moxie

Bold disruption in order ~ on the way. Thank you! Once I thought I waited too long, each post takes me 5 years back and I am feeling Youthful enough to get it done!

Love the outfit and location. Little tidbit for you: a grassroots organization called Mission from Mars feeds 150 Pgh homeless in this exact spot every Sunday afternoon❤️

McDonald's fries and the Latte's reel me in. I get their skimpy salads. Had not thought to add a burger for extra protein ~ I toss bun if they won't "hold" it - diabetes carb counting. To the pico/guac on my garden salad! Thanks.

Sam, Thank you for this wonderful post about my grandfather, Bob. It truly made me happy. Everything you said about him and his personality are spot on! He retired from teaching when I was very young, but he was always an English teacher for me! I was given the gift of being great at English and Literature (which probably came from him), but he still helped me out with my papers and resumés throughout college. We always had so much to talk about when it came to papers, books, poems, etc. Luckily, he was able to see one of his grandchildren graduate from college before he passed away (me). We were very close, and I miss him so much. Not having him anymore is unimaginably difficultfor me. However, I'm very happy to hear that he had such a huge impact on you. It means a lot to me. Thank you for writing this article. It has made me even more proud of my grandfather than I already was! - Caitlin Brosnahan

Glad to be a part of the 2016 Bucket List now let's plan on being a part of 2017! Loved the post about reconnecting with your former English teacher. Brought a tear to my eye for sure!

Just checking in on your email!

Great read.As a working mom who has over committee herself for the past 19 yrs, I have vowed that this year will be different! Hope to stick to my guns and say NO!

This is an amazing article! You hit some very and I mean VERY key points on why we all dress the way we do! Keep it coming 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

LOVE this!

Handbag day👌👌👌❣️❣️❣️

Sam I love this three ways to wear! It's hard to pick a favorite look but I think the third, with distressed denim just wins. Gonna try this with my skirt, thanks for the inspo! Xx

My favorite has to be the feminist shirt... and the poncho... and the jewelry! Haha. So many great picks you got! I might have to add some to my wishlist!

Yes, please do share your strategy for coing up with a word or words! Love to understand how others process things/goals & outcomes. Hugs, Cynthia

Yes, please do share your strategy for coing up with a word or words! Love to understand how others process things/goals & outcomes. Hugs, Cynthia

Saw your comment on our Instagram read your words blog and absolutely fell in love! I am going to borrow Fruition for my 2018 word, also Fuck, as a new single successful mom it's a powerful adjective! Would enjoy to connect Super creative

I am so proud of you and adore all of your being. I am happy to know you and miss you. Happy New Year and I look forward to watching you grow and be an inspiration to all. xo Kel

Great tips. I appreciated the investment you made of your time to share these thoughts. Great start to a promising new year. La

Have not watched yet...

I loved diving into this collaboration and clicking through to find a bit more about each stylist. Cheers to a year of fit!

Good morning, Moxie Mama! It should come as no surprise when I tell you, we are pretty much on the same page. My loves: Diane Krueger Allison Williams Dakota Johnson Laura Dern These women nailed it! Believe it or not, although it didn't photograph well, I loved something about Sarah Jessica Parker.. When she came out on stage, I was wowed. Perhaps it is her innate ability to "own it". I have to say, this might be the first time I've been disappointed in Kate Hudson. Hugs and happy new year wishes to you!

You totally nailed it! My hubby is 6ft 4 (a whole foot taller than me) so I'm not sure I'll have as much success as you but I'm gonna go raid his closet now to see what I can find!

I’ve been wanting to try charcoal tooth-whitening for forever! I actually think I WILL try it because, regardless of the “my teeth are dried lava” look it creates DURING the process, your results are awesome!

This is too funny, your captions crack me up! Teeth look great though!

Well this post lifted my heart, and not because you mentioned Parks & Rec, which is an all-time favorite of mine, but you cherish the power and necessity of female friendship. Women happy and supporting one another is when I see women at their most beautiful. Your energy lifted me up on this recovery day. We WILL grab that coffee sometime and let's have no agenda when we do, okay? Happy Galentine's Day Sam!

Sam, LOVED this blog! SO funny I saw it today! I saw an Galentine card in Papyrus this afternoon and didn't know what it was until I saw your blog! Loved your tribute to your squad. Brought a tear to my eye as I so adore my group of girlfriends too, Can't wait to read more from you!! xo Colleen

LOVE IT SO PROUD OF MUY INSPIRING SISTER I.N LAW

Sweet, sweet parting words. I think you're on to something fabulous and I wish you more success and peace than you imagined even possible. Hugs, Lisa

Hi Sam, I really enjoyed reading about your history and continuing journey. I totally relate to keeping the family your priority, but needing something for your own sense of accomplishment and independence. I too started out staying home with my children and have no regrets. After my mother died I really needed to add something else and turned to retail at Kaufmann’s. It was a good first step out of my home box that still worked for our family (and I just about broke even financially) . It was also critical for my two boys to begin to see me making choices outside of them and appreciate me in a new way. And it was good for their father to be reminded of the feisty woman he fell in love with in the first place. I am so proud to have raised two feminist sons who are sensitive, unique, and independent, and who aren’t threatened or intimidated by any woman’s ( or human’s) strength or success. I have no doubt that you have raised your sons on that same path. It might be a little emotional as they are getting ready to fly, but trust me...you and Anthony will love that empty nest! Best wishes in your latest ventures, both for you and your lovely family, Leslie

I have really enjoyed following Moxie Mama and seeing you evolve in this process. You have been true to yourself and have definitely given your readers much to think about in becoming the best version of yourself. I admire the priorities you are setting for family and health. IHappy retirement. The best is still to come! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

Wishing you so much happiness. Xo♡ sg

Sam, You're awesome no matter what you do!! I'll always support whatever effort you move forward with. What a wonderful letter to inspire all of us. As a fundraiser, it is so hard to keep asking and asking and asking. It taps into my previous experience as a medical sales representative. It's not easy to sell or to keep asking, however you need to do both to be successful. I LOVE that you gave a shout out for others to support those trying direct sales. I always try to help any female that steps out on a limb. Thank you for the reminder for others to support the limb jumper. Much love and pixie dust. XO SJ

It's so easy to get frustrated when trying on bathing suits. These are all excellent tips to help ease the process! In the end, I believe we need to exercise more self-care and recognize how beautiful we are no matter what. Easy to type... not so easy to put into practice! I'm constantly working on my own internal monologue to be more BodPos than it has been in the past. I will say, it's incredible what projecting confidence does for attractiveness. I've followed the philosophy of "fake it 'til you make it" in that arena, and it's definitely helped! You are gorgeous! I love that you're sharing this. <3

“And it’s important to have a broken heart. It’s harder to recognize the best people if you’ve never given your trust to the wrong person.” I recognize the gift of you, my dear friend, in my life because of this! Though I am not blessed as a mother, your words to C on his 16th ring very true! Glad you shared this to ease your soul, and give an example to others of wonderful words they might share with their kids!

Sam, such fabulous words of wisdom, I feel a need to print and give a copy to my two on their 16th - K’s is only 2.5 months away, will keep it somewhere safe for M in 8 years!! Xxx

This list. I’m crying. I will give to my grandson who faces challenges as a bi-racial adopted young man with some pretty heavy baggage from his past. It’s all I wish for him❤️

Wow Sam! Great story and congratulations on raising two young men who can stand up for themselves. As the mom of lacrosse players, concussions are my biggest worry every time one of them gets on the field. So glad you took the leap to do this! Love your Moxie🖤

Wow Sam! Great story and congratulations on raising two young men who can stand up for themselves. As the mom of lacrosse players, concussions are my biggest worry every time one of them gets on the field. So glad you took the leap to do this! Love your Moxie🖤

You are so right my friend...2018 was a rough one in so many ways & I’m not sad to see it go. However I do have big plans for change, self-improvement & growth this year & I’m pretty excited. I LOVE your planner! I wish I’d seen it prior to starting mine. I’ll definitely have to remember it for next year! Debbie www.fashionfairydust.com

❤️ you! Without the rain there would be no rainbows 🌈 .....loved your message and your word for the year:)

Happy 2019, Sam!! 😘

Happy 2019, Sam!! 😘

This looks amazing......thanks for sharing:)

Thanks for braving new waters... I’m intrigued. I’m in the research triangle area, but am definitely going to check out a float spa near me.

Ok 1st time blog responder and 1st time floater. Alot of things are going on in my life at present and I usually defer to a massage to "try" and relax. After seeing my friend Sam's post about True Rest Float Spa, I thought I would give it a try. Not gonna lie it took me a few to wrap my head around turning off my brain. But once I stepped in the pod I was all in. I decided to turn off the lights and close the lid ( I'm someone get an MRI etc) next thing I know, there was a voice saying my float was over. I wanted to stay in that pod so noone could find me. My only regret is that I didn't make sure that the rest of my day was as o erscheduled as the beginning. I will definitely try it again and again.

Ok 1st time blog responder and 1st time floater. Alot of things are going on in my life at present and I usually defer to a massage to "try" and relax. After seeing my friend Sam's post about True Rest Float Spa, I thought I would give it a try. Not gonna lie it took me a few to wrap my head around turning off my brain. But once I stepped in the pod I was all in. I decided to turn off the lights and close the lid ( I'm someone get an MRI etc) next thing I know, there was a voice saying my float was over. I wanted to stay in that pod so noone could find me. My only regret is that I didn't make sure that the rest of my day was as o erscheduled as the beginning. I will definitely try it again and again.

Ok 1st time blog responder and 1st time floater. Alot of things are going on in my life at present and I usually defer to a massage to "try" and relax. After seeing my friend Sam's post about True Rest Float Spa, I thought I would give it a try. Not gonna lie it took me a few to wrap my head around turning off my brain. But once I stepped in the pod I was all in. I decided to turn off the lights and close the lid ( I'm someone get an MRI etc) next thing I know, there was a voice saying my float was over. I wanted to stay in that pod so noone could find me. My only regret is that I didn't make sure that the rest of my day was as o erscheduled as the beginning. I will definitely try it again and again.

Ok 1st time blog responder and 1st time floater. Alot of things are going on in my life at present and I usually defer to a massage to "try" and relax. After seeing my friend Sam's post about True Rest Float Spa, I thought I would give it a try. Not gonna lie it took me a few to wrap my head around turning off my brain. But once I stepped in the pod I was all in. I decided to turn off the lights and close the lid ( I'm someone get an MRI etc) next thing I know, there was a voice saying my float was over. I wanted to stay in that pod so noone could find me. My only regret is that I didn't make sure that the rest of my day was as o erscheduled as the beginning. I will definitely try it again and again.

This was a great story and they picked the perfect family to star in it. Your boys were so professional and real just like you! Thank you!

Wow!!! All of the "Maxine's" within my own FAMILY! Looking forward to hearing more about Her. Truly, we are ALL more alike than different.

Thanks Sam! That was wonderful!! Helpful to those in our 50’s as well!

I just love your honestly and inspiration. Thank you for putting the "real" out there! XOXO

Hey, Sam! Loved this advise! Thank you so much for sharing! I’m finding myself doing this more and more with my jokes about aging. Like, “I forget more than I remember these days. I’m directionally dysfunctional. No one prepared me for my knees and elbows getting wrinkled.” Sometimes I crack myself up with what I say in my head...but, your talk will make me more aware that I don’t use it to write myself off. ❤️ Oh...I’m reading a great book by a Nashville author that you might like. It’s an easy read. Let’s All Ve Brave, Living Life With Everything You Have, by Annie Downs.

Sam you couldn’t have written anything more true. I relate because I have had to find my new normal from loss many times. Laura was the most amazing person from the time she was little. She filled the room with her heart and soul just like her mom does. Such big personalities and really genuinely cared. I pray daily and see her with Uncle Tape and Aunt Iola every day. They are always together and never ever sad. What wonderful guardian angels!

Sam, I sat and watched Laura’s tribute at the PAAR Teal Ball and thought about you and her mom and brother and daughter more than anyone else. I loved what you wrote here...it captures so well some of the stages we go through after a loss like this. I am thinking of all of you...I still get tears in my eyes when I think of how different board meetings were with Laura there.....much more fun and much more meaningful.❤️

You really wrote a profound tribute to Laura and to the whole process of missing someone and the pain it can cause. You know I faced a profound loss in 2008 and the grief turns to a dull ache, but is never gone. However, I’ve been told by a trusted source that your love for the person that has passed is not measured or proven by the time you are knee-deep in your grief: I wish could make it easier for you, but I do know that there are others that understand how you feel.

THIS is everything! WOW! It's soo much truth and soo moving and a really inspirational and beautiful piece! xoxo

Oh my dear friend! Seems as though we suffered in tandem. My 5 year old Granddaughter died tragically Oct 8 2018 5 days after turning 5. She leaves her sister, 2 brothers and younger twin sister, all of whom witnessed her death, her Dad (my Son), Mom, and full complete contingency of Grandparents; 2 Great Grandmothers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and school community. I have found immediate PEACE knowing the GOD that gave her life has received her joyful rambunctious SPIRIT. Yet to comfort her Dad and Mom, both I have known their entire life, has challenged me. Then again, in tandem, this same Son, my youngest was hit by on drunk driver Friday before Mother's Day on his motorcycle. He is fine yet I keep checking my self for the wounds & bruising I feel. Nothing indeed is possible without FAITH. Therefore, everything is possible with it. Keep trusting and know your dear awesome Sister-Friend forever lives in you all guiding and directing. I feel little Camira especially in the dark. 😘

I don’t spend a day in the sun without Arbonne’s ABC sunscreen which is safe for anyone 6 months and older ;)

I’m not crying, you are. This is a beautiful list, and I’m hoping that you won’t mind that I’m absolutely stealing it for when my kids are older. Thanks for walking the path first, being open about it, and for raising boys well.

Sam, This is beautifully written. I have been through this twice and will for the last time next year with Caroline. It never gets easier and I have always longed for the chance to go back and relive the times with my babies all over again. However, exciting phases are to come as well...like grand babies. Use a lot of Kleenex, give lots of hugs, and make great food so they always come home for dinner.

Great article Sam! Great advice... It is hard to watch our children leave... We must let them fly, and sometimes flutter and divebomb. This is all part of becoming those amazing individuals we know they will become! Hugs Moxie Mama!