I recently bought an adorable around town bike that I spent WEEKS thinking about. I wanted a bike that I *wanted* to ride so that I WOULD ride it. But I was nervous because I live in a very hilly town. Lots of sharp, steep ups and downs. And I HATE climbing. HATE IT. I can't express enough how much I hate it. So last week I decided to go for my first "errand" ride. I calculated the safest, least hilly route and off we went. And I had to walk at the very first hill. And pretty much any uphill after that. I'm so demoralized. But am VERY impressed with your achievement. If I manage to convince myself to get back on my cute bike, hopefully I'll get better and will also be able to post some achievements someday.
I started advocating in these ways when I started walking around town with a stroller. For the first time I was looking at sidewalks and streets through a new lens, and I discovered that the way things were, wasn't okay. It doesn't take a lot of time to take a picture with my phone and email the appropriate people with the picture when I get home. Sometimes something gets done, and sometimes I'm probably just annoying someone.
I'm about to start bike commuting for the first time in my adult life and I fully expect this advocate hat to get a whole new kind of workout.
I hear the rain has been EPIC. A friend of mine lives in Fremont at the base of an empty hill and posted some video of the water just rushing down it, completely flattening the grass and basically trying to flood their house. I hope it ends soon.
Also, I'm in love with your children. :-)
You look like you're having FUN in the picture! That's the important part, right? Happy Birthday!
You know...I've been *really* conflicted about having another baby. There are a hundred things that I start to stress about. Managing more little bodies, and car seats, and plane tickets (we live nowhere near any of our friends or families). But then I read this. And I melt. Because, how beautiful are siblings?
What a great idea! And friendlier than the "LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU" that my Italian mother was fond of screaming at me. :-)
I love the little raccoon hangy-thing, and the flowers in the birdcage! It's all adorable. More food is better than less food when there's a party, right? I'm glad you had fun with it!
Happy Birthday Truman and Sawyer! And Momma, too!
I saw that pic and thought, "OMG, I LOVE it." In an, I-could-NEVER-do-that sort of way. More an artistic way. Kind of in an 80's fashion way. Maybe?
I have so many friends that have joined WW lately...I've been so resistant to it, but I hear all these success stories and I think, "Well, maybe it's what might be the change*I* need. I type this while eating McDonalds...
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Tannis 
Opus