Kennedy: Lessons from a Foster Kitty

Someone once told me, "It's funny, I bet no one thinks about the fact that in about 10 years, the internet will be full of dead cats." I just thought I'd jump right in with that to have a mildly humorous but still morbid start to something very near and dear to my heart.
If you have followed me on social media at all you would know that back in November my friend Savanna found a cat on the street in Pacific Beach. He was standing in the street refusing to move. He was basically skin and bones and he collapsed against her as soon as she picked him up. And of course, she brought him to me. We named him Kennedy.

A little back ground, I have had 2 foster cats before. They were brothers (Whiskey and Jasper), a year and a half old. And other than some superficial wounds on Whiskey, they had no health problems. It was insanely difficult for me to say goodbye to them when I dropped them off at an adoption fair, but my joy when they got adopted a month later made it well worth it. This is when I decided that, for right now, I should just be a foster parent. Specifically because then I wouldn't have to make the difficult decisions related to quality of life in an older or sicker animal.

Smash cut to last weekend.
We found out that Kennedy has a tumor the size of a golf ball on his liver. It has metastasized and is inoperable.  Chemo doesn't work well on liver cancer, and even if it did, I'm not a fan of using it in animals. They can't understand why they are currently in pain and it may only buy them another few months. So here I am, in the the very situation I was hoping to avoid. So I'm going to do what humans have been doing since they have been on this planet: derive meaning.

I have spent the last 9 months shutting myself off: in friendships, in romantic relationships, in the way I connect to the world. Kennedy came into my life the day after the election. A day when I think a lot of us withdrew. My goal was to get his hyperthyroidism under control and find him a home for the rest of his life, however short that may be. I had no illusions about him having a long life, he's 11 and not a fresh 11. A "I've lived on the street and seen some shit" 11. Even when I took him into the vet for his last checkup I had a weird feeling. You can call that hind sight bias if you want, or just smart or whatever, but the point is, I knew about his general state and that still didn't make these revelations any easier.

So here is what Kennedy has made me realize: You can stay closed off all you want, but it won't work, and frankly it's not worth it. Holding yourself back from anything artificially isn't enjoyable, it isn't real, and it isn't a good long term solution. If you tell yourself "no" for long enough, in any area of your life, it's going to be real difficult to say "yes". Sure that opens you up to getting hurt. But as the Man in Black once said, "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something".
I will love and care for my sweet angel boy until he's ready for his wings.  And although his last day will be in the back of my mind, I will love the crap out him every day until then.

Mini-Rant:
Kennedy was clearly someone's pet. He was either forgotten or dumped because he was old, or had medical problems or just wasn't fun anymore. When you own an animal, you are signing on to care for them until the end of their life. Not until you can't afford them, or find somewhere else to live, or even til you die. This is not something to be taken lightly, or on a whim. Step your game up humans.

Amazing photos taken by John Cirone: @cironephoto on Instagram

Therapeutic Riding: What and Why?

Beach Day

Over the last 6 months I have become more involved with a Therapeutic Riding program here in San Diego (well Poway specifically) and with that has come lots of questions: Why are you always with horses? What's therapeutic riding? Why is it good? What do you actually get to do?
So here are answers to those questions and lots of others. I will be focusing on the place where I volunteer, because it is so near and dear to my heart.

So, What is therapeutic riding?
I like to describe it as a riding lesson for a person with special needs. Instructors design lessons that integrate physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and even utilize ABA techniques. This is what is so awesome to me. These kids are working hard and combining all sorts of skills in order to ride a horse, something that is pretty difficult to begin with.

How did you hear about it?
After graduation I worked as a personal care assistant to a 2 year old with a diffuse brain injury. I took him to all his different types of therapy, but there was something special about his days that he spent with the horses. He was able to relax enough that being frustrated didn't lead to a breakdown, it lead to a breakthrough. I saw things click for him and those skills were generalized outside of lessons.
When I moved to San Diego I missed having that special time within this awesome space, so I looked up therapeutic riding center. I volunteered at one (that no longer exists) for about a year and then took a while off. 
I had looked into what it would take to be a certified instructor and always felt overwhelmed by the prospect of having to learn so much about horses. About 6 months ago I finally said SCREW THAT! When you're learning there is always a point where you basically know nothing, if that deterred everyone then we would never advance! So I wrote to Ride Above Disability Therapy Center in Poway and the rest is history. 

What do you actually do?
As a volunteer you help with everything that goes into helping the center function and everything that is involved in a lesson: grooming and loving on the ponies, mucking stalls, tacking and untacking (getting horses "dressed"), providing support and safety during lessons.

Can you take me riding?
Nope! But you can come volunteer with me!! 

I wanna do that! But I don't live in San Diego, what do I do?
Check out the PATH Website and find a center near you!

What can I do?
Below is our list of 12 ways to give to our center:


12 Gifts for RAD

If you live nearby:



1. Volunteer- contact Allie at 858-752-9066, allie@radtrc.org  We have 40 volunteers for 26 students. We need several volunteers in each horseback riding lesson and volunteers to clean stalls, exercise and prep horses, and provide support at all of our events. We are a volunteer driven organization. Volunteers are the backbone of RAD- Thank you!
2. donate large tarps for shape, donate books for our lending library, chairs or other patio furniture for use at the ranch,
3. Donate water, Gatorade, coconut water for the volunteers.

If you live near or far:
4. Make a cash donation- http://radtrc.org/help When we asked for windows for the shed, you immediately stepped up. Thank you! We have very high horse costs (food, veterinary, farrier, transportation) and very low overhead (no facility to heat and cool, reliance on volunteers and donated labor for projects). In other words, your cash donation serves our program directly- thank you!
5. Use smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com every single time you make a purchase. Designate RAD as your charity of choice and RAD will get a percentage of our purchase.
6. Purchase something for RAD from our wish list- http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/351WW2I0HFFB4?ref_=cm_sw_r_fa_ws_.Xkevb1EVCHC1&pldnSite=1
7. Sponsor one of our horses- contact Wayne at 858-349-1692, wayne@radtrc.org 8. Write a grant for us. Hey, we are new to this whole grant writing thing, but we are going to figure it out, You do not have to be an expert to help, We need you! Thanks!
9. Write to philanthropists to generate interest and dollars for our program.
10, Throw a fundraiser.
11, Forward this newsletter to family, friends, and colleagues. Invite them to subscribe, Ask them to get involved- by donating time, money, and expertise.
12, Ask your company if they have matching donation programs, Sometimes your cash donation will be matched by your employer.

 If you have any questions, ask me! I will talk about therapeutic riding all day!!

Get Woke, and other thoughts from the Election of 2016

There is part of me that is angry, there is part of me that is sad but there is another quieter part that is ready. Ready for people to recognize that we we not living in a post-racial America. That women and minorities are not being "overly-sensitive" when we say we feel unsafe or marginalized.
Wake The Fuck Up.
If you are a straight white male, this may be the first time you've realized that half the population does not agree with you and does not care about the rights of those you love. A good number of us are aware of this daily. When we think about how we dress, what streets we walk down; the fact that someone could be waiting around the next corner to harm us is present in our mind.

To those of you that voted for him: I remember who you are and I will be waiting. Not to shame you, or belittle you. But to greet you with open arms when you realize that his rhetoric of hate is harming you and those you love. When your reproductive rights are diminished. When your friends can't marry the people they love. When your sisters suffer harm at those who don't view them as autonomous beings. We will be waiting, we will be fighting for you before you're ready to join us.


What can you do now?
Support us every step of the way. Subvert every homophobic joke, every misogynistic snark, every xenophobic piece of nonsense. You may not be able to enact legislature that changes a nation, but you can make changes every day so that this world is a little safer for all of us. Research has shown us that it only takes one person to change a group dynamic. One voice to encourage all others to stand up against injustice. Be that one voice, you never know who is listening.

Wanna do more? Donate below:
Planned Parenthood
NAACP
glaad

Loving Naturals

Loving Naturals

 

Hello All!
It's been quite a while since I've posted any updates on here so why don't we jump right back into it.
Recently I was approached by an awesome family owned cosmetic company. I had used their sunscreen chapstick while in Belize and loved it.
Basically their company is founded on the idea that the skin is the largest organ in the body and it absorbs 60% of the product used on it, so why on earth would you cover yourself in harsh chemical!? You wanna know what they put in their products? Well lucky for you they include a list on their website. They let you know the what and the why of each ingredient.

SO after using their products for 2 weeks, here are my reviews on their awesome stuff!

Clear Body SFP30+
I love this stuff! I have super fair skin and enjoy spending a lot of time outside so sun protection matters a lot to me. Not only did this stuff prevent sunburns, but the natural oils left my skin softer than when I started.

Anti Aging Cream
You're only 25, you don't need anti aging cream, blah blah blah. Nonsense. My grandma has only given me 2 pieces of preaching advice and one was to moisturize every night. My skin hasn't been very happy with the seesawing between dry and humid this summer and this has help immensely. I put it on every night after I wash my face and I can definitely tell a difference. I also love that it's not gross and prefumey.

Cappuccino Lip Balm
This is the only thing I'm not totally sold on, and it's only because I'm not a coffee person. But with 12 flavors, you're sure to find one you love. The natural oils are absorbed quickly to combat dryness right now and it isn't slimy. Which means that your hair won't be getting caught in it (if you know anything about my hair, you know that's pretty impressive).

So there you go!
Feel free to use the code LOVEME15 for 15% off any order!!

Cheers!

Summer Birthday Gift Guide

Every year my family and friends ask me for hints for my birthday, and every year I say "umm, I don't know, let me think...". 

I figured this probably happens to quite a few people, both as gift giver and receiver. So here's a lost of awesome gifts! Some are summer related, some are not. Basically this is a list of things I like from companies I love and I think other people would want to get them too!

Min & Mon: I stumbled across this company while at Artists and Fleas at the Chelsea Market. This New York bag company crafts awesome leather goods that just so happen to look like awesome little creatures! These guys are definitely the big ticket item on the list, but for a handmade leather bag/clutch/accessory, they're still super affordable! 

Dazey LA: Awesome graphic tees by a designer that has worked with everyone from Urban Outfitters to Hot Topic. Personally I love the results. Creative Freedom = Sassy Wearable Art!

Jonsey: I fell in love with Jonsey at Smorgasbord in Brooklyn. And anyone who knows my love of the 90s and locally made goods can guess why in one look. Extra bonus- this set (my favorite set) just so happens to be on sale! And they've got a section on their website about where they get all of their materials and where stuff is manufactured.

Roy Swim: Summer time hopefully means swim suit weather! I have 2 of Roy's suits and I can't get enough! Her suits are hand made, and for the most part, completely custom and double sided. So basically you're getting 2 suits that you know is gonna fit you and look incredible!  I can't say enough about these suits! They are buttery soft and actually stay where they belong whether you are running, diving through waves, or just lounging around looking super fly.

Let's Put a Bird On It: This awesome lady makes all sorts of great smelling stuff, but for now I wanna focus on her roll-on perfumes. Lots of people like to switch up their scent for summer. Choosing something lighter, more sunshiney. For this my favorites are: 004, 005, 012, and 014. But of course remember that everyone has different preferences and the essential oils will react with people differently. All of her stuff is cruelty free and sustainable, along with a bunch of other awesome stuff. Those of us in San Diego are luck because La Loupe carries a bunch of her products (including exclusives like her highlighter powder "Unicorn Dust").

Knockaround: These sunnies are killer. Pick from their extensive list of colors in classic shapes, or design your own! If you act fast you may be able to even scoop up some of their limited editions collaboration shades! Everyone needs new shades for summer, so it's good to know you can snag some that work great and won't break the bank.

Seedles: Where are my environmental birthday babes?!? These seed bomb are designed for specific climates and will help bring back the bees! Flower bomb your own yard, your mom's house, your best friend's flower pots. Whatever! I've had so much fun spreading seeds with these guys. And it can't hurt to give a gift that actually gives back!

Dollar Shave Club: If your interested in keeping your body hairless for summer, this is a great way to do it. (I am not making any suggestions about how you maintain your body hair, you do you babes!) But if you want to, the dollar shave club is way cheaper and sustainable than grabbing those plastic razors at CVS. Bonus Points: No pink tax/ garbage marketing. All the razors look the same and work great. I have stolen my man's several times, so I know from first hand experience that they're great. And before you even ask:

They know what you're thinking.

So there is is, my birthday gift guide of all you summer babes! Got any suggestions for local companies with kick ass products that can help us all? Drop them in the comments!

Whole Apothecary Spa Goods

Mother's Day is coming up! So I figured this would be a good time to tell you about my new favorite spa/skincare company. Whole Apothecary is an awesome brand based on the east coast.
All of their products are:
■      100% natural and plant-based
■      handcrafted in small batches
■      made with organic or wildcrafted ingredients
■      free of genetically modified ingredients
■      shipped in reusable or recyclable glass jars and bottles

So let me tell you about my favorite things!
1. The Hibiscus Clay Mask.
    This mask not only smells so yummy, it makes me skin feel amazing.  Whether I'm feeling a little oily or grimy, this makes me feel buttery soft and refreshed for days after I use it!

 2. The Cleansing Grains Scrub.
     Many exfoliants can be to gritty and harsh and end up stripping away your skins protective oils as well as scratching your face, but this scrub had none of those harmful effects! The oats are soft enough to rub away any built up dirt and sweat, without damaging your face. Plus it smells incredible!!

 3. Lavender Mint Lip Balm.
     Why should you only have a spa day when you're home? Take a little zen on the go with one of their awesome lip balms! I'm a huge fan of lavender and mint, both because of how they smell, and the effect they have on your mood. The lavender is calming, while the mint wakes you up. And it's so hydrating. People forget that southern California is a desert, but dry lips have been a huge problem for me since moving down here. This lip balm has definitely helped out.

 4. Slumber Roll-On Aromatherapy.
     End your day with a little extra self love! This roll on gets its scent from lavender and chamomile essential oils. (If you're noticing a trend here, yes I love lavender!!) Roll it on your temples, wrists, neck and the soles of your feet and you'll feel your muscles start to relax.

 I have loved using products by Whole Apothecary and I can't wait to try all their other scents and spa essentials! Make sure to check out their website for additional spa packages and deals and any last minutes Mother's Day gifts!

Southwest Roadtrip: Arizona

And we're back in Arizona!

We were up bright and early for our only full day in Tucson!

We stayed in an adorable airbnb right in the middle of downtown, so luckily, we were in walking distance of a ton of great food spots.

We had breakfast at nook. They just celebrated 1 year since opening and I hope they're around for much longer! They've got awesome variations of classic breakfast dishes. Cinnamon roll hot cakes, Eggs Benedict with prosciutto and a bunch of other stuff. Honestly I would have ordered half the menu, but my stomach is not capable of that... so we all just shared.

Then it was on to Saguaro National Park! This place is incredible. As an FYI- the park is split (West and East) on each side of town, we only spent time in the West, but I'm sure the East is just as awesome! First of all, it's right on the edge of town. Then, you drive through about half the park to get to the visitor center. We went on a short hike to an outlook, since it was the middle of the day and therefore the worst time of day for hiking. Even on this short hike we saw about 7 varieties of cactus in bloom! And I almost think it was good to do shorter, smaller excursions because it is easier to focus on how incredible this landscape is, rather than just becoming complacent at seeing giant cacti every 10 feet.

Blending into the landscape with cactus poses

After an afternoon in the sun it was definitely time for a cold treat. So we headed to the HUB Ice Cream Factory. This adorable ice cream parlor is a great mix of old timey factory vibes with a modern twist. Plus they have crazy ice cream flavors! I had oatmeal cookie dough and strawberry passion fruit. Both super good! 

Our dinner choice was based on basically every food network show that has ever been in Tucson: Carne Seca. This beef is dried on the roof in the sun then shredded and mixed with onions and veggies and other stuff. We got take away from El Charro Cafe, which has been in Tucson since 1922, and everyone says it THE PLACE to get this special stuff. However, based on our experience and yelp reviews, interacting with customers may not be their strong suit. We ordered a platter and extra tortillas and ended up with a platter, rolled tacos, a chimichanga and no tortillas... So we did get to try Carne Seca...on chips... It is definitely a special dish and you should try it while here, but I would recommend sitting in, despite the wait, and having low expectations.

Bags of the wrong food

The next morning we visited the Sonoran Desert Museum. Again in the heat of the day, getting an early start wasn't exactly our strong suit, but whatever, we had great breakfasts to eat! The museum is on the same road out of town as Saguaro National Park, and it is impossible to tell where the museum ends and the park begins. Personally I loved it. The area with the animals is so well incorporated into the surrounding habitat that you can almost see how those animals would act if you were lucky enough to see them in the desert. A lot of the large animals were sleeping, but I would be too if it was 90 degrees outside! There were lots of helpful enthusiastic docents around to answer any animal questions. This was a great way to learn about the awesome desert that surrounds this city!

Sleepy Javelina

Saguaro Bloom

Baby Bighorn Sheep!

After the museum we were starving and made a snap decision to have lunch at Penca, a Mexican restaurant downtown that was owned by the husband of our airBnb. It was incredible!! This may have been the best meal of the trip. Cactus Tacos, horchata, beef tongue. Literally everything was delicious. We only ate off their happy hour menu, but I'm sure things would have just gotten better if we went there for a real meal. If you're ever near there, I highly recommend it!

Steak and Cactus tacos

On our way out of town we made, what was meant to be a quick stop, at Bach's Greenhouse and Cactus Nursery. What we thought would be a small area of cacti and a few post, was actually several giant greenhouses or all sizes of cacti and succulents! The women working there were so helpful and enthusiastic about helping us put together pottings and find our favorite cacti. It was such a great experience, creating a unique memory to bring home! I can't wait to watch my cactus babies bloom! We ended up spending about 2 hours wandering around looking at plants and creating combinations. They packaged our cacti up in special carrying cases and gave us their "papers" so that they could go to other states. And it was time to jump on the road again!

Although his trip was less than a week, we managed to fit so much in! Although the large tourist attractions in this area of the country seem to be spread out, there are little gems around every corner, as long as you look!

And as we drove off into the sunset back to California, a roadrunner ran across the highway right in front of us, as if you say... meep meep!