“When I move, it will all be different,” I heard my friend say. Seeking to leave her hurt behind in Pennsylvania, she packed her bags for sunny Florida. But I knew even sunny Florida couldn’t solve all her problems. Continue reading
Tag Archive | women
Kryptonite with your Coffee?
You walk through the door and are greeted by the intermingling aromas of fresh baked pastries and rich savory coffee. This welcoming scent woos you to explore and accentuates the atmosphere. You order a giant cookie and a cup of coffee as you look around for a comfy seat. Continue reading
Get your Plow
“When I grow up I wanna be just like her” the little girl says. “I’m going to be just like him when I grow up” says the little boy. “Man I wish I had his/her (pick one that YOU have said)
: Continue reading
Keep Your Judgment in 2016
Happy New Year! May it be full of joy, peace, love and blessings for you and your family!
The question often asked at the end of the year is ‘what is your New Year resolution?’ Over the years I was ready with an answer (aren’t I always) because the New Year was a magical eraser that would blot out the missed goals and shortcomings that I had long left for dead in the outgoing year. Continue reading
Purple Purse for Domestic Violence Awareness
4 women will read this — and one of you will be a victim of Domestic Violence.
Suit up Gladiators! Grab your white cap and purple purse! Our favorite gladiator (for the Scandal watchers) is not only an acclaimed actress who is currently in the role as Olivia Pope, but Kerry Washington now adds handbag designer & Domestic Violence & financial abuse ambassador to her list of accomplishments. Why is the news of another star designing a handbag worthy of My Tattered Brim’s attention? It is newsworthy to us gladiator survivors of domestic violence because of why she did it. Partnering with with Allstate Foundation, Kerry now shares her time, talent, voice and passion to bring domestic violence & financial abuse out of the shadows and help women break free. Continue reading
I’m Sorry my Blessings Offend you
Today a friend and I were talking about how we (people) limit ourselves in living how we want, doing what we want and being what we want because we don’t want to offend others. I’m sorry my blessing offends you….
Flying Vitamins??!!
I ducked as the amber medicine bottle whizzed past my head with such force the sound came after it had passed, like a jet fighter plane. I heard it find its unintended target as it shattered against the wall and vitamins scattered everywhere as if they were being shot out of the wall. OMG!! What if I didn’t duck!! He threw that right AT me! Wait….did that just happen? I stood numb….still…..dumb….in shock with a glimmer of hope that this was a bad dream that I would wake from. As I started thawing from the numbness, fear, shock and adrenaline all brewed together into a brew of deep dark anger….did that mutha just throw my prenatal vitamins at me? The question now becomes a bold declaration…I KNOW that mutha#$%&%^* didn’t just throw ANYTHING at me. One of us isn’t getting out of here Ta-DAY!
YOU don’t Need to Pray
While working one evening at the Domestic Violence shelter, one of the team members came and got me because there was a pastors wife that they wanted me to talk to. As an organization with government funding, naturally they are not allowed to speak on faith and religion; however as a volunteer, I could.
I left the office and went into the living room where I met this beautiful woman who had the kindest face and very soft voice. We made small talk after the introductions and she began to share with me how she finally got the nerve to leave her abusive husband, a church pastor and police officer. While some would stop here and say ‘oh my 
goodness! but a PASTOR?’, know that abusers are from all walks of life, socioeconomic statuses and professions. This didn’t come as a surprise to me. Preciouslyfe Ministries (now My Tattered Brim) was created because there was little discussion (if any) in the church about domestic violence. There were few safe places for the church members and leaders to say ‘I’m being abused’ where they could get help and not ridicule. The more I trained in DV counseling, the more I could identify and recognize the signs of abuse and would see evidence of it all around me, even in the church. Continue reading
Natural or Straight I’m still ME!
Let it go people! Live and let live. To each his/her own.
I’m talking about the judgment. More specifically the hair judgment that is passed on those who choose to be themselves and rock whatever style they want. 
There always seems to be a contingent that has an opinion based on their choice. The Permed Hair Crew vs. Protective Styles Camp and why one is better/worse than the other one. I am sooooo tired of it. Live and let live. Whatever your style, texture, process, products or length – keep your hair healthy and do you! Celebrate the beauty in our differences and not tear one another down. Don’t waste your judgment on me because like India.Arie I know that there is more to me Under my Brim than my hair.
What the *bleep* is Orthorexia??
There is truth to the saying ‘Too much of anything can be bad for you.’ and believe it or not, there are no exceptions….even when
Young woman eating salad — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis
it comes to healthy eating. You read that correctly…Yup, I said it….you can have a healthy eating disorder known as Orthorexia.
In her Women’s Health article Orthorexia: When Healthy Eating Goes Too Far, Dr. Lisa Petersen, Clinical Director, Eating Recovery Center of California asks:
Do you obsess over the quality or purity of foods you consume?
Do you avoid restaurants, family gatherings and other settings where you can’t eat healthy or “clean”?
Does the thought of eating “normal” food make you anxious or upset?
Does your ability to adhere to your strict eating regimen define your worth?
Continue reading
Under Her Brim 