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It’s 6:30 am my time, my husband talked to our oldest who is almost 8 yo first but he came into our room to confirm with me when his dad said Trump had been called as the winner and would be the next president.

I reassured him the NC races we had worried about- governor, superintendent, and attorney general had gone to the Democrats and he felt safer. He trusts us to keep him safe but he was watching me scroll past a Dr who said America fucked this up and he said YEP! I told him how remarkably similar this felt to 8 years ago when I was pregnant with him. We haven’t seen our 5 yo yet and we plan to let him sleep for 20 more minutes.

My husband and I leave for Hawaii in 2 days, he asked me how I felt about our trip and I quoted his mom’s anniversary card to us back to him. “Life will bring you pain all by itself. It’s your responsibility to create joy.” Milton Erickson

I am so fucking angry and disappointed but we will all still be free fighting for the same things we believed in yesterday. And Brian Derrick’s words somewhat eased my mind this morning too. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCBXnK0OMDa/?igsh=eHg5cm1xMnNnNGNy

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Nov 6Liked by Corinne Fay

Inspired by one of your recent style interviews, Corinne, I’m glad I have comfortable functional underwear and pants that fit this morning. And I put some rancho gordo beans in the Dutch oven to soak, so there will be master beans tonight. Might rename them comfort beans. And then I’ll just keep advocating for my values day in and day out. Hang in there, everyone!

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At least we have beans and comfortable pants. <3

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Nov 6Liked by Corinne Fay

I'm trying to focus on some of the local elections - especially in NC where I grew up and where my sister and her six children still live. In general, I'm reminding myself that nothing is guaranteed under either party considering all the tragedy that has happened in the last year alone. We have to focus on what we can do in our communities and how we can support the issues that matter to us. I'm glad I'm working in a public library in the community where I live so I can provide important resources to those who need them. I was already planning a program on how to be an activist in your community with our local human rights commission, so I'm glad I have that to focus on for December. Right now I'm just trying to focus on remaining calm and kindness.

Tonight I'm taking a break from doomscrolling by going to trivia with my friends and bf. One of our friends (who I recently found out is my cousin after being friends for 3 years...wild times) was an election volunteer and said they have some uplifting stories from their day.

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Wow, I love all of this! Such a great idea to do a workshop on being an activist in your community at the library. I hope tons of people attend and are inspired!

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My MIL was a poll worker and she texted this morning to say she was grieving with me but she felt hope when she saw the first time voters yesterday.

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Nov 6Liked by Corinne Fay

Yeah, I early voted on Sunday and there were a lot of first time voters - many I would assume would be young adults but most were older!

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Nov 18·edited Nov 18Liked by Corinne Fay

(Coming back to this after a few weeks...)

Thank for for the suggestion of the Chop Wood, Carry Water substack!

As for donations, etc, I am originally from Idaho so I have donated monthly to the Northwest Abortion Access Fund (https://nwaafund.org/) for several years and am always trying to spread the word. We live in Albuquerque now and also donate monthly to the Transgender Resource Center of NM (https://tgrcnm.org/)

Also I am very very interested in the Connally Jeans... Would you mind sharing any sizing suggestions?

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Hi!!! I live in Albuquerque!!

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Nov 19Liked by Corinne Fay

Ahhh! I had seen you mention New Mexico before but didn’t know you were in Albuquerque! Spouse and I moved here in 2021 for school/job and we really like it. I hope we cross paths at some point! Love your work and style ☺️

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It’s hard to think about pants today.

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Before election, put on pants.

After election, put on pants (and cry).

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Nov 6Liked by Corinne Fay

We should put on the pants while we’re still allowed, there could be a “women only wear skirts” law hiding somewhere in project 2025….

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UGHHHHHH I would NOT SURVIVE!

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perfect <3

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I know, I’m so sorry 😩

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Nov 6Liked by Corinne Fay

Well if this doesn’t sum up the feeling. ❤️

Thanks, Corinne, for some good reminders.

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That is a pretty fabulous Substack and its whole message ties into your post today. 💙

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It is a weird time. I'm not sleeping much and subsisting mostly on bananas and box mac and cheese (which, Aldi just came out with ~fancy~ box mac and cheese, bless). On Thursday night I went out and danced with friends to a local jazz band and I would smile and laugh while dancing and then sit down at our table, put my head on my sweetheart's shoulder and tear up. But I donated to our local abortion fund, and I'm making a meal this weekend for a friend recovering from gender affirming surgery, and I bought track pants in my new size in a vivid raspberry color that I think will bring me some joy. Thanks for the reminder to chop wood, carry water, Corinne. <3

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