes when no one else would, the "plus size" offerings out there all run just as ridiculously small as their regular sized options. (Case in point... I bought a size 3X Garneau bike jersey that finally fit when got down to about an XL, a real world size difference of 22/24 to 14/16.)<br />
<br />
Let me be clear, this isn't about how I feel about my body. I've done a lot of physical and mental work to make peace with my body. What upset me so much is that the average woman is not a size 4. And I will always identify with the women who are not a size 4 because I spent the last couple of decades being just about every size a woman can be.<br />
<br />
No woman who is motivated enough to be out there, doing the hard work it takes to race, should be made to feel like she is regarded by equipment makers with disdain simply for existing in a normal, human sized, age grouper body.<br />
<br />
The average beautiful, healthy woman is a size 14. And she should not be made to feel like an outcast when searching for something like an expensive piece of equipment to facilitate participation in an endurance event she is doing to feel good about herself and her health and her body.<br />
<br />
Women are constantly criticized for our bodies and told to fix them. But fitness gear is cut for anorexic, flat chested pixies. There is little available to comfortably fit most normal, average sized, everyday women with hips and breasts. It's patently absurd that even someone like me, who has gotten down to wearing XS and S in clothing sizes, is forced to be looking at the uppermost size range of what's available on the fitness gear market. And even then, it often doesn't fit because they aren't cut for any sort of real bust.<br />
<br />
I can deal with what that does to my dysphoria in therapy. But it doesn't change what it does to the vast majority of us when we are out there sweating in the training trenches, actively doing the right thing for our health, yet are faced with size charts saying we aren't even invited to the party.<br />
<br />
No wonder we all hate ourselves.ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-19911620031276435582017-05-31T10:50:00.001-05:002022-05-04T12:04:34.903-05:00DIY End of Year Teacher / Therapist Appreciation: Gift Card Bouquet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvqEFFsYlRk1EIJW-qnufHO83EGQY_3MHLIByI3OzmRBNELaWDheapVvDPGUb2gWZk9Hn85EbvlixETppz-tXTyryFXaSpSxDVBokow1HdtH86F-ZhoITuIgDEI6uFzEoTUueM5RZcfQ/s1600/Pin-TeacherGiftCardBouquet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvqEFFsYlRk1EIJW-qnufHO83EGQY_3MHLIByI3OzmRBNELaWDheapVvDPGUb2gWZk9Hn85EbvlixETppz-tXTyryFXaSpSxDVBokow1HdtH86F-ZhoITuIgDEI6uFzEoTUueM5RZcfQ/s640/Pin-TeacherGiftCardBouquet.jpg" width="561" /></a></div>
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<br />
Once again I found myself at the end of a school year with half a dozen teachers, classroom aids, therapists and drivers to thank for all the wonderful work they do supporting my special needs kiddos.<br />
<br />
I poked around Pinterest for weeks, but was having a hard time finding something that made sense to give to all the different types of professionals, 4 of whom work inside the same classroom.<br />
<br />
This <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=thank%20you%20for%20helping%20me%20grow%20teacher%20gift&rs=typed&term_meta[]=thank%20you%20for%20helping%20me%20grow%20teacher%20gift%7Ctyped" target="_blank">adorable concept</a> caught my eye, and a teacher friend confirmed it's something she would like to receive. But at that point I had less than 24 hours left to sort it out and the store I had time to go to didn't have the kind of mini plants I needed. <br />
<br />
My backup plan was Starbucks gift cards and and using my savior <a href="http://www.tagxedo.com/" target="_blank">Tagxedo </a>to make personalized word cloud cards to put them in like I did for the <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2014/05/easy-personalized-diy-gift-for-teacher.html" target="_blank">classroom supply teacher appreciation gift basket</a> a few years ago. But it didn't seem nice enough after having my heart set on the floral idea.<br />
<br />
This bright, pretty pot of begonias caught my eye as I was doing one last desperate wander through the grocery store. I thought about the little sticks that hold cards in bouquets. And voila! Idea mashup.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmRt9xKWRQL-OeD4_6cCVHIolACV0msv1ASa7fLwpfPqk_XVDlgeg0pyjBpbBDLeZ7q4rwemypg8f3XNYb0Aivajml6cybW8Syr9V7Be9RjlE1MqJxC8cvxHV8SSzFx38KKrKRY972iY/s1600/TeacherGift1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmRt9xKWRQL-OeD4_6cCVHIolACV0msv1ASa7fLwpfPqk_XVDlgeg0pyjBpbBDLeZ7q4rwemypg8f3XNYb0Aivajml6cybW8Syr9V7Be9RjlE1MqJxC8cvxHV8SSzFx38KKrKRY972iY/s320/TeacherGift1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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The store didn't have any floral card holders, but the craft section had little dowels and mini clothes pins. The flowers and crafty bits were only about $11 total. I already had card stock at home. Problem solved.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-pin-no-hover="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXch8hQtIEOyH9OBDvPYiB25-PZWeM_Wo84PoXLKOMMR7DbtU22EYw6RFucG58Ep3Wal3uo9-B-kxFZFfe7DbXmtrym-b0oiRI32SkKcfD1uXSE6lmdLLG51HX5vL_g9SGptfWb9eJyM/s1600/TeacherGift2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXch8hQtIEOyH9OBDvPYiB25-PZWeM_Wo84PoXLKOMMR7DbtU22EYw6RFucG58Ep3Wal3uo9-B-kxFZFfe7DbXmtrym-b0oiRI32SkKcfD1uXSE6lmdLLG51HX5vL_g9SGptfWb9eJyM/s320/TeacherGift2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not officially a project until there's <br />
a reason to break out the glue gun!</i></td></tr>
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I made the word cloud cards half the size of the ones I made last time to make sure they weren't too heavy for the little clothes pins. That allowed me to print two at once on the same piece of card stock. (Free printable card templates below).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72bIat9mtBhWcIn0U7Lf5eJyekFxq1SbnBxg7F-MzC5IoCbOERzGVFCOL4EEP2L59Xw9mcD5rDI6gmip2U_NRNsdCXIEfvpLBqc0ErkdO6dt4FFCPeVnanpqBKegw8mFT_MoepE-0XVg/s1600/TeacherGift3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72bIat9mtBhWcIn0U7Lf5eJyekFxq1SbnBxg7F-MzC5IoCbOERzGVFCOL4EEP2L59Xw9mcD5rDI6gmip2U_NRNsdCXIEfvpLBqc0ErkdO6dt4FFCPeVnanpqBKegw8mFT_MoepE-0XVg/s320/TeacherGift3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is what you're going for on the front/back of the card stock.</i></td></tr>
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You'd think that would save time and paper, but if your spatial relationship skills are anything like mine then correctly flipping the paper to print the back results in a lot of headdesking and cursing and this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_4yxBGsYXAA3sUFS3XLiPbCxitT_JrFMy7SoAOELyTruYklurkaTXZ8kR_HENz1x-tVNh4x3fcFxHBIIfMB1LmaMkCGkodSMSLcUmbBt5zUTbuLY4V0INMJGsLadJbDkSSVXZiQk_og/s1600/TeacherGift4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_4yxBGsYXAA3sUFS3XLiPbCxitT_JrFMy7SoAOELyTruYklurkaTXZ8kR_HENz1x-tVNh4x3fcFxHBIIfMB1LmaMkCGkodSMSLcUmbBt5zUTbuLY4V0INMJGsLadJbDkSSVXZiQk_og/s320/TeacherGift4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My incompetence is flexible. <br />
I also managed to get some with upside down text.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i></i></td></tr>
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I used a ruler to find the center point and my scrapbook cutter to separate the halves because my scissor work leaves something to be desired.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEatHaLScILa-cBGvdDxJyZvC6pKsMrg5YPSQz9XuN4c75orUi5QKJnbIvEdsJnFMf68lf7ZNBPRcnSX6P9hXRs4aLbJGW2myJNuAbD7ht80BRD6LhzsxnH6wPbFbz8m8HKqXWrpL2z-Q/s1600/TeacherGift5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEatHaLScILa-cBGvdDxJyZvC6pKsMrg5YPSQz9XuN4c75orUi5QKJnbIvEdsJnFMf68lf7ZNBPRcnSX6P9hXRs4aLbJGW2myJNuAbD7ht80BRD6LhzsxnH6wPbFbz8m8HKqXWrpL2z-Q/s320/TeacherGift5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Almost never actually use it to scrapbook but <br />
I've found a hundred other uses for this little gadget.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is the point at which I enlist the child whose academic and therapeutic team is being appreciated. They've spent the last two years teaching him stuff like how to interact with other humans, and have made impressive progress in getting him to write his name.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT02ZVRmpt7du6Kv6MF1_spYfbDFFFuG3CWolIDkNNZRmHr1DMMYxN5e8yWNgSGFmsVHA86EVKhxVlIdOP-3YoNVYkDH1IZQMgtvWy21h_CFpJCHarp0yD_eXSO13aYFLra4CYY5YqFdA/s1600/TeacherGift6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT02ZVRmpt7du6Kv6MF1_spYfbDFFFuG3CWolIDkNNZRmHr1DMMYxN5e8yWNgSGFmsVHA86EVKhxVlIdOP-3YoNVYkDH1IZQMgtvWy21h_CFpJCHarp0yD_eXSO13aYFLra4CYY5YqFdA/s320/TeacherGift6.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Sharpie was a calculated risk. <br />
Also? When did my baby get so big?!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I think the flowers and cards are just fine on their own. Or possibly paired with something cute and handmade by the kiddo like these <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2013/05/laminated-painting-bookmark-craft.html" target="_blank">hand painted bookmarks</a> we made for the teaching team when my first son was growing out of this same early childhood program. <br />
<br />
I had already bought a pile of Starbucks gift cards because I'd given up on finding the right floral solution when I stumbled across the begonias. Since the gift cards were already on hand, I taped one inside each of the personalized teacher cards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDZm1Cp4brrCDH3vLPKYs0046HaY7T9b-xhH4ZyE9T8kqZs-MoDFGcZZqJhNgWIwqAbMTZEUaIcigCHKVFG9E6PPJPZSdISeFVSPj_FzIbGwG5Yllw4yH83beeM3DrfDb7q-ql8Za4Cs/s1600/TeacherGift7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDZm1Cp4brrCDH3vLPKYs0046HaY7T9b-xhH4ZyE9T8kqZs-MoDFGcZZqJhNgWIwqAbMTZEUaIcigCHKVFG9E6PPJPZSdISeFVSPj_FzIbGwG5Yllw4yH83beeM3DrfDb7q-ql8Za4Cs/s320/TeacherGift7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
It took longer for the glue gun to heat up than it did to make the card holders. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb1mjrpyjklyEmZxtt2H8m4LwIekFfAORLzDKQ7k1Rv4AqrUvTC5HGH8GQKxFiNyj8mpZVT3xg6Mi8AxgB19wQly5bmslNxAiJcTp_mwsH-hfx1EQ2VKzq8Nm-_M4yBc2B1y46VmDUQI/s1600/TeacherGift8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb1mjrpyjklyEmZxtt2H8m4LwIekFfAORLzDKQ7k1Rv4AqrUvTC5HGH8GQKxFiNyj8mpZVT3xg6Mi8AxgB19wQly5bmslNxAiJcTp_mwsH-hfx1EQ2VKzq8Nm-_M4yBc2B1y46VmDUQI/s320/TeacherGift8.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
It would be lovely to give one to each individual team member. I was on a tight timeline, had already spent $100 on Starbucks gift cards and didn't want to figure out how to carry so many full size flower pots into the school. The whole team works out of the same classroom, so in this case I put all four gift cards into the same flower pot. You may want to go with the individual approach, depending on your school team's configuration.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-k9iiPVaWuzxrz9WEMILYMbSlZNlmSxGRtBSo_w-ui2-kkkcUKr3H4IOYbtm9Ad6No-6QwBC-8p60kaEQFtrK5xM9C1MFJOWF67FLhBeElQyMFoqMDZBd6BIJvKT3t6644zhtpIfrmc/s1600/TeacherGift9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-k9iiPVaWuzxrz9WEMILYMbSlZNlmSxGRtBSo_w-ui2-kkkcUKr3H4IOYbtm9Ad6No-6QwBC-8p60kaEQFtrK5xM9C1MFJOWF67FLhBeElQyMFoqMDZBd6BIJvKT3t6644zhtpIfrmc/s320/TeacherGift9.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Teachers + Therapists = Appreciated!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i><u><b>Free Printable PDF Templates </b></u></i><br />
Here is a variety of templates with a couple of generic teacher friendly word cloud pictures and thank you messages. If you don't have the time or patience to tinker with custom word clouds and Photoshop, you can mix and match these to whip up homemade cards in less than a minute.<br />
<br />
<i>Two Smaller Cards on One Page</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QUGU4aEt0UEdDZGM/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-20hmpiZ0pq0GK_F0YoXc5A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Dual 4.25x5.5 Cards - Outside</a><br />
Image: General Teacher Word Cloud, Flower<br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QdDRxejlnX09rRU0/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-br7zTmDwUDaDErwQB4YLEA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Dual 4.25x5.5 Cards - Outside</a><br />
Image: General Teacher Word Cloud, Apple<br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QR2Nxa1RKUHlnVG8/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-RHL0Ej_mOKral9ilNuKz_Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Dual 4.25x5.5 Cards - Inside</a><br />
Message: Thank you for helping me grow!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QMU13MUN6UXBvSXc/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-COjJTx2ooJNYaL3gBNIGIA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Dual 4.25x5.5 Cards - Inside</a><br />
Message: Thank you for helping me learn!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QSTRfM0Yyay0tTVE/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-wE0qKXq2GzEPyfsNhbXHcA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Dual 4.25x5.5 Cards - Inside</a><br />
Message: Thank you for being my teacher!<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>One Larger Card on One Page</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QZFZxVVVHSS1JYkk/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-sHaEz_fsz_rhIQe6V6BRHA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Single 5.5x8.5 Card - Outside</a><br />
Image: General Teacher Word Cloud, Flower <br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QVkNMYTRlaUppYWM/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-Ytak-cBCkRsOiUhkUCDGTw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Single 5.5x8.5 Card - Outside</a><br />
Image: General Teacher Word Cloud, Apple <br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QVkpxS0VueHdiRTg/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-7bKuh74KksWo9GPIFKinWw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Single 5.5x8.5 Card - Inside</a><br />
Message: Thank you for helping me grow! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QLWFna1ZIT0JBSzg/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-FRkQXDx_3DUyEL0JkxgzcQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Single 5.5x8.5 Card - Inside</a><br />
Message: Thank you for helping me learn! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PSnpF7-H9QVzRHODJkaDFqeDQ/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-N_CT0S9-bG7TK1jeKg76Zw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word Cloud Teacher Appreciation Single 5.5x8.5 Card - Inside</a><br />
Message: Thank you for being my teacher!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><u><b>Socials</b></u></i><br />
I <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553537110290/" target="_blank">pinned this post</a> to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/gifts-teacher-gift-ideas/" target="_blank">teacher gift ideas board</a>.<br />
I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/posts/792601930913956" target="_blank">shared this post</a> to my <a href="http://facebook.com/shesalwayswrite" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. <br />
<i><u><b></b></u></i><br />ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-48233222049308956932017-05-10T11:28:00.000-05:002019-01-25T10:12:38.201-06:00One of These Things Is Not Like the Other: On Tater Tots and OCD<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoBmoEr0NOIMNNNklV8vNhilx3lICPWYOS5TK7QXi8eDFhF-BdKjp1kBBssDoy3j1aITrJxRGKF1yMNs2iKqFndLt7OKsoU0NcVzpXMaZ1mFRo2s1-mvhZ75YSEgAmASknDIyv0hcR4A/s1600/GrumpyCatOCD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoBmoEr0NOIMNNNklV8vNhilx3lICPWYOS5TK7QXi8eDFhF-BdKjp1kBBssDoy3j1aITrJxRGKF1yMNs2iKqFndLt7OKsoU0NcVzpXMaZ1mFRo2s1-mvhZ75YSEgAmASknDIyv0hcR4A/s320/GrumpyCatOCD.jpg" width="320" /></a>I've been prepping big batches of freezer meals lately because my sweet, beautiful, kind, generous cousin has Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Since I live half a state away, this is one of the only ways I can do something concrete to help.<br />
<br />
(If you're so inclined, you can donate <a href="https://www.youcaring.com/sara-hammond-565036" target="_blank">here </a>to help with living and medical expenses for her and her 10 yr old daughter.)<br />
<br />
Since I'm staring down <a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/michelle-runforautismchicagoma1/fundraiser/michellewood8" target="_blank">marathon training</a>, I've also been prepping them in multiples because I'll be happy to have some easy freezer meals on hand once those long runs get reaaaaaally long.<br />
<br />
Both of us being down to earth Midwestern girls with a foodie side, I've made a variety wide range of dishes for her freezer and mine. A recent week of chilly rain had me craving something warm and homey, which of course meant comfort food hall of fame contender Tater Tot Casserole. <br />
<br />
I had about half the stuff on hand for a single batch. I hit the store to get stuff for a triple batch. <br />
<br />
I ended up with far more than the triple batch I was aiming for, so winning!<br />
<br />
But.<br />
<br />
As I started with the tot layer, I noticed a problem.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru1iKd0QJYfbep1jk9MYsJwKMXS-taODlH9u0WWGamKuhHdFBgIktQRDThyphenhyphen2JIp49mM76RdLNDlFDBK0_3e-Rdxk0hAG-MzoRPtm8kKfSYOlpJE2rwc1LIR9DDW1lFP1QWFExJ1F8uXw/s1600/OCDTaterTots1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru1iKd0QJYfbep1jk9MYsJwKMXS-taODlH9u0WWGamKuhHdFBgIktQRDThyphenhyphen2JIp49mM76RdLNDlFDBK0_3e-Rdxk0hAG-MzoRPtm8kKfSYOlpJE2rwc1LIR9DDW1lFP1QWFExJ1F8uXw/s400/OCDTaterTots1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes. I had to rearrange them for symmetry and retake the photo.</i><br />
<i>Because if I didn't, the world would end. Obviously.</i> </td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If your brain is wired like mine, you will spot the problem right away. <br />
<br />
If your brain is not wired like mine, you are rolling your eyes right now.<br />
<br />
And let's be real, if you're not a Midwesterner or raised in a church social atmosphere you're probably wondering what the hell this and why anyone would want to eat it.<br />
<br />
Figured it out yet? No? Here's a hint...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddqYcQ6usxYkpAIJKtJzaoOWqKVlIW6VVno90GfFnx8kMNOR62G_NS9-oZ87Qs4kEyDh4SJIerf0FtjPQW1Fw3SzsPtFSJ2Tz02Y-Q0pnilRBgbOxopEc1PiEnd2my5K9SUmQXGYC5JA/s1600/OCDTaterTots2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddqYcQ6usxYkpAIJKtJzaoOWqKVlIW6VVno90GfFnx8kMNOR62G_NS9-oZ87Qs4kEyDh4SJIerf0FtjPQW1Fw3SzsPtFSJ2Tz02Y-Q0pnilRBgbOxopEc1PiEnd2my5K9SUmQXGYC5JA/s400/OCDTaterTots2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Houston, we have a problem.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If your brain is wired like mine, you are now filing away the fact that these two distinct products exist so you will not find yourself trapped in the same OCD hell at some future date.<br />
<br />
If your brain is not wired like mine, you are wondering how I survived this long and putting me on your mental list of easy targets in the zombies apocalypse.<br />
<br />
It is <i>exhausting </i>living with a brain that turns something like this into a heart pounding, short of breath, paralyzed with indecision problem. <br />
<br />
But it also makes us creative and resourceful. We do what we've gotta do. Even if that means an impromptu jigsaw puzzle session with frozen tater tots so the crazy people who live in our heads will shut up for a while.<br />
<br />
It may be hard to live with, but at least we have the comfort of knowing when the zombies come, we OCD folk will be the ones with generators and a freezer full of casseroles. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OBfIkbXGaEK5-teLWWb_psflRu3xPJ3y9iVXhoIyJunTgyamB-q3YQC4DmS4C5fw1jpGHq_rf1vchfgvEX3D0s2gAWzXtrJKPtJMZ-UOnYZKFmACxUXy35zexSO4oG6Nz830mOLJIpk/s1600/follweiler-cycle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OBfIkbXGaEK5-teLWWb_psflRu3xPJ3y9iVXhoIyJunTgyamB-q3YQC4DmS4C5fw1jpGHq_rf1vchfgvEX3D0s2gAWzXtrJKPtJMZ-UOnYZKFmACxUXy35zexSO4oG6Nz830mOLJIpk/s1600/follweiler-cycle.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Follweiler Cycle <br />
This is how an OCD brain works, y'all.<br />
And knowing is half the battle.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i><b>Socials</b></i><br />
This post is <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553536798496/" target="_blank">pinned </a>to my board <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/shesalwayswrite-eavesdropping-on-the-party-in-my-h/" target="_blank">Eavesdropping on the Party in my Head</a><br />
This post is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/posts/782421868598629" target="_blank">shared</a> on my Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/" target="_blank">ShesAlwaysWrite</a>ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-5715324247544369262017-04-03T11:00:00.000-05:002019-01-25T10:12:14.576-06:00Kid Friendly Upcycled Paper Bag Easter Basket Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnc67YnAuxDmzXvMn-mM_60fMi72DC6vRVsRpYiL5mP-B8E_Rr7tfmXV_4-brup5DfbVXV8Gn4q5u1VEvsq9j0Z82xtyj3v16QeVgLr_h5yGirAKHYvIE2k3PY2RCVQbkrFY_PVaKt9vU/s1600/Pin-PaperBagEasterBaskets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnc67YnAuxDmzXvMn-mM_60fMi72DC6vRVsRpYiL5mP-B8E_Rr7tfmXV_4-brup5DfbVXV8Gn4q5u1VEvsq9j0Z82xtyj3v16QeVgLr_h5yGirAKHYvIE2k3PY2RCVQbkrFY_PVaKt9vU/s1600/Pin-PaperBagEasterBaskets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When the stores fill with plastic eggs, chocolate bunnies and overpriced baskets emblazoned with the latest Disney characters, I cringe and imagine what a pastel nightmare next month's landfill layer is going to look like. I just can't bring myself to buy single use items like that.<br />
<br />
I'm always looking for hands-on crafty stuff to do with the kids, and I compulsively hoard sturdy paper shopping bags with handles. It occurred to me therein lies the two birds / one stone solution to the Easter basket problem. I'm sharing it with y'all, because I can't be the only one who would happily slip a forgotten Easter basket into the recycling bin after hiding in the garage to eat the last of the Jelly Bellies.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Kid Friendly Upcycled Paper Bag Easter Basket Craft</b></div>
<br />
1) Rummage around in the back of your pantry for some paper bags. Hopefully ones that don't smell like old Chinese takeout.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpfhxNIhBRQPaiYyxY70EqLwJ16WTP6QrGn-KTs8csoZ53X42xdexJzmRDbF8hn52-NmTTc0KbaBJrMGSfHoI1H-3SBljW_knZBPMDtHaIWs7fwm5kCcbFxT3lzFByXXUPaj4dYQbUzk/s1600/PaperBagEasterBaskets1+Bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpfhxNIhBRQPaiYyxY70EqLwJ16WTP6QrGn-KTs8csoZ53X42xdexJzmRDbF8hn52-NmTTc0KbaBJrMGSfHoI1H-3SBljW_knZBPMDtHaIWs7fwm5kCcbFxT3lzFByXXUPaj4dYQbUzk/s320/PaperBagEasterBaskets1+Bags.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
2) Prep the kids to paint. Take autism break to allow plenty of time for crucial paint bottle arranging. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQSt53IOhuSjuyjemxqF9YIgCjxqluftjuOsqaMQiCgWAPisiCNj_XYiqpYg6b9PB5lfNW9P977DjsXEEe-BoMS8KDamoisS6s6_ZBcV1FaSnQQhh7DQlgzXZoJi1UwgLimImL6pFBS0/s1600/PaperBagEasterBaskets3+AutismBreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQSt53IOhuSjuyjemxqF9YIgCjxqluftjuOsqaMQiCgWAPisiCNj_XYiqpYg6b9PB5lfNW9P977DjsXEEe-BoMS8KDamoisS6s6_ZBcV1FaSnQQhh7DQlgzXZoJi1UwgLimImL6pFBS0/s320/PaperBagEasterBaskets3+AutismBreak.jpg" /></a></div>
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3) Have the kids cut top of the bags off at the crease. Save upper sections for the handle step.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj7Q09eJ1BbMxks86FlsWhn9Wnb3cJpLefA8znY0byOeHlfSQUq0BU8qZ8XnRYhG1thL-xikH07WTQROJjPLjNZBIdcg3GDHTXfU5Kn2cuvWvJmvqr2x7cZvMyDJYHd4xKAm5Jg1TELg/s1600/PaperBagEasterBaskets3+CutBags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj7Q09eJ1BbMxks86FlsWhn9Wnb3cJpLefA8znY0byOeHlfSQUq0BU8qZ8XnRYhG1thL-xikH07WTQROJjPLjNZBIdcg3GDHTXfU5Kn2cuvWvJmvqr2x7cZvMyDJYHd4xKAm5Jg1TELg/s320/PaperBagEasterBaskets3+CutBags.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
4) Nope, still not quite right...<br />
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<br />
5) Distract boychild from lack of access to paint with a cookie while explaining that his brother is autistic just like he is, and we will wait for little brother to arrange the paint bottles because it makes him happy, just like we wait for big brother arrange the kitchen stools because it makes him happy.<br />
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<br />
6) Finally start painting... *sigh* That's ok little Dude, the Easter Bunny doesn't really care if your basket is painted. You do you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS66xACrroZh-WA4AaU5FfXH0wAleQdGC-EL9K-BTKQrkRQlhEE4xNytjQftCilTzvxv0YFJqu0PjHrOliGpf07pAX0_QuEAYSuBttgEjhEIerb1Gba5RfA0V9tVTTM_-vnqyXRNhqSNA/s1600/PaperBagEasterBaskets5+Paint1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS66xACrroZh-WA4AaU5FfXH0wAleQdGC-EL9K-BTKQrkRQlhEE4xNytjQftCilTzvxv0YFJqu0PjHrOliGpf07pAX0_QuEAYSuBttgEjhEIerb1Gba5RfA0V9tVTTM_-vnqyXRNhqSNA/s320/PaperBagEasterBaskets5+Paint1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
7) Try not to cry as you think about how far your sweet little guy has come and how much hard work and occupational therapy and social coaching it took for him to get to a point where he spontaneously painted a picture of his family next to a house.<br />
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<br />
8) Let the painted bags dry, preferable overnight. Try not to forget that you sat them on top of the fridge and drop another pile of stuff you needed out of the way on the wet paint.<br />
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9) Cut the handle sections so the width is just slightly smaller than the interior width of the painted bag. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgjr0UOYnQPdEuwu0Wd40HLYl80-AlWvZ3Ub8YySjrx3e5-BgsnVEF9ivLkNzRhdcyQ-G1sZyM7RT8cB2z2RwzA7OML0G7wY3sZzO_8rSYdGUAJQRP9MUhlMWHfTEkrk5OWYseg9ruDY/s1600/PaperBagEasterBaskets6+Handles2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgjr0UOYnQPdEuwu0Wd40HLYl80-AlWvZ3Ub8YySjrx3e5-BgsnVEF9ivLkNzRhdcyQ-G1sZyM7RT8cB2z2RwzA7OML0G7wY3sZzO_8rSYdGUAJQRP9MUhlMWHfTEkrk5OWYseg9ruDY/s320/PaperBagEasterBaskets6+Handles2.jpg" /></a></div>
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10) Cut the height of the handle section so it's just shorter than the depth of the painted bag.<br />
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11) Glue time! AKA stealth squeezy sensory break time!<br />
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<br />
12) Glue the crap out of 'em so they'll hopefully hold the weight of the Easter stuff. I set the glue covered pieces in place for the kids because I'd rather not be scraping dried glue off my counter through Memorial Day. Then I have them press it all over to get good contact. I recommend letting it dry on its side overnight so they don't slide around.<br />
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<br />
13) Voila! Adorable, guilt free, customized Easter baskets! If you're feeling ambitious and looking for another sensory activity, instead of buying Easter grass you can have the kids make their own. I always have scraps of construction paper in the craft bin and the little one loves to play with scissors. (Fine motor skills!) You could also have them crumple or tear up tissue paper.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>Any Size</b><br />
The great thing is that this craft can be done with any size paper bag that suits your family's Easter traditions. A standard brown paper lunch bag is the perfect size for a reasonable amount of candy. For bags without built in handles, simply hole punch and use ribbon or yarn to create the handle. They'll still achieve a basket look, though probably won't be sturdy enough to carry it once filled.<br />
<br />
I use fairly big bags because our Easter bunny doesn't bring much candy. He doesn't need to - we've still got at least a bag or two still left over from Halloween. What he does bring is a moderate size toy, maybe a DVD, with some token "bunny beans" (adorably dubbed so by Dude last Easter, and not an error we're keen to correct) and a Reese's egg (because I'm only human).<br />
<br />
The things is, spring is when work starts going nuts for me after the typically quiet winter. So I go from a near total focus on the kids to spending tons of time in the office. Easter has become an opportunity to assuage some of the Working Mommy Guilt associated with my seasonal disappearance, so until I'm able to level up in my career I'll probably continue using the big bags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsMYMQunVMXhtoarNPWLuoiPlJPcI_5-uTo2mQWaS9u7TPodHJwWOXa1K9oq9ccCuyFZf_q9kgo8NDzxzgmMY4xdVbkqLBYo4IyjO5BJDEPfJi-N5AYPEOPBMug1S6YOK7K-wD76Caes/s1600/PaperBagEasterBaskets7+Finished.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsMYMQunVMXhtoarNPWLuoiPlJPcI_5-uTo2mQWaS9u7TPodHJwWOXa1K9oq9ccCuyFZf_q9kgo8NDzxzgmMY4xdVbkqLBYo4IyjO5BJDEPfJi-N5AYPEOPBMug1S6YOK7K-wD76Caes/s320/PaperBagEasterBaskets7+Finished.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I wasn't kidding about the Working Mommy guilt. Wonderful Husband has
requested that I ask the Easter Bunny to take his enthusiasm down a
notch next year...<br />
<br />
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<b>2015 Paper Bag Easter Baskets</b></div>
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We really enjoy this project, and made them again!</div>
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<b> </b> </div>
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***</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2016 Paper Bag Easter Baskets</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
And again! This year was extra fun, Dude really got into it. He had a whole story about how the Easter eggs he painted were secretly bombs. </div>
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I also enjoyed seeing the evolution of Bear's bunny. It's great to compare things like this year to year when your kids are developmentally delayed, it helps me visualize the progress all the hard work and therapy has helped them make.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzijMoEuCvoYnSI9Cb8LpfBF6h10OwUkbBkEQKEMsuuRVHr6QezpDHx0QVAKpwxqsZboVliGyMf5BzTANaATE5nUaS7y_ydvnXoP-6yGFRasRbWxosUx2tT3f3bpF9-a6CKEdgkSPr3GU/s1600/2016EasterBaskets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzijMoEuCvoYnSI9Cb8LpfBF6h10OwUkbBkEQKEMsuuRVHr6QezpDHx0QVAKpwxqsZboVliGyMf5BzTANaATE5nUaS7y_ydvnXoP-6yGFRasRbWxosUx2tT3f3bpF9-a6CKEdgkSPr3GU/s320/2016EasterBaskets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>Socials</b><br />
This <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553523456166/" target="_blank">paper bag Easter Basket</a> craft is pinned to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/shesalwayswrite-craft-posts/">crafting board</a>.ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-79113074497285069302017-02-27T13:55:00.000-06:002017-02-27T15:39:25.597-06:00Nevertheless, She PersistedWhen I'm not trying to do right by my spectrum kiddos or training for the next race or pouring my dream of published authorship into Scrivener, I'm writing for my clients.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfiF9-g1kAj6uxdXr0cyfgNYmMcUYM6ltyIyscCfTTVc4wnn1BRFzynC2MlldPoOVO-RbC7qsvzWgTItEZb_9nN9Zuc9YqwhsXCMV3ZqUeFuzLmc9Qzo33pLwS6Vn4DvA3s1ZWCaPc0o/s1600/Comic-BadInstructions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfiF9-g1kAj6uxdXr0cyfgNYmMcUYM6ltyIyscCfTTVc4wnn1BRFzynC2MlldPoOVO-RbC7qsvzWgTItEZb_9nN9Zuc9YqwhsXCMV3ZqUeFuzLmc9Qzo33pLwS6Vn4DvA3s1ZWCaPc0o/s320/Comic-BadInstructions.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I'm looking at you, Ikea.</span><br />
</i>©2014 Jeff Stahler</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a natural born writer and a geek with half an engineering degree, a technical communications degree and a biology degree, it isn't hard to guess which writing niche I fell into. Since most copywriters come from English, marketing or journalism type backgrounds, writers who can, for example, converse with a product design engineer and translate what she said into functional marketing copy, just aren't all that common.<br />
<br />
I've been called "the best technical writer I ever met" by a senior marketing manager at an enormous global industrial firm. I am often sent resume referrals for C level executives, by C level executives. I know I'm good at my job. It took me almost 20 years of repeatedly being told that to catch on, but I know it now in a way the anxiety can't penetrate.<br />
<br />
However.<br />
<br />
Every time a new medical or industrial client comes my way with a project, I hesitate.<br />
<br />
Even after 20+ years of always understanding the material, and generally knocking it out of the park, I hesitate.<br />
<br />
It just happened again. I was offered a project writing a case study on a successful custom solution to a highly technical industrial process. And I hesitated. Because no matter how skilled I am, I can't stop wondering...what if this is the time it's too complicated for me to learn enough on the fly about a technology I haven't heard of and I can't do my job?<br />
<br />
And, as happens every. single. time.... I opened the background materials and grasped the crux of the piece in less time than it takes to reheat my forgotten coffee.<br />
<br />
I have thought about this at length.<br />
<br />
I do think my anxiety disorder plays a part in this. It plays a part in everything.<br />
<br />
But after so many years being a woman in a technical job, I have become certain there is more going on here. Recent conversations with several women executives have reinforced my theory. (Real talk... we commiserated and had a good laugh at the male ego stroking and elevated performance level we have to maintain as a matter of basic professional survival.)<br />
<br />
One the commercial side of my business, I work with mostly technical material from industrial firms.<br />
<br />
On the resume side of my business, I work with mostly IT professionals, mid-upper level corporate managers, directors and C-suite executives.<br />
<br />
Which is to say, I work with mostly men.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoPfaz2PyAql5VjJ3T6vxNSjg1V8SNCjUTjR5ye1hO5zbOyQ8jkzMRURXAi_bCy_WwzekR1S4dvC5l3a-8XTql4THqu5I2yYUW8oEjRCT5XwxVvkeovmtEYoQjjELzL-nCy9D9l2IPVM/s1600/dilbert-cropped-2-150x150.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoPfaz2PyAql5VjJ3T6vxNSjg1V8SNCjUTjR5ye1hO5zbOyQ8jkzMRURXAi_bCy_WwzekR1S4dvC5l3a-8XTql4THqu5I2yYUW8oEjRCT5XwxVvkeovmtEYoQjjELzL-nCy9D9l2IPVM/s200/dilbert-cropped-2-150x150.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Tina the Technical Writer is my spirit animal</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">© 2012 Scott Adams, Inc.</span></td></tr>
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As such, I have become accustomed to spending the early stages of any project convincing them I am qualified to even be speaking to them on the topic at hand. And to having them argue with many of my suggestions and decisions as projects go on, even on details squarely within my area of expertise.<br />
<br />
It only recently occurred to me... after a rare and wonderful meeting with a group of all women managers in which we got right to work and everyone's professional competence was assumed up front... that the average male consultant, having been referred by a mutual colleague as a subject matter expert who can solve the problem at hand, would not have to exert the kind of effort I do to establish credibility. <br />
<br />
Several recent experiences also made me realize that men probably don't have to defend every decision they make when they were hired to make those decisions in the first place.<br />
<br />
In contrast, my most recent experiences with women executives include being told they appreciate my professionalism, being told they were reassured by my obvious skill and competence, and being thanked for the great work I did.<br />
<br />
I don't know why I'm only seeing the pattern now. Maybe because the landscape has changed enough over 20 years I've been able to work with more women. Maybe because I just watched an incompetent, narcissistic Twitter troll be elected over the most qualified candidate in history. Maybe because I just watched a woman get shut down trying to speak in the Senate when four men were allowed to read the exact. same. thing.<br />
<br />
What I do know is that I need to stop reflexively questioning my own expertise simply because society has conditioned my clients to do so. I need to stop engaging in the emotionally undermining exercise of re-convincing myself I'm qualified to do my own job when it was never a real question to begin with.<br />
<br />
I thought about it a lot, and decided how I'm going to move forward since having this epiphany. <br />
<br />
I will keep on supporting every <a href="http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/k-12-outreach" target="_blank">girls</a> and <a href="http://www.scholarshipsforwomen.net/engineering/" target="_blank">women</a> in <a href="https://girlswhocode.com/" target="_blank">STEM</a> <a href="https://www.cwit.umbc.edu/" target="_blank">program</a> I <a href="http://www.womentechcouncil.org/" target="_blank">can</a> <a href="http://www.womeninbio.org/" target="_blank">find</a>. Because the world can only benefit from more women working with each other at this level. <br />
<br />
I will keep on supporting my peers as we roll our eyes at the systemic professional barriers we have to climb for less money and less recognition. Because we may know our own strength, but it sure is nice to share the burden once in a while with someone else who sees it for what it is.<br />
<br />
I will keep on having the audacity to be a woman who is really goddamn good at my job in a male dominated field.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYtHjiv5hE7eDKeT_xhi0c3SxSqZ6cB6vNMd7MuUfrEMuyKEMYEt-Uj7HtT4AR75FaIsk3CvddaVfJUTRcfJncb7njJKebksTkC55xG1WF457c96U-fOvRF2mWJpcOgZp1NGpY1zsg-k/s1600/Warren-meme-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYtHjiv5hE7eDKeT_xhi0c3SxSqZ6cB6vNMd7MuUfrEMuyKEMYEt-Uj7HtT4AR75FaIsk3CvddaVfJUTRcfJncb7njJKebksTkC55xG1WF457c96U-fOvRF2mWJpcOgZp1NGpY1zsg-k/s1600/Warren-meme-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-54549636112073824332017-02-12T17:31:00.001-06:002017-02-12T17:31:57.886-06:00Sensory Friendly Banana Bread Hack<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49_IoCRaClVj17k_4U3t9XBO8pWCxstO0sqtytfLmSpO5Hj9sJs_G-m6uooB9MRFYCpnHun4uiIzfo5hbDYNWmHxv9B272phVf-kx6w1c9p62PMIxbfAI0qM4uv_ryP3i-8DwPIMoyxo/s1600/Pin-+SensoryFriendlyBananaBread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49_IoCRaClVj17k_4U3t9XBO8pWCxstO0sqtytfLmSpO5Hj9sJs_G-m6uooB9MRFYCpnHun4uiIzfo5hbDYNWmHxv9B272phVf-kx6w1c9p62PMIxbfAI0qM4uv_ryP3i-8DwPIMoyxo/s400/Pin-+SensoryFriendlyBananaBread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the most enduring lessons I learned in my Grandma's farm kitchen is that brown bananas = banana bread. Period. You don't waste them. You make them into something delicious.<br />
<br />
I personally have expanded that to include scones and smoothies. But yeah, no. You don't throw away brown bananas. (And I secretly judge people who do.)<br />
<br />
But. The problem with banana bread... especially my Grandma's banana bread... are the gooey chunks of banana throughout the bread, and the slimy wet ridge along the top. (The woman could fry the hell out of a squirrel, but her baking left something to be desired.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyH3n9i18hPC1wqHTyoC9dexOsMvzAUJ9Zzyn593RGg3cUQs7Uv9_Joiz0hOwqWI7ih2pUWx166i-KNV3uvhKar74jBanoJZx06VynA_XgGNrXKZY0sSPoPVsABt6TMhqeKHgUTO7BTQ/s1600/SensoryBananaBread-1+OriginalBread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyH3n9i18hPC1wqHTyoC9dexOsMvzAUJ9Zzyn593RGg3cUQs7Uv9_Joiz0hOwqWI7ih2pUWx166i-KNV3uvhKar74jBanoJZx06VynA_XgGNrXKZY0sSPoPVsABt6TMhqeKHgUTO7BTQ/s320/SensoryBananaBread-1+OriginalBread.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The old way.</i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I remember loving the bread's taste, yet trying not to gag on the bits that made the texture so very wrong.<br />
<br />
Another issue is that a day later, quick breads start to get kind of wet and weird on the top crust and I just can't. <br />
<br />
Flash forward a couple of decades, and I'm making banana bread for my kiddos. And my food texture sensory issues combined with their food texture sensory issues... something had to give.<br />
<br />
I summoned my inner Alton Brown. I lit a candle at my shrine to Cook's Illustrated. I got to work.<br />
<br />
There were three problems to solve. The first was easy. The second took some tinkering. The third was just application of an established concept. All solutions were simple and transferable to pretty much any quick bread recipe.<br />
<br />
(Worth noting I have yet to sort out a gluten free banana bread my textural issues can choke down, but the first hack will work the same regardless of your recipe. The second is generally addressed by most GF recipes due to the challenges inherent to that kind of baking. The third came from a GF recipe to begin with.) <br />
<br />
<u><b>RECIPE</b></u><br />
<br />
After trying a few, I settled on an old school recipe from a solid, baseline source that's done me right since I first had my culinary monkey-touch-monolith moment. I even had to buy the cookbook again, the first one fell apart from use.<br />
<br />
I found the same *recipe online here: <a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipe/quickbreads/banana-bread/" target="_blank">BHG Banana Bread</a><br />
<i>*I find their suggestion of 5 bananas to get that quantity is insane. I rarely need more than 3.</i><br />
<br />
Pretty much any recipe will do. They all seem to have the same general textural problems.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>PROBLEM 1: Gooey Chunks</b></u><br />
<br />
I don't know if I've ever seen a banana bread recipe that didn't suggest mashing the banana with a fork. The resulting texture is uneven, and affects the bread.<br />
<br />
My first attempting at fixing this was a potato masher. Little to no improvement.<br />
<br />
The solution? Stick blender! (AKA How did I ever survive without this miraculous tool?)<br />
<br />
Just chuck all the wet ingredients (remember, sugar counts) into a bowl... <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqdfFyd8MRbyr4hd2_cFH76tJkiAj8eyQTAGHLTrx4a-e81in9eZVXwSJUr0csKyr6zebOs__l0W6z4o80jjehnq3vu4wdJdL-wkd0g80ZAyZuDZypwVe8DGxhhtxwOVhKulHNqfgjpg/s1600/SensoryBananaBread-2+Dump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqdfFyd8MRbyr4hd2_cFH76tJkiAj8eyQTAGHLTrx4a-e81in9eZVXwSJUr0csKyr6zebOs__l0W6z4o80jjehnq3vu4wdJdL-wkd0g80ZAyZuDZypwVe8DGxhhtxwOVhKulHNqfgjpg/s320/SensoryBananaBread-2+Dump.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seriously. Chuck 'em in whole.</i></td></tr>
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<br />
...and blitz!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDg1Dg_z_nUlW0aVh45Oo2MaEInuWGCCXjs4JuWQltxcDV1lmM6PxUOMa3DKJG4RJWHUo_2Wl2QzVuhyphenhyphenT6ITic9m_HNR2uZOO-XXYvJ_LCWUz0-KL1wr3EGqnrOPLSQ9218XyB90WFRY/s1600/SensoryBananaBread-3+Headphones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDg1Dg_z_nUlW0aVh45Oo2MaEInuWGCCXjs4JuWQltxcDV1lmM6PxUOMa3DKJG4RJWHUo_2Wl2QzVuhyphenhyphenT6ITic9m_HNR2uZOO-XXYvJ_LCWUz0-KL1wr3EGqnrOPLSQ9218XyB90WFRY/s320/SensoryBananaBread-3+Headphones.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Noise reduction headphones optional</i></td></tr>
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<br />
The resulting emulsion is perfectly smooth, and gives the bread a uniform texture devoid of those nasty, slimy, chunky bits.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cb8ymHkkJueWB5TKFhIRSrfVIVcLSoPWUXzftIpmLKbnEYltCA2Eg0AmgSzGLsAsUOOKcn7Q1aOpGOIPeIwb1NIwTTM7mdSoOZ_YxUkDq3jJhrD-CYJt3aRLG0INKJoOwKKrJAt3s2o/s1600/SensoryBananaBread-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cb8ymHkkJueWB5TKFhIRSrfVIVcLSoPWUXzftIpmLKbnEYltCA2Eg0AmgSzGLsAsUOOKcn7Q1aOpGOIPeIwb1NIwTTM7mdSoOZ_YxUkDq3jJhrD-CYJt3aRLG0INKJoOwKKrJAt3s2o/s320/SensoryBananaBread-3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br />
I also find this emulsion easier to incorporate in general, which means less risk of overmixing the batter, which means less gluten development, which means less random air bubbles, which means more uniform overall texture... all good things.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>PROBLEM 2: Unbaked Ridge</b></u><br />
<br />
I think the extent of this is affected by individual ovens. But in all the ovens I've used, I've yet to see a loaf of quick bread bake up without it being at least a minor factor.<br />
<br />
Simply extending the baking time didn't work - the edges of the bread burned before the top cooked through. I thought about the pan, but I already used Pyrex instead of metal so that wouldn't help.<br />
<br />
But, that got me thinking... having been reluctantly, medically gluten free for a few years now, I've had plenty of time for some epic gluten free baking fails. And time to do some reading to figure out why.<br />
<br />
What I learned is that proteins in GF baked goods take longer to set, which is why they need to be baked in ceramic dishes at lower temps for longer, so the edges are protected while the centers have a chance to coast to completion.<br />
<br />
I decided to apply a version of this technique to the unbaked top problem. It worked like a charm.<br />
<br />
1) Bake the bread at the usual temp (generally 350) for 5-10 minutes shy of the bake time specified in the recipe.<br />
<br />
2) Reduce the oven temp by 10 degrees. At this point I check in 10 minutes, then in 5-10 min intervals, depending on how it's doing. It rarely takes more than an additional 20ish minutes past the recipe time. Once it gets close to done the toothpicks comes out to start checking for doneness. Before it's close you can still see how wet it is.<br />
<br />
3) Sometimes, if the top is really being stubborn but the edges are going past done, I turn off the oven and let it coast a little while longer. That does the trick.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFJ4MQbkuse72_lNE68rfAMJ1Vj0OHHuQbr9ndgM7MhQ41EAqTMZf7BjrBBWUFACtLCfhz_58614JQS5-ks77EJgMZQbcnqONagB7PhhuhQRoyqSEbkLdvOxlzgeJwK1S74o8DcKk470/s1600/BananaBread-loaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFJ4MQbkuse72_lNE68rfAMJ1Vj0OHHuQbr9ndgM7MhQ41EAqTMZf7BjrBBWUFACtLCfhz_58614JQS5-ks77EJgMZQbcnqONagB7PhhuhQRoyqSEbkLdvOxlzgeJwK1S74o8DcKk470/s320/BananaBread-loaf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In for ~20 extra minutes at a lower temp - the top finished and the crust did not burn</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One thing I particularly like about this technique is that it addresses the x factor of variable moisture content and slight differences in banana quantity from loaf to loaf. If there's a little too much moisture from the fruit in a particular batch, finishing the baking off this way has a much greater chance of baking off the excess and giving you a good result.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>PROBLEM 3: Damp, Sticky Top Crust</b></u><br />
<br />
Once a loaf of quick bread has cooled, the top goes from delightful to damp and sticky in a hurry. I noticed this is especially true of GF bakes, and one day mused that must be why a particular muffin recipe called for what seemed to me an incongruous sugar topping.<br />
<br />
Cut to me making my next batch of banana bread... light bulb moment. Gave it a shot.<br />
<br />
Just sprinkle the top of the loaf with a raw sugar (I've used turbinado and demerara). I do a generous sprinkling, it makes for a nice crisp top.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jfA4tvu5KQCxRgKstk5N50lG46YvP3DKghlZK3A6qE55wyqtf6xwm7ybqbAEqsnUYMZ2cehFhIkcciOV6NvzwwBuU2y73gMSCRo9oZso2r56NIxLJ2jF0rLassfDxkkNjtL1Fmq8cTc/s1600/SensoryBananaBread-4+SugarTopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jfA4tvu5KQCxRgKstk5N50lG46YvP3DKghlZK3A6qE55wyqtf6xwm7ybqbAEqsnUYMZ2cehFhIkcciOV6NvzwwBuU2y73gMSCRo9oZso2r56NIxLJ2jF0rLassfDxkkNjtL1Fmq8cTc/s320/SensoryBananaBread-4+SugarTopping.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Much more than this and it becomes tricky to slice.</i></td></tr>
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<br />
Yes, I know sugar is hygroscopic and of course it doesn't stay as shatteringly crisp as when it's fresh from the oven. But the next day (a loaf of banana bread rarely lasts more than 24 hours around here), the top is still reliably pleasant, often still on the crisp side.<br />
<br />
<br />
These simple hacks have become routine when I bake any quick bread. (Though, the stick blitz step isn't necessary for something like pumpkin or applesauce bread.) I no longer have to throw away leftover bread. It's better from the start and stays better until it's gone... which is faster than ever.<br />
<br />
Do you have any sensory friendly recipe hacks that help your family? I would love to learn about them! <br />
<br />ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-23916889540991674732017-02-07T11:24:00.001-06:002017-02-11T14:43:21.309-06:00On a Scale of 1 to Me: Super Bowl EditionAn illustration of the range of human responses to hosting half a dozen friends for the Super Bowl.<br />
<br />
I think we can all agree that the fact I can laugh at myself is what's important here : D <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnJPZcDgS2LWiel2SLCRqG2_sTT6QTt3LL8SPDq_3aTBRHRGWkgH1P88jIy9zeT2FgjVdqya766eGcSqqsxOhlynLdrou6UKFANx7VTFonpSuUghD6VIJv2NYgaKcDDr8caI72g-ttv4/s1600/Scale1toMe-SuperBowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnJPZcDgS2LWiel2SLCRqG2_sTT6QTt3LL8SPDq_3aTBRHRGWkgH1P88jIy9zeT2FgjVdqya766eGcSqqsxOhlynLdrou6UKFANx7VTFonpSuUghD6VIJv2NYgaKcDDr8caI72g-ttv4/s1600/Scale1toMe-SuperBowl.jpg" /></a></div>
ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-19467885296010262902017-01-23T14:00:00.000-06:002017-01-23T21:05:28.162-06:00The Secret to My Success<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPrxRMZ2wEWvlsbg788fublkr1weuU_iVvS_yMrrHL62ExAUgL_JWYOtRtfnWz0gbPecnrlJen0fjQGyMxb-GIRs0djtSW4Z_glr4pF9ZKBlDJzChogUuH4-O8Ab3Muu7T0n0xVJGsjg/s1600/dreamstimefree_3780391+Winterling+Dreamstime+Stock+Photos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPrxRMZ2wEWvlsbg788fublkr1weuU_iVvS_yMrrHL62ExAUgL_JWYOtRtfnWz0gbPecnrlJen0fjQGyMxb-GIRs0djtSW4Z_glr4pF9ZKBlDJzChogUuH4-O8Ab3Muu7T0n0xVJGsjg/s320/dreamstimefree_3780391+Winterling+Dreamstime+Stock+Photos.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>© Winterling | Dreamstime Stock Photos</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>When people learn I lost 140 pounds, the next words out of their mouth are almost invariably "What's your secret?!"<br>
<br>
The thing is, as I noted <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2017/01/5-things-never-to-say-to-someone-who.html" target="_blank">here</a>, we all know there's no secret.<br>
<br>
This being the number one thing I hear has made me notice who is asking. It has made me ponder their motivations for asking when they already know the answer.<br>
<br>
If they want me to be real, I will absolutely be real. But most of them don't.<br>
<br>
After hearing this hundreds of times and noting clear differences in intent, I have found that people tend to be looking for one of three things. <br>
<br>
<br>
<i><b>Small Talk</b></i><br>
Most people ask the secret to my weight loss as casually as remarking on the weather. They don't want or expect a real answer.<br>
<br>
I could go on for some time about the fact body weight is considered a topic subject to casual discussion, but that's a rant for another day. Suffice it to say I recognize it is a factor and respond accordingly.<br>
<br>
These insincere inquiries are easy. I can smile and say "old fashioned hard work" and they're satisfied. The generic social obligation has been met.<br>
<br>
<i><b>Reassurance</b></i><br>
Studies indicate up to 50% of women are dieting at any given time. Which means pretty much everyone knows it's hard to lose weight.<br>
<br>
These folks are seeking reassurance they are not alone. They seem comforted to hear it was - and is - incredibly difficult, their experience is universal, and there is nothing special about me. <br>
<br>
Some of them need to hear this level of success is accessible to anyone who wants it badly enough. They need to know the intensity of their desire can pull them through.<br>
<br>
But most seem to take a different tack. Hearing how hard it is, the kind of time and effort it requires, and that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html" target="_blank">biology has put the odds firmly against success</a>, removes an emotional burden.<br>
<br>
It helps them accept a lack of progress isn't necessarily their fault.<br>
<br>
It helps them to hear from someone who lived it that it is perfectly reasonable to put off their desire to tackle this while health or family or job pressures are too great.<br>
<br>
And, it helps some accept there is nothing wrong with not choosing this path at all.<br>
<br>
Whether my story helps shine a light on possibility or absolves someone of their misplaced guilt, I am glad my willingness to be honest about how hard this is helps others feel better about themselves.<br>
<br>
<i><b>Hope</b></i><br>
The third group is special. I can usually spot them, because they were me. They are scared, they are determined, they are uncertain. They need help believing they can do it.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDgE7jQdkEEDtLHLAmP4NMscAtEJl-LLuO9ibjLDKHaWp9EjJLUe7tcmZa7XRJ3AoYCC5yrBW7DnjANVhBB1gIqBAKTN5y08zSwGJAy_crYjaOoATBIg7xSZVvYNz0SI7hmFL7hN9tPs/s1600/200408+Michelle+253lbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDgE7jQdkEEDtLHLAmP4NMscAtEJl-LLuO9ibjLDKHaWp9EjJLUe7tcmZa7XRJ3AoYCC5yrBW7DnjANVhBB1gIqBAKTN5y08zSwGJAy_crYjaOoATBIg7xSZVvYNz0SI7hmFL7hN9tPs/s200/200408+Michelle+253lbs.jpg" width="100"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>August 2004</i><br>
<i>253 lbs / 22 lbs lost</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br>
With these, whenever possible, I take my time. To these, I tell the emotional truth. <br>
<br>
Sometimes they look at me, in my current incarnation, with skepticism. I show them the closest thing I have to a "before" picture to reassure them I'm not some skinny bitch blowing smoke up their ass.<br>
<br>
They tell me they are exhausted. I tell them I was too. They tell me they are overwhelmed. I tell them I was too.<br>
<br>
Then I tell them the real secrets to getting here. I give them the tools they need to keep hope alive.<br>
<br>
<div style="margin-left: 40px;"><i>Baby steps.</i><br>
No change is too small. The smaller the change, the easier it is to assimilate. Once it feels easy, once it is no longer a change but a normal part of your life, decide what the next change will be. Keep doing that.<br>
<br>
<i>Forget deadlines</i>.<br>
Sustainable changes made in incremental steps take time to show results. Creating a new normal takes time. Don't hold yourself to arbitrary deadlines. You're working on a better forever.</div><div style="margin-left: 40px;"></div><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><br>
</div><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><i>Forgive yourself for being human.</i><br>
One bad day doesn't mean give up. It doesn't even mean begin again. It just means we had one bad day. Don't beat yourself up. Look head. Move on.<br>
<br>
<i>Be kind to yourself. </i><br>
This is the foundational secret that holds up all the rest. Changing how we think about ourselves is the hardest thing to do. Especially when immersed a society constantly telling us being overweight makes us less than.<br>
<br>
You are not weak. You are not lazy. You are not failing.<br>
You are strong. You are determined. You are valuable. You are worth it. </div><br>
Most people are surprised. And intrigued. They expect me to talk about nuts and bolts. They expect a list of external factors like calorie counting apps and gym memberships. <br>
<br>
But those aren't the secrets to success. They are merely tools we use to help us leverage the real secrets.<br>
<br>
If there's one thing I want people to know, it's that this journey doesn't start with a fad diet and a FitBit.<br>
<br>
It starts with believing you're worth taking care of. It starts with believing you deserve to feel good in your own skin. It starts with you believing in you. <br>
<br>
That is the secret to my success. Changing how I felt about me. Giving myself permission to stumble. Believing that no step is too small, as long as it keeps me moving forward.<br>
<br>
<br>
<i>Part 2 in a (TBD, we'll see where the brain dump takes me) Part weight loss series</i><br>
<i>Read Part 1: <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2017/01/5-things-never-to-say-to-someone-who.html" target="_blank">5 Things Never to Say To Someone Who Lost a Lot of Weight</a></i><br>
<br>
<br>
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ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-20972723631548575652017-01-19T21:20:00.001-06:002017-01-19T21:20:53.819-06:00Soup's On<i>If you were eavesdropping on the party in my head this week, it would have gone something like this...</i><br />
<br />
Winter Comfort Food Craving Me: I need tomato soup!<br />
<br />
Gluten Makes Me Sick Me: *discovers all the store soups contain wheat*<br />
<br />
Foodie Me: I'll make tomato soup!<br />
<br />
OCD Me: I'll make ALL THE TOMATO SOUP EVER. And freeze it! Because why solve a problem for today when you can solve it for 37 other days in the indeterminate future?!?!<br />
<br />
Foodie Me: *discovers chicken stock supply in freezer is too low to make all the soup*<br />
<br />
OCD Me: OH NOOEEESS. WE MUST MAKE. ALL. THE. STOCK!<br />
<br />
Anxiety Me: Auuughhh! WHAT IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BONES!?!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-VsJC-zruVbd2d9VovXOMvPgHtfm2dQreVshC281stoSYW-Vw8fGi1tj7qz81WAZEUYx2mXcFoTUsPmrL17nY4geb5L5K3fw8U9_Ysi70myBcVlY8gSgdN3B_ynxcBV2qiDze9DcS0Q/s1600/SoupsOn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-VsJC-zruVbd2d9VovXOMvPgHtfm2dQreVshC281stoSYW-Vw8fGi1tj7qz81WAZEUYx2mXcFoTUsPmrL17nY4geb5L5K3fw8U9_Ysi70myBcVlY8gSgdN3B_ynxcBV2qiDze9DcS0Q/s320/SoupsOn1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Reasonable Me: *rolls eyes* You were saying?<br />
<br />
Foodie Me: *dances around* IMMA MAKE. ALL. THE. STOCK!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeXeW_kqMY0lDd9vlLsRRu6DgzvLzef03lpsAEBPLGCo22HzFrBKaompapPKxjRpLKuKzu0cc0eKuYX-0Hw_z_ZzyNJ5M2-ieKAKoN5fx-1n69IsQHym1oLSBbAce69UEjERVofJsZgg/s1600/SoupsOn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeXeW_kqMY0lDd9vlLsRRu6DgzvLzef03lpsAEBPLGCo22HzFrBKaompapPKxjRpLKuKzu0cc0eKuYX-0Hw_z_ZzyNJ5M2-ieKAKoN5fx-1n69IsQHym1oLSBbAce69UEjERVofJsZgg/s320/SoupsOn2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Anxiety Me: OMG!! What if we don't have enough stock for the recipe??<br />
<br />
Reasonable Me: How much do we need?<br />
<br />
Foodie Me: About a quart.<br />
<br />
Reasonable Me: We're making 3 gallons. <br />
<br />
Anxiety Me: OMG!! What if we don't have enough containers to freeze it all?!?!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-eOFeEgBMy3fJpMSPIuJKKAYkKwTlh4Zv0VXmIefVwzu6BhgJYrsBJ_VRNTMteTorao6RpvgDsiHR6AAFamH02sZkFCZ4Lhlhw5NRvluWs6qSCxCucNrqr9epA0vUgrw_Xlew5nuhi8/s1600/SoupsOn3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-eOFeEgBMy3fJpMSPIuJKKAYkKwTlh4Zv0VXmIefVwzu6BhgJYrsBJ_VRNTMteTorao6RpvgDsiHR6AAFamH02sZkFCZ4Lhlhw5NRvluWs6qSCxCucNrqr9epA0vUgrw_Xlew5nuhi8/s320/SoupsOn3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Reasonable Me: Did you even take your meds today?<br />
<br />
Winter Comfort Food Craving Me: Was there going to be soup at some point?<br />
<br />
Foodie Me, 10 hours later: SOUP, BITCHEZ.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb_rSsGehEnMlO1XSs_zYklC5bUEqEtaPzad_FdcPNEBlN7RDYoup5UediHQpfbF_KnmId7XCpFlVpFIf9H1wDjKjMBq8kmxq2lduYzuDXkFgLe7G9idY6Vucy_162QFt2VXtiIQAa_0/s1600/SoupsOn4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb_rSsGehEnMlO1XSs_zYklC5bUEqEtaPzad_FdcPNEBlN7RDYoup5UediHQpfbF_KnmId7XCpFlVpFIf9H1wDjKjMBq8kmxq2lduYzuDXkFgLe7G9idY6Vucy_162QFt2VXtiIQAa_0/s320/SoupsOn4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
OCD Me, 11 hrs later, not to be outdone: INDIVIDUALLY PORTIONED, CALORIE CALCULATED, FREEZER READY SOUP AND STOCK, BITCHEZ!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFXV9OSX6q5IJqv63WKYpHyp9uxGHi-d68VXFnB-RTEsWMrCZ-c-hGQVtEFTyuwYvJG6zd4aZtGiLxNppbvlWESCsneBsPqop0jr8N8_wf2fUDOpD5xA8LNBJLkJIuxVWUQGr46uEfHA/s1600/SoupsOn5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFXV9OSX6q5IJqv63WKYpHyp9uxGHi-d68VXFnB-RTEsWMrCZ-c-hGQVtEFTyuwYvJG6zd4aZtGiLxNppbvlWESCsneBsPqop0jr8N8_wf2fUDOpD5xA8LNBJLkJIuxVWUQGr46uEfHA/s320/SoupsOn5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Reasonable Me: OFFS. Prepping for the zombie apocalypse, are we?<br />
<br />
OCD Me: YOU'RE WELCOME.<br />
<br />
Winter Comfort Food Craving Me: Sooo... can I eat now?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTzI68rmiqVix0lSMfgf9mtyOvGNRJVn_LqR1Nqa8wpzOvF2wZ-r1mAZubR8tl6wdWoD3Vhro8c36Goz4qcfdFFvrzcvEhEEeS6yQCj6M1WxS8SkeOWpY4hGRMoG9Oaj1kQn-_Muh9a4/s1600/SoupsOn6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTzI68rmiqVix0lSMfgf9mtyOvGNRJVn_LqR1Nqa8wpzOvF2wZ-r1mAZubR8tl6wdWoD3Vhro8c36Goz4qcfdFFvrzcvEhEEeS6yQCj6M1WxS8SkeOWpY4hGRMoG9Oaj1kQn-_Muh9a4/s320/SoupsOn6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Soup so good it makes you not even notice the sad, gluten free faux sandwich</i>! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-75428120878577278832017-01-10T14:20:00.002-06:002017-01-23T14:06:35.579-06:005 Things Never to Say to Someone Who Lost a Lot of Weight<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW6MMHIUUkuPOzCLjc6a4HQlI8GuGVmy1ukYJq0-L0imNRwJeKxLunG8rLpH7jUdlHGzq7A-_wJNsXrT4-dAIt_NqSJJ4uA573I3wChp0GOD-zWQaK-3bElTossoqfN7CTmVmGBU7tAs/s1600/dreamstimefree_15396235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW6MMHIUUkuPOzCLjc6a4HQlI8GuGVmy1ukYJq0-L0imNRwJeKxLunG8rLpH7jUdlHGzq7A-_wJNsXrT4-dAIt_NqSJJ4uA573I3wChp0GOD-zWQaK-3bElTossoqfN7CTmVmGBU7tAs/s320/dreamstimefree_15396235.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>© Kristo - Gothard Hunor | Dreamstime Stock Photos</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Significant weight loss is a unique and personal journey. We share struggles and goals, but at the end of the day we each have our own reasons powerful enough to drive us through the blood, sweat, tears and years it took to reclaim our bodies, our health, our lives.<br />
<br />
As individual as our stories are, responses from friends, family and even strangers are surprisingly uniform, and often unintentionally hurtful. <br />
<br />
<br />
Here are 5 things you should never say to someone who lost a lot of weight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. When did you have the surgery?</b></span><br />
<br />
I continue to be astonished this is often the first question new acquaintances ask when they find out I lost 140 pounds. <br />
<br />
The notion that no one can lose a lot of weight without bariatric surgery is so pervasive that my insurance company actually insisted my doctor provide <i>written documentation of my weight loss proving that I didn't have it.</i> So, I understand why the average person makes the same assumption.<br />
<br />
However. Unless you are a doctor and need that detail of their medical history, it doesn't matter how someone lost the weight. Asking is an unbelievable invasion of privacy. Not just medical privacy, but delving into deeply personal, often traumatic issues.<br />
<br />
Maybe they have an eating disorder. Maybe they are diabetic. Maybe they had cancer. Maybe they were terrified of dying young like a parent. Maybe they gained the weight as an emotional barrier because of PTSD from childhood sexual abuse and finally got enough therapy to face losing that physical shield.<br />
<br />
Asking when someone had a weight loss surgery they may or may not have had is asking them to revisit emotional triggers you know nothing about.<br />
<br />
Personally... I find the immediate assumption I could only have had surgery insulting. I spent 12 years working my ass off. Literally.<br />
<br />
Success stories are rare, and obviously people ask because they are eager to express supportive curiosity. That is lovely, and we welcome the positivity because our journey is ongoing. But rather than asking when we had surgery... just ask <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>"How long did it take?"</b></i></span> That respects the privacy of any medical decisions we made while showing that no matter how we lost it, you recognize we must have dedicated ourselves to the effort for a very long time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2.What's your secret?!</b></span><br />
<br />
They know there's no secret. Everyone knows there's no secret. It is hard work. It is dedication. It is, if the weight loss is to be maintained, a permanent lifestyle change we will wrestle with day in and day out for the rest of our lives.<br />
<br />
I realize this question is usually meant more like a "how are you" - a socially generic expression of politely supportive inquiry without the expectation of an honest answer.<br />
<br />
In my experience, people are generally looking for my answer to support their confirmation bias regarding their own weight loss efforts. While I can and have engaged in depth with this in a rewarding way, I know that most of the time I am supposed to smile and answer along the lines of "there is no secret, just hard work." <br />
<br />
Rather than obligating us to the 7,482nd recitation of this faux conversation, why not just express the general sentiment behind it? <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b> "Wow, that must have taken a lot of work, good for you!"</b></i></span> <br />
<br />
Then, all we have to say is a heartfelt "Thank you!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Don't you miss your favorite foods?</b></span><br />
<br />
Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, YES. Of course we miss our favorite foods. Thank you for rubbing it in. At a party. While we watch you eat them.<br />
<br />
This is another case where expressing the conceptual sentiment behind the question would be a lot less insensitive. <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>"You must have made some really challenging long term changes to your eating habits. Good for you!"</b></i></span><br />
<br />
Unless you live it, there is no way to explain what it takes to fight the urge to indulge in our favorite foods. One comment regarding the food we eat may make the emotional difference between winning and losing the battle on any given day. If you feel the need to say something, make it supportive.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Call me next time you work out! I want to start exercising and need someone to make sure I stick with it.</span></b><br />
<br />
I used to fall for this. A lot. I spent years believing people who said they wanted me to help motivate them to exercise.<br />
<br />
In the early part of my journey, I felt guilty for failing to help them because I wasn't yet clear they needed to help themselves.<br />
<br />
In the middle of my journey, I felt frustration that they were asking me to make a major temporal, logistical and emotional investment in them when I was struggling to keep myself on the right path. <br />
<br />
Now, in the maintenance phase of my journey, I feel annoyance that they have no idea what they are asking. Which is for me to trade something like my time slot allotted for a 10 mile run that's planned in a training schedule meticulously arranged around an upcoming race (and work and child care)... for a 30 minute mosey around the local park trail. Usually followed by peer pressure to go drink twice the calories we just burned in Starbucks.<br />
<br />
The thing is, if you ever decide you're ready, you won't need someone to make sure you stick with it. It will come from soul searching. It will come from fierce desire. It will come from inside.<br />
<br />
If you do need an outside boost - and we all do sometimes - take an instructor led class or hire a personal trainer. Please don't put someone on the spot who is probably already using every ounce of emotional energy they have to keep themselves on track.<br />
<br />
It makes perfect sense to talk about your own fitness goals with someone who has achieved theirs. If you want their guidance because you respect the work they put into adopting a healthy lifestyle, it's more realistic to ask something like <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>"Do you have any tips to help me get started?"</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Aren't you afraid you'll gain it all back?</b></span><br />
<br />
The first time someone asked me this question, I was recovering from the last of my weight loss skin removal surgeries. I literally still had stitches in my body. I was flabbergasted.<br />
<br />
Statistically, the success rate for weight loss rounds down to zero. <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1105816" target="_blank">Study after study</a> has shown this to be so. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html" target="_blank">Science has determined that body chemistry remains in an altered state after weight loss.</a> The effect is that our bodies are chronically trying to force us to regain the weight.<br />
<br />
This is why it isn't about willpower. It's about biology. And for reasons unknown, this particular biological process is actively waging war against us. Because of this, long term success stories are so rare there is a <a href="http://nwcr.ws/" target="_blank">national database that tracks them</a>. <br />
<br />
We have all dieted, lost some weight, and then been embarrassed to gain it back. I went through that cycle myself more times than I care to count, back when I still thought diet programs were a thing that could work.<br />
<br />
So, YES. I am afraid. Of course I am afraid. My odds of keeping it off approach zero. We all know it. <br />
<br />
But here's the thing. How about not asking that after I've been at my goal weight for all of 5 minutes? How about not asking that while I'm recovering from a series of surgeries that cost me my meager retirement fund? <b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">How about just not asking that??</span> </i></b><br />
<br />
Back before I did the emotional work that enabled me to make the drastic, permanent lifestyle changes necessary for this I was just as at risk as the next 99.98% of people of gaining it back. <br />
<br />
But I made the sacrifices. I did the therapy. I changed every single thing about the way I was living my life. It took me 2 years to decide I was even ready to try. Because the thing is, those of us who choose this? We first have to accept that it's forever. We have to accept that we must wake up every day for the rest of our lives and make an active choice to continue living this new life. That, or accept the weight back.<br />
<br />
Am I afraid? Yes. Do I think my odds of being one of the statistical outliers are good? YES. So much so that I even registered myself for the national tracking database.<br />
<br />
There is no way to salvage this question. Don't ask it. Just be supportive. We all know the odds. Let your friend enjoy their success for as long as they can fight for it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>This post is Part 1 in a TBD Part weight loss series<br />
Read Part 2 : <a href="http://www.shesalwayswrite.com/2017/01/the-secret-to-my-success.html" target="_blank">The Secret to My Success</a></i>ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-38180380068926900582016-12-05T19:58:00.002-06:002017-01-08T21:03:34.779-06:00Nerdy Cat Names FTW!!After our last cat of four passed away over 2 years ago, we agreed to wait until the kids were a little older to bring in more pets. <br />
<br />
It was the right call. But it feels like forever. Because KITTEH. I need one. Or four. Whatever.<br />
<br />
Last weekend, the husband and I realized we were sitting in separate rooms surreptitiously surfing the same shelter cats. After having a good laugh, we piled into the van and went to visit them in person.<br />
<br />
Y'all know we brought home a cat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYowoXTSijwnGyut7CCoB2XHu4N16d6uEAivPzOXomFO-E5GYKqk9iehalxKRLD9XGFNx2VUoIVug-kFj_dqU_B1Y0EIMu7ccQCsUwK0s_6c5zfmhNgyvVhJ3q60L53sVUJ1yMaVvoFo/s1600/20161205+Moriarty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYowoXTSijwnGyut7CCoB2XHu4N16d6uEAivPzOXomFO-E5GYKqk9iehalxKRLD9XGFNx2VUoIVug-kFj_dqU_B1Y0EIMu7ccQCsUwK0s_6c5zfmhNgyvVhJ3q60L53sVUJ1yMaVvoFo/s320/20161205+Moriarty2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit A</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
His shelter name was Goose. But we don't have a Maverick so his name had to change. Because obviously.<br />
<br />
We enlisted the help of friends. We wanted something clever or distinctive or geeky. The geekier, the better. I mean, come on. We're us.<br />
<br />
You guys. A handful of these are mine, but my friends delivered hard core. So much so I just had to collect their ideas and give them the credit they deserve. I'd need to adopt a whole shelter full of cats to use them all.<br />
<br />
So. Without further blather I give you... geeky cat names!<br />
<br />
<u>Literary References</u><br />
Pixel (Heinlein) <br />
Mr. Underfoot (Heinlein)<br />
Ender (Orson Scott Card) <br />
Cheshire (Alice in Wonderland) <br />
Arthur Dent (Hitchhiker) <br />
Ford Prefect (Hitchhiker)<br />
Xaphod Beeblebrox (Hitchhiker)<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Paul Miau-ad'Dib (Dune)</span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Mr. Darcy (No one in my family appreciated this one. Clearly the wrong audience.) </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Harry Potter References</u><br />
Crookshanks <br />
Cedric <br />
Remus<br />
Sirius <br />
Severus<br />
Peter Pettimew<br />
Professor McGonagall*<br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">*If this sweet little tabby had been female, I'd have gone straight to Professor McGonagall and called it Minnie (Minerva) or maybe Maggie. Because of course I would. But he happens to be male, so I'm saving it for another cat.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Tolkien / Middle Earth References </u><br />
Purregrine Took<br />
Mrrriadoc Brandybuck<br />
Furamir, Naptain of Yawndor<br />
Tomcat Bombadil<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Game of Thrones References</u><br />
Catlin Stark<br />
Stringslayer<br />
Tomcat Purratheon, First of His Name (I love this one so. hard.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Star Trek References</u><br />
Chief Meowls O'Brien <br />
Pawvel Checkov<br />
Jean Luc Picard<br />
Sulu<br />
Spot<br />
Worf son of Meowgh <br />
Tiberius<br />
Earl Grey<br />
Computer<br />
Klingon<br />
Gul DuCat (DS9)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Firefly References</u><br />
Purrenity<br />
Shepurred Book<br />
Meowl Reynolds<br />
Captain Tightpants <br />
Wash<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Science References</u> <br />
Sagan (as in Carl)<br />
Darwin (call him Charlie)<br />
Cypher<br />
Faraday<br />
Tesla<br />
Schrodinger (this nearly won, we've always wanted to use this name on a cat) <br />
<br />
<br />
<u>TV References</u><br />
Captain Jack Harkness (Doctor Who)<br />
Doctor Mew (Doctor Who)<br />
Benedict Cumbercat (Sherlock)<br />
Doctor Watson (Sherlock)<br />
Moriarty (Sherlock)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Princess Bride References</u><br />
Fezzik / Fuzzik<br />
Fuzzini<br />
Inigo Meowtoya<br />
The Dread Pawrate Roberts (I wanted this one badly.)<br />
<br />
<u>Miscellaneous Movie References</u><br />
Senator Palpurrtine (Star Wars)<br />
Max Rockcattansky (Mad Max)<br />
Fievel Catch-a-Mousekewitz (An American Tale)<br />
Dade (Hackers)<br />
Gibson(Hackers)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>General Geekery</u><br />
Hamilton <br />
Aaron Purr (Hamilton)<br />
Gattos Vakarian (Mass Effect)<br />
Commander Shepurrd (Mass Effect)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Sports References</u><br />
Rizzo (Cubs)<br />
Wrigley (Cubs)<br />
<br />
<br />
The kids really liked Moriarty, so that's what we landed on. It works. The 4 year old likes to call him Mo. <br />
<br />
It's already like he's lived here forever.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpds8qwWKIv_uxXGIeywtqNSMAdZ2CqOyNxSlMnrHwCcSrzEu-LuxV4yyaqRm83Z0NbE8xGzOA46YiY7cyIDvCGIJ4iuqdoefRmWR_EgQxZzGl1VSchf24hf6FnVhfD4wvpK65U7gM6sI/s1600/20161127+Moriarty+Dude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpds8qwWKIv_uxXGIeywtqNSMAdZ2CqOyNxSlMnrHwCcSrzEu-LuxV4yyaqRm83Z0NbE8xGzOA46YiY7cyIDvCGIJ4iuqdoefRmWR_EgQxZzGl1VSchf24hf6FnVhfD4wvpK65U7gM6sI/s320/20161127+Moriarty+Dude.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very first night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Do you have any ideas for geeky cat names? I'd love to hear your thoughts! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-41916221168383418292016-09-12T16:28:00.000-05:002016-09-12T16:28:34.625-05:00This Is Bananas<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbmFujlOg9rieldmM-PlEZUU5oOW6dY6KTX9MpzeVHGORwHs1g21V-yoQ4xT4FKOph8ujATSkNJ96V3V0jb1OhhfVuXzjTySY2OSKI_3fQPpAkUQ7ZU50gfyGIGcqCp5KF_7CdaHb72A/s1600/fruit_bananas_case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbmFujlOg9rieldmM-PlEZUU5oOW6dY6KTX9MpzeVHGORwHs1g21V-yoQ4xT4FKOph8ujATSkNJ96V3V0jb1OhhfVuXzjTySY2OSKI_3fQPpAkUQ7ZU50gfyGIGcqCp5KF_7CdaHb72A/s200/fruit_bananas_case.jpg" width="200" /></a>When I was in Madison this weekend to crew Ironman Wisconsin, I ended up buying lunch for a homeless gentleman on State Street when I was on the way to work a run aid station. <br />
<br />
Well, "lunch" in that it was lunchtime. He didn't have teeth, and all he wanted was a protein smoothie from Jamba Juice. I've never done something like that before, though I have many friends who do. He said quietly, "I'm so hungry." I couldn't walk away. <br />
<br />
He noticed my race shirt, and told me he helps take the leftover bananas to a local food pantry. I thought this was great, and I was glad to have helped him out a little bit. I don't know if his claim is true, but it seemed perfectly plausible.<br />
<br />
The thing is, I have always assumed this sort of thing is routine. There are always tons of product and refreshments left after events and there are hungry people everywhere. It's a no brainer.<br />
<br />
The crew leader had mentioned to me on the phone that they have had issues in the past with local homeless individuals trying to take food from his race station's supplies during the race. And I did notice a substantial number of homeless in just the few blocks my activity for the day was focused.<br />
<br />
Point being... I was STUNNED to find out that the extra food is supposed to go back on the truck, and it sits there for possibly days while the trucks are sorted out, and then it all goes into the garbage.<br />
<br />
I asked the crew leader why it doesn't go to a food pantry or homeless shelter. He said he did contact a local food pantry once and they refused it because they didn't want to pick it up after the race.<br />
<br />
From just my aid station, this was the produce left over:<br />
<br />
- 4 boxes of oranges (I'm guesstimating 50 lbs a box), 3 unopened<br />
- 2 full, unopened cases of bananas<br />
- 3 flat cases of grapes, 2 unopened<br />
<br />
Plus some potato chips, pretzels, many gallons of bottled water and Gatorade concentrate.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IlbTOfBIhlUEGArZCX2DG4Ib-jATvyAhUGm2ce0z9rP3OyeVgSPMmn6KxzehcYRnG05vqKbmyCoDVZSEINZGL5LlDz3Uneodi5C-JbXSkGvyZO3zbVBYm1qWDKdShTyoXvznJAetFxg/s1600/20160911_145723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IlbTOfBIhlUEGArZCX2DG4Ib-jATvyAhUGm2ce0z9rP3OyeVgSPMmn6KxzehcYRnG05vqKbmyCoDVZSEINZGL5LlDz3Uneodi5C-JbXSkGvyZO3zbVBYm1qWDKdShTyoXvznJAetFxg/s320/20160911_145723.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A run aid station serving food and beverages to Ironman racers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The volunteers shared the leftover gels and energy bars, that was easy. I agree with the crew leadership that it's nice to give something to the volunteers who worked incredibly hard supporting the race, many from sunrise to after midnight. My real concern was the high quality fresh produce not be left to rot in the back of a truck.<br />
<br />
There are at least 5 run aid stations and at least as many bike aid stations. The math on the wasted food makes my brain melt.<br />
<br />
The juxtaposition of the spectacle of luxury and privilege that is a world class endurance event with the homeless population literally sleeping on the side of the street as the racers go by is deeply disquieting. Throwing the remaining food away is unconscionable.<br />
<br />
Last night, they were literally going to send the food to be thrown away with several of them sleeping within 50 yards of us. I just couldn't let it happen.<br />
<br />
Another volunteer and I put our heads together and decided we would take the food. We figure it can't possibly be THAT hard to find a food pantry or homeless shelter to answer their phone on a Monday morning and accept the donation. The other guy ultimately decided to handle it this time since he lived locally, and I had already agreed to disposition 4 nearly full cases of cups that I couldn't bear to see go in a landfill (they are apparently discarded once a case is unsealed for logistics reasons).<br />
<br />
A quick search revealed at least half a dozen possible food pantry/soup kitchen type places in Madison that he planned to call this morning. I pointed out if we can make it work for this station, then we might be able to set it up so each aid station has a designated food pantry they work with every year to receive the fresh food.<br />
<br />
Or perhaps, we can work with the UW Greek system. Many sororities and fraternities are affiliated with charitable causes. I bet it would be pretty darn easy to convince one or more of them to pick up the food and take it to a shelter. The homeless population on campus is noticeable. Anyone with half a heart should want to help.<br />
<br />
Because seriously? I refuse to believe that there isn't <i>someone</i> willing to swing by the race site for 10 minutes on a Sunday night to pick up several hundred dollars worth of free fresh food to serve the hungry.<br />
<br />
I'm not able to volunteer at Ironman every year. It's a lot of time and money for me to go up there. But I hope working on this problem will be a contribution I can make that has a lasting impact on the race, and the lovely city that hosts it.<br />
<br />
If you are in the Madison area and know of any organizations that would like to work with me on this, please send me an email. The crew leader told me if I am able to find someone to take it, he would be very happy to support that. We have plenty of time before the next Ironman, but it's also a concept that can be applied to any event, and endurance race season is in full swing now that fall has arrived.<br />
<br />
There are countless races all around the country every year, and most of them offer athletes some form of refreshment. I strongly recommend that leadership of food pantries and other organizations serving the hungry get in contact with organizers of local events to ask what they do with their leftover fresh food. <br />
<br />
Guys, this isn't acceptable. On any level. We have to do better.ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-22852780029045280382016-06-29T16:47:00.001-05:002017-01-19T21:41:08.319-06:00Another Argument With Myself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArMGcesJAm7Xa83Pmf6XGNy8I0FF0aXAfnsWKHtRTWIP5jjAa3uyZckdnI67_Btjhe16Lmuo9W_Ifsyk52j8uxPFae-AP_AcyxM2Pv7b1cg4zs2s8BnSc7GWeZFL7qX1wQ5WjL9eyhZ8/s1600/duct.tape.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArMGcesJAm7Xa83Pmf6XGNy8I0FF0aXAfnsWKHtRTWIP5jjAa3uyZckdnI67_Btjhe16Lmuo9W_Ifsyk52j8uxPFae-AP_AcyxM2Pv7b1cg4zs2s8BnSc7GWeZFL7qX1wQ5WjL9eyhZ8/s200/duct.tape.03.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm on the tail end of my 6 month plastic surgery adventure. I had to see the surgeon unexpectedly today to get a few stray sutures excavated that had become problematic.<br />
<br />
The Crazy People Who Live In My Head: This is going to mess up today's workout! And this week's training schedule was already altered because of last weekend's travel!! CODE RED. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.<br />
<br />
Voice of Reason: You're technically still recovering from surgery. And you're in so much pain from that new shoulder situation you had to take a freaking Percocet.<br />
<br />
The Crazy: Your point being...?<br />
<br />
VOR: It is perfectly reasonable to skip today's workout.<br />
<br />
TC: Clearly, you are unaware the world will end.<br />
<br />
VOR: You are <i>actively bleeding </i>from multiple incisions.<br />
<br />
TC: It's only a flesh sound.<br />
<br />
VOR: Sit the fuck down. Shut the fuck up.<br />
<br />
TC: BUT....!!!<br />
<br />
VOR: *brandishes duct tape*<br />
<br />
TC: FINE. *stomps off to alphabetize something*<br />
<br />
<i>Seriously, y'all... this is me medicated. How did I even function before the anxiety pills?</i>ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-13281630923489353592015-09-19T09:10:00.000-05:002017-01-08T21:14:59.662-06:00Conversation With Myself<i>I accidentally crashed my triathlon blog, so this post goes here for now until I get that sorted out.</i><br />
<br />
So I got my tubes tied. I'd been told I would be able to "resume normal activities" within a day. In true medical disaster fashion I was in bed for days with a painful anesthesia reaction, but I knew I probably couldn't resume "normal" activities that soon anyway, because these days my normal is most people's haaayyuuuull no.<br />
<br />
8 days post op the annoying tugging feeling with every step was finally subsiding and I decided to go for a walk. Which... included some running. Even though I'd debated being ready for a walk. Cause Type A.<br />
<br />
Me that day, wondering WTF is wrong with me...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0w95UK7wGul_3RE2N303zbIgSx5lvaX9cXQgzkaT0eOKipsg9rgOjeHQa97lQruazg4sf3IOy5cZZIDPQQcnZ1qeS88vEsxy2W19FVlz-s-LgRYQ6YOi17eVtKzputbAXVdOUYxlpvk/s1600/20150912+8DaysPostOpTubal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0w95UK7wGul_3RE2N303zbIgSx5lvaX9cXQgzkaT0eOKipsg9rgOjeHQa97lQruazg4sf3IOy5cZZIDPQQcnZ1qeS88vEsxy2W19FVlz-s-LgRYQ6YOi17eVtKzputbAXVdOUYxlpvk/s320/20150912+8DaysPostOpTubal.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Skeptical chick is skeptical</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next morning was chilly. Almost cold. I squeed the squee of a thumbholes addict and rushed to put on my shiny new cool weather running outfit. The one I had to buy because apparently, running is a thing I do now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf2hGctPpUpDksqd2-0b_NcPfe6C-GkbE7c07bWnlqfQ-KVU1S6tc6DSpIt1GEOwJRBw2TftNKCFVekHCptjEUYMiAABcMhgQJBMo8U-l-TpY9gc1fyeMnpnxPeUdh-0wAtwQHolG1JY/s1600/20150913+ThumbholeJazzHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf2hGctPpUpDksqd2-0b_NcPfe6C-GkbE7c07bWnlqfQ-KVU1S6tc6DSpIt1GEOwJRBw2TftNKCFVekHCptjEUYMiAABcMhgQJBMo8U-l-TpY9gc1fyeMnpnxPeUdh-0wAtwQHolG1JY/s320/20150913+ThumbholeJazzHands.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Thumbholes cause spontaneous jazz hands!</i><br />
<i>(Weight loss to date: 107) </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I knew I should be taking it easy but... Mother Nature. She called to me. I was bursting to run. BURST. ING.<br />
<br />
Which, to be honest, is not an emotion with which I am familiar. I'm in it for the cute outfits. And the thumbholes. And I was still taking it easy, right? Riiiiight.<br />
<br />
This was the conversation the crazy people who live in my head had that lovely morning:<br />
<br />
<i>Newly Minted Runner Chick</i>: ZOMG!! Perfect fall day! We need to ruuuuuuuun! Come on guys let's go let's go let's goooooo!<br />
<br />
<i>Post Op Chick</i>: Are we sure about this?<br />
<br />
<i>Pragmatic Chick</i>: Let's go slow and see what happens.<br />
<br />
<i>NMRC</i>: This feels GREAT!! <br />
<br />
<i>Pragmatic Chick</i>: I don't think we should do more than 2 miles. We already decided not to race that 10K next month, no reason to push.<br />
<br />
<i>Triathlete Chick & NMRC & Type A Chick</i>: ONLY 2 MILES???<br />
<br />
<i>Pragmatic Chick</i>: What say you, body?<br />
<br />
<i>Body</i>: I'm up for 3.<br />
<br />
<i>NMRC</i>: HELL Yeah!<br />
<br />
<i>GPS Lady</i>: total distance, 3 miles<br />
<br />
<i>Body</i>: I, um... kinda sorta totally don't want to stop. On account of this is awesome.<br />
<br />
<i>NMRC</i>: WOOOOO HOOOO!<br />
<br />
<i>Pragmatic Chic</i>k: Uh, guys...<br />
<br />
<i>Frowny Face Ortho Doc</i>: Didn't I JUST lecture you about being an over achiever?<br />
<br />
<i>NMRC</i>: Don't listen to him, we ROCK. We can run forever. We could do that 10K right now if we wanted to!!<br />
<br />
<i>GPS Lady</i>: total distance, 4 miles <br />
<br />
<i>NMRC</i>: LET'S KEEP RUNNING FOREVAAAAHHHH<br />
<br />
<i>Body</i>: She has a point.<br />
<br />
<i>Pragmatic Chick</i>: OFFS<br />
<br />
<i>Frowny Face Ortho Doc</i>: *throws up hands and stomps away*<br />
<br />
<i>Mom Chick</i>: DON'T MAKE ME TURN THIS CAR AROUND<br />
<br />
<i>Pragmatic Chick</i>: This is your regular workout distance and you're only 9 days post op. Howz about you get your head out of your ass now?<br />
<br />
Thus ended the workout that subtly tipped the scales of my identify from "one who reluctantly runs to calorically finance my martini habit" to "runner."ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-10865105802015620102015-08-14T15:40:00.001-05:002015-08-17T10:27:26.335-05:00Summer Party 7 Way Drink Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYViY4oUNT19WK1_MMXeA4yYrvt7h8lN90zZ82Ncbxn9ezLpny5MqmsiFtLqAk_Y-rMEpjYfzSpw_zPJ-flHyLkM7ugnjAM1eus9TKHcySreiUYBMDyJha081DkTsgR62nw9xgNZtDruU/s1600/Pin-DrinkStation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYViY4oUNT19WK1_MMXeA4yYrvt7h8lN90zZ82Ncbxn9ezLpny5MqmsiFtLqAk_Y-rMEpjYfzSpw_zPJ-flHyLkM7ugnjAM1eus9TKHcySreiUYBMDyJha081DkTsgR62nw9xgNZtDruU/s400/Pin-DrinkStation.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I love to entertain, and I've spent the last couple of decades learning from my party planning mistakes. Especially when it comes to cocktails. One of the most surprising lessons I learned is that, when a party guest asks for a drink, you should never just point at a stocked bar and say "help yourself!"<br />
<br />
And not for the reason you'd think. Turns out, the average party goer offered free reign will, surprisingly often, opt for a glass of water. Reasons are all over the place, but in general it's just too overwhelming.<br />
<br />
After many years of leftover party beverages and wondering what on earth I was doing wrong, I finally figured out that my guests enthusiastically consumed beverage selections limited in scope, mixed ahead of time and carefully coordinated with the party's theme and menu. The whole time I'd been trying very hard not to tell them what they had to drink, and apparently what they wanted was for me to tell them what to drink.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to this 7 way summertime drink station. I recently threw a casual summer cookout and wanted to offer several refreshing options for both kids and adults with a minimum of fuss, counter space and ingredients. This is what I came up with!<br />
<br />
<u><b>Drink Station Features</b></u><br />
Large dispenser of lemonade<br />
Large dispenser of iced tea (unsweetened, brewed fresh)<br />
Squeeze bottle of simple syrup (I do a more saturated 1.5 c sugar / 1 c water)<br />
Bottle of Bushmills Irish Honey (it has to be exactly this)<br />
Bottle of vodka (your preferred brand, not pictured)<br />
Ice bucket (not pictured)<br />
<br />
I should also note that I froze portions of the iced tea and lemonade in bundt pans overnight to float in the dispensers. This helped keep it cold much longer, and greatly reduced the constant hassle of restocking the ice bucket.<br />
<br />
When I do this again, I'll label the containers and post a list of the combinations above the station to eliminate the need to repeat the explanation as new guests arrive. Because apparently I'm the only one nutty enough to think this is self explanatory. <br />
<br />
<u><b>Drink Combinations</b></u><br />
1) Iced tea (unsweetened)<br />
2) Sweet tea (sweetened to taste by guests with simple syrup)<br />
3) Arnold Palmer (half tea, half lemonade)<br />
4) Lemonade<br />
5) Vodka & Lemonade<br />
6) Bushmills & Lemonade (a current favorite)<br />
7) Arnold Palmer & Bushmills*<br />
<br />
*I've spent the better part of the last decade in search of the elusive spirit to mix with an Arnold Palmer without tasking like blech. The tea is a tough taste to blend. So when I tried the Bushmills Honey... it was like a choir of angels singing the Hallelujah Chorus.<br />
<br />
As cocktails go, the possibilities are endless. Personally, if I hadn't run out of gin the day before I'd also have added that to the station because gin & lemonade is delightful. <br />
<br />
It's no secret that I come from rednecks, so sweet tea and Arnold Palmers are my summertime raison d'etre. But if that isn't your style, just use the concept as a springboard for your own station.<br />
<br />
Have you ever done a multi-mix drink station? I'd love to hear what combinations you featured!<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><i><b>Socials</b></i></u><br />
I <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553525411484/" target="_blank">pinned this post</a> to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shesalwayswrite/entertaining-inspiration/" target="_blank">Entertaining Inspiration</a> board.ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-48045925095885349052015-04-27T09:54:00.002-05:002015-04-27T09:56:48.022-05:00Autism Acceptance And Understanding: Actually AutisticThis wraps up the April 2015 series of informational graphics created to help
promote public awareness, acceptance and understanding of autism.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0SlRnf_L_g8t8njQiofheqfYPanM7DYThxwIQAghyphenhyphen1TMO5MQDkZWORwAm_vzLlBRCObxwzv0ZCYJ5GcCt4oCoIi0I4Y3CsRWCF_AaLv9XpkHfnwPbAALDjSOf6koNb6qVopOWEeNonQ/s1600/ActuallyAutistic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0SlRnf_L_g8t8njQiofheqfYPanM7DYThxwIQAghyphenhyphen1TMO5MQDkZWORwAm_vzLlBRCObxwzv0ZCYJ5GcCt4oCoIi0I4Y3CsRWCF_AaLv9XpkHfnwPbAALDjSOf6koNb6qVopOWEeNonQ/s1600/ActuallyAutistic.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
These infomemes were written by an author and autism parent advocate
(that would be me). They were then reviewed and contributed to by a
number of adults who are #ActuallyAutistic, as well as a number of
fellow autism parents (some of whom are also autistic). <br />
<br />
<u><b>Image Sharing</b></u><br />
Sharing these information images is encouraged as we all work to raise
visibility, foster acceptance and promote understanding for our loved
ones during Autism Awareness Month. <br />
<br />
<i><b>From Facebook</b></i><br />
Use the share function from my Facebook page for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/photos/a.177115209129301.1073741826.175240935983395/451827288324757/?type=1&theater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this image post</a>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>From Pinterest</b></i><br />
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553523906235/" target="_blank">Repin this pin</a>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>From Twitter</b></i><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/status/592702739018297344" target="_blank">Retweet this tweet</a>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>From a blog</b></i> - Save the image from this post, and post <i>unaltered </i>to
your site. Please include an author credit (Michelle Wood of
ShesAlwaysWrite.com) and/or a link to this site for appropriate
attribution.
ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448907432407323618.post-64751668869827198902015-04-15T09:38:00.000-05:002015-04-15T09:48:28.399-05:00Autism Acceptance and Understanding: Listen BetterThis is part of a series of informational graphics created to help
promote public awareness, acceptance and understanding of autism.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0ySlswWCUCkiBe_vqUrt4YlU7NH0W9BZTFSNvzGm2T-vlyymkMrSfKF0tcr_EJdaPGnHkI3LTm9uBOO6LEg24RzZV4NEe1ExRqBnTSox2K6nlJUwYlrEWunokt6VQCIxw78-_M3YxHc/s1600/ListenBetter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0ySlswWCUCkiBe_vqUrt4YlU7NH0W9BZTFSNvzGm2T-vlyymkMrSfKF0tcr_EJdaPGnHkI3LTm9uBOO6LEg24RzZV4NEe1ExRqBnTSox2K6nlJUwYlrEWunokt6VQCIxw78-_M3YxHc/s1600/ListenBetter.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
These infomemes were written by an author and autism parent advocate
(that would be me). They were then reviewed and contributed to by a
number of adults who are #ActuallyAutistic, as well as a number of
fellow autism parents (some of whom are also autistic). <br />
<br />
<u><b>Image Sharing</b></u><br />
Sharing
these information images is encouraged as we all work to raise
visibility, foster acceptance and promote understanding for our loved
ones during Autism Awareness Month. <br />
<br />
<i><b>From Facebook</b></i><br />
Use the share function from my Facebook page for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/photos/a.177115209129301.1073741826.175240935983395/446651695508983/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">this image post</a>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>From Pinterest</b></i><br />
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334814553523746893/" target="_blank">Repin this pin</a>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>From Twitter</b></i><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ShesAlwaysWrite/status/588351619042967553" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Retweet this tweet</a>. <br />
<br />
<i><b>From a blog</b></i> - Save the image from this post, and post <i>unaltered </i>to
your site. Please include an author credit (Michelle Wood of
ShesAlwaysWrite.com) and/or a link to this site for appropriate
attribution.ShesAlwaysWritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06120661314940648192noreply@blogger.com