Stairs.

My legs are screaming from bootcamp today.

I'm waiting on an Amazon package and because I was an IDIOT and made my office in the basement, I have taken the sprint of death through a sea of spilled legos and up the stairs three times for nothing. Cardio is a bitch with a sense of humor.

Also, because I am a piss-poor planner, I made it all the way downstairs with everything I needed for the afternoon in tow, EXCEPT for my filled water bottle. And because I made a self-commitment to drink 91 ounces of water a day, I felt tremendous guilt leaving it behind.

Back up the stairs. This is time number 4, in case you have forgotten.

My PERSONAL favorite was when I had to pee. (See above, I'm drinking 91 ounces of water, my eyeballs are practically floating.) Now, I'm sore and in no position to rush anywhere at the moment. So imagine my reaction when I went into my bathroom to see that Miles had unrolled all of the remaining toilet paper like a freaking cat and stuffed it into the dirty trash can.

It was then, and only then, that I remembered I kept extra toilet paper upstairs in my linen closet...on the third floor. I'm telling you people, decisions were ALMOST made. But I made my fifth and sixth treks up the stairs, fetched the toilet paper and made it safely back down to my office.

I'm not going to lie though, the thought of sitting on my fat ass and sliding down the stairs crossed my mind on more than one occasion. 

Oh, Fifty Shades of Grey...You Dirty Slut.

I’m sorry Fifty Shades of Grey lovers…I’m sorry I have to do this.

First, I admit it. I’ve watched the trailer for this movie and drooled down my chin on numerous occasions. I’m human. 

To both parties on the sides of this…thing. I don’t know what else you would call it honestly. Debate? That doesn’t really fit. Argument? Eh, maybe. Thing just fits best. STAHP. Please. I beg of you. I want to make a special call out to the people who think this is literature and silver screen gold. You all need to read better books and watch more movies.

I find it comical the stir this movie has caused. It has quite literally generated another uproar on my social media feeds. People are damning people to hell for watching it, while other people are offended since it is "flawless art."

It. Is. A. Movie.

How dare I say such blasphemous things on the world wide web! How dare I challenge the status quo set by red-blooded American women everywhere who read this book!

It. Is. A. Movie.

People's motivation to see movies rarely extends past, "Oh I love -insert actor here." They see something that is appealing, they go watch it. It explains why my kids have watched Frozen a gazillion times. It interests them. It doesn’t go much further than that. The same holds true for adults and by extension this movie.

Come on people! It’s smutty fiction written by a woman who was in love with her characters…we saw the tween disaster version of this with Twilight. 

At the end of the day - who flipping cares? Overly drawn out Harlequin novels have been around for ages. The only difference is this one has attractive people instead of the oiled up dreamboat of the 80s.

I tried to read this book by the way - it was horrid writing and I couldn’t even get past the first chapter. Even when I skipped ahead to the dirty parts, which I admittedly did, it was painful to try and read those too.

But am I going to watch it? Duh…a hot boy with bondage gear?! Sign this mama up! Ow ow! Am I going to lose sleep over the fact that people on my news feed will be offended? Ha. Do you know me at all? 

So, I'm sorry Fifty Shades of Grey fans that I have to call your amazing book crap. I'm still going to see the movie and drool by your side, so that has to count for something, right? 

Follow me on Twitter @TheAshleyPrice

Vaccination Debate.

I am so tired of the vaccination debate blowing up my social media feed.

Parents are getting heated and opinionated, and let’s face it…kids are getting sick unnecessarily. Those are the facts that matter, people.

Kids are getting sick with illnesses that shouldn’t be around. That HAVEN’T been around in decades. Why? Because a generation decided it was a bad idea to vaccinate? What changed? Honestly…can someone tell me, because I don’t know.

If one person can tell me honestly with facts and data WHAT CHANGED…I will eat crow, which everyone knows I hate.

My primary concern behind this entire debate will be always be the impact on our kids. Shame on the parents who are throwing their children into the mix of this for publicity. 

It is not my place to say what parents should or shouldn’t do. If you’re going to vaccinate - great, and if you’re not going to vaccinate - great. But either way, be respectful human beings to the other parties opinion and don’t use your kids as a case study to fuel your opinion. They just need you to be a parent, not a lobbyist. 

Most of you know my advice on these types of debacles. Be informed. Educate yourself. But I have an extra step for this one…Be understanding.

Understand that immune-compromised children cannot be around unvaccinated children because it could be detrimental to their health. So if you choose not to vaccinate, think about the repercussions of sending your kid to public school. On the same note, if you are a parent with a child who cannot be around unvaccinated kids, you should do the same.

Understand that not everything you read on the internet is true. Do vaccines cause Autism? I don’t know. Some say yes, some say no. But here’s an article that might shed some light on what Autism Speaks thinks.

Understand that as humans, we all share this planet and regardless of opinions and differences, we need to be respectful to our fellow humans and their offspring. 

I don’t expect to change anyones mind on the vaccination debate. This is one that is going to define our generation…and is already starting to. My opinion and what I do for my kids is irrelevant for this post. But I can say, I have friends who vaccinate and friends who don’t. They’re still my friends. And they’re good parents.

Now. Please stop blowing up my social media. I love you all, but I’m ready to see fun posts again. Not heated debates. I’ve only got a year until election time rolls around - let me enjoy it.