Disclaimer: Please know this partnership is between the Responsival agency and TMC. Affiliate links are used and compensation is received through those links. Opinions are 100% my own. @_entreprenerd via unsplash.com The last few days have been really beautiful here in Virginia. The snow has melted, the sun has come out, and the temperatures are rising. When I step outside there is a feeling of freshness and dare I say it? There is a feeling of hope and that good things are just around the corner. Daisy ring for spring. I feel like getting outside more and getting dressed again. In the last few weeks, I have stepped away from leggings, slippers, and oversized tops. I am wearing real pants again, putting on lipstick before I start my workday, and adding accessories … [Read more...]
Search Results for: marriage
5 Tips for Buying a House as a Single Parent
It's no secret that buying a house as a single parent is daunting. Not only are you investing in a home on a one-person salary but you're also supporting your kids on that same budget. Fortunately, you're not alone if you're a single parent dreaming of buying a house. Every year, about 39% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce, leaving many newly-single parents looking to settle down to give their kids a sense of security. While saving for a down payment on a house can be a struggle for anyone, there are a few ways single parents can get the help they need to overcome the financial challenges involved in the home buying process. Here are a few tips you can use to make buying a house as a single parent a little less overwhelming. Look into homeownership programs About 78% of recent … [Read more...]
How Does Drunk Driving Affect the Communities it Occurs in
Drunk driving is a serious issue that communities need to address as the consumption of alcohol is more prevalent than ever before and encouraged by society. Alcohol-related crashes kill a significant amount of people every year and can cost residents thousands of dollars in property damage. There were 379 fatal crashes in 2017 just in Ohio alone and at least 2,000 fatalities across the nation last year. The effects of impaired driving can be devastating for communities. Here’s how drunk driving affects the communities it occurs in. Road Safety Drivers need to be vigilantly alert while they are behind the wheel. However, drinking alcohol significantly impairs a driver to stay alert. A driver who is under the influence puts everyone’s car safety at risk. Alcohol consumption slows a … [Read more...]
Dating After Divorce: What You Should Do Before You Swipe Right
Smoother pavements can extend pavement life by 10% to 25%, but even the course of true love never did run smooth. And when the road gets rocky, some married couples find that separation -- and eventual divorce -- is actually the best option for everyone involved. If you do decide to dissolve your union, you might want to stay single for a while. After all, you've probably got enough on your plate (and enough emotional issues to work through) without adding someone else into the mix. But when you're finally ready to get back out there, what's the protocol to dating post-divorce? Although many of us would like nothing more than a "happily ever after" with our special someone, the unfortunate fact is that not every relationship works out. Despite the fact that divorce rates are on the … [Read more...]
How To Navigate The Holidays As A Divorced Parent
The holiday season can be stressful for everyone, but it's an especially complicated time for children of divorce. On average, kids will spend 277 days out of the year with their custodial parent and 88 with their non-custodial parent. However, because the holidays are a time when families come together, winter festivities can quickly turn this holly jolly time into a season of stress. If you're navigating the holidays as a divorced parent this year, here are a few tips to keep in mind to keep your stress levels and your children's under control. Have a mediator if necessary If you've gone through a recent divorce, you're not alone. Approximately 2.4 million weddings are performed every year, which is roughly 44,230 weddings every weekend. Up to 50% of those marriages will end in … [Read more...]
Hello, It’s Been A While
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...]
Stress Symptoms: How Stress Can Impact Your Health
Many people are used to the stress and anxiety that comes with the daily grind of work, home life, social life, school, and more. However, while many people assume stress is just a normal part of modern life, enough stress can actually take a physical toll on your health and well-being. There are a number of ways in which a constant state of stress can harm you, but there are ways to avoid physical illness as a result of your mental health. Soaring Stress Levels Stress levels aren't necessarily static throughout your life; many situational and environmental factors can contribute to rising anxiety and stress. Whether you've recently started a new job or are looking to move soon, there are a variety of life changes that can temporarily increase your stress levels. While this increase … [Read more...]
White Weddings: What You Need To Know About Whitening Your Teeth Before Your Big Day
Weddings are enchanting celebrations, marked by the joyous journey of the bride down the aisle to the final dancefloor melody, creating an evening filled with smiles, laughter, and genuine happiness. This magical atmosphere is further enhanced by the carefully chosen Flagstaff wedding venues, adding an extra layer of charm and elegance to the unforgettable festivities. The state of your smile may be the last thing on your mind when it comes to wedding planning (what with the plethora of cake, card, and overall design choices to be made), but that is precisely why you shouldn't put it off; getting to your wedding day only to notice how those endless nights planning -- complete with the coffee you consumed to stay awake -- have affected the brightness of your smile is a nightmare, … [Read more...]
How I Made My Health the #1 Priority and Everything Else Fell Into Place
Girl, you better work. That phrase played in my head on a constant loop this last year. I wasn't talking about sitting at a desk or improving my career either. It was all about working on my health and healing and treating it like a job. "In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties." Between starting with yoga, then walking, adding in light weights, progressing to running and then moving onto HIIT workouts once I was strong enough, exercise was one of the things I have done consistently this last year to help me battle my chronic Lyme disease. Sweat. It does a body good. You know what? I'm in the best shape of my life. I even decided to help others to get there too. How Did I Get Here? Part of that motivation came from thinking of each day of the week as a … [Read more...]
The Comeback
The line, "Don't call it a comeback..." from 'Mama Said Knock You Out' by LL Cool J has been playing over and over again in my mind the last few weeks. It has a double meaning for me. Yes, I've been here for years. Here in this space but mainly in this realm of not being well. My life as I knew it was forever altered last year by Lyme disease and I've been beating myself up over it and my lack of abilities ever since. It suddenly became very real to me that I needed to forgive myself and fast. It seems so simple, right? Just say, "Ok, self. You've been unwell. You have had to make changes to your personal life as well as your family life in order to get well. Do what you need to do." My diet had to change. That doesn't mean I'm changed. My ability to work and identify myself as … [Read more...]