#RedBalloonsForRyan

Jacqui and her husband Dan are both grieving the loss of their son, Ryan. 

I do not personally know the Saldana family.

I do know the love you have for your child.

I cannot fathom the pain they're facing at this time.

Yesterday, my Instagram feed was flooded with beautiful images of sweet Ryan.

I was in awe of the love and support for this family.  To me, the outpouring of love was the Instagram/Blogging community wrapping their arms around this family and keeping Ryan's memory alive.

Jacqui's best friend, Alissa from Diary of an Addict has asked that we share pictures of Ryan on social media.

"Will you grab a picture from Jacqui’s Instagram feed, and post it to yours?
Will you share words of encouragement and tag #RedBalloonsforRyan?
Also be sure to tag Jacqui, @babyboybakery and Dan, @danno12"

Again, I'm in awe. Alissa's request has been shared and followed through countlessly.  Today… I'm asking you to share an act of kindness in honor of Ryan. 

Open Racist or Closet Racist?

Today, I was going to blog about Disney World, yet something was weighing on me and I have to let it out. 

First let me give you a back story.
I'm a Texas girl, born and raised.  I love Texas, I thought I was in love with the South.  
I grew up in Central Texas, we lived on and near the biggest military installation; this meant I saw all sorts of people from everywhere.  Most people have their preconceived idea of what Texas is, in spite of that where I grew-up we were a melting pot.  
My family is such a huge representation of the mixing of people from here and there.  In my world love doesn't see color.  My children are mixed, my nieces and nephews are mixed, heck I'm a little mixed too.

When I married my husband we didn't see an issue.  He's Caucasian and I identify with my Latina side.  My family loves him and accepts him no judgement, but of course we always joke that my family is the United Nations.  

Then we got pregnant.   We heard statements from other people that, "our kids may have it hard" annnd once our beautiful light-skinned baby was born we heard>>> she'll pass <<<WHAT THE F*CK!  She'll pass? For what… a freakin' human! I'm good, I don't need anyone to pass my child.

Comments like that have always bothered me.  Why? Why do we still have to meet someone else's mark?  Aren't we all equal?  

I sometimes think some of my friends forget I'm Latina or that I have family that is not.  My husband has to deal with people who forget too.  This is where my angst begins.  Living here in the South the culture is different.  People are proud of the civil war and the confederate flag, the word plantation is everywhere, and then there's open and closet racist.  

Side Note: We recently moved from IL to SC.

Yes, I'm well aware there are racist everywhere, nonetheless  while I've been here I've heard and seen plenty (I've only been here a little over 4 months).  Perhaps I'm overly sensitive when it comes to seeing many neighborhoods named fill in the blank  plantation,  because to me I think of our country's ugly history with slavery.


My husband is a genuine man.  He loves his sports and when he can talk sports, he can talk.  While conversing with a small group of guys yesterday he asked,"Did you see the Kentucky vs. Wisconsin game?"  He went on about what a great game it was and how we stayed up to watch it.
Then what he heard next is what prompted today's post.

"Yeah, I didn't really watch it all. I'm not tryin' to make this a race thing but I was hoping Wisconsin was gonna win.  Ya know Wisconsin is a white boy team." 

I don't know how that isn't about race?  
My husband began to school him on the Wisconsin Badgers and their players before losing his cool he walked away.  May I add there were children near.

We can claim ignorance, however I think that's too easy to do. I don't know if we can keep saying ignorance in 2014 especially with anyone close to my age group (he may be slightly older).  

My son in no way looks like a "white boy,"  this man has seen my son.  Why on earth would he say that to my husband or to anyone?  

We now know where he stands; us and they.  Would things be better if he hid behind a false facade?   I don't know which is worse honestly, open racist or closet racist…
What are your thoughts?

The Pink Elephant in the Room + $50 Kohls Gift Card #Giveaway #TalkPink

Susan G. Komen & Khols Cares want you to #TalkPink. 
Let's not ignore the Pink Elephant in the room… Breast Cancer!
Breast Cancer is scary, and as much as we want it to go away…. sadly it's impact is huge. 

We need to make Breast Cancer Awareness a top conversation! Ask your friends if they've screened themselves, start a conversation to spread awareness!  

{Source: Kohls}

Know the warning signs... but also know that not all warning signs are the same for every woman.

{Source: Kohls}

Some of the warning signs of breast cancer are:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
• Pain in any area of the breast.

(Source:CDC, 2014)

If you experience any of these symptoms, you don't necessarily have breast cancer, there may be other contributors for these symptoms.  Nonetheless, it is always best to check with your health care provider.  

Let's start a discussion! 

How has breast cancer impacted your life? 

You can use the hashtag #TalkPink to connect with others who want to spread breast cancer awareness.

Etsy Julie Ann Art

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