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Do you take things personally?
“There’s a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.” I read this phrase over and over a couple of months ago, basically feeling my spirit jump around in my body with cheerleader pom-poms and a big placard that says “yaaaas queeeeeen!” (Whaaaaat? Sometimes my ‘spirit’ rocks a cheerleader uniform. I don’t choose these things, it chooses me.)
Anyways, the confirmation in my spirit reminded me that this phrase right here is my jam. Not taking things personally is my go-to response when I read an offensive status update or when I overhear someone make a snarky comment. Not taking things personally helps me to laugh it off when you make a joke about my reproduction rate (I have a lot of children okay). It helps me to smile and wave when I am overlooked for campaigns or promotions or positions.
But hey, I’m no superwoman. I mean, let’s get it out there, it’s not always easy to woooosahhhhh away an offence or a hurt. In fact, I don’t think that you’re suppose to simply brush off every single hurt and issue anyways. In some cases it must be dealt with, ya know, face to face by way of conversation. #adulting
But, for the most part, the little things – the small fights – well, those are the ones that I pass right along. I mean, if I’m going to pick it up, it’ll stick. So I let it brush by me (like a bundle of poop in a river) and I move on with my life, poop-free. It’s less stinky that way.
This wasn’t always my way of thinking though… I mean, if we’re going to be real let’s put that out there too. I had a thing for ‘fighting the good fight’. Every offence was a battle. Every hurt inflicted on me and mine, was a call to action. You know that Afrikaans saying “vinnig op haar perdtjie”? Well I was the “haar” and the “perdtjie” all at the same time. I was the personification of “Come at me, Bro.”
I eventually learnt a bunch of lessons that can now be turned into Drake song lyrics because it is that cliche-sounding. But these are my daily reminders and it kinda helps me to assess whether or not the situation is as big as my fragile heart is making it seem AND if the situation deserves to have as much attention as I am giving it.
My daily reminders are:
- Leave the small fights for the small fighters. Yeah it feels good to respond to every single snarky comment or snub. But your silence will often set you apart. Your silence will win wars that your words never could. Also, your silence gives the offender an opportunity to think about their actions and it gives you the opportunity to calm the heck down. Step away from the pepper spray, Becky, it’s not that deep.
- Fight your battles like a queen and not a peasant. As a Christian woman (Karen hair flip) I believe that I am the daughter of a King. That would make me a Princess. I honestly can’t see a Princess getting into a heated debate in someone’s Facebook comments section. We fight in the spiritual realm, with prayer and praise.
- To not take things so personally. Because Mama’s a firecracker! Seriously though, I hate injustice. I’ve often sabotaged my own peace by taking on the battles of others. But you know what, there are ways to have open discussions about injustice and inequality that won’t leave you with 2nd degree scarring (aka an offence).
Not taking things personally means I am guarding my heart. The Bible encourages us to guard our hearts because everything that we do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)
At the end of the day, my friends, your peace is just too precious. It is too important. And it definitely is worth a lot more than a small fight.
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Coffee pairing date at home with Mastertons {Win!}
When it comes to date night, we run out of ideas very quickly. Add to this the fact that we’re not particularly keen on leaving home right now (#socialdistancing), and you have a set up for a date that consists of us binge-watching Netflix until we fall asleep with our mouths open. So exciting. So passionate. Anyways, while scouring the interwebs for ways to spice up our indoor date nights, I found these really cute ways to do a coffee pairing date at home.
Now, this is right up our alley because we aren’t big drinkers, so a wine/whiskey pairing wouldn’t work. Also… uhh hello, coffee snob much?! (Yes, coffee snob very much, thanks). Also, did you know that the right foods will totally enhance your coffee drinking experience? Hubstopher would totes LOVE this! (With a capital LOVE as you can see.)
I thought my idea was especially genius and so I decided to come here to tell you guys how clever I am.
(Ta daaaa!) I also wanted to put together a list of foods that pair well with coffee, to help you plan your very own coffee pairing stay-at-home date night. You’re welcome, friend.
Some coffee and food pairings that I like a latte (hehe)Fresh fruit
Pair your espresso-based coffee with fresh fruit to enjoy the richness of the drink. Sweet fruits such as peaches, plums or, better yet, berries, would make for a great pairing option! Tip: avoid sour fruits.
Cheeeeese
The creamy flavours of ricotta and mozzarella will help to enhance the flavor of a light-to-medium body coffee. Brie or blue cheese would pair well with a medium-to-full body coffee. A full body coffee would also be devine when paired with smoked mozzarella or gruyere.
So salty!
Did you know that salty foods (think bacon, salty crackers etc) pair well with black coffee? Having your coffee this way actually helps to balance the acidity! So interesting. I mean, I’m practically a scientist.
Roasted meat
Coffee may be the last thing on your mind while you’re devouring roast beef, but a great coffee with a fruity tone will pair well with lamb, chicken, beef or pork!
Chocolate
Dessert is the most important part of a meal (#amIright). Pairing a rich chocolate cake with a really good coffee is always a good idea. Chocolate and a full-bodied dark roast go hand in hand. I also read that a lighter desserts (ice cream or mouses etc) go well with lighter to medium roasts.
Spicy is nicey
For those of you who prefer spicey foods, you may want to go with a creamy iced coffee, to help take the edge off.
The set upNow that you’re all clued up with the type of food you’ll be pairing with your coffee, head on over to the Masterton’s website, to pick up the coffee, along with any accessories and equipment you may need to make your date top notch.
And while you’re there, check out the NEW Mastertons Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee too! Mastertons has almost a 100 years worth of experience when it comes to coffee roasting. So that’s, like, a very long time! Their coffees are specially developed to suit the South African palate (must be why I love it so much!).
The Mastertons Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee is a full-bodied coffee, brewing a rich and aromatic cup, with (get this) subtle hints of caramel. Yum! It is my favorite freeze-dried instant coffee at the moment and I especially love that the company is born and based in Port Elizabeth.
WIN a stunning “coffee and self care” hamper!Okay, you know ya girl is here with the gorgeous prizes, right? I’ve put together a stunning Mastertons and KrulKop Society hamper that includes a beautiful KrulKop Society mug and one of my favorite Mastertons coffees. Both of these brands are #ProudlyPE and I am so excited to give one of you the opportunity to try it out. You want to need this. And I don’t blame you. To enter, simply check out these posts on my Instagram and Facebook and follow the prompts there.
Terms and Conditions
Giveaway closes on 28 February at midnight. Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Winners of any My Spreadsheet Brain competitions in the last 6 months will not be eligible to win.
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How to talk to your kids about death
Is one ever truly prepared to talk to your kids about death? The answer is no. It is a morbid topic – one we would prefer to ignore, thank you very much.
But the truth is that our kids have been exposed to so much this past year. This Covid-19 season has changed the narrative for many. And besides for having to deal with that trauma as an adult, imagine trying to compute it, as a young child with limited knowledge about death and dying.
My 6-year old is aware that contracting the virus could potentially mean death. I needed to tell her the truth about death and that there is hope at the end of it.
I visited a few of my favorite online resources for tips on how to start that conversation. Here is what I’ve learnt:
Preparation is important
Consider introducing the topic of death before a beloved pet or loved one dies. This gives your child some time to process the information in a calm way, without needing to deal with any other emotions at the same time. One website gave a great example of using cut flowers to help explain the concept of the life and death cycle.
When placing the flowers in water, you can talk about how full of life, bright and vibrant they are. Once they start wilting, you can talk about how the body is also not designed to live forever. Reiterating that our physical bodies can die due to various causes such as accidents, diseases (like the coronavirus) and old age. You may also want to distinguish between a “big sick” (Cancer etc) and a “small sick” (the flu). This will set your child’s mind at ease the next time you have the sniffles.
Tell the truth
It is in our nature, as parents, to want to protect our child from the harsh realities of this world. But knowledge is power. One website suggests not using fluffy names for death, dying, died and dead. I’ve often made up little stories to help protect them from the truth (eg. aunty so-and-so is on holiday in heaven) but by giving them the correct terminology and the correct understanding of the concept you are empowering your child to better deal with the situation.
Avoid using euphemisms like “sleeping” or “with the angels”. You will also need to explain that death is permanent and not temporary. You must be prepared to have an ongoing conversation about this as they reach new levels of revelation on the topic.
Talk about feelings Normalise feelings of sadness and grief by sharing your own experiences and feelings. In fact, be as vocal about it as possible (“I feel so sad that Grandma died”). This gives your child (especially boys, who may try to act tough and not show grief) permission to feel all their feelings. AND – more importantly – it gives them an outlet to express it in a healthy way.
I always try to end off the conversation with a message of hope or peace. I will also bring Jesus into the conversation and talk about God being our comforter. My conversation would go something along the lines of: “isn’t it amazing that God says that He is our comforter? So even now, when we’re feeling sad, God says He will be especially close to us, to help us feel better.”
Is Heaven real?
You would probably want to answer questions relating to heaven according to your own beliefs. I believe that God is real and that He promises us life after death, so I will be sharing that with my child. As a Christian, a conversation regarding death is a great way to teach your child more about Jesus. His life and death on earth was God’s way of giving us eternal life in heaven.
Even though the body dies on earth, the spirit lives on, in the presence of God – free of pain. My child will learn that we have a living hope through our relationship with God. She will also learn that we are offered life, after death, if we make a decision to partner with Him. I love that we are guaranteed to see each other again, in heaven – what a wonderful reunion that will be!
“We are more than dust… that means something. We are more than just blood and emotions, inklings and notions, atoms over oceans.” – Brooke Fraser, ‘Hosea’s Wife’
References:
How to talk to your kids about death and heaven
Crosswalk: How to talk to your kids about death
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Mommy, what happened to your tummy?
“Ew mommy, what happened to your tummy?” my little girl asked me, while keeping me company in the bathroom. Apparently I need supervision while I shower. Mind you, I knew the day would come when my kids would start paying attention to body parts. I just didn’t expect that MY body would be the first point of interest.
If I were to be sincerely honest – and I plan to be, because this blog is my therapy space – her question totally and completely devastated me. I mean, to say it nicely: it made me feel lekker junk.
It made me feel junk because, I mean, who has lus to hear about their flaws, and from their own offspring nogals.
But, it also made me feel junk because you kinda expect your child to think that you are a superhero (until they are 14 and detest the way you chew you food). I didn’t want my 6 year old to see me as weak or flawed, I guess.
Anyways… as this, and a billion other things (like: “dammit I need to go on that onion diet”) run through my head in a matter of seconds, I had to come up with a wise response to madam’s question.
Our conversation went something like this:Karis: Ew, mommy what happened to your tummy?!
Me: My tummy looks like this because I’ve had FOUR babies in it!
Karis: Is that alot?
Me: Well, yes, can you think of another mommy who has had four babies in her tummy?
Karis: (trying to calculate) Uhhhhhh no…
Me: There are many different ways to become a mommy, but not many mommy’s have had four babies in their own tummy’s. So yes, it’s alot. (Me trying to not sound defensive lol)
Karis: But mommy, I’ve seen other mommy’s who have tummy’s like yours too and I don’t think they’ve had four babies in it.
Me: That’s because a mommy’s tummy is a magical place… even if she’s only had 1 baby in it!
Karis: (scrunching her nose) Is that why your tummy is so big?
Me: Yes! Because a baby has to grow and live in a mummy’s time for a long time before it comes out! So that’s why my tummy is so fluffy.
(Can we all take a moment to collectively laugh at the fact that I called my tummy “fluffy”)
Karis: (thinking)
Me: (bracing myself for questions about how babies get into tummy’s in the first place)
Karis: Mommy
Me: Yes babes (trying to quickly put on a t-shirt before homegirl asks me why my boobs are so saggy lol)
Karis: I think I also want to have four babies one day…
Me: (burst into a flood of tears, as I rock back and forth, on the floor in fetal position)
Kidding. But I did have a moment of intense pride. And it totally did kick the butt of my insecurity. The conversation reminded me that I am the blueprint… If I want my daughter to love her body, I need to show her that I love mine. These days I am a lot more mindful about what I speak over myself, especially when I am around her.
My body – your body – is a gift. God’s grand design. I want her to grow up knowing that no matter how toned or not toned her ab muscles are, or how jiggly her thighs are or how wide her hips are… she is His precious masterpiece and her body was created with purpose and beauty in mind.
So that’s my reminder to you today my friend. You are a masterpiece. Fluffy tummy and all
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Whats up with Whatsapp? 8 simple points to help you understand.
Okay everybody calm down. Hold up. Let’s all take a collective “wooosahhhhh”. Rub those earlobes Susan… we’ve decided that we’re not going to freak out. Okay? I know you’re all wondering “whats up with Whatsapp?!” I mean, the aunties in our chat groups are telling us that the messaging app wants to steal our information and that we will lose access to the app from the 8 Feb. Hey, look at me! No freaking out, I said!
So, yes, it’s not a hoax, it’s a real thing. As of 8 February, Whatsapp will become unavailable to those not willing to accept their new terms of service.
“AAACK! What are the terms of service?!” I hear you shout out to me.
First all, I asked you to stay calm, Susan.
Secondly… do not fear, friends, I’m here to explain it to you in – uhhh – mummy terms. (I call it “mummy terms” because “dummy terms” is rude and we will not tolerate that kind of language around here, young lady.)
Anyways, here’s what’s happening, in point form: - Whatsapp is changing its terms of service.
This means that they are being transparent with regards to what their future plans are. - Functionally speaking, little will change for existing Whatsapp users.
This means that you will still beable to use the app, and enjoy the end-to-end encrypted chatting that it offers (as in, they are not outhere reading your messages). - The change is to create an integration between Whatsapp and Facebook, making it easier for businesses who use Whatsapp, to make use of the Facebook infrustructure.
This means that businesses and their clients, will have more options with regards to how they shop on the Facebook and Whatsapp platforms. The two will be linked. - Facebook has owned Whatsapp since 2014 by the way.
This means that Whatsapp and Facebook have been in partnership for a long time. This isn’t a new agenda. - If you’re a Facebook/Google user, you’ve been sharing your data already. It’s not a new thing.
This means that apps have always used your data to manage the type of services they offer, advertising and even how they go about growing their corporations. - So if you’re ditching Whatsapp because privacy is an issue for you, you should probably delete every other app you’re registered on.
- If you’re still uncomfy with Whatsapp, you could switch to Telegram or Signal, but you would need to ask your friends and family to switch too.
- Oh and last tip, instead of relying on family chat groups to provide you with information, rather rely on verified/trusted sources of information.
With that said, you can can check out more about the above over here:
- Whatsapp is changing its terms of service.
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2021: Grateful
Much like the rest of the world, I start off each year with a new motto/word/vision… because, in a nutshell, my aim is to not end the year the exact same way I started it.
I mean, how morbid would that be? This isn’t a season of Bold and Beautiful, you know, where we never age and we basically live out the same storylines over and over until Brooke steals our husband.
Life – God’s glorious design – is filled with bumpy rides and smooth roads with the sole purpose of, well, adding some scenery to our journey on earth. Sometimes a change in route is all that is needed to change the course of your journey. (Ooh I should tweet that).
Anyways, cryptic life lessons aside, my lesson, after the whole 2020 shpiel, is that I have so much to be thankful for. And that is why my word for 2021 is GRATEFUL.
Yoh, I’m so grateful to still be alive, you guys! Despite all the stuff I don’t have (like a mansion, a private yacht, abdominal muscles) I have so much to be thankful for (like my health, my kiddos, a job, all my own teeth).
I told you guys about the friends and family members that we had lost last year (9 in total). It would be a crying shame if their deaths did not have an impact on me. But, instead of focusing on the loss, I’m focusing on all of God’s goodness. God’s kindness is unfailing – even in death, even in sickness, even in the middle of a pandemic.
I am so thankful!
And to remind myself that I have a lot to be grateful about, I would like to give back, every month this year. It will be my monthly reminder to count my blessings! 2021 Grateful will be a year of reflection and a year of blessings!
I want to be a blessing to other families. And I want to shine the Father’s love into other peoples lives, even if it’s in a small way. Like I said, we (you and I) have so much to be thankful for. We are blessed to be a blessing to others.
So, if you’re feeling me G, I’d like to encourage you to do the same. Find someone new to bless every month this year. Allow this to shift and change your mindset, especially when you find yourself thinking about everything that you’re lacking. And remind yourself of God’s provision and that despite all the negatives in the world, you still have so much positives going for you.
Okay, so this is the game plan for 2021 Grateful:- Find a person/family that you would like to bless/help each month
- Put together your gift (whether it be money/grocery’s/a pair of shoes for a homeless person, a blanket during winter. You don’t have to break the bank!)
- Include a note, letting them know that God loves them and that they are amazing
- Make sure they get the gift, but, try to do the drop off anonymously
- Don’t post about it on the socials because no one needs to know
Are you up for the challenge? I hope so!
2021 will not end the same way it began. We are able to change lives and spread a little bit of kindness and love, albeit it one family or food parcel at a time.
Header image taken by Cutepix Photography
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2020: The year that never was
Some would argue that it’s a bit too late to write a “year in review” post, since it’s day 3 into the new year already. Also, we are over 2020. There, I said it. I mean, 2020 is as tired as faux fur sliders. Some would even call 2020 “the year that never was” because it was so elusive and devastating. Much like faux fur sliders. But I digress…
Regardless of how I feel about 2020, a “year in review” post is a must! Well, because I am a creature of habit and changing this particular habit is not one of the goals on my 2021 list. (Whaaaaat).
Anyways, enough chit chat… are you ready for my annual “here’s what happened last year” blog montage? Legoooooo!
Recap of 2020January
Ag yinne, how cute we were in January, with our “this is MY year” and “new year, new me!” mantras. Let’s be honest shall we? This year kicked our little butts.
Blogwise, I started the year off with sweet anecdotes about how I plan to, you know, have the best year ever! You can check them out over here and here. The month wasn’t without it’s fair share of the usual helpful banter. You can read all about my tips on how to pump (breastmilk) successfully at work here, and find out how I usually prepare for my December festivities in January over here.
February
My maternity leave came to an end in February and boy was I happy! I guess I was tired of trying to work from home, with kids running around, stealing my attention. Can we quickly take a minute to laugh at this notion, because it would soon because the reality of almost every single working mama in, pretty much, the world! Anyways, I wrote a little ode to the end of maternity leave, and also gave you guys some tips on how to do a valentine date night from the comfort of your home (another quick laugh – I mean, how prophetic, right?).
We got a bit controversial with my “Do you have a favorite child” post, and I shared my thoughts on how to communicate with your spouse. We also started our Faith over Fear series in February. (I know.)
March
The Faith over Fear series continued with two really thought provoking entries over here and here. Soon thereafter, the Covid-19 poo hit the metaphorical fan and I was in a glass cage of emotion. I mean, half of me was like, nahhh we’ll be okay. And the other half was as jittery as a cockroach on the kitchen counter, when the light is switched on. (I know, what a visual, you’re welcome). Anyways, I wrote my first Covid post here.
Quickly followed up with a home school resources post, and then a unique Easter hunt post, because I knew that I was struggling to keep things as normal as possible for my kids and wanted to help you guys figure things out too. Oh and I wanted to entertain you, so here’s a whole post about my teenage crush. Mind you, March is my birthday month and not a single birthday related post in site. What is this life?!
April
During the heart of our very first lockdown experience, I realised how privileged I was to have things like Wifi and running water and more than 1 bedroom available for my family, during a time where the whole country was restricted to the confines of their home. I also realised how ignorant I had been about my privilege until that point. I repented.
In an attempt to keep some semblance of normal, I also shared a lekker recipe with you (it’s one that my Ouma shared with me) and tried to do a bit of a storytime (my attempt at distracting you) by telling you guys all about a smiling boy who kinda ended my childhood, without evening knowing it, when I was 12.
May
May was the start of my undoing. People were dying, due to Covid-19, and I didn’t lus to be perky and chipper anymore. I pushed through and told you guys about the lockdown lessons that I’ve learnt thus far. That was pretty much it.
June
In June we tried to be normal. A helpful post about slowing down in order to enjoy time with our kids and one about celebrating a birthday when you’re stuck at home was all that I could muster up.
July
July was more or less the same shpiel. At this point I was kinda tired of being a WAHM. I mean, it’s flippen hard to parent and work all at the same time. Goodness me! I did write a post about talking to your kids about career. Oh and I shared my Covid-19 testing experience. That was pretty much all I could churn out, as I battle with my own health and mourn the loss of someone close to our family. Little did I know that this was the first of 9 losses we would experience this year.
August
Asher’s first birthday photoshoot…. basically some light in the middle of thick darkness. But, I mean, are those baby cheeks not the sweetest in the world?! Do yourself a favor and check out this post.
September
I had a cheeky moment (it’s hard to be cheeky when people around you are mourning) so I wrote a post titled “Pregnant Again” which is basically a love letter to all the fun peeps who constantly remind me to make sure that I don’t fall pregnant again. I mean, what would I do without them? Such a selfless service they offer me, and at no cost too! #blessed
October
Ooh look at her, posting a whole four blog posts in October! It’s not that things were getting better… I guess I just got better at dealing with it. Okay so my first post in October was all about being a peacemaker and not a turmoil seeker… because (and I quote) “putting your pride and ego aside is a lot more exciting than holding on to your boring resentment.”
I also told you guys all about how I have been managing my “social media/really kaas year” posting. I am a firm believer in spreading peace, kindness and positivity. So even though it had been a tough few months, I tried not to let my platforms turn into a morbid sludge of depression. So ya, the post “My social media is a lie” was all about that.
Oh and not one, but two recipes! Look at that! One is for lekker Instant Pot creamy pasta and the other is for really delish broccoli sprout pesto.
November And then the Covid-19 rollercoaster of emotions caught up with me again and it all got a much in November, hence a post titled: Four funerals and a wedding.
December
I wrote an ode to 2020, basically talking about how much of a flop this year has been. I mean, ,at the end of the year, it’s compulsory to take out your achievements and admire them as you give yourself a pat on the back. This year, no achievements, no admiration and definitely no pats on the back. Although, hey, if you count being alive as an achievement then heck yeah, we made it, friends!
I ended the year with one of my favorite Covid-10 posts to date (never thought I’d ever use the words “favorite” and “covid” in one sentence). This post is basically all about the Covid-19 theories that are flooding our social media timelines and the ONE TRUTH that I know about coronavirus. It’s a goodie. See it here.
So ya, my final post will give you a glimpse into what I’m expecting for this year. As for the blog… I realise that I’ve been quiet. I plan to remedy that in 2021! If you have any blog post suggestions that you’d like to send to me… send away girl! Mama needs some inspiration.
BTW if you’re not following me on the socials, you totes can (if you want) (no pressure) (please say yes) (I’d appreciate it) because I share a lot of updates and even some giveaways there, that may not make it to the blog. You can follow me over here:
My beautiful header image was taken by Michelle of CutePix Photography!
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One truth about Covid-19
I’m convinced, we love drama. I mean, if you consider the amount of fake news and Covid-19 conspiracies that frequent our Whatsapp broadcasts and Facebook timelines, you kinda have to wonder who is writing the script for this nonsense. (It’s posted on Facebook so it MUST be the truth. *insert eye roll*)
If we had to be honest with ourselves we’d admit that at this point we kinda don’t know what to believe when it comes to coronavirus. Are the stats even real? Wasn’t it created by the Chinese government? Bill Gates wants to control our minds, right?
Dunno.
But there is ONE single truth that I DO know about Covid-19 and I thought to share it with you, as we enter into a new season/new year.
Before I tell you my one truth, here is an example of some of the Covid-19 theories that are making it’s rounds on our social media feeds.
We blame the 5G for coronaNow, I know that the whole 5G debate is up in the air. For those not in the know, conspiracy theorist, Barrie Trower, says that 5G is to blame for the rapid spread of Covid-19. Barrie says that even though scientists have confirmed that Covid-19 is transmitted via respiratory droplets, he disagrees and believes that the virus is being spread through 5G waves. How low income countries (such as Iran) who have no 5G towers have managed to get the virus, I guess is an unimportant factor. Moving on.
Steam clean the virus away
So apparently the virus sits in your nasal capacities before it is transferred to your immune system. Well, that is what some of the medical experts, with no medical degree, on my Facebook timeline has told me. Sounds legit. The virus can be killed on surfaces, with very hot water (about 70°C) AND chemicals. If the steam theory was accurate, your would need to then steam with extremely hot water, in order to kill the virus. Bringing hot water into close contact with your face doesn’t feel like a good idea to me. It only takes 3 seconds of exposure to 60°C water to cause a serious burn injury.
The virus was created in a lab
The scientists that flood my social media timelines all agree that the virus definitely was created in a lab. They have it on good report. Now, despite the fact that it has signs of a “zoonotic” origin (that means it has an animal origin, not an artificial one). And despite the fact that bats and rodents have actually given us Ebola, rabies, SARS and Mers, it still makes sense to believe the Covid-19 was created in a lab. Because… well, soma just. Also, its the darn Chinese people out to get us. I mean, I don’t have answers for you. But I do know that our brilliant friends, in the East, are able to manufacture just about anything. So it makes sense. Kinda.
Wearing a mask makes you sickSome of my fun friends over in the USA are so upset about wearing a mask in public that they’ve decided to boycott the mask altogether. They believe that wearing a mask makes you sick. They also believe that wearing a mask for extended periods will increase carbon dioxide intake.
In response to this, scientists and other clever people have pointed out that the cloth masks that we wear in public is very breathable, there is no risk of hypoxia (lowered oxygen levels) and carbon dioxide diffuses freely through the fabric. And hey, health care workers have worn masks for extended periods of time, for years, with no risk to their health. But, alas, my fun friends feel like that’s not the point and that wearing a mask is even more detrimental to your health than the actual virus.
Covid-19 doesnt exist
This is my most favorite theory of them all. Oh, to live in a world where Covid-19 doesn’t exist, would be the best gift of 2021! So the general plot is that global elitest are using this idea of a pandemic, to take away our freedom. It’s just flu… you aren’t even getting thaaat sick. You’re just panicking. Basically, all you need to do is steam and drink Vitamin C and rest and you’ll be A-Ok. But don’t buy into the hype. Because Covid-19 doesn’t exist. The cause of all the supposed Covid deaths is not even coronavirus related. It’s a hoax or a ploy of the government. But it’s not real, okay? Well that’s the general train of thinking, when you’re on Team Covid, What Covid?
The one truth
Honestly, my friends, just like you, I don’t know what the heck to believe anymore. Is it the government’s plot to try to control us? I don’t know. Does Bill Gates want to use the vaccine to implant a chip into our bodies? I have no idea. Is this World War 3? Dunno.
But here’s the one truth about Covid-19 that I CAN share with you: Covid-19 cannot steal your victory.
I mean, first of all, Covid-19 is not a death sentence. In fact, more people have survived the virus, than those who have succumbed to it. Is it deadly? Uh, heck yes. But does it change the fact that your life has purpose? No.
You are not doomed. Your family is not destined to tragedy. This won’t be the end of you.
Practice wisdom, yes, but you don’t need to tip toe into 2021, with fear and gloom as your portion. Run victoriously into the new year, remembering all of the GOOD that you’ve witnessed and experienced in 2020. Run with eager expectation that 2021 will be a better year yet. And run with the knowledge that Covid-19 does not determine what type of outcome you and your family will have.Peace is a commodity. Hope is a necessity. Faith is a life line and clinging to God, during this period will help you to find peace, hope and faith when you need it the most.
At the end of the day, friends, God didn’t promise that we would be without trials or tribulations. I mean, death is a given. But he did promise that when the poo hits the fan, He will make it all work together for our good and for the good of our families. This means that no matter what happens (be it sickness or death) it doesn’t mean that we are destined to live a crappy life of hopelessness and despair.
If you let Him in, He promises to turn your pain into beauty and your tragedy into victory. Victory is your portion… and nothing can take that away from you. Not even the coronavirus. And that’s the one truth about Covid-19 that I’m hanging on to.
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An ode to 2020
There are so many things that I wanted to accomplish in 2020. I had jotted it down in my diary, in January, planning events and strategies way in advance. You know mos – spreadsheet brain, and what not.
But, alas, as fate would have it, 2020 would be that drunk uncle at family gatherings. You know, the one that starts out all cheerful and chipper, and then later causes havoc and destruction. Kidding. Let’s not blame an actual year for all the poo that we’ve had to endure. We blame the coronavirus. 2020 is just an innocent bystander.
Anyways, blame games and finger pointing aside… it’s been a rather rough past few months. 2020 has been a journey, ya’ll.
Some may liken this journey to a pensive trip abroad – you know, ‘eat, pray, love’ vibes. Challenging, but reflective. A moment to ponder on the wonders and beauty of life. Also, a time to binge-watch Netflix shows, while eating baked goods.
For others, the journey through 2020 has been rough. Clinging to a life raft, during high tide, in the rain, oh and there are sharks, rough. Businesses closed down. Lives were lost. And no amount of baked goods could fix the heartache. Not even the type with the cream cheese frosting.
As I contemplate on 2020, I find myself somewhere in the middle.
We’ve had to say goodbye to so many people whose lives were closely intertwined with ours. Grief (even second hand grief) makes it hard to function as you normally would. I kinda gave up on nailing those goals that I had penned in January. I barely blogged, did a kaas job at homeschooling and I picked up so much weight, that my jeans ripped. (Nope, that’s not a metaphor). In many ways I feel like I took a couple of steps back.And, real talk: my failed accomplishments make me feel like a complete loser.
Madam Sucky Suck. Lady Flop-Alot. Queen of the Loser Brigade. You get the gist.Anyways, I almost ended my year on this absolutely sour note.
And then I remembered one important thing…I’m still alive!
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world have lost their lives in 2020. We’re still alive, my friend! I’m alive! And I’m so thankful for that.
It would be completely and totally foolish, ignorant and obnoxious of me to rattle off a string of superficial things that I did not achieve, when life itself is a gift.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that making it out of 2020, with an opportunity to start all over again, is all the accomplishment I need.
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Christmas Gift Idea: Thomas & Friends Walking Bridge
If you’re looking to score “Cool Mom Points” this Christmas (I mean, who isn’t? Cool Mom Points are the only points I want!) then you totes should consider adding this cool Thomas and Friends Walking Bridge to your Christmas gift ideas list.
I mean, besides for Thomas being a really cool, timeless toy engine that everybody loves, the walking bridge is rather rad, Brad!
With the Fisher-Price® Thomas & Friends™ Walking Bridge train set, little engineers can use this super-cool addition to Sodor to help Thomas cross the broken bridge. When Thomas, or any other motorized engine, rolls onto the bridge, it walks to the other side (Other engines sold separately and subject to availability). Kids can also use the levers to reveal trap doors that send Thomas racing under the bridge and around more than 6 feet of reconfigurable track.This phenom gift set comes complete with more than 6 feet of track. It’s compatible with Thomas & Friends™ TrackMaster™ track sets to create limitless Sodor adventures! (Track sets sold separately and subject to availability.)
My genius idea (all Cool Moms get these genius ideas now and then…. embrace it) is to set the track up under the tree on Christmas morning. Can you imagine Jonah’s expression when he runs to the tree to find this stunning track waiting for him? Karis enjoyed checking it out for me. Her words were:You can pick this set up at any participating retailer. Check out more about it here on the Fisher Price website.This was a paid collab with Brand Alley.
