From Thread to Blanket

Family hike in Port Gamble

I'll get back to cruise updates eventually. I had a few hiccups, but now I have a new computer to fill in some gaps and get back to writing more regularly. Yeah!

We spent all winter making memories and now we slide back into the usual, hectic, day to day shuffle of school, work, and nostalgia.

Christmas Day, 2019

 This whole family and parenting thing isn't something 20-something me would have dreamed up. It's truly tested the philosphies I've absorbed and created for my life.

It's hard sometimes. It's gritty. It kind of reminds of a rich well tailored, aged glass of wine. I was never going to be with someone in the military or in law enforcement - and I married a submariner who isn't looking to retire until 2030. But he is not his job. That's just his job. He is a remarkable guy who manages to make it easier to be myself while at the same time fully supporting every new adventure or idea. Occasionally he's the voice of reason.  He sees life the same way I do - as a big adventure. And your family are the people who travel along with you.

And I'm glad to be his choosen family.

Japanese Heritage Festival, Jan. 2020

A long time ago, when I struggled and panicked with The Impossible Girl's condition, a nurse once confessed she didn't know much about girls born with ovarian cysts, especially her size. I explained that I was diagnosed with them since I was 19 and she immediately said, "Oh! Great! You're the perfect mother for her then," a lit of relief in her voice.

She had no idea I needed those words that day - but I clung to them - and still do when I'm tempted not to trust my instincts.

The Impossible Girl keeps me on my toes like I never though possible. And I have the right village around to help me help her through life. It doesn't mean I'm a perfect person or a perfect parent. It just means that as long as I'm trusting my gut, we'll all be okay.

Feb. 2020 

Our days are hectic. A usual week day he is already gone for work while I get the kiddo off to school and then hit work myself, until I go pick her up. Then we relax for a couple hours at home (well, I do chores, she relaxes) and then The Impossible Girl and I head into the Y around 3:30pm for 3 more hours of work for me, and 3 hours of Child Watch time for her. Then it's home and dinner and bedtime before 830pm. It's a pretty tight ship to run. Sometimes My Sailor is around in the afternoon/evenings, he takes over parenting in the evening/afternoon while I buzz back to the gym for that evening shift. Saturdays have become Daddy Daughter days when My Sailor isn't working. He spends the morning doing fun stuff with her. I come home from work and pretend not to be tired and we settle in for the rest of the day - or head out to do something fun together. 

Story time at Barnes and Noble, Feb 2020

Sunday is reserved for family day, since lately, we're all around for it. However, I've decided to honor that even when My Sailor can't join us. Family day we set off and do something fun outside as a family and Monday it starts all over again. Sometimes nerves get frayed. We feel things deeply. Emotions get big. It's easy to drown in the needs of the family and I'm still figuring out that tightrope balance between being a mother, a partner, a coach, and an athlete I can be proud of.

But each little thread of effort we make to stay connected - each bit of quality time we carve out - weaves the threads of our lives together into a blanket of warmth and security - no matter how close or far apart we are. 

Disney Cruise - A Bucket List Adventure for Christmas

It's been a few years since someone snatched my domain up when it expired and I'm glad to have it back and get back to blogging.

This Christmas I had the chance to do something amazing. Truely a bucket list item.

About 10 years I had set the goal that, if I can get down to that magic number on the scale and keep it there for a year, I would book a Disney Cruise. The Disney Cruise Line had just become a thing and, being the Disney fan that I am, I thought for sure it would be incentive enough to nail down my diet and fitness for life.

Well, over a decade, bodies change. Mine has. It's gotten smaller and bigger and currently sits somewhere in between. It's had a kid and qualified for National acclaim in Weightlifting. It went from sitting behind a desk coding medical charts to living in the gym training people to get stronger, more mobile, and meet their goals.

Needless to say, it's been a wild ride.

Regardless of the scale, when all the stars aligned, we jumped on this once in a lifetime oppurtunity.

A Disney Cruise over Christmas!

Vacation Pigtails in full effect!

It was a whirlwind of a week, but one that I'll never regret taking advantage of.

 It brought back a flood of my childhood that I never expected. More on that later on.

The trip itself was a huge whirlwind. We booked it about 3 weeks before the boat left. Since these types of trips are usually booked a year or more in advance, it was very last minute. Beanie Girl and My Sailor were able to get passports in time. I was allowed to cruise using my birth certificate and photo ID. We booked a Verandah room on a 7-Night Carribbean cruise (thanks to a steep Military Discount) and I'm so glad we did (though I'm sure and inside room would be fine for shorter cruises). We ended up spending a lot of hours on that balcony.

 This was the longest I'd be away from work since 2013 and that's a big deal when you're self employed. So I was nervous to say the least. I worked every single day leading up to the cruise from the day we booked it, while trying to coordinate getting passports, packing, obtaining last minute things (like formal gowns and "normal people" clothes, since I pretty much live in gym clothes and jeans here in the Pacific Northwest. Not exactly suitable for 85 degree weather.

But all the hassle was well worth it.

Ready to board the long flight to Houston.

LOTS of art supplies entertained her along the way.

  When we arrived in Houston, we ordered an Uber and took the hour plus drive around 1230am to our hotel in Galveston. The ride was hair-raising. 'Rosario' was supposed to drive us, but instead her dad did - apparently the split shifts since Rosario has a young child at home. Okay... About 45 minutes in, it was obvious our kind driver was trying to stay awake, drifting between lanes, etc. I was getting pretty nervous so I started as many conversations as I could think of with him just to keep  him awake. This was NOT how I wanted to die. Luckily, there was pretty much no traffic at that time of morning.  We made it and checked into the the Harbor House on Peir 21. It was about 5 blocks walk to the port from there, so it would be an easy morning.
  We got settled in the room by 2am and had to be checked out by noon the next day. So we made the MOST of that room, laying around in bed until the last minute. (I visited the breakfast room a few times to bring juices and food back for the clan.)

We were finally READY TO GO for day 1 of our cruise! To be continued.

Cropping Out a Patch of Honesty

Exploring Scenic State Beach Park, Jan 15, 2017

Tonight, My Sailor is in bed early, ready for a 3am wake up call in the morning. Beanie Girl is fast asleep after a busy day of egg hunting, walking (and being carried by mom, sans carrier or stroller... things I'll probably remember not to forget again...) about 3+ miles today and lots of time outside. She'd live outdoors if I could let her. And I'm up spending some quality time with a snoring old Boxer dog, one of my favorite old sci-fi shows, Firefly, and a my laptop.

I'm finally spending some time editing some long overdue photos, and a certain subject keeps cropping up. While I remain well motivated in #ProjectMakeWeight, these pictures tell an interesting story... There are a hundred little things in these photos that I'm sure she won't remember...

In this world of modern parenting, there is so much that seems to revolve around appearances. "Does a new baby have the perfect nursery?"
"Does the new kid have the perfect clothes?"
We add a few new pieces to her wardrobe, but 99% of her clothing are hand me downs from family, friends, and the local Buy Nothing Project.
"What?! You didn't have any maternity/newborn/monthly photos taken?!"
It's true. We haven't had a single professionally taken family photo, well, ever. Our adventures are documented through selfies and a camera one parent is behind. But I'd say so far, the results aren't half bad.

But in a world with perfection expected in every filtered instagram selfie, it's easier than ever to notice our physical flaws.Yes, I'm still working to shift the MomStrongBod into, well, whatever it's going to look like going forward, I'm just as tempted as the next person to crop out photos of me that I don't care for. For example, I see photos like this and see the 'flaws'. To most, these things often go unnoticed. But I see them. I see hair that hasn't been cut since December of 2015 (though that's likely to rectified this week) and can barely be brushed through. And Hello hips! Some photos show a bit of the battle of the pudge I'm still wrestling. But here's the truth - My mother probably noticed all the same things about herself... But I always thought she was beautiful. So, while I'm not keeping every half blinking photo, I do keep one or two in each file that I don't perhaps love of me. I'm keeping them for her. Because I want her fearless spirit to burn bright. I want her not to worry about the assumptions being drawn from the other side of the lens, and to be who she is - unique, brave, excitable, anxious, and beautiful - no matter how unruly her locks may be, or how much or little jiggle there may be elsewhere among her form. Anything less wouldn't be honest.

And while I'm on the topic of honesty -

Let's just say there were certainly other times in history where it was probably less intimidating to be a military family. This weekend, My Sailor and I watched the award winning Hacksaw Ridge.  Now, I should know better than to watch war movies - even fantastic ones - as the idea of a military graveyard or a flag over a casket sits a little too close to home. With my father buried in a military graveyard and My Sailor being, well, a Sailor, it can be a challenge to be faced with the idea of losing him (even though such thoughts linger in the back of every military spouse's mind from time to time).

And that train lead to the reminder of how little time we really do have together. With both of us working 6 days a week, and opposite shifts to boot, it's challenging - not to enjoy family time - but to protect it as fiercely as we might. We often bow out from things due to work conflicts, and when we do have time, we selfishly haul it away to build memories with each other and Beanie Girl. Memories that are vital for all of us - even though Beanie Girl may not recall them when she's older without prompting. Those memories are vital. While nothing is ever sure in this life, active duty military families face 'what ifs' of a terrible, glaring variety.

War movies always make those dark thoughts whisper just a little louder and make the priority for family time and adventures even more poignant.

Only a few more weeks until we head to Disneyland for a little much needed R&R and memory making. Sure, she's too little to remember it (maybe) but some memories aren't necessarily for her. Some memories are for us.

Ringing in a Soggy Spring

Spring is finally upon us here in the Pacific Northwest. Yes, it's rainy up here (no surprise, right?) but since October, we've gotten more rain than we usually get in a year. While it's great for the plants and wildlife, we're REALLY looking forward to some fun in the sun. (And when the sun DOES come outside, we make the most of it. Beanie Girl would LIVE outdoors all day long, if we let her. We're all getting a bit of cabin fever.

Okay, I'm getting a bit of cabin fever. My Sailor is probably wishing for more indoor time. (Destiny...) But I'm looking forward to some summer adventures as things level out here a bit. It seems we're finding a steady routine that's working for us, for now - which is a breath of much needed fresh air for me.

With Beanie Girl finally deciding that food is the latest greatest thing in nurishment (you know, instead of nursing) and all of the junk food now out of the house, I'm looking forward to making some serious headway in losing the discouragingly sticky extra pounds. Since we've found a bit of a routine to life now, we have had a few good talks that I think most new parents have at some point. "Okay, now that we're pretty sure we know how to get this little human safely through a day, it's time to make sure we take care of ourselves." For me, that means taking extra time to get into the gym and lift whenever I can. Sure, I follow MammothHunters simple body weight stuff at home but it's just enough to keep me loose and flexible. It's not going to make me into the athlete I was. Which is fine - it has its purpose and I'll probably keep on it, but if I want to be a lifter, I have to, you know, lift.

So here I am, breaking out the motivational mantras, taking progress photos, and getting back to the coaches that helped me come this far. I honestly don't feel like I've lost much in the way of technique or strength, but I have about 45 pounds to lose to get back to competition weight. Instead of focusing on the insanity that is the scale, I'll just focus on fixing the lifestyle things that need tweaking (especially now that I'm getting regular amounts of sleep - Wahoo!) and I know the rest will fall in line in time. American Open next year? Maybe. Maybe the year after. We'll see!

Disney California Adventure 2014, Our Waiting Trip

In other news, I'm pretty excited to see my family (all together, in one place) for the first time since Christmas 2015. We'll be spending 3 days at Disneyland with them, introducing Beanie Girl to her first theme park experience. My mom is graciously flying us down and helping with hotel stay so we can make this happen. It looks like this will be the year of mini trips, rather than a week long vacation anywhere - but we're really looking forward to this one. It just so happens that it's the same weekend as the Disney Podcast Network meet ups in the parks, so I'm hopeful that we'll get to stop by and meet some of my podcasting buddies and grab some cool swag while we're there. My Sailor really wants to take Beanie Girl to Disney World in Florida while we're still a family of 3. (We're waiting to find and adopt her brother/siblings until 2020.) Since he's likely to become deployable again next summer, we'd like to pull it off sooner rather than later, but I'm sure that will work itself out as well.

It's kind of nice to be in this space. Oh, I can't say can't say things are perfect.

Clydas has a skin infection and has been slowly losing weight. The vet says if we can get a handle on the infection, and if his cancer isn't back and causing the weight loss, than he might be around for another year and a half, but that's likely to be the max. It's crazy to picture life without my boxer buddy by my side. He's seen me through a lot - 5 moves, 1 divorce, countless tears, crazy schedules, nights spent in the theater and days spent in the California sun and Washington rain. He's been responsible for more laughs than I'll ever know how to measure. So we're in the, 'keep him comfortable in his old age' stage now. He was, oddly enough, born in 2002 on the same day Beanie Girl was born in 2015. He still greets each day with zeal and snores his way through each night.

Things COULD always be better.

But things aren't bad.







And that's good.

Stories From the Bathroom Floor

I've seen way too much of my bathroom floors lately.

It started on Monday night. The week had begun bright and promising, with a great walk and talk with a friend, but car trouble kept me from my awesome Tacoma clients. (Boo hiss!) Come 1am on Tuesday morning, I suddenly needed to more closely inspect my toilet by way of losing my dinner there... over and over for about 6 hours. When even water wouldn't stay down, we packed up and headed to the ER.
After about 6 hours in the ER (where they threw every anti nausea drug they had at me, ending up with what they called a 'migraine cocktail' - after I'd thrown up something that tasted like the saline solution they'd put in via IV...) I was sent home with still more anti nausea meds and explict instructions to not 'chase the nausea' for the next few days.

I don't remember much of Tuesday. Our entire household pretty much slept through it. After The Lady in Grey came to our rescue to let The Impossible Girl run around a bit while My Sailor sat with me in the ER, we all came home and snuggled into bed and slept until dinner time. All three of us...

By Wednesday it had already been - that kind of week.

I was feeling better in the morning and thinking that maybe this was just one of those nasty 24 hour flu bugs. I  planned on going through with all of my appointments.

My Sailor, knowing I had had about 1000 calories in 3 days, thought I was ambitious...

And he was right. By the end of my first appointment, I was so dizzy I could barely stand. So I sat for a while, picked up The Impossible Girl from Child Watch, and went home, canceling or rescheduling my evening appointments.

So one more day of rest it was.

Then I work up Thursday hoping to get to my evening appointments in Tacoma. I was able to keep a homemade smoothie down foe breakfast just fine. But The Impossible Girl was impossible to get to sleep the nighy before. In fact, she slept from 3am until 7am... That was it. The rest of the night was a screaming fit that would not stop. (Gas pain plus molars plus being a baby is hard.)

Although I hadn't thrown up since Tuesday,  the dizziness struck again (likely due to exhaustion) and long drives at night, spinning rooms, and anti nausea meds don't mix... so again, I was rescheduling my day.

But the day at home was hardly restful. The Impossible Girl was attached to me physically the entire day. And everything was a battle. No, not everything, breakfast was good, but everything else, from getting dressed to walking across a room was accompanied by screaming herself hoarse and tears.

Finally, sitting across the bathroom floor from her as she screamed at me across the room, I absorbed the weight of utter surrender. It just wasn't worth the battle - over changing her soild diaper was not worth this. I knew she was uncomfortable and guessed that was why she was crying, but the prospect of getting her diaper changed was completely overwhelming to my equally as exhausted toddler. She had run across the bathroom away from me and was letting me know how she flet in no uncertain terms. I offered her a hug if she'd come over to me. She didn't, probably (accurately) feeling that I'd sweep her up and change her (god forbid...). So after a good 8 minute stand off of her in of constant tears, I scooted over to her (which elicited half laughter through the tears and hollars) and offered her a hug at her place.

'Meet people where they are.' It wasn't a lesson taught to me in Foster care training. I'm not sure when I figured it out. Maybe it's because that is where most of the people who have greatly influenced my life have met me - where I was, rather than were they may have wanted me to be.

Anyway, it worked. She took me up on that hug. Collapsing into my shoulder. I laid back on the cold tile and hugged her to my chest, rubbing her back.

It worked.

She stopped hollaring, and just sniffled softly, gradually relaxing. Sure, she still needed a diaper change, but right now, she needed comfort more.

I'm not sure how long we lay like that, against the cold tile floor. My mind filled with the agony of my nearly entire week of canceled work, the intense demands of the last few days, the fact that I still hadn't recovered, My Sailor was also still sick, and - to put the cherry on top- the damn giant great pyrenees would not stop barking all day long, I decided to join her in sniffling a few tears of fruatration and surrender for myself- but no more than a few.

It's these moments that feel so big, but are really so fleeting that I understand the test of motherhood. There will come a day when she doesn't come to me for comfort like this, when the house will be too quiet, when everyone will be well and busy again. So, for now, even in the pit, I'll try to remember that the lesson is always - meet her where she is, and she'll come to you. No alterior motivations. Even if it means spending a few more minutes in a nasty diaper.

We did end up getting outside for a walk (once she let me get her dressed, a few hours later) and picking up a few supplies at the Dollar Store to do a new craft project. (Finger painting!) And all in all, after the stressful day, she finally fell asleep about 30  minutes before her usual bedtime with little to no fight, and I happen to get emails from 4 new prospective clients today.

So maybe today the bathroom floor is exactly where I needed to be.

The True Story of the Paper Tree

Once upon a time...

A 14th generation Southern Californian Natived moved to the Washington Kitsap Penninsula, following a dream and her heart.  She found a tiny apartment to move into to get her feet wet (ha ha ha) and learn about the area. The apartment had just enough room for her things and that was about it. Since she moved in during the Spring, she'd given little thought to what a Christmas in the tiny apartment would look like. For her, Her Sailor, and Clydas (the Boxer dog), it was 865 square feet of living space that fit them just right for a start.

When the seasons turned colder and the days turned into holidays, the young Sailor was out to sea, so it was up to the girl to decide what kind of Christmas she could do. She knew Her Sailor wouldn't be back until long after. Any live tree would die and the tiny apartment didn't allow for storage of a fake one. (Besides having grown up with a real tree, anything less seemed less festive by far and hardly worth the investment of energy.)
 
So thought long and hard... she enjoyed the holidays, and knew she'd need something,  but with no floor space, where would she put a tree?  And would any live tree still be alive when Her Sailor finally returned?

She got creative and went on a mission for butcher block paper and water color paints. She asked at a few stores until she finally found a Fed Ex Office store who was understanding of her plight. Though it was against company policy, the kind worker cut off about 6 feet of paper from a printing machine designed to print out large scale blue-prints and the like. Grateful for the contribution, she stopped by a craft store and picked up the necessary water colors and set to work.

She worked long into the night, and the end result more closely resembled the workmanship of a 5th grader than an adult. Instead of ornaments, the tree was decorated with scrap book stickers. It took several hours to complete, and used up nearly all the green in the water color kits, but it was finally done.

She pinned it to the wall, pinned her tree skirt under neath it, and sat a box nearby with gift for Her Sailor to enjoy upon his return.

The bewildered Clydas didn't seem to know what to do about it, but was happy to stand guard over the package and the strange new addition to the wall...





Later on, the paper tree was folded and put away, until the next time Her Sailor went under the sea over the holidays. Then, it traveled with him, along with everything he needed to affix it to his rack to remember the holidays and think of her.

 

Now, the same paper tree gets unrolled every year and displayed in the house before Christmas. This year, it holds all the Christmas cards they've received. It's hard to believe the little, imperfect tree could hold so many well wishes, but it still holds up today, even though a real Christmas tree (complete with actual ornaments, lights, and a few scattered gifts stands a room away). It may be a bit faded, and may be mistaken for a child's art project, but the tough little Paper Tree, tattered and wrinkled, has yet to lose its needles - and no doubt has many other travels in its future.

A Shoestring Made of Magic - Christmas and the year 2016

We live in a very Norwegian little town. Every year, our little town of Poulsbo throws a strange sort of party. Every year, a clan of vikings kidnaps a maiden (St. Lucia) and lights a big ass bonfire right on the waterfront in the middle of downtown. The shin-dig starts off with lighting the Christmas tree, and dancing around it in big circles (no skill required kind of dancing... okay, so it's more like an organized shuffle, but it's entertaining to witness and be a part of).

Beanie Girl Does Julefest 2016

It was a crazy day for us, but it was also a fun tradition to begin with Beanie Girl.

And best of all, it was free.

It's been no secret. This has probably been the hardest year on our pocket books ever. It started last year, when little got sick right around the time I got back from Maternity leave, causing me to take even more time off work to see her gentle soul through some trying times. While Beanie Girl was busy building the best immune system ever, Trainer Girl (me) was frantically rescheduling and losing sessions here and there - sessions we can't afford to lose since we were making financial decisions in the blur of new-parenthood. As most people operating off very little sleep, we made some unwise financial decisions in the heat of the moment (you know, like putting groceries and gas on credit cards...) and have spent this year working hard to get our heads back above water. Like many, we don't make enough to get help, but also don't make enough to stay current on everything all the time, so it's an uphill battle.

While we've made some head way on our debts this year, in the spring (you know, about when Beanie Girl got pnuemonia, after me being out of work to sit with her during a bad cold the week before which I think was her 3rd virus since her August birthday - a tough start for a lightweight kid),  Our resources were completely tapped out financially and something I never thought would happen was happening.

We were starting to get hungry. Literally. The pantry was empty, and the bank account was too. I was constantly searching for ways to increase my pay, but to do so w/o needing child care services was grasping at straws. (Let's face it, Sunshine Rewards doesn't pay that well.)

So My Sailor reached out to his family and I reached out to local, more immediate resources -  a community that had helped us with so much before - our local Buy Nothing project. They helped us fill the gaps by cleaning out their pantries and freezers and offering us what they didn't have any use for anymore. For the price of gas, we got frozen turkey from the Thanksgiving before, home jarred Salsas, baking mixes (more than a few meeting our Gluten free needs), protein shakes and more. It filled the gap and until the next paycheck.

We learned to be resourceful. (And that says something, since I've always been pretty damn resourceful to begin with.) With the thanksgiving left overs gifted to us, we made huge pots of soup and stews that got us through those lean weeks. (My mom had given us the gift of Cloth Diaper Service, so that was one think we didn't have to worry about.)

And we've learned a lot.

Most of our clothes this year are second hand - either hand me downs (which we've continued to hand down to others), or Goodwill finds, with the odd pair of pants here or underwear there that's new. And There Is Nothing Wrong With That. 'New' doesn't always mean 'better'.

We have let go of the things we don't need.  I've sold some musical instruments I no longer play and Disney art peices that I wasn't particularly attached to, and My Sailor as sold one of his guns - because in the end, they are just 'stuff' anyway.

We made some hard decisions. My Sailor reupped for the military, and we're looking toward the future as things continue to upswing.

Through it all, we've caught up. Slowly but surely, the small decisions are adding up and we're making progress.

And we're still together. We're still a family. Nothing changed. And Maybe We've Just Learned the Greatest Lesson of All this Year....

Santa taking photos on stage

Today, Beanie Girl went to a military Kids and Family Holiday party. It was a free event that My Sailor had signed us up for. I knew she'd get her picture taken with the jolly old elf himself, and that she would get a present. I was expecting something generic (like a candy cane). Instead, Santa knew she liked Rapunzel and her age - and she was given 2 toys! One was a doll of Rapunzel that she was enchanted by, and the other was a developmental ball toy I'd been wanting for her, but had yet to see a quality one cross the Buy Nothing or Goodwill 'shelves'. It was like Santa knew...

Our foam, family made frame

There were 2 bounce houses she was a bit too small for, and a few other games, including a cookie decorating station (which we didn't do because a) no 16 month old needs THAT much sugar, and b) they didn't have any gluten free ones anyway and we opted not to brave the allergic reaction for a cookie...), a frame making station (which we did as a family) and a few other grab bag goodies. She came home with a coloring book as well.

Doing a Scratch Art ornament and gazing at her new doll

I looked around at all the different families... some dressed up for Santa. Some just rolled out of bed. Some looked as though they wanted for nothing, while others looked as though they barely had clothes for the weather.

And I sat there fighting back tears more than once...

I've had more than enough in my life and had more than enough need as well.

But when the need has arisen, I've always been looked after. Even this year...

Despite making progress, we're on a complete shoestring. Our 'gift' to our local friends was throwing a Murder Mystery pot luck dinner party at our house last night - and it was an amazing night (that I managed not to take one... single... solitary... photo of... ).  We'll have enough food left over not to need to go grocery shopping again until 2017... We didn't expect that!

But I sat there during the party, fighting back tears, reminded of all of the generosity that seems always to come my way when I need it the most - when I'm short on cheer or necessities.

One small example, Beanie Girl recently grew out of her hand-me down winter coat... and the weather has rarely gotten above 35. So we layer up as much as we can, and don't spend much time outside. Still, she needed a good coat. I heard of a store with a huge sale and asked a friend I needed to spend some time with to come with me to the mall and browse and catch up.  The coat we found was slightly out of my price range - but it just so happened my friend was looking for a Christmas gift for Beanie Girl. Not just any gift - but a useful one.

See that little pink coat with the silver stars in the photo above with Beanie Girl's bag?

She loves it.

Needless to say, it's useful.

We can't repay our friends, family, and Buy Nothing in kind, necessarily, but this year they have all served as fantastic reminders for me -

There is no 'giving season' anymore than there is a 'needy season'.

Speaking a need isn't 'shameful'.  It gives people who the chance to do good, to give, to be part of the solution to someone else's story.

This year may have been a skinny one, but we've made magic on a shoestring - and those who helped us make it are the threads.