Raising Children Without Gender Based Preferences

Raising Children Without Gender Based Preferences

I remember a conversation with my mother-in-law some years ago.  I was explaining that our daughter wasn’t into the Disney princesses.  She said “all little girls love princesses.”  That did not set well with me at all.  The idea that all girls love princesses is laughable.  And the unsaid, or what I heard, was that if girls don’t love them, then they should because that is what is ‘normal.’ Our…

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The Unscripted Weekly: March Mashup

The Unscripted Weekly: March Mashup

The Unscripted Weekly features links to various articles I have come across in my travels across the internet.  Feel free to share your own internet journeys, and thoughts on these articles in the comments section. The Academy Awards are this Sunday, and many stars will be wearing orange pins.  Find out why here. As the weather warms up, we tend to make it outside a bit more, and maybe even…

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Exhaustion Has Arrived

I read this recent article on USA Today, and was struck by how close to home it actually hit for me. It was the headline that grabbed me.  I’m exhausted.  I’ve felt it for months, and it has been something I’ve had trouble naming.  I know it, I feel it, but I can’t articulate it. I pride myself on being informed.  I have a deep desire to learn and grow so for the past year and a half I have read…

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Sunday Suppers: A Meal Plan for the Week

Sunday Suppers: A Meal Plan for the Week

Sunday Suppers is a weekly series featuring recipes and conversation topics that bring together those most important to you.  From our house to yours, bon appetit. (more…)

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Hello, It's Been Awhile

Hello, It’s Been Awhile

It has been several months since I have been out here, but it’s not for a lack of wanting to take the time.  I have switched jobs, steamed through the holidays, been busy with family, and focused on projects at home.  Normal life. I did have a conversation with a woman at our barn the other night that certainly fired me up, and had me pause. I don’t recall how the conversation started.  It was…

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#MeToo and How to Respond

#MeToo and How to Respond

There have been a litany of sexual harassment accusations recently causing many of us to reflect on our own experiences, and question how to support and change the culture around us.  Before we get into specifics on how we can help, I want to take a moment to define sexual harassment. According the the EEOC, sexual harassment is defined as: “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors,…

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Perspective is a Powerful Tool

Perspective is a Powerful Tool

Life happens.  You know how you are going along, and then BAM! something hits you broadside.  If you’re lucky, it’s one thing, but life doesn’t always play nice. We’ve had a few things hit us lately.  A lay-off, a scoliosis diagnosis of our 14 year old that requires a brace, and my husband trying to ward off his own potential lay-off.  Life happens, and sometimes it feels like it happens all at…

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What to Say, and Not Say, To Someone Recently Laid Off

What to Say, and Not Say, To Someone Recently Laid Off

I’ve been on both sides of the lay-off equation now, and neither is particularly easy. Obviously, retaining a role in an organization is the “better” outcome, but it’s hard to know what to say to folks impacted by a reduction in force making interactions awkward and uneasy. It doesn’t have to be this difficult so here are some tips for reaching out to friends and co-workers transitioning to a new…

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I'm Gonna Make it Afterall

I’m Gonna Make it Afterall

It’s been years.  I used to journal everyday.  It was my morning routine, along with coffee and a run.  Now, my journals are packed up, and some even gone.  But today I need to journal.  You see, I got laid off on Thursday.  To be fair, I kind of knew it could be coming, but I’ll be honest, it doesn’t change the hurt and upset.  At first, I was “fine.”  Later, I wasn’t.  Shame was holding my…

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The Unscripted Weekly: Islands, Food, Saving Money, and Saving Children

The Unscripted Weekly: Islands, Food, Saving Money, and Saving Children

The Unscripted Weekly features links to various articles I have come across in my travels across the internet.  Feel free to share your own internet journeys, and thoughts on these articles in the comments section. Looking for that perfect getaway?  Maine may have your answer.  Check out this island complete with a mansion, tavern, and chapel.  It’s for sale for a cool 8MM. And while we are…

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Happy Birthday, America July 4th is the day the United States celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence when the 13 original colonies declared they were a new and independent nation. May you enjoy time with friends and family today, and every day.

We Are Working, But We Are Still Struggling

We Are Working, But We Are Still Struggling

I read USA Today’s recent article Why Does American Work Feel So Bad? and was struck by the juxtaposition of relief at having a job mixed with the stress and anxiety it can bring. Families today are struggling even with both parents working.  The cost of living is increasing while wages are remaining relatively flat having workers stretch their budget, and forego saving for unplanned expenses,…

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The Unscripted Weekly: Summer Edition

The Unscripted Weekly: Summer Edition

The Unscripted Weekly features links to various articles I have come across in my travels across the internet.  Feel free to share your own internet journeys, and thoughts on these articles in the comments section. Get ready!  Amazon Prime Day is coming!  This is an annual event, and this year is poised to blow out the past two years.  Don’t know what it is?  It is Amazon’s version of Black…

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We've Come to This, And It's Terrifying

We’ve Come to This, And It’s Terrifying

I’ve not blogged in a few weeks.  Life and work have ramped up leaving less time for writing, but I’m here again as a few things at work have slowed in recent days. This post has given me pause, but I felt compelled to write something on the latest National Rifle Association ad largely calling for fellow Americans to take up arms against each other.  The ad is narrated by Dana Loesch, a…

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Remembering Those That Sacrificed Everything Memorial Day is the day here in the United States that we remember our military service members that lost their lives fighting for our freedom. Today, and every day, we are thankful for their service and sacrifice for our country.

The Unscripted Weekly: "Calgon Take Me Away"

The Unscripted Weekly: “Calgon Take Me Away”

The Unscripted Weekly features links to various articles I have come across in my travels across the internet.  Feel free to share your own internet journeys, and thoughts on these articles in the comments section. What a week!  Back in town after some business travel, and I’ve missed a few things going on in the world.  Here’s a quick rundown… The bombing in Manchester, England has the world…

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Just Because It's Hard, and Just Because It's Messy Doesn't Mean It's Not Good

Just Because It’s Hard, and Just Because It’s Messy Doesn’t Mean It’s Not Good

We have all had them.  Projects, missions, or accountabilities where we are asked, or choose, to do what others won’t touch.  You know, the proverbial ‘hot potato’. Sometimes we don’t truly know what has landed in our lap, but once we start to dig in, it becomes obvious.  I have one of these going on right now.  It has been a really tough week, and honestly, one of the most fulfilling. It seems…

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