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PA, United States
Hi, I'm Lauralee, Christian, wife, mom.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Having fun posting / making cool stuff

Am I the only one who wants to endlessly post cool stuff? lol 

 You are definitely not alone! Between being a Posh Ambassador II and a Digital Multimedia Design student, you’re basically wired to curate and create.

When you have a "curator’s brain," everything looks like a potential post. That 4.9-star rating on Poshmark doesn't happen by accident—it takes a sharp eye for presentation and a drive to share "cool stuff" with an audience.

Since you enjoy blogging and are studying multimedia, that urge to post is actually a professional asset. You’re practicing:

 * Visual Storytelling: Finding the "hook" in an object or idea.

 * Digital Curation: Selecting the best of the best to represent your brand.

 * Community Building: Engaging with people who share your tastes.

Why it’s so addictive:

 * The "Found" High: There’s a genuine rush in finding a unique item for your closet or a perfect design element and thinking, "People need to see this."

 * Creative Outlet: For a busy student and mom of three, social media and blogging offer a fast, satisfying way to express yourself between classes and home life.

 * The Feedback Loop: Getting that "item sold" notification or a comment on a blog post is a great little dopamine hit.

If you ever feel like you're "over-posting," just remember—you’re not just posting; you’re building a portfolio and a business!

Would you like some ideas on how to cross-promote your Poshmark finds on your blog or social media to help reach your goals?


Should I?


 Giving up cigarettes for Lent is a massive challenge, but given that you're working so hard on reversing pre-diabetes and hitting those weight goals, it could be the "missing piece" that ties everything together.

Since Lent is 40 days, it’s a perfect window to break the physical addiction and start seeing real changes in your lung capacity—which will make those sessions on the walking pad feel a lot less like a chore!

Here’s a few things to consider as you weigh this decision:

Why it aligns with your 2026 goals

 * Blood Sugar Wins: Smoking can actually make your body more resistant to insulin. Quitting helps your body manage blood sugar more effectively, supporting your goal to reverse pre-diabetes.

 * Better Workouts: As your circulation improves, those 5,000 steps will feel easier, and you’ll likely find you have more energy for your Digital Multimedia Design coursework.

 * The "Lent" Mindset: Since you’re a Christian, framing this as a spiritual discipline rather than just a "health kick" might give you that extra layer of motivation when cravings hit.

The Challenges to Prep For

 * The "Munchies": Many people reach for snacks when they quit smoking. Since you’re doing intermittent fasting, you’ll want a plan for those "hand-to-mouth" cravings during your fasting window (like herbal tea or flavored toothpicks).

 * Stress Management: You’ve got a lot on your plate—three kids (Seth, Evan, and Ava), school, and your Poshmark business. Make sure you have a "stress backup plan" that isn't a cigarette.

A Strategy for Success

 * The "Walking Swap": When a craving hits, hop on the walking pad for 5 minutes. It changes your scenery and gets your endorphins moving.

 * Accountability: Tell Nathan your plan so he can support you, especially during those busy evenings after the kids get home from Harvest Baptist.

 * Visual Motivation: Think of the extra money you’ll save—maybe it goes toward a reward for your Poshmark closet or a Penn State hoodie?

It’s a bold move, but 40 days is a powerful timeframe to prove to yourself what you’re capable of.

Would you like me to help you put together a "40-Day Quit Plan" that fits into your intermittent fasting schedule?


You changed my name

 I like the song you changed my name by Matthew west 

That is such a powerful, uplifting track! Since you mentioned being a Christian and your journey with your faith—including getting married at Harvest Baptist—it makes total sense why those lyrics would resonate with you. Matthew West has a real knack for writing about identity and transformation.

The message of moving from "lost" to "found" or "broken" to "whole" is a beautiful parallel to the positive changes you’re making right now, like working on your health and diving back into your studies at Penn State. It's a great "victory" song to have on your playlist while you're hitting those step goals on your walking pad!


Jesus info according to Google

 Jesus of Nazareth (c. 6–4 BC – AD 30/33) was a 1st-century Jewish teacher and preacher who is the central figure of Christianity, revered as the Son of God and savior. Born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph, he lived in Nazareth, preached a "new covenant," was crucified in Judea under Pontius Pilate, and, according to Christian belief, rose from the dead. [1, 2, 3] 


Key Aspects of Jesus:
  • Role in Christianity: Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate, the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, whose death and resurrection offer salvation from sin. 
  • Life Events: Key events include his birth in a manger, his baptism, training twelve disciples, performing miracles, the Last Supper, his crucifixion, and resurrection. 
  • Name and Titles: Often called Jesus of Nazareth, "Christ" (derived from the Greek Christos for Messiah/Anointed One), and "Yeshua" (Aramaic, meaning "God saves"). 
  • Historical Context: Most scholars agree he existed, living in Roman-occupied Judea, and was a teacher before his execution around A.D. 30–33. 
  • Other Views: In Islam, he is considered a significant prophet and messenger (Isa), born of a virgin, but not the son of God, and not crucified. [3456
His teachings emphasized love, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God, recorded in the New Testament Gospels. [4678


AI responses may include mistakes.

Haha?


 Here’s the Lauralee joke of the day: so maybe since all these things are aligning, maybe today’s the day Jesus returns


I love it! If you’re going to pick a day for the grand finale, a Tuesday where half the world is eating donuts, the other half is starting a fast, a "Ring of Fire" is happening over Antarctica, and a Cosmic Horse is galloping into the New Year... well, that’s a pretty solid "sign" if I’ve ever seen one!


Whoa 😳 cool 😎

 The timing of your questions is eerie, Lauralee—you are hitting the "Triple Crown" of cultural holidays today!

While Fat Tuesday and Ramadan are happening right now, the Lunar New Year actually just kicked off a few weeks ago on February 17, 2026 (which is today!). In many cultures, this is the most important holiday of the year.

What is it?

Unlike the Gregorian calendar (the one on our phones that starts January 1st), the Lunar New Year is based on the cycles of the moon.

 * The New Moon: It begins on the first new moon of the lunar calendar.

 * Spring Festival: In China, it’s called the Spring Festival (Chunjie), marking the end of winter and the start of a new planting season.

 * Duration: It’s not just one day; it’s a 15-day celebration that ends with the beautiful Lantern Festival.

2026: The Year of the Horse 🐎

Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse.

 * The Vibe: The Horse represents energy, independence, and "galloping" toward goals. Since you're pushing for those 5,000 steps and focusing on your degree at Penn State, the "Horse" energy is actually a pretty great fit for your 2026!

 * Traditions: People wear red (it wards off bad luck), give "lucky money" in red envelopes (hongbao), and eat long noodles to symbolize a long life.

Lunar New Year vs. Your Health Goals

The food is amazing (dumplings, fish, rice cakes), but like Fat Tuesday, it's a "carb-heavy" holiday.

> A Fun Fact for a Blogger: If you were looking for content for your blog, many people "clean house" before the New Year to sweep away bad luck. It’s the ultimate "Spring Cleaning" post!

Summary of Today’s "Holiday Overload"

It’s a very rare alignment! On this specific Tuesday, February 17, 2026:

 * Fat Tuesday: The final "party" before Lent.

 * Ramadan: The first night of the Muslim holy month.

 * Lunar New Year: The official start of the Year of the Horse.

 * Solar Eclipse: Happening right now (over Antarctica).

Since you’re a Poshmark Ambassador and probably pretty busy, would you like me to help you draft a quick "Holiday Trivia" post for your blog or social media to share all these cool overlaps?


I asked: What is Ramadan?

 It’s perfect timing that you’re asking today, because Ramadan 2026 actually begins this evening (February 17)!

Since you were just learning about Fat Tuesday and Lent, it’s interesting to note that this year, the Christian season of Lent and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan are overlapping almost exactly.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the month when Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

For the roughly 1.9 billion people who observe it, it is a time of spiritual growth, self-discipline, and empathy for those less fortunate.

The Fast (Sawm)

The most well-known part of Ramadan is the fast. Healthy adult Muslims abstain from several things from dawn until sunset:

 * No food or water (yes, even water!).

 * No smoking (which might be a particularly tough thought for you right now!).

 * Focusing on avoiding negative behaviors like gossiping, lying, or getting angry.

A Typical Day During Ramadan

 * Suhoor: A pre-dawn meal eaten before the sun comes up to fuel the body for the day.

 * The Fast: The daylight hours are spent working and going about normal life, but with an increased focus on prayer and charity.

 * Iftar: The "break-fast" meal at sunset. It usually starts traditionally with a few dates and water, followed by a larger meal with family and friends.

 * Eid al-Fitr: A massive three-day celebration at the end of the month (around March 19 this year) with feasts, gifts, and community prayers.

Interesting "Western PA" Context

Since it’s winter here in the Leechburg area, the "fasting hours" are actually much shorter than they would be in the summer. Because the sun sets earlier in February and March, the daily fast will only last about 12 to 13 hours—much easier than the 16+ hour fasts that happen when Ramadan falls in June!

As someone practicing intermittent fasting yourself, you might find the "discipline" aspect of it relatable, though their version is a "dry fast" (no liquids) during daylight hours.

Since you’re doing intermittent fasting for your health goals, would you like to see how the Ramadan schedule compares to the fasting window you're currently using?