2 Chicks and a blog

2 Chicks and their Baby Chicks

June 25, 2018July 10, 2018 2chicksandapen

As life would have it, our daughters are besties just like their mommas.

Sometimes it seems like we have known each other for three months, sometimes three years, but in their world they are already lifelong friends. They met on the lacrosse field and it was quick chemistry. It didn’t take them long to figure out they had chemistry off the field, too. This made them a duo on the field that no one wanted to compete against. The kind where they just give a quick glance, the smallest nod, or point a toe in a certain direction and the other automatically knows where to best position themselves for support on the field. They are simply in tune with each other.

It’s almost uncanny how this mirrors the connection between their adult counterparts. You’ll find Chick 1 and Chick 2 supporting each other on and off the field in much the same way. The games may be different but the principle is the same.

Even though they are a bit apart in age, for years they played on the same lacrosse teams. Until now. Recently, Chick 2’s daughter Anne moved on to high school sports, while Chick 1’s daughter Lexi had to remain competing in middle school. A few months ago the girls played their last game together for a while but made a pact that they would share the field again in two short years. Then, in an unpredictable fluke, they ended up playing against each other in a tournament in South Carolina a couple of weeks ago, when they merged their two age groups. What an odd twist of fate.

Chick 2 felt cringy inside at the thought. Chick 1 said “watch out Anne! the littles are going to school the high schoolers.” (That’s a different story but the short summary is that age should never define anyone’s talents or ability to succeed.)

Lexi had a great idea before we all left for the tourney. Chick 2, could you bring the nice camera? It would be fun to have some shots of the friends competing – an in-action photo shoot of the besties back on the field together, something we thought would take years to happen. Of course, we not only photographed those games, but decided to blog about it as well.

Anne Lexi Draw

If you read our blog for a while, you’ll discover that in many ways, KT and Beth are opposites. This is a perfect example. As far as activities go, Beth grew up participating in the arts. She shies away from competition and seeks harmony. Karen is a multi-sport athlete. She’s been a coach for years now. She ignites passions in others, showing them that they too can be leaders on the field and in life.

These early experiences are part of what shapes our very different approaches to life, adversity, and working together. You can see this in our writings and when you meet us at grass roots events. It’s part of our spark and signature. It’s a mix you can’t recreate as it’s genuine and deep-rooted. This is the same special spark our minis have and we cherish every day we get to see them laugh, grow, smile, and share memories. Heck, we even try to join in the fun as much as we can or as much as they will tolerate us.

As for Anne and Lexi, they both played their hearts out that weekend. They bring out the best, most competitive parts of each other. At the same time, they are probably among each other’s biggest fans, just as both of the Chicks cheer for both of them wholeheartedly.

Anne Lexi Reach for the Draw

Each had their winning moments that weekend. And when the game was over, they were right back to the same silly, goofy, lean-on-each-other friends they always are, a team that transcends uniforms.

As we blog this both girls are in their different uniforms again, playing the game they love most, lacrosse. Anne is in Florida, Lexi in Georgia. No matter the miles they are still connecting and supporting each other with updates via text, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Just wait until they figure out we were blogging about them as they were on the field.

#2CHX

balance

The Cray Cray Post

June 23, 2018July 21, 2018 2chicksandapen

It’s been a capital-c CrAAazYyyy week for the 2 Chicks.

Chick 1 has had some teen drama to deal with on the home front. Chick 2 has had teen independence issues of her own this week. Different varieties, still exhausting.

In addition, both Chicks had professional trainings and speaking engagements to manage, on top of running households, parenting our other children, trying to eat healthy, fulfilling our regular work responsibilities, and getting to the gym each day. On most days moms flip roles so frequently that others around can easily take their ability to shift mindsets for granted.

Sometimes, when things get capital-c CrAAazYyyy, people will ask you “who is in your corner?”

We prefer to think in other shapes instead, like circles. We are both lucky to have close inner circles of trusted friends and family who can close in and keep us upright when life is out of balance. Those circles are filled with people who can connect us with resources, reassure us with their common experiences, or just listen and jump in to do just about anything when needed. It can also be a web that will catch and support as we find our center again.

This is a mom’s world. A working mom’s world. A community approach to managing life’s daily challenges and this community usually exists behind the scenes of the four walls of our homes.

Of course, as with most thing Chicks, we each have our own twist with our circles.

Chick 1 likes the infinity symbol. It’s two circles or loops, showing the interconnection of her family, her friends, her co-workers, her mentors, and the loop means the boundaries are limitless.

KT Infinity Plus 1

Chick 2 sticks with the smaller, more simple circle. Trust is difficult to give and only a precious few will gain access to her inner circle. It requires deep connection to help her manage her complex world. But when things go sideways, she is always glad to have those friends to recenter her.

Librarybeth Hula Hoop

Maybe your shape is a diamond. Maybe it’s a pyramid. Whatever your shape, remember and consider those who make it up carefully. As we’ve been reminded lately, these central connections play a vital role in keeping our balance – mental, emotional, and social.

#2CHX

awareness

In the News and Close to Home

June 12, 2018July 10, 2018 2chicksandapen

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If you read our books, you’ll know we like to start at The End. Here, we will start with the bottom line right at the very top:

Anyone can make a difference. Ask a question save a life. It is that simple. The suicide hotline is posted above. If you know somebody who is struggling, or if you are struggling yourself, use this number as a resource!

What do a purse and a chef’s coat have in common?

If the purse is structured leather in bright colors with a spade symbol, or if the coat starched white with Brasserie Les Halles stitched on, it could be a symbol that you made it.

But this week, in two difficult and very public stories, the purse and the chef’s coat also signify sadness. Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain both died by suicide this week.

In addition, the CDC just released data showing that the suicide rate in the US has risen dramatically in recent years for a wide variety of reasons. With these recent stories bringing suicide to the headlines, we wanted to add our voices to the conversation.

This is a subject that touches us both personally, but in different ways. KT works on the prevention side of suicide and often receives push back from many who don’t want to talk about the taboo subject.

Librarybeth is a survivor. Her grandmother committed suicide when Beth was still quite young. For many years, it’s been a taboo topic in her own family not to mention social circles.

The fact that it is taboo to talk about suicide or suicidal thoughts is part of the problem. People suffer in silence or wonder about others but don’t ask the question.

We remember not only the famous, but the hundreds each week who die by suicide, including an estimated 20 veterans every day.

And now the bottom line again:

#2CHX

friendship

First Watch – a First Glimpse

June 11, 2018July 10, 2018 2chicksandapen

We have an amazing circle of friends at our Crossfit Box, Crossfit Pure. We had a silly, sweaty, giggly breakfast recently to celebrate one of the girls’ birthdays.

In this picture, you see four different women, from four different backgrounds. Our work on fitness has united us, building friendships that will last for years to come. You see different shapes, different sizes, different occupations. We all sweat the same. We all do the same work out. We are in it together.

This picture says so much about strong women. Anybody can get their start in fitness. You just have to get off the couch and work it for you. Nobody else. But hopefully you’ll have a group that celebrates and sweats along side you.

The 2 chicks give a shout out to other two girls in the pic, Sarah and Maddy, and the many other strong women who inspire us daily.

#2CHX

author moments

Tidbits from the 2 Chicks

March 22, 2018July 10, 2018 2chicksandapen

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Why a blog?

We’ve been writing together for a while now. Like many people, our lives and interests are wide and varied. We both have our own ways of constantly learning and being curious about the world. Writing and sharing them has become our habit, our interest, and our common pursuit.

We keep most of our ideas in a shared workspace online. We have dozens, even hundreds of writing ideas that range in length from a phrase or two to full book chapters. We have been playing with the idea of a public site for our work for some time. Many of our topics may never extend to the length of a book. Some would “expire” before we could publish them in printed form. A blog seemed like an ideal way to explore and share our wide-ranging ideas in a timely and dynamic way.

Stay tuned so you don’t miss out on any tidbits from 2 Chicks. Although we usually start at the end, here we will always be in the middle.

#2CHX