The song "Quiet" by MILCK

In what I feel was a very special moment at the historic "Women's March" after the Presidential Inauguration 2017, a group of women led by the song writer MILCK, started singing this beautiful song.  Putting aside political differences, the song is hauntingly lovely & powerfully fierce.

Here is the special message the artist wrote about the video and song: 

 As a survivor of anorexia, abuse, and depression, I can say that I have let the overwhelming pressures of filling media/society's expectations of "how a woman should be" overwhelm and silence my inner voices - without even realizing I was doing it. Until... I just couldn't breathe anymore. As I live more days on this planet now, I can say with full confidence that there are no standards or rules worth crushing our soul bones to fit into. Life gets better when we just... let it out.

I hope you enjoy, and feel empowered or comforted after watching. If you see some of yourself in this video, please share and pass the word on. Much love to you. 
Lyrics: Put on your face
know your place
shut up and smile
don’t spread your legs
I could do that

But no one knows me no one ever will
if I don’t say something, if I just lie still
Would I be that monster, scare them all away
If I let the-em hear what I have to say

I can’t keep quiet, no oh oh oh oh oh oh
I can’t keep quiet, no oh oh oh oh oh oh
A one woman riot, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

I can’t keep quiet
For anyone
Anymore

Cuz no one knows me no one ever will
if I don’t say something, take that dry blue pill
they may see that monster, they may run away
But I have to do this, do it anyway

I can’t keep quiet, no oh oh oh oh oh oh
I can’t keep quiet, no oh oh oh oh oh oh
A one woman riot, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh I can’t keep quiet
Let it out Let it out
Let it out now

There’ll be someone who understands
Let it out Let it out
Let it out now

Must be someone who’ll understand
Let it out Let it out
Let it out now

There’ll be someone who understands
Let it out Let it out
Let it out now

I can’t keep quiet

And just because the gathering of women fighting for their rights & singing so beautifully gives me feels, here's the footage from the Women's March:

You are all beautiful. Never be afraid to speak up for yourself. ♥

Interviewing My Three Guys

This was posted on Facebook.  Interview your children with these questions, but don’t prompt them, correct them, or put words in their mouth. Write down their answers as they say them. These rules make the answers more interesting. I wrote down their original answers even though sometimes they (especially my first-born), wanted to change the answer. Also, it’s pretty cool to see yourself in the eyes of your loved ones. I couldn’t help myself & included my personal commentary in parenthesis. My Huz wanted to be included in the interview session, so I thought, why not? Makes it more interesting. LOL!
Q=my first-born (13 years old)
L=my youngest (11 years old)
R=The Huz

(L-R) First-born, The Huz, and the Youngest....my 3 guys, my loves. ♥

Here it goes:

What is something I say a lot?
Q: Sure. (I guess he sees me as pretty agreeable.)
L: STOP!! (What parent doesn't, right?)
R: Go to bed! (What? LOL!)

What makes me happy?
Q: Us, doing awesome stuff. (He's not wrong.)
L: Watching Manatees play & eating Ghirardelli brownies. (Again, he's not wrong.)
R: Me (Of course, he’d say that...but technically he's not wrong either.)

What makes me sad?
Q: Me messing up (My first-born doesn’t say much, but he’s sensitive).
L: Seeing damage to the environment and bad behavior.(From one activist to another.)
R: Me (The Huz is insane.)

How tall am I?
Q: Tall enough. (Well, isn’t he sweet.)
L: 5 feet.
R: Fun size. (I like it!)  

How old am I?
Q: That’s not too important. (Trying to score points.)
L: 40
R: Not at all. (Yup, this one is definitely trying to score points.)

What's my favorite thing to do?
Q: Eat Ghirardelli brownies. (I obviously haven’t hidden my love of sweets from my kids.)
L: Eating a dessert (I mean, here you go.)
R: Getting a massage (Yes!)

What is my favorite drink?
Q: Lemonade (Yes!)
L: Lemonade
R: Pineapple Rum (And also yes!)

If I could go anywhere, where would it be?
Q: Florida to watch the Manatees. (Right.)
L: Anywhere we go.(Right again.)
R: Italy (It's definitely up there too!)

Do you think you could live without me?
Q: Meh.
L: No
R: No
(This is a sobering & depressing question. LOL!)

How do you know that I love you?
Q: Because you just do.
L: Because you say it & show it.
R: You’re still with me. (Ha!)

What is my favorite food?
Q: Seafood
L: Anything with chocolate
R: Anything with chocolate
(Again, they're all right.)

What is my favorite TV show?
Q: It changes a lot.
L: None. Constantly changes.
R: Always changes.
(I guess I'm a very fickle TV viewer.)

What celebrity do I have a crush on?
Q: Never thought about that.
L:  You’re married. (LOL!)
R: Thor (Ooops! Ha!)

What is one thing that I do around the house that makes you happy?
Q: Cleans it up. (Alrighty then. HA! HA!)
L: Being there.  (Sweet, and brown nosing…LOL!)
R: Cook (It's always about food.)

That was super fun! Hope you enjoy interviewing your loved ones too!

I Disappear Into Books, What's Your Superpower?

Feeling pretty powerful right about now, recommending these fun titles. Please enjoy! 18 and over only though. :-)

Breakaway by Catherine Gayle

Dana Campbells was brutally attacked which resulted in changing her life forever—derailing her hockey career & rendering her unable to form lasting personal relationships.  She was prone to panic attacks & her quality of life was deteriorating.  On the advice of her therapist, she had to look for a sex surrogate to help her get passed her struggle with physical intimacy.  Rather than do that, she decides to ask her brother’s best friend, Eric, a man she trusts, whom she’s grown up with, with whom she’s held a torch for, to help her passed her struggles.  She wants her plan to work, but can she get over an even bigger hurt—having to say goodbye to a man she loves?  This book was so heart wrenching.  Dana is such an admirable character—rising passed & above such a horrific incident.  Read her story & support all the real women she represents! This is the first book in the Portland Storm series. 

When You’re Ready by J.L. Berg

First there was Clare and Ethan—young, married and in-love.  Then cancer rears it’s ugly head and takes Ethan away leaving Clare to raise their daughter, Maddie, alone.  Handsome doctor, Logan, carrying his own baggage,  enters their lives and fits like a snug glove.  Clare wonders if one person can be so lucky as to have two great loves in a lifetime.   But life is anything but devoid of challenges.  And no doubt, there are some heading Clare & Logan’s way.  Will their love triumph it all? Read to find out.  Believe me, the literary journey is worth it!

Fever by Melissa Pearl

Ella lost her parents as a teenager and found solice in her two best friends, Morgan and Jody & her boyfriend, David.  At the guidance of David, she moves across the country to attend the same college as him & to follow their dreams. Or are they David’s dreams? She sings in the communal shower & finds a “song soulmate” (from the other side of the wall) she can’t get out of her head.  And to add to her already conflicted brain, she finds herself magnetically attracted to David’s roommate and best friend, Cole. Does David really know who Ella is—her desires, her dreams, her likes & dislikes?  Who is Ella really meant to be with?  This is one of those stories I found really hard to put down.  I really wanted to know what was going to happen next…what choices would Ella make.  Read this one, it’s enjoyable.

Tags: #ContemporaryRomance #Novels

Here's the inspiration for the post title.

There's a lot of "Keep Calm and..." out there, but this one speaks the truth!

Thanks to the Kindle, this task isn't so heavy anymore. LOL!

Showcase of Rose Parade Floats 2017

I've been watching the Tournament of Roses Parade on television for about 35 years now. It has always been a beautiful & traditional way to start off the new year. I've always wanted to see the floats up close & personal and this year, we did it! It was an awesome experience and I feel truly privileged to see these giant artwork pieces right in front of me.

Unfortunately, television and pictures don't do these floats justice. They really are amazingly gorgeous!

The colors are so vibrant.  This one reminded me of the dragons in Game of Thrones. LOL!

I thought it was only fitting that my keyboard-playing son stand in front of this awesome float.

This was one of my favorite floats. The shell of the turtle is covered in Mungo beans (my favorite Filipino dish)!

Awesome roller coaster float.

Trader Joe's presented a pretty float and since we're regular customers, we couldn't help but feel proud too.

Not sure if anyone's still looking for him, but we may have found Nemo. ;-)

They gave complimentary chocolate milk which the guys decided to toast with in front of this awesome cow. Love this picture of these two peas in a pod. ♥

Our favorite manatee, Puffy, played the role of Simba in the Lion King. :-D

One with the birds. :-D

Again, we're big Netflix fans and I think my first-born is doing some Jedi powers with the plane. :-D

This giraffe was many people's favorite float. I think this picture of my guys is my favorite shot of the day. ♥

We managed a Felfie in the middle of the crowds. ♥

I couldn't close this dedication post of our wonderful memories of the Showcase of Floats without a little commentary on littering and trash.  Even my kids were appalled at the state of the streets after crowds started to disburse.  We were told that the streets would be cleaned, but what I'm wondering is, why is it so hard for people to discard their own trash? I couldn't fathom leaving all that debris behind knowing I was responsible for causing it.

I mean, c'mon, that's just gross!

2017 came so quickly. I wish everyone nothing but peace, love & joy in the coming days.  Just as I will try to continue to do, let's keep negativity out of our lives, treat people with respect & kindness and contribute to making the world a better place (or at least not hurting it).