Category — Friday Blog Roundup

We do not play the lottery or live in California, but I still outlined everything I would do if I won Powerball. First and foremost, I would set up a foundation that funds projects close to my heart: food insecurity, animal protection, literacy, and fine arts. That would take care of over half of the money. Plus, I’d have to hire a few people to run the foundation.

Then, I would give away a chunk to various family members, yadda yadda yadda, AND THEN I would work with Blackwell’s in Oxford and Politics and Prose in DC to send me one of every book that comes into their stores. Just do a weekly box-up and send me one of every book. I know what you’re thinking: Melissa, some of those books would not interest you. I KNOW. That is why I would also have a little free library (except it would be a big free library) where I could give away all the books that don’t appeal to me as well as copies of books I do like once everyone is finished reading them.

The kids told me winning the lottery would ruin me, but I think a box of books delivered straight to my door every week would be pretty awesome.

What would you do with the money?

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

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And now the blogs…

But first, second helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• None… sniff…

Okay, now my choices this week.

Infertile Phoenix laments that some people don’t change, and in those cases, it’s okay because she has changed. She writes, “What used to make me angry now makes me annoyed. What used to hurt me now shows me what’s in other people’s hearts and minds. Others’ rudeness, meanness, and inconsideration have nothing to do with me. It’s not my fault, and it’s not my problem.” Your mouth will drop open over the insensitive comment she received that kicked off the post.

Lastly, No Kidding in NZ has a thought-provoking post about how infertility changed her feelings about risk. She is more aware of life’s uncertainty and that some things are not givens. She explains: “My assessment of risk might be a bit more brutal … But my appreciation of my life, and what I am able to do, is stronger too, along with the confidence of knowing that I can cope with adversities that might confront me.” I love this insight into life.

The roundup to the Roundup: What I’d do with billions. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between November 4 – 11) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week? Read the original open thread post here.

There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who enjoy coconut and those who do not like coconut. Whenever I mention coconut, a certain percentage chime in that they also love coconut, and at the same time, a certain percentage chime in that they hate coconut; it’s akin to eating blades of grass. I cannot think of any other food that receives that kind of reaction. Maybe fruitcake. People either love or hate fruitcake, leaving a no-man’s-land in between.

I am pro-coconut — I like the flavour and the texture. Josh hates coconut, so we rarely have it in the house. Except when it turns up in a bag of Halloween candy or a box of chocolates.

My favourite mocktail: Seltzer, coconut syrup, squeeze of lime.

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “What If There Isn’t a Plan?” (No Kidding in NZ)

Okay, now my choices this week.

The Next 15,000 Days has a moment with a horse. When she asked why a single female horse was left indoors, she discovered, “She was too small so she never had a foal of her own. So she has been separated from other mares with foals, who can be outside on the pastures all days.” Click over to read what she whispers to the horse.

Lastly, The Uterus Monologues writes about baby loss burnout. As someone who also felt disconnected from infant and pregnancy loss awareness week, I related to this post. This thought — “But it makes me wonder whether part of the reason miscarriage has remained taboo (or perceived as taboo) for so long is because even when people do tell their stories they eventually feel compelled to stop telling them, too.” — and the fact that “our stories do go on, our experiences continue to be shaped and re-shaped” resonated with me. She gives you a lot to think about.

The roundup to the Roundup: Team Coconut. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between October 28 – November 4) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week? Read the original open thread post here.

Since the invention of Reddit, I have been anti-Reddit. I mean, I’m not actually anti-Reddit because I have no problem with the site itself, but I’ve not been a visitor of Reddit. Not even for an AMA. I do not even know who is or isn’t an asshole.

But all of that changed recently.

I was searching for information online, and Reddit kept popping up as having the most useful, concrete advice. Other people were asking the same questions I was asking, and people answered their questions. I bookmarked Reddit boards. So I could find them again. And read them when new topics are added. Who am I? Am I still Melissa?

I don’t know where my anti-Reddit bias began, but I’m clearly over it.

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “It’s Okay To Like Your Childless Life As It Is” (Childless by Marriage)
• “An Unexpected Family Outing’s Facebook Post” (Yes, a Facebook post)

Okay, now my choices this week.

The Road Less Travelled has a post about making adult Halloween happen. It is definitely a holiday that can (and therefore, if you want to, should) be marked on multiple levels. And I am all for adults trick-or-treating.

Lastly, A Separate Life has a post about marking her birthday. At first, she wanted to do something big as she has done on other milestone birthdays, but after experiencing a milestone birthday out-of-sync timewise with loved ones, she went a different route: “I chose to celebrate with friends, with individual dinners and/or lunches (I still have one or two to plan). No gifts, no party, no fuss, just good company.” I love this. And happy birthday again.

The roundup to the Roundup: I’ve become enamored with Reddit boards. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between October 21 – October 28) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week? Read the original open thread post here.

I remembered and forgot Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day. Or maybe I remembered internally and didn’t remember externally is more accurate. I thought about lighting a candle, and then I didn’t light a candle. My corner of social media felt quiet about the day. I’m glad some people wrote about it.

Once upon a time, it was very important to me. I think it’s okay for people to change; for things that were once important to grow less important. I’m noting it because I surprised myself. If you had asked me ten years ago, I would have said that I would always light the candle.

Sending light and love out into the world for all who remembered this week.

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “Childless, Alone? What’s Your Emergency Plan?” (Childless by Marriage)
• “The Unknown Life” (Stirrup Queens) — thanks, Jess!

Okay, now my choices this week.

It’s Inconceivable writes about baby loss awareness week. This made me weepy: “Wherever you are in the world, my candle will shine brightly for you, your baby or babies and for those children you held only within your hearts.” Thank you. I am glad there are people like Bamberlamb in the world.

Not a Wasted Word asks why everything is so hard right now. She’s not alone in this sentiment: “This fall has been a tough one. Everything feels really hard. At the very least, everything is taking a lot of time.” Maybe something is in the air because I think many people feel this, too.

Lastly, Lavender Luz has sad and happy news. A terrible loss. A new book is being born. Many projects are happening in the adoption world. Abide with her as she remembers her nephew.

The roundup to the Roundup: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between October 14 – October 21) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week? Read the original open thread post here.

Josh put the idea in my head of getting a guinea pig cam so the twins could peek in on Beorn next year. It would also help us if we were away from home, and I am known for being super lazy and would love a way of seeing that he’s awake while I’m still in bed. Who wouldn’t want Beorn 24/7, 365 days a year?

If you see Josh, please remind him that he promised me a guinea pig cam.

*******

Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

*******

And now the blogs…

But first, second helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “Complicated Choices Lead to Childlessness” (No Kidding in NZ)
• “Feeling Criticized and I’m Just Living My Life” (Infertile Phoenix)

Okay, now my choices this week.

Finding a Different Path talks about not making apologies for taking care of yourself. She has to decline a baby shower, and she writes: “I am getting better at sharing less (outside of this space, of course!) — no one is entitled to my story. I decide when and if to share any part of it in everyday life.” I also love Bryce’s distinction that easier doesn’t mean easy. A great post all-around.

Lastly, The Barreness has started treatments for colitis/Crohn’s, and I like her answer when the nurse asked if she has children: “no we don’t, we just have each other.” I love that framing of what she does have vs. what she doesn’t. Quite a solid dude, as she says (especially the end of the post!).

The roundup to the Roundup: Guinea pig cam! Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between October 7 – October 14) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week? Read the original open thread post here.