Lifestyle
For the lives that we love, and everything that comes with it.
What's Wrong with My Vagina... And Can Baking Soda Really Help?
I have always been fascinated with the human body and its organs. When I got my first period, unlike most, I was truly elated! This meant I was a woman and I could start kissing and having sex! It wasn't until very recently in my mid-20s that I started experiencing a huge shift in my own body's way of operating. It was no longer a self-oiled machine. I was not eating properly for many years and was partying extensively. If only I knew what crazy effects this would have on my sex life! I began to develop a strange odor from my vagina. I became extremely self-conscious about "her" and the odor she was giving off (especially since this was a new sensation for me). This prohibited me from having any sex at all as I was too worried about what others might be thinking. It doesn't sound like an issue for the press, however, to a girl going through a similar situation, I can promise it is. I even damaged a couple relationships due to my "between me down there" issues. I was DEFINITELY too embarrassed to talk to any of my girlfriends and found myself surprised that I couldn't even approach my own mother about the topic. Instead, I left it alone. I did nothing to rectify my issue. In fact, I made it worse by ignoring it. I would come home after work to see my panties soaked with discharge, so badly it was ruining all my Victoria's Secret underwear! Besides the odor, I was experiencing a nasty itch that I (literally) could not scratch. My girl friends and I always do a "movie girls night sleepover" once a week. We decided that even though we are closer to 30 than 20, that we would make a pact to keep our young spirits alive by having these nights together. My kitty problem got so internally and externally terrible, I stopped attending my precious girls nights for I was NOT going to let anyone get a whiff of what I was putting out there! I just wanted to be alone.
Molly MabeesPublished 7 years ago in VivaWhy You Should (Really) Adopt
Have you ever wondered why so many dogs wind up in shelters? Many dogs you see in pet stores or at local dog breeders' homes end up being surrendered to shelters. So, why are we so drawn away from adopting? When so many dogs are killed everyday who once were one of those "cute" and "adorable" puppies so many people spend thousands of dollars on?
Victoria MorrisPublished 7 years ago in PetlifeWhat to Say
When a young person loses a parent, it may be difficult to know what to say. From talking to Alison McWilliams, who lost her mother at age 19, we gathered some information to help guide you in the right direction of finding something to say.
Emily McWilliamsPublished 7 years ago in FamiliesHomecoming
When I was a kid and storms woke the family, Mom would come into my room with a lit candelabrum to watch the sky with me. It was only fitting that lightening would dance for her funeral. The heat storm scared away most of the family and friends, but me and a few others stood around the hole in the ground. My mother wasn’t Catholic, but was close friends with Father Welch, so he spoke today in full regalia. My grandmother, a proud Protestant, would have rolled in her grave, if she had one. Father Welch finished his prayer and the crowd dispersed. He came over to me and clapped his fat hand on my shoulder. His grim demeanor looked wrong on a face cut with laugh lines.
Ashleigh WalkerPublished 7 years ago in FamiliesStaying Together for the Kids
I write this story because I am a child from a household that stayed together for the children. Growing up, I can remember never liking my father. Before I get to telling you why, let me tell you the little bit of the history I know of my father's past.
Audrey WoodsPublished 7 years ago in FamiliesMy Beautiful Blessings
My life was forever changed the summer of fourth grade heading to fifth. I was ten years old and I had recently lost my beloved dog, Coco. She was the apple of my eye and the reason why I was always so happy. Her smallness, so intense, that if she were to bear her own litter, she would not survive.
Alyssa FrancoPublished 7 years ago in PetlifeWhen Did It Change?
It was such a beautiful night two years ago, when I got an invite to meet a complete stranger. His name was Derek and his intelligence won me over and made me drive two hours just to see him face-to-face. The moment we met was such a cliche' movie feel; fireworks and fatal attraction. As he cooked us dinner, we just talked. Yes, something that simple stole my heart in complete absolution. He was the most profound human I had ever met. The room was filled with laughter and nervously sent seductive looks. I felt like I was 13 again. We had no idea what this one interaction really was, how huge it would alter our lives.
Shaina SteelePublished 7 years ago in FamiliesTop Ten Ways to Shake Up Your Week as a Parent
I think all parents at some point hit a rut. Life becomes this endless rotation of to-do lists. We switch to auto-pilot and forget just how fun being a parent can be. I understand it is hard, believe me, I know what a midnight cry over ice cream feels like.
Amy JourdanPublished 7 years ago in Families