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1.29.2018

Dear Sir

Disclaimer: The rise of the #metoo movement, and the turn of the tide towards no longer standing for the routine sexual assault of women inspired me to write this. It is not aimed at one individual, nor any recent event, but instead at a lifetime of instances.


Dear Sir,
You say, “I don’t normally do this.” We both know it’s a lie. I wonder if the words feel as gross to you when you say them as they feel when I hear them. As you start slow, telling me I’m nice and you’re glad we met, before making it clear that you’re ready to have sex with me if only I want to. I don't.

Dear Sir,
You remember that I met your wife, right? That we sat and talked about our children, about college, and about what we like most when we go camping. You remember that our children played together, right? They ran, jumped, laughed, and connected easily in that way that only children can. Were you already thinking then, as you looked at my blue hair and tattoos, that maybe you could do with me what you can’t do with the mother of your children? You can't.

Dear Sir, 
My body is MY canvas, and the bright colors on my skin are not an invitation. Your fingers don't get to trace their rudimentary paint-by-number designs against my flesh. You expect that my politeness will not allow me to make a scene, that I'll just stay quiet. I won't.

Dear Sir,
No, I will not smile. No, I don't need to give you the time of day. No, that catcall is not a compliment. My value does not lay in my position as a daughter, wife, sister, friend to a man. You want to think my value lays outside of who I am and what I do, and instead aligns with who I can be in relation to you. It doesn't. 

Dear Sir,
No more blaming. No more shaming. No more unnecessary explaining. I'm done.

Dear Sir.

1.26.2018

Women's March

Last weekend, in addition to MANSON! (I'm going to be saying that again soon, it was a busy weekend!), we attended the 2nd Women's March on Denver.


Much like last year, it was an amazing day, full of determination, celebration, calls for action moving forward, and witty signs (of course).



Unlike last year, Trav was able to join us this time!




I love sharing this type of activity with Gwen. I want her to always be willing to work and fight for what is important and right.




We made a sign ourselves this year, with me providing some words for one side (and her providing the drawing), and her speaking her mind on the other.






It was warmer then last year for sure, but still chilly, so we didn't wait to hear all the speakers afterwards, instead heading back to thaw out in our car.


After that we headed to grab a treat, since we were in the city already.


The Inventing Room is definitely something different... and a lot of fun to try out! Gwen was a fan of the cotton candy on a sundae option, while Trav and I enjoyed our Frozen Butterbeer and S'mores Tart.


Definitely a full, fun, fulfilling day.

1.24.2018

Not-So-Wordless Wednesday {Marilyn Manson!!!!!}

This past weekend a many year dream of mine came true, and teenager me died just a little bit, as I attended my first Marilyn Manson concert!

I made sure to re-dye my hair the day before...
had to look my best... 😉


The opening act sucked, but Manson killed it... even with a still healing leg (he performed in a walking cast/boot!). I was damn impressed with him dancing around the stage in that thing. 




It was a great show, a good mix of his old and new songs. I would absolutely go see him play again!!


1.22.2018

My Girl is Gone... Take Two


Two weeks ago I headed out for a rare night on the town with my Colorado BFF, Marissa, and some other friends, as a last hurrah before she moved to Mexico. 


You might recall that she headed to Mexico a few months ago, but this time the move is more permanent with a real lease waiting on the other end, and no return ticket.



It was such a fun evening, and a great way to say farewell... 


But boy do I miss this sweet face!!

Here's to visits to Mexico in the future!

1.19.2018

A Few More from Break


I feel a little guilty that while the East Coast was dealing with Snowmageddon, we were running around outside in 40 and 50 degree weather! But, I was super grateful that we could get outside on Gwen's winter break...



We also treated ourselves to a showing of Coco! I highly recommend it. Such a beautiful movie, but in theme and in viewing.


This sweet beast has been such a lovebug lately... so snugly! I'm enjoying it for sure.


Being back to school has been nice, but I'll admit, while a little long, the winter break was pretty fabulous too.

1.15.2018

Things Unsaid

When a person shares there life online, they start to feel like a friend. I'm guilty of this, reading blogs and feeling like I really know the person. But the truth is, you can only share so much in a very public, open forum. There is so much of life that needs to remind between you and the other persons living it. I've always prided myself on being as open as possible, but sometimes its hard to toe that line properly. There are things I want to share, things I want to get out in the open, but they aren't all mine to share.

While things have been good lately, the end of last year was hard... honestly the last 2 months of 2017 were some of the best and worst in recent memory. There were really beautiful parts, lots of them, truly (Christmas was honestly magic!). But there were also big conversations with friends and family, arguments sometimes, lines drawn in the sand, and hurt feelings. I started going to Al-Anon meetings this month in an attempt to understand some people around me, and take care of myself. And I've been thinking about certain relationships that feel permanently changed.


This is life. Relationships come and go, friendships change, people change. This month seems to be about learning to roll with the changes. I want to be balanced here, and it would feel really good to fully unburden myself. But I'd rather focus on the good as well, and I have to respect the others involved. Here's your little reminder though, that the person behind these posts is human as well, and that with the good comes the bad.

1.12.2018

This Is Not A Resolution (Part One?)

But I am putting this out there...

I’ve been taking a new yoga class for a bit over a month now, and it is pushing and growing my practice in the hardest, most enjoyable way. The teacher invited us all to pick a pose for the following year to focus on, a pose to be a teacher to us. I had done this previously, choosing... downward facing dog! It was a return to the root of things that I needed at the time. I didn’t know what pose to chose for next year, but the teacher put it out there that she would help anyone chose that needed it. If I found my roots in 2017, then 2018 is when I use those roots to help me fly: she gave me handstand. As soon as she said it, I knew that I had known it all along. It’s time to face my fears, and really go for what has felt unreachable. Expect to see a lot of practice pictures and videos. Expect to see frustration. Expect to see growth, slowly but surely. Handstand, I’m coming for you!! 💪🏻
A post shared by Meegs (@tattooedmeegs) on

And here's my start...

1.10.2018

Semi-Wordless Wednesday {Nahko}

While actual New Year's Eve was spent apart, the night before New Year's, Trav and I headed out to spend the night together at a pretty wonderful concert.




 





It was a great night considering I was still recovering from a killer stomach bug and spent it in sweatpants sipping ginger ale! Ha!

1.08.2018

Back To School

Today is Gwen's last day off for the Winter Holidays. Two weeks of togetherness, especially during a time of year when it can be a bit cold and miserable, can be a little hard on us both, but I have to say that it went pretty well this year.


Gwen is getting better about being able to entertain herself, and the influx of new books and some new games from Christmas kept her going. I tried to find one special thing for each day, an outing sometimes, a special craft, or maybe meeting Trav for lunch, and that made the days go quicker... and kept them from melting into each other so much! 

We decided Mermaid Goop was... weird.
We watched her new movie (Beauty and the Beast) and headed to the actual movies one day as well (Coco!). We're both ready to be back to routine, but we enjoyed our time together! 

St. Daisy was ready for school to start again too...

1.03.2018

Semi-Wordless Wednesday {New Year's Eve Celebrations}

New Year's Eve Gwen and I headed out for a hockey game, while Trav went to work an event in the city.



We always love getting to see the Avs play, and this was a great game for her to be at since they won 6-1! Lots of chances for her to celebrate!


 She was gifted a game puck too!


Afterwards they had indoor fireworks to celebrate the incoming New Year! A first for me (and for the Pepsi Center).


It was a great show, and I could have watched Gwen's face the whole time! 


We headed home after that to get Gwen to bed. I relaxed on the couch for a bit with a cup of hot chocolate and a googled video of the New York City ball drop... then I headed off to bed. 


I hope your New Year, no matter how you brought it in, started off beautifully!

1.01.2018

2017-2018

Happy New Year!! 

 

2016 was a year of growth and change and learning about what we needed and our new environment. 2017 was one of adventure!

6 new states checked off our list, 4 new countries (5 for Gwen in 3 International trips), 4 weddings on 2 coasts, and a 2nd (annual!) cross country journey. 13000+ miles flown as a family, plus 9100 miles I flew myself; 5200+ miles driven for our East Coast journey, 2100 round trip to California, plus another 1550 in New Mexico!

Honestly, it was a little crazy, and there will be less of that for sure in 2018!!

Of course, that's not to say there wasn't growth this year too. I finally earned my doula certification, and served three great clients. I grew my yoga classes, in amount and size. I didn't officially check off every goal I had originally set for my business for this year, but I'm looking at the ones I didn't complete and realizing that maybe they aren't what I want at the moment anyway.

Trav started yoga, and earned himself a killer raise at work. Gwen has continued to thrive at school and in Colorado, and has shown such growth in her maturity levels. I hit up three great concerts, and celebrated 5 years of yoga. 

Personally I feel like I've really owned my authentic self more then ever this year, speaking truths that have hidden inside me for decades, and fully loving who I am. Now that is worth celebrating. 

Looking ahead I cannot wait to see what 2018 will bring. I already have one doula client scheduled, as well as enough back up doula work to keep me full for the first half of the year! We have two amazing concerts to look forward to, and a few places we want to explore. It seems that Trav might be taking a solo trip with Gwen next year as well (a fun change for all of us)!

Honestly, I just cannot wait to see where we end up at the end of this year. As January dawns it feel so full of potential for change. What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?!