We're never prepared for death, even if we know it's coming. We know death is eventually going to happen for us all, but it just never gets easier when we have to say goodbye. 

With social media connecting us again to friends and loved ones we haven't seen in a while, it feels even heavier when we learn of someone's passing. How is it possible that this person could be gone today when just yesterday we saw them share a photo on Facebook and Instagram? HOW?! 

I'm still trying to understand and wrap my head around a recent tragedy that happened to my childhood friend. Though I still don't understand it, I'm grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with her. My heart hurts for her family; her husband and three young children, her parents and in-laws, her siblings, and extended family.  

Death of someone so young always reminds me to appreciate every day a little more, to slow down and enjoy the moment instead of trying to share it on social media, and to capture more memories. 

So, while you may see less of me on social media, know that I am here; living, loving and learning. 

There is a fund my friend's family has put together in her memory and to help her husband and children who are 6, 4, and 2. If you can help, any dollar amount is appreciated. Click here.

Thanks for stopping by today. 

xoxo

Staying Healthy and Active with Cheerios and Usher!

This post is sponsored by General Mills and Usher, but my love for their Honey Nut Cheerios and amazing song is all mine!

The cold and flu season are upon us and as I mentioned in my last post, I haven't been feeling too well myself. So how can we avoid getting sick when it's all around us? The obvious answer is to wash ours hands, especially after you shake someone else's! However, the not so obvious answer is staying healthy and active with Cheerios and Usher...totally not what you were thinking, but it's true! 

 When you're morning is busy and you can't be bothered to think about what you're eating, you grab a bowl of cereal, right? Well some of us have a cabinet full of cereals that are high in sugar and artificially flavored because we have a big sweet tooth and midnight cravings! But now that I'm in my 30's I need to start choosing cereals that are good for me and will help me stay healthy to fight off colds and the flu. That's why I love Honey Nut Cheerios, they are heart healthy and naturally sweetened with real honey, there is no better cereal to help kick off your healthy and active day. 

Well, you will also need Usher's new song "Clueless" to kick off the active part of your day! I don't know about you, but I love starting my day with music. It helps put me in a good mood to begin my day on the right note.

Whether you've been a fan of Usher's music since his first hit album "My Way" in 1997, discovered his music in 2001 when you heard "U Got it Bad" or rooted for #TeamUsher on The Voice last year, you won't want to miss out on your chance to get this exclusive free download from specially marked boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios at Walmart.

How do you get your morning started so you stay on the right track of staying healthy and active? 

Family History

I was hoping to have a Christmas wreath round up post on the blog this week, but as you know life doesn't always go as planned. I've been feeling really groggy lately and that is bad news when you're trying to write. When my head is cloudy and I can't think straight, I just can't be bothered to put together a thoughtful post!

I hate going to the doctor but I can't keep putting off this feeling that I probably have a sinus infection. My voice has been horse at times and squeaky as well for about a month now and with my family history of thyroid issues, I need to get looked over. It's kind of crazy because the "family history" went from my mom being diagnosed about six years ago and having her thyroid removed to my aunt (her sister) having the same diagnosis earlier this year, and most recently my older sister was diagnosed as well. Each had stage one thyroid cancer and had the thyroid removed. My sister is still healing (her surgery was just last month) and is now discussing radioactive iodine shots with her doctor.

 I actually had my thyroid checked last year with an ultra sound after I felt a hard lump in my throat area, but thankfully it came up negative (could have been a swollen gland). Ever since my mom's diagnosis and surgery six years ago I have been concerned about my own health, and now with two other women in my family going through the same thing my stress level over it has definitely risen. 

{ My sister a few days after her surgery }

{That's me, my younger sister, and older sister}

This is a recent picture of my sisters and I from just this week when we went to my mom's for dinner. You can see my sister's cut right below her throat is still healing. It looks a bit darker in person, she edited this photo on her phone before posting. 

{My mom about seven months after her surgery}

{Mom, sisters and I in March}

As you can see my mom's scar has healed up nicely and she has been doing well health wise. My aunt moved to Florida a few years ago and recently came up to visit. After her surgery her voice was a little horse, her doctor told her there was a chance of that. It could get better overtime or it may stay like that. She's a bit older than my mom so her body may take more time to heal. 

These ladies are so strong and brave. I just can't imagine hearing that word cancer, but if I ever do I know that I have an amazing support team who will be there with me every step of the way. 

Now that the family history has grown larger, I need to be on top of this and so does my younger sister. Ladies, if there are health issues in your family, don't push it aside and put it off until it's too late. Get to your doctor and get checked. 

OK, I'm off to the doctor...wish me luck. 

I Have Flaws, Please Forgive Me...

I was going to put together my mason jar post for today, but things don't always go as planned around here. Right now, it's 2 am and I have other things on my mind that I needed to write about. You see I'm 31 and I feel like I'm still a work in progress. I'm still learning and growing, making mistakes and bad decisions, what can I saw...I'm flawed. 

I will never be flawless, I'm no Beyonce...

{source}

I'm just trying to accept my flaws when others look down on them...

{source}

I'm from Philly and I shout when I talk. 

I take everything personally and hate when someone doesn't like me. 

I lack self confidence and don't give myself enough credit.

I get emotional.

I say the wrong things before thinking twice about them. 

I talk too much and give unwanted details.

I make mistakes and sometimes make the same ones over and over again. 

I bite my nails and trip over my feet. 

I watch too much TV.

I procrastinate and have a million other things on my mind instead of the one thing I should be doing at the moment. 

But that's just who I am.

I have flaws, please forgive me.

Take the good with the bad. 

Take all of me and love me just the way I am. 

I will learn from my mistakes (eventually) and grow as a person, but these flaws will always be mine. 

Just as I will always stand 6 feet tall, I will always say things with a Philly accent (punkin instead of pumpkin, ice-ning instead of icing, wooder instead of water), so don't try to correct me! 

I have flaws and don't expect you to embrace them, just don't use them against me. Don't hate me because of them. 

I have flaws, please forgive me. 

PS, linked up over at TwoThirty-Five Designs