DO IT

I know October is over so I'm a little late for breast cancer awareness month, but this is not just an issue that needs to be talked about in October.

Are you 40+ or have a history of breast cancer in your family?  If you answered YES, then GO GET A MAMMOGRAM!!

I am the first to admit I am a big baby about doctors, hospitals and PAIN in general.  Don't even get me started on the dentist!  But I do go to my gyno religiously every year for a pap smear, and now that I am 40, my gyno visit will be followed by a trip to the Imaging Center for a mammogram.

As I said, I am a huge baby and I was very nervous about my first mammo.  Number 1, I was worried it was going to hurt.  And number 2, what if they found something?  But I put on my big girl panties and off I went.  And you know what?  It was nothing!  It literally did not hurt one bit.  A little squeeze, nothing more.  Quick, easy, and painless.  Now, I can't promise you YOUR mammo won't hurt.  Apparently it depends on your breast tissue, size of your breasts, density, etc.  But I am willing to bet it will be a LOT easier than you think or may have heard.

Fast forward 5 days and I receive a letter in the mail stating my results were normal. Woooo hoooo... such relief!

So many people I know have been affected by breast cancer.  I have friends that have gone through chemo, friends that have underwent double mastectomies and reconstructive surgery.  Friends that have passed away.  It scares the HELL out of me.  The unknown is scary.  This disease is terrifying.  But what scares me even more is the thought of not being here for my children.  As my doctor said to me, "You have young kids that need you.  Go now and get this done and save yourself a terrible headache later."  He is so right.  Don't put it off because you're scared or nervous.  Go.  Go now.  If there's a problem, you catch it early and treat it.  You LIVE.

If you've already had your mammogram this year, congratulations!  If you've been waiting to make that appointment, do it today.  Put on those big girl panties and get it done ladies!

It's been a while

You may have noticed this blog has been a bit neglected as of late.  It's been a combination of things. Life has been super busy (remind me to never coach soccer again), I haven't felt the urge or motivation to blog, and I've also been contemplating what to do with Life As I Know it.  I considered starting a new blog, focused more on living life in my 40's.  I've considered quitting blogging all together.  I've thought about continuing to think about it and do nothing.  So after thinking and not thinking, I've come up with this...  This blog is here for ME.  I mean, it's here for YOU too, but mostly for me.  :)  It's my writing outlet, a place to vent, a place to share and document our life.  I never had and have no plans to try and monetize this blog.  I don't care about having a huge, giant following.  Of course I want followers, I'm not saying that.  The absolute best part of blogging is the relationships I've developed with my followers and fellow bloggers.  But I'm happy remaining small.

So Life As I Know it will continue on right here, hopefully on a more regular basis, but I can't make any promises!  :)  I will write when I want to, and about what I want to.  I think the direction of my posts will change slightly and there will be more about life in my 40's and all that comes along with that. Because that's where I am in life right now.

So anyway, YES I am still here and YES I will still be posting!
Thanks for hanging in there and stop back again soon!

Fall decor!

As you may have gathered, this chick LOVES fall!  And what could be more fun than decorating for fall?  ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  OK, maybe decorating for Christmas.  But that's it!  Today I'm showing you a little of the fall decor we have up around the house.  Enjoy!

Have you decorated for fall?

Finally fall!

Fall weather has finally arrived and I could not be happier!  It's like the crisp autumn air rejuvenates my mind and my soul!  My entire body just feels better.  I let the chill seep deep into my bones and it feels good.  I hate being hot.  I hate being sweaty and sticky.   From the months of June to August you will likely find me inside, basking in the breeze of my central air.  When it's hot, I don't feel like exercising.  I don't feel like going outside. If there's not a cool body of water involved, I don't wanna do it.  But once the 60 and 70 degree temps hit, I am ready to roll!  Let's go for a walk!  Let's go for a bike ride!  Let's play outside!  Let's hit the apple orchard!  Let's jump in a pile of leaves!

And the beauty this time of year...the beauty can be just breathtaking!   Fall foliage is one of the best parts about living in the northeast.  Never have you seen such striking reds, oranges and yellows splashed against a bright blue sky.

So bring on the scarves, the sweaters, the cozy PJs and pumpkin spice lattes!  I have been waiting all year for you!  Just don't leave too soon...I'm not ready for winter!

Fridays Favorites

It's that time of the week again!  Read on for my favorites!

1. After dinner bike rides
This is my favorite time of year.  It's when I get outside the most because I love the weather!  And one of my favorite things to do is a walk/bikeride with the dogs and my kiddos.

2.  Flowers from my little guy
I came home from work today and was immediately presented with these beautiful flowers, hand picked by my son at daycare. He was so proud and happy to give them to me.  It was the sweetest thing ever!

3.  I was featured at A Brownie World!
My sweet friend Amanda featured me on her blog this week.  How cool is that?!  Can check out her post and be sure to look around her blog while you're there!
Link to post here

4. Mug swaps
As many of you know, I simply can't resist a blogger swap!  And mug swaps are definitely my favorite! We just got our partners and I am so excited to get to know my swap buddy and send and receive a fun mug package!

5.  THIS

There you have it!  

So what are you looking forward to this weekend?  Saturday the weather is looking pretty much perfect and I'm hoping to get some apple picking in after soccer!

Linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals

Thursday Reveals

Welcome to the latest installment of Thursday Reveals!  OK, its actually the FIRST installment, but I'm hoping this will become a monthly thing. What's this all about you wonder?  What am I revealing? Secrets?  Scandals?  Highly classified top secret previously deleted emails?  You'll just have to read on to find out!

So without further ado, I bring you...
Thursday Reveals...

I have been stumped by my son's 1st grade math homework.  Yup.  Second week in. There were triangles and squares and blanks and I'm not quite sure how we were supposed to come up with a numerical answer from that.  Stupid common core!

I bought an ice cream cone on the way home from work today and drove around for an extra 10 minutes to eat it so my kids wouldn't ask for one and I wouldn't have to share.  This wasn't the first time I have done this either.

I already bought my kids' Halloween costumes.  Even more embarrassing, I have started my Christmas shopping.  I can't help it.  I'm a planner!

I am in love with Patrick Dempsey.  I also have a strange attraction to Patrick Stewart (see next reveal).

I used to binge watch Star Trek The Next Generation in college.  I also have about 20 of the original Star Trek episodes saved on my dvr.  #trekkie

What would YOU like to reveal today??

Friday Favorites

Hooray, it's Friday!  I may actually be busier this weekend than I was all week, but that's OK because it's mostly fun stuff! Soccer pictures, soccer games, a concert and a quick trip to VT!

Now onto my favorites from the week...

1.  First day of school
The first day of first grade went great and my guy was super excited when he came home.  A good first day is definitely my favorite, as is the spikey hair he requested!

2.  Bento boxes
As I may have previously mentioned, I totally failed at school lunches last year (i.e. lunchables were my go-to far too many times). But in my defense, Nick is a very picky eater and unless it was a lunchable or Subway,  he wouldn't eat it.  So...this year I bought bento boxes and hallelujah...my kid eats a healthy lunch!  Small portions of several random things seems to have done the trick.  I pack sliced peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, celery, blueberries, baby bells, pretzels, ham, etc.  Could I have done this last year?  Well, I guess but wouldn't it be strange to pack like 6 sandwich bags of random things in the lunchbox?  Either way, I'm super happy with our new system and love that I don't have to use plastic baggies!

I ordered these from Pottery Barn and they are made to fit the Mackenzie classic lunch bags.  Link HERE

3. IG shop - Maxeenlandshop
This chick makes the CUTEST things and has the prettiest fabrics.  She does Mug rugs, placemats, table runners...the list goes on and on!   I just had her make me these super fun Halloween placemats and mug rugs.  How adorable, right??  Check out her shop on IG!

4.  Funny of the week

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5.  Time with my family

They may have drove me nuts 80% of the time, but it was so nice to have a week and a half off together as a family.  Is it next summer yet??

Have a great weekend friends!   Let me know what you'll be up to in the comments!

Linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals