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Over the past days, the media has produced possibly one of the most intense news cycles since the end of the Cold War. And for good reason. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign European country, is an unprecedented act of war in the 21st century.

But if you feel like you need a distraction from the grim headlines and you're the type of person who can find comfort in the positive side of the internet, you're not alone. The Instagram account kALE SALAD is here for you.

The guy behind the account calls himself the "king of wholesome memes" and I know what you might be thinking: people who crown themselves are rarely worthy of the title. But 3.8 million people think this one is.

Browsing kALE SALAD's feed, it's hard to disagree with them. Continue scrolling and take a look for yourself.

More info: Instagram

While we may feel guilty for being joyful while others are grieving, happiness is actually very important in challenging times. Focusing on our own emotions can give us the resilience we need to change situations both in our personal lives and on a larger scale.

Dr. Laurie Santos, who is an expert on the science and psychology of wellbeing, and shares her findings with thousands through her wildly popular Yale University course, The Science of Wellbeing, said that while it may sound counterintuitive, happiness is exactly what we need to get us through uncertainty, fear and anxiety over the future.

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Below you will find Dr. Santos's top insights from the field of positive psychology on happiness and how it can help us to overcome difficult situations like the ones we are facing today.

"We can harness the toughness to experience the power of post-traumatic growth," Dr. Santos said.

Difficult situations have the potential to make us stronger and even happier in the long run. By surviving a particularly tough scenario, we learn to appreciate what is truly meaningful and important in life and how to better prepare ourselves to face future adversity. 

#6

Lol

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn! That's one hell of a birth story to pass on to future generations!!

Linouchka
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of my Mom : she was so over pregnancy with me that she asked her doc what she could do to induce labor naturally. He told her to clean house, so she did. Right as she grabbed the dry Christmas tree to throw it away, her water broke. The thing is, and it just dawned on me a few weeks ago, I'm born September 9th... SHE LIVED HER WHOLE PREGNANCY WITH A F*****G DRY CHRISTMAS TREE !! I don't know how she didn't kill my Dad for doing this to her, lol...

Mateo Buysse
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how is this wholesome ? i mean, it sure is epic in some way, but....yea....

Cody Zoesch
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously. Denying the other parent the opportunity to be there for their child's birth... so wholesome!

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Kimberly Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I drove myself to the hospital when I went into labor early. But that's only because my ex husband was a lazy a**face. They managed to stop my labor and then I drove home.

Bill Keenan
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was born in September 1973. My mom’s water broke, she mowed the lawn because she knew my dad wouldn’t do it and then drove herself to the hospital (with a pit stop at Hardee’s to get some food because she knew that hospital food sucks). During her pregnancy she and a few of her pregnant friends went to see ‘Behind the Green Door’ to see what was the big deal (no pun intended) about XXX flicks and were thrown out for laughing too much. She was annoyed that she went into labor on a Monday because she was going to miss the Packers play the Jets (the Packers won). I was ten pounds when I popped out - NATURAL BIRTH - she always said that she wanted at least six kids, but my giant head made her decide that two kids was enough.

GoddessOdd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if your father has ever lived it down... and I don't think your mom is petty. This sounds like a legit beef to me.

Did you hear that?
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I drove myself to the hospital while in labor. The lights seemed to turn red for my contractions, or i pulled over. It was 1am so it was all good.

Bradley Pretzer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just petty and sad that she would do that to another person period. Simply because your father wouldn’t give her enough attention. I hope your parents are divorced because it sounds like a manipulative unhealthy relationship.

Lori Sandoval
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was born in the 70s during the last oil and gas shortage. My dad's day to get gas (based on license plate number) was Friday, the same day I was born. He stopped for gas on the way to taking my mother to the hospital to have me.

TiaCalenture
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandmother walked 3 miles to the hospital in labor because my grandfather was fighting in the war.

Alexandra Blom Gad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandmother gave birth to my father in 1944, during the world war 2. Her husband was away as he was a soldier, so she was alone at home. When the time came, she took her bag and rode her bicycle all 3 km to the hospital. My grandmother is the strongest woman I know.

Emalee Bespflug
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds like some s**t I would do. Except thankfully the day I went into labor my hubby was being extra sweet.

Meredith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom had her water break mid morning. She cleaned the house. Did the laundry. Made dinner. Then called our doctor. She was his nurse and I was the second kid so she knew what was going on. Our Dr. told her off and the. to get her ass to the hospital.

Okie Smokie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't forget that not all men are jerks you silly internet peeps. :D in this persons case we don't know, but that still doesn't give you reasons to blast a gender based off of who YOU were wronged by. Please, don't be selfish and entitled as any gender! We call it equality for a reason. Also I'm female, I believe in equality, and this isn't equality..just a bunch of pricks hiding behind screens because they know no one can hurt them for saying things only bullies would say. ^^

Teresa Thayn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strong women are the core of humanity's survival! You can bank on that!!

Alan Strachan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just goes to show what a petty and selfish ass your mother is. She put your life, her own, and the lives of every person on the road in danger when she drove to hospital. What a d**k!

Lynn Morello
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you miss doing something, you are branded lazy. When you do something, you are told you shouldn't have done that, I was looking for something, Now I'll have to start all over again. When you gently remind him about something he promised to do weeks ago, You get lectured for Nagging. When you go out of your way for doing that something that you asked him to do weeks ago and he didn't. You are the worst in the world and He was about to do it himself. But he had been too busy. When you have to get a qualified tradesman in to do a job that he has been promising for 2 years and still not done. You get yelled at, called a Nag, Lectured about what you can and can't do (in your own home) and told you are just trying to put him down. Then he doesn't speak to you for 2 days. Hence why we are still (not)doing partially completed renovations for the last 11 years

Lola Barello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another strong determined woman doing what she has to do…👏🏽👏🏽

Janet Salahuddin-Tate
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My youngest was born with a midwife in attendance with Alice Coltrane playing Journey in Satchidinanda on harp.

Skadi M.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol my mom drove herself while in labor BOTH times (myself and my brother) because my dear old dad couldn’t be bothered to learn to drive for his wife. 🙄

Skadi M.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol my mom drove herself when in labor BOTH times (myself and brother) just because my dad couldn’t be bothered to learn to drive. 🙄

Yayaboobo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You apparently never had a baby the nature of birth is loneliness. The presence of the man who made you that way is only consolation. All those professionals there are just noise unless there's greater health concerns going on with the birth.

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Justin Dough
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The irony. She didn't deliver it herself a male doctor helped.

Reality Check
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not enough attention lol tour dad is not your dad, mommy slept around ALOT

Joseph Mathes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you believe in gender equality and you think "men are incapable" is wholesome, then you also think "women are incapable" is wholesome.

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#7

Y The Hell Havent U Followed @kalesalad Yet If U Love Memes!!! 🥗🥗@_beethebaker

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Did you hear that?
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heck if you live in close proximity this is a wonderful and considerate thing to do.

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"If we want to be happier during times of stress, we need to use a special mechanism of protecting ourselves, and we can do that through social connection."

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When used properly, technology has the power to keep people connected even when they are physically apart from each other. Loneliness and isolation can have a major negative impact on both our mental and physical health, so Dr. Santos suggests embracing those Zoom happy hours and exploring new ways to maintain relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.

However, Dr. Santos said studies on happiness also suggest that a big part of it comes from focusing on other people.

Even though we hear a lot about self-care these days and this text is kinda advocating it too, the reality is that truly happy people are what Dr. Santos refers to as "other-oriented."

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Meaning, helping others, especially during times of crisis, makes us feel good and gives us a sense of purpose. Not only are we boosting our own mood by lending a hand, but we are also working towards solving real problems.

"If we want to be happier and if we want to protect our willpower and get more resilient and even improve our performance, we need to harness the power of gratitude," Dr. Santos added.

Gratitude might not be the first thing that comes to mind during a life-altering experience such as a global pandemic or war, but acknowledging even the little things that we appreciate in our everyday life can improve our overall wellbeing and boost our emotional resilience.

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#18

Y The Hell Havent U Followed @kalesalad Yet For Wholesome Memes!!!

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Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools, especially when we're living under stress. "If we want to be happy, we need to find ways to be in the present moment, even if that present moment sucks."

We spend around 47% of our day with our minds wandering. By learning to truly focus on the present, we can be more productive and improve our sense of wellbeing by improving our stress response.

#21

Y The Hell Haven’t U Followed @kalesalad Yet For Memes!!
! 🥗 @tacko_belle

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not funny when it's happening to you. But right now, it is. It so is!

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#22

This Is My@favorite Thanksgiving Tradition (Fourth Year In A Row!!!!)

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this story and friendship, google "wrong number thanksgiving invitation" if you haven't read it before.

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#23

As A Salad Time Is My Worst Enemy.
🥗 @drivingmemadi
follow @kalesalad For More Relatable Memes!!!

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Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get it... 2am is the perfect time to buy a mattress since you're tossing and turning on an uncomfortable bed thinking, I should be more comfortable right now

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"If we want to protect ourselves during tough times, we need to make room for healthy practices.”

When stress levels are high, it's really easy to skip a workout or two, make less nutritious choices at mealtimes or deprioritize our sleep. It can feel overwhelming to have to put this extra effort into "being healthy," but the reality is that these are the times when we need it the most.

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Beyond our physical wellbeing, exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve our mental state, a balanced diet can have mood-boosting benefits, and getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night can keep us happier, more focused, and improve our immunity. By maintaining these healthy habits, even when we just don't feel like it, we become stronger in dealing with the current stressors and will be better equipped to handle difficult circumstances in the future.

#28

Y The Hell Havent U Followed @kalesalad Yet If U Love Memes

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Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The printer at work always works fine ... Except when you're in a rush to submit a tender document at 1pm

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#30

Y The Hell Havent U Followed @kalesalad Yet

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ChimeraBubbles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love both of these looks! I would 100% have rainbow hair, goth-vibe clothes, a mat that says 'go away' on it, and a rainbow fence.

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#32

You Always See @kalesalad And Now It’s Time You Finally@follow!!!!

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Mistralok
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"When you look at the dark side careful you must be for the dark side looks back." -Yoda-

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#33

This Is The Way We Were Meant To Camp 🥗 @loherbz

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Ellie Vanille
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow ! Reminds me of the tent used by the Weasleys during the Quidditch World Cup. "I love magic."

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#34

You Always See @kalesalad And Now It’s Time You Finally@follow!!!!

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Misstaken138
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is such a cute idea. I just came across some of my dad's shirts. I didn't want to get rid of them, but I didn't really know what to do with them. Might just have to give this a try.

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#36

“R U Dumb” Is Constantly Running Through My 🧠

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#39

Wholesome-Memes-Kalesalad

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Cindy N
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG, I do this all the time! I use too many exclamation marks, and then have to go back and replace a few with periods so I don't look/seem like a psycho! LOL

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#40

Y The Hell Havent U Followed @kalesalad Yet

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And das why I love god. (Please tell me you all got the joke...sorry I'll just see myself out.)

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#50

Wholesome-Memes-Kalesalad

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Em Watson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's Yang! He is always ready and waiting to cheer people up at Hexham General. I had an op in December, and seeing him at the entrance really cheered me up!

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#58

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 // All Your Friends Follow @kalesalad For Memes

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elSti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't see the wholesomeness in this one. But she got what she wanted so good for her.

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#60

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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SykesDaMan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bad news is that the drawing doesn't really look like her... The good news is that she doesn't look like her drawing. Joke aside she really captured the Burton-ness! :)

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#66

You Always See @kalesalad And Now It’s Time You Finally@follow!!!!

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Star Wars, Transformers (Decepticon), GI Joe, He-Man/ Child of the 80's here. Do not recognise the third one in the top row though?

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#68

Holy@crap @rudy_mustang

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Misstaken138
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well that last sentence from Crocs isn't what I would call "family friendly" Lol

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#71

As A Salad It’s Illegal For Me To Know Math 🥗 @haskinsphysics

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Corrsfan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop drooling over the birthday boy. Stop it right now. And if you do, tell me how cause I can't.

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#77

🤤🤤🤤🖋🖋🖋 🥗 @pookeymalibu

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ohhhh boy. I'm gonna look this up. (I assume it's good....I don't know who Kristi Yamaguchi is).

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#78

I Hate To Say It But It Is Actually Totes Yeet

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River Webb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hmm, do I yeet myself out (with a seatbelt ofc), or do I yeet the seatbelt out?

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#80

Y The Hell Haven’t U Followed @kalesalad Yet For Wholesome Memes!!!

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TyrantrumGogoat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder why they don't get tired? How can you keep going on the whole dang night??!!

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#84

Wholesome-Memes-Kalesalad

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#93

Hey Since You Always See @kalesalad It’s Time You Finally Follow Me!!!

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like there are at least two fellow introverts shopping at Sephora right now, as well.

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#98

Lol

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#100

Wholesome-Memes-Kalesalad

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De Gueb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got called one night because the cigarette machine in the club I work at was dispensing the wrong cigarettes. i.e someone would select Marlboro and get Camels. Select Camels and get something else. Turned out the girl who had the responsibility of filling the machine had put the packets anywhere. All the brands mixed together in each column. She said that she thought the machine knew which ones to pick!!

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#103

Y The Hell Havent U Folllowed @kalesalad Yet

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#105

Have U All Watched

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Jessica Cifelli
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2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Could of also been because it was in the middle of a pandemic and there was nothing left to watch.

#109

Wholesome-Memes-Kalesalad

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, to some people that’s fancy dining. Are they at least wearing the clean tee shirt when the propose? You know, special occasion and all.

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#113

Or Something

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MMcD
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If Abby is an English teacher she should proof and return it 😆

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#122

Good Boys Continue To Be Good Boys

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Afton Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The note says not to get hot cheetos because they are too spicy...

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#123

Wholesome-Memes-Kalesalad

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Ginny Weasly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What’s the bet that the alarm this person set is for 6:30 (looking at the time and the clock in the top right)

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#124

You Always See @kalesalad And Now It’s Time You Finally@follow!!!!

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Pisco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor dad. I have been there; our first hamster was a escapist and it broke my heart every time. He would open the door of the cage and then close it so i would go crazy looking inside the cage to see if he was there. But we always retrieved him and eventually moved him to a DIY cage with a really heavy wooden lid.

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#128

Wholesome-Memes-Kalesalad

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Eagle Girl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just bc you can't live together doesn't mean you don't like each other

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#129

💔💔💔

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Patrick McKemie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He anally raped a women (who only consented to vaginal sex) and then had his lawyers s**t shame her so she would drop the charges. Kobe Bryant is an awful person.

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#130

I’ve Always Wanted To Meet My Number Neighbor

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Pisco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a rude and racist thing to say. This is not ok. We will never fight racism and xenophobia with this attitude.

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