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Waggies Walkies
Locations: Rochester, NY: Chili, Webster, & Monroe 🐾 Welcome to Waggies Walkies! 🐾 Hey neighbors! We’re so excited to introduce Waggies Walkies—your new go-to for dog walks and playtime. Whether your pup needs a quick stretch or a full adventure, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what we offer: 30-minute walks – $20 60-minute walks – $55 Weekend Special Walks $30 for 60 minutes All-day outside playtime (7am–7pm) – $100 ✨ Weekend Deal: Every Saturday & Sunday, each hour is half off! ✨ Discounts available: Check our discount chart for savings. All dog breeds are welcome!🤗 A few friendly rules: 1. All-day playtime is limited to 5 times per…
- ASL Advocacy, ASL Stories, Deaf History, Deaf Lifestyle, Glow-Up + Wellness, Life, Reflections, Wellness & Self-Development
Vision or Illusion? My Wake-Up Call on MLMs and False Empowerment
The truth behind MLMs and how they sell us dreams that don’t hold. Let me be real with you: I almost didn’t share this. Vision or Illusion? My Wake-Up Call on MLMs and the Deaf Community’s False Empowerment Trap Not because I’m embarrassed, but because I know how sensitive this topic can be. MLMs are everywhere and they promise so much. But this isn’t about dragging anyone. It’s about truth, lived experience, and making sure others don’t fall into the same trap I did. I speak from experience and research. This isn’t personal – it’s advocacy. I hope we can respect each other’s journeys. – Donna Melena This post reflects…
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Do We Have to Be Broken to Become Better?
Hi online friends! This one’s coming straight from the soul. One night, it hit me while I was sitting on a small cozy brown chair with a feeling… That weird mix of awareness, sadness, and gratitude. And I couldn’t shake this question: “Do we have to go through the bad just to become better?” The honest truth? Yeah. Sometimes, we do. Not because we’re weak. Not because we deserved the pain. But because truth reveals itself in contrast. You don’t realize how dim the room was until someone opens a window. You don’t know how heavy the silence was until you finally speak. And a lot of us, especially as…
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Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Sorry, that it took forever for me to post this! I am excited to share this with you because I took the oppournity to prepare and make buffalo cauliflower wings in three different ways: deep drying oil, baking, and air fryer. I’ve experiemented them all in over time and played around with spices. After experiencing three methods, I love air fryer the most. But I want to help you to make them in three methods so you can take the opportunity to try them yourself too. Or even just work with what you have in your kitchen. INGREDIENTS 1 head of cauliflower, remove stem, cut into florets Almond Milk, unsweetened 1/2…
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The 5 Items I Always Keep On My Nightstand
If I had to make a wild guess, you probably already have a light lamp and an alarm clock on your nightstand. So those were the first things added when I finally got a nightstand. The nightstand is usually right next to the bed, and it is a perfect spot to dump everything you like and easy to reach (I want to place my hearing aids there too). A few items have been sitting on the nightstand before, but I will rave and share what lights my soul and makes a difference in my mood and thoughts before I shut my eyes. I have this terrible habit of using my…
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2025 in Review: My Wins, Lessons & What’s Next
2025 in Review: My Wins, Lessons & What’s Next Another Year, Another Chapter I can’t believe 2025 is already wrapping up. This year stretched me, softened me, and showed me more than I expected—in life, in business, and in my journey as a Deaf woman. It wasn’t perfect (none of them are), but it was powerful. And today I want to look back with you—not just on the wins, but also the lessons. Because that’s where real growth lives. If you’re ready to reflect, reset, and go into 2026 with a little more intention, I made you something: 🎁 Download my free Year-End Reflection Toolkit: 👉 Click here to get…
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Deaf Girl Gift Guide: Thoughtful Finds for All Budgets
Deaf Girl Gift Guide: Thoughtful Finds for All Budgets Published: December 2025By Donna, The Life of Donna Gift-Giving That Feels Good (Not Stressful) Gifts are meant to be joyful, not overwhelming. But let’s be real: between budgets, wish lists, and trying to find something actually meaningful, the holidays can get a little… loud. Especially if you’re navigating it all as a Deaf woman, or shopping for someone in the Deaf community. Here’s what I’ve learned: the best gifts are thoughtful, useful, and rooted in care. They don’t have to be expensive. They just need to say, “I see you. I get you. I respect your energy.” That’s the vibe of…
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My ASL-Friendly Morning Routine for Slower Winter Days
My ASL-Friendly Morning Routine for Slower Winter Days Published: December 2025By Donna, The Life of Donna Winter Mornings Are Different (And That’s Okay) When the days are shorter and the air bites just a little, our bodies naturally want to slow down. And honestly? I’ve learned to stop fighting that. Winter mornings aren’t about hustle. They’re about grounding, clarity, and quiet energy. As a Deaf woman, I’ve also had to rethink routines that are often built for hearing people. Alarms that blare. Motivational podcasts. Group workouts full of chatter. Nope. That’s not me. So I created my own rhythm—a calm, ASL-friendly morning routine that honors my pace and supports my…
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Holiday Boundaries 101: How I Protect My Peace (With Love)
Holiday Boundaries 101: How I Protect My Peace (With Love) Published: December 2025By Donna, The Life of Donna Let’s Talk About Boundaries (And Why We Need Them More Than Ever) It’s the most magical time of the year—but let’s be honest, it can also be one of the most mentally draining. Between family expectations, crowded gatherings, and the constant pressure to be “on,” December has a way of pushing our emotional limits. If you’ve ever found yourself nodding along just to keep the peace, overbooking your calendar, or feeling totally wiped out by New Year’s, I see you. That used to be me, too. Until I learned the power of…
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Deaf, Cozy & In Control: My Winter Reset Plan
Winter Is My Favorite Time to Reset There’s something powerful about winter. While the world slows down and nature goes quiet, I finally get space to reflect, reset, and rebuild. No pressure to do all the things. Just time to focus on what matters. This post is about how I use winter to hit pause, take control of my daily habits, and prep for a grounded, joyful year ahead. Whether you’re Deaf like me or just looking for a more intentional way to live, you’re in the right place. Deaf, Cozy & In Control: My Winter Reset Plan 🎁 Free Gift: Want to follow along with your own winter reset?Grab…
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10 Deaf-Owned Brands to Shop This Holiday Season
🎁 Shopping With Purpose This Holiday Season The holidays are officially on, and that means cozy vibes, hot drinks, gift lists… and a whole lot of spending. But what if we paused for a second and asked: Where is our money going? What stories are we supporting? As a Deaf woman, I’ve made it a yearly ritual to choose gifts with intention, and support Deaf-owned brands that align with my values. These are businesses that reflect our culture, our language, and our grind. So whether you’re shopping for family, friends, or a little treat for yourself (because yes, you deserve it), this list of 10 Deaf-owned brands is here to…
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The Truth About Burnout in the Deaf Community (And What Helps)
The Truth About Burnout in the Deaf Community (And What Helps) Published: November 2025 Burnout doesn’t just knock. It crashes in. For many in the Deaf community, it shows up as more than just exhaustion. It’s isolation. It’s constantly advocating. It’s pushing through a world that often doesn’t meet us halfway. But here’s the truth: You are not alone, and it’s not your fault. That’s why I created a free Burnout Recovery Toolkit for the Deaf community. It includes: → Click here to grab your free toolkit. Let’s talk about what burnout really looks like, and how to stop it before it stops you. What Burnout Feels Like in the…
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How I Meal Prep (Without Losing My Mind or My Wallet)
Hey, Deaf Queen! If you’ve ever opened the fridge at 6 PM, stared at your leftover takeout, and thought, “Yeah, I should really get my life together,” welcome to the club. I’ve been there—tired, overwhelmed, and tempted to DoorDash my budget into oblivion. But today, I’m going to walk you through how I meal prep in a way that feels grounded, budget-friendly, and actually doable—even on my busiest weeks. How I Meal Prep (Without Losing My Mind or My Wallet) 🎁 Free Toolkit Alert: Grab my Meal Prep Starter Pack! It includes a printable weekly meal planner, grocery list template, habit tracker, and bonus ASL kitchen graphics. Sign up here…
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Deaf & Home for the Holidays: 10 Ways I Stay Centered
Holidays are supposed to feel magical. But if you’re Deaf, navigating noisy gatherings, complicated travel plans, and constant social expectations can be exhausting. Add in the emotional weight of family dynamics or loneliness, and it can feel like too much. I get it. That’s why every October, I start prepping—not just for meals and gifts, but for my mindset. I used to let the season drain me. Now I choose habits that ground me, protect my peace, and help me show up as my full self. Deaf & Home for the Holidays: 10 Ways I Stay Centered Want help staying centered this holiday season? Grab my free printable toolkit: an…
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Gratitude, Grounding & Growing: My November Reflection Guide
Before You Read: Grab Your Free November Reflection Toolkit! This blog post comes with a printable toolkit featuring:📝 A cozy habit tracker🤟🏽 Beautiful ASL gratitude prompts🍁 A weekly grounding checklist✨ A page to journal your growth Gratitude, Grounding & Growing: My November Reflection Guide Click here to download the free toolkit and start your month strong. It’s Deaf-friendly and designed to help you stay grounded, consistent, and proud of your progress. Hey November, Let’s Slow Down Together 💆🏽♀️🍂 Somehow, it’s already November. The leaves are crunchy, the weather is moody, and the energy is shifting—from doing to being. This is the season when everything tells us to slow down… yet…
Deaf Lifestyle Blog
