Nonfiction Reads: Spring 2019

There are so many books that I want to read, and each time a new novel or nonfiction book comes out I find myself adding them to my list.

The never-ending and always growing to-read list.

So for today I thought I'd share some new nonfiction books that I'm looking forward to getting my hands on this year. (Referral links are scattered throughout this post.)

Let me know which of these you're interested in.

Who knows? Maybe I'll decide to gift you a copy!

Nonfiction Recommendations for Spring

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive

Stephanie Land

You guys? Maid was so good. Like really good. This book was a powerful and moving read. In sharing her perspective as a single mother who worked as hard as she could to get by and keep herself and her child safe, sheltered and sometimes barely fed, Land pulls us in and doesn't let us go until the very end. Even after you turn the last page or swipe on through the entire book? You'll want to find out more about her and see what she's up to now. And how her daughter is doing. Don't miss Maid, y'all. 

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey

Kamala Harris 

Regardless of your thoughts about Harris, she was one of the first Democrats to throw her hat into the race for President for the 2020 election. As a woman candidate, there is bound to be so much information thrown around - and I - for one - would love to get to meet her for who she is before I make any decisions about her. The Truths We Hold: An American Journey seems to be a great way to jump into doing just that. 

Calm The F*ck Down: How to Control What You Can and Accept What You Can't So You Can Stop Freaking Out and Get On With Your Life (No F*cks Given Guides)

Sarah Knight

I really like Sarah Knight. So far, You Do You is my favorite of her No F*cks Given Guides. That said, who doesn't want to read a book titled Calm the F*ck Down, am I right? Fine. Maybe you don't want to. But I do. And I think this is going to be a good one. It was released in December, but who had time to read in December, anyway? Not me. Want to join me in reading this one? Let me know. Maybe I'll send you an e-copy. I'm just THAT big of a fan.

Wolfpack

Abby Wambach

The best way for me to describe why I plan on reading this book is to simply state that Wolfpack has been repeatedly showing up in my world in different ways. I can't even pinpoint why or where, I can just tell you that I plan on reading it because it seems to hold something that I currently need in my life. I regret not getting my hands on it sooner. But spring seems like the perfect time to grab a copy. Renewal. Growth. Expression. I plan to walk away from Wambach's book with all of those on my mind. 

So - thoughts? Which might you choose for your spring reading this year?

Care to share some suggestions of your own? Your favorite nonfiction must-reads?

Let me know! I look forward to hearing from you. 

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Inspiration in the Darkness

So.

I did a January Whole30 and I felt good. And then I let February take hold and run me into the ground. I'm back to being the over-emotional me of 2017.

I have done six rounds of Whole30.

Six of them.

I lost a substantial amount of weight, I felt great, and I established a new kind of relationship with food.

And then something changed in my life. Something pretty damned huge.

My life. It's different now.

I experienced so many firsts, and I am still finding new things to experience.

Moments without. Moments with.

I am finding my way.

Making marks in ways I've never expected. Never thought I'd need or want to.

I'm sifting through the ashes. Finding the remains. Piecing them together with all that is new.

Pushing through the mud. Finding growth.

No mud. No lotus.

I'm allowing my scars to heal. Allowing new ones to surface. I'm not covering them up. Not right away. I need to confront them. I need to see them. I need to feel them.

But as I do I'm reminding myself. Inhale. Exhale.

I'm allowing myself to breathe.

We all need to breathe.

I'm watching the seasons change. Recognizing that nearly an entire year has gone by.

I'm looking for inspiration in the darkness.

And sometimes I find it.

Why Melissa Hartwig Inspires Me

If you've ever done a Whole30 you've heard of Melissa Hartwig. 

She's one of the founders and she's one of the people I enjoy following on Instagram. Not just because she's an author. A creator. But because she is real. She's human. And she speaks to us, her fans and followers, as if we're equals.

I know. I know.

We are. We're all human. We are equals.

But seriously, this woman is a fierce fit machine. And in spite of that - from someone who has not found themselves on that path at this point in their life - if ever - I still watch and learn. Absorb. And appreciate that she keeps it so damned real.

If you follow me on Instagram you know that's a hashtag I use often when it comes to selfies and motherhood. #keepinitreal is who I am. Or at least who I try to be. I don't do this for sympathy. I do it for reality. 

And today, well, yesterday, really, I was struggling. I was beating myself up, because after six rounds of Whole30 I felt that I should have had a handle on it in a way that I wouldn't look at myself in the mirror and ask what the hell happened. 

But that's what I do. 

And I know what happened. 

And I don't like to lay the blame on anyone but myself. And yet, sometimes, some days, some ways, I do. Because I didn't ask to fall off this positive path. I didn't ask to find myself knocked down several pegs. I didn't ask for this.

And so. I get angry. I get frustrated. But through it all I stay real. I stay true to who I am.

I almost decided to share Melissa's post on FB today, but then realized this deserved an entire blog post. And I hope it's okay to do this and embed her Instagram post in here - because damn, friends, it's so important. Any of you - all of you - who are trying something new and feeling like you're failing. Or trying something old, again, and hating yourself for not being perfect at whatever it is already. 

This. Melissa Hartwig wrote this for you. 

Re: my last #myfoodfreedom post, where I said it's taken me 7 years to arrive at this place of effortless balance: I occasionally hear people suggest if you need 6 Whole30s or you're still struggling 5 years later, you're doing it wrong. That if you can't "fix" your relationship with food faster than this, without the support or help of multiple Whole30s, you're going about it in the wrong way. • Had I entered myself into a food rehab facility, where all life stressors were removed and my only job was to work on changing my habits and healing my emotional relationship with food, I might agree. But let me explain what ELSE I was working on over that 7 year period, along with my Food Freedom: • Quitting my job to start my own business. Getting married. Discovering major issues. Spending years in therapy trying to make the marriage work. Digging into trauma from sexual abuse and drug addiction during said therapy sessions. Writing a book. Getting pregnant. Leaving home at 7 months pregnant. Returning. Having a baby. Writing another book. Doing a very public book tour side-by-side while filing for divorce. Divorcing. Going through a prolonged business split. Rebuilding myself from the ground up while figuring out how to be a single mom, run my business, and write two more books. • While simultaneously trying to create a healthy relationship with the ONE thing I used to rely on the most for comfort, as reward, to relieve anxiety, and to show myself love. So yeah, it took me 7 years. • If it takes you 9 Whole30s or 19 years to finally find YOUR Food Freedom balance, do not despair, because it's not like it's the only thing you've got going on. Keep working on it daily, diligently. Don't give up, because you choose your hard, and the other hard really wasn't working for you. Don't treat the Whole30 like a yo-yo, because that's not the path to Food Freedom. Go do some therapy, because that’s often necessary too. But if you're working it, really working it, even if all you can do is make one small effort on the toughest of days... don't let anyone tell you that you're not "doing it right." • #myfoodfreedom #whole30FFF #melissarants #melissaexplains7years @whole30

A post shared by Melissa Hartwig (@melissa_hartwig) on Feb 19, 2018 at 4:47pm PST

I wrote this entire post yesterday. Tuesday. February 20th.

Today I had my annual physical. I always spend the day before (who am I kidding, days, more likely) in slight trepidation. I love my doctor. I mean it, I do. She's never made me feel like crap. She's listened to me cry. She's supported me through a lot of stuff. And today was no exception.

And yet. I'm still concerned. Worried. About disappointing her. And, more importantly, myself.

So today I met with the student who was shadowing her first.

Am I the only one who does that?

It is always a great experience, except for that one time when the guy was a little - well, he was a GUY - and he was like a teenager and really cute. But that's okay. I survived.

Anyway, remember that students need to learn, too. If you've not been there you may not want to put yourself out there in this way. You might feel like a guinea pig. You're not. You're getting quality treatment from someone who is currently being supervised by your doctor and if you're not trusting your doctor to do that then how do you trust him/her to treat YOU?

Okay, and so I rambled.

Go figure.

Anyway, my doctor and her student supported me today as I discussed the year gone by, and I spoke about my plans for the coming months. My agenda. My goals. My focus.

And because of the inspiration I found yesterday - that which I shared here - I was able to truly speak from the heart and MEAN IT. I meant EVERY WORD. Every single word.

I'm inspired. It's a sunshine-filled day today, y'all. Thanks for riding it out with me. Let's ride the wave to better days together, shall we? Race you to the starting line ...

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You Can't Reach If You Don't Stretch

So.

I almost wrote this in a message to someone today, but then decided, no - this is too good.

It's blog post good.

And so, here I am.

Reminding you.

And myself.

You can't reach if you don't stretch.

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5 Reasons You Haven't Been Writing and What To Do Next

It can be hard to be a blogger these days.

We write because we love to write. We write because we want to write.

And then, well, we write for so many other reasons.

And sometimes we just don't write at all.

Here are five reasons you (fine, maybe *I*) haven't been writing and how to take them on.

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I SLAY.

It's rough. It's hard to find motivation when you want to write about all the things but you can't figure out where to begin.

I've spent much of the start of 2016 slacking. Working - yes - but when it comes to my own words? Slacking.

Not today, though. Today I'm feeling it.

And I have one person to thank.

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My People.

* I wrote this a few days ago on the anniversary of my grandmother's passing. It is only now that I've finished it and felt it ready to share.*

Do you ever have days where you just need your people?

I have people in a number of places.

I have women in my life that I've grown up with. Learned with. Lived with and learned to love with. And loved. Fully. Like pieces of my heart.

And on some days - when my heart is full but I feel the pain of someone I know, or the loss of someone around me, or ... just ... something ...

I wish my people lived right down the street from me.

I wish they were within walking distance.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have local people, too. But local people - we're all running and busy and not right down the street - as much as I've wished it.

But my other people? They're scattered everywhere.

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What's Cookin', Good Lookin'?

Hey, y'all.

I haven't written much lately. I seriously think I have a case of spring fever. Or senioritis. Although I'm not a senior anywhere. So, yeah... that wouldn't work, would it?

I'm linking up today with Jaime of love jaime for Stream Of Consciousness weekend. Click the pretty box below and you can, too! Basically it's a five minute free write - and I'm totally cheating and not counting what I've already written - so there.

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Why I keep writing.

As anyone who blogs will tell you - it's pretty freaking awesome to see your words shared by friends and family. It's extra freaking awesome to see your words shared by people you've never met.

And to see a post go viral? Unbelievable.

Many a writer has the mindset of - that will never ever happen to me.

I know I did. I kind of still do. And I mostly still do, I'll tell you more in a minute.

And I'm right in some ways. None of my personal posts here at Good Girl Gone Redneck have gone viral. And if you ask me if I'm dreaming of a day that my blog is a household name - sure - isn't everyone? If only just a little bit?

And I know, I am the first person to say that I write for me. Because I do. I write for me. But I write for you, too. If I didn't I'd be sticking with pen and paper and keeping my thoughts private. But I'm branching out. I don't know if you've noticed, but I am. In baby steps. And I'm going to tell you why.

Because I DO want to be heard. I want to be someone who contributes beyond my own space. It's probably not as thrilling as being the person who creates that amazing space, but it's pretty awesome anyway. To be seen. Heard.

This summer I sent my first submission in to Scary Mommy. And it was accepted. When I hit send on that email I thought I was going to be sick. I don't know what got me over that hump, but I sent it in anyway. And they liked it.

Cue thought process: THEY LIKE ME! THEY REALLY LIKE ME!

Scary Mommy is the epitome of places one would like to be featured. Seriously. The site is very well-known. What more could a writer want?

Well, of course, money. Getting paid for your work would be nice. It would always be nice. Scary Mommy actually recently announced they will be paying for original content moving forward. Very cool. However, many of us want to be seen and heard, and we're not thinking about the money when we submit something.

Despite what you've heard it doesn't take away from the efforts of other bloggers to get paid for the work they do. This isn't a sponsored post. The site hasn't ASKED you to submit for them. You've made a decision. You've shared your words with hopes of getting them out there. YOUR choice. You may not always get offered money for your work, and it's your call, amazing writer that you are, if whether or not seeing your words elsewhere is enough for you.

Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't.

I submitted to Scary Mommy a few more times since that first post. One more was accepted. Many others have not been. It's okay. Rejection stings, but I'll survive.

And I'll keep going.

I recently submitted a post to a site that is sort of a dream for me.

It took time, but I got a reply and will be featured soon.

I cried.

I did. Honestly. Cried.

Because for that acceptance - in the period of time I sent the email and got word? - I got 2-3 rejections. And again, those sting. They do. No matter how many times you get them. They can chip away at your armor. Chip. Chip. Chip.

A few years ago I tried out for Listen To Your Mother. I didn't make it. I understood. I did. But it stung. And I cried. A different kind of cry. A heart-felt sad cry. Unwanted. Rejected. And I've decided for myself that putting my words out there in that way - completely raw and in person - and getting that sort of rejection isn't worth it to me. It's a different kind of chip. It's not one I can bounce back from as easily, and so I protect myself and I avoid it.

I'm a huge fan of many of the women coordinating LTYM across the country, including the two in my own area. I didn't take it personally, I still like them, still call them friends, but I also knew that to hear another no from them would cause an ache I wasn't ready for the following year. Or the year after that. And so on.

And back to viral posts. Crazy when you see the same post shared and shared and shared across your Facebook feed, isn't it? It's that post when someone reminds a mom that they're doing their best or the one where there's a reminder not to judge because you don't know what the other person is going through. I love those posts. I SHARE those posts.

But *my* viral post wasn't one of those posts.

It was a post I wrote for SITS on books.

Yes. Books.

I'm an avid reader. I have more books in my home and on my Kindle than I know what to do with. It's a bad addiction, but a very good thing. Give me a Barnes and Noble coupon and I'm all in. No matter how many books are in my to-read piles or on shelves, or, who am I kidding, on an entire (almost) bookcase.

Anyway - that post blew up. It went everywhere. It resurfaced. Authors read it. It got hundreds of thousands of Facebook shares. I'm not kidding. Okay, sorry, I am kidding. I just went to check and it's been shared on Facebook 1069K times. What? *shakes head. rubs eyes* What?

Yep. That.

I keep taking a screenshot because I just cannot believe it.

Can. NOT. Believe it.

But it's true. It's there in black and white. And color.

Me. My words. Gone pretty much everywhere.

Okay. Submit posts. Get accepted. Get rejected. Cry. Go viral. Don't. It's okay. You'll be okay.

That about covers it. Kind of - sort of. This is on its way to turning into the longest post in creation and if you got this far I thank you. I don't usually talk this much. On screen, anyway.

My point is this. If you want your words to be seen? Write them. Share them. Submit them.

Get out there and take the rejections. Sure, they'll hurt. Some more than others. Some might even make you cry. But it doesn't mean that someone else won't accept your words and before you know it you'll be taking screenshots, too, just to remind yourself that sometimes you're pretty amazing.

Which you really should know by now. Without that extra validation. And yet, we admit it, we writers? Sometimes we need that. And it's okay. We're allowed to need it and want it and crave it. As long as we remember that isn't the only reason we write. Because we do still, somewhere in there, almost all the time, have that need to write that's just for us.

It keeps us who we are.

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Style Inspiration: Polyvore

Oh, my creative and fashionable friends - have you found yourself over at Polyvore yet? 

If you haven't, you need to head on over. But read my post first, okay?

The great news is that you don't have to actually BUY the clothes you find on Polyvore. You can create boards of things you covet. Like the bracelet below in my Casual Style board. That's over $1K. Dream on, I know, but it's so pretty.

Anyway, I used to be addicted to the Polyvore creations that my friend Elisa over at Globetrotting in Heels pulled together. I still am, I'm just a missing in action bloggy friend. But head on over there, she's got an outfit of the week up right now you're going to love. 

And so do I. In fact, I have a few of them. 

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Amazing Reads. 2/21 Edition.

I'm kind of behind with my Amazing Reads posts again. It does't help that I have a handful of tabs open with posts I've yet to actually read but know that I'm going to be sharing anyway. That's weird, isn't it? And so - here I am - - sharing what's happening around the Interwebz of late. 

My beautiful friend Erin says everything in this post here about her inner critic. My G-d, how I hate to read them, but I know so many people - myself included - who have those critics, those voices, and I want to SHUT THEM ALL UP. 

One of the most important thinsg Erin mentions in her post is her hope that her daughters never hear the voice of this kind of inner critic. Oh, how I know. I so so SO know. Please go offer some love and understanding. 

Over at Splitting Infinitives, Sarah shares A Farewell to Grief. It took me weeks to find the strength to actually read it, but I am glad that I did. She talks about having lost her mom five years ago, and the stages of grief she has passed through - along with where she is now. 

This post by Aliza Worthington over at Purple Clover is an open account of her initial reaction to starting antidepressants. Her understanding now is one that I think many need to see. So if you're hovering and think you need meds and you're afraid or anxious or just don't think that you are someone who needs to even think about this? Read her words. The Moody Blues: My Experience with Anti-depressants is worth reading, sharing, and reading again. 

I haven't had a chance to comment on this post over at Writer Mom's Blog yet, but her list of Twenty Things You Should Stop Saying to the Parents of ADHD Children is a great one. So many parents have children who are battling things we don't even know are there. The things that people say? OH MY GAWD. The things that people say. I shake my head. I'm amazed at the lack of tact, lack of caring, lack of heart and just plain ignorance people out there show with one simple sentence. Seriously. People. Stop and think. For just a minute. Not you - you're my friend, my reader, you get it - but some of the people out there? Stop. Think. And then DON'T say it. There are so many other things you could say. Seriously. I promise you won't regret thinking twice. 

 Now, on to my self-promotion. 

If you haven't entered yet and would like a chance at winning the new Sofia The First CD, enter today. 

And it's been a while since I've shared a Love Your Body kind of post around here. I really need to get back on track with fitness Sundays and motivation and inspiration and so on. And in doing some soul searching this afternoon I came across this post of mine from almost two years ago about standing tall. And so, I take a few minutes to reflect some. I soul search a little bit. And then, I remember. And I learn.

Oh, and it's really important that you stop by and check out this discussion on Facebook. Because the age old battle of FRIENDS vs. Seinfeld lives on. Which do you choose? Weigh in for me, would you?

Enjoy your weekend, everybody! Happy reading.

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Amazing Reads Gone Visual!

So this week's Amazing Reads has a switch to it. I'm slacking in the reading department this week, but I have loads of videos I've watched and loved to pieces.

So I figured I'd share some of them here.

It gives me an easy post, too. Heh.

What? It's the holiday season. I'm busy baking eating cookies and whatnot.

A friend shared this this morning and I was crying. Thank you, Conan. Warning, loads of language. NOT child-friendly OR safe for work.



I'm absolutely loving Kellie Pickler's new CD right now. Unfortunately the video has been removed ... ah, well!

Have you seen the WestJet video yet? If you haven't, please watch it. You'll believe in Santa Claus again if you do. Or at the very least in miracles.


Lastly, I shared this on Facebook earlier today. It touched me so. It's so beautiful. You don't have to understand a single word to appreciate it and find yourself moved.



* As I started wrapping up this post it reminded me of my friend Alissa over at Clever Compass who did something similar with her Best of YouTube posts this summer. So thanks, Alissa - for the inspiration to switch up from reads when you're not really reading... much.

Catch you all next week - and be sure to share your favorite reads with me - whether they're your own or someone else's - I love good content!

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Have you heard of Novica? Let me introduce you.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored and compensated post. I have been provided with a code to gift one of my readers directly from Novica. I have also been provided with a code for myself to purchase an item of my choosing. All expressed opinions are my own. I have ordered from Novica many times and am completely impressed with the products I have received. Because of this I choose to continue working with them and am thrilled to be introducing them to my readers. 

I've been fortunate to have worked with Novica several times before, and I absolutely love their products. Of course, if you know me at all, you can guess that I most especially have an eye on their jewelry.

This is my favorite piece I have purchased from them.

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Don't be shocked - it's a sentimental thing - but I really love it and it fits perfectly.

This time I'm thinking of going in a different direction with my purchase. Actually, a few weeks ago I was surfing around their site and eyeing the fabric hammocks. 

This one is absolutely beautiful.

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It's 100% cotton. And it holds up to 450 lbs. Sounds good to me. I can totally picture myself curling up with exhaustion in this thing on a cool fall night. Ahhh.

Now ... where was I?

Oh, right, Novica. One of the things I love most about them is that they actually work with the creators of their products. They do incredible things like facilitate loans by connecting artists with lenders, help artists reach a more global market and more. You can read up on their mission by checking out their website and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how important both, the customer and creator are to Novica. 

Novica also carries beautiful clothing. Cotton dresses in a variety of styles, batik dresses, beautiful ponchos, and a variety of accessories to go with them.

And for your household partying needs you can head over to Novica for things like serving platters (many more beautiful than any you've ever seen), margarita glasses (how fun!) and more.

I think that these margarita glasses are my favorite. I kind of have a glass-related obsession, and would probably buy a glass for every drink if I had the cabinet space. As it is we have flutes and wine glasses and pilsner glasses we rarely get around to using. But aren't these beautiful? Think how much your favorite Jimmy Buffet* fan would love them!

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* Please tell me you know Margaritaville ... please ...

Anyway - it's your lucky day - no matter what product you choose! I'm giving away a code for $50 compliments of Novica.com. So check out the Rafflecopter below. I decided to use them today because I was too lazy to come up with ideas that would earn you entries. I promise, though, no jumping through hoops. Just simple entries that will earn you a shopping spree. 

So what are you waiting for? Get to it! A winner will be chosen in about a week. More details on the Rafflecopter form. Now go on and enter. And good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

p.s. How beautiful is THIS rainbow hammock? I think this might be the one I end up getting ... now if only I could figure out where the heck to PUT one. Anyone have two huge pillars I can borrow?

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Look out for you.

You know how hard it is to feel like you've done one thing right all day? 

Or you're finding yourself struggling to see what you've done that was good for your kids, your spouse, your home, your family? 

Who is missing from that list? 

Riiiight. 

You. 

You are missing. 

You're missing because you come last so often. 

I know it. You know it.

Now let's do something about it!

Last night after a fairly quick and non-celebrated Easter Sunday, I decided I needed to go for a walk. It had been a few days since I had worked out, and so I needed to get some fresh air and feel like me again. 

So I went out and noticed, oops. It was pouring. Okay, maybe not pouring, but definitely raining. 

I can handle it, I thought. A little rain won't stop me. 

It came down harder. Kelly Clarkson kept me company. You know I like my beats when I work out. 

She sang, I sang.

The rain fell. 

It was definitely getting harder, but I loved it. 

When I was about 3-4 minutes from stopping I pulled my hood back and felt the rain.  

It felt incredible. 

I deserved it. 

A cleansing. A breath of fresh (and wet) air. 

I'm worth it. And when I remember that I know I'm doing it right.

* I am totally not sure why the font on my page right now is acting all wonky. But I won't be worrying about it. My mind just isn't up for that and I know you will all be alright with what I decide. *

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Needing a kick in the you-know-where.

Everything.

Nothing.

I seem to be blanking on words in my own space lately.

I wrote two heavy and thoughtful posts that were over at other spaces, but here I'm stuck. I have two posts in draft mode. One is titled something about turning 6, which my daughter did a few weekends ago. And the other is about me thinking I'm funny sometimes.

But then I wanted to get deeper into that one and could not figure out when I'd been funny lately. Is that funny in and of itself? I don't know.

I am also trying to get back on track with working out, when in reality I just want to sit on my backside and write and read and watch TV. Yesterday was the first day back after sickness - for me, the kiddo, the household, then weather stopped me and I just didn't get back on track. Didn't go out. Didn't date the Wii. Nothing.

That's bad.

I'm still on Week 4 of C25K. I need to start it. I forget if I have. Maybe. I donno.

I need some new sports bras, too. I have one really good one but can't wear it every.single.time I workout. That wouldn't work.

Is workout one word or two? I write it both ways. That doesn't help me, does it?

How do you write it?

I should just stop writing it and start DOING it ... again. NOW.

I have a new FitBit Zip from Verizon Wireless (via my role as an ambassador) and am loving tracking my steps, etc. so that's awesome to know that I'm moving throughout the day. I remembered to put it on immediately this am and recognized that just about by the time my kiddo leaves for hubs to drop her at school I'm closing in on 1K steps. Which explains why yesterday I was about 1000 steps shy of the day before. I forgot to put it on right away. Can't track your steps if you're not wearing it, right?

More on that in another post. But it's kind of cool.

It'd be cooler if I moved more. I need to get going.

Kick me out of my seat, would you? A nice hearty shove. Go on, it won't hurt either of us. Even if you don't have the strength. My upper arm strength sucks.

And I'm doing the Dirty Girl Mud Run in about a month. WHA!?! Shoot. That might be enough to get me off my arse. Immediately.

Thanks for listening. I might just post this as is and get my sneakers on now.

Peace out.

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It's my 3rd year. #typeacon

If you haven't heard by now I'd like to update you on this year's Type-A Parent Conference.

It is in Atlanta this year.

And in September.

It's different.

It's not NC.

Which is where it has been, AND where I'm from. Currently.

It's not in June.

Which is when it was the last two times I attended.

And yet.

When the tickets went up for grabs I kind of couldn't wait. I had to buy mine.

Had to.

Immediately.

Type-A Parent Conference rocks.

Completely.

Rocks.

And you know what's even awesome-er? (Yeah, I know it's not a word!)

THIS!

I'm an Official Partner. 







Crazy, right?

And I couldn't be more excited. Seriously.

You learn SO much at this conference. So very much. You reconnect with your reason for blogging. You're motivated. You may - like I did - find yourself making changes TO your blog while sitting IN a session. (Not that I recommend it, but hey, I'm being honest.)

You want to register right now, don't you? That's cool, registration is over here. But don't stop reading because there's a discount code for you down below!

Now, aside from all the learning and growth you'll experience while at this conference, there are a few more important pieces of information I have to share.

It's fun!

There are parties! Yes. Parties!

I have proof. Look ...

And you find yourself connecting with the most incredible people.

Seriously.

Check it out ...

I'm not in the picture, but one of my favorite people is. And I can't even begin to tell you the number of connections I made last year who qualify as close friends for me now.

It was insta-bond. For serious. It's just amazing to be among those who truly get you. Get what you're doing and why. No questions like, What? A blog? Why would you want to do that? Do you think anyone's going to care about what you have to say? * Step back, people. Rudeness doesn't fly here!

Now, don't you want to go?

I want you to, too.

So read on. Grab my discount code. Save some money and plan ahead.

It's worth it. I promise.

And don't tell me you're a nobody. There are no nobodies at Type-A.

 And the excuse that you are someone who blogs like once a month?

Forget it. If you want to, plan to, or even THINK you want to blog more -- come to Type-A.

Seriously.

Type-A Parent Conference, in its fifth year, is the world's top conference for mom and dad bloggers. The conference has a well-established reputation for outstanding learning with actionable takeaways. It features power networking with the best and brightest parents who blog, plus the major brands and firms who want to engage them. Type-A is where influential digital parents grow their business and connect. Register today at Eventbrite to get your ticket! And use code GOODGIRLGONEREDNECK for a 25% savings (for a limited time!). So hurry and get your ticket today!


** I am an official partner for this year's Type-A Parent Conference and there are affiliate links throughout this post. But please don't let that stop you. The coupon code saves you money, it's totally worth it! Go on now ... what are you waiting for?

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How to approach the conference #typeacon

Okay, so you already know I'm going.

And I've already told you what to bring.

Now I'm going to tell you how to approach the conference. How I recommend you do - not how you must - because I don't play that way. But you know that about me already!

I have to tell you this because I know that last year I spent each morning going over the schedule, freaking out and thinking - why can't I go to BOTH of those? And what else do I want to hear, learn, etc?

And you know what? You can. You CAN go to both of those.

A simple Type-A Conference tip from me to you. It's okay to attend a 2hr session for half of the time and walk out to get to your next session if it happens to start during the first one.

Follow?

Last year I was in a 2hr session and while I enjoyed it, I kind of felt like if I stayed the whole time I'd be missing the session that would probably mean more to me. And though I felt like I was sneaking out of class a little bit, it was okay. I repeat: It was totally OKAY.

You can do it. You can stay for an hour and move on. If you're loving it and learning every single thing you ever wanted to learn? Stay! If you're feeling like you need a snack or might lose track if you blink for a second? Go. Move on to the next thing. It's probably a better fit for you. And nobody will care if you do it.

YOU paid to attend. You're the reason you're there, right?

While we go to conferences to meet other people - other bloggers - our online friends, we're also there for US. We're most important here. We're allowed to skip a block of time during the day to miss sessions, go for a walk, go get a coffee, work out, chat with friends, it's totally okay to walk away for an hour and read. It's what you make of it. The whole long weekend. You make it work for you.

I know there are many cool sessions on the agenda for the coming days, and I'm excited about a lot of them. And I know there will be a small part of me circling things and jotting them down, maybe even scheduling reminders in my phone so I know where I'm going and at what time. But I also know that if I happen to miss something? It'll be okay.

Except try not to miss the opening and closing keynotes and the panel. That's awesome stuff. You should attend that. But honestly, if you don't that's on you. You're allowed to make those choices for yourself! Be Type-A if you must, but cut yourself some slack. It's not an assignment. It's a conference. Be sure to have some fun while you're there!

And look for me. Say hey, give me a hug, ask for some gum - whatever - I promise I'm approachable!

I may or may not have glasses on, but I still look like this:

Charlotte here I come!

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Doing it

I know. It seems like all I'm talking about is my weight. My health. My mindset. Wellness. And it kind of is. I'm slow on blogging right now, but I'm good. I'm writing now and again when the mindset hits me and I'm up for it.

So right now I had my quarterly doctor's visit and saw a doc that was subbing for the regular NP I use. Anyway, last time I went in and my first three month window had me down 12 lbs. It was awesome. I was overjoyed.

Today, not as much. But still. I'm down 3.

3 lbs in three months. It's not as exciting as I'd like to see, but it's a loss and not a gain. She gave me a smile and a thumbs up, and so I'm pretty happy when I look at it as an overall 15. Ya know?

I mean, if I could possibly lose another 15 lbs then I could feasibly be 30 or so lbs down by 2013. And that would be pretty cool for me.

* She says after eating the final pumpkin spice cake chocolate chip muffin that she was addicted to over the last few days. Oops. *

Anyway, I'm excited and motivated and my hope is that with October 28th (my 40th) being just under 5 months away that maybe I can lose another 10 lbs during that window. I don't want to push it, though, so if I say 5 that would then have me feeling a bit safer. And 5 would be awesome. It would have me down 20 lbs in a year. Imagine that? By the time I'm like 42 or something I could be so skinny! Ha!

Here are some pics of me to show even the slight transition.

Maybe March and June don't look that different, but I think you can definitely see a change from November, so that's kind of cool.

Anyway, that's a small dose of where I am at. Maybe I'm focusing on the what I've done part because I feel slightly slack and slow-going with what I want and need to do. But I'll get there. If I could find ways to stay motivated and get back on the working out track that would be enough. Because I like who I am when I'm this girl. The one who moves and shakes and rattles and rolls. hee! She's cool. And hey, a few more pounds and maybe I can buy a nice dress (and fancy supportive bra) for BlogHer in August!?! Woot woot! 

Disclaimer: I am not a Woot-woot-er. I'm a Woo girl! *HIMYM reference there* But I felt this deserved that complete WOOT! to get me going. 

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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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Where I'm at

I'm tired.

Yesterday kind of sucked. More on that later, though.

It's been a few weeks since I have posted my weight or my motivation, or my fitness inspiration.

We had a few crazy weeks, I suppose. I actually skipped weighing myself for almost three weeks - which is scary that I went that long, and yet I am relieved to confess I have only put on .4 lbs. Woo hoo, right?

Yes, I'm okay with a gain. Because this is what those three weeks have looked like...

Passover. 'Nuff said. Honest. I think I ate more things made with eggs than I have in the entire year of 2012. Maybe include 2011 in that, as well. Whoops.

The great mold debacle of 2012. Missed this story? Check it out here.

My anniversary surprise! More on that later, but if you have had the chance to check out my Instagram shots from a weekend or so ago, you'll know I was in NYC for a few days. That update/post will come eventually. I'm slow. Behind schedule. Yadda yadda yadda.

So seeing that my scale showed 4/10 of a pound in the upward manner, I'm not as devastated as I could be. I'm okay with it. I'm glad I didn't put back about 5 lbs, with the eating and drinking I did in the city. Yeah, I went overboard. But I took it on as a true vacation. I think the amount of walking we did throughout the city (the city = Manhattan, for anyone unsure) helped balance things out. Helped me maintain the way I did. Pretty much any and everything I ate and/or drank was burned off shortly after. Honest. I miss that about the city, but again, that's a whole 'nother post!

Now today I get to explain (briefly, I can't dwell right this second) how this week back was okay, but then yesterday I had a "get thee to the ER incident" and I'm okay, but needless to say, I didn't get my butt moving last night. And it's possible I won't today. But I'll be damned if I'm lax about it tomorrow!

So here are a few pinterest motivational images that come from my Motivate Me! board. I hope they'll kickstart my week and get me to move PAST WEEK FIVE of couch to 5K. I guess we'll see...

You said it, Pinterest.

I GOT THIS.

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The numbers. Do they matter?

... sometimes. Sometimes they do.

I'm recapping for a minute. And the reason I'm doing that is because I use LoseIt to track my weight loss and changes, but it doesn't give me an exact chart of where I am at based on previous weigh ins.

Anyway - I'm looking at this and yes, I started in January officially with friends that are doing a challenge (we have two more weeks left, if I could even POSSIBLY hit 10 lbs before those weeks are up I might cry. But again, it's not about the numbers. Only today - for this post - it is!).

So. I weighed in this morning and am .6 lbs down. It's minimal, but I'm happy. I'm PMSing and I'm lame after a non-workout filled few weeks. And yet it still went down. So? I'm elated.

And last week I lost a pound. 1.6 down.

Week before? 1.2 lbs down = 2.8. Before that? 2 lbs. Total = 4.8.

January 29th I weighed in and stayed the same. It stung a little bit, but I still felt good. At least I hadn't gained, right?

Go back a week and I was down 2.8 lbs. Total = 7.6.

Week before that? 1.2. 8.8? Impossible. And yet - there it is. 8.8 pounds down since this challenge started. It's not 20. It's not 15, even. But it's closing in on 10! And do you remember my goal of 12 for the year? 12 before I turn 40? I hope to hit that and maybe then some. AND keep it off. Which is honestly even more important. But I digress ...

And before that? Before this challenge was "official," and I started some personal food charting? I went up almost 2 lbs, and gained back what I initially lost. Bummer, right?

 But look at how screwy the body can be. I weighed in on December 5th, and gained 7.5 pounds since I had last logged my weight in October. I was going through some physical stuff at that time, so it didn't surprise me, although it made me sad. Then I stepped on the scale on December 15th, ten days later, and dropped 5.5 of it. Amazing, isn't it? Believe me. That change is probably what prompted me to get on track. Isn't it amazing how the number means a lot, and sometimes when it goes up - which is when we should focus on CHANGE - we say to ourselves, screw it! And we move ahead and don't care. Or pretend we don't.

When in reality that's when we care the most.

Instead I waited to see that bloat or whatever it was start to go away. And it did.

So, in reality I'm probably just under 15 pounds down since early December. I'm elated. Shocked. Happy. Thrilled. But I'm also briefly focusing on that 8.8 number. With hopes I can get rid of 1.2 more pounds in the next two weeks, just to say, for the first time in YEARS, that I did a weight loss challenge and actually lost some weight. A good amount.

Now, how much weight do I have to lose to go down a size? Can anyone remind me?

Now, back to me for a moment. 8.8? It isn't much. It doesn't look like an exciting number.

But for someone like me who is always at it. Always working and hoping and wishing and losing steam in the middle of all of that ... well, for someone like me 8.8 might as well be flashing in bright lights over my head. Might as well be tattooed on my arm. (In henna, of course!)

And after an entire post about numbers and why they sometimes matter - I leave you with this image from Pinterest, I'd love to provide you with the actual url, but when I click through it brings me to a google images page. Boo. I'll try to find it, though!

Yes. YES I AM.

And so are you.

Peace out, my friends. Stay healthy and stay motivated!

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