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	<title>Dim Sum and Doughnuts</title>
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		<title>Adoption is a work of heART</title>
		<link>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/adoption-is-a-work-of-heart/</link>
					<comments>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/adoption-is-a-work-of-heart/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robyn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2016 22:19:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Adoption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sum Of This, Sum Of That]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[adoption awareness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[adoption photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[metro detroit blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[metro detroit photographer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mommy Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[national adoption month]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/?p=5639</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[We first met Marla Michele Must on location at a park in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Marla contacted us to see if we&#8217;d be interested in being featured in an article for which she was being interviewed. It was an article about adoption and families in the metro Detroit area who had adopted. Marla [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">We first met Marla Michele Must on location at a park in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Marla contacted us to see if we&#8217;d be interested in being featured in an article for which she was being interviewed. <span id="more-5639"></span>It was an article about adoption and families in the metro Detroit area who had adopted. Marla just needed some family shots, but that meeting, on that day, turned out to be so much more.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Marla took beautiful pictures of our family. She somehow managed to capture all four of our disparate personalities without losing our energy as a family. We didn&#8217;t dress any special way, we actually didn&#8217;t do anything special to get ready. We just showed up, and Marla worked her magic.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5657" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Family-Pic-BLOG-500x356.jpg" alt="family-pic-blog" width="500" height="356" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Family-Pic-BLOG-500x356.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Family-Pic-BLOG-300x213.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Family-Pic-BLOG-768x546.jpg 768w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Family-Pic-BLOG.jpg 1386w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>(That&#8217;s us)</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">As National Adoption month draws to a close, we are honored to showcase the following selection of photos by Marla Michelle Must. Enjoy!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5640" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A0479-500x333.jpg" alt="6e7a0479" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A0479-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A0479-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A0479-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
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<div id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_10026" style="text-align: center;"><b id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_10027">&#8220;Being a parent wasn&#8217;t just about bearing a child. It was about bearing witness to its life.&#8221;  ~</b><i id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_10029">Jodi Picoult</i></div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5647" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1013-500x333.jpg" alt="6e7a1013" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1013-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1013-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1013-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9954">&#8220;Adoption carries the added dimension of connection not only to your own tribe but beyond, widening the scope of what constitutes love, ties, and family. It is the larger embrace.&#8221;  ~</b><i id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9956">Isabella Rossellini</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5646" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1369-500x357.jpg" alt="6e7a1369" width="500" height="357" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1369-500x357.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1369-300x214.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1369-768x549.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9590">&#8220;Little souls find their way to you, whether their from your womb or someone else&#8217;s.&#8221;  ~</b><i id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9592">Sheryl Crow</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5645" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1444-500x333.jpg" alt="6e7a1444" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1444-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1444-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A1444-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9826">&#8220;Family is not defined by our genes, it is built and maintained through love.&#8221;   ~</b><i id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9828">Amalia G.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5644" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A4514-500x333.jpg" alt="6e7a4514" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A4514-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A4514-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A4514-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /><strong id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_10141"></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_10141">“However motherhood comes to you, it’s a miracle.” </strong> <span id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_10157">~Valerie Harper </span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5643" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A4586-500x333.jpg" alt="6e7a4586" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A4586-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A4586-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A4586-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
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<div style="text-align: center;"> &#8220;<b id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9487">The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and </b><b id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9661">joy in each other&#8217;s life.&#8221; ~</b><i id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9489">Richard Bach</i></div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5642" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A8969-500x333.jpg" alt="6e7a8969" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A8969-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A8969-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A8969-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
<div id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9760" style="text-align: center;"><b id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9761">&#8220;Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, you didn&#8217;t grow under my heart but in it.&#8221;   </b></div>
<div id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9760" style="text-align: center;"><span id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9763"><b>~</b></span><i>Fleur Conkling Heyliger</i></div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5641" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A9007-500x333.jpg" alt="6e7a9007" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A9007-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A9007-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/6E7A9007-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
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<div id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9886"><b id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9887">&#8220;If you have a heart for adoption don&#8217;t let fear stand in the way.&#8221; </b><i id="m_7666770999285749878yui_3_16_0_1_1480117495253_9889">~Doug Chapman</i></div>
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<div dir="ltr">Marla Michele Must is a mom to three, an adoptive mom, a child advocate, and award winning portrait artist specializing in children and families in Birmingham, Michigan. You can read about Marla and her family&#8217;s adoption journey here: <a id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_1_1480346691123_18026" href="http://mustlivealifelessordinary.com/2010/02/introducingour-daughter-and-little.html" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://mustlivealifelessordinary.com/2010/02/introducingour-daughter-and-little.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1480458225457000&amp;usg=AFQjCNERSf8UKnCefepV_0v_KM1Nez4k5w">http://<wbr />mustlivealifelessordinary.com/<wbr />2010/02/introducingour-<wbr />daughter-and-little.html</a></div>
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<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_1_1480346691123_16337" dir="ltr">Every year Marla&#8217;s studio celebrates <b id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_1_1480346691123_18280">National Adoption Awareness Month </b>by inviting adoptive families for complimentary portrait sessions to honor and celebrate the beauty of adoption. Marla&#8217;s artwork is on display at Child And Parent Services Adoption Agency in Bingham Farms, Michigan along with many other establishments around the Metro Detroit area.</div>
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<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_1_1480346691123_18121">About the artist:</div>
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<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9902" dir="ltr"><a id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_1_1480346691123_18643" href="http://www.mmmportraitart.com/about-the-artist/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.mmmportraitart.com/about-the-artist/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1480458225457000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFq5NSmw3NggwXtzS6Y9EAyZMZshA">http://www.mmmportraitart.com/about-the-artist/</a></div>
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<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9907"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_10332">Photography Studio:</span></div>
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<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9909" dir="ltr"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9910"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9911"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9912" style="font-size: medium;"><a id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_10317" href="http://www.enchantedbymarlamichele.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.enchantedbymarlamichele.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1480458225457000&amp;usg=AFQjCNF5coCtE-wqgM4f0kg0p6mzTRZzCg">www.EnchantedByMarlaMichele.com</a></span></span></span></div>
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<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9909" dir="ltr"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_10316">Fine Art Studio:</span></div>
<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9913"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9914"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9915"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9916" style="font-size: medium;"><a id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9917" href="http://www.mmmportraitart.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.mmmportraitart.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1480458225457000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGQAHpvf7pTuqYCjXR_QUUYRDqcKA">www.mmmportraitart.com</a></span></span></span></div>
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<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9913"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_10331">Adoption Blog:</span></div>
<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9918" dir="ltr"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9919"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9920" style="font-size: medium;"><a id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9921" href="http://www.mustlivealifelessordinary.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.mustlivealifelessordinary.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1480458225457000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHl1x-NRdANHeb6JbXHBwWMyRvMCQ">www.mustlivealifelessordinary.com</a></span></span></div>
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<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9918" dir="ltr"><span style="color: #808080;"> </span></div>
<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9918" dir="ltr"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_10329" style="color: #808080;">Ongoing Empowerment Project:</span></div>
<div id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469376988795_9922" dir="ltr"><span id="m_1905855837504063389yui_3_16_0_1_1480346691123_16345"><a href="http://www.randomactsofenchantment.com/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.RandomActsOfEnchantment.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1480458225457000&amp;usg=AFQjCNG0bYBY9HY1WIBgd7uapM_cYATpIw">www.RandomActsOfEnchantment.com</a></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Happy National Adoption Month!</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Thank you for being here!</div>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5639</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>The Election: 2016</title>
		<link>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/the-election-2016/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robyn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2016 12:32:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage and Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenthood & Parenting Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anti Semitism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growing up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[metro detroit blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Presidential Election 2016]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Talking to your kids about racism]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[During the final weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election, my 7 year old (JJ) asked me every day: “Mommy, who are you voting for?” And every day I’d respond the same way: “I’m not telling.” It made me sad that I didn’t feel proud or comfortable telling JJ who I was voting for. [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>During the final weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election, my 7 year old (JJ) asked me every day: “Mommy, who are you voting for?” And every day I’d respond the same way: <span id="more-5615"></span>“I’m not telling.”</p>
<p>It made me sad that I didn’t feel proud or comfortable telling JJ who I was voting for. It was the first time she was interested and excited about a presidential election. (She was 3 years old during the last election&#8211;she didn’t even know what day it was.)</p>
<p>Presidential elections are exciting for kids. They like discussing and defending “their” candidate with their peers. JJ was coming home every day with new info she learned at school. She loved the hype and the drama.</p>
<p>And who can blame her?</p>
<p>When I was her age, I liked it too. Whoever my parents were backing, that’s who I backed. I listened when they discussed the issues and candidates. The things they said made sense to me. Plus, I had no other real information coming my way, so I picked up as much as I could from them, and regurgitated it when I got to school.</p>
<p>My kids weren’t able to do that. They weren&#8217;t able to go to school with insight from us. We kept our mouths shut around them. There was so much anger and outrage in the air, people &#8220;de-friending&#8221; people, berating them for the views&#8212;I didn&#8217;t want my kids to get stuck in a $h*tstorm, so I stuck to speaking broadly on the topics. Plus, I didn&#8217;t really know how to accurately explain what was going on. This election was not the kind of presidential election I was brought up on. It was a circus, and when my husband showed up with this sign for our front lawn:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5616" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_9834-300x300.jpg" alt="img_9834" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_9834-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_9834-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_9834-500x500.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_9834.jpg 640w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>I wasn’t arguing.</p>
<p>In all the years I have been voting, I can&#8217;t remember a perfect candidate in a presidential election. But, even if I didn’t like the two candidates, there was always one who was better. Always.</p>
<p>This year though? No. Not for me. I had a very hard time getting behind either one.</p>
<p>Donald Trump? <em>Whaaaaat?</em> Still surreal that he not only made it as far as he did, but he won! People must have really NOT wanted Hilary Clinton in office, because DT is a freakin&#8217; train wreck. At first, I think people were intrigued. He was bringing issues to the surface in a way that was both NOT politically correct and NOT presidential. Everyone had an opinion, and he had everyone&#8217;s attention. He essentially became a character from one of his reality shows, but he wasn’t acting. And he wasn’t letting up. He went from being not presidential to downright disrespectful. He made it so every intelligent conservative out there was screwed because I gotta believe, even for the die-hard conservatives, it was getting harder and harder to defend him. The Islamophobic, xenophobic, and racist rhetoric he spewed&#8212;so venomous&#8212;it’s amazing he is still able to speak with both of his feet wedged so firmly in his mouth. He is one bad hombre.</p>
<p>And Hillz? <em>WTF, girl??</em> What happened? You had such potential! Or maybe you didn’t? You had such a strong backing and a great resume though! And you’ve been in the world of politics for like EVER. You know everyone <em>and </em>you know how to play the game. Women all over were RIPE to put a female in the oval office. Even <em>Vogue </em>magazine endorsed you, and they haven’t publicly endorsed a presidential candidate <em>ever.</em> But people weren’t having it. I don’t even think it had anything to do with you being a woman. I think this country is past gasping at a woman president. I think they just gasped at Hilary. And why is that? Maybe because she’s suspected of being a huge LIAR. And if the things she&#8217;s suspected of doing are true, she could have put the people in this country, the very country she wanted to lead, at great risk. That ain&#8217;t good. How can you have a leader you don’t trust?</p>
<p>I guess you can’t, because she didn&#8217;t win.</p>
<p>So, here we are. Donald Trump is going to be the president of the United States. The decision has been made, and whether we like or not, we have to live with it.</p>
<p>So what do we do?</p>
<p>We persevere. No more bitching about what would, could or should have been. <em>We deal with what is.</em></p>
<p>The first thing we need to deal with: Racisim and Anti-Semitism. It&#8217;s out of control. It seems since The Donald won the election, some people think it’s OK to say hurtful things, and commit racist or anti semitic acts.</p>
<p>It’s not. It’s shortsighted and ignorant and stupid.</p>
<p>But there are lots of dumb people out there, and some of those dummies have kids, and they say or do things in front of their kids, and the kids believe it.</p>
<p>And sometimes they act on it:</p>
<p>At a high school in Minnesota, someone left graffiti with the messages “Go back to Africa” and “Whites only.&#8221;</p>
<p>During lunch at a school in Royal Oak, Michigan, a group of kids were video taped chanting “Build the wall! Build the wall!”</p>
<p>The principal from a school in Montgomery County, Maryland sent a letter home after swastikas were found drawn on the walls of the middle school.</p>
<p>And some kid in Dallas, Texas asked my girlfriend’s daughter (adopted) if she was scared Trump was going to make it so she couldn’t live with them anymore.</p>
<p>These kids are getting this from home. FROM HOME.</p>
<p>So that’s where we need to start. We can teach our kids that it is <em>utterly ridiculous</em> to mistrust or dislike an entire group of people. That way, if it ever comes up in their presence, they will know from <em>us</em> that it’s wrong.</p>
<p>We can also teach other people’s kids if we see it happening. (#ItTakesAVillage) And it’s such an easy thing to teach because <strong>“How can you dislike an entire group of people without knowing them all?”</strong></p>
<p>It’s so dumb, but it’s happening. It’s happening a lot. And it needs to be recognized and acknowledged and discussed so our kids know it&#8217;s WRONG if it surfaces around them.</p>
<p>We may have to accept our new president, whether we want to or not, but we don’t EVER have to accept racism and anti semitism, no matter who is elected president.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***************************************</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for being here!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The DS&amp;D Crew</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5615</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>What Are You Going To Do?</title>
		<link>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/what-are-you-going-to-do/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robyn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2016 01:35:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Marriage and Family]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Sum Of This, Sum Of That]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Rosh Hashana]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[We just celebrated Rosh Hashana. Rosh Hashana always falls in the fall. It’s either “early” or it’s “late,” but it’s always in the fall. Apples and honey, the shofar and the Torah: Rosh Hashana marks the first day of the beginning of a new year. At services, the Rabbi asked our congregation: “What do you want [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We just celebrated Rosh Hashana. Rosh Hashana always falls in the fall. It’s either “early” or it’s “late,” but it’s always in the fall. Apples and honey, the shofar and the Torah: Rosh Hashana marks the first day of the beginning of a new year.</p>
<p>At services, the Rabbi asked our congregation: <strong><em>“What do you want to do this year?</em></strong><em>”</em></p>
<p>There were a lot of responses, things like: <span id="more-5515"></span></p>
<p>“I want to get organized!”</p>
<p>“I want to try baseball!”</p>
<p>“I want to do better at math!”</p>
<p>All worthy goals, every one of them, positive and worthy. Not one person was like:</p>
<p>“I want to be passive aggressive!”</p>
<p>“I want to be unwelcoming!”</p>
<p>“I want to suck!”</p>
<p>Rosh Hashana isn’t about that. It’s not about bitterness. It’s about sweet things and new beginnings.</p>
<p>I’m kind of pissed at myself right now though, because our family has something <em>we</em> want to do this year (something really cool) and none of said anything.</p>
<p>When I asked my 9 year old daughter, <strong><em>F</em></strong>, if she wanted to shout it out, she wanted no part of it. I was bummed because the thing we want to do has a lot to do with F.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5528" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FJC-Nose-Ring-300x400.jpg" alt="fjc-nose-ring" width="300" height="400" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FJC-Nose-Ring-300x400.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FJC-Nose-Ring.jpg 442w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<h6 style="text-align: center;"><em>(Nose ring is fake. Tattoos aren&#8217;t. Just kidding.)</em></h6>
<p>F is the<em> Dim Sum</em> side of <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts. S</em>he has also been a huge part of many of the <em>DS&amp;D</em> decisions as of late. Unfortunately, I could feel the Rabbi wanting to move on, and I just didn’t have time to guilt her.</p>
<p>So, I moved on to <strong>JJ</strong> (the 7 year old).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5524" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JJ-lipstick-300x533.jpg" alt="jj-lipstick" width="300" height="533" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JJ-lipstick-300x533.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JJ-lipstick.jpg 359w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I leaned into her and whispered “Do YOU want to announce what we want to do this year?” to which she replied “Mommy! I thought it was a SECRET!”</p>
<p>She was right, but I thought she might want to at least throw out a vague version since she, the <em>Doughnuts</em> side of <em>DS&amp;D,</em> is also a HUGE part of it!</p>
<p>But, no.</p>
<p>Now, I’m just mad at myself. I had an opportunity, and I missed it&#8212;and I haven’t done that in awhile. Since March 23, 2016, right after I wrote <a href="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/?s=lose+yourself"><em>Lose Yourself</em>,</a> I gave myself a 6 month goal to figure out what we should do with <em>DS&amp;D</em>&#8212;and in those 6 months, I have taken advantage of, or at least looked into, every opportunity that has come our way.</p>
<p>I figured 6 months was a fair amount of time to figure out what I can do with <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts, </em>since I have spent the last 5 years learning what I<em> can&#8217;t </em>do:</p>
<p><strong><em>1. I can’t move out of state</em>.</strong> That cut a lot of opportunities right off the bat. My husband, <strong>Cody,</strong> is one of the owners/directors at Camp Tanuga in northern Michigan and his job takes him away 5 months out of the year. He leaves in the middle of April and comes back in the middle of September. With the exception of 7-8 weeks during the summer, I’m alone with the girls during those months. If I move out of state to chase a job opportunity, and Cody is gone too, I can’t imagine our kids will continue going to school, eating vegetables, or showering.</p>
<p><strong><em>2. I need to be in control.</em></strong> I’m not into someone editing our lives or my work without consent. A few years ago, we were approached about doing a reality show. The producer was surprised (and kind of annoyed) when I told her we weren’t interested in being on TV. She didn’t understand because, as she pointed out: “You put videos up of your kids all the time!” I replied “Yes, but <em>I’m</em> the one who decides what goes up, and <em>I’m</em> the one who decides how my kids are portrayed.” #SoThere</p>
<p><strong><em>3. I still need to be able to do my promotional business</em>.</strong> 20 years in that biz. I’m not giving that up. Whatever new I do, I still need to be able to do that too. (That rhymed.)</p>
<p><strong><em>4. I need to make money.</em></strong> I like to work, and I like to make money&#8212;not gonna apologize for that. I come with a very basic <em>Work Hard </em>mentality:</p>
<p><em>Business before pleasure.</em></p>
<p><em>It means more if you EARN it.</em></p>
<p><em>Nothing worth having comes easy.</em></p>
<p><em>Money buys things, and things are fun.</em> (I made that one up.)</p>
<p><strong><em>5. I need to be the boss.</em> </strong>I am horrible at working for people. I’ve tried it. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t stick with teaching, even though I loved it. I’m not good with industry politics. I’m too outspoken and opinionated. Whenever someone asks if I work at the overnight camp with my husband, I laugh because I could never work for Cody.</p>
<p>Him: <em>This is what I need you to do:</em></p>
<p>Me: <em>That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!</em></p>
<p>Him:</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5516" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/youre-fired.jpg" alt="youre-fired" width="289" height="300" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><em>6. </em></strong><em>Lastly:</em><strong><em> I need my kids to be a part of anything new I do.</em> </strong>Definitely the hardest one because my kids are young and slave labor is illegal&#8212;but I know if I&#8217;m going to start working more than I already do, it will be more accepted by them if they have a part in it. <em>With ownership comes interest.</em></p>
<p>My kids know Mommy needs to work or she will go crazy and lose her mind&#8212;but because of them, I have limitations. Big ones. I wasn&#8217;t giving up though: 6 months is what I gave myself, and 6 months was all I needed.</p>
<p>I set goals, I learned about social media, and I made new connections. I worked long hours and I tried new things. I thought of new business ideas all the time, but there were nagging issues attached to all of them. Nothing seemed to fit.</p>
<p>And then one day, it happened.</p>
<p>An idea was brought to my attention by someone very special to us. I loved it, and it fit PERFECTLY in so many ways, but I quickly dismissed it because it wasn’t like any of the other ideas I was tossing around. This idea requires an entirely new learning curve.</p>
<p>Shoot me.</p>
<p>But JJ was also there when the idea was brought up, and she was all over it. Jumping up and down all over the place: “That’s what we should do, Mama!! Let’s do THAT!!”</p>
<p>And, wouldn’t you know?  <em>My</em> mom was <em>also</em> there, right behind her, pushing me to at least consider the idea because&#8212;as she fondly remembers&#8212;it was something I always wanted to do when I was growing up.</p>
<p>Still, I laughed and blew it off.</p>
<p>But then it became like one of those guys you like ONLY as a friend, until you find out he likes you&#8212;and then you realize he&#8217;s actually really cute…</p>
<p>It was like that.</p>
<p>I kept turning and tossing the idea, but every time I tossed it, it came back to me.</p>
<p>Because it was the one.</p>
<p>Once the girls and I decided we wanted to actively pursue the idea, we still had one person holding us up: Cody. School had already started, but Cody was still living and working at camp. His job is one of those all-consuming type jobs so we decided to wait to share our idea until we could tell him in person. We wanted his undivided attention. We still had a few weeks before he moved home though.</p>
<p>Turns out we needed the extra time to get our ideas in order&#8212;but when it came time to present the idea to Cody, we were ready.</p>
<p>WE WERE READY.</p>
<p>JJ and I headed the discussion. F was <em>allowed</em> to participate, but only if she cleared it with us first. (We learned early on that F&#8217;s biggest concern about any new idea is whether or not it will include a disco ball&#8212;so we decided she might not be the best person to lead our presentation. Nothing against disco balls.)</p>
<p>We all said what we needed to say, and Cody liked the idea, a lot. In fact, every single person we approached, and trusted to be honest with us, liked the idea.</p>
<p>So here we are.</p>
<p>We have a lot of work to do (A LOT), but we are excited. I’m kicking myself for not announcing our news in temple when the Rabbi asked <em>&#8220;What do you want to do this year?&#8221;</em> but I&#8217;m very lucky to be able to do it here and now:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>“We want to start a new business this year!”</strong></p>
<p>New year; new beginnings. It will likely be a bit before we know if our idea is a “go” or not, because new businesses take time, but if we get the green light, you’ll be the first to know what we have come up with. And hopefully, you will be as excited as we are.</p>
<p><em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts </em>wouldn’t be everything it is without the support, the likes, the comments, and the shares from you guys. You are all tribe (Jewish or not&#8212;we don’t care), and we wish all of you a sweet and Happy New Year.</p>
<p>We hope it&#8217;s filled with new things, <em>good</em> things and a solid answer to the question: <strong>“What do YOU want to do this year?&#8221;</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thank you for sticking with us! We are so grateful! If you think of anyone else who might be into a family brand about growing up, mistakes made and lessons learned, I hope you think of us.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">XO,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The <em>DS&amp;D</em> Crew</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5537" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/family-300x310.jpg" alt="family" width="300" height="310" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/family-300x310.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/family-500x516.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/family.jpg 618w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
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		<title>&#8220;Cleanin&#8217; Out My Closet&#8221;</title>
		<link>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/cleaning-out-my-closet/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robyn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2016 02:35:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Friendship]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[There’s an old organizational rule that says “If you haven’t worn something in over a year, you no longer need it.” I&#8217;ve seen that “rule” in fashion magazines countless times, but I never liked it. How do you know you’re never going to wear something again after only one year? Some pieces, yes, they’re losers [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">There’s an old organizational rule that says “<em>If you haven’t worn something in over a year, you no longer need it</em>.” I&#8217;ve seen that “rule” in fashion magazines countless times, but I never liked it. How do you know you’re never going to wear something again after only one year? Some pieces, yes, they’re losers or they’re ruined&#8212;but everything? After only one year?</p>
<p>I don’t think so.<span id="more-5465"></span></p>
<p>The items in my closet are like my friends. There’s history and memories, and just like with friends, it’s not always so easy to say “Good-bye.”</p>
<p>That’s probably why, when I go to clean out my closet, once a year, I always have trouble. I sift through the garments deciding what stays and what goes&#8212; and though I do consider the “one year rule,” I have my own set of rules as well:</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong style="line-height: 1.5;">1. The Pieces That No Longer Fit:</strong></span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> The last time I cleaned out my closet, I sent one of my girlfriends a text message that said: </span><em style="line-height: 1.5;"><strong>“I don’t understand how my pants have gotten shorter, but I haven’t gotten taller. WTF???” </strong> </em><span style="line-height: 1.5;">She explained that our bodies change as we age. I wanted no part of that answer, so I decided to ignore her and keep everything. </span></p>
<p>But she’s right. Time to let go and move on because <em>Once the body shifts, the pants no longer fit</em>. Donate or consign, and treasure the memories. The empty hangers eventually will be filled with new pieces that fit better and someone else will benefit from the ones that don&#8217;t.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>2. The Retro and Vintage Pieces:</strong></span> These are the “friends who are family” pieces. I’m not so quick to ditch these goodies because as long as they still fit, they can be used at any <span style="line-height: 1.5;">given </span>time. I have <span style="line-height: 1.5;">stuff that&#8217;s </span>over 25 years old, maybe more! I like to mix sh*t up so who’s to say I won’t come back to something? Many of my &#8220;vintage&#8221; pieces don’t have a place in my life today, but they might one day&#8212;if not for me, for my girls.  <em>Sorry, “one year” rule,</em> they’re staying.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>3</strong><strong>. The Loyalty Pieces:</strong> </span>These are the relics; the school, camp, sports team and concert tee&#8217;s collected over the years. I still have an <strong>Ohio State</strong> sweatshirt from my first year at college, but all of my sorority tee’s are gone. I didn’t really care until I was on a girl’s trip <span style="line-height: 1.5;">recently</span>, and we went back to our sorority house. The minute we walked up those steps to the front door, a million memories came flooding back. We went through the house yelling <strong>&#8220;Man On Floor!&#8221;</strong> reminiscing and laughing, and I found myself wishing, for just a minute, that we could go back to those days&#8212;(minus Hell Week, that sucked). Lucky for me, there was a <em>Lost and Found</em> box in the foyer of the house, and we were on the “FOUND” side. I got this:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5482" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/AEPHI-300x299.jpg" alt="aephi" width="300" height="299" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/AEPHI-300x299.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/AEPHI-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/AEPHI-500x498.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/AEPHI.jpg 601w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em>Thanks for being too tired or hung over to remember your stuff, sistahs!  #GoBucks</em></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>4. The &#8220;In The Moment&#8221; Pieces:</strong> </span>These are the items that <em>seemed like a good idea </em>at the time&#8212;and I fall for these pieces<em> every time.</em>When we were in China, I bought a ton of stuff, including these shoes:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5483" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/China-shoes-300x299.jpg" alt="china-shoes" width="300" height="299" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/China-shoes-300x299.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/China-shoes-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/China-shoes-500x498.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/China-shoes.jpg 645w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>I have never worn these shoes a day in my life, but I also can’t part with them. They were part of our adoption journey and parenting story. Tough call on these kinds of pieces because of the memories. I usually keep a lot of of it, but I also find plenty to donate or consign as well.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>5</strong><strong>. The Toxic Pieces:</strong> </span>Ew. NO. These are the items that bring back bad memories or hurt feelings. Why someone would insist on hanging onto that sh*t, I’ll never know. Donate, consign, burn. Pick one. That kind of energy will eventually infect everything in your closet. Box it up and move it out. If not out of your life, at least out of your closet. #ByeFelicia</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>6. </strong><strong>The Pieces That Just Don’t Look Good On You:</strong> </span>These items are a killer, because they were bought with love, and intention. We want <em>so badly</em> to look good in these pieces, but we don’t. Wrong color, style, neckline&#8212;whatever it is, it’s not working. <strong>“<em>But I LOVE IT, and I spent a lot on it!!</em>”</strong> I know. I get it. It’s not happening though. I usually leave these pieces in my closet until I get sick of feeling guilty for what I spent (or sick of looking at them) and then I let them go so they can have a different life with someone else.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*************************</p>
<p>A lot can happen in a year; it&#8217;s normal to grow out of things. Many of the pieces in our closet come with a lot more than a price tag, so the process of purging can be an emotional one. Some prefer to tackle the job solo, while others like to do it with a trusted friend, or stylist, who can help determine what is needed to fill in the blanks, without repeating expensive mistakes. Either way, whether we donate or consign the pieces that no longer work for us&#8212;we make room for things that <em>do</em>, while starting a new story for someone else.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">On Sept 17th, 2016, The ladies from <span style="color: #00ccff;"><a style="color: #00ccff;" href="https://www.styleshack.com/influencer/dimsumanddoughnuts"><em><strong>Styles</strong></em></a></span><a href="https://www.styleshack.com/influencer/dimsumanddoughnuts"><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><em><strong><span style="color: #00ccff;">hack</span> </strong></em></span></a>and the crew from  <span style="color: #00ccff;"><a style="color: #00ccff;" href="https://www.facebook.com/dimsumanddoughnuts/"><em><strong>Dim Sum and Doughnuts</strong></em></a></span><em> </em>are hosting a<span style="color: #000000;"> <span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>Fall Fashion Pop Up</strong></span></span> event at 135 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham, Michigan. There will be a<strong> &#8220;Kid&#8217;s Corner&#8221;</strong> at the event to keep your kids busy while you browse local boutiques, specialty stores and national designers for men and women. Bring any gently used clothes and accessories for <strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><em>Dress For Success</em></span></strong> or <em><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>Threads for Teens</strong></span>, </em>or just come by to shop or support!<em> </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Season. Fresh Start!</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5484" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/d15ef68447554f6b9cb9ad54ea730c2f50ae223e_1472849426-300x420.jpg" alt="d15ef68447554f6b9cb9ad54ea730c2f50ae223e_1472849426" width="300" height="420" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/d15ef68447554f6b9cb9ad54ea730c2f50ae223e_1472849426-300x420.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/d15ef68447554f6b9cb9ad54ea730c2f50ae223e_1472849426.jpg 454w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<div class="gmail_default" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>Out With The Old // In With The New</strong></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="text-align: center;">We are excited to be a part of this very special event and we hope to see you too!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="text-align: center;">Thank you for being here!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="text-align: center;">The DS&amp;D Crew</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="text-align: center;">♥</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="text-align: center;">#UnbeatableRhymes</div>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5465</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>When You&#8217;re Feeling Left Out</title>
		<link>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/when-youre-feeling-left-out/</link>
					<comments>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/when-youre-feeling-left-out/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robyn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jul 2016 12:29:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Friendship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage and Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenthood & Parenting Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[feeling left out]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FOMO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Good friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growing up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growing up is hard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hurt feelings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mean girls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[metro detroit blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[not including everyone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[part of growing up]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/?p=5337</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[In the last month, five different people from five different age groups have said something to me about feeling &#8220;left out” of friendships.  FIVE different people. FIVE different age groups. I guess it&#8217;s not a total stretch because I&#8217;ve been living at a summer camp for kids for most of the summer (and it’s not [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the last month, five different people from five different age groups have said something to me about feeling &#8220;left out” of friendships.  FIVE different people. FIVE different age groups.</p>
<p>I guess it&#8217;s not a total stretch because I&#8217;ve been living at a summer camp for kids for most of the summer (and it’s not uncommon for kids to feel “left out” at times), but out of the five different people who&#8217;ve had this particular issue, only two were kids.</p>
<p>One was my daughter; 7-years-old. There are no kids at camp her age this session, so she’s complaining that EVERYONE is leaving her out, (they’re not) and the other kid who mentioned something was a camp staff member. The other three have been full-fledged adults.</p>
<p>That surprised me.</p>
<p>I honestly didn’t consider you could still feel “left out” of a friendship as an adult. I can’t even remember the last time I felt left out. Wait. Yes, I can. One of our (my huz and I) friends threw a party and we weren’t invited, but all of our other friends in that particular group were. This was before social media madness, so I didn’t even know about the party until after, when one of our other friends asked where the hell we were.</p>
<p>We were somewhere else having a good time, but still. <em>Why weren’t we invited?</em> It was a BIG party and it wasn’t just weird we weren’t invited, it was noticeable.</p>
<p>I called my friend who threw the party and asked her “WTF” because none of it made sense. First, she gave me a weird story, but then she caved and admitted she was mad at me. That didn’t surprise me, I mess up a lot, but I don’t read minds. If you don’t tell me you&#8217;re mad, how the hell can I fix it?</p>
<p>Turns out she was mad at something that wasn’t my fault. She had gotten bad info and never checked with me. I yelled at her, and we were fine. But I missed a party&#8212;a  GOOD PARTY&#8212;and I was sad.</p>
<p>My huz couldn&#8217;t understand why I needed clarification in the first place, but I did. I didn&#8217;t like that feeling, of being left out. I needed to know what was UP. You can&#8217;t tell someone who is feeling left out <em>not</em> to feel that way. You can’t turn that sh*t off. You have to figure out <em>why </em>you’re feeling like that so you can get past it. So, let’s break it down:</p>
<p>1. <strong><em>You woke up to a photo on social media with a bunch of your friends and you weren’t invited.</em></strong> First of all, sucky way to wake up. Next, remember that social media doesn&#8217;t usually tell the WHOLE story. Last, remember the story I kicked off with? If they are, indeed, your friends, you shouldn’t have any problem calling one of them to find out what the deal is. (You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken.) If they come clean, you can go from there. If they blow it off, they’re obviously not ready to get real with you, so now you know <em>that</em> about them. You did the right thing by checking, that’s all you can do. Who needs the drama? Not you. You have other friends. #ByeFelicia</p>
<p><em>2. <strong>Maybe you’re not making an effort.</strong></em> Maybe you’re not showing how BADLY you want to be a part of things. How badly <em>do you</em> want it? It could be that you consistently say “No” whenever you are extended an invite, or it could be that, deep down, you don’t want to be a part of it. That&#8217;s fine, but you don&#8217;t get to be pissed that they now feel the same.</p>
<p><em>3. <strong>Maybe you were overlooked.</strong></em><strong> </strong>That happens. I have done that, probably more than I know! There was one time in particular when I overlooked people and it didn’t go well for me. There were kids involved, and there were hurt feelings. It was horrible. There is nothing worse than unintentionally hurting a child&#8217;s feelings. If you want to read about how DUMB one person can be, here you go:<a href="http://bit.ly/2aEhK1j"> &#8220;Mommy Mistake 2186: The Birthday Party F**K UP&#8221;</a> (But you have to finish this post first!)</p>
<p><em>4. <strong>Sometimes it’s not about you. </strong></em>Social Media is social. It’s for anyone to see. Sometimes I act like it’s not. Sometimes I put something on someone’s wall because I want that person to smile. It&#8217;s like a little virtual present for that friend.<em> “Why didn’t you put anything on MY wall?”</em> OMG, shoot me. <em>It’s not about you this time. It will probably be about you next time, if you stop your freaking whining!</em></p>
<p><em>5. <strong>Know your friends.</strong></em> One of the DS+D tribe threw down the term “fewest and truest” on our Facebook page the other day. It’s a brilliant term because those <em>are</em> the ones to concentrate on&#8211;your fewest and truest. The other &#8220;friends&#8221; can’t hurt you because they don’t hold the same meaning in your life. They’re fun and they’re great, and you adore them and they feel the same, but are they one of your fewest and truest?<em> Are THEY the ones to concentrate on?</em></p>
<p><em>6. <strong>Sometimes it’s financial restraints</strong></em><strong>.</strong> Financial restraints are really no one else’s business so it’s hard for some to admit when they can’t swing something. I, personally, don’t give a crap so I’ll cop to financial restraints when I have them (and I always have them). I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being smart about money. I would hate to see money (or lack thereof) getting in the way of hurting someone’s feelings though, so if I know there is someone who might feel slighted, I will let them know that I love them, I just can’t afford to have them. And if they don’t get that, they didn’t know me very well to begin with.</p>
<p><em>7. <strong>Sometimes people are idiots.</strong></em><strong> </strong>When my huz turned 40, I threw him a party and left some very special people off the guest list&#8212;people we are close with&#8212;because I suck. We had only been married a few years and we both brought a lot of previously acquired friends to the table. We also had financial restraints (because most people do). I had to come up with a cut and dry rule of how to keep the guest list to a minimum. As a result, I only invited the people <em>he</em> &#8220;brought to the table&#8221; because in my mind, I rationalized that it was <em>his</em> party. I didn’t invite any of “my friends,” even though they love him and wanted to be (and should have been) part of the celebration. I will forever regret that.</p>
<p><em>8. <strong>Sometimes people just suck</strong></em><strong>.</strong> This is a very simple, yet often overlooked, reason for leaving someone out. If your gut tells you someone sucks, keep moving. They did you a favor, you just can’t see it yet. It will take time but you will end up happier for it.</p>
<p><em>9. <strong>It’s not where you’re supposed to be.</strong></em><strong> </strong>This is a hard one to wrap your head around. I was on a girl’s trip years ago and one of my friends had an awful case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out.) We didn’t call it FOMO then, but that’s what it was. We discussed wanting to be in two places at once and it all made sense, but I told her: “Where you are RIGHT NOW is the place to be. THIS is where it&#8217;s happening. Right here, beyotch.” And she knew I was right because we were having fun, we all were&#8212; and no matter what she was missing, NO MATTER WHAT, nothing was better than me coming back to the car all excited that I found one of my favorite songs on CD for 1.00! And then I made everyone listen to it. (They weren&#8217;t as excited, but I didn&#8217;t care. I&#8217;ll jam alone.)</p>
<p><em>10. <strong>Figure out your priorities.</strong></em> If feeling left out is more of a FOMO thing, ask yourself what you’re really missing out on? Social Media lends itself to lots of “sharing.” It’s very much a spectator sport. It’s how we keep up with our friends and family, but we don’t need to keep score. If you’re a part of the social media world, you’re going to see all kinds of things&#8212;many of which you’re not a part of<strong>. </strong>There are all kinds of reasons why people do what they do, they range anywhere from being mean to unintentional to clueless. <em>Figure out how much you really care.</em> For me, unless you are in the same room with Eminem, my brother, or a fat ass cake, I’m pretty good with whatever I’m doing. And I hope you feel a little better about everything too.</p>
<p>Thanks for being here! We appreciate the support so much, and if you know of anyone else who might like this, please share. We hope you do!</p>
<p>XO, The DS+D Crew</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5337</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lose Yourself</title>
		<link>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/lose-yourself/</link>
					<comments>https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/lose-yourself/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robyn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Mar 2016 00:30:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Adoption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenthood & Parenting Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[adoption blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carpe diem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growing up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lose yourself]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[metro detroit blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michigan blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seize the day]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/?p=4811</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[There are random notes all over the place with post ideas for Dim Sum and Doughnuts. I could bust out a piece tomorrow on so many different topics, but this piece…this one is giving me trouble. I feel pressure. It’s because it’s the first post of the new Dim Sum and Doughnuts site. The new site is [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are random notes all over the place with post ideas for <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts. </em>I could bust out a piece tomorrow on so many different topics, but this piece…this one is giving me trouble. I feel pressure. <span id="more-4811"></span></p>
<p>It’s because it’s the first post of the new <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts</em> site.</p>
<p>The new site is bad ass. It’s got all kinds of bells and whistles! I have no idea how to use it. It’s like my car&#8212;all kinds of crazy stuff, but I have no idea how to use any of it. I have enough trouble remembering which side the gas tank is on!</p>
<p>This new site feels the same way. I’m like a little kid in a big house, with no parents.</p>
<p>It was time though. I’ve been writing <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts </em>for 5 years. It was originally just for friends and family, but then other people also seemed to like it, or hate it. Either way, we thought it was time to see how it performs in Cyber City.</p>
<p>So, here we are.</p>
<p>Same writer; same product&#8212;I just want to try and connect with others a little more. I want to see if people (other than my friends and family) like it. <em>So what did I do?</em> I asked some of my friends to invite <em>their </em>friends, and they did. They brought their friends here, and we are grateful. Very grateful.</p>
<p>And now it’s &#8220;Go Time&#8221;&#8212;time to see if <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts</em> is HOT or NOT.  (And if it’s NOT, I’m sure I’ll hear about it.)</p>
<p>If you like the posts from <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts</em> (or you know of someone who might) I hope you share. You won’t love every post. You might not even love me.</p>
<p>But that’s normal.</p>
<p>When was the last time you got a CD and liked every song? For REAL liked every song? Come on. Just because you love the artist doesn’t mean you’re going to love every song, not even Eminem.</p>
<p>Blogs, like <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts</em>, are the same way. (Although I did have one lady who told me I could write about the phone book and she’d read it, so…you know, at least I have her.)</p>
<p>You don&#8217;t <em>have</em> to like it though. That’s what’s so great about the internet. It’s not like a class and you <em>have</em> to participate. You can opt out at any time.</p>
<p>I’d rather have a group of fun people than a bunch of Judge Judy’s anyway. Getting yelled at over the internet is not a fun way to spend the day. A few years ago, one of my posts got shared, a lot. It was very exciting, until the negative comments starting coming in.</p>
<p>It was an onslaught of negativity. I got blasted. I felt sad and misunderstood. I continued writing <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts </em>because I want my girls to have it, but I stopped promoting it. I just wanted it to go back to being read by people who already know (and love) us. I didn&#8217;t need a bunch of people who don&#8217;t even know me yelling at me and saying horrible things. (No, thanks.)</p>
<p>They were idiots, yes, but they got to me. They broke my spirit. Stomping on their computer keyboards about how I should have never been allowed to adopt, shooting comments back and forth about how I’m a horrible parent.</p>
<p>It hurt my feelings. I started second guessing myself. I even re-wrote the piece they were complaining about&#8212;but they just moved on to a different piece and tore me apart again! “Horrible parent…her kids deserve better…” Angry, mean people behind the shields of their computers… People I didn’t know, who didn’t know me! …I had never been treated like that before. It was all so new to me. I cared what those people thought though. I cared. I didn&#8217;t know any different.</p>
<p><strong>But not NO MO.</strong></p>
<p>What the hell do I care what other people&#8211;especially people I don&#8217;t know&#8211;think about me? They are white noise. I know who my people are, and I know my family is well taken care of. That&#8217;s what I care about. That&#8217;s <em>who</em> I care about.</p>
<p>So, with that in mind, I’m going to take my shot. I have nothing to lose. I’m going to write what I need to write, and say what needs to be said.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-4782 aligncenter" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bigstock-I-Don-t-Care-97735913-300x200.jpg" alt="I don't care note pinned on the bulletin board" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bigstock-I-Don-t-Care-97735913-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bigstock-I-Don-t-Care-97735913-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bigstock-I-Don-t-Care-97735913-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bigstock-I-Don-t-Care-97735913.jpg 900w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>There will be haters, because bitter sisters are a part of life&#8212;but that’s cool, because guess what? I can’t fail. This thing I have built, this virtual take-out box full of lessons and stories and memories and mistakes&#8212;I hope it touches lots of people, but if it doesn’t, I’m covered. I’m covered because ultimately, the two people I care about most will read it, and they are the ones it&#8217;s written for.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4808" src="http://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lose-yourself-2-300x218.jpg" alt="lose yourself 2" width="300" height="218" srcset="https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lose-yourself-2-300x218.jpg 300w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lose-yourself-2-500x364.jpg 500w, https://www.dimsumanddoughnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lose-yourself-2.jpg 550w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>But if I want to reach others, I have to seize this opportunity and take my shot. So here we go, yo.</p>
<p>#LetsGetThisPartyStarted</p>
<p>…And if Eminem has any problems with me using his song as inspo for this piece, he’s welcome to come take it up with me anytime. I’m ready.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thank you for being a part of <em>Dim Sum and Doughnuts!</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hope to see you back here soon!</p>
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