At 5:49pm my husband gave me the look. We both knew we had fifteen minutes before we needed to leave for his work party downtown and I was still getting kids settled/dawdling despite my parents being there to babysit. 

Two minutes to debate dresses, another few to make hair and face look like it wasn’t Tuesday at 9:30am and the last few to get a purse, shoes and some sort of jacket. No problem. Despite not having been out for a looooong time, I was heeding my own advice and acting like I’d been there before. You know, like going out was something I do on the reg and have a routine down pat to get out the door fast for all those cocktail parties and dinners I (don’t) regularly attend. 

One dress change and a several minutes later, I‘m downstairs trying to figure out some sort of sweater or scarf situation because it was freezing cold. My mom reminded me that I had to have a scarf or shawl somewhere. Right. Think, think, think. Yes, a basket in the...

Red, pink, purple and white hearts were scattered over our table. The kids and I were crafting away to make some special Valentine's for local seniors. One of the other kids popped in and asked why we were making cards. 

I said that "Seniors are often lonely, especially this year with COVID social distancing and mask wearing measures". 

"Well, Great Granny loves the senior place where she lives!" pipped my daughter. 

"I know, but a lot of people are feeling lonely, so this will help bring some cheer". 

Without hesitation, our six year old said, "yeah, well I'm lonely and you're sitting right next to me, mom!!" 

Just about a year into this pandemic, I think many of us are just feeling....BLUE. Even if we have family around us, the pandemic fatigue is real and nobody is immune. 

With Valentine's Day this weekend, you might not be feeling the love for yourself or anybody else and that's ok. 

I've talked before about why self love isn't enough before,...

Hey mama,

We made it to 2021! Do you feel like a champion for surviving 2020?

I wish that our reality was different, but we're still wearing masks, staying at home and watching the COVID death toll climb. I know you're exhausted and overwhelmed after a year of working harder around the house, taking in the news, worrying about your parents, yourself and your kids and taking in your part of racial inequalities in America. 

It's a lot and down right traumatic for many. 

While there's tremendous hope for the coming year, we're still "in it". In order to get through this, we're going to need all the energy, self care and health we can muster. And I'm not talking about monthly pedicures or a biweekly blowout. 

I'm talking about getting enough sleep, moving your body, practicing gratitude, having someone to talk to or connect with, laughing (start here) when you can and getting enough food. 

The diet industry knows that you're tired and your life feels out...