Bloggy Meet-up! Milwaukee Edition

Hey y'all, I'm back from a long blog hiatus!

I recently traveled to Milwaukee for a lia sophia jewelry conference (that's for another story).  I had never been to this part of the midwest and I didn't anticipate getting to see much of the Brewer's city.  Let's just say that I was DELIGHTED to get to not only get to see the city but meet Carmen from We See the Same Stars!!!! We had yummy custard (with strawberries and chocolate chips), then she gave me an awesome tour of the city; which I must say, from what I saw, looks like a really awesome place to live!!  Here are some pics to recap my time with my new bloggy love!

 

This city has such a cool mix of architecture... old and new juxtaposed!

My loveeeely tour guide!

YAY for new bloggie love meet-ups!!! 

Thanks to Carmen for such a fun time :)

Planning Ahead: Memorial Day

What will you be doing this Memorial Day weekend?

The people who market in our country don't understand the gravity of this "holiday" as they sell us beach towels, bathing suits, or chilled beer.

Let us remember what Memorial Day means.

It is a day that should help us to reflect on the service members who have perished in the name of this free nation. 

I'm writing this now so that it may help us to think about what we can do to help live the true meaning of the day.

I don't intend to be Debbie Downer as I think "Happy Memorial Day" is crass. I think it makes light of heavy-hearted words like "honor," "courage," "sacrifice."  

I don't discourage you from going to the beach, or living and enjoying life.  It is really my hope that we can each take at least a moment of this long weekend to think about the true meaning of "Memorial Day."

I appreciate the fact that our neighborhood pool opens this weekend.  I can start working on my tan.

 

 

 

 

On Memorial Day, though, I am working with IAVA and visiting Arlington Cemetery. I'll also be visiting the wall for the Ceremony in the afternoon.

Summer Nail Fun!

Hi! Have you been enjoying the warm weather that seems to be gracing our lovely cities?  I've been loving the weather and doing color on my nails every other day... I've been inspired by the Daily Varnish! Have you seen her website? It's so pretty, I LOVES it!

Visit the Daily Varnish for lots of fun nail color ideas!

Awe-sooome!

Wait, how'd she do that!!??

I want this!!! :)

Daily Grommet

I love cool little gadgets and so when I found the Rad Dog Release and Run Collar for doggies! I also discovered Daily Grommet which reviews and sells really neat trinkets.  I love that they have little videos of the product review! Take a look for yourself! Happy Tuesday!

Reflecting on a sad day...

Bloggysphere has been buzzing today about Jessica's tragic suicide blog. According to one source, she is alive and in treatment. 

Like many of you, I was shocked to see it. How candid and open her account of her story. How unimaginable that it had progressed so far.  But I went through my blogroll today to find that TONS of my MilGirls had written her a blog post in response to hers.  This is what I LOVE about blogging in this community. The fact that it is a community. The fact that we are affected and are touched so deeply that it starts to change our personal lives, separate from the one we live in the bloggysphere...

So, please know, that I love you all. Thank you for being a part of my community and my every day life.

On a different note, I would like to take some time in my blog to talk about mental health issues. This might seem boring for some people but it's a passion of mine to talk about mental health. How can we help those around us and how can we be more aware?  You'll see more of the Social Worky side of me come out more...

Love you lots,
Reina