Do you remember being in the 5th grade, feeling thug as hell listening to “Changes” on a mixed tape your aunt made you? Only me? Oh, okay.

Now, I’m not trying to compare my life to Tupac’s by any means, but I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been several changes around this place in the last few months. I’ve gone from my comfortable corporate job to a role at a new(ish) marketing agency, fallen off the vegetarian wagon and hopped back on the meat train (lasted 2 months, it’s fine),  gone through 3 different pants sizes (carbs replaced meat for that 2 months) and have a new favorite beer (Henry’s Hard Orange, what?!) – all since January.

Shit’s changed, man.

Other than that, things are pretty tame. No bad haircuts or pregnancy scares. Still in love with my dog, and walking my husband daily, making bad jokes and eating too much candy. However, with all of these changes, I started to let things slip. My cookbook took the back burner, my output of design slowed WAY down and my blogging completely stopped. My Facebook posts even started becoming less funny. Bunch of bullshit if you ask me. HOWEVER, slowly but surely, I’m making strides to get back into my creative routine. Making time every night to sit down and either read or sketch out an idea, or picking a couple nights a week to cook a risky dinner my husband may not eat, has helped bring back that creative spark. It feels good. It feels really good. I’ve even given myself a swift kick in the ass and now have a weekly design goal. If you didn’t know, I started a little Etsy shop called Prints Charming USA (https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrintsCharmingUSA).  Punny AF, right? Yeah, well, I think I was three glasses of merlot in and it sounded like the best idea ever, so here we are. YOLO I guess? Anyway, it’s a little online shop where I sell my prints. They’re very Iowa focused, but lately I’ve been pushing myself to be a little more creative. I even used the word “Shit” in a print! I know, right? Hope Grandma doesn’t see it, it’ll become this whole big thing, and I just can’t deal right now. ANYWAY, it’s been great. I love it. I’ve been introduced to people I never would have known otherwise, and I love people. Most of them. A lot of them. A fair amount of them. I’ve even decided I’m going to have my own booth at a craft show this fall. It’s not a huge deal. To some it’s lame. But to me, it’s exciting. I can’t wait to take my tiny little brand and show it off to a few new strangers. So there’s that. Goals, ya’ll. I’ve got some?

Everyone has that list of items in their every day life that they just will not skimp on. In some areas, you can’t risk going generic. Mine have always been, and will always will be: face wash, condoms and toilet paper. I do not think I need to explain why. However, I am finding that I need to make that list a little longer. When life is hectic, it’s important that you don’t forget those little things that make you happy. Don’t skimp on the good stuff! Think about what you’re good at and what you enjoy, and DO them. I don’t care if that’s speed eating hotdogs at a county fair. If that makes you happy, homeboy, by all means, eat those dogs. I’ll be over here, praying for you and your cholesterol.

I’m not trying to get preachy over here. You do you. Make your face wash, condoms, toilet paper list and stick to it! Your happiness is important. You know what else is important? The Olympics. I’m currently watching and am having a hard time paying attention to what I should be doing, and that’s writing this damn blog. So, because I’m not giving this the attention it needs, I’m going to sign off. But, be warned, I am back. Writing and blogging equal “toilet paper” on my list of no skimps. Am I making sense? No? K bye.

Mackenzie

#OlympicsInRio #AnotherB*tchWithABlog