February 14th isn’t just Valentine’s Day, it’s also my lil mom’s birthday!
Happy Birthday Mom! 
She is awesome and raised me to be nice and kind and blah blah blah. But she was also a little ‘tough love’ when it came to being sick or hurt.
For example… When I was a kid, screaming at the top of my lungs that my brother was killing me she would say, “Do we need to call 911?” I would say “No…” and realize I was maybe kinda being a teeny bit dramatic. 
Plus, I respond best to tough love in most cases. (See: My love for Jillian Michaels) Thanks mom.
So there is a little part of me that isn’t the most sympathetic to others when they are feeling less than 100%. But, I am really really trying to get better at this. It’s actually one of my New Year’s Resolutions = Be nicer to everyone except Vegas.
If you are trying to be a little nicer to someone you can send them a free Kleenex care package. Check for specially marked boxes and enter the code on the box online. 
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Lent starts today! I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school for 12 years so I still observe Lent because it’s such a tradition in my life. I’m giving up soda (diet and reg) and I’m also going to work on cussing less.
Question: Are you observing Lent? Giving anything up?
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Kleenex via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kleenex
Lolz at the person giving up your blog for Lent! People are so dramatic. It’s like when people delete their Facebook, but feel the need to announce it on Facebook first.
Good luck with giving us the soda and cussing!
Grr, I meant giving UP. Unless you want to send us soda and swear words 😀
I am giving up red wine =)
Not “giving up” anything per say. More of putting aside double the loose change in my purse in the cookie jar everyday.
I thought I was lame to give up cussing but I see I’m in good company.
Hate to say it, but I’m giving up your blog for Lent.
It’s become sterile and boring and filled with sponsored posts.
Jenna at ELR went down the same path a few years ago.
Too bad.
All the best.
Kate
Who gives a crap about pushing the ads once in awhile? It doesn’t bother me, it’s just what successful bloggers have to do every now and then. Sheesh.
I gave up fried food and cursing
Hah I love how lately every blogger has been wearing Old Navy, taking Vitamelts and now using Kleenex… weird 🙂
Busted. Times are tough… 😉
I’m giving up coffee drink (Starbucks, CBTL, ect).
happy birthday to your mom!!
I like what you’re giving up!
I was raised in the United Methodist church and I don’t remember giving up anything for Lent. I often wondered too why is the “thing you gave up” okay to do or have on Sunday….or at least I read that somewhere.
I’m givingup microwave popcorn. I eat it ALL the time :/
For Lent, I am going to focus on healthy eating and making better food choices. Also, I’m giving up wine with dinner during the week. I am really social and love to meet friends and try new restaurants several nights a week. So I am limiting myself to enjoy a glass of wine or two 😉 just on the weekend. My longest race, a 10 miler, is in May, so this will hopefully help my training, too!
I’m giving up fried food. My love of French fries has reached an all time high so this should be a tough one. Easter is going to be heavenly deep fried goodness 🙂
Happy bday RER Mom!
I dont observe Lent (bad, bad Catholic!)
And I guess the only thing I am willing to give up is cussing. My husband always calls me out when I swear, and I dont swear that much! (Maybe that is why is always so upset when I do!)
I gave up Facebook. I don’t post a lot of stuff to facebook, but I can definitely waste a lot of time on it so I thought this would help to free up some time. And I wouldn’t get mad when people post dumb stuff and complain 24/7.
Happy birthday to your mom! How long is lent? I always remember my catholic friends in high school giving something up, I think it’s great!
40 days 🙂
Happy Birthday to your mom! Even though I am grappling a bit with my religion at the moment, I too was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school my entire life. I’m observing Lent by trying to actively spend more time with my grandmother and by giving up soda as well (all type!).
I go to the midweek Lenten services but I don’t give something up for lent. I’m not catholic so it wasn’t something I ever did. I thought about it but that lasted all of 30 seconds before I changed my mind.
Happy birthday to your mom!! I love that your giving up swear words for Lent 🙂
i don’t observe lent but i told my fiance if he gave something up i would too. so we are both going soda free! good luck to you! i know its going to be super duper crazy ridiculously hard for me!
Your mom sounds like such a sweet lady. I feel like I should get that Kleenex care pack for anyone who’s sick around me…I’m constantly grossed out by how people will get their snot and whatever all over their hands when they’re sick and then just start touching things. Yuck.
I am giving up french fries for Lent. This is a pretty big deal for me – they’re my absolute favorite treat. It’s for the best though. Let’s just hope I don’t compensate with cupcakes!
I have to think about this. My friend is Greek and their Lent doesn’t start until March. But what could I do that would span both Lent’s. I won’t be giving up coffee so I am safe so far.
The Kidless Kronicles
I made the mistake of asking my husband what I should give up…so the snooze button it is. :p Apparently he’s tired of hearing it every day, lol.
I gave up TV! Ohhhh TV I already miss you. The hardest part will be not being able to watch The Bachelor, I live for that show and all of it’s trashy goodness.
I’m catholic as well and I’m giving up Facebook!
I havent given anything up for Lent for the past couple years. I feel guilty just typing that!
Happy Birthday to your mom!
Is it me, or has there been a huge upswing in sponsored posts lately?
I noticed the same thing. Reading your blog (which I love) feels like watching commercials (which I hate).
I don’t enjoy all the sponsored posts and give-aways of late either. I’ve been wanting to comment on this as well. I thought Monica once did a post about the importance of balancing sponsored stuff and real blog content? that balance is completely off right now.
Yeah, I’ve had a lot of opportunities lately but it should die down soon.
I gave up cussing also! I have 2 little ones at home and I need to clean up my act!
It’s my sons birthday today too. I gave up diet soda in October and feel 100% better for it and have lost 17 lb. diet dr pepper was my main vice. I’m running my first half marathon on Sunday. Love you blog.
AWwww I love this post!! It’s Sooo sweet! Happy birthday to your mom
I love this idea! I want to send one! 🙂 I am giving up eating food from my work, I am going to take a lunch every day… it’s going to be tough.
The hubs and I always give up soda too…sometimes French fries if we are really committed! Did you get your ashes? I couldn’t get there this year….