The Life of Bon: October 2015

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Halloween!


Do you all love Halloween as much as I do?  It is absolutely one of my favorite holidays.  Last night we had our annual couples Halloween party, and tonight we are carving pumpkins and taking June trick or treating.  And you know we've gone all out on our costumes.

To celebrate Halloween we are doing a special discount in the shop TODAY ONLY.  Get 15% off your entire order and consider it MYTREAT. 

(Use code MYTREAT at check out if you didn't get my hint...)

Happy Halloween!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

When Someone Dies: What to say, what to do, how to help



I mentioned earlier this week that my cousin, Leanne, lost her husband, Spencer, a week ago.  Spencer leaves behind seven kids, ages 14 years old to 5 months.  We are all absolutely devastated.  The funeral was yesterday, and it was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever sat through.  My heart ached for Leanne and for her beautiful kids all clinging to her.  It will be a hard road for her, but the spirit was strong and I think all who were there felt the intense power of families.  I believe strongly that Leanne will see Spencer again and that they will get to be a forever family.

It is always hard to know exactly what to say or what to do when someone we care about loses a loved one.  I think most of us certainly want to help, but are unsure how or we feel a bit awkward or uncomfortable around people who are grieving so intensely.  Since my dad died I have had several friends or acquaintances lose loved ones.  I always try to be extra sensitve and caring to them and I have had a few people remark, "You can tell that you've lost a loved one because of how you act and what you say."  While I am happy that people can see my extra sensitivity, wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to experience crushing loss to understand how to help those who have?  A few years ago I wrote this post on what to say when someone has lost a loved one, but I want to add a little bit to it today.

WHAT TO SAY:
"I am so sorry."  It's simple.  But effective.

"I love you."  No matter what, express love.  One of the hardest things about losing my dad is that I was now missing one of the people who loved me most in the entire world.  Somehow I needed others to fill all that love that my dad normally gave me.  Losing a very very close person in your life is so hard because you really do feel less important and less loved... making sure you step up to tell that person that just because one person who loves her is gone doesn't mean that there aren't more waiting in the wings to fill that love.

"I am praying (or fasting) for you."  I think even if people aren't religious, it is always comforting to hear that someone who is religious is praying for you.  I have felt very strengthened by others' prayers on my behalf more than once.

"I am so grateful to have known __________?" (Person who has died)  Knowing that you are not the only one who things your lost one is pretty great always feels good.

Share a memory.  This one is HUGE.  In the months and years after my dad died I would have people share memories with me about him.  I love hearing stories about my dad that I've never heard before and it helps to keep him and his legacy alive.  I love hearing the silly, fun, and happy memories from people who I hardly even know but who my dad touched in some way.  A funeral or viewing isn't always the best place to stroll down memory lane, but in the weeks after my dad died we had so many people send letters and cards telling us things they remembered about my dad.  This was so comforting to my family.  We sat around together and read all these memories from people far and wide who my dad had touched.  I think this is one of the most sensitive and kind things you can do for the close family when their loved one dies.

If you don't know what to say, less is more.  I think because of our own awkwardness after someone has died we want to fill that space up with lots of words, but those words are meaningless to someone who has experienced enormous grief.  Hugs, love, prayer, smiles are all more meaningful in situations like this than words.  That is not to say that you ignore the grief, I had a lot of people after my dad died who wouldn't say anything about it at all to me.  I knew they were uncomfortable and didn't know what to say, but not even recognizing the death or the pain made me feel completely alone in my grief.  A person who is grieving isn't going to bring up their pain on their own, sometimes you have to give them permission to talk about it.  "How has your week been?"  "Are you coping ok?" "How are the kids doing?"  Etc.


WHAT NOT TO SAY
"I can't even imagine."  I don't know why I hate this one so much, but when you've lost a loved one and someone else who has every person they've ever loved close to them tells you that they can't imagine how bad it sucks, it feels like it's kind of rubbing it in a little bit that you are the one who has to manage the grief.  I may be alone on this one, but it just certainly never made me feel any better.

"You are lucky that you got the time with him that you did"  
or
"You are lucky that he died peacefully and didn't suffer."
  or
"At least you got to go on that trip to Hawaii last summer."
When people say well meaning things like this, they are trying to minimize the pain.  But it doesn't help.  I had a lot of people say to me after my dad died, "At least you got home from your mission and had a few months with him before he died."  I hated this.  Was I supposed to be rejoicing because I got those extra months when other people got 30 more years with their dads than I would?  Any way I looked at it, it still sucked and I resented people trying to tell me that it didn't suck as bad as I thought it did.  No one who has just lost a loved one feels "lucky" or "fortunate" in any way.  I got to the point where I could see a lot of blessings that came from my dad's death but IT TAKES TIME. (I wrote about some of the blessings four years later in this post)  In the beginning there is just blinding grief.  When there is pain I think as humans our natural response is to try to ease it in some way, so we try to bring up something that might make the pain feel less intense.  Don't do this.  Just let the person feel their pain without trying to tell them that it's not that bad.  The person will eventually arrive to the day when they can see "silver lingings" but it's not your job to point those out three days after the person died.

A bunch of stories about someone else's pain.  Again, I think we do this to try to ease the pain of the sufferer by pointing out that others have been in pain too.  Right after my dad died I heard a lot of stories about other people and their loss.  I do think there is a time and place for this, but immediately after someone has died is not the time.  Let the person grieve their own loss without trying to crowd it with someone else's loss.  Let it be about them.  Let them be selfish in their grief.

"Be strong"  or "You can handle this- you are strong."  This one I am on the fence about.  In the right way this can be incredibly comforting.  Whenever my mom tells me that I am strong, I feel great strength and empowerment from that.  But sometimes when random people would start telling me that I need to be strong, or that I could handle this grief because I was strong, it made me want to tell them to piss off.  Heartache shouldn't be a consequence of strength and the way some people spoke made me feel like I had lost my dad because I was strong and because "God knew I could handle it."  Well, that's a super crappy thing to say.  It implies that if I were a weaker person God wouldn't have taken my dad from me, but because I'm strong I don't get to have my dad in this life.  Instead of saying "Be strong" or "You can handle this because you're so strong" say "I am inspired by your strength", "I am praying for you for strength" or "You have great strength within you."  I know the difference is pretty nuanced, but for me it did make a difference.

"If you need anything, let me know."  Well meaning people say this all the time, but it is a very empty offer, especially for people who are independent and maybe a little prideful.  After a death you need a lot of things, but I'm certainly not going to call my neighbor down the street and beg for help because that's just too vulnerable.  Instead say, "Can I bring you dinner on Tuesday?" or "My kids are going to the park right now, let me take yours with me."  (Also, if the person doesn't take you up on the offer, try again.)

There's a lot more that I could say, but my writing time is gone.  The moral of the story is that people who have recently lost someone need a lot of support and love, but they also need space to figure out their new life without their loved one.  Finding the balance is tricky.  Make sure they know how much you love and care about them and give real offers of help to them.  Hugs and chocolate also never hurt.


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

An opportunity to give


Hi folks.  Just popping in here real quick today to share with you an opportunity to give.  I mentioned yesterday that we had experienced a tragic loss in our extended family.  My cousin's husband, Spencer, died unexpectedly last Thursday at the age of 39 years old.  It is a devastating and heartbreaking loss, especially as he leaves behind seven children- ranging in age from 3 months to 14 years old.  We appreciate prayers and love for these sweet kids.  There has also been an account set up to help the children with future college educations, marriages, etc.  If you are in a position to give, may I suggest such a needed cause as this.

Here is the link where you can contribute.  Spencer's obituary is there as well.

https://www.gofundme.com/tresslerkids

Thanks so much for all your love and support. 

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Meet 12 Year Old Bonnie

Since third grade I have kept a journal.  THIRD GRADE.  I have two huge boxes filled with my journals- each journal lasts anywhere from a year to two years.  (Except my missionary journals- those only lasted six months or so because I wrote SO MUCH while I was in Argentina.)  Recently I decided to look to younger Bonnie for some inspiration and knowledge because it seems like I used to know a lot more than I do.   So, I cracked open the journals. 

Well the journals haven't been much help.  Turns out I've never known anything, but I did once have the illusion of knowing something, so I guess that's worth a couple bucks.  Nine year old Bonnie was pretty clueless as was fourteen year old Bonnie, twenty year old Bonnie, and twenty five year old Bonnie.  BUT I have learned a few things about myself, and if nothing else, been thoroughly entertained.  And I can't be this entertained and not share it with you guys, so here you are people, a journal entry in the life of 12 year old Bonnie.


Oct. 6, 1998
Sup Journal!
Believe it or not the day is not quite over yet.  Right now it is 5:05 I just finished my homework so right now I'm sprawled out on the bed listening to music and relaxing!  I'm so tired!  I figured I should write in you now because I have mutual tonight and when I get home I'll probably be real tired.  School today was good.  Amy (names have been changed) wasn't there so Rachel was much nicer to me!  Let me explain this to you.  Rachel and I've been best friends as long as I can remember.  Than last year Rachel met Amy and this year they've gotten real close.  So basically when I'm around them I'm totally ignored.  They do all kinds of stuff without me.  They even sit thier and tell secrets right in front of me and then not tell me and say "It's a secret"  It always makes me feel bad and sometimes makes me cry!

Well, school today was OK.  Thier's this kid named Shawn Kelton and EVERYONE was asking me if I liked him, because he likes me.  Now let me tell you a little bit about Shawn.  He's a real dork.  He's real short (shorter than me) and isn't very cute at all.  He's kind of funny and real nice, but he acts like a real dork.  I went out with him in 5th grade and ever since then (I don't mean to brag) he's never really gotten over me.  Last year he asked me to this Christmas dance, and now (says everyone) he's planning to ask me out!! I don't want to hurt his feelings 'cause he's a real cool kid, and fun to be around.  He's also real annoying though.  Sigh.  Anyway.  More on that tomorrow.  I'm way excitied because this week is UEA!  Yea!! That means we don't have school Thursday and Friday, so tomorrow is the last day of school this week!  YES!  My family is going to MOAB for it.  School was fine today, we had a stupid test in science.  I got 6/9 right!  I'm not doing so well in that class.  I have an A-.  All my other classes I have an A.  I'm real excited because this real hot kid named Brandon will be at mutual. (We're combining with the other ward).  He just moved this summer from Texas or something like that!  Anyway, he's dang hot.  But sadly he's going out with this girl named Sarah Wallace.

Also, I wrote a whole nother page that day that I didn't put on this blog.  Guess I've always been long winded...


THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF AND ABOUT THE WORLD FROM THIS ENTRY:
- Sup was like the coolest way to greet anyone ever
- I figured out my theres and theirs (and thiers?!?) late in life
- I've always been sensitive (cried because they won't share their secrets?  I have absolutely no memory of that but my heart hurts for little Bon)
- Boyfriend criteria:  HOT and NOT A DORK.  It doesn't matter if a boy is funny, real nice, cool, and fun to be around.  HE IS A DORK AND THEREFORE I CANNOT GO OUT WITHOUT HIM.  Also, just to clarify, "going out" in my sixth grade world =  passing notes in the hallway, maybe one slow dance at a school dance, and absolutely never ever ever making eye contact with that person.
- I may have had too high of standards when it came to school work (A- is "not doing too well."?  Relax little Bon)
- The crossing my S's was a phase.  Luckily it didn't last long
- 12 year old Bon was obviously not cool and yet still struggled with humility (I don't mean to brag but Shawn has not gotten over me!)
- SO GLAD I AM NOT 12 ANYMORE.  Although if I did go back to 12 I would definitely stop being friends with Rachel and Amy and go out with Shawn.
-MOAB must all be capped because it's obviously the coolest city ever.

And, just to make sure we all understand the girl we are working with, here is me on the first day of sixth grade.


 Explains a lot, RIGHT?

OTHER STUFF:
+Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my post last week about Greg resigning from his job.  I feel so much support and encouragement from this community and we are so grateful.  We experienced the unexpected loss of an extended family member this weekend and are clinging to each other pretty tight realizing how fragile life is.  Relationships + family trump everything.

+ If you need a guilty pleasure binge watch series from the recommendation of someone who loves Kardashians and Bachelor, I present you with this.  Enjoy.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

End of an Era



We've been having a hard time over here, and you can only act like everything is normal for so long before it's time to just come out with it.

Three weeks ago Greg resigned from his job at the high school.  He will continue directing the school musical through November, but he is done teaching regular classes.  It was a decision that was a long time coming and very difficult to make.  Greg has been working through some depression and anxiety, and ultimately teaching rowdy 17 year olds wasn't allowing him to heal and get better the way he needed to.  He resigned in order to focus on his family and work toward getting healthy and happy again.

I don't want to say much more than that about Greg's end of things because it's not really my story to tell.  I appreciate Greg letting me share this...  I think it is very brave of him to do so.

I'm sure that some people think that Greg and I are very irresponsible and stupid to let him just quit his job like that.  Others have been kind, saying that it is brave and smart of him to focus on his health and our family.  I switch off between the two.  One day I think we are so stupid and the next day I think it is brave and right of us and then that night I'm back to thinking we're just a couple of idiots failing at being adults.

It is hard to know what to share and what to keep to ourselves in a situation like this.  There's a couple of things that have led me to this post.  One is that yesterday I saw headlines that Hayden Panetierre has taken an indefinite leave of absence from filming her hit show "Nashville" in order to seek treatment for postpartum depression.  I like that she gave a voice to her suffering.  I imagine it is extremely difficult for someone in the public eye on that level to quit such a public job and take the time out that she needs to heal.  Depression is not like a physical disease.  A physical disease is well known and safe to talk about.  It is socially acceptable.  But there is a certain stigma with mental illness, a certain shame almost, attached to it and that makes getting better harder.  It is hard to admit that there is a problem.  I guess for me, seeing that Panetierre is going through this right now gave hope to me in a I'm-happy-someone-else-is-experiencing-this-but-I'm-also-sad-someone-else-is-experiencing-this sort of way.  There is hope in knowing that we are not alone.

The other thing that led me to share this today is this stupid little headline story I read on People magazine a few weeks ago.  Jackie Collins, who died from cancer last month, kept her illness a secret for years.  She said she "didn't want anyone's sympathy."  Well, that made me blue as hell.  She suffered in silence because she didn't want sympathy?  What's wrong with sympathy?  And what about all the other people who were also suffering?  Surely she could offer them some kind of hope, or at the very least, company?   If we can't share and ultimately help others with our suffering and pain and struggle, what is the point of it all?

So that's we arrived to this post about quitting jobs and depression and big adult stuff.  Truthfully, it's been very sucky and very hard for us.  It is also very difficult (and absolutely exhausting) to pretend like everything is fine and dandy when something like this creeps in.  Finally admitting to our families what was happening, and then our friends and work crew, and finally this blog, is a huge relief and burden off of us.

Although it has certainly been a trying time for us, these are some things that have helped:

1.  Support from family and friends.  My only regret is not cluing people in on what was going on earlier.  We tried to pretend for too long that everything was normal. Now that Greg has resigned, some people definitely think we're crazy.  But most people are very kind and offer support and love.  It has been interesting to see how many people I know who have gone through similar struggles with mental health, (or whose spouses or kids have) but have never shared so until now.  I wish this were something more people felt safe to talk about.

2.   My job.  I have felt immensely grateful to be able to teach during this time.  It gets my mind off the hard stuff and lets me focus on fake people's problems.  Hamlet's got problems, yes, but they are fictional problems and that is easier and even kind of fun.  Additionally, my students are sweet as sugar this year.  It's like the school scheduling gods knew the year might be a bit tough, and they sent all the big fat sweethearts straight to room K201.  I feel so grateful to be surrounded by these teenagers.

3.  Junebug.  June is the absolute light of our lives.  Sometimes I feel like I should pretend like she's a hard, cranky baby so other moms won't hate me, but that's just stupid.  I struggle plenty in other areas in my life, but being June's mom is not one of those areas.  June is this huge bright ray of sunshine in our life.  The only thing that hasn't been hard about this year is June.  I can't thank my Heavenly Father enough for sending her to us.

4.  Therapy.  Well.  Kind of.  Our therapist up and quit on us.  But I think it was helping while it lasted?  We're therapy noobs but it certainly feels like we need someone to help us sort through a lot of this stuff.  So we're in the market for a new shrink if you know of a good one who won't cost us our entire savings account.

5.  This blog and our jewelry business.  In other words, you guys.  Our income has obviously been cut dramatically with Greg resigning, but we have been able to cover our expenses on my part time teaching salary and the money earned from the blog and Hey June.  You do not know how grateful we are for this.  I kind of get wonky emotional when I think about how much this blog means to me and how much you guys, the people who comment and click promoted links (like this one and this one) and read sponsored posts and buy necklaces, do for my family.  I know there's a lot of negative ish out there on the internet, but what I see on my little corner is goooooooood, and I'm so grateful for that.  Thank you for being nice strangers who are really best friends and who have done so much to support and love my family. 

6.  Anonymous flowers.  Still trying to figure out who sent those bad boys.

A lot of people have asked me "So is Greg looking for a job?!"  Right now the answer is not quite.  The priorities for now are 1) Getting Greg better and 2) Focusing on family and relationships.  Greg is also auditioning for commercials, films, plays, etc...  getting back to what he loves the most.  Our financial and work situation right now is not ideal, but there is hope, and that is worth something. 

The hardest part for me right now is saying goodbye to Greg at the school.  It is much harder for me to give up than it is for him to give up.  To me it feels like the end of a dream... the perfect set up of mom, dad, and baby all at the same school together.  The drama teacher married to the English teacher and lunch together in the faculty room while the baby is downstairs with loving caretakers waiting for her parents to pop in and say hello.  even looking back on it, I can't believe a system like that existed for my family, even for a year.  It is so hard for me to let go of that, to say goodbye to it.  On paper, it was perfect.  But I have to remember that it wasn't perfect in real life, as much as I wanted to force it to be.  I think letting go of the dream for me is harder than letting go of the reality. 

Now the key is for me to remember that letting go of that silly little high school dream will let us make room for another dream- a dream that is bigger and better and just right for our family.

Monday, October 19, 2015

9 Things I Don't Miss about Dating

It should come to no surprise to this blog world that I have a thing for reality tv.  I tell myself that I should enjoy intellectual and well written shows, but then I just can't tear myself away from the reality tv goodness!  I've been this way since I was practically a kid (I have vague memories of staying up late as a 12 year old watching "Average Joe" while my brother teased me for liking it so much.) and by now I've just accepted my reality tv weirdness!  Teen Mom, Bachelor, 16 and Pregnant, Property Brothers... hit me up with reality tv any day of the week!

Bachelor, my go to dating reality tv, is on sabbatical in the fall months so I need something to fill my dating reality tv itch until January.  Well, I finally found my answer.  This show.

Watching this show on MTV is everything I love about reality tv- twists, turns, and people who make really bad decisions.  Greg always jokes that I never turn down watching (or participating in!) a good make out session, so you know, those are some perks too... (Yes I'm a freak.) (So sue me.) (I love kissing.)

Watching these kinds of dating shows always makes me slightly nostalgic for my dating days.  But then I remember all the things I hated about dating and I don't miss it too much.  In fact, here's a fat list of things I don't miss about dating.


9 THINGS I DON'T MISS ABOUT DATING



1.  Wondering if a guy was going to pay for dinner.  I know the man paying is the protocol, but every once in a while I'd have a guy who wouldn't offer to pay, so I always made sure I had money on me too.  So awkward wondering, do I pull out my wallet, is he covering it, will he be offended if I try to pay?

2.  Having to tell guys I wasn't interested.  I got better at this toward the end of my dating career.  I practiced saying, "Thank you so much for asking me out and I really enjoy being around you, but I'm not interested in pursuing anything romantically with you."  It sucks, but learning to say that is 100 times better than ignoring texts, phone calls, hoping you don't run in to the person, etc.  It's better and more kind.  I didn't know that when I was 19, but I did when I was 24, so you know... progress.

3.  Having a guy tell me he wasn't interested.  The flip side of #2, but just as sucky.  Nothing worse than a guy telling me that I just wasn't good enough for him.  You know, because I didn't like kids enough and all. (Yes it happened.) (Yes I now love my kid) (No that person still does not have kids.)  I think the rejection of dating is what makes it so hard... realizing that just because you're not right for one person doesn't mean you are not cool, funny, smart, of worth.  Breakups were just rough on the self esteem.

 These were my besties when I was single.  
Good thing I had them to buoy me up because constant breakups can really kill a girl's confidence!

4.  Having a guy give me the run around.  One guy in particular comes to mind... I was his favorite shirt in the back of the closet that he just couldn't part with... but certainly didn't want to wear it every day.  It took me months of letting him come in and out of my life whenever he felt like to finally have the strength to stop allowing him to see me (even though I really liked him.)  When I met Greg and he made me THE priority in my life, I realized what I had been missing.

5.  Always having to look cute and put together.  I mean, I like dressing up like the next person but I love that when Greg comes home I can greet him in my yoga pants and sweaty T-shirt and I get the same affection regardless.

Only as a married woman could I really embrace the ugly Halloween costumes.  
So freeing to not have to look amazing all the time!


6.  Trying to impress new people.  When I think back on dating it feels exhausting.  Constantly putting forth your best self, constantly trying to sell yourself, constantly doing activities you don't really enjoy doing so that you seem fun or cool or hip or whatever else.  I already impressed the socks off of Greg and now I just get to be Bonnie- no hiding nothing.

7.  The games.  How long until I can call him back?  How long to wait before I text?  Is it too forward to invite him up with a group to go to a cabin?  I have to show that I like him, but not come off too overbearing.  I'm getting tired just thinking about it.  One of the things that attracted me to Greg instantly is that there were no games.  At the end of our first date he said, "I'm very interested in you.  When can I see you again?"  After years of dating immature college boys, it was music to my ears.

8.  The separation of family life and dating life.  A lot of guys I didn't date long enough to want them to meet my family.  I hated having to do things separately with the person I was interested in and my family.  When I was with my family I'd miss the guy I liked and when I was with the guy I liked, I missed my family.  With Greg I get to hang out with him AND my family AND my Junebug.  What a world!

 My brother, nieces, husband, child.  We're all one big happy family now.

9.  Never getting any sleep.  Is it just me or when you were single did you never sleep?  It was like there wasn't time for sleep or you just might miss your man?  I'm not real sure the rationale behind it, but I just know it wasn't a priority and it was absolutely not okay to go to bed before midnight on a weekend.  Now I go to bed whenever I feel like it, and I sleep long and hard thank you very much!

What things do YOU not miss about dating?  Or if you are thick in the dating life, what things will you be glad to say goodbye to?  And if you are looking for some new reality tv goodness, I highly suggested Are you the One.

You can view the trailer here to see if it's your cup of tea.

If you love it, go ahead and watch full episodes here.


This post is sponsored by MTV but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

My instapiphany

(I published this post yesterday afternoon, received a handful of comments on it, and then I went to check my blog today, the post had totally vanished.  ?!?!?!  I am now rewriting the post (UGH) and wondering what in the world happened.  Number one suspect:  JUNE.)


Last night I was scrolling instagram and I had an epiphany.  In instapiphany if you will.

For months I have had this weird internal conflict with instagram.  It seems to be THE social media outlet when it comes to connecting, networking, getting your name out there.  And I have read a lot of stuff about how to increase your following, how to double your likes.  There are correct hashtags to use, there is correct lighting to be considered, there are painted nails and starbucks cups and brightly colored walls and there is so much to do make sure more and more people like your instagram!

I have kind of done some of those things.  But I'm not too good at staged shots.  My shots of random products on a big piece of white cardboard look like- well, a bunch of random products on a big piece of white cardboard.  My fashion shoots look like a regular person in regular clothes posing awkwardly in front of a garage.  I don't think I'll ever have what it takes to win the instagram game.

This is manifest in my somewhat stagnant instagram following.  I do an occasional loop giveaway to try to find a new crop of followers but they inevitably unfollow when 1) the realize the didn't win $100,000 to anthropologie and 2) they realize my pictures are of a pretty normal person living a pretty normal life.  I don't really have what it takes to retain a bunch of instragram strangers.  I think they see right through my white cardboard set up.

Then, last night, when I was feeling a bit sad about totally non related things, I started scrolling through pictures of the last 18 months of my Instagram.  From pregnant Bon in Germany with Greg, to brand new baby June to Christmas morning to French teenager to best friends to Mexico with my siblings to baby unicorns in my garage.  Instagram has often been accused of being a "highlight reel" and not a real representation of our lives, but I was suddenly so grateful for that highlight reel.  The last year has been extremely trying for Greg and I for a variety of reasons and it was this huge little blessing to be able to look at my Instagram and see all those highlights.  In a year of growth, of difficulty, of struggle there they all were for me to see- my bright, happy days, my laughter, my fun times... everything that I live for right there boxed up in a nice little app.

And then I started thinking about how crazy that all was.  That I basically have a little online scrapbook of all my happiest moments, my most loved people, my favorite things.  And I have that little scrapbook in my pocket with me at all times and it's accessible at any moment of every day.  And suddenly my less than perfect staged shots of diet coke and books didn't seem so stupid anymore.  Because I love diet coke and I love books and pictures of those things bring me joy.  I love my imperfect family and my messy house and my crazy students who say the craziest things in their essays.

That was it.  That moment.  My instapiphany.  A sudden realization that maybe instagram doesn't need to serve the purpose for me that the internet keeps telling me it needs to serve.  And that I should stop trying to make it serve perfect blogger bright blue wall purpose.  Because June giggles and cuddles in bed and hilarious things my students say are the things that are really bringing me happiness in this little life.
A photo posted by Bonnie Blackburn Larsen (@thelifeofbon) on DT

And really,  is there anything in this world greater than a unicorn welcoming crowd?



P.S.  If you want to follow my very regular life on Instagram (@thelifeofbon) click here.

P.P.S. If you want to follow my dainty little jewelry line on Instagram (@heyjuneshop) click here.

P.P.P.S. Today (Saturday) is the last day to get your birthstone bracelet 20% off at Hey June.  Use code BRACELET20 at check out.  And while you're there you can add stud cube or bar earrings for only $5.  Holler!  Click here for shop.

P.P.P.P.S.  Oh, and if you need something to keep you entertained this weekend, this is the greatest new show on television right now... maybe it can replace my Bachelor addiction

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

4 Hurtful/ Misinformed Things People Say About Daycare

I have had this nice little daycare rant in my mind for months now and the mood is exactly right for me to unleash!  Be ye warned.  People are never directly rude about my choice to put June in daycare, but I get a lot of offhanded, passive aggressive remarks that let me know that people 1) are very misinformed about daycare and 2) do not approve of my choice to put June in daycare.  Of course they never say that outright.  Most people say "Oh, I think it's great!  To each his own!  It's fine that you put June in daycare.  I never could though, because...." x,y,z reason.  X,y,z, reasons are usually misinformed and a slight offhanded insult to me.  I know people don't mean to be rude and they probably really don't know a lot about childcare options, so I'm going to dispel some myths and set the record straight.  I mean, what else is a blog for?

4 HURTFUL/MISINFORMED THINGS PEOPLE SAY ABOUT DAYCARE

1.  I would put my child in daycare but...  I don't want to miss out on her childhood.  I am not missing out on June's childhood, and I think the majority of moms who have their kids in daycare would agree.  I am there for all of June's big moments.  Do parents who have school aged kids think that they are missing out on their kids' childhood because they are not with them from the hours of 8-3 M-F?  Or do they still spend evenings, weekends, holidays, summers experiencing "childhood" with their children.  You never hear someone say "my child is in first grade now so I am missing out on his childhood."  I do see where parents who are spending 12 or 14 hours a day away from their children would maybe feel like this, but there are so many different options for daycare, I don't think it's fair that we assume anyone who has their child in daycare at all is obviously "missing" her childhood.

June's childhood.  
And me, not missing it.

2.  I would put my child in daycare but...  I don't want to leave my child with a stranger.  This one always gets me and I hear it all. the. time. Leaving a child at daycare is not equivalent to leaving a child with a stranger.  Who in their right mind would just leave their child with some random person they don't know at all?  I know exactly who is watching June, and I have a relationship with her caretakers.  They are loving, sweet women and I feel extremely grateful to know them and to have them spend time with my daughter.  I trust them.  I ask them advice.  They have loved and taken care of many children so they know a lot more about child rearing than I do!  And most importantly, they love June.  I feel like the main caretaker, Terri, at my school is like a third grandma to June- June doesn't cry at all when I pass her off to Terri and June's always happy with her.  Often when I come to pick June up, Terri (or one of the other caretakers) is holding her, feeding her, reading to her, playing with her, etc.  I understand that not every single daycare situation is like this, but I like to believe that more often than not IT IS.  People who spend their entire lives taking care of children usually inherently love children and are well suited for the job.  They give my child love and affection, and I have never once felt like my child was left with a "stranger".

June and caretaker Mariah (and other matching baby) (and awesome life sized stuffed tiger).

Terri and June.

3.  I would put my child in daycare but...  I don't want someone else raising my child.  This one is perhaps the most hurtful and also the most ludicrous.  Since when was watching a child during the day while a parent is working considered "raising the child"?  Greg and I have done all of June's "raising"- we are the ones awake with her in the night, feeding her, taking her to doctor's appointments, deciding when to wean her and what to feed her, watching her grow, taking her to the zoo, spending Christmas morning with her.  We make all of the decisions for June.  Terri and her crew at the daycare help us to take care of her but they do not "raise" her and I think that any working parent would absolutely agree with me that it is hurtful to imply that not having your child with you 24/7 means someone else is raising the child.  (I also gave my whole body to June for 9 months + 1 year extra so she could get milk from my bosom!  No caretaker managed that, so please give all credit of "raising" the child to me!)

Part of me also gets frustrated with the gender stereotype that goes along with this.  I have never once heard someone say about a man that he is not "raising his child" because he works.  "Oh, your husband has to work?  That's so sad that you're raising the child without him."  I mean, that's just insane right?  But we say it to and about women, which is not fair.  Greg and I raise our child.  We also teach school.  Even crazier still, we also watch movies when June is asleep!  We do all of those things at the same time!  We don't have to choose just one of those things!  What a world!

First day of kinderbeets this year.

4.  I would put my child in daycare....  if we really really needed the money.  I hear a variation of this statement a lot.  I don't think people realize, but what they are implying is that daycare is a bad option, only to be used if you are in dire circumstances/ facing poverty.   When I first went back to school last year I felt that some people disapproved of this choice because Greg was working full time and we didn't "really really need the money."  Well, let's be honest, we live in a country of microwaves, carpet, and smart phones so "need" is very relative at this point.  We don't "need" the money, but I really enjoy teaching and it is something that I feel like I am good at.  I get a lot of satisfaction from working, and I love to interact with other teachers, students, and parents.  We also like having extra income- without my salary we would be pinching pennies every month and never have any room to breathe expense wise because Greg as a first or second year teacher doesn't make diddly squat.  That doesn't mean that we couldn't do it, it means that we don't want to.  (Nor should we feel shamed because we don't want to be a family of 3 living on $30,000 a year.  Schools should be shamed for not paying teachers more!)  Our decision to have me work doesn't make us selfish or negligent parents, it means we want to live with a little more comfort and space salary wise, and no, we are not sacrificing our child's well being and happiness to do so.

My favorite thing about daycare miiiiiiiiight be that June gets to ride around in this "bye bye buggy."  It is absolutely adorable when I spot her in the halls in this thing.

I love that June has gone to daycare.  I love that she gets to interact with other kids.  I love that she has a variety of toys and books to play with- much more than we'd ever be able to provide for her at home.  I love that she has time away from her parents and is allowed to learn to trust other people and grow independently.  We will always be her favorites, but June does not cry when she goes to other people. (um... most of the time...)  These are great benefits to daycare!  I totally understand women who want to stay home with their kids and choose not to work.  This is a great option for many women and many children.  Working part time while your daughter is in daycare downstairs is also a great option!  So is working full time while your child is in daycare down the street!   Let's be understanding and kind about other choices.  Not passively aggressively kind, either, but kind kind.

SUMMARY OF MAIN POINTS:
Daycare does not equal someone else "raising my child"
Daycare does not equal selfish or negligent parents
Daycare does not equal leaving my child with a "stranger"
Daycare does not equal missing out on all my child's big moments
Daycare does not equal a decision made only if you are absolutely desperate for money
Daycare does not equal bad parenting.
DAYCARE DOES NOT EQUAL HORRIBLE, SAD, OR LESS DESIRABLE OPTION.

Thank you and goodnight!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Bracelets! Get yer bracelets!

I'm working on a longer post that will go up later this afternoon/ evening (come back!  I'm ranting about dumb things people say to moms who have kids in daycare!) but for now I am going to leave you with an exciting little announcement for me and my family.

We are expanding our Hey June jewelry line to include bracelets!  Aren't they purty?!







Choose the stone that represents any special time in your life you want to celebrate.  It has been so fun to see orders come in and see you all celebrating weddings, births, new friendships, graduations, etc.  There is a lot of difficulty in life, but there is so much happiness and that's what we want to celebrate!  I am a firm believer in that what we focus on expands.  When we focus on the good times, the good times expand.

We always offer a discount when we reveal something new in the shop, and today is no exception.  If you want 20% off your little bracelet use code BRACELET20 at checkout.   Coupon code is good through Saturday so you've got four days only to rack in your sweet savings.

And, you can also buy your bracelet in a set with a necklace.  AND if you buy the set you can use the bracelet code on that as well... BRACELET20 and you get 20% off the necklace AND the bracelet.




Thank you so much for your love and support.  I am so grateful for this blog and for you guys who read, comment, buy necklaces, and just send your overall good juju my way.  Our family has been struggling with some personal issues lately and just know that this blog and our little business has been a huge blessing and an answer to many prayers.  THANK YOU.

Monday, October 12, 2015

5 Ingredient Pina Colada Smoothie

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 
All opinions are mine alone. #BestLifeProject #CollectiveBias

Mornings around here are slightly insane on the days that I work, and I will admit that there have been many days where my breakfast is the last thing on the priority list.  I am so good about making sure June gets her healthy meals, but it feels like taking care of my own nutrition falls further down the list of priorities.  (Anyone else like this?  I also find this to be true with getting dressed... I am always much more careful to make sure June looks and smells presentable than I am with myself.  Hmmm....)

The past several months I have tried to be better about making smoothies in the morning for me and for Greg.  My mom gave me a few tips to bump my smoothies up a notch or two in the healthy department so I thought I'd share my favorite one with you today.  I love this recipe because it is so easy, so quick, and has very few ingredients.  The less ingredients the better in my humble opinion... makes for easy and manageable mornings without skipping the early morning nutrients.
 

5 Ingredient Pina Colada Smoothie

Ingredients:
+ 2-3 pineapple slices (I prefer frozen for a colder, chunkier smoothie, but you can do it with unfrozen pineapple too)
+ Pina colada mixer or Cream of Coconut to taste
+ 1 Tbs agave (or honey works too, but agave is healthier and still adds the sweetness you are looking for) (more or less to taste)
+ 2-3 Tbs Vega Essentials shake vanilla flavor
+ 1 c. plain or vanilla yogurt
+ 3/4 c. ice (if your fruit is frozen you can nix the ice)

Blend items together in blender until you've reached your desired consistency.  Use more yogurt and fruit for thicker smoothies.

Although this is a recipe specifically for a pina colada smoothie, you can sub out your pineapple and cream of coconut for just about any fruit in the world.  I do the exact same recipe but use peaches or strawberries instead of pineapple and both of those variations are super yummy smoothies.  You can use any fruit in the world!

(*** Full disclosure*** As far as the ingredient amounts- I never measure when I make this smoothie, I kind of just throw everything in there and it comes out magic.  Ice, Agave, Pineapple will all depend on how sweet or icy or fruity you like your smoothie.  The amounts listed above are suggested amounts, but definitely play around with your amounts until you find what works for you.)



Adding Vega Essentials Shake to this smoothie is something new I tried this month.  It gives the smoothie more substance and nutrients without affecting the taste.  Vega Essentials gives me the energy and strength I need to make it all the way through my morning of faculty meetings, AP literature discussions and emails to parents. 

Vega Essentials Shake has 20 grams of plant-based protein, three servings of greens, 25% daily intake of food-based vitamins and minerals, plus fiber and Omega-3s—all with only 130 calories/serving.  It is also gluten-free, vegan, and made with no added sugar, dairy, or soy ingredients, artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.






You can find Vega Essentials Shake exclusively at Target through January.  I found mine in the health, nutrition and weight supplement aisle on the top shelf.


As always, thank you for supporting the products that support my blog.  Happy Monday!

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Bon's Book Club: Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin



HOW IT WORKS

Every month we read a book.  On the selected day, we talk about it.  Join in for whatever books you can.  I know you are all busy, and you might not be able to read all the books. (Or be interested in reading all the books!)  Read what you want and comment on what you want.  Some readers write their own review on their blog and then link up to it, others just write their thoughts in the comments- it's up to you!  If you write your own post and link up, please slap the image above on your post! Grazi!




OCTOBER BOOK:  
HAPPIER AT HOME
GRETCHEN RUBIN



This month's selection for Bon's Book Club was Happier at Home (or The Happiness Project) by Gretchen Rubin.  Happiness Project is the original, but I had already read that, so I opted for the sequel- Happier at Home with the option for you guys to read the original if you haven't already.

I really dig Gretchen Rubin.  She gets me.  I get her.  She and I are one.  Kind of.  I love how organized and slightly neurotic she is, and I love that she totally owns it. (Be Gretchen!  One of her commandments.)  The premise of both books is that Rubin decides to be more purposeful about being happier.  It isn't that she's not happy at that moment, she just wants to be happier.  I really love that.  I consider myself a pretty happy person, but the last few months in particular I've been thinking more about the psychology of happiness and I love the idea of making purposeful goals to hit my max level of possible happiness.

In both books Rubin takes a goal a month and conquers it with lots of mini goals.  For example, her goal in October is "Marriage" and her sub goals include things like "Kiss in the morning, kiss at night" "Give gold stars" (praising a partner for good deeds) and "Make the positive argument."  I love the way she breaks down the goals, and in fact one year I even tried this for my new year resolution. I failed miserably because that was the year of lots of happy curve balls.  New house! New baby! New job!  All were awesome awesome things that happened to our family, but it made for my little individual goals shot out the window.  You need a certain amount of stability in your life to worry about little goals like remembering to kiss your spouse in the morning.  ANYWAY, I am hoping to revisit that resolution/ goal habit with more success in 2016.  We shall see.

Some stuff from the book I really liked:
- In one section Rubin makes the goal to "embrace good smells." I had never really put words to it before, but I am a "good smell" fanatic.  I keep wanting to give up my strange little stint selling scentsy products but I looooooove good smells.  I feel comforted and happy when I walk into my house and it smells good.  I love my car to smell good, my clothes to smell good, my body to smell good.  Rubin talks alot about just being more aware of smells and allowing ourselves to take time to appreciate them.  I really liked that.  (And I don't mean to pimp my scentsy biz, but if any of you are as obsessed with fall/winter smells as I am, you can hit me up for suggestions.  I just got my fall and holiday scents for this year and they are to die for.  For fall I love autumn sunrise, autumn sunset, orange amber, and cozy fireside.  For winter/Christmas I love eskimo kiss, whiteout, snowy spruce, iced pine, and silver bells.  Scentsy really takes it up a notch when it comes to holiday smells. Seriously, check them out if you love good smells and let me know if you have questions/ want suggestions.)

- One of my favorite suggestions is to "Under react to a problem."  I tend to be a huge over reactor so I love the suggestion to downplay things.  In general, I think my life would be happier if I didn't think things were such big deals.  Because they're usually not.

- I really identify with Rubin when she talks about being frustrated with herself/ not feeling like she is making progress.  "I was weary of myself- my broken promises to do better, my small-minded grudges, my wearisome fears, my narrow preoccupations."  YES.  I am tired of myself all the time.

- I'm not happy unless I think I'm happy.  Recognizing moments of happiness are just as important as the happiness itself.  I feel like this is kind of an extension of being present/ mindfulness.  You can't be happy if you don't recognize that you're happy.

- On slowing down the pace of life:
"Really skillful people never get out of time, and are always deliberate, and never appear busy.  I wanted a pace of life that was deliberate that felt neither fast nor slow."  

I love this.  I hate appearing busy, and I hate when I am spending time with someone and I feel like they are hurried, stressed, and already thinking about what they have to do next.  I want to hit that perfect middle ground- a life not too fast nor too slow. Lots of things contribute to a hurried feeling- including the space we are living in.  She mentions cleaning out closets, clearing clutter, selling old stuff, taking stuff to thrift stores-- it all gives us more space in our homes and minds and allows us to feel less hurried.  INTERESTING.  I cleaned out my closet the next week and I absolutely found it to be true!  Now if I can just get the energy to tackle the pantry!

"Be Gretchen"  Or in my case, Be Bonnie.  I think this might have been my favorite part of the whole book- to accept the things that make us happy and the things that don't.  Staying up really late doesn't make me happy anymore.  Waking up early and getting the house cleaned and having a few moments to myself to read does make me happy.  Doing puzzles makes me happy.  Spending time outside makes me happy.  Watching lots of tv does not make me happy.  (Although a little tv makes me very happy.  A lot makes me very grumpy.)  I just loved the way Rubin embraced who she is and worked her life and her happiness goals around that instead of trying to come up with some universal what everyone else wants happiness theory.

On Work v. Talent:
"Persistence is more important to mastery than innate ability, because the single most important element in developing an expertise is the willingness to practice."

Killer statement right there!

Alright, I promised Greg I'd be done with this review at 9:00 so we can cuddle and watch a movie together.  The point is I really love Gretchen Rubin and I really enjoyed this book.  I highly recommend it to anyone.  I actually think I liked it more than the original.  I don't agree with everything Rubin says- she is way too much of a structured person than I am- but I don't have to adopt everything she says, only the things that work for me (Be Bonnie.)  She talks about making a goal to have conversations with her parents about their wills which is something I will never do to increase happiness.  I simply don't care and I trust my mom has got it under control.  Rubin also talks about this huge writing project she undertakes with her sister.  Rubin clearly likes to be productive, successful, and busy.  I like those things, too, but in moderation and I certainly am not going to tackle huge projects with an already very busy plate like she does.  That makes me more unhappy than happy.

If you haven't read either of these books, I suggest you do.  They are both nonfiction, very readable, and you can start to skim parts when she gets repetitive.

Those of you who read it, what parts did you love?  Any suggestions you are going to take into your daily lives?  Can't wait to hear your thoughts!  Leave your comments and links to your blog site below.



Wednesday, October 07, 2015

Embarrassed no more!

Book Club on Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin will be tomorrow (Friday).
Can't wait to hear what you thought! 

Well guys.

I have thought and thought of creative, funny, cute ways to talk about this.

How in the world can I present it to you in a way that is witty and clever and wise?

I can't.  That takes skills that this blogger does not have.

I am also not about to tell you any personal stories with bladder control.  Please people!  I have my pride.  You might not believe me, but I HAVE PRIDE.

Well.  I won't tell you my own personal stories.  But I do have a friend.  Let's just say she recently had a baby and then we went to yoga class and.. well, we wished we had a product like Poise Impressa to help her with the bladder leaks.  It was not the best yoga class of our lives but we did laugh until we cried and that's all the details you are going to get because MY FRIENDS HAVE PRIDE!

So basically Poise Impressa Bladder Supports are for you if your bladder leaks a little when you laugh, sneeze, cough, dance, exercise, etc.  (READ:  WHEN YOU DO YOGA.)  The 1,2,3 sizing kit helps you figure out what size you will need so that next time you go to the store you can just get your right size. (Oh, and because you read this awesome post, you can get a $4 off coupon here.)

Thirty five million women experience stress urinary incontinence which is why talking about this product is really important.  It's not to absorb leaks, it's to prevent leaks and give women back the confidence and freedom to live the life they want.  You know.  Like yoga and laughing your head off at a stupid joke.

Writing this post is a tad bit embarrassing, I admit, but the purpose of this product is TO STOP THE EMBARRASSMENT behind bladder leaks and that's something I can certainly get behind.  Thanks for reading and always being the awesome blog readers of mine that you are.






Jumping!
An activity that otherwise might not be possible without the help of Poise Impressa.

Don't forget to get your coupon here!

Monday, October 05, 2015

Is Facebook Ruining the World and other Monday Night Ponderings

Last night Greg and I watched "Far From the Madding Crowd".  We watched this because my brother, who is a very manly man, had told me that evening at dinner at my mom's house that the movie was good.  We've been hard up for a good Redbox lately, so on my way home I stopped to get the movie and told Greg we were going to watch it for our movie night.  "But it's a chick flick!" he complained.  "No it's not!" I insisted.  "Dennis said it was good.  There's no way it's a chick flick."

Well.  It was definitely a chick flick.  Not the best one either.  Let me give you my synopsis and you can decide if you want to see it for yourself.  There are definitely some spoilers ahead so if you think you might want to see this movie in earnest, I'd skip this next snarky paragraph.  

The movie (which never explains its psycho title) is set in the olden days when the girls all wore the pretty dresses.  You know.  The gist of the movie is three guys all propose to one girl.  That girl is Carrie Mulligan, so I totally understand why they're all fawning all over her.  She also owns her own farm too, so $$$.  I'd propose to her too if I could.  Anyway, the first guy who proposes to her is a total stud and will take good care of her but she says no because of pride.  The second guy proposes to her and she says no because although he is kind, stable, madly in love with her, rich, etc he is too boring or old or normal for her.  The third guy who proposes her is a weirdo/ ex solider who is always waving his sword around and almost cuts her hair off.  He is ugly and disgusting.  She says yes to this guy naturally.  Two days after their marriage she discovers he's a jerk (shocker) just like guy #1 told her he would be.  Husband/ Guy #3 finds out his ex girlfriend died and then drowns himself.  As one does.  So guy #2 who is really the nicest but a little bit boring, proposes again.  Girl doesn't know what to do because she really loves guy #1 but guy #1 is too prideful to propose again.  Then, TWIST Husband/ guy #3 comes back from the dead/ we find out he was never dead and he tries to take all the girl's money.  Guy #2/ boring rich nice guy kills guy #3 in a fit of passion.  Super nice guy, Guy #2, is forced to spend the rest of his life in prison while guy #3 is now dead for real this time leaving the pathway clear for guy #1 to marry Carrie Mulligan.  She basically forces him to propose again, he does, and they make out.  Which leaves the question, WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST SAY YES THE FIRST TIME YOU DUMMY?

Movies these days.  They ain't what they used to be.


Speaking of movies, The Martian has gotten very very very good reviews.  Greg always likes to see the high profile, good reviewed movies so I'm sure he'll be begging to go.  But how many movies about space can one watch?  I sat through Gravity, I suffered Interstellar but I just don't know if I can do The Martian.  It's all I can do to understand what is happening in other countries, let alone other planets.

And that's your official Bonnie-movie-review.  You're welcome!

I am kind of tired of the internet lately.  Do any of you guys ever get that way?  The internet is just so in your face.  And sometimes it is just way too much.  But given that I make the majority of my income by stuff I do online, I can't really just turn off the internet for weeks.  But I wish I could sometimes.  Instagram, for starters, makes me just feel the worst.  Why does everyone look so hot?  And how does everyone have adorable booties and fall scarves and spiced latte on hand at all times?  And then half the time I am mad at myself- for buying into it, for mimicking it, for trying to fit in with everyone else and portray this perfect life that we all know doesn't exist.  Mad at it for allowing me to feel that way.  Instagram kind of feels like high school in a microscope.  And the people looking in the microscope are the popular kids.  And they're telling you that you'll never be cool enough.

But then I post pictures of June playing peek a boo and I don't hate Instagram anymore.  WHAT IS THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN?  WILL ANYTHING EVER MAKE SENSE AGAIN?  (Also, If you want to see June playing peek a boo, follow me @thelifeofbon.  Or not.  Whatever floats your boat.)

Facebook also wears me out sometimes.  The highly offensive/ offended matter of facebook gets on my nerves.  I think facebook might be the worst part of all of us.  Someone is always chastising me for something I am doing wrong on facebook and I am constantly getting offended.  Sometimes they even tell me that I am doing my facebook statuses wrong.  I feel like we live in this world where everyone is offended at everything (including me!) and I feel like the bottom line is we all just hate each other?  Maybe that's why I should just stick to twitter.  Is twitter the purest form of social media?  Or maybe I should just finally convert to snapchat and that will solve all my social media woes?

Also sometimes I miss blogging.  The old blogging, you know.  Blogging before you had to do every post "8 ways to be happier" "7 things not to say to your mother in law" "6 tricks to clean your kitchen".  I write these posts like everyone else because these posts get the hits but then I miss the days where I felt free to come and ramble on my blog to my heart's content without being afraid that I didn't have a clear enough focus.  That people were bored.  That people wouldn't click my link  I would like to go back to 2011 blogging por favor when I wrote about leaving my wallet at Wal-mart.

But you know what part of the internet doesn't make me tired?  Shia Labeouf.  I might be the last person on the earth to see his "Just Do It" video and I could not stop laughing.  I see crap like this and my faith in humanity + the internet is restored again.

This post turned into something quite different than I thought it would be.  This is what happens when I sit down to write and don't have a scheduled post.  The shiz hits the fan!  Tomorrow my students are reading the "Get thee to a nunnery" speech in Hamlet and I am stoked because I love me some crazy Hamlet any day of the week.  Also, I just started reading Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.  So far I don't hate it!  Which is what I was expecting based on all of the reviews.  Have any of you read it?  I'm interested in your reviews.  And speaking of books, don't forget that on Thursday on the blog we are having book club for Happier at Home (or The Happiness Project.  You could choose either.)  I really really enjoyed this book, so I am excited to hear what you guys all thought of it.

I feel bad now for being such a whiner about the internet.  Most of the time I am really glad for it and I love it.  I especially love this blog and you guys who read it.  My life is so blessed by you.  And then 1% of the time I am so exhausted with the whole thing that I start to go a little bit crazy.  Tonight is that 1%.  Lucky you to read what I write while I'm on the 1%! (Also, while we're talking about internet meanness I want to tell you that I am 3 months gomi clean- haven't visited the site for that long.  Yea for happiness and not caring what weird internet strangers think of you!) 

NOW, before I sign off to watch a Mindy Project with my husband I want to show you what I have been working on all day.  SILVER!


When we rolled out our Hey June necklaces two weeks ago, a lot of you guys asked for silver necklaces.  I have to admit, I didn't think they would be that pretty, but these sterling silver swarovski crystal necklaces are gorgeous!  They are the same price as the gold option, and because we gave a discount for the gold, we are doing a 20% discount on silver necklaces for the first week only.  We have to be fair, you know.  Use code SILVER20 on any silver necklace from now until Tuesday October 13.


And thank you so much for all of your support thus far.  You guys are so great.  Every time I see an order come in my heart jumps with gratitude.  THANK YOU.

Tomorrow:  We talk about what no one ever wants to talk about.  Get ready!