Who knew I'd ever again spend as much time coveting a night's sleep as I once did with 3 babies? Seriously? I've done this… FIVE TIMES. And I don't mean I've not slept for 5 nights. I mean 5 babies…with the twins actually counting as 10 babies. There is nothing quite like the sleep deprivation that comes from nursing 2 babies…
EXCEPT, the sleep deprivation that comes from my food allergies.
"Can't you just have a little?"
"Oh, it's just one bite!"
Nope.
I wish, with every fiber of my being, that I could have that one bite. That I could snarf down that Krispy Kreme, inhale that Cinnabon, chow down on that deep dish pizza and tear up some fried mushrooms from Outback.
But. I. Can't.
I wasn't super diligent when I went on a trip last month. I didn't want to be a pain and ask a million questions. I didn't want to deal with the possibility of embarrassing someone I was with. I didn't want to feel like I had a spotlight on my head while I investigated the origins of every. single. thing. I put in my mouth.
So, I just didn't ask.
And the cascade of symptoms didn't ask permission either.
I got home exhausted from lack of sleep.
Brain fogged.
Cranky.
Achey.
Intestinally distressed.
And then the lack of sleep just continued…and continued…and continued…
ARG!!!!
For a mom of many, for anyone actually, this is SHEER torture. If you add being bipolar to that list, it's downright dangerous.
So, in my quest to turn it around and reset my body, cleaning out the offending proteins, I decided to eat a whole lot of quinoa. Quinoa is great for you & healthy, right??
Guess what? Quinoa can mimic gluten in your body if you are especially sensitive. Apparently, I am especially sensitive.
SERIOUSLY?
Finally…almost a month after all this started, last night...
I SLEPT ALL NIGHT!!!
I could win the stinking lottery and not be as grateful as I am right now.
All the Krispy Kremes in the world can't beat my night of sleep.
love,
tiff
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Victory in round 1...
Moratorium passed! The people of Swansboro spoke & the Board of Commissioners (minus 1) listened. I'm so excited we spoke out for a happy hamlet, and I encourage all of you to continue to let your voices be heard! And now, I hate to be a wet blanket….
HOWEVER…
We are still in limbo regarding the court case that is pending in Jacksonville that pits the developer, Swansboro Investors, LLC against the Town of Swansboro in regards to the legality of the enacted moratorium. The fact that it is taking this long for a decision to be rendered concerns me. It is extremely difficult to fight investors backed by a goliath like Walmart and the single stone we have fired from our David-like little slingshot has yet to fully meet it's mark. Unfortunately, this fight could be a long one. I have no doubt that Walmart's investors will push us to the limit if given the opportunity. The veiled threats from both the attorney for Walmart and the investors themselves have alluded to the financial burden that could result from us refusing to roll over and play dead. Here is where we have a choice to make and it's important to understand the ramifications of making the right one.
One of the residents that spoke on favor of the proposed large scale retail store has touted the economic benefit of such a business repeatedly. He has stated that jobs are needed here and this will help fill that need. He has also stated that the tax benefit is one we cannot afford to pass up.
Baloney.
I'll just jettison the tax issue first. The supposed tax benefit does not go directly into our town coffers. It has to go through complex process/formula through the state that determines what benefit we may receive. The max is around $100K per year. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? It's a pittance when viewed in light of the additional services the town will have to provide to offset the effects of a business of this type and size. Just one extra police officer would cost the town over 1/3 of that amount. And I'd venture to say that one extra cop just won't cut it in that situation.
Our town doesn't need 250 minimum wage jobs. What is does need is a business or businesses that will provide a variety of jobs to both skilled and unskilled labor. This means a balanced mix of reasonably sized retailers and businesses that will meet the needs of many of our residents. An ideal example would be an assisted living facility or Veteran's home. While that type of facility would need to be approved for conditional zoning, I believe it would stand a stronger chance due to the type of commerce and support it could bring to our town. It would not only provide a service for our aging population, but would also energize our economy with employment in many areas, to include: medical professionals, marketing professionals, community organizers, administrative professionals, insurance agents, food service workers, and dietitians. THAT is the type of growth we need in our area!
So, let's not get complacent because we have this small victory. We STILL have to let our Commissioners, planning board and town manager know what we want for our community. Speak out, Swansboro!
Still fighting for my town!!
Tiff
HOWEVER…
We are still in limbo regarding the court case that is pending in Jacksonville that pits the developer, Swansboro Investors, LLC against the Town of Swansboro in regards to the legality of the enacted moratorium. The fact that it is taking this long for a decision to be rendered concerns me. It is extremely difficult to fight investors backed by a goliath like Walmart and the single stone we have fired from our David-like little slingshot has yet to fully meet it's mark. Unfortunately, this fight could be a long one. I have no doubt that Walmart's investors will push us to the limit if given the opportunity. The veiled threats from both the attorney for Walmart and the investors themselves have alluded to the financial burden that could result from us refusing to roll over and play dead. Here is where we have a choice to make and it's important to understand the ramifications of making the right one.
One of the residents that spoke on favor of the proposed large scale retail store has touted the economic benefit of such a business repeatedly. He has stated that jobs are needed here and this will help fill that need. He has also stated that the tax benefit is one we cannot afford to pass up.
Baloney.
I'll just jettison the tax issue first. The supposed tax benefit does not go directly into our town coffers. It has to go through complex process/formula through the state that determines what benefit we may receive. The max is around $100K per year. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? It's a pittance when viewed in light of the additional services the town will have to provide to offset the effects of a business of this type and size. Just one extra police officer would cost the town over 1/3 of that amount. And I'd venture to say that one extra cop just won't cut it in that situation.
Our town doesn't need 250 minimum wage jobs. What is does need is a business or businesses that will provide a variety of jobs to both skilled and unskilled labor. This means a balanced mix of reasonably sized retailers and businesses that will meet the needs of many of our residents. An ideal example would be an assisted living facility or Veteran's home. While that type of facility would need to be approved for conditional zoning, I believe it would stand a stronger chance due to the type of commerce and support it could bring to our town. It would not only provide a service for our aging population, but would also energize our economy with employment in many areas, to include: medical professionals, marketing professionals, community organizers, administrative professionals, insurance agents, food service workers, and dietitians. THAT is the type of growth we need in our area!
So, let's not get complacent because we have this small victory. We STILL have to let our Commissioners, planning board and town manager know what we want for our community. Speak out, Swansboro!
Still fighting for my town!!
Tiff
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Fighting for my Friendly City by the Sea...
23 years I have been on this roller coaster. 23 years I have searched for a PLACE I can call home… A place I can raise my kids, feel safe at night, know the locals by name, walk the streets at night, send my kids to the park, PLACE.
Swansboro is my place.
Well, enter the bully.
Just about 2 months ago, I found out a large scale retailer was on the hunt to invade my home. On the sly, under the radar, surreptitiously…they bought land under another corporation, applied for building permits and proceeded to try to slide in and change MY TOWN.
Yup, I call it MY TOWN. Why? I bought a house here, I pay taxes here, I vote here and doggonit, I am raising my FIVE precious blessings here. So, you bet your bottom dollar it's my town. I've chosen to support the local economy wherever & whenever I can and I am highly invested in making sure that the economy and the character of the town that supports it remain intact.
I have attended every town hall meeting I can, and spoken out in support of maintaining this quaint, fantastic little town that I am blessed to call home. I wanted to walk away from tonight's meeting feeling confident, feeling certain that the democracy we have founded our country on will play out in favor of our town.
But. I. just. don't.
Why?
Well, I'll tell you why. Big box retailers have BIG, DEEP pockets. They make serious sport out of scaring small towns like Swansboro into turning tail and running in the face of expensive opposition. They weigh the cost of the legal battle against the long term gain of decimating and destroying the local economy. Then they determine if the little town will have the cojones to take on the fight. Guess what? 99% of those little towns just cave & take the hit. And they topple over like a house of cards, succumbing to the idea that growth is inevitable and we just don't have a choice.
Guess what? We DO HAVE A CHOICE!
This is our town. Do you hear me? OUR TOWN! Fight for what you believe in! Fight for the character of this place you have chosen to call home! Fight for PROPER growth, grounded in common sense and continuity with the character and vivacity of our town!
As someone who has spent my life searching for home and finally found it, I can promise you I will NOT give up without a fight.
The city of Swansboro has a contingency fund for just this reason. If we don't fight for who we are now, we may as well just roll over & play corporate. dead. America.
Tell your commissioners you want to fight! Show up next Tuesday, July 15 at the town hall meeting and state it loud and clear! We don't want to follow the herd and NO, change isn't inevitable. Fight for what you believe in, Swansboro! Hold true to our motto…
Swansboro, the Friendly (little) City by the Sea.
Swansboro is my place.
Well, enter the bully.
Just about 2 months ago, I found out a large scale retailer was on the hunt to invade my home. On the sly, under the radar, surreptitiously…they bought land under another corporation, applied for building permits and proceeded to try to slide in and change MY TOWN.
Yup, I call it MY TOWN. Why? I bought a house here, I pay taxes here, I vote here and doggonit, I am raising my FIVE precious blessings here. So, you bet your bottom dollar it's my town. I've chosen to support the local economy wherever & whenever I can and I am highly invested in making sure that the economy and the character of the town that supports it remain intact.
I have attended every town hall meeting I can, and spoken out in support of maintaining this quaint, fantastic little town that I am blessed to call home. I wanted to walk away from tonight's meeting feeling confident, feeling certain that the democracy we have founded our country on will play out in favor of our town.
But. I. just. don't.
Why?
Well, I'll tell you why. Big box retailers have BIG, DEEP pockets. They make serious sport out of scaring small towns like Swansboro into turning tail and running in the face of expensive opposition. They weigh the cost of the legal battle against the long term gain of decimating and destroying the local economy. Then they determine if the little town will have the cojones to take on the fight. Guess what? 99% of those little towns just cave & take the hit. And they topple over like a house of cards, succumbing to the idea that growth is inevitable and we just don't have a choice.
Guess what? We DO HAVE A CHOICE!
This is our town. Do you hear me? OUR TOWN! Fight for what you believe in! Fight for the character of this place you have chosen to call home! Fight for PROPER growth, grounded in common sense and continuity with the character and vivacity of our town!
As someone who has spent my life searching for home and finally found it, I can promise you I will NOT give up without a fight.
The city of Swansboro has a contingency fund for just this reason. If we don't fight for who we are now, we may as well just roll over & play corporate. dead. America.
Tell your commissioners you want to fight! Show up next Tuesday, July 15 at the town hall meeting and state it loud and clear! We don't want to follow the herd and NO, change isn't inevitable. Fight for what you believe in, Swansboro! Hold true to our motto…
Swansboro, the Friendly (little) City by the Sea.
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