Released June 18th--podcast interview with Sonya Mendoza, longtime activist, who was willing to come on my podcast and talk about what it looks like to have a world without police and prisons. Here are resources she suggests for folks who want to learn more about this work.
Something that keeps coming up for me is how much of a role eradicating shame plays in the toppling of systems of oppression.
Toni Morrison said about racism “If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem.”
The more you are vulnerable the more folks connect with your heart. Sharing that I work to build a future for kids who I don't even know yet, that I want to bring into a world with a partner I also don't even know yet feels a little nutty, however, true dreaming should feel nutty. Three cheers for feeling awkward and doing the thing anyway.
Mom has used worm compost in her gardens on and off since the 70s. She has anecdotal evidence that the compost helps plants grow exponentially bigger! Vermiculture is a quality, fun family project!
I assure you, in spite of technical difficulties, in spite of all the things. I'm still kicking. At least aerobically kicking.
Knock me down 9 times I get up 10.
For those of you who don’t already know, six months ago my fiance decided to end our relationship. It was a huge …
Dara and I are planning on a hundred people to start with, which is both a lot of people and hardly enough. Instead of compromising on an invite list we split the guest count in half. She went through her Facebook friends list in one cross country flight, decided who to invite and sent out the save the dates. I have been working on my invite list for two months and have no idea how to decide between my friends. I think some of this is because I’m going to be a forty year old bride and I’ve lived a lot of life. I have a ton of people I love enough to want to join us on that mountaintop on my special day. Click here to read the whole article.
Hi! Welcome!! Click here to see an intro video about me! Get on my email list for self care missives I don't share anywhere else! Follow me on Instagram. Click like and click notify about live videos for daily inspo about self love!
There is so much great healing available to you this summer just by curating your beach bag / pool bag / commute bag / waiting for your kid while they’re in a class bag. I’m excited to share with you my top picks to thrive and heal this summer! Click here to read the whole post!
1.5 cups of your favorite milk alternative*
1/2 tsp to 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (or 1/4-1/2 tsp ground ginger)
Dash of pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp-1tblsp maple syrup (or just sub a few drops of stevia but it’s not as good like that, maple syrup is my favorite thing the Goddess made)
Optional: A tblsp or more of canned pumpkin
Optional: a mashed banana (blend it with banana) AND a tblsp of baking cocoa which balances out so deliciously with the maple syrup and gives it a gingerbread vibe
Simmer this on the stove for about ten minutes, I leave the ginger chunks in there but you could blend them or use a sieve. This is infinitely customizable!
I rarely actually measure when I make this for myself, but I wanted to give you a jumping off point. Ginger packs a punch and less is more until you acquire a taste for it. Ginger is naturally very warming and a good ally when you’re shivvery and cold!
*(you can make your own oat milk really easily and frugally or if you’re in a pinch with no milk make this warming beverage with water and some oats and blend it)
Okay enjoy! I love you! Nourishing yourself is super important!
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The first Winter I lived in my RV (this is my third) I wondered why my walls were getting wet. I’m grateful I’ve found solutions!
There’s a time of year in the Pacific Northwest I call “The Dampening.” This is my fourth Winter living up here (the first year I was in a tiny house with insulated walls) and reliably there’s a drop in temperature and increase in humidity.
Regardless of whether it rained overnight in the morning everything is damp. (Cue Morning Dew by Grateful Dead.) And if it doesn’t get sunny during the day it might not dry up again. And probably won’t dry up until next summer.
There’s science around condensation. When a glass of water is cold it will get wet on the outside. Why? Condensation.
That affects RV walls! On the inside and outside, but most insidious inside. I had neighbors whose trailer had to be demolished because the entire closet walls were moldy beyond repair. A whole house uninhabitable because previous owners didn’t take precautions! (😳)
A stitch in time saves 9! The Dampening also affects buildings, too. A friend who is a property manager in the PNW explained apartments deal with this a lot as well.
This is what worked for me! A homelabs medium to large room dehumidifier. My Mom and her spouse Pat bought it for me as an early birthday present in 2020 (exactly 2 years ago this week) and it did the trick swiftly. PERFECT for this problem! It has wheels, is easy to empty and maintain.
The other essential device I use is my Eden Pure space heater. Mine is an older model but this link was the equivalent I could find on Amazon.
If you are lucky enough to live in a lesbian retirement village and tell people you’re Wintering in an RV you will hear common unsolicited advice: do NOT use propane heat! Instead use electric!
Why? Moisture! Propane heat is releasing water and contributes to The Dampening.
Here’s another good reason–we could all have access to carbon neutral renewable energy through solar or wind power. That’s way better for the environment than using fossil fuels to heat. This is not my case because my community hasn’t prioritized collectively shifting to solar or wind power. Hopefully someday!
I have owned a dozen different types of space heaters over the years and the Eden Pure (this one was a hand me down from Mom & Pat) was a game changer. It’s sturdy, has lots of safety features like auto temperature and it will not let you trip over the heater or the cord without turning off. It’s a perfect little heater for inside.
I do a kind of dance with the heater and my dehumidifier because I need to keep them on different electrical circuits. I move the dehumidifier between the bedroom and my living room (she has wheels).
Have you ever noticed that cooking is basically exciting water until it evaporates from the food? Have you ever wondered where that air goes? It’s to your walls if it’s Winter in an RV.
Living and breathing is also all water vaporizing. Water is life!! Water is an essential resource!
I start my day with the dehumidifier on while I make my tea and porridge. Hot liquids going right into the air and getting neutralized by the dehumidifier. I keep it going for an hour or two. When I shower the dehumidifier goes to the bedroom (where the shower air goes), I usually leave it going in the bedroom (with closet doors left open a crack to circulate air) while I take my daily forest walk. Then it has some time in the living room when I make dinner, and then some time on again before bed.
I don’t sleep with the dehumidifier on because I notice I wake up dry in my throat and that’s not good for a time when respiratory and vascular viruses are running rampant. Plus I live frugally (so I can devote myself to my art and activism) and I’m not trying to rack up a giant energy bill.
I think the energy star rating is right for the dehumidifier because while it needs electricity it is not a big hog of the electric bill. (My space heater is!)
Before I was blessed with my dehumidifier the first thing I tried to reduce the humidity in the air was getting this Eva Dry baby for my closet. It made very little difference and takes about 2 days to fully recharge so to speak (it’s a bunch of silica gel inside an appliance that heats up when you plug it in and dries out the silica). It’s good as back up in my closets now and I use it in my car. Ideally I would get a team of them to have in each closet where I have clothing.
Okay I hope this helps! It’s been really cool to live where I live and even though in the winter glamping is kind of uncomfortable and sometimes I get a little neuropathy from being too cold I’m learning more tips and tricks! Stay tuned to my blog for more I’m posting every day!
If you have RV life questions send me a note fatkiddanceparty at gmail dot com!
If you find value in this blog, please consider supporting!
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NEW Tee shirts: https://genuinevalentine.com/collections/fat-kid-dance-party
Buy me a Coffee:
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I’m crowdfunding a new laptop so I can keep publishing podcasts, blogs & aerobics:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bevin/w/4466
Venmo: @bevinb
Cash App: $BevinBoss
Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1SJCL864DDKEH?ref_=wl_share
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When all the astrologers referred to the early part of December as a time of heightened agitation and being annoyed I said, “Who me?” And, in fact, I’ve found myself annoyed! Here are some tools that help me:
HIP OPENERS
We are going in order of effectiveness because today this is what really moved my energy.
We store our FEELS in our hips! We store our grudges in our hips! Our bodies are 80% water they want to move around and all that water is affected by the moon!
Just five minutes of some stretches today helped me feel great! I love to bend at my hips and put my arms on a wall or a tree and push out. Then do a slow lunge on each side. Maybe a few hip figure 8s or circles. Drain the energy.
If I’m willing to get on the ground or the bed I also enjoy a deep child’s pose.
MEDITATION
Meditation is helpful when I get annoyed. Just chilling and getting into that soothing place that lives within me. I remembered today how my first ever meditation experience was a whole hour with Sharon Salzberg 14 years ago. I’m grateful I started somewhere, an hour is truly bonkers for a first time, and what a legendary teacher.
Here’s a post I wrote awhile ago about my shitty, inconsistent meditation practice. I’m proud to say I meditate at least once a day (first thing) and ideally three times a day plus other mindfulness. As my quality of life improves from this self care practice it gets more crucial for leveling up.
Today I meditated and felt chill for a bit but the annoyance came back!
GET CURIOUS
Certain emotions like anger, jealousy and irritation are information emotions. What’s the emotion telling you? I find that sometimes with physical pain or emotional pain /discomfort, exploring the lesson helps hasten relief.
MAKE CHOICES
If you’re in a situation with someone who is pushing your buttons, and you can leave, choose your peace.
There’s a great Al-Anon reading that reminds us we don’t need to pass our peace like we pass the salt. I love that as an adult I have a lot of choices.
Go to the powder room, go for a walk. I have some Al anon literature (the little page a day books like courage to change or hope for today) and those are so good for getting my perspective on track when I need to take a minute.
I have been seeing some noise canceling earplugs for folks who are sensitive to lots of noise. (Which I heard recently is part of being a genius for some folks.) If you’re an empath or highly sensitive in lots of ways, please let me encourage your self care and boundaries. “I’m not available for that.” “I can be here for ___ time and then I will need to take a break for silence.”
DANCE
Dancing of course even for a minute just wiggling my body and releasing.
In this time of heightened annoyance I wish you sovereignty over your peace.
If you find value in this blog, please consider supporting!
Patreon.com/fkdp
NEW Tee shirts: https://genuinevalentine.com/collections/fat-kid-dance-party
Buy me a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bevin
I’m crowdfunding a new laptop so I can keep publishing podcasts, blogs & aerobics:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bevin/w/4466
Venmo: @bevinb
Cash App: $BevinBoss
Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1SJCL864DDKEH?ref_=wl_share
My Small Business Wishlist
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X49srtmBmbZCYo-QQwZTDBHIaYPTltGwBNbfhajKNP0/edit?usp=sharing
Fatkiddanceparty.com/classes
Bevin on Instagram:
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Email list: http://eepurl.com/dyX3db