The 2024 presidential election motivated me to have a birthday do-over

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At the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Pointe in Time Emerald Gala Today marks a week since my birthday.  Its occurrence is a tremendous blessing. Because all around us are reminders about the fragility of life. To that end, my brother, who always makes a point to celebrate me, took me to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater's Pointe in Time Emerald Gala on November 2d. That was the beginning of my birthday celebrations. And then, on my birthday itself, I got a bit of a surprise... My actual birthday was tough. It was Election Day. And, I spent the day working polls as a part of an election protection effort. My efforts were designed to protect all voters. However, deep in my heart I love my AKA sister, Kamala Harris and I hoped for her historic victory. Then, much to my chagrin and despite my efforts—and those of thousands more—she lost. In my estimation, that loss was one of the greatest setbacks in human dignity in my lifetime.  The country elected a felon and self-proclaimed, racist, ableis
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Succeeding as a Working Mom: Staying Fit

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My kids. One in full meltdown mode
The reason the phrase, “working mom” exists is because there is a common experience of working and mothering. You’re no less a “worker” than you are a “mom”. Indeed, you are both. In some ways, it means living a dual existence. Even if you’re a senior executive like Marisa Mayer or Sharon Sandberg, chances are there have been days when you have literally been covered in vomit that belongs to another human being as you were attempting to walk out of the door, or you have voluntarily taken your bare finger and used it to remove a boogie from someone’s nose, or perhaps you have surprisingly found yourself with feces in your lap while you were holding the object of your affection who suddenly had a diaper explode... 


What is also likely true is that before your “real work day begins”, when you walk out of the door to go to work, you have been up for at least two hours or more. In that time you have managed to care for your kids, get dressed, and answer some emails.

Being a working mom is a labor of love, but it is labor. 


Being a working mom is a labor of love, but it is labor. You work lasts from sun up before the sun comes up to sun down. It causes you to multitask, draw on a variety of skill sets, and exercise both great creativity and great patience. Working moms also have to figure out how to meet all of the demands they had before they created this little person who brings them both great happiness and hardship.

One thing that often goes by the wayside is fitness. I know so many moms who struggle to lose the baby weight or feel as if the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Neither is healthy. The time constraints and demands the working mom faces can make it nearly impossible to gather some time for a quick workout. The working mom has to juggle work, kids, cooking and cleaning and is not even close to thinking about hitting the gym and getting a workout in... 

I stay in shape by walking with my kids all around the city. Generally, I have found that walking helps us all feel better. We all enjoy being outside. And often, the air soothes them and makes them tired. We even enjoy one of Pittsburgh parks along the way. That said, there are times. like in the photo above when one of them has a full blown public meltdown because they don't want to leave the park. It takes a different skill set to manage those meltdowns. They never happen when I interact with colleagues who actually listen to me!

 Seriously, this blog exists to help working moms identify solutions to their problems. Below is a link to an article that discusses how to be a “fit mom”. Read it and apply what works for you. Before long you may find that you are strutting in your stilettos!

MISSION FITNESS: 'The fit mom in progress'
Odessa American


Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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