Walking A Mile or Two In Her Shoes

There is a young lady in town who works at a restaurant Jeremiah and I frequent. We have seen her walking to and from work for the last couple years. She walks in heat, snow, wind, rain and all the elements we encounter in the Tri-Cities. She has an obvious disability and walks with a limp. She does not have a vehicle and the walk is well over 2 miles from the farthest point we have seen her to her place of employment. She is always friendly and working hard when we see her and has even worked her way up to a management position. This young lady could use every excuse in the book and live off of disability, but has chosen to persevere and live a "normal" and fulfilled life. It is clear that she has not let any of her physical or material set backs affect her getting to work and being a productive, hard working, pleasant member of society. Despite the fact that she must try twice as hard as the rest of us just to get to work, then stand on her feet all shift, and has faced obstacles many of us will never experience she has not let her body defeat her. I find this inspiring! Have you let your body, mind, or lack of material means defeat you? Do you listen to the aches, pains, thoughts, worries, insecurities, illnesses, lack of "things", or haters (I know I laughed when I used that word, too)? It can be hard to ignore those things, but when I see others can do it I know we all can. And the more we do it, the easier it will get.

When I think of people I know who are healthy, able bodied, and have no visible signs of a physical or cognitive impairment, yet who don't work I am stunned. I am not referring to people laid off who can't find work right now. I am referring to those who have no desire to work or look for every excuse to not get a job. Most people would rather be doing something more fun than working everyday, but there comes a sense of pride and fulfillment contributing to society and being able to live off your own means. We all have difficulties in life that make some days very hard to go to work. Having IC makes getting through the work day very hard when I don't feel well. But when I see people who don't let their set backs in life stop them from living I am inspired and motivated... and even more disappointed with those who don't try harder or care about the way their lives are going. Whether or not we let our excuses control us and ruin our full potential is up to us. Before thinking you can't do something, or simply choose not because of laziness or fear, try walking 2 miles in the shoes of someone with a disability. Thank God for your life and what you have been given. Life could have given you a much tougher deck of cards. I pray you don't have to learn the hard way to appreciate your life. I find this young woman's accomplishments to be far more inspiring than those I know who have a graduate degree or run their own business. In the words of America's icon Oprah, "You go girl!"

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed."  - Booker T. Washington 

Baby Etiquette

So I have been doing a lot of visiting newborns, lately. Well, not just lately, but over the last 5 years. There has been a major baby boom in my family and I think the Atkins are the last to jump on the train. But being last has a lot of perks. I am learning so much from everyone else. The "do's and don't's" of baby etiquette are serious business. Let me tell you the 5 most important things I have learned:

1. People like it when you buy them practical gifts from their registry. They took the time to pick them out so try to get them something from their list, in addition to that "My Mommy Rocks" onesie.

2. Newborn sized diapers are probably the least used size. Buy multiple sizes! Especially, since most people tend to buy newborn sized for baby showers. This goes for clothing, too! Most newborns are in the teeny sizes for such a short period of time. Get some bigger sizes in season appropriate attire.

3. Always call before visiting. Whether it be at the hospital or home. New moms are tired and have been bombarded by calls/texts/visitors all day/every day for the first few weeks. It is polite to check-in or at least give a head's up that you are coming. Who knows if they're napping or indecent!

4. Bring a gift (balloons or flowers count) to the first viewing. It's just polite.

5. In this day of social media, it is important to not be posting the family's business all over the web. Let the parents be the first to announce the details or post the first picture. Then ask permission, if you must.

I know it's impossible to guarantee people will follow these rules, so I hope I have patience and grace on those who don't when it's my turn to be on the receiving end. After all, it's not everyday a baby is born... at least not to you!

Latest Home Purchase

After 3 years of marriage, we finally bought new furniture! I had been wanting a sectional for years, but practically, a sectional does not fit into our home like I imagined. So, we kept putting it off. But I am tired of leather. It is not warm and soft on my little white skin when I want to laze around. So, for Valentine's Day guess what the best hubby of the year got me? A giftcard to a furniture store! Now I was forced to pick out furniture. We looked online for weeks and watched the sales before we went in. We went in looking at sectionals still, but then fell in love with the last set we saw! We immediately sat on it and LOVED it - neutral colors AND big and plush! Plus, when we move we will be able to put this stuff anywhere and maybe get a sectional then (I don't know why I want one so bad, I just do). So the next time you come to the Atkins be prepared to sit in comfort and style. Oh, and added bonus: All our leather furniture will now be moved into our new theater room! I will have to blog about our theater soon. Just have a few details to iron out (a.k.a. we want an awesome popcorn popper, mini fridge, microwave, and snack shack built-in). Can't have a theater without snacks! In the mean time, enjoy a sneak peak of the movie screen:

Raves and Faves

I haven't written a review blog in a while, but not because I haven't had things to talk about, I just haven't had the time. Between work, home improvements, baby showers, and birthdays my weeks and weekends have been full to the brim! But I do want to share a few things I have tried over the past few months with you all.

Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips - One cold Sunday evening, Jeremiah and I took a typical walk to Walgreen's to see if there was anything we couldn't live without. That's where I noticed the Sallie Hansen Nail Polish Strips on sale. I'd seen them a million times, but wasn't sure the $10 price tag was worth it. Since my nails were looking rather plain that night, and I didn't have a manicure scheduled for 2 weeks, I caved and bought them. They took some time to get on, but since there was no dry time the total time my hands were useless was minimal. Still, I wasn't convinced they would stay on 10 days. Well, that Sally proved me wrong and after a few days of washing my hair, doing dishes, laundry, and painting our bathroom they were still holding strong. They lasted all the way until I got my first Shellac manicure at Nouveau. While they are a little pricey for what they are, the time saved not waiting for your nails to dry and chip free polish are worth it - especially, if you don't get regular manicures.

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer - I don't discriminate when it comes to make-up. I try drugstore brands just as much as I do my beloved Sephora brands. When my fave Sephora primer ran out I decided to try something cheap to get me by until I could go to Sephora that weekend. So I picked up a $7 Rimmel primer. Turns out, I loved it! I never went to Sephora that weekend and kept using this primer instead. It made my skin so soft and my makeup went on more smoothly. After I ran out, I decided to try Maybelline and L'Oreal primers. Neither worked as well and were more expensive. The Rimmel primer worked almost as well as my favorite Smashbox brand! Different primers work better for different skin types, but if you're in a pinch try Rimmel and let me know how it works for you!

Maybelline Full N' Soft Mascara- So, while I am embarrassed to admit it - I follow Lauren Conrad on Twitter, as well as her beauty blog. Don't judge! Anyway, she wrote about her favorite mascara one time, and while I though it would be an expensive brand, turns out it was Maybelline. I decided to give it a whirl and it is the best drugstore brand I have ever tried. The waterproof is even better than the regular. It's not super watery or clumpy like most. This is definitely second to my Diorshow!

PackIt Lunch Bag - Taking food that needs to be refrigerated to work can be a hassle. Using the community fridge is a scary thing. Will your food be stolen? Will someone clean out the fridge that day and toss your goodies? But if you keep your food at your desk, will you eat it before it's out of the food "safety zone"? Plus, the kitchen is always so far away! Well, my mom told me about an infomercial she saw about something called the PackIt Lunch Bag. I promptly Googled it and decided I needed one. So for Christmas what do you think she got me? Yep! It's awesome! I wish they made more sizes! The PackIt is a lunch bag with gel filled sides that you fold and freeze for 12 hours. It then keeps your food refrigerator cold for up to 10 hours. It works best if you can freeze it for the full 12 hours, but I usually freeze it for less and it keeps my food cold enough until lunch time. You can get 2 lunch bags for $20, so it's a great deal! Check them out: http://www.packit.com/

My Day In Pictures

Started the work day with Him.

Went for a run with my sister in her neighborhood - where one of my dream homes exists. If you live here, or know who does, my apologies for photographing your home.
 

Organized our "closet room." This is one of my favorite shirts! I received it at my bridal shower almost 4 years ago! Can you believe it?!?

Reminisced about the year 2003, while looking at this calender that graces the wall in our closet room. I received one of the first "Who is Mr. Winkle" calenders as a gift in 2003 and it has now become decor in my home. Who wouldn't want to get dressed in the morning in the presence of Mr. Winkle?

Spent some time tonight with my girl, Tiffany.

What did you do today?

Valentine's Celebration 2012 In Pictures

Here's a look at the week long celebration of love, Atkins style :)

Started the week off baking cookies with my littlest Valentines.

Pretty sure I found the most awesome card for Jeremiah.

Valentine's surprises!

Salmon dinner and a movie date at home.

Movie date on Wednesday to see "The Vow."

Massages and a Shellac manicure topped off the celebration on Friday.

Single, dating, or married... I hope everyone showed someone they care about some love on Valentine's Day.

Happy 5th Birthday, E!

Seems like just yesterday I was blogging about my handsome nephew's 4th birthday! I cannot believe another year has come and gone and my 1st born nephew is 5! He's so amazing at 5! Even as an adult, there are traits I look up to him for. He has the biggest heart and is so encouraging for his young age. He tells his mom, his gram, and his auntie all the time they look beautiful and that they can do it! He ask the most thoughtful questions and is so smart it blows my mind. He's thoughtful and genuine... and I could on and on about this kid! It has been such a blessing and honor from the Lord to be his auntie! I knew from the minute I laid eyes on the little 5lb, bald, blue-eyed, monkey that he was going to be special. He's going to do big things and bless so many people as he grows. Watch out world!



Celebrating Sonic The Hedgehog style.




Looking cool.




Aunt Mimi and her angels.




His first big boy bike!





Aunt Mimi's princess playing Angry Birds and waiting for cake, I'm sure.

 


Mommy did a great job on the Sonic cake!




Baby Sam pooped from all the birthday fun.



Happy birthday, E!