Remember me? I think it's time to introduce myself again. I'm Vicky. Mother to three girls, writer, dog mom to one Doberman, two-time Post-Partum Depression survivor, chronically ill with Lyme Disease and co-infections (#lymewarrior), domestic violence survivor, and fitness coach. Whew! What sets me apart from all the other blogs out there? Nothing, but my own unique story, my take on life and the fact that I live by a ton of quotes (mostly film and TV-related) but this one in particular, "It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward." * In my former life, before Lyme tried to take me down, I reviewed cars, wrote about fashion trends and picks. I talked about my early days of parenting back when Mommy blogs were all the rage. I … [Read more...]
Dog Days Of Summer: Why You Should Exercise With Your Pup This Season
We all know that exercise is important. From the benefits of calisthenics (which include a 31% decrease in the risk of death from any cause) and cardio workouts to the basics of walking, getting up and about is a valuable part of staying healthy. Since dogs are man's best friend -- and love running more than just about anything else in the world --, incorporating your pooch into your workout is an easy and fun way to make sure you both get the exercise you need. Canine Cardio Many of us are always looking for ways we can spend more time with our precious pups; since we're often forced to leave our pets at home while we head to work or run errands, exercising with Fido at your side can offer a number of benefits. Boost mood: Human beings are social creatures, whether we like to admit … [Read more...]
Everything Your Car Needs Before Your Summer Family Road Trip
It's summer! With constant sunshine and a few weeks of vacation, there's no better time to pack up the car and head out on a sightseeing adventure with the family. Once you've planned your route, packed your bags, and selected a suitable mixtape for the journey, there's one last thing you need to take care of: your vehicle. It may be a hassle, but it's definitely worth it; a recent survey discovered that an estimated 77% of cars are in need of maintenance repairs, and you really don't want to be stuck in a broken down car on what was supposed to be a fantastic summer family vacation. Adventure comes in the form of the open road and exotic destinations, not in a sweaty, overweight mechanic named Bud. Start with the basics. Your car generally needs an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 … [Read more...]
Support a Mom-Trepreneur at a Snapology Franchise this Summer
I don't know about you but by the time August rolls around our ideas of summer fun become pretty lean. Throw in the fact that my youngest celebrates her birthday that month and everyone is so over the idea of a pool party or pretty much anything else I had in mind. No one wants to be outside. They all just want the cool indoors and a different sort of fun. Enter the idea of a Snapology birthday party or Snapology summer camp session from a Snapology franchise. What is Snapology? It is a mobile service for STEM learning located throughout the country that offers kids fun birthday parties, awesome afterschool programs and more. Snapology works for kids of all ages from babies to 18 years old so you can find something for everyone in your household. … [Read more...]
Hot Home Decor Trends You Need to Try This Summer
Summer is one of the best times of the year to take a moment and redecorate your space. It’s a fresh start for many people, so why not bring a fresh start to your home? A big white vase filled with vibrant summer flowers can instantly brighten any room. Summer is all about entertaining, spending time outdoors, and relaxing all day in the sun with your girlfriends. Looking to revamp your home for the season? Here are some hot home decor trends you need to try this summer. Floral Prints The flowers are in bloom outside, which means it’s the perfect time to incorporate some floral patterns inside your home. The Spruce says floral patterns are everywhere this time of year, from wallpaper to pillows and beyond. You can subtly incorporate floral patterns into your home with a cute throw … [Read more...]
Using Mother-Daughter Days to Tackle Big Parenting Moments
"Being a parent is the toughest job you will ever have." -My Mother It's not that I didn't believe my mom when she said these words but then I went and had three kids, all girls, who are hitting that tween and teen stage and now I'm a true believer. I'm learning those mother-daughter days in order to tackle the big stuff and not just for tea parties, lunches out or getting treats. Yes, the diaper days were rough. The physical nature of parenting little ones is damn hard. I was not prepared for that aspect of it. But tweens and teens come with so many emotions, the highs, and lows. The bigger problems that force us as parents to reflect on our past and then figure out how to handle the same issues in a different world. That doesn't even factor into the running them around town … [Read more...]
5 Natural Ways to Get Allergy Relief
There is no good time for allergies to rear their swollen eyes, red-nosed, ugly head. Now that spring is in full bloom so are seasonal allergies. In our house, we like a multi-prong approach for obtaining allergy relief which includes both natural and traditional medicinal routes. Here are my top five natural ways to get allergy relief. If it is not a stuffy nose or one that is chronically running there are swollen, red eyes or a dry cough that plagues at least one or all five members of my family. While I have more allergy relief than ever this year due to my strict Lyme diet (no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no yeast) my kids and husband do not. The absence of food inflammatories in my diet has made a radical difference in my seasonal allergies this year. There is a lot to be said … [Read more...]
A Lit Guide on Throwing Your High School Grad a Gnar Skate Party
Being a parent is a wild ride. One day your child is starting kindergarten, and the next you’re throwing a high school graduation party for your rebellious skater teen. Getting this right is a tall order for any parent, but when your baby’s all grown up with piercings and ‘gnarly licks’ (or whatever they’re called), it’s a doozy. Trying to plan a party for a skater who’s part of the counter-cultural movement might not be easy, but you’re the cool parent! And what better way to embrace their unique vibe than to host an epic outdoor celebration? With large marquee hire Perth, you can create a versatile, weatherproof space that fits their style while making the event memorable. After all the hard work and dedication, it’s rewarding to celebrate achieving a diploma and all that it represents. … [Read more...]
Twenty Years
You know when you meet someone and just know that you two are meant to be? That it is love at first sight? This is not that. When these two twenty-somethings met on May 2, 1998. TWENTY YEARS AGO today *insert "land sakes" or a "gracious me" in there* It was a not a storybook romance. There was no meet cute. Just an "Oh, it's you." at the start of our blind date. I might have hissed at my friend that I could not see spending a whole evening in my cute LBD with this guy as my date. He may have insulted me because my attitude wasn't sweet but came with a bite. Sigma Kappa Spring Formal, May 2, 1998 Fast forward through that lovely movie montage of us getting married in Vegas, making a few moves around the country as we get a dog, have three kids, realize we need marriage … [Read more...]
Help Your Kids Find The Right Balance Between Sports and School
Photo credit/site https://pixabay.com/en/team-grass-cheer-field-game-sport-2444978/ There is no question about it; we are a society on the go. Parents balance careers, family, and the social lives of every member of their families. Just as parents have to balance their calendars, they must teach their children to balance theirs. Children must learn priorities, teamwork, and responsibility at a very young age. One great way to encourage these values is through sports, which teach dedication and perseverance. For families who are passionate about athletics, collecting sports memorabilia at https://www.highlandmint.com/ can be a meaningful way to celebrate their favorite teams and athletes while creating lasting memories together. Teaching kids to prioritize This may sound easy, but it … [Read more...]