Five Simple Things (June 13)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These fireworks.

The Strawberry Festival was June 5-8 this year and we always do two things every year. Skylar and I go through the House of Mirrors together and we get a lemonade slushy. I don't like large crowds and the fireworks sounds get to us, so we don't stick around long. We do like our two traditions, and that is just fine with us.

2. This watermelon.

Along with strawberries being in season here it's also watermelon season. The stranglehold that summer fruits and berries have on me every year will never let up.

3. This news.

The Goodnewspaper has been a reading staple in our house for several years now. When politics were starting to get out of hand and mostly negative information being posted almost every day starting in 2016 I had to find a better outlet for the exposure to so much negative news. In our house we believe in the statement than everyone is equal to the next regardless of skin color, sexuality, and even political differences. But when those political differences target a group, it's no longer political, it's discrimination. The Goodnewspaper brings in all good news from around the world without making any one group feel marginalized. You can subscribe to this monthly, old school-type newsprint here. It comes in your mail and brings in some of the best stories from around the globe. I also post good news links on my Blue Sky profile. Every day I post 12 stories from around the world that bring in a bit of hope to a bleak world right now.

4. This list.

So proud!

5. These socks.

Anything with honey bees. Always.

One last thing:

We attended the No Kings protest near us this past week, and it was the first time I had attended any sort of protest. I am untrusting of our current government, and people around us who are okay with the current administration haven't said or done enough to convince me that they should be trusted. Not to mention, I wouldn't trust the judgment of those who are for the current administration on anything, anyway. Their logic is lost on the person over the party, and protesting that alone has given me a lot of pride in knowing we are definitely not alone. One main reason I have turned my back on the current government is the comments Trump made about the California wildfires. With our own people from Oregon being sent to help, he claimed, "Not a token of defense being made." What leader, or even a person put in charge of leading a nation, would even remotely make a comment like that? It is disgusting to know that people are proudly and without any reservations throwing on "Women for Trump" hats and "Make America Great Again" shirts and justifying these comments. Trump's hate of blue states not only affects those who vote blue, but it also affects those who vote red. But the people supporting this administration and making excuses for comments, especially the ones about first responders, are demonstrating stupidity in its highest form. They don't even see how supporting these statements from a man who has never even picked up a water hose to water a plant is a form of shooting themselves in their own foot. The types of behavior that are being allowed by people who voted in that direction are appalling. There is no way in hell these people would be okay with any of this had it been flipped in the opposite direction. The Trump family has gained a significant amount of money in the time he has been in office, and that fact alone should anger anyone. The "Don't Tread on Me" crowd has really become the "Tread on me any chance you get" It's disgusting, embarrassing, and disgraceful. I don't like to talk about politics on my blog, but speaking out about the corruption that is happening within our own country right now is the best approach. You're either speaking out against it, or you are on the wrong side of history and pretending not to understand for your "guy."

Skylar used the opportunity to write up an article for The Commuter Magazine at Linn Benton Community College. There was one guy standing across the street in a MAGA hat and shirt and Skylar went over to get his side of things. The guy said he was there just to make sure that no one started destroying property and were actually protesting peacefully. I found his view of our protest very obtuse and definitely mentality from listening to the current administration trying to drive a wedge between people. You can read Skylar's article here.

It was a great day and everyone stood up for their constitutional rights and it felt good to be part of something instead of just sitting by and complaining about how bad it has gotten since Trump took his second term. There were a lot of Trumps supporters that have now turned their back on his policies and attitude that were protesting with us. The No Kings protests aren't because we feel there will be a king in the United States again, but because of Trump's attitude about how he and others view our country. I would be incredibly ashamed if I still supported someone like him that doesn't even know what it's like to put gas in a vehicle, buy a gallon of milk, or even walk through a National Park, or go camping. The people that still support someone like him and think he knows what it's like to live like the middle class, or upper middle class, has no idea what they stand for then. Not to mention, those below those classes. I feel everyone should have the opportunity to live a good life, no matter where they fall on the social class spectrum.

Jeff Gates created this great poster for the No Kings protests. His artwork and features were perfect for the occasion.

I reposted this on my Instagram story. It is the streets of Portland, Oregon, and those standing up for what they believe in and protesting a dysfunctional government. The energy in these protests are incredible! If you never been part of something like this, January 6 doesn't count, then I highly recommend it. Peacefully protesting, no matter what MAGA people claim, doesn't include breaking into the Capitol and taking a shit on the floor, and threatening to hang the vice president.

My dad sent us a text to let us know that he was going to gather in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and attend the No Kings protests there. I am so proud to come from the background of two hardworking American people that stand up for my rights as a woman, stand up for the rights of gays, transgenders, and every single person being targeted by hate from the MAGA population backed by a racist, bigoted, selfish, discriminator currently occupying the White House. And every single one of the people in his administration that are unqualified to do their jobs, and the exact definition of DEI hires.

Positive affirmations this week:

Live your truth. Don't ever shrink yourself down to fit into a group of people. You only get this one life. Don't waste it on trying to be something you aren't around people that aren't even being themselves around you.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (June 6)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This doggy.

The best doggy!

2. These bags.

Getting our garden going. I am trying out of plan that my dad mentioned. It seems to be working well so far.

3. This breakfast.

Not feeling that great this week, so meals in bed it is for a bit. Hopefully, it passes soon. I am immunocompromised, so when people don't cover their coughs or sneezes, and don't wash their hands, it affects people like me. Just a quick reminder, wash you hands frequently and stop coughing and sneezing on people.

4. These stickers.

With a new laptop comes stickers on the cover. Here is the lineup I plan on using. One of the fun things about stickers is, you're never too old to use them. Life is short, display what you love.

5. This kitty.

She always stays with me when I am not feeling well. Maybe she was a nurse or doctor in a past life. She watches over me and follows me to the bathroom. Her bedside manner is perfect!

One last thing:

This week was the last week for this cool kid. He is going through finals and I have high hopes for him to pass them all with great marks! Paint me proud!

There was also a Pride event at Linn Benton Community College this week. Skylar picked up some swag from the event. I love the Rocky the Roadrunner items. The Pride flags are awesome!

Positive affirmations this week:

I saw this message this week and it really hit me. Children are not given a chance to be themselves and allowed to feel their own feelings. I think a lot of the older generation, as they were growing up, weren't allowed to feel things. So, as they got older they didn't know how to regulate their emotions in a healthy way and that reflected onto their own kids, and then on their grandkids. The disfunction continued until one generation finally said, "enough!" Allowing ourselves and our children to be more human and feel what they feel allows them and us to regulate them when the time comes that they are spiked. Punishing kids, and ourselves for having feelings is a horrible way to process them. It's okay to be sad, it's okay to be mad, and it's okay to feel anything. A lot of times I see the older generations even get upset at their grandchildren for being happy at times they don't think they should be happy. To me, that is disfunction to the very core of their existence. We, as parents, can do better and not allow past disfunction to dictate our feelings. Feel what you feel and allow those around you to feel what they feel, too.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (May 30)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These items.

Kiwi Eco Box came this week and it was packed with good things, as always. The Triloka incense cones with the glass burner was a nice surprise. I also love the canvas and mesh bags. Kiwi Eco Box is owned by Ukrainian sisters, and each month I love that I can support them, and Ukraine.

2. This sticker.

This sensory sticker was part of Skylar's swag bag from Spring Fest at Linn Benton Community College. I love how simple, yet beneficial it is. Skylar let me have it and I have is stuck near my laptop keyboard to remind me to breathe and relax from time to time. Having anxiety in many forms, breathing helps in tough situations. Here are similar ones here.

3. This kid.

More days of seeing Skylar off to class. I just love these days!♥

4. This pizza.

We tried the Costco pizza this week. It was decent. We had to season ours with some Italian Seasoning, but overall, it is alright, especially for the price.

5. This swag.

This swag was from Spring Fest at Linn Benton Community College that Skylar went to this week. Spring Fest at LBCC is an event, sort of like a welcome event, but they hold it in spring to welcome new students to the campus. Skylar being part of the Commuter Magazine for the college, he attended to promote the Commuter. He stood at the Commuter table and passed out information on students wanting to get involved with the Commuter. This was all of his swag he picked up that day. One of the items being the sensory sticker I mentioned above.

One last thing:

I love Starbuck's Cheese Danishes, but I wanted to see if I could duplicate that same taste quickly at home. Starbuck's is a wonderful place to go from time to time, but it does add up in price. My go-to is the Vanilla Chai Latte and the warmed Cheese Danish, but let's make it healthier. I experimented a little bit before getting it right. We did still eat the mistakes, but this the the recipe that works for us. You can tweak it a bit to suit your taste, however.

Quick Cheese Danish

8 oz. cream cheese, softened [I used Organic Valley]

1/2 cup sugar [I used organic granulated sugar]

2 teaspoon lemon juice [I used organic Santa Cruz]

3/4 teaspoons vanilla paste [I used Simply Organic]

2 cans crescent rolls [I used Immaculate]

Preheat your oven to the temperature that the crescent roll container states. If you are using the Immaculate brand, it is 375 degrees. Pop your crescent rolls, and lay them flat. Attach two triangles to make a square. Smash them together, but not too flat. Use a rolling pin if needed. Lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and set aside. In a stand mixer mix cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and paste together until smooth. Taste to make sure it suits your taste. I always use a bit more lemon juice, almost two tablespoons, but start with two teaspoons and work up to make sure you don't get it too sour for your taste. The mixture will lose a bit of the sour taste as it bakes, so play around with what works for you and your pallet. 

Spread the mixture over the crescent rolls and leave a bit of space on the edges. I like to fold up the edges just a bit to hold the mixture in the middle, but you don't have to do that part. I also do not make a glaze to go on top, but that is a personal choice, as well. Spread evenly across the crescent roll top. Bake for 11 to 14 minutes, or until the edges of the Danishes turn a golden brown. Allow to cool a bit before serving. They are delicious hot.

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Positive affirmations this week:
Maybe you need this reminder, maybe not, but life isn't a race. You aren't too old, you aren't running out of time, and you aren't in a race. The only person you should be competing with every day is yourself. A lot of people lost sight on what's important and appreciating where you are in life's journey is the most important thing in life. Even if you want to be somewhere else in your path, give it time and get there with a smile, rather than a frown. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. Let it come to you in time. You are going to change the world!
You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.