Question: How did I go from being a white suburban soccer mom to fan girling on an ex-Blood?

Answer: TRUTH

This bruh’s preaching on point and his rapping aiight, too.  Don’t get it twisted: I still love Lecrae, but Sevin on a whole ‘nutha level.

Whew. That paragraph hurt my brain.  It’s no secret I’m more Valley than Hood, but real is real. Sevin exudes real.  After a life of abuse, gang-banging, homelessness and depression, Sevin gave his life to Christ (hear his testimony here).  And the rest, they say, is history. 

He’s been preaching the gospel with his homies Bizzle, Iamwordsmith, Datin, and IllumiNATE (to name a few) via missionary work in US neighborhoods for years.  Why did it take me so long to hear him?! (Oh, soccer mom; that’s right.) Anyway, his backstory combined with his talent has me hooked and now I’m “getting outside” more.
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Side note:  This t-shirt is about something Irish, but I thought it was kinda funny. 

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​Sevin photo credit: www.godovermoney.com
Sevin's page: www.HogMob.com
​T-shirt photo credit: Sunfrog.com

For reasons that at first appeared completely valid, but turned out to be non-existent, I spent a great deal of time being extremely frugal.  Excessively so.  So dang careful about my finances that I refused to buy new running shoes, even when it was beyond time to replace them.  

Back in the day, I had two or three in-good-condition pairs that I rotated.  (Like you are supposed to do.) But, times change and financial statuses change.  I was on a budget.  I had a savings.  I had goals and plans.  No room for frivolous expenses.  I was going to buckle down, suck it up, make it happen.

“I don’t really run that much.”  “I don’t work out that hard.”  “They’ve still got some wear left in them.”  I told myself anything to rationalize my buying choice-- or lack thereof.

Then it happened- the smack-back; the consequences of failing to do what was right.  Pain of all sorts: foot, ankle, knee, back… and shin splints to boot.  I mean hard-to-walk pain.  Pushing the workout shoes a bit further became no workout at all.  Talk about a backfire.

While I was resting my aching body, I found a great deal online (thanks REI).  Aren’t they beautiful?! And, I resolved to never be so stupid (or overly frugal) again. I mean, I preach about self-care allllll the time.  And there I was: guilty of the opposite-  even though I told myself I was simply being financially disciplined. (Can you say 'rationalization' ?)

So now, let these beautiful orange and pink shoes (and my unnecessary pain) be a symbol of balance, moderation and overall common sense. What self-care item have you been putting off? 

One month into my return to Chico, California and I have to bid farewell to some old stand-bys; some hometown heroes of days past…

Speedy Burrito. I thought that place would last forever, but judging from the online reviews, it apparently went waaaay downhill before its final demise.  But back in the day, man, they made the best burrito ever.  Seriously.  Ever.  If you know of anyone who has the family secret recipe, tell them to get back in business, asap.

Chuck E Cheese- yep, gone.  Ah, I remember many, many (too many) visits to see the giant scary mouse with my older kids when they were little.  Birthday parties, too many to count.  Gross, greasy, cardboard pizza… unlimited noisy fun for the kids.  And a day-long headache for the parents.  (The things we do for our children.)  Even the joint that took over, Fun Zone & Pizza, has closed down.  (What is this place, a ghost town?!)   I realize that we are known as a party/ college town, but people, please!  I need a birthday party location for my soon-to-be 5 year old. 

Spirits of America.  At least the crashed airplane is still there.  But really, “Quick Stop,” just doesn’t have the same ring.  Our famous landmark... cheapened to a mere…  gas station.

Tubing. Floating down the River on Labor Day is a Chico tradition. Well, it was.  Now there is a ban on alcohol.  ‘Nuff said.

Thankfully, Hula’s, Bidwell Park, the Farmer's Market and the awesome weather are still here.  
That, and about 30,000 extra people.  Chico is chico no mas. But it is still muy bueno.


​Photo credit: http://www.chico.ca.us/