Tag Archives: life

Apr29

Planning An Eco-Friendly Funeral

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Planning An Eco-Friendly Funeral

It’s becoming increasingly common for people to plan their own funerals. With the price of events like this skyrocketing in recent times, it makes sense that people don’t want to burden their loved ones with a huge bill. Whether you’re going through a funeral care company or want to plan the whole thing yourself, making sure that your final send-off is good for the environment is a great way to approach an issue like this. To help you get started, this post will be exploring some of the key areas that you will need to consider:

The Location:

The location you choose for your funeral is very important, with many people wanting this ceremony to take place somewhere meaningful to them. Whether you choose the town you grew up in or the city you lived in for most of your life, it always makes sense that the location you pick won’t force your guests to make massive journeys. Having a funeral local to most of your guests is likely to be nice and easy, as most people’s fondest memories are in the areas where their friends and family are.

Burial Vs. Cremation:

Many people like the idea of being buried, though this option isn’t as environmentally friendly as cremation. While coffins and bodies can break down over time, this can take many years and this process isn’t always good for the ground when there are a lot of people buried close to one another. This method also takes a lot of space.

Cremation can be a much better option, with the ashes that are leftover being good for the ground if you bury them properly. Cremation urns tend to be more affordable than proper coffins, too. A nice thing about cremation is that you can also have a ceremony spreading the ashes at a favorite place of the deceased. Looking into the cremation cost could be a good step when considering the budget in your funeral planning.

Funerals are more expensive than you might have imagined, especially if there is going to be a large turnout. As cremation is the more cost effective option, you could use some of the monies saved to make a donation to your loved one’s favorite charity or organization. Take the time to research affordable cremation options near you and be sure to let everyone involved vocalize their opinion and come to the best decision for your family together.

Not only is cremation the more eco-friendly approach, but it offers a way to keep your loved one close to you. Whether this be with cremation diamonds or an urn as simple or ornate as you choose, this can provide great comfort. The choice is, ultimately, up to the family but it is something to be considered.

The Donations:

People will almost certainly want to make donations to a cause that you support when you pass away. This gives everyone one last chance to honor your memory, all without having to go over the top. Choosing charities or initiatives that do things like planting trees can be a great way to leave a positive mark on the world once you’ve gone. People will be very eager to donate to causes like this.

The Transport:

Finally, it’s time to think about how you will be transported to your funeral. Hearses are generally used for this, and this is definitely the best option if you want to avoid any difficult organization. There are more and more funeral companies offering electric hearses, and this can help make your funeral transport a little better for the planet.

While it can feel morbid to focus on something like this, many people find that planning their funeral is a big weight off of their shoulders. This will get more important as you get older, as this event will draw closer and closer. This isn’t something to worry about, though; everyone has to go through this process and you’re certainly not alone!

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Apr27

Easing Anxiety & Taking Back Control Of Your Mind

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Easing Anxiety & Taking Back Control Of Your Mind

The past year has been incredibly stressful for most people throughout the world. The demands of everyday life can take their toll at the best of times, but a global pandemic can be enough to push people over the edge. It can feel near enough impossible to avoid the crippling sense of anxiety that can take over.

The times when we feel the most anxiety is when we feel as though things are out of our control – and the past 15 months have felt a lot like that. One of the only ways to overcome anxiety is to do what we can to make sure we can focus on the things we can control to make our lives a little easier. Here are some of them:

Stop Putting Things Off:

Some things that we have to deal with in life are unavoidable. Bills need paying, as does the rent, and toothaches can only go so long before booking an appointment with family-friendly dentists when the pain can impact on getting things done. People are often guilty of putting things off out of fear. The dentist is a good example. Not for having an appointment with the physician themselves, but for the fear of the pain that may occur during the appointment.

However, most know that once the appointment is done, treatment takes place so that they can live a relatively pain-free existence. Continuously putting things off will not only make anxiety worse, but it may also be detrimental to health. Untreated dental pain can cause some pretty severe health implications in addition to potential tooth loss so the answer is to stop putting things off that feel scary or uncomfortable. In many situations, the issue will only get worse as time goes on.

Stop Being Angry and Not Doing Anything About it:

Social media and the news is a great tool for making people feel irrationally angry. They can also make people feel hopeless, too. While feeling angry about a situation is not a bad thing, if not followed up by action then there’s little point to it at all.

If a worldwide issue is making somebody feel angry, then there are always things that they could be done in an attempt to make things seem a little better. Know that bigger issues can be helped by a few people making little changes. Climate change is one of them. Start by making small steps to reuse items and to recycle the things that can be and know that it is part of your contribution. Decrease water usage, eat less meat, and walk when possible are also always good choices.

Social media can make people feel resentment, inadequacy, and all kinds of FOMO. The same rule applies – unfollow the folks who contribute to feelings of not being enough. Time on Facebook should be entertaining, not another thing that upsets you.

The most important thing to focus on during continuing feelings of uncertainty is to be thankful for the things that bring comfort, joy, and peace. There is so much in this world that is beyond anybody’s control, so it is important to focus on the things that can be in order to create a better life.

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Apr27

Tips For Getting Back To Dating After A Breakup

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Tips For Getting Back To Dating After A Breakup

Breakups can be exceedingly difficult and traumatic, and can have long-term effects on your well being. When you break up with someone – whether it’s your choice, theirs, or a joint decision – it is always hard to move forward. Relationships often leave a lot of unanswered questions, like was it my fault the relationship didn’t work, should I make changes to see better success in the future, and the age old question of why couldn’t we make it work? Living with those unanswered questions isn’t always easy to do and can have a big impact on your mental health.

After a breakup, it’s normal to want to take some time to deal with any feelings that the breakup or divorce has caused, such as issues with self-esteem and self worth. Once you’ve dealt with those feelings and signed off on divorce papers with help from Bethesda divorce lawyers or one in your area, you may want to start dating again. If you’ve decided that the time has come to start dating, you might be feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the concept of starting over again.

The good news, is that there are lots of steps that you can take to make the process of getting back out there a little easier to manage. Believe it or not, it is possible to actually enjoy dating, it’s just a case of knowing how to approach it. Bearing that in mind, below is a guide to some of the best tips and tricks for getting back to dating again after a breakup – read on for everything that you need to know:

Think about what you want from a relationship:

One of the most important steps that you can take when it comes to getting back to dating is taking the time to think about what you want from a relationship. If you are unsure of what you want from a relationship, you will find it difficult to meet anyone who is a good fit for you and your needs. Are you simply looking to have fun or are you looking for a relationship that’s more serious and settled? It’s important to take the time to think about these things as they will have an impact on how you should go about dating again.

Be mindful about how you date:

It’s also important to be mindful about how you date. Don’t just date anyone, take the time to think about the kind of person that you want to date. What values do you want that person to have? For instance, you might find it beneficial to date someone who shares the same values as you do. Say, for example, you eat a plant-based diet, you might find that dating someone who also eats a plant-based diet could be a good fit and that dating sites like https://myvegandating.com could be useful.

Take things slow:

Don’t be afraid to tell the person or people that you’re dating that you want to take things slowly. After a traumatic breakup it’s perfectly normal to want to take things slow; there’s no reason to rush things. It’s not easy adjusting to dating again or starting a new relationship after loss, but if you take things slowly you should find that it’s easier to adjust. Speak to the person you’re dating and explain your situation. Chances are that they will understand and be willing to do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable.

Of course, there is something to be said about diving right back into the dating scene after a breakup and that’s okay too! A night out with your friends could be the perfect pick me up after ending a relationship. Check out True Pheromones for a scent to have the fellas or ladies swarming, get dolled up, and see what happens!

Date virtually first:

If you don’t feel comfortable dating in person just yet, it’s worth considering doing some virtual dating instead. Virtual dating can be a great way to adjust to dating again as it can feel safer and less stressful than dating in person. The great thing is that there are lots of fantastic apps for dating virtually, so you should find it really easy to start meeting people online.

Once you’ve met someone who you click with online, you can then arrange a video date where you can chat and get to know each other in a safe, stress-free environment. Then, if you feel like you would be comfortable meeting up in person, you can opt to arrange an in person date, but only once you feel comfortable doing so.

With the current pandemic, virtual dating has become extremely popular, and more and more people are now choosing to date virtually in a bid to stay safe. So there’s no reason to worry about suggesting that you date virtually first, as it’s an extremely common method of dating right now.

Hopefully, the tips above will help to make the process of starting to date again after a breakup a more seamless transition, as well as a far less stressful one.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr24

Feeling Blah

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Feeling Blah

Hello! Man, I don’t know about you guys but it has been a week for Lil Red. My lil niece was under the weather which resulted in me getting sick and to make matters worse, it was that time of the month on top of it! It has been a very stressful time in my life recently and I think that made whatever little bug I got from my niece even more debilitating because I was in a bad way. Due to all of the COVID safety precautions, I have not been sick in a really long time so this bout with the flu completely knocked me off my feet.

Being sick is always a bummer and, unfortunately, Johnny and I experienced another bummer to add to the overall blah feeling. We had viewed and applied for a home to rent and it was absolutely perfect. It was an ideal size, wonderful location, and a very cute little neighborhood. I felt so good about the impression that we made and was pretty confident that we would get approved to move in. I checked Trulia religiously after we applied and was crushed when I saw that it had been taken off of the market without us being contacted.

At the end of the day, not getting the house wasn’t a huge deal but it was definitely disappointing. It was just so nice and Johnny and I both loved it. Because of that and feeling confident about the possibility of moving in, I think I got a bit ahead of myself so seeing the house being taken off of the market felt like an even bigger blow. It also made me realize that finding a house to rent might be a lot harder than I had originally bargained for which sucks because I would really like to move out of the apartment!

Needless to say, it has been a blah time in Lil Red’s world but I think things will start turning around soon. A vent sesh on the ol’ blog always makes me feel better so thanks for listening to me complain, lol. Let the Trulia and Zillow searches commence…. again!

Do you have any tips for finding a house to rent? What makes you feel better when you’re feeling blah? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr15

COVID Precautions I’ll Be Keeping

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COVID Precautions I’ll Be Keeping

Hello! We are all eager for the COVID-19 pandemic to be over and done with and while there is a huge light at the end of the tunnel, we still have a ways to go. It is exciting to think of what our lives will be like after the pandemic but it is important to not throw caution to the wind and act haphazardly with the health of yourself and those around you. I, for one, plan on keeping these precautions in place post pandemic:

Masking Up:

Thinking back to pre-pandemic times, it’s hard to understand why you wouldn’t wear a face mask if you aren’t feeling well and need to be out in public. I have always been good about staying home if I am feeling under the weather but I will continue to be keeping face masks handy in case I need to go to the doctor or the pharmacy. I also plan on wearing face masks even after the mandate is lifted in crowded areas like grocery stores and shopping centers. You can just never be too safe after living through a global pandemic!

Testing Frequently:

There was a point when it was SO difficult to get an at home COVID test but that is no longer the case. Grocery stores and pharmacies are in constant supply and you can order them for free through the USPS. This is such a blessing, especially considering how often I test myself for my job and those I love who are imunocompromised. You can also always look up covid testing near me if your access to an at home kit is limited. So many resources are now available and we should all take advantage of them.

Social Distancing:

I don’t know about you guys but I actually love the social distancing in public. I value my personal space and it has been nice to not have people all up in my business while running errands. Protecting my personal bubble while I am out and about will continue to be a priority for me because it really has made me feel so much more comfortable while in public.

Contact Free Grocery Shopping:

A few months ago, Johnny and I began doing contact free grocery shopping to help limit our exposure and have both agreed that we could never go back to doing in store shopping again. At our local grocery store, Giant Eagle, the curbside grocery pickup is free and incredibly convenient. Our shopping gets delivered right to the car by an employee and it has completely changed our grocery game. The curbside pickup has been an option at Giant Eagle even before the pandemic began and we will definitely keep on making the most of it.

Mental Health Breaks:

Working in the care field during a pandemic has easily been one of the most difficult things that I have ever had to do and my mental health was really suffering. I have to take care of myself, first and foremost, before I can adequately provide care for others and began being more lenient with myself about taking a day off every once in a while. My mental health breaks allowed me to chill out in the safety of my home and regroup and I would return back to work feeling refreshed and capable.

Post-pandemic, I am going to be much better about listening to my body and what it needs and if that means a day off to get myself together, then that is okay. It is really hard for me to take time away from my clients because I miss them so much even if it is just one day but occasional mental health breaks will allow for me to be the best provider I can for them and it is well worth it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been insane, for lack of a better word. However, it taught me a lot of best practices that I plan on using long term to better protect myself, loved ones, and strangers. ❤

Which COVID precautions do you plan on keeping? What are you most looking forward to post pandemic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr11

Back To School: My Reoccurring Dream

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Back To School: My Reoccurring Dream

Hey! I have reoccurring dreams fairly frequently and if it isn’t dreaming that I’m back to working retail or in a play and have forgotten all of my lines, then I am dreaming about going back to school. In fact, I just had the dream last night and it never fails to freak me out as soon as I wake up. Not because it’s “scary” by any means but it feels so real that I wake up really thinking that I never took a class that was essential for me to graduate!

The dream always starts out with me in the counselor’s office at Cuyahoga Community College and he or she is explaining to me that there were a few classes in grade and high school that I didn’t take and, technically, never graduated from either of them. Then, with a flash, I am back at my grade school and retaking classes and tests like my life depends on it. It’s so wild!

Last night, the dream ended with me completing grade school because I was kind of waking up. Sometimes, however, the dream will end with me finishing the high school classes too. It’s basically the dream equivalent of Adam Sandler’s “Billy Madison” but not anywhere near as fun lol. No matter how the dream ends, trust and believe that I always wake up with a start! I dream really vividly and, as soon as I am waking up, I feel like I need to rush to get ready for school.

I have been having the same reoccurring dreams for literal years and each of them have never really changed. Clearly, that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel shocked every time they happen, though! Whether they are reoccurring or a one time thing, dreams can be so crazy and I am curious about everyone else’s so feel free to answer the following prompts:

What is the craziest, scariest, or funniest dream that you have ever had? Do you have any reoccurring dreams? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Apr7

Vaccine Team

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Vaccine Team

Hello!!!! Johnny and I have been incredibly eager to get our COVID vaccine and about three weeks ago it was announced in Ohio that anyone over sixteen could get the shot after March 29th. Finally!! I am so pleased to say that by an insane stroke of luck, I was able to get Johnny and myself into one of the last appointment slots on April 1st to receive our first shot of the Moderna vaccine.

I’m not going to lie, it was very difficult to find an appointment time for the both of us because almost every single day at every single location vaccinating was fully booked. I went through the websites of pretty much everywhere in a forty-five minute range and kept coming up empty handed. So, like I said, it was a huge stroke of luck when the last location I checked still had some times available on April Fool’s Day. And the best part? It wasn’t a joke, either!

Johnny and I made a short drive to a Marc’s in Broadview Heights and it was actually pretty wild because we were driving on the highway in whiteout snow conditions. Thankfully, we arrived to our location safe and sound and were in and out in roughly a half hour. The vaccination process at Marc’s was so efficient and, frankly, I would have waited all day to get it because the feeling of relief I had after my first shot would make any waiting time well worth it. I am already counting down the days until our second shot.

While side effects after the vaccine vary from person to person, Johnny and I both experienced soreness in the arm we got the shot in for about a day and that was it. It was uncomfortable and we both agreed that the pain was similar to what we felt after we got injured in a car accident when we first started dating. But was it unbearable? Absolutely not and my arm felt much better after a nice, hot shower the following morning.

The peace of mind that Johnny and I feel after our vaccine is such a welcome sensation after being hunkered down for the past year and change. Of course, we will still be following all COVID safety precautions but it feels good to know that not only will we feel safer around other people but they can feel safe around us too.

I wanted to share my vaccine experience with all of you and am hoping that it will encourage those on the fence to reconsider. This vaccine really can save lives and it would, honestly, mean so much to me – especially as someone who has worked in the care field with high risk families throughout the pandemic’s duration. Johnny and I will be receiving our second shot at the end of April so make sure you check back for a Part Two update!

How has the pandemic changed your life? What is the vaccination registration process like in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Apr1

Is It Worth It? Let Me Work Out

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Is It Worth It? Let Me Work Out

Hello!! Despite not ever really “working out”, I am a fairly athletic person. In my youth, I figure skated for about ten years and had just gotten back into it a year and a half before the pandemic began. I also enjoy running and going for hikes. Throughout my life, I was never worried about the muscular lower half of my body from years on the ice. However, my upper body strength is a totally different story because I don’t have any lol.

This past month, I have been working at home quite a bit and had extra free time in between jobs. I don’t really know what inspired me to start a little at home work out routine but, I gave it a shot on one of my more low key days and have been completing my exercises every day since. In my apartment, I have been doing arm circles, walking my stairs, and doing twenty-five push ups – which I actually didn’t know I could do! Next, I plan on adding sit ups and increasing the amount to thirty.

Don’t get me wrong, I am very proud of my body and that, in itself, is a huge step for me because I had an eating disorder in the past. But, I’d like to tone up the upper half of my body for the first time in my life and I know that I am not going to achieve the results I want just sitting on the couch. Even though my work outs are small and basic, I feel really good after I do them and it’s a nice feeling to have because I haven’t been able to skate for the past year.

I’m not trying to get a six pack or super jacked arms but a bit more toning and definition and I feel confident that I will get there even with a slow and steady approach. In the past, I never bothered working out because I got all of the exercise that I need on the skating rink but there is no better time than the present to try something new. I feel proud of myself and it was awesome to hear Johnny say that he was too and I am looking forward to lots of hikes together this spring and summer. 🙂

How do you work out from home? How would you go about toning your upper half? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar22

3 Things To Remember When You Start Exercising Later In Life

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3 Things To Remember When You Start Exercising Later In Life

Not everyone likes to exercise and that’s okay. But even if you don’t like running or you are now at the point where you think you may have to do a little exercise, it could be hard to get into it if you’re a bit older. But whatever your stage of life, physical fitness can make you feel better and have a positive impact on a number of health conditions. But where do we begin?

The Importance of Starting Small:

One of the biggest temptations is to make up for lost time. So we think that we have to run 10k, but learning to run before you can walk, almost literally, can make you run the risk of a whole host of injuries. We can get injuries, not just because we are overreaching, but it is also due to poor form. Common podiatrist clients are the people who run too much. Starting to exercise is about making sure you get the form right before you do anything else. Whether you are lifting weights or running, you must focus on doing the move correctly. People are so impatient and want to get into the heavier, more difficult things, but the reality is that you need to slow down and start small.

Finding the Right Exercises for Your Lifestyle:

Another common misconception is that if we are to get fit, we need to hit the gym five or six days a week. This is not the case. When we think back to our ancestors, the hunter-gatherers, they only expelled energy when they needed to and we can learn from that. There are people who believe that you don’t need to exercise much in order to be healthy. And this is a very popular approach, especially for those who need to exercise quickly. This is why there are products like the X3 Bar that prove very popular because they provide the stimulus to grow muscle and cardiovascular health while doing it in a short space of time. But if you like the idea of running long distances, it’s entirely your prerogative. Whatever fits around your lifestyle will be enough to keep you fit.

Keeping At It:

This is the biggest thing we all need to overcome. When we find the right routines for our lives and perform them correctly, we have to stick to a schedule in order to achieve results. This is why many people give up at the gym at the end of January having just set up a membership only four weeks before! The best thing for you to do is to go to the calendar and mark the days where you can exercise and for how long. But in addition, you must remember that you will only make significant impacts on your life if you stick to a healthy diet. Exercising is the best way to begin, but if you want to make big changes, you’ll also need to change your eating habits.

It’s never too late to start exercising! Start small, keep it gradual, and make sure that you are doing your exercises correctly to prevent injuries.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar16

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Midnight Library By Matt Haig Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Midnight Library By Matt Haig Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to a new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, without giving any spoilers away, we are going to be talking about the super popular The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. A month or so ago, I felt like I was constantly getting recommendations to read this book and, obviously, I caved since we are discussing it now! Multiple people told me it was “one of the best books” they have ever read and I was definitely interested in seeing if it lived up to the hype.

While I can certainly understand why people really enjoyed this book, I didn’t think it was the best thing I have read by any means. I was into it for the first two hundred pages or so but it dragged out quite a bit and I was ready for it to be over. Let’s discuss further but before doing so I will put a trigger warning in place as The Midnight Library deals with suicide.

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Nora has had a bad day and, according to her, an all around bad life filled with regrets and what ifs. She had the potential to be an Olympic athlete or a rock star but now she lives alone in a shabby apartment and just got fired from her job at a music shop. Broken family relationships and friendships leave her feeling even more alone and her cat died. Her life feels unaccomplished and meaningless and she wants it to end. So she takes an overdose.

But, just when Nora thinks her life is over, she wakes up in a library that is filled with an infinite number of books and is overseen by the librarian at Nora’s high school twenty years ago, Mrs. Elm. This place is called The Midnight Library and it is where people who are hovering between life and death might find themselves. It looks different to everyone but the idea is the same: You can try out any kind of life you would like and if you find one that makes you especially happy, you can stay there.

Before Nora gets to take a different life for a test spin, she must face her own personal Book Of Regrets. As you can guess, its pages are filled with all of the things Nora wanted to do but didn’t. By confronting these regrets, she is able to narrow down the lives she might like to try, like if she really did become an Olympian or a glaciologist. However, despite all of these different lives, Nora always ends up back in the library because something about it didn’t make her completely happy.

Nora can’t stay in The Midnight Library forever and she is quickly running out of time but none of the lives have fully restored her will to live. She is in a place where people are either born or die so what will she end up choosing? Read The Midnight Library to find out!

Now, let me start off by saying that I absolutely LOVED the idea of The Midnight Library and the possibility to live a multitude of different choices, careers, and lifestyles all around the world. I also deeply appreciated the resounding theme of the book that true happiness can be found within yourself and your perspective. Happiness doesn’t come from what you did or failed to do but how you are best living in this one moment because each one opens up a new universe. Like Nora, I struggle with mental health issues and and this was a powerful and inspiring message to me.

Overall, I liked The Midnight Library a lot but it lost a lot of its initial momentum at the halfway mark. The first few times Nora was transported to a new life it was exciting but then there was another, and another, and another… And it just felt like it was never going to end. There was so much build up for an ending that was very easy to be predicted and all of the extra life hopping and parallel universe theories seemed unnecessary and, frankly, it got to be a little boring.

Despite being too drawn out for my taste, this book kind of had a Mitch Albom The Five People You Meet In Heaven vibe and it was a good read. It wasn’t the best thing I’ve read recently but it wasn’t the worst, either. I am going to rate it with a seven out of ten stars. I enjoyed the story line and the hopeful message. It is also a great reminder to always be kind because you never know what someone is going through. I recommend giving it a read!

What are you currently reading? What did you think about The Midnight Library? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah