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Heather

HeatherPandemic Thoughts

Just the Facts, Ma’am

There's alot of things we know, we either don't think about it or weren't paying attention. We hold these truths, what shall we do with them? Here are statements I think we all, as Americans united, can agree are factual. Fact: We cannot choose our gender, race, family or intrinsic qualities. Fact: We know there’s a ladder and a ceiling. Some have further to climb, some climb anyway and some had help from those who climbed on their behalf. Fact: We know in 2005 the Supreme Court ordered the Ten Commandments to be removed from courtrooms all over the south. Fact: We know in 2012 Obama made the biggest funding cut in mental health in more than thirty years. He…
Heather
July 11, 2020
HeatherPandemic Thoughts

Staying Safe during Masked Destruction DIY

Many of my friends and neighbors have been #SafeAtHome during the Pandemic which has led to many home improvement projects. I've not had the #AloneTogether experience, but that's not a criticism. I did get some days here or there to work from home and saved alot of money not going out or traveling for vacations. So I, like many, am tackling home improvement projects with the bonus cash earned by what I've named Forced Frugality. I happen to be very privileged to have found my dude. My hombre. My love of a lifetime. My partner in crime. He also happens to be a BOSS at construction both new and renovation. For those who do not live with a craftsman, you…
Heather
July 2, 2020
Pandemic Thoughts

The Genius of Ricky Gervais

I hadn't watched the Office until my son wanted to binge it on Netflix. I knew this Gervais bloke was behind the original UK version, and that the show is hilarious, but it didn't phase me in the least. My introduction to the Mr. Ricky Gervais came differently than most. Yet unexposed to the Office, I still absolutely adored his witty, authentic story telling since I landed the two season box set of Extras in 2009 from my brother, Adam. My goodness what a gift this man has. If you have HBO I recommend you check out Extras. After consuming his raw, fun look into what it's like to be an extra while waiting for the audition that changes everything,…
Heather
June 3, 2020
Pandemic Thoughts

Take Us to Your Leader

Usually, when communities across a country can organize and centralize within a day, there's a hierarchy of leadership. Just as armies form and infiltrate to use force as a means to demand control. Generals, captains, sergeants... Photo Credit - Dallas Morning Star Who is their leader? Our fellow US citizens are fighting, destroying, burning - basically shitting in our own bed - alongside strangers who showed up in their neighborhoods with pallets of bricks. It's assumed by all the people at home posting memes of solidarity on social media that the intention is to get a positive result of change, which one would assume in their minds is to achieve racial equality, justice for George Floyd. We can all get…
Heather
May 31, 2020
Pandemic Thoughts

Can I Mask a Question?

Masks I fully agree with every frontline worker who wear masks being very angry on Facebook about those refusing to wear masks. But I don’t want to wear one either. We need to come together and agree on something. We disagree with the purpose we are told for why they are needed now when they weren’t before. Even several weeks into this shutdown. I feel the underlying issue that neither side is saying is why Medical professionals wear them and why we are supposed to wear them. Medical professionals must wear PPE to protect themselves from exposure of those they care for and save. The general public is being shunned into wearing whatever because everyone is afraid of us. Now…
Heather
May 18, 2020
Pandemic Thoughts

Stranded or Strange, Deep Thoughts During the Daily Commute

I had a few thoughts on my commute in to work today. I first realized that I should appreciate the lighter traffic and open roads. Similar to the time I got stranded in the Detroit Airport by myself and just took it all in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgZwvvfvgVM This was me, back in my previous life of traveling, alot. I then thought, you know what, that Stan Lee is quite the foreshadowing king. This is probably what the five year timeline they had between End Game 1 and End Game 2 felt like when half the people disappeared. One day, everyone is gonna come back outside again and fill up the world. Until then, I'll take it all in. Then I started to…
Heather
May 5, 2020
Pandemic Thoughts

The Great Hate Challenge

I have learned a lot about people socially during this Covidiocy we are in.  I see a lot of opposing views and comments on social media, always have. These days I wonder if the work or stay home stress is causing it to be so much angrier. I just can't these days.  I've begun socially distancing myself from social media for the sake of sanity. I only like social these days when I see what people are up to or sharing stories about their family or something they are proud of. Now that's about 1/3 of it. There's another 1/3 that are thoughts, memes, articles, or statements that align with me and validate I'm not alone. The remaining 1/3 are people…
Heather
April 25, 2020
HeatherPandemic Thoughts

Putting the ‘X’ in Anxiety

I wanted to take a walk. This wasn't my first walk since you know, this. But it was my first walk in a few days of possibilities to do it again. I used my yard as my physical activity lately with sunny, spring days. I just wanted a walk. Headspace. A good playlist as I Appreciate every clear, pain-free breath of fresh air. Or so I hoped. Then it became a jog and short cut back. Just go home, I thought. I'm a people pleaser, I get it. I'm the one that will go out of the way to ease someone else. That's not the issue. I totally take the high road so they don't have to. Some passerby’s are…
Heather
April 8, 2020
HeatherPandemic Thoughts

Fabric Face Filters. Is this going to be a thing?

This is the third Saturday since it began. You know, the COVID, Corona, quarantine, stay the eff home stuff started and it continues to get weirder. We are now to the point where the guidance says you can wear a mask if it makes you feel better but really since all the front line people need them, you can get by with a scarf or anything really that could act as a filter. I'm still me. Following that distance stuff and no mask. What I noticed on my fast trips to the kroger or like today, the first warm and sunny Saturday in April - Home Depot now has a clicker guy and a line to get on the roller…
Heather
April 4, 2020
HeatherPandemic Thoughts

The Only Employee Who Should Fear Being Let Go

I keep reading all of these fear-inducing articles about what employees should fear losing their jobs right now – entry-level, duplicate duties, overpaid managers…. Look, I fully get that in a grim and gloom world, that’s a natural assessment of the weakest links who shouldn’t get a rose to move on to another week of reality. Sure, maybe this is the excuse your boss needed for some time to dismiss those types of employees who fit within the above stereotypes, but I'd call that a preexisting condition that affects the virus. Those employees you questioned in the past, the ones dodging confrontation before all this happened.   Yet now that they’re roots are showing, in this all-hands-on-deck test of the…
Heather
March 31, 2020
HeatherPandemic Thoughts

Signs, Signs Everywhere are Signs

Signs make things official. A sign makes a rule. A rule sets an expectation for the readers to follow. Signs Help Us We use signs as décor within our homes and landscaping to communicate our beliefs or passion or declaration of unity. There are signs to allow us the opportunity to self-educate or pay homage lest no one forget the real story. Lately, we have a new category for signs similar to the rules but merely policed by societal judgment.  Sadly, I get it. The whole gamut of signs that had to be cranked out to immediately communicate the new way things gotta work around here if we’re going to be ok. Due to shipment limitations, please allow one pack…
Heather
March 29, 2020
HeatherPandemic Thoughts

Stop Breaking the Boomers

I believe that starting today, the President should be able to approve any and all marketing plans for products that target our senior citizens as consumers. The specific advertising categories are drugs, unsound financial gimmicks or any service that uses fear and panic as the tactic for a call to action. Here's my why story to support that statement. Like, what the hell is this add about Heaven? Watch this - I couldn't believe it. https://youtu.be/Y-GIlSVpK-c These commercials run across all cable networks during the day. It's also the most affordable time to buy ad placements so if you're targeting seniors, you have impressive margins of return. Catch the Price is Right or Judge Judy sometime. You'll see. What bothers…
Heather
March 17, 2020
Pandemic Thoughts

Oh, give me a home.

If you’re a buffalo, where you're born determines your qualityof life. I think they're Bison, actually? Bison Wild Wings just doesn't have that ring to it though. If you’re born in Yellowstone, you’re only threat ispossibly getting struck by a car. Live long and Prosper. If you’re born on a buffalo farm in Iowa, well, It may be tight spaces and facing amidlife meat cleaver. If you’re a cow born in India, you wear jewelry and have theright of way on all streets. You're cherished and sacred.  Sidebar - There are more than 400 McDonald's in India. How does that work?  If you’re a cow born in America, you’re what’s for dinner. And drink. And collagen. And rugs. It is…
Heather
March 15, 2020
Pandemic Thoughts

Can you feel it coming in the air tonight

Pretty surreal and validating experience flying this past week. Que the Phil Collins Drum solo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wwJUZCfpuI I must say, having round trip airplane rows to myself and a Chicago layover both ways with no lines was quite refreshing. Having the American Airlines ticketing staff call me by name while I was still at the kiosk was a memorable customer experience. “Hey, Heather - I’m printing your bag tag over here, you can bring it on over.” Well, thank you very much, Shari. I appreciate that. TSA checkpoint number 3 (Kiosk 1, bag checker 2) was all officers. And me. Since this was a personal trip, I had no laptops or baggies of little fluids to whip out with my shoes…
Heather
March 11, 2020
Heather

Yeah, Me Too. Same.

I think enough time has passed to return back to the original common phrase for agreeing with something that someone else says. Yeah, me too. After all, it’s as common of language as the basic aisle chatter at Kroger: How are you? Fine, and you? Good to see you. Yeah, me too. From basic acquaintance to friend to family to a stranger in line at the store - The ‘understood’ exchange of words that happen when you take a moment to interact with someone who speaks your language is in a state of pause and rethink a response. I fully get and support the intention behind the repurposing of the agreeable salutation with a hashtag in front of it. The…
Heather
February 29, 2020
Food for thought

Stop and Go Day

Today I drove to an appt that’s on the other side of the closest city. So it’s a clip but I enjoy her keeping it real with me about working harder on getting healthy. I’ve plateaued recently and have really felt like writing for myself and for work and since I only have so much evening time, I recently began blowing off physical activity for more screen time. Ugh. I digress. She gave me the kick in the butt I needed. In my written plan of numbers, she walks me thru it and says- “Ok, let’s review. One. Count calories again and get back to 1100..” she hesitates. Looks me in the eye and compromises with herself, “ok make it…
Heather
February 20, 2020
Heather

Let’s talk about poop

There seem to be more game-changers in our life now than any generation before us. Or are there? We still say new inventions are the best thing since sliced bread so maybe every age has game-changers to talk about around the water cooler. Here's a twist on one game-changer that takes the ewww out of poo. Let’s forget inventions like flying, driving, television and the internet. Those are world-changers. I'm talking game-changers. I’m talking about hacks you didn’t know you needed until someone showed it to you or told you about it. No way, nuh-uh… because it takes a lot these days to get us to look up from our phones and be pleasantly surprised about something. tell me more...…
Heather
February 17, 2020
Food for thoughtHeather

Overthinking the Repercussions of Accepting a Status Quo Mindset.

Do I give in or get back up? Chicken or the egg? I’ve really been trying to crack my own code. Get out of my head. Practice the repetition needed to recondition my mind to healthier habits while trying to give up the unhealthy ones. I'm digging deep to find ways to relax, reflect the conundrum of whether I create more problems or simply point out theories of why we accept certain things as, well, acceptable. With or without merit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YabW4B5Wjwk It's a sailboat, right? You know, a little R&R. Rest and Reflect. I figure I may be missing a treadmill here or there, not make my steps for the day and hindering my progress to that ultimate bod, but…
Heather
February 11, 2020
Heather

This ain’t Your Momma’s Broken Heart 2.020

‪ ‪In reflection, I think it would be so cool if Miranda Lambert read little ole me’s story post of this idea. I felt inspired to create a flip side to that beautiful vinyl. Here’s my opportunity thought: I relate to 100% of her intentions within every song she‬ writes solo or in group. Whatever her issue, anyone can relate to the pain of that. That’s why she’s awesome anyway. It shows.  What if she tweaked the context of the main lyrics to my all time favorite , “Ain’t my Momma’s Broken Heart” to “Just Trust My Momma’s broken heart” as a dedication to special women who’ve got a lot of stuff going on right now so that the overarching…
Heather
February 5, 2020
Heather

Mmmmm … Matches

Since our daughter grew up and moved out, I’ve been the single woman in my home. Meaning I live with my husband, two teenage sons, a challenged male puggle, and a high maintenance female little white dog that doesn’t count because she needs to calm down to qualify as my girl which happens barely often enough to try and help her overcome her type A hole syndrome. So imagine my surprise when - for the third time since the weekend - I’ve come home to my candles lit. The men in my life are lighting them. Which is new. This is new. Who knew? Sure, I still appreciate Scentsy - especially the Cinderella scent. Thanks to my daughter, it’s my…
Heather
February 4, 2020
Heather

Connecting with Content – another Case Study

I appreciated how Brie, June Diane’s character in Grace and Frankie has been since day 1. I’ll admit, without her I think I would’ve given up around S5 E2. Oh, wait, I did. It wasn’t until I took a day off-grid to write much-needed content for work that I flipped it on as my typical think tank background noise. I typically capture the gist of a series to know the overarching crescendo of it. I can always tell how captivating a show is by how much I accomplish with it distracting me. It helps spark so much side road rabbit hole thinking and decipherings. It's still just enough that if Mark ever wants to watch a series I played as…
Heather
February 3, 2020
Heather

The tragedy of Kobe brings Hollywood together.

Today, as we hear the sad, awful news that the VP of the NBA, Kobe Bryant tragically passed away in a helicopter accident, we can take comfort in knowing that his passing has not been in vain. It's caused a country of healing. It's caused the largest forgiveness movement of Hollywood's biggest proponents of burning every man who ever had a questionable action against women. The tragedy has allowed us to move past #8 Kobe, and focus on #24 Kobe. We truly are becoming a united society of partisanship. Like for instance, John Legend jumped out for the R Kelly documentary to explain why he regrets profiting off of partnerships with him as he was unaware of what his behaviors…
Heather
January 26, 2020
Heather

Will Gen Z save us all? Thank Boomers.

I’m classified as Generation X. Raised by Boomers. Raising Generation Z teens. Here's my story as to why they may just be the saving Grace we need. But don't tell them - they've got enough things to worry about right now. So what do these titles mean? I’m stereotyped into a certain generation, just like Millennials and those observant Gen Z kidderoos that are growing up way too fast for this happy nester. As any person in the midst of their generation’s wet blanket of assumptions goes,  I went through my formative young career days being told by the media and bought-in boomers that I was ‘grunge’ and a ‘slacker’ and probably not going to be a contributor to a…
Heather
January 21, 2020
Heather

Do You Still Clip Coupons and Buy Newspapers? Yeah, Me Neither.

We had a Sunday paper on our doorstep this morning. I figure they must be doing some free thing to drum up some New Year subscribers? Who knows but when I used to get the Sunday paper I did like the flyers and coupons. Today, even though I know people who could be on extreme couponing and probably win, I think of what it would take for me to 1. Subscribe to the big city Sunday paper and 2. Cut out coupons and take them to use. Why did we get one? I still looked, though. What would it take to subscribe to a newspaper? My Answer: They have to change the revenue model, total format layout, distribution system, and…
Heather
January 5, 2020
Heather

The New Resolution – A 2020 Revolution?

It's that time again. The one time of the year you get very serious about a fresh start. Even more so when it's a new decade to boot. Here's three breakouts of what resolutions to consider for the best decade every. The first part is the Resolution marketing we're bombarded with and our role in it. the second part is a resolution commitment and being in the skin you're in, and finally, part 3, if you're still reading and committed by that point, is about women who skin shame other women - a challenge for the biggest resolution of all. Part 1: The Resolution Market I know, it’s currently NYE and everybody is thinking about a what to change about…
Heather
December 31, 2019
Heather

$19 a month and a free blanket

For only 63 cents a day, you can impact a life... All of these organizations' commercials, production and social proof of the need pull at every heartstring. Since they are all $19 a month and come with a free blanket, I thought It may be beneficial to combine them in one place, for free to help you pick which one. Shriners is wonderful. These kids are absolutely precious, their charity is on the 'good list' of legitimacy and their national media company does a great job. Hopefully at a significant discount. Here's hoping. Here's there statement about what the $19 does: The children in these commercials are wonderful. Oh, my heart. 'At Shriners Hospitals for Children®, stewardship is one of…
Heather
December 31, 2019
HeatherPandemic Thoughts

Take a Day

My wish, hope, prayer is that you get a day that’s yours. Here’s how I started mine. A day where the only interruptions are made by you. A day where the only decisions are made by you. A day where you create something satisfying. A day where you feel something gratifying. A day where you feel validated for taking your day. A day you cut out just for you, like a thin slice of pie after everyone’s had their fill. True Days Off A day you look forward to, experiencing positive anticipation while working up to it. A day you recognize is open and block on the calendar - without any guilt. A day where you can do whatever you…
Heather
December 30, 2019
Food for thoughtHeather

Confrontation Constipation

We’re afraid to offend the offensive.   It’s like confrontation constipation with a touch of avoidance followed by an uneasy head nod and a forced smile. But that's not all that happens. That's just the external indicators that you are internalizing whatever on-no-you-didn't thing that just happened while you keep it together. That's ok though, take a moment. Breathe. Contemplating your reaction allows you to process everything happening around you and whether it's worth a reaction or not. Doing something so that it doesn't stay inside, festering like gigantic, explosive turd fecal-ing it's way from your brain to all extremities slowly but surely tearing at your arteries and clogging your inner core. No, not really. You gotta get it out.…
Heather
December 28, 2019
Food for thoughtHeather

Finding Free Adrenaline

If I were a stereotypical thrill-seeker, today I went skydiving after work. I accomplished things that gave me an adrenaline rush that kept rolling. It doesn’t change anything, but the rush is fuel for my soul. I conquered some fears that pick up every metaphoric brick I let fall away and put it back where it belongs. I got this. Lol. I almost forgot. Today I cold-called the president of a company to pitch an idea I have to diversify his revenue stream without investing in new machinery. Random, right? I actually wrote the presentation more than two months ago and tested it on a few trusted, objective people from different relationship circles in my life with flying colors. Why…
Heather
December 17, 2019
Food for thoughtHeather

Words of Wisdom from Jessica Lange

If you didn’t already love every beautiful, tormented, multi-layered, strong and sometimes very ill and wretchedly fearsome articulate character portrayed by Jessica Lange, you’re going to love her much more when you read her wisdom playing the greatest role ever - her life story, unscripted. These quotes remind me that to live a life of extraordinary, pretend like Jessica Lange is watching you - and cheering you on. you wouldn’t want to let her down, after all. Here’s just a few gems of honest vulnerability by the queen herself. Enjoy! Acceptance and tolerance and forgiveness, those are life-altering lessons. For me, nothing has ever taken precedence over being a mother and having a family and a home. At a certain…
Heather
November 19, 2019
Food for thoughtHeather

7 Ways to Fight Anxiety and Reduce Stress

We don’t talk about anxiety enough. We don’t learn how to identify it, where it comes from or how we internalize it. We can take pills to suppress it, and before I get any further into this story – I fully understand that some people biologically, hormonally – require medication. I’m not trained or schooled in any medical way either. I’ve just taken a lot of pills to try and fix me as a teenager and I’ve required them for anxiety after all three of my children were born. I haven't taken any since, and I think this is why. This is my story and what has been the best peace I’ve experienced in my constant thinking, high expectation, idea…
Heather
November 7, 2019
Heather

What I Think About Teen Trick Or Treaters

I’ve heard people talk about older kids trick or treating and they didn’t agree with giving candy to them. I kindly disagree.   Tonight, my 15 and 13-year-old sons are out there, with their friends and a pillowcase loving life right now.   These are good, kind, smart, funny young men who are not playing video games.   They aren’t on their phones or computers.   They’re laughing. They're running around, respectively.   They’re ordering funny costumes in advance and getting into character.   I learned that you have to teach someone how to apply nail polish if it’s their first time. Yikes! It was comical. And messy. I’ll always remember that memory.   For the record, my son suggested…
Heather
November 4, 2019
Food for thoughtHeather

Destination 40 Vacations are a Must

It all began when we began to approach 40. When Mark was turning 40, we planned a Mexico all-inclusive and invited any couples or singles within our friends and family to join if they wanted, here’s a group link just in case. We were going regardless, but hey, you only turn 40 once. No one was able to make it, but we had the best time together ever. It was also early November, So the place was maybe half full, mostly Canadians and Wisconsin. They were all awesome and great people. We had a free upgrade in suites, restaurant/beach access and premium shelf status! Couldn’t beat it. Every day was a clear, sunny 85-90 degrees. Ahhhhh….I want to go baaaaaack.…
Heather
October 20, 2019
Heather

Dancing with Our Stars – The Clear Winners Are…. These Guys

Remember those friends of ours I mentioned in the Desitination40 story? Well, here’s a good reason why my Mark and I agree they’re our people. Why their best friends I hope all grown-up, lifelong #NoRegerts married couples seek in life to be their people. A mirror couple to be BFF’s with. Cause you have similar foundations. We had quite a few of these gem couples in Iowa. We’re grateful to be related to quite a few. They exist here, too. Here's a story about one of those couples. AKA golden rule couples Golden rule couples aren't common like having beer on tap. They’re more like $5 PBR pitchers. Every town has them, but you have to network to find the…
Heather
October 20, 2019
Heather

Why Dermographism Woke Me

In hindsight, I should've listened to my skin sooner. I kept getting itchy, very itchy - and once I scratched, it tripled in itchy and turned into hives. My nose and cheeks flush red. Anything rubbing or touching my skin snuggly triggered the itch areas worse. I had no idea what was going on. So after nearly two weeks, I called my doctor. She observed and said it could be a viral infection. 'When you start to feel it come on, take a Zyrtec. Call if it gets worse.' I felt silly like I wasted a doctor's appointment.  I didn’t even think of taking allergy pills. I was using anti-itch cream on it, the clear calamine kind used for bug…
Heather
October 14, 2019
Heather

Good girls gone bad to even worse.

I actually knew this girl. I knew lots of girls similar with challenging childhoods. Hundreds of girls. Girls like her have a harder place to succeed from. These teens come from all race and zip code. What they shared was their cyclic life, raised generations deep in a void mindset. I think that when you see that spark of possibility, of hope and see that they truly want to break free and not be in this, you gain more hope, too. I think of the characters like Julia Garner as Ruth in Ozark.  Emmy and Shanola’s as Fiona and V on Shameless. These raw, authentic women keep fighting. Like phoneix who rise from the ashes each and every time because…
Heather
October 5, 2019
Food for thoughtHeather

The Stories Your Scars Tell Are Up To You

I used to be embarrassed by these two small scars on my left hand. That translates to 24 years of hiding or avoiding a conversation. "What happened to your hand?" usually occurs at some point or another and I didn't want to talk about it because admitting how it happened sounded weak to me. I didn't want to deal with judgments or pity. weak. So the years progress, and over time I grew from not necessarily hiding my hand to just not acknowledging that someone is looking at it, ready to ask, whether intentions were curious and innocent or not. I’ve spent the last year - year #25 -   thinking I’m a goofball. I should never be embarrassed again. Silly…
Heather
October 5, 2019
Food for thought

We’re All Just Older Kids, Even at Work

Let's make sure we're playing in the right sandbox. Our lives depend on it. At a recent conference in another time zone, I was among people that do the same stuff I do to some degree or another as a paid career. As we were eating lunch and getting to know one another, 'talking shop' as it's called, a beautiful and intelligent woman from Arkansas said with such politeness that at her work, there is a clique group of straight up, well, toxic people who would rather sacrifice being team players over some type of desired personal gain. She’s authentic in her descriptions with confession of struggling to stay optimistic at work. You could feel her heaviness in her heart.…
Heather
September 20, 2019
Food for thought

3 Things to Consider Before Shopping Facebook Ads

Facebook ads, no matter how cool, persuasive, funny and correctly targeted to you - are going to quite possibly be from a country far, far away. (And retargeted with every single ad just like it when you click) They are getting much more sophisticated in appearance. So if you open the ad, shop inside the pop-up and complete your order within Facebook, consider these three things before you buy. 1. You don’t mind that it’s on a slow boat from China. Yes, some things are worth waiting for. As long as it’s not last minute, meaning ten days out or less. In a world of next-day Amazon and our immediate gratification requirements of ‘Merica, it can feel weird to wait…
Heather
September 20, 2019
Heather

Rappers in Suburbia Paradise

I really like the man my teen son is becoming. I believe his group of friends are, too. They're good boys. They listen to music with meaning. Today marks a transitional day in the Oh Hey Heather house. Our oldest son has decided at 15.5 years, we should take the hardly used basement family room to convert into his bedroom. His friends use it most, anyway, for playing video games. He's right. His younger brother is excited to claim his vacated room, too. So the family project commences. I left work early this afternoon to surprise him and get started. I'm self motivated, too, because when it's all said and done, I claim the final smallest bedroom as a seven-year…
Heather
August 30, 2019
Food for thought

Hey Girl, Sit Down. And Learn From Sturgis Women.

If you’re using a public restroom, it’s because you gotta go. The term public restroom is loosely defined as anywhere you can acceptably drop the drawers and let out a self satisfying exhale of letting it go. Swanky department stores to weekend strong porta-johns that could use a bit more ventilation and blue water, they all qualify. Whatever spectrum of potty exposure you’ve put yourself in, when you gotta go, you gotta go. (If it’s bad enough, wooded areas or between open car doors will suffice). Nothing makes my bladder boil more than when you swing open that door to sweet freedom and find the seat covered in hover piss. When you’ve made eye contact with a toilet and there’s…
Heather
August 10, 2019
Heather

I got big Plains

The plains. So wide. Just wide. I mean, Iowa is wide. Headed to Bree’s new house in Iowa yesterday. Ohio has wide places. Ohio’s sunset last week This highway is so far ahead straight that it’s like you just can’t see that far straight ahead. Moments when I wish I had a fancy camera because this doesn’t do it justice. But this.  It’s just wide, open, uninterrupted consistency. They must of laser grid this for hundreds of straight miles. Very little anything of height but an occasional grouping of trees who managed migrate towards a small water pond in between fields of crops or wild grass. Billboards and road signs litter up when you get to a place of human…
Heather
August 4, 2019
Food for thought

The Willie Nelson Post That Almost Didn’t Happen.

My original post idea for this photo was going to be “Perfect song to begin a perfect day driving to an uncharted Adventure...” But then I hesitated. I decided I wasn’t going to post anything at all. I even put my phone away.  Why? Because I caught myself in time - I was afraid if any bikers or sarcastic individuals who know what the Sturgis tradition is, would make fun of me. Mock me. Belittle me publicly behind a faceless user name.  What if they notice the picture of our radio means we aren’t riding our bikes the whole way? I rationalized my delete button with “I’ll have a thousand things to post anyway. Between the past weekend with my…
Heather
August 4, 2019
Heather

If America was a Company

I am so over politics.  I don’t even want to call it that anymore. It’s no longer politics or bipartisanship anyway. So for this story, I am going to use the analogy that our wonderful country is actually a company. We as Americans whether working, stay at home parenting, student, retired, volunteering – however you contribute(d) to the economy and progress of this country – are the employees. Then in business terms, our House would be like different department leaders meeting at the table to make big decisions for the company. Regardless of where you would sit at the table as an elected representative, you better be savvy enough to see the forest through the trees. The cause and effect…
Heather
July 12, 2019
Heather

Dear Husband, Here’s the Card Hallmark Didn’t Write.

I didn’t want to write a post on Facebook. I didn’t want to stand in the card aisle at Kroger reading card after card trying to find the one card some stranger wrote that came close enough to capture what I am trying to say to you so I can sign it as if it’s a stamp of approval. I also didn’t want to wait for a milestone year to say what I want to say right now. This is Anniversary #17. Not 20, 25 or 50. But 17 complete, season cycles of marriage. And here’s what I feel and think that I want to say about it. With great love comes a great fear. Not fear like basic realizations…
Heather
July 5, 2019
Heather

ABC’s The Bachelor Needs a Makeover

An Open Letter to the Bachelor Can you imagine the scenario: a perfect gentleman has a serious girlfriend whose parents aren’t frequently able to visit? Cue in ABC's The Bachelor, specifically the third to the last episode - also known as - the top 4 finalists' home visits. So here’s my vision of a new, revamped Bachelor season. Yes, a swooning, record-breaking season where you actually expand your demographic to a larger base of new psychographics. Here goes the plan: I don’t know about you, but at this stage in the show, I would think that if I was in love-love, I'd know by now. You're meeting the parents! You would have to at least know if it's serious, last…
Heather
June 13, 2019
Heather

Rain – The Nasty 4 Letter Word

The rain that most of the midwest, agricultural states have received this year is something awful. In my 43 years of living in WVa, then Iowa and now recently, Ohio - I have not experienced in memory this heightened concern. I'm not sure how many ways it's affecting so many unknown factors with farmers who still can't plant any seeds because it hasn't been dry enough. And it's May 22nd. And it just got cloudy again and we're supposed to get more. It kind of feels eerie when year after year, no matter which state we lived in, May meant the sparks of green on our daily commutes and drives. It was signs of the best time of year. Bright…
Heather
May 22, 2019
Heather

When You Know Where Everything Is

If you’re like me, you know where stuff is. For some, it’s a photographic memory, where you can see exactly where the random pack of 3M strips are or where that engraved flask is that he got from his brother’s wedding 19 years ago.  Only for crap though. I am glad networking events have name tags. But it’s impressive. Kinda like that refreshing baby boomer or veteran at Lowes that says, “Oh, you’ll find that on aisle 63, to the middle left next to the lumber aisle. I’ll walk you there. What kind of project are you doing?” Then we proceed to discuss it, he either commends us for the size of the task ourselves or recommends another option that…
Heather
May 21, 2019
Heather

If You Grew Up in Beech Bottom, West Virginia

If you lived in Beech Bottom in the 80’s and early 90’s – you know what I’m talking about. The playground of fearless equipment Sure, there were simple swings or a concrete dolphin to lay on, but you know why you begged your mom to take the wax paper to the park. You may have waxed that slide enough to think you were going to go up over the sides, and you may have. But the bravest, by far, road the giant stride. And if you were really brave, you let the older kids see how fast and high they could make you fly. Lock your arms in, and make sure you have a safe word. Dodd’s field If you…
Heather
April 28, 2019
Food for thoughtHeather

Can We Keep 2019 Hairstyles in Fashion – Forever? Please?

I do stuff to my hair for work. Or if I'm going somewhere nicer than usual. You know, a date or concert or something. But that's about it. Over the years, as I am sure everyone, even short hair folks, switched it up. Changed something. Color, style, length, part... We will do so in the future, too. Cut and color is always fun to experiment with, but can we please leave style methods as is, forever? Today's hair trends are my favorite so far and have held strong for a few years now. I hope it stays that way. Here's why. Your hair is styled either straight or curly. Flat irons and bigger barreled curling irons are a necessity, but the…
Heather
March 28, 2019