Abandoning Habits and Embracing Routines Instead
In case you don’t know this about me, let me clue you in on something: I’m somewhat of a productivity nerd. It’s always been part of my DNA to get things done as efficiently as possible. I think I’m this way for three reasons: 1) it is a learned behavior. My mom was a school teacher, and my dad was a military officer. Enough said. 2) self-preservation to conserve energy and maximize performance. Being born with a physical disability meant I had to learn how to get more done with less from a young age. 3) I happen to enjoy it.
Top Gun Maverick Offers Up More Than Just Great Action
It was the summer of 2019, and Drew and I were sitting in a movie theater watching the previews for Ford vs. Ferrari when I saw the trailer for Top Gun Maverick for the first time. Even though it was just a few scenes set to the iconic Top Gun anthem, I immediately got goosebumps. To say I am a fan girl of Top Gun would be a huge understatement.
It's Not About Luck: My Real-Life Stories of Serendipity
Today is St. Patrick’s Day here in the United States. I’ve always been conflicted about the holiday. I think my hesitation to fully embrace a celebratory attitude stems from one of a couple of reasons. Either: a) my aversion to a holiday that legitimizes drunkenness or b) that the holiday mascot is a leprechaun— a cute, jolly little short dude who is an appropriating stereotype and caricature for a Little Person (who are actually real people, by the way).
Why I Left WordPress for Squarespace
If you are a creative entrepreneur who is currently using WordPress to host your content, and you are thinking of switching to a different platform, let this blog post serve as a kind of permission slip. Because years ago, when I was thinking of leaving WordPress , I came upon a blog post written by a woman who had just made the leap from WordPress to Squarespace. She explained her reasons and rationale, but all in all what the post did was permit me to let go of all my hang-ups about sticking it out on WordPress and make the leap myself.
The War in the Ukraine With Links on How to Support Their Citizens
I was a sophomore in high school when the break up of the USSR happened. I wish I could say I remember it clearly, but I don’t. My family was going through a breakup of its own at the time, so I doubt I had the attention span for current global events, and I’m kind of regretting that now.
What I do remember are hearing phrases like “the effects of perestroika and glasnost,” and “the end of the Cold War.” I clearly remember images from 1989, two years prior, of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the overthrow and execution of Nicolae Ceausescu.
Headlines From the Day I Was Born
I love history. It was my favorite subject in school. It’s my favorite category on Jeopardy. I usually do pretty well when anything history-related is a Trivial Pursuit question.
I also love journalism. It was my major in college, and if it weren’t for the soul-crushing pace of a reporter’s life, I think I would have excelled in the profession. Even though I didn’t make journalism my career, does not mean I wasted my time in college. I learned how to ask questions, think critically, and never bury the lead. I believe good skills to have in general, really.
Why I Love Being Married: Reflections on Partnership, Growth, and Joy
Today is Valentine’s Day here in the United States, and while I know some people believe it is a wholly commercialized Hallmark Card holiday, I think it is always a special day to celebrate love. My love, of course, is my husband, Andrew. We met in the summer of 2004, and we got married in October 2007. Even though it has been almost 15 years of marriage, some moments it feels just like yesterday.
Happy Birthday, Sis. Remember That Epic Road Trip?
This past week my sister, Leigh, celebrated her birthday. Mine is in a couple of weeks. I love that they are both in the same month. I wanted to take the occasion to write a post about what she means to me. I think she knows. I hope she knows. But either way, sharing my love for her with the internet universe just feels right this year.
Learning From Masterclass
A dear friend of mine gave me the most wonderful gift for Christmas. She asked me what would be something that would enrich my learning and support me with my goals. I thought about it for a while, and then it came to me: a subscription to Masterclass. I have been contemplating subscribing for some time, but to be honest, we try to limit the number of subscription services we have in the Yarborough house. I already had a Skillshare subscription, so I wasn’t ready to sign up for another. When my friend offered it to me as such a generous gift, it voided that obstacle.
Have You Played Your Wordle Yet Today?
Have you done your Wordle yet today?
Man, yesterday’s was tough! It took me four tries, but I finally got there.
If you aren’t familiar with Wordle, it is the online word game that has taken the internet by storm. I am not on social media that much, so my husband Andrew introduced it to me. We are pretty competitive, so we are always looking for new games to play.
In Honor of MLK Jr. Day, My Top 10 Truths for Racial Justice and Equality
Today we honor the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, and assassinated on April 4, 1968. Dr. King was and still is, revered as a monumental leader in the Civil Rights Movement. An American Baptist minister and activist, he evoked a message of peace and non-violence in the struggle for African-Americans to achieve equality and justice in the United States and beyond. The fact that he did this in an environment that at one point jailed him and eventually cost him his life is a testament to how great this man truly was.
My Golden Retriever Alton Had to Have Surgery
I have written a lot about our Golden Retriever Fur Son, Alton, on this blog. And good Lord willing, I will be able to write a lot more in the years to come. But for today’s post, I wanted to share about a recent surgery Alton had to have. Thankfully, it was a minor procedure. But any time a pet has to go under anesthesia, there are risks. Additionally, Alton is eight years old now. As they say, for a large breed dog, he’s getting up there.