Thank A Veteran. Any Day.

Today is (was) Veteran's Day.

And it's so very important and every year I write something on Facebook and I mean what I write and today - I just - I didn't feel like anything I was going to say would be enough.

Because we don't say thank you to our veterans as often as we should.

And we don't listen to them and hear them as often as we should.

And it's hard.

Look. I know y'all have so much happening. I know that in today's world it is impossible to do everything for everyone.

But without the individuals who serve in our armed forces we would not be the country we are today. We would not be living the lives we do today.

And so - today is just one day - but saying thank you more often than that would be such a simple thing to do.

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Saturday. In The Park.

My daughter and I did a charity walk this morning.

It was the perfect day for it.

Even got a bit chilly after a while.

Like, actual fall temperatures chilly.

And look at those colors.

It even LOOKS like fall here in North Carolina.

Shocking, I know!

Now - the important stuff - why did we walk?

We walked today in support of UNC Children's Hospital.

I'm a member of the UNC Children's Hospital Digital Influencer Advisory Board, and this is the first time I've been able to stand up and be counted on behalf of this incredible community. I was so proud to participate - and thrilled to introduce my daughter to the incredible work that UNC Children's does for the families they support.

Today's walk for #UNCChildrenshospital was a lot of fun. It was chilly and overcast, but no rain! The kiddo and I enjoyed wandering around the #Raleigh course and then returning to the park for face painting and bouncing around. It's not too late to help #SupportUNCKids - let me know if you'd like to contribute and I'll direct you to our donation page! #motherhood #parenting #365feministselfie #fitnessselfie #fitspiration 👟 #itsfallyall 🍁🍂🍃🌾#longhairdontcare #happinessis #familyselfie

A post shared by Andrea Bates (@goodgirlgonered) on Nov 4, 2017 at 1:59pm PDT

UNC Children's is a top-tier academic medical center that works to deliver world-class family-centered care to all families - regardless of their ability to pay. 

You can still make a donation to support the every day efforts of UNC Children's Hospital, whether you do so through my fundraising page or their general website.

And I know this is an abbreviated post, but in all honesty? I should have written it earlier.

And?

I'm tired.

But to wrap it up I say thanks to my friend Lisa of A Daily Pinch for inviting me to be part of this advisory board and the event. It's a privilege to be considered for such an opportunity, and I look forward to spending more time introducing you to the incredible community that is UNC Children's in the future.

P.S. Here's a quick pic of me with Lisa today. It's been years since I've seen her, so a hug and some quality chat time was required!

* I was not compensated in any way for this post. My role on the UNC Digital Influencers Advisory Board is completely voluntary and I receive no compensation for any support I give to the organization. * 

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Taking a Moment. Taking a Stand.

Friends, to some of you this will not make any sense.

I start off by saying that I am okay. I am fine. But I know many people who are not fine today, and so, I take my space and use my words to speak to this. Because it's important that I do.

I am emotionally drained from a situation I have watched unfold from pretty close to the front lines - one that impacted someone I care about very much - many someones, in fact - and because of that I felt a need to address others who might be feeling the same way that I do. That I have.

I am so so tired. In the small window of a few days so much has happened in the world I surround myself in, and I, me, a white woman who is not truly 100% impacted by what has happened? I am tired.

But this is not about me. Not in many many ways. But when you're a mom and a woman and a volunteer, and you see so much happening around you and you want to take a stand and support the women you love, and your heart is torn in two different directions and you don't know what to say or do? You hurt. You hurt for those you love. And for those who you may not even know.

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Help Stop Summer Hunger

Summer is practically here. Schools are letting out all over the country and many children are excited to be headed off to summer camps or their grandparents' homes. 

Social media will be filled with pictures of splash pads and swim meets, parks and ice cream, and sweaty happy kids exhausted after a day of play.

But some kids won't have that experience. Some children won't be enjoying their summer days. 

These kids will be hungry.

They'll be struggling with hunger because their families don't have enough food. They're experiencing food insecurity.

Food insecurity is the state of being unable to consistently access nutritious and adequate amounts of food necessary for an active and healthy life. * 

I'd like you to take a moment to consider these kids and how you can help fill their bellies this summer. 

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Help Support the 24th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive!

It's that time again!

Saturday, May 14, 2016 is the 24th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive run by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Which means that the easiest way to donate food happens right at your door. Or mailbox. Or both - pretty much however you want to look at it, you get the opportunity to do good - and all it takes is leaving a bag of nonperishables for your letter carrier to pick up as a part of this incredible campaign.

I am a social media ambassador for my local food bank in North Carolina, and a part of my role is to spread awareness about the importance of food donations to our community food banks. There are so many people in need of assistance and YOUR HELP can be what ensures that they have food on the table for their families in the coming months.

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Simple Giving: Easy Ways To Give Every Day, Jennifer Iacovelli ~ book review

When I had the opportunity to volunteer to read and review Simple Giving: Easy Ways To Give Every Day - well - if you know me - you won't be surprised to hear that I jumped at the chance. And in doing so I've had the pleasure of virtually meeting and getting to know Jennifer Iacovelli. And what a pleasure that's been.

Giving of oneself is the ultimate gift. And one of the things I have tried to convey over my life is that there are so many ways one can give.

I've worked with non-profit organizations on both, the local and national level, and tried to help them find charitable organizations to work with to help their members become a part of something. To help them learn how easy it can be to give.

So finding this book?

Perfection.

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The Starbucks Cup Debacle.

So - if you're on social media at all you already know that Starbucks has changed their cups to be a solid red from a seasonally decorated cup - and people are going crazy. 

I mean, crazy. As if someone took the joy out of Christmas, and it's only early November.

People, Starbucks has had red cups for years, right? 

Right.

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How You Can Help: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - Saturday, May 9

Every year on the second Saturday in May our mail carriers go above and beyond for us. They help us get our donations to our local food banks for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

This event is held nation-wide and is coordinated by the National Association of Letter Carriers. 

As a volunteer for my local food bank in North Carolina, I could not be more grateful for this assistance and event, because we all know that when someone helps make it easier for us to contribute we'll find ourselves more likely to do so. Knowing that the USPS will be coming by on Saturday no matter what guarantees that my items will make their way to help those in need!

All you need to do is grab a bag, fill it up with some items you would like to donate, and leave it outside by your mailbox on Saturday morning.

It could not be any simpler!

The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina has a list of items that they need, and in sharing this with you today I can guarantee that your local food bank would love these same items. Non-perishables that are in cans, boxes, bags (no glass - please!) are accepted with a huge thanks.

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Looking for beautiful gift ideas? Shop Heart of Haiti and support a worthy cause.

* I am a member of the Everywhere Society and they provided me with this product for review. All thoughts and expressed opinions are my own. * 

I met the fine people of the Everywhere Society this fall at Type-A Parent Conference. Their booth in the conference expo included a number of products from the Heart of Haiti line at Macy's that they support. As soon as I saw that they were planning an upcoming campaign supporting this effort I volunteered myself as a participant.

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Born Just Right: Support Camp No Limits

I had the luck of meeting Jen Lee Reeves last year at a blogging bootcamp in Disney World. We didn't have the chance to speak all that much, but crossed paths a few times and probably saw one another more outside the conference than during.

I had heard of her, was following her on social media, and thought - oooh - she knows her stuff. And then I got to know her, and she turned out to be sweet and funny and someone I could actually like. And I love that!

When Jen put out a call for some assistance in spreading the word about a fundraiser she's supporting I knew that helping out would be easy. A post for a friend? Supporting an incredible organization? Absolutely.

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StrollerThon for Postpartum Mental Health!

* Please note, the content of this post is not meant to be medical advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a postpartum mood disorder please reach out to your doctor as soon as possible. There is help. You can feel better and the appropriate support is out there. Allow yourself to reach out for it. * 

I'm going to talk to you a little bit today about an organization I volunteer with regularly. It's a really important organization and we could use your support. So if you can take a few minutes to share and then possibly spread the word? I'd love you forever. 

But seriously, I'd appreciate it. Really. 

Many of you know how important postpartum mental health is to me. From a personal and professional perspective, my goal is to help mamas everywhere get the support they need, when they need it.

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Help Light The Night For Kids with Cancer! #LLSLTN

* This post is a part of the Light The Night campaign. I have been hired as an ambassador for this campaign. All expressed content in this post is strictly my own. * 

Have you heard of Light The Night? It's an event that is coordinated by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in support of raising money to help eradicate cancer. More specifically, blood cancers.

One aspect of this campaign is maintaining a focus on children's cancers. LLS states that Leukemia is the most common cancer impacting children and adolescents aged 20 and younger.

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Lacking. And yet ...

My motivation is lacking.

I just don't feel like I have anything to write.

And yet. I'm slightly motivated when it comes to anywhere but here.

I've submitted to Scary Mommy and been - wait for it - ACCEPTED.

Wait, wait again ...

TWICE!!

The first post was a bit controversial.

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Zachary Levi needs our help! #IwantmyNerdHQ

Okay, so take a look at the adorable Zachary Levi. He's a nerd like me. And you. 

Don't pretend you're not one. We all know that most bloggers are ... at least a little bit. *wink*

Oh, don't get huffy now. It's a compliment. I promise.

Now - let's talk NerdHQ.

NerdHQ is an event that Zac (we're that close, I can call him that - fine, we're not but I will anyway!) is working to get off the ground again this year. He is trying to raise funds, get sponsors, do all the things that are required for an extremely large and exciting event such as NerdHQ.

I won't do it justice, but I'm happy to help promote this event because ALL OF THE PROCEEDS from the actual event will go to Operation Smile. So while the event is free to anyone attending, there will be things for sale and whatnot, and those proceeds will go towards supporting this incredible organization.

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Amazing Reads.

I missed posting this last week because of the Thanksgiving holiday, Chanukah celebrating and traveling with the family. This week I'm shooting for some great posts that I have been "saving" for myself. Lately I feel like I open a link and end up leaving it sitting there until I either have the mindset for it or have a few extra minutes.

So, this week here's what I've been reading.

Although this post is a few weeks old, I only read it the other day and thought it was important to share. You may know that I'm not a homeschooling mom. You probably didn't know I'm in awe of many homeschooling moms. I have surely said something along the lines of, "You're amazing. I could never do it!" to a homeschooling friend or two. Adrienne of The Mommy Mess talks about Fighting Homeschooling Doubts, and makes mention of the kinds of comments she hears from other mothers. Things like what I have said, thinking I truly meant them as a compliment, they don't always come off that way. This post shares some of her own doubts while homeschooling. If you've experienced some yourself, pop on by and let her know she isn't alone.

The beautiful Rebecca Einstein Schorr has written a very important post this week. Don't Just Like Me is a reminder of how it's wonderful to show your support with a thumbs-up button on Facebook, but for an important fundraising event like 36Rabbis, more than that is needed. Can you help? Take a few minutes to read her post, but more importantly, head on over to the 36Rabbis donation page. If you can't donate - can you share? Also? You don't have to be Jewish to read this. Or to get it. These rabbis are working together to support pediatric cancer research and awareness. This is a cause that has no religion.

Mamas know that watching their babies grow up can be bittersweet. My friend Jessica of The B Keeps Us Honest talks about moments with her littlest in I Linger a Little Bit Longer. Those beautiful moments are ones we want to hold onto forever, even though we know we really can't. Jessica's post might make you tear up a little bit, but not sob or anything, so you should totally read it.

That's a wrap for this week. It's a short and sweet post from me, but I've been scattered, recovering from travel, emotionally spent and did I mention tired yet? Yeah. Tired.

I hope you've all had a great week and I'll catch ya' next time. And reach out to me if you have something you think I absolutely need to read. Whether it's yours or someone else's. It might end up featured here next time.

Happy weekend, everyone!

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When I let myself think.

Sometimes I just lack ideas.

I try to brainstorm and my mind freezes. Which reminds me that the cup of coffee I was letting cool down so I could ice it? Probably lukewarm by now.

Be right back ...

There we go. It's a damp and rainy morning, and I think I'll make something in the crockpot for dinner. But my point was I should have opted for hot coffee instead of iced today, but yesterday was nicer and I iced some which got me back in an iced coffee kind of mood.

Which is also impacted by the horrible problem of Amazon Prime not getting me my coffee. A few days late is one thing, but we're closing in on a week here, which is unusual. I was blaming it on Sandy, because, let's face it - that's probably what it's from. And then I do that and think to myself, what a problem I have. I'm running out of coffee when people back in New York - my home state - city - home - have no power to even begin to plug in their coffee makers. Is coffeemaker one word or two? Looks right either way, no?

Please know that I was being sarcastic with the use of "horrible problem" up there. It's so totally not.

I'm all over the place these days, so this post will be kind of like a word association. Free flowing thought. I do that often, but this weekend I tried to start posts on Saturday and Sunday and they just didn't come. It's cool, though, because this is MY space and I can do whatever (within reason) I'd like here.

And I say within reason because things that go public are important and I have respect for myself and my family and so I'd be ridiculous to go extremely overboard, ya know?

There have been so many things happening in our world of late. Between the election and the hurricane, the loss of lives and so much. The people who are still in need of help. Power. Any sign that they might someday return to a normal way of life.

How does that happen?

I mean, I know we as a country experienced Katrina. And it was AWFUL. But I wasn't seeing it as first-hand. I hate to say it hits closer to home now, but it does. It does because New York is in my blood. And the loss might be the same, but I know the places this time. Same as someone from New Orleans would have felt after Katrina, right?

What's sad is that I am sure that so many there are still suffering, still working to find their way back. And that's years of time gone by.

What will New York look like when I go home again?

Where my parents and family live not much was physically affected, thank G-d. But so many areas nearby, hit so hard. Why am I not doing more? What more CAN I do?

I'm a mother. A wife. Can I just run up there and help hands on? I would if I could - isn't that what everyone thinks? So we send things. Money. Items. Support. Spread the word.

I'm going to ultimately try to do that here with loads of links and see if that makes me feel like I made a move. Did SOMEthing. (It'll be a separate post. I don't want it to get lost in my mind's ramblings here.)

So much to think about. So much color lost in the lives of so many.

I've taken to trying to add some pictures to my posts, and the only one I can think of to add right now is a beautiful spot of color in an otherwise dreary day.

Color and beauty with hopes to take flight.

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Take a minute and help someone out.

I'm glad Jana has a free stream of consciousness prompt today. Because I pretty much have a thousand things to say and am all over the place so an actual prompt (while always optional) probably wouldn't have meshed for me.

Last week I posted a few sponsored posts. They're low on comments but I'm okay with that. I do what I need to do to get me through my commitments, and I hope the businesses, etc. I've worked with are pleased with my efforts.

It's interesting to have to do all of that (and yes, there will be some more) in the wake of the hurricane. The aftermath or Sandy, of Sandy, *typo* is affecting so many. I'm spending loads of time online looking for places I can support and send things to. Blankets, coats, whatever it is that I can dig up and get my hands on I want to pass along to those in need.

And yet, it's an interesting concept, as there are people in need everywhere every.single.day.

Aren't there?

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Playdates ... @ShotatLife

Isn't it easy and fun for us to plan a playdate in today's world?

All we have to do is text a mom-friend, call them, find them on Facebook or any other online social media method of connecting and we set something up in no time at all.

Our kids are healthy. Playdates spread germs. It's not the worst thing. A snotty nose? Yeah - us, too. Is it clear? Yep. Alright - let's get together.

Hit the park? Playground? Sure - I'll bring the wipes. Antibacterial hand sanitizer. We'll head to the splash-grounds after. Run home and pop them into the bath or shower. Easy clean-up.

See this little boy? See his runny nose? He's adorable, and he's happy, but is he healthy? Is he healthy enough that you'd let your little ones run around and play with him?

I'd love to think that we'd all say yes, of course! But ...

1 in 5 children around the world lack access to life-saving vaccines. 

Your typical playdate in other areas of the world?  Surely different than those we have here.

And yet ... look at these children.

They're happy. You can see how happy they are. 

But how well are they? 

How much disease is being spread from child to child across these kinds of playdates? 

Every year, 1.5 million children die from vaccine-preventable diseases in developing countries. 

Why are these children not vaccinated? 

What can we do to help? 

How can we ensure that children all across the world have a Shot At Life? 

A shot at ...

Their first baseball game.
Their first school trip.
Their first ice cream cone.
Their first airplane ride.
Their first swim with dolphins.

Trip to Disney. High School prom. Training bras. Basketball games. Bus rides. Baking a cake. Licking the frosting. Cookie cutters. Running barefoot through the grass. Finger painting. Kiss from a dog.

The first time someone holds their hand.

Looks into their eyes.

Tells them they love them.

All of these things are amazing. Incredible. Emotional.

But what I really wish for for these kids?

Is a shot at their next birthday.

I am participating in a blogging carnival to promote awareness as coordinated by Shot@Life. I received no compensation for this post and am truly hoping to help educate and inform my readers - and myself - on all that is happening outside the immediate communities that surround us. And help support children all across this tremendous world. Because without us - what do many of them truly have? Please help.

All images were provided by Shot@Life. 

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Behind ... I am so.

I'm so behind.

I've been meaning to write about my fitness revolution, or whatever you want to call it, but lately I've been slack. I'm getting back on track, though. Last week I walked for 50+ minutes three times. Me and a friend. Which was excellent.

This week I've done one walk so far, and it was also over 50 minutes, so that's good, but I need to get back on track. The long weekend threw me off but is no excuse.

I did, however, go swimming twice over the weekend. Not hugely long windows of swim, but we were at the lake and did some water time after anchoring the new boat. It was refreshing, slightly awesome, somewhat freaky (water shoes are a must - even if you're not remotely close to touching the bottom!) and a serious workout.

Cause holy crap! Fighting to stay close to the boat against the current of the lake, and the waves/wakes caused by passing boats? Tis NO JOKE.

My arms were definitely feeling it.

Have I mentioned before that I have like NO upper body strength? As in AT ALL. No. Seriously. None.

Anyway, last week my weigh in had me at a little over a pound down, which made me happy. Showed me I'm getting back on track. Or trying to.

And then - yesterday I kind of lost my mind. For a hot minute. Literally. Hot.

I bought a deal for Bikram Yoga classes on Living Social. Five of them. FIVE.

What the WHA?

Yeah, I'm not sure what I was smokin', but I decided to just go ahead and do it.

Also? I signed up for the Heart Walk in my area. To support my friend Jenni. She's one of my besties and she totally rocks. If you want to check out her 'hood, please do here.

I'm planning to walk to support the Ronald McDonald House of Durham, too. Charity walks are important to me, and this is the first year I'm not doing Race for the Cure - it's had too much political crap going on behind-the-scenes and I decided to skip it until I could feel better about doing it again. Maybe 2013 will have me back. I'll think on it.

Anyway - that's that. I'm hoping I'm back on track for real. And next week I have my 3 month check-up at the doc's and hope to see some downward movement on the scale. We shall see.

So - what's up with you? Are you with me? Stay motivated! Stay focused! Go fit-n-fab!

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Why I wanted to go ... part I.

A huge part of why I wanted to go to this exceptional event was to meet some of the people that I absolutely idolize. I adore. I love and want to be them, or at the very least their BFFs.

Do I sound like a stalker yet? I'm not, I promise.

If you haven't had a chance to read my friend Fadra's post about why "you" (or I) should attend a blog conference, have at it. It's over here at Social Dialect, and as you'll see, yours truly was one of the interviewees.

I answered her questions on why I wanted to attend, why I started blogging, and who I couldn't wait to meet. Again, that stalking aspect of my personality. Or so you would think.

I so totally wanted to meet Katherine Stone, of Postpartum Progress. And yet, the so non-stalkerish side of me had me see her like 3-4 times before I approached, introduced myself and asked if I could give her a hug.
If you want to know anything about PPD in the blogging world you need to know who Katherine is. If you don't - you must. MUST. Last year she won the Type A Conference bloganthropy award. This weekend she tweeted the definition of bloganthropy and what they do: "@bloganthropy honors bloggers using social media to do good/make positive change" ...amazing, no?

I found a wonderful tweet quoting her from one of the attendees that I want to share as it strikes me as so important: "Bloggers are successful because they work their asses off." - @postpartumprogr

It's so true. But awesome that she stated it so matter-of-factly. She's such a sweetheart. So real and so nice and so down to earth. And my GAWD, she is beautiful. Seriously. She has totally magnificent (ehem, and red) really long hair. I even got a picture with her. Wanna see?

I'm grateful for the connection I have felt with Katherine and the various women and stories she shares with us, the way that she reminds us all that we're not just permitted-but supposed to talk about PPD. It's not taboo. It's real. It's okay and important to discuss it, to raise awareness and support one another, whether we're past the experience personally, whether we know someone who is suffering, or whether we - ourselves - are in the thick of it, she reminds us how important it is to talk about it. To spread the word. To remind women everywhere that they are not alone.

One of the most touching, real and raw things I have ever found off of Postpartum Progress is the Surviving and Thriving Mothers Photo Album. It nearly brings me to tears [happy ones] every time I see it. Go look. Take your time. And if you're among the many who belongs in these pages, email Katherine and she'll get you in there. I did.

And so, I say thank you to Type A Conference for making one of my bloggy connection hopes come true! And thank you, Katherine, for rocking it all and being as amazing and approachable as you are. It was great to meet you and I hope to see you again in real life 'round the bloggy world!

Type A Conference Recap Post #1 can be found here!

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