Earth Week 2021

 

This week is Earth Week (Earth Day being yesterday, April 22). It got me thinking about all the amazing, beautiful, natural places that Doug, Bri and I have been fortunate and blessed enough to get to visit. We have visited only a very, very, very small fraction of what Earth has to offer...

Above: Haleakala Volcano, Maui, HI; Aspen Alley Trail, Breckenridge, CO; Napa Valley, California; Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA; Boreas Pass, CO; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Hilton Head, SC; Ke'Anae Peninsula, Maui, HI; Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Island; Amicalola Falls, GA; Jundu Mountains, Bejing, China (The Great Wall); Portland, ME

 

Above: Newport, RI; Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, TN; Red Rocks Park, Morrison, CO; Hickory Nut Falls, North Carolina; Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State Park, GA; Ke'Anae Arboretum, Maui, HI (Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees); Chimney Rock State Park, NC; Smokey Mountains, Gatlinburg, TN; Blue Ridge, GA; Tybee Island, GA (Dolphin); Coral Gables, FL (Banyan Trees); Clearwater, FL

 

 And before Briana entered our lives, Doug and I were already married for 10 years. We saw a lot of amazing sites together...

Above: La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, CA; Mount Evans, CO; Gloucester Harbor, MA; Caribbean Sea, Grand Cayman; Hell, Grand Cayman; Malibu Canyon, CA; The Blowholes, Grand Cayman; Amelia Island, FL

Here are some ideas to help save our planet...

I do some of these suggestions, but I know I definitely can do better.

I cannot wait until Doug, Bri and I feel comfortable traveling again. There is so much of the USA we still need to explore, but I am definitely feeling a draw to visit other countries. Looking forward to getting back out there again and seeing the world.

57 Weeks Behind Us (Weekly Update)

 57.

57 weeks behind us since coronavirus hit the state of GA.

Wow.

One positive thing I can tell you is that 57 weeks after this virus hit us full force ~ I am FULLY vaccinated! Woot!

Last week, Doug and I went back to the drive-through site that we had gone to three weeks before and got our second shot. We are on the way to getting our "normal" lives back. Still wishing and hoping for Bri's turn though.

Here I am...

The drive-through site...

Every time we go out pretty much anywhere, Doug always gets compliments on is black-wrapped Tesla. He got two compliments that afternoon. Heh.

I didn't feel the effects from the vaccine until 24 hours after I got jabbed (other than a sore arm). I started to feel a bit run down at that time (needed a nap) and I got a low grade fever that evening. I felt slightly achy all over. I didn't sleep super great that night, but the following morning, the fever was gone and I was feeling pretty darn good. Overall, my symptoms were very mild thank goodness. Doug had no side effects except a sore arm. 

 I know that this vaccine is not a 100% thing, but it is very close. If I did somehow get sick, it should keep things very mild and me out of a hospital. And I'm hoping that it will also help me not spread Cov!d to Bri until she can get vaccinated. If I do need a booster for this, I'll be getting that too.

Totally worth it for me and my family.

 Please keep an open mind about being vaccinated...

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I had my third PT session on Friday afternoon and so far, they are going well. I did have some pretty sore arms and shoulders after my second session. I'm trying to strengthen those muscles, so I guess that needs to happen. My ear did unblock on Wednesday and Thursday (so nice!) but felt like it wanted to start blocking up again on Friday and Saturday. I think it will take some time to get there. My therapist saw it as a good sign. I sure hope he is right...

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I just have to show you all again my kitty's belly...

All that fur growing back in. It is a sight that I wasn't sure I'd ever see again.

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For a couple of evenings last week, Doug brought in food for us because I just wasn't up to cooking. I didn't feel great, but it was kind of nice not having to cook. By Thursday evening, I was back at it - cooking once again. I don't know why, but I had been craving a cheesesteak (Doug actually ordered cheesesteaks last year around this time, so maybe that is why). Instead of spending a lot of money to order some, I decided to try it on my own on Saturday. I sliced the beef super thin and did my thing. I have to say, it turned out pretty dang good...

I got a thumbs up from both Doug and Bri!

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So, there is a lot going on in the world politically, legally and socially - and I don't see any of that dying down anytime soon. Continued mass shootings (we need massive gun ref@rm), the George F!oyd trial (praying he gets convicted), a full-blown rac!st "Amer!ca First Cauc@s" being created (too despicable to even discuss; dropped thank goodness), Russian sanct!ons (long time coming), etc. I'm just too worn out to address it all in detail.

I will share this (saw this on a friend's Inst@gram page)...

I have had to do a few of these things lately. I never considered myself an activist, but I guess in my own way I am now. It can be super uncomfortable (especially for someone with anxiety), but I am feeling good about it. I'll probably do even more when all this Cov!d stuff lets up.

And I actually feel like a weight was lifted when I wrote my post last week about my feelings - finally being honest about how I haven't been completely happy in my surroundings for a long time...

Not that the pandemic was a "tiny" thing, but it was definitely a catalyst that allowed me to look around and realize I need to make some changes.

Which included/includes me having to distance myself from some people...

And some other changes too.

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 So I think I will leave it there for this post. I am trying to heal myself both physically and mentally, and it will all take time.

Hope you all have a good, safe and happy week. Be back soon.

56 Weeks Behind Us (Weekly Update)

 56.

56 weeks behind us since the pandemic hit the state of Georgia.

 I'm still counting.

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Last week was Briana's spring break and we just spent time at home.

 Tuesday, my parents came over for lunch, we all enjoyed two mini cakes (to celebrate my mom's birthday) and we watched a movie (The Greatest Showman). They really enjoyed being able to watch a movie in our home theater...

Wednesday, I had my first physical therapy session to hopefully help with my blocked ear issue...

My therapist's name is Caleb and he seems to know his stuff. He wants to work on loosening up and strengthening my jaw, neck and upper/middle back muscles - focusing on my right side. We will see if that will help my ear unblock and stay unblocked (it still fluctuates a bit). It's amazing how all the parts of the body are so connected and it all can contribute to issues. I'm really hoping it works.

Thursday, Doug, Bri and I took a little trip over the The Vars!ty...

A yummy, very unhealthy lunch in the car. Spring break splurge.

Friday, Bri's friend Meredith came over to hang out in the afternoon...

 Our family is so grateful to Meredith and her family for being such a huge support for us during this past year.

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Mei Mei was happy we didn't go anywhere for spring break this year. Here she is resting on my upstairs sofa. You can see the trees blooming in the window. So - much - pollen- everywhere...

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Doug and I are getting our second vaccines tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to possibly feeling icky afterward, but I am looking forward to being fully vaccinated. Waiting for the day Bri can be too.

 Here are the number of cases and deaths in the United States as of Friday...

560K dead. That is a monumental number since this pandemic started in the U.S.

It's disappointing seeing a number of people on my social media feed still gathering in large groups and not wearing masks over spring break during this pandemic. I'm just going to leave it there.

And I can't believe I am seeing "living in fear" stuff popping up in different places again.

After an entire year of this pandemic - where millions of people have gotten sick (many now living with long-term covid symptoms) and 560K dead in the U.S. alone, I'm still seeing people saying and posting this statement. Seriously?

 I saw this article online and I honestly could have written it myself...

https://www.scarymommy.com/taking-virus-seriously-not-living-in-fear/

It's an opinion piece, but it really hit home for me.

I posted this quote a year ago on FB...

I've done everyone I can on my end to help with this pandemic.

Believe me, I am tired of living a rather "protected" life. I want to go back to "normal" and "easy" life like everyone else. I've done all of this because this pandemic HASN'T been just about ME.

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 Yes - I am a bit burnt out, but I regret nothing...

I know I'll come back from this. I will always believe what I have done is right.

 

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This pandemic has opened my eyes to so many things...

 It has forced me to face something that I have known for a very long time.

I don't belong in the ultra conservative part of the U.S. south anymore. I never really did in the first place.

For over 30 years, I have tried to conform, mold and adapt to my surroundings to fit in. I have been outnumbered or in the minority for so many years. I have kept many thoughts to myself and would quietly agree with things - letting people think I was on the same page when deep down maybe I wasn't. From my political beliefs to my thoughts on social issues to my belief in science to my thoughts on religion to my spirituality - I just think and act differently compared to a lot of others in my neck of the woods. The way I created my family makes me different too. I could have (probably should have) changed my surroundings years ago, but there are a number of reasons why I didn't/couldn't.

 I know I should embrace the whole being "different" thing. It's something I try to constantly instill in my daughter. But, there are so many people out there who truly don't accept "different" - let's be real about it. Over 30 years of me assimilating - I am tired. I'm feeling ready to be surrounded by a larger number of voices and opinions similar to mine.

Speaking out this past year for me has been uncomfortable and tough but freeing at the same time. When this pandemic hit and everything started to hit the fan, I finally started speaking my truth - especially when I felt lives were at stake. It was like a top coming off of a fizzy, shaken bottle. All the things I held inside. I'm dealing with fallout from that now, but I couldn't stay quiet anymore.

 I just have to figure out now where I do belong. It might take me a while for me to find it, but I am going to find it. Doug and I have to hold on for now until Briana finishes school, but we are both going to figure it out what our future holds - together.

I'm not writing all of this to get any sort of pity or sympathy from anyone. And I'm not purposely trying to anger anyone either. I'm just stating a realization. I do have a few voices in my circle that are similar to mine and I am grateful for them. 

I'm not going to say my life for the past 30 years has been "all bad" because it hasn't. There have been many good, fun times in my life. I would have not met my husband if I had never moved here. But, some things for me have been tougher than I ever let on to anyone. It makes me kind of sad to think about, but it's really ok. It's better I finally admit this to myself now and start to come up with a plan for change.

Even when this pandemic finally ends, I will continue to be more honest. I've found my voice and I plan to keep it. But, I don't think I'll need to continue to speak out as frequently when this all finally dies down.

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I guess I'll leave it there for this post. Overall, we had a nice, quiet, low-key spring break.

Briana starts back to school tomorrow. She has 7 weeks left of school and then she is done with 9th grade. We didn't envision 9th grade looking like this for B, but it is what it is and we have made the most out of it.

 Thanks for reading everyone. Be back soon.

55 Weeks Behind Us (Weekly Update)

 55.

55 weeks behind us since coronavirus hit the state of GA.

I'm tired of counting. So tired. But, I'm going to continue to count the weeks until my kid is vaccinated. None of this is over for me until she is protected too.

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Real quick - I want to wish my mom a Happy Birthday today (April 5th)!

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Hope everyone had a Happy Easter and/or Happy Passover...

We dyed Easter eggs on Saturday...

Our tradition still holds strong.

And Briana said she still wanted to get an Easter basket this year. No hiding of it, but she still wanted one. I'll keep giving her one until she doesn't want one anymore...

We had a nice, quiet, reflective Sunday. The neighborhood was pretty quiet. I can tell a lot of people are on vacation. I spent some time on the upstairs back porch on Easter afternoon with Mei. Lots of pollen out there, but the weather was perfect ...

 

And we a quiet Easter dinner - just the three of us.

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This week is Briana's spring break...

We have opted to stay home this spring break. We just had a nice vacation to Hilton Head, so we are good. Spring break brings very large crowds to pretty much everywhere and we just aren't into that right now.

 I see a lot of people heading out on vacation though. This of course makes me nervous. So many people not being careful and not social distancing/masking. There is no doubt there will be another surge again after this. Hopefully, those who are vaccinated might help the numbers stay a bit lower. 

We have a few things planned around here. Bri is just happy to have a week off from school. She might be virtual learning, but my kid takes it very seriously thank goodness. She is doing great right now. I'm very blessed.

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One of the things on my calendar for this week is seeing a physical therapist for an evaluation for my TMJ/blocked ear issue. I saw my ENT last week who said he thinks PT could be helpful. My ear is doing a lot better now - not perfect - but better. I want to keep my ear from blocking up again. I've had three episodes now since June. It's time to try to fix this somehow...

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Speaking of spring, everything in my neck of the woods is blooming now...

Everything.

Spring is not my favorite time of year. The flowers and trees are pretty, but the pollen - which makes such a mess and messes with everyone's sinuses - is just brutal. I will be ready for everything to just be "bloomed" already so we can all breath again.

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We are still enjoying our home theater. We watched another episode of Falcon and Winter Sold!er on Friday night...

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I'm going to get political for a minute now.

I saw this picture of B!den and his cabinet last week...

This made me really happy. What a wonderful example for my daughter to see.

And B!den didn't expect everyone to feed his ego during the first cabinet meeting - unlike the head of last administration. It was very refreshing.

 

Also, GA is now getting push back from corporations for it's horrendous voter suppress!on bill. K@mp is whining and crying about it now - especially MLB pulling it's all star game from Atlanta. Hmmm, I thought Republ!can's were all for a free market system. If MLB doesn't want to have the game here now, they don't have to. K@mp played with fire and now he is screaming "c@ncel culture." Nope - voter suppression is wrong and MLB is letting him know it. They have every right to make this decision. The end.

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So, I saw a few memes this week that kind of spoke to me.

First...

I sometimes find myself apologizing way too often for things - things I shouldn't even be apologizing for. It's something I am really working on. I'll obviously apologize to someone if it is warranted, but I am doing so much better at not saying "I'm sorry" all the time now. 

Second...

I have a few regrets about choices I have made in my life or things I may have said or done/not said or done. There are events in my life I sometimes wish hadn't happened. I don't think anyone can say they have "no regrets" in life. That just can't be true. But if I made different choices or if certain things had gone a different way, I wouldn't have the life I have now or be the person I am today. And I have a good life overall. I am a bit of a "dweller" (I do tend to over-rehash things - I own that), but it's something I am working very hard on trying to stop. Dwelling too much can lead to wallowing or self-pity and that's not a good thing. So, I am working on concentrating and focusing on looking and moving forward. If there is something in my life I don't like, I have to try to change it or figure out a way to deal with it. Nothing else I can do.

Third...

I saw this meme and at first, I felt like it really made sense. And to a degree, it does. I am an admitted anxious person (who worries quite a bit), and I think anxiety can definitely tap into/turn into resentment and anger at times. But for me, when it comes to the pandemic, I don't feel like my anxiety is the main cause for the resentment and anger I have felt and still feel. I admit - I am still holding onto a lot of anger and resentment right now. I am angry and resentful toward those who didn't believe (and some who still don't) that this pandemic was real/dangerous. Those who never believed in the science (and some who still don't). I am still irritated at people who made selfish decisions that affected me and the way I have had to live my life this past year. Bitter toward those who supported (and still support) someone who I believe divided and hurt this country more than I ever imagined possible. So, my anger and resentment doesn't boil down to just anxiety. It's definitely deeper than that. Believe me, I wish I wasn't still holding on it, but unfortunately, I can't seem to help it or control it right now. I am trying to figure it out. It may take me a long time to let go and/or forgive (though I'll never forget). I've been internalizing these negative feelings for a quite a while now - it may take some time for me to release them.

 

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So, I think I will leave it there for now. I am very happy that Briana has this week to rest and rejuvenate before she enters the homestretch of 9th grade/first year of high school (school finishes right before Memorial Day weekend).

Wish me luck in my TMJ therapy journey. I hope it will help.

Be back soon. Thanks for reading. Bye for now!

Briana Digital Creations

Briana has been doing a bunch of digital art lately, and here are a few of my favorite pictures that I'd like to share with you (she gave me approval!)...

Above is a picture Bri drew for Easter.

(You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

Briana's St. Patrick Day picture...

Girl posing in a restaurant booth...

 

Briana has been working on drawing girls with different body types (loving the body positivity!)...

Girl with fox mask on - perfect for these covid days...

Girls with their reflection in the water...

And this is a picture of besties ~ the left side is the girls posing in a camera phone and the right is them more grown up with a selfie stick...

Bri really has a natural talent. I am always amazed by her attention to detail. She definitely sees art school in her future!