Weekend Wrap-Up

This past weekend was one of my favorite weekends this year.  I realize that we haven’t had too many weekends in 2016, but nevertheless it was amazing. 

Saturday morning began with a hike.  This wasn’t just any hike though; it was my first moderate hike and the 4 miles on the map looked super easy.  The real thing wasn’t so easy for me, but when we got to the top of the mountain I was pretty proud of myself.  Right before we reached the top I had to stop for a few minutes to catch my breath.  I was feeling like we’d never reach the top and was not in the best of moods.  I turned around, looked down the trail, and saw a woman doubled over right before she threw up.  In that moment I remembered that someone always has it worse.  Although I felt bad for that poor woman, I felt accomplished to not be puking and continued on my way.  Although I complained a bit (or a lot), at the end of any hike I always feel refreshed and accomplished.  I’m horrible at shutting down my mind, leaving technology behind, and not trying to do way too many things at once, but hiking is a way for me to step aside, take a breath, and just enjoy being and spending some quality time with Mr. C.

I was feeling adventurous after a successful hike and suggested a new Thai place for lunch.  My mom thinks things with onions are spicy, but she ordered her food medium spicy even after I raised my eyebrows.  We all ended up with medium, but my mom and Mr . C’s food was much spicier than mine.  As great as my food was, the best part was listening to the conversation between Mr. C and my mom regarding how spicy their food was.  At one point I asked Mr. C how his was and he responded that he his vision was so blurred because his eyes were watering so badly.   Hilarious stuff.

We had some friends over Saturday night.  These are the kind of friends that make anything fun.  We could have been cleaning the tiles with a toothbrush and I probably would have still enjoyed it.  At one point during a game I looked around, heard the laughter filling our living room, and was so happy.  I love the home we’ve made, and I really love having people we love in it.

Sunday morning we headed to church for a musical service.  Since I couldn’t be bothered to read the email Friday I had no idea that the service would be all musical, so it was a great surprise!   I left feeling refreshed and I didn’t even have to hike a mountain this time.

We spent some more time with some friends and then I decided to do some adulting.  Not only did I file our taxes in JANUARY, but I also cleaned out the fridge.  Pretty exciting stuff right there.  Being productive is a requirement for me to feel good about the day, so that really topped off the weekend. 

Mr. C worked while my mom and I made this dinner together.  This is one of my all time favorite dinners and I could totally eat it everyday.  Just as I started putting on my Jamberry after months of having nails too short,  it began raining with the lightning and thunder starting shortly after.  It was a perfect ending to my version of a perfect weekend.

Did you do anything fun this weekend?

My Guide to 2016

The start of a new year is always exciting.  It’s a time to begin fresh and look forward to what the next 12 months have in store.  There are a few things I like to do to start the year off right.

Get a planner or calendar that makes you happy and then actually use it!  When I’m without a planner I feel like things are jumbled in my brain.  Even if I remember dates, I have to see them written down to really understand how they fit into the week.  You can ask my carpool buddy about this – I’ve texted her many times the night before an appointment because I knew my dentist appointment was on the 3^rd but just realized the 3^rd was the next day and I definitely can’t carpool.  Each year I treat myself to an Erin Condren planner as well as a Quotables calendar for work.  If I’m going to stare at something for a year I certainly want it to be something that makes me happy.

Set some concrete goals.  New Year’s resolutions get a bad wrap, somewhat for good reasons.  People are frequently super ambitious and decide to lose 100 pounds in a year with no plan of how they will healthily achieve that, or set a goal of being happier without identifying what that would look like.  Goals are always important, but it’s necessary that they be realistic and thought out.  Committing to being happier in 2016 is a great goal, but being happier to me involves different things than it would for Mr. C, so it’s important to identify those things.  I tend to think of setting goals as an ongoing thing, but something that deserves some thought as we begin a new year.

Commit to a healthy change.  This can be something major, maybe as part of a yearly goal like getting an extra 30 minutes of sleep a night or something minor like setting aside time everyday to just relax.  A better you means everything will fall into place easier.

Get organized. After I put away the Christmas stuff I’m always in an organizing mood.  I’m a firm believer that having an organized space leads to more productivity, creativity, peacefulness, and just not feeling like a crazy person.  I’m not talking about a major overhaul here, but just spending some time to tidy up those messy drawers or the closet that has an avalanche each time it’s opened.

What are your must-do’s for a new year?

The Big 3-0

I turned the big three-oh a couple weeks ago.  I’ve celebrated my 27^th birthday three times now, but this year I think it’s a little harder to deny that I am in fact moving from one age bracket to another.  The “2” candle I have no longer is applicable at the front portion of my age.  This is new territory.  This birthday has been a big one because last year the big 3-0 was looming and I felt like I was in the same place I had been at 24.

I graduated at a horrible economic time and I stayed in a low paying job for far too long (not that I’m quite raking it in now).  My car was readily falling apart, and although it wasn’t something we had ever wanted here before, we didn’t really have roots.  I’m shocked when I think about everything that’s happened this past year. 

I’m so grateful everytime I get into my grown-up car and still shocked that I get to drive it everyday.  I’ve now been at my “new” job for a year and I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.  We officially have roots and it’s a terrifying and great thing.  I know there’s a lot I don’t have, but mostly there’s a lot that I do.  I have what I need, some of what I want, and some of the best people in my life.  I feel like have some semblance of having at least part of my crap together, or poop in a group, as my dad likes to say.

I love lists and I really, really, really wanted to make a list of the 30 things I’ve learned in my 30 years, or the 30 things everyone should know, or something else related that would allow me to write another list.  One of the things I’ve learned in my 30 years is that you don’t always need a list though.

However, I have learned a few things that I’m going to share because, well, this is my blog and I can.

It’s important to take care of yourself.  I try to work out 4-5 times a week because it makes me feel better. It’s an added bonus if I lose a couple pounds, but that’s no longer my focus.  I get crazy excited when my average resting heart rate is lower than the typical average.  We’re probably spending too much money on food but it’s real, healthy food, and it was totally worth trading in our froyo budget for legit food.  What goes into your body has a direct impact on so many aspects of your life.  Sleep is also a part of that, but I haven’t quite caught onto the sleep thing yet.  I’ll work on that during the next 10 years so I have something to write about when I hit 40 (that sentence almost gave me a panic attack btw – just realizing that 40 is only a short 10 years away). 

To add to that, I also think it’s important to be just as critical of the products going on my body as the food going in it.  I look for products that are natural if possible or at least void of parabens, sulfates, and some other nasty chemicals.  I think it’s important to support companies that offer products that aren’t polluting our world and treating it as disposable.

Next lesson - Toxic people are simply not worth it.  It’s hard and it hurts cutting off some relationships, but sometimes it has to be done.  There’s a point where it’s no longer possible to stick around being a good friend when it’s tearing you apart.  It’s hard to make that decision though to let go.   There are other relationships that just fall apart due to time, distance, or growing apart, and sometimes they’re worth fighting for with everything you have.    I’ve learned to tell the difference and grieve the friendships that just weren’t meant to be. 

There are things that have to be done because that’s just how life goes, but there’s a lot that doesn’t.  Don’t feel like going out?  Then don’t!  Don’t feel like calling the car saleslady back?  Block her number (possibly not the best decision, but it was effective)!.  Don’t feel like going to bed at a reasonable hour?  Then stay up and continue watching youtube videos of Jimmy Fallon and his lip syncing battles or those cute little ducks.  Don’t feel like cleaning the kitchen or even the house for a week?  It’s cool – the house will still be standing and the kitchen will not be invaded by roaches, not even one.

Don’t apologize for who you are (unless you have legit issues that need attending to).  I’m at a point where I feel more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have (my hair is much better too!).  I know what I like and I love that I finally do.  I’m an alt music loving girl who watches too much TV, has never met a cardigan she didn’t want, is an obsessive organizer, takes her own grocery bags everywhere, gets more excited about a new washer than the Kate Spade purse that was crazy on sale at the outlet, loves Jesus, bright colors, her family, her grumpy cat, the little dog that she’ll always call a puppy, and the boy she fell in love with when she was 17.  I don’t have everything all figured out but what I have is enough and that’s what I’m focusing on as I enter this new frontier of the thirties. 

I’m still in a bit of denial that I’m really 30, however when I look at how far I’ve come from my ideas, opinions, beliefs, and dreams at 20, I think that it must be true.  Maybe by the time I’m 40 I’ll have really figured everything out, but I won’t hold my breath!

Summer 2015

I seem to fall off the face of the earth each summer and this year was no different.  I’m excited to be returning to blogging and have some exciting posts planned including some new recipes.  I hope you had a great summer filled with friends, family, and making lots of great memories.  I have always hated summers in AZ.  I’m still a bit unsure of why I ever thought that moving to the desert was a good idea for someone who hated the heat with an intense passion.   This summer I decided to just embrace the heat and it ended up being one of my favorite summers.  For my first post back I’m sharing some highlights of my summer.

Almost every weekend we spent at the in-law’s house swimming.  While the pool was of course great, we really enjoyed just hanging out and spending time together with family. 

This was my fist summer at the new job and in addition to being able to wear jeans all summer (my most favorite thing EVER!!), I also had an altered work schedule for 2 months that allowed me one more day each week to spend with Mr. C.  That in itself was amazing and it allowed me to spend one day swimming and still get everything done during the weekend I needed.  It was like having an actual summer break every week.

We gave up sugar and severely limited our refined grains at the beginning of the summer as a lifestyle change and we've both never felt better.  The other day I had a small bite of a truffle and was satisfied with just that bite sized amount.  Never before would I have not inhaled the truffle and wanted another.  We were conscious about what we ate before but when I look in our cart at Sprouts each week I’m so proud of the food we’re putting into our bodies.  We’re still discovering new foods and I’m enjoying trying new recipes and revising old ones.

We finally made it back to the Phoenix Art Museum for the Warhol exhibit.  There was also an amazing firefly exhibit but pictures didn’t do it justice.  A church burnt down and this picture is an exhibit created with the pieces that were left.  This was one of my favorites. 

We didn’t spend the 4^th of  July in NE as we traditionally have, but we still made it back for a summer visit.  It was wonderful spending time with my nieces, seeing my sweet grandma, catching up with some friends, and being surrounded by so much green again.

I continued to take tons of pictures of our animals because they are so darn cute.

This summer was pretty great, even amongst the 117 degree, record breaking days and other life frustrations that tested our patience.  I’m still counting down the days until fall but I’d put this in the books as one of the best summers yet.  I can only hope next year will be even better!

What was the best part of your summer?

A Woman's Worth

My grandma is 94 years old and when I think of all the changes she’s lived through it’s honestly mind-blowing.  Women’s rights and the world’s view of women has changed so much in her lifetime.  Unfortunately people still hold views that should be retired and men are measured on a different scale as women.

We hear songs about independent women and praise the women who do things on their own, have meaningful careers, and pave their own way.  We love to love these women….in theory.  Typically these powerful women we celebrate are celebrities.  In real life, women are still measured by their ability to be wives and mothers and anyone not fitting into this mold is considered incomplete.  There are TV shows, movies, and books about single women finally finding love.  Pick up any women’s magazine and you’ll likely find articles about how to get that guy to finally talk to you.  If you’re lucky the tips will work, he’ll fall in love with you, you’ll get married, and bunches of babies will soon be on the way.  If not you can always hold out for the dating tips of the next month.

I love being a wife, but I’m more than that.  It’s a small part of me and has shaped the woman I’ve become, however even if I wasn’t a wife anymore I’d still be me.  Likewise, a mother is still a person outside of her motherhood.

A couple of weeks ago I was asked no less than three times in one week about children.  The questions covered when I was having them or if I was pregnant (due to not feeling well).  In any given week I’m typically asked about once a week regarding my/our plans to have kids.  This happened shortly after we were married and I remember someone asking why we bothered to get married if we weren’t planning to have kids right away.  I was blown away.   Apparently love isn’t a good reason?  I now choose my words carefully and don’t broach certain topics with certain people because I know it will inevitably lead them right into the baby questions.  When did it become okay to ask such inappropriate and personal questions?   I have friends who are asked when they’re getting married on a regular basis.  Another friend told me that near strangers ask why she’s divorced as if this emotional event could possibly be summed up (or should) in a sentence.

I can’t imagine asking people the questions they ask me without being embarrassed.  Typing them makes me cringe as it is.  Not only are they very personal topics that invokes personal feelings and issues, it often seems that they are typically being nosey.  My decision/my friends’ decisions don’t typically directly impact these questioners.  Many times these insensitive people seem to be trying to convey that the woman not fitting the mold would feel fulfilled with children and would actually have a purpose because without being married and/or having children, the woman can’t possibly be either of those things.   Women are hard enough on themselves as it is.  We need to support each other rather than judging each other on perceptions.

Perhaps someone isn’t married because they love being single.  Perhaps they just got out of an abusive relationship.  Perhaps they had a miscarriage.   Perhaps they can’t have kids. Perhaps they lost their love and are still mourning.  Perhaps they are dealing with something personal they’d rather not share (nor should they need to).  Perhaps they simply don’t want to be married or have children. 

As an exception, there are close friends I don’t mind talking to about these things.   I’ve had family members carefully and thoughtfully ask sensitive questions in a way that isn’t rude and prying, but these are very few. 

We live in a diverse culture with many different lifestyles.  Just because someone has made different choices , it doesn’t mean that deep down they are depressed, empty, and unfulfilled.  In fact, there are studies that have shown that the childless are in fact happier than their child-rearing counterparts, like this one.

I’m not saying that being married can’t be great and that having kids isn’t amazing.  I’m focusing on the idea that if a woman isn’t married or having kids by a certain time she’s judged by society.  A 35-year-old single woman is looked at very different than a 35-year-old bachelor.  Even the terminology used to describe the woman versus the man is different.  The word “bachelor” conveys a fun attitude while “single woman” invokes a sense of pity in many people.   Further, a married woman without children is apparently either heartless, selfish, or barren.  It seems to be inconceivable that a woman would choose to be single or childless of her own choosing.

Each time after I’m asked these inappropriate questions I come up with all sorts of responses.  Most of these responses aren’t very nice and the majority of them are inappropriate questions to direct back at the question asker.  I’ve never actually invoked any of these responses.  Instead I try to take the polite way out because I’m not the type of person who enjoys embarrassing someone else and I doubt this will change.

Please think the next time you decide to ask someone a question so personal.  You have no idea what they may be dealing with and the feelings these questions may bring to the surface.  Why not look at the person as a person without trying to force them into roles they may not want or have the power to fulfill?  Why don’t we as women support each other and celebrate our freedom to make unique decisions instead.

What are you listening to?

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit obsessed with my music.  I like to think I’m pretty versatile but alternative is by far my favorite and my radio is tuned to alt nation about 99% of the time.  

When I was in high school I was broke (and in debt to my dad for borrowing money) all the time due to spending almost all my money on CD's.  My BFF and I bolted out of school to get to Target to buy the "NOW" CD's the Tuesdays they were released. 

I was frequently in charge of music when I was the passenger and I happened to be a bit bossy about my requests when I was the driver also.  I considered myself an amazing mixed CD maker.  One minute Ja Rule would be on and the next song was a Christian song, followed by something country and then maybe some Michelle Branch to round it out.  Unfortunately I wasn't blessed with any musical talents other than my mix making, but my love of music is something that's never gone away. 

I remember frequently waking up Saturday mornings and deciding to get out of bed so I could listen to my new CDs.  That feeling isn't something that's common for me anymore, but the other day I downloaded some songs I loved and got up a bit earlier the next day so I'd have time to enjoy more of them as I got ready for work.  Anything that makes me get up earlier than needed on a weekday is a pretty big deal. 

I'm long overdue for a "things I love" post, so this one is devoted all to the music that's been dominating my stereo.  Also, if you haven't gotten on the Spotify bandwagon, I highly recommend it.  You can listen to entire albums for free.  While it hasn't eliminated my itunes shopping sprees, it's cut them back a bit.

The albums I can’t get enough of:

• Invisible Friends by Lily Wood and the Prick
• Favorites: Prayer in C, Hey It's Ok, Water Ran, L.E.S. Artistes, This is a love song.  The first few lines of (No No) Kids, make me laugh everytime.
• Reflections by Misterwives - Reflections is an amazing song, but I think all the rest are pretty great too.
• Montevallo by Sam Hunt - here's that country I was talking about
• Favorites: Ex to See, Break Up in a Small Town, Take your Time.
• Modest Mouse has a new album coming out soon which I'm SOOO excited about, but for now, I'm loving the song Lampshades on Fire.  It's oh-so-weird, and I wouldn’t expect anything different from them.
• Mr. C would like to also add that the Fall Out Boy album is amazing.  I knew he wanted to buy it so I downloaded it one day so he could listen to it on his way home from work. Sometimes I do sweet things.

The songs I’m playing over and over:

• Carousel by Melanie Martinez
• Bad Friend by Bear Hands
• It's a Longer Road to California Than I Thought by The Wind and the Wave
• #icanteven by The Neighborhood - I love anything by them, and I could listen to this song all day
• Honey, I'm Good by Andy Grammer - I'm glad to see there's finally a song against cheating (I do realize the song listed right before this one addresses cheating)
• All Over by CRUISR
• A Rush of Blood by Coasts
• Peaches by In the Valley Below
• Habits of my Heart – Jaymes Young

My list ended up a bit longer than expected.  Let me know what you think if you check these out!  What songs are you currently loving?

The Lost Art of Thank You's

I love trees and I’m all about sustainability and recycling and being green, but I really, really, really love paper.  I really, really, really, really love paper when it comes in the form of a card (or money also).  When I get into a card shop or even the card section of a store I could stay there for hours – just ask Mr. C. 

I love sending out cards, getting cards, and buying cards to stockpile for the special and not-so-special future times I know I’ll need them.  Thank you cards (and the process of sending them) seem to get a rap for being not so fun, but I disagree.

I recently sent out a few thank you notes for Christmas gifts and thought it was a perfect topic for a post.  I was taught that when someone gave you a gift, you sent a thank you note.  Over the years I like to think I’ve done a pretty good job keeping this up.  There are definitely exceptions although I’m sure proper etiquette wouldn’t agree with me on that.   If a close friend or family member gives me a gift in person I generally don’t send a thank you note, but Christmas gifts, mailed gifts, and any type of shower gifts always get one.  There’s something about getting a hand written thank you note that’s just not conveyed in an email or text.

Here’s a few pointers for sending your own:

1. Find some pretty cards that fit your personality.  If you find cards you love, you’re more likely to want to send them.  I always find cute cards at Target but I'm dying to add these chalkboard cards, snail mail cards, and these colorful cards to my collection.  I love these fill in the blank cards for kids!

2. Use a nice pen.  I love felt pens and they always seem to make my writing look prettier.

3. Mention the gift and why you love it.  Maybe it sits on your desk and you think about the gift giver when you look at it, or you smile everytime you use it.  If someone gives me money or a general gift card I usually try to mention how I plan to spend it.  I usually add a little extra about what's new or something that's going on with them to wrap up the note.

4.  Find some cute washi tape and use it to seal your cards.  It's the extra touches that count!

Lastly, don't forget to actually mail the cards!  I promise your note will brighten someone's day!

Let's start it out right

You know how some times you're super tired and shouldn't be doing things but you push yourself because you have a lot to do?  That was me last night when I worked on part of this post, saved it, and then realized in the morning that I hadn't actually saved it but had actually hit the publish button!  Some of you may have received my mess of a post which wasn't meant to be an actual post yet, so I apologize for that.  Since then I've gotten some sleep and I'm functioning like a normal person now.

There are a couple things I consider necessities for the start of every year - my planner and a calendar are in that category without question.  In the spirit of a new year and new resolutions, I went a little farther this year and made a list of some things to help start the year off right.  

1. My Erin Condren Life Planner.  I know I have a calendar on my phone, but I like paper!  I like being able to write things down and decorate the days and put stickers on the dates for birthdays.  It takes me forever (at least a month) to decide on the cover I want (now the covers are interchangealbe!) but I’ve had an Erin Condren planner for the past three years and I honestly have no idea how I organized my life without one.

2. Some snazzy new clothes.  I went shopping after Christmas and found some clothes to help me start the new year off right.  Check out this blue chevron shirt at one of my favorite stores, Maurices.

3. The Up 24 by Jawbone was at the top of my Christmas list.  It tracks steps and sleep (my favorite feature), reminds me when to go to bed, wakes me up at the optimal time, nudges me when I've been sitting too long, and has a bunch of other cool features through the app.  This fits right in with a couple of my new year’s resolutions too.

4. My Quoteable calendar is a staple in my office at work.  One year I said no to getting the ugly office calendars and decided to spend a few dollars buying my own calendar.  I have a bit of an obsession with quotes as it is and I love looking at these colorful ones.

5. One of my resolutions was to spend more time on my passions, one of which is writing.  This Alphabet Soup journal caught my eye as we were shopping before heading to the airport a few weeks ago.

6. A good book is an amazing thing.  I actually finished this book, "How Lucky You Are", last month and loved it.  I’ll be downloading another by the same author soon, but I can’t say enough good things about this one.

7.  My style has evolved a bit in the past few years (thankfully – I looked at high school pics when I was home a couple weeks ago and that was not a good fashion period for me).  I have a few simple pieces of jewelry that have become my fashion staples.  This Kate Spade Heart of Gold Bangle is one I’d love to add to my collection.

What's on your list to start the new year off right?

2015 Resolutions

I've never really been a fan of new year’s resolutions, but this year I’m all over it.  Because I love lists and pretty things, I made some word swag to share with you as a template to make your own resolutions. 

I thought about what I did well this year, areas I'd like to improve upon and the things that make me happy and came up with a few realistic resolutions.  I'll be printing a copy to put in my closet where I'll see it everyday to remind me what I've committed to.

Did you make any resolutions this year?  If so I'd love it if you'd share them in the comments section. Here's to 2015 being the best year yet!

My 2014 in Review

It’s that time again where we reflect on the past year.  Radio stations play the top songs from the year.  Businesses compile lists of their best selling products, and iTunes has a tally of their top selling books.  Instead of my usual blog form posting about my year I decided to jump on the bandwagon and make my own list.  This year has had its rough patches but I’m focusing on a few of my favorite good things for this.

5. Mr. C starting his internship for his Master’s in principalship - It’s not mine but I’m counting it anyhow!

4. Branching out in my exercising routine and enjoying it (seriously)

3. Joining Jamberry and promoting twice in one month to become a senior consultant!

2. Spending time with family – we went to Nebraska twice, visited family in Denver, and had some visitors of our own throughout the year.

1. Starting an amazing new job as an academic advisor!

I hope 2015 has great things in store!  Thank you for being a part of my 2014.

Why I can't stand "Pink" October

A couple weeks ago I drove by PF Changs to see that their huge horse sculptures were pink.  Aside from the fact that I'm still trying to figure out how they got them pink without damaging the sculptures, the second thought that entered my mind was "ugh, it's October again".  There will be pink football jerseys, some inappropriate slogans about "ta-ta's" on t-shirts, and stores asking for money so they can make a huge donation to whatever breast cancer society they choose.  I really can’t stand it.

You may be thinking by now that I'm heartless, but let me begin by saying that I've dealt with cancer in my family on a pretty direct level, including my mom's cancer diagnosis...twice, one being breast cancer, and I've also heard that scary word mentioned by two doctors as a possibility for myself.  I hope with all my heart that someday there's a cure.

Why is it then that I can't stand pink month?  What bothers me is that everyone is gung-ho about cancer awareness, particularly breast cancer, during October but it's so commercialized and over-the top.  I also think there's something about breasts that makes people want to talk about it more.  It's more fun to talk about saving the boobies than rectal cancer, but in the end all cancer is cancer, right?  It’s a bit confusing that women are actually objectified during many “awareness campaigns” in a way that’s become socially acceptable in this supposed celebration of their strength and survival.

One of the real issues for me is that once someone actually has cancer of any kind, those people that were all about wearing pink and donating their $1 at the grocery store are nowhere to be found.  They don't deliver food, they don't call or stop over, and some of them seem to have dropped off the face of the earth.  That's not true of everyone but there was a very, very, very small group of friends who were there for me when I was terrified about my mom's breast cancer diagnosis, and I wasn’t even the one with the cancer.  Real cancer makes people uncomfortable.  The few people that were there asked what they could do, checked in on how I was, and asked about my mom and how she was feeling.  They didn't wear bright t-shirts that publicized their actions but they remained a quiet, supportive presence.

"Pink" month is marketed as a time to celebrate survivors and raise awareness and money for research, however is it really doing that?  So many people flaunt their pink for breast cancer but do they really take the time to do their monthly breast exam at home, get a yearly mammogram, or take steps to reduce other risk factors such as adjusting diet or adding exercise?  When you donate your $1 or purchase a pink product, do you really know where that money is going?  Sometimes it is in fact going to a great organization that is funneling that money into research, awareness, preventative care for women, etc., but other times it's just going to pay for that pink water bottle made with BPA which ironically has been linked to cancer.

The month is about fighting breast cancer and the strong survivors, but it can be painful for people whose friends and family members aren't survivors.  Not everyone survives and that doesn’t mean that they didn’t fight, that they didn’t deserve to be well.

Prevention and research is great, but sometimes we Americans get so sucked into the commercialism of it all that we don’t realize that what we’re doing is hypocritical or that we’re overlooking the real issues and solutions.

We’re almost to the end of “pink” month and I’m not quite sure if I’m more excited to stop seeing shirts about saving the ta-ta’s or the end of the election signs cluttering every corner.  But, that’s a topic for another day.