December 7, 2016

A Quick Hello



Hi my lovely readers,

I am still around. I promise. It was very necessary for me to take time off and to focus on me for a while. I have missed this community, this space of mine to read and write and share my thoughts. Yet, sometimes, a hiatus is needed and mine was long overdue. 

Winter has finally arrived in my neck of the woods, and I cannot be more thrilled. Cold, foggy mornings to wake up to is an amazing experience. It won't snow where I am at, but frost is definitely happening and I believe it is around the corner. Yay!!! This holiday season, like many more to come, will be bittersweet. It is what it is. All I can do is cherish the moments, the memories, and the stories shared. I won't let my favorite time of the year get ruined by my sad heart. Sadness is okay, we all need to let it in, but to allow it to take over is a big mistake. I am working on this on a daily basis, and I am improving beautifully. One day I'll look back, chuckling, thinking of how awful I felt and how far I have come in my journey with grief. Looking at my tiny Christmas tree gives me joy and hope, and that is really all I need this time around.

With that being shared I hope you are having a fabulous holiday season, whether or not you celebrate. Make the time to spend it with friends and family, no matter what. Cherish the moments you experience, smile, hug each other, and laugh so much you have to cry {it's the best part ever!}.

I shall see you all next year...until then, don't forget about me...just pretend I am Santa being busy and all. :)

xox

October 19, 2016

Currently {13}



Thinking about: Thanksgiving & Christmas. I know what we are doing for Christmas but the gifts still need ideas. Thanksgiving? Different story. We may or may not get time off so we shall see how that holiday will turn out for us. And of course, I am thinking about The Blog! Not sure yet what to do with it but bear with me as I am still here and still contemplating...time will tell and I am here today, aren't I?!

Listening: Pandora, or our local radio station online. Or, videos in the background teaching me business basics for my work from home job!

Watching: Heartland Season 10, and then some more TV shows I love! That is if time allows. 

Eating: Fall has started so this means heavier dishes but heavier shouldn't mean unhealthy. I like to add more veggies to any dish, and here and there a different kind of meat dish. Chili, polenta with meat sauce, or homemade lasagna, or a great fall salad...yup, I'm definitely hungry now. It's all about loving what you're eating and being a little more creative. :)

Loving: Cooler, rainy and windy weather!! California has this reputation that it is always sunny and warm, and while it is, there are weeks and months when certain areas in this beautiful state aren't always sunny and warm. So I am super excited about that we had rain over the weekend, cooler and windier weather, and perfect fall weather. I am loving it!!!

Planning: Christmas gifts. I usually start around this time around because I get to shop everything I want to gift ahead of time {and not too early}, wrap everything and have it all ready to ship or put under the tree in December. Plus, I have been lazy thinking about gifts so this post is a great butt kicker helping me out in this department.

So yes, this is my current life lately...
...what are you currently up to?!

October 17, 2016

Weekly Hopes {62&63}



Hi everyone! 
Is anyone still there? 
I have been absent for two full weeks and honestly I have never felt better. Wow, yes, I just said that. I have to be honest here and tell you that I needed a rest. I needed to figure out if I wanted to continue blogging, if I wanted to continue as Crazy Little World Of Mine, and if I felt okay with whatever decision I was making. Well, blogging has always been an outlook for me to express myself, to share stories, and an interesting and fun hobby. Also, I met the most incredible people through blogging, and I would not want it any other way. When I started this blog years ago I just needed to vent, and needed to find my space. I did.
So I came to the conclusion that it is time to find a new space in the blog world. While I am doing this I will pop up here and there a few times so bear with me. Trying to figure things out and sometimes these things take time. That being said...here's my Weekly Hopes for this week...and the rest of this month I believe {can you believe it's mid October!!}:

1 - Physical Therapy, every single day
2 - Donating all my donation bags {3 so far!}
3 - Deep Clean the bathroom {yes, I clean my bathroom once a week but deep clean?! The horror!}
4 - Manicure
5 - Send a very belated birthday present to my bestie
6 - Make foaming hand soap {saves a ton of money, and I know what I put on my body!}
7 - Try to make homemade applesauce
8 - Watch Hocus Pocus
9 - Educate people on Essential Oils {this is my lifestyle - I use them daily!}
10 - Enjoying cooler temperatures!

Fall has finally arrived in my neck of woods. It rained this entire weekend, and it felt so good! Love seeing leaves change color as well. The first sight I had of a dry leave on the ground I couldn't stop smiling. With cooler temperatures there's a few changes happening in the kitchen as well. I am working on creating a new chili recipe or a new casserole dish. Hearty dishes are so much fun during this time of year. Fall and winter bring cold and flu season along. I have been prepping my household with more fruits and veggies, plenty of fluids and my all time favorite...essential oils. Now, before you roll your eyes and see this as a fad {which most people think it is BUT trust me, it is not to me}, look at it from my perspective. I have seen my mother take up to 25 pill per day for over 20 years. I have had to accept the fact that her pill popping, hardly any exercise and unhealthy life habits ruined her life and shortened her lifespan dramatically. She died too young. Her pill popping weakened her body, her system. I never liked pills. I always believed in a healthy and better lifestyle. If I can help my headache, my sniffles and my upset tummy especially after bad food with something other than a stupid pill {that will over time weaken my system} I will give that a try! And so far, it has helped. Beautifully. So to help us build and strengthen our immune system we are using essential oils. Daily. Why? Because once we get the cold, the sniffles, the cough, the gross flu-like-stuff...our bodies will be ready to fight it off easier and probably faster. My body will certainly be ready, and I won't need pills...it is all about prevention. Last year we did not get sick. We always do. I always lose my voice around November, and B always ends up sick before finals/around his birthday in December. It drives him insane. Going to school and being sick sucks; we all know that. So last year when I didn't know what to do I read up on what I could do in that department. Heck, I can't know without trying, can I?! What did I do?! Started a bit late but still early enough and had our daily prevention regimen down. Every day, no ifs and buts. AND we did not get sick. One day we had this little and odd cough going and we kept using essential oils even more {oiled ourselves up if you wish} and that was it. The next day we felt so much better, didn't need to pop some odd pill we would have had to get from a store anyways, and we were ready to tackle the rest of the season. What amazes me is that these oils do not expire unlike some pill I would easily get over the counter. I am not against modern medicine and I will choose so if nothing works, but first I will use my essential oils.
SO, I am so ready for this cooler, and more wet season!!! Bring it on!!!!!

What are your Weekly Hopes?!
Anything you look particularly forward to?

xox

October 3, 2016

Weekly Hopes {61}


New week, new hopes and new wishes for this week!!! So let's get started right away.

1 - Less pain {it's back and it's no fun}
2 - Cooler weather!!
3 - Mani-Pedi!
4 - More donations {closet clean up happening for weeks...can you tell?}
5 - Wash the fur ladies
6 - Exercise more {up to 40 minutes now, not just 30 minutes}
7 - Drink more water {I already drink a ton but I need to drink more...wish me luck!}
8 - Send out a few parcels
9 - Create a Dream Board for myself {happy life!!!}
10 - Pumpkin Patch visit!

Let's hope #10 works this week. If not, then next week. Also, our ladies need a major wash. We wash them about every two/three months, and it is time! We wanted to do this last week but my man cut his fingers and we ended up at the hospital {yay, us!} so he couldn't help me wash them and I couldn't do it by myself so we are hoping this week works better. And yes, cooler weather. FALL has arrived! It rained yesterday and apparently hailed too. I had almost forgotten how beautiful rain clouds looked. YES!!!! I love living where I do because our fall here is way better than in Southern California. I can actually wear a sweater and not sweat in it. Ha!

What does your week look like?!

xox

September 29, 2016

Book Challenge Update {3}

In all honesty, reading has been a struggle for me. I thought it would help me get over that hump I'm still stuck on and while it does help, I am still struggling. However, I am not giving up and I am working hard on finding that reading groove back. Is this just me, or has reading become a super difficult task lately. I don't want to schedule in reading time because I think that is ridiculous. I want to be content with the time I spend reading a book. It shouldn't be this hard, or dreadful. Maybe I'm reading the wrong books?! Yet, looking at my books...they're not boring and quite interesting and fascinating, so I don't know. Either way, I'm struggling but let's look at what I read in the past three months...and possibly why I read them!


Start by Jon Acuff - For months I have been a huge fan of Jon Acuff. I don't really remember how I came about finding one of his motivational speeches but I did and it intrigued me. The way he talks is so smooth, so easy to understand and relates to pretty much any aspect in life. In my small group someone mentioned this book, and while I had this in my to-read basket for months, I finally gave myself a pep-talk and purchased it. Oh I did not get disappointed. I believe that we are all responsible for our own actions, for our decisions, and what not...this book justifies this. He talks about stories, and I kept nodding and laughing throughout. Some things did not apply to me but that is okay. My mind has a great imagination {and aren't books there to help our imagination?}, so I could easily apply this to my other self...you know, my imaginable Selma. Ha!

The Third Wave by Steve Case - Our broker sent us this book. He thought it was a great read for us. Well, B doesn't read...or doesn't feel like reading as he is reading too much for his classes anyways, so it is all me! I'm fine with that. It's not a book I would have chosen to ever read but it gives a great insight on today's world. Our "love" for the internet, social media...and how it does influence us. How it has changed and what will possibly happen in the next few decades. It's a more raw read, but I enjoyed it because it is a different kind of book...not the cheesy novels I sometimes read. Ha!

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - Always wanted to read this. Finally got a chance to read it, and that before the movie is coming out {early October, if you're interested}. Yay! I was gifted this book. A friend of mine is moving to another state and she was giving away books to lessen her moving load. Needless to say I was beyond exited. Why did I choose to read this? I love novels that are on the "must read book" list of every year. It's a way for me to check in with the world and have a conversation topic going. My Godmother got me into this. She said to read at least one book per year that is THE book...so you get to talk with like-minded people...etc. I just never got around to read it, let alone buy it. And well, here I am. Having read this one and I liked it a lot. I usually don't read these kind of books but heck, a crazy story you can't put down...sure thing!

I have a few more that I am currently reading but since I haven't even come close to have read half of those books I won't list them here. I used to read at least two books per month. Not anymore. This is not failure on my side, this is merely me finding enough strength and willpower to read one book per month! Here's to a few more months left of this year! Can you believe it!????

xox

September 28, 2016

Will My Story Inspire Others?!



Will my story inspire others?
I don't know.
It might, or it might not.
I hope it gives hope, inspires someone out there. I sure would hope so.
The point of life is to live it to the fullest; to live it so we feel satisfied, happy, and accomplished. Right? Or am I dreaming of the impossible?!


Now regardless how we look at this, and what we want in life, and how we want to live it this question always returns to me. It's knocking on my door asking me what will you do today to inspire others?! What will you do to make the day feel GOOD?! What will you do today to make others feel GOOD?! Will you find inspiration not only lifting you up, but also others?!


My answer is different every time but my goal always is the same. 
I want to inspire others, I want to help women feel better about themselves, I want to feel better about myself, and I want others to feel motivated, give them a feeling that they belong. Yet at the same time I always want to focus on myself because in the end my life is mine and no matter what I do or what you do, my life will be lived with me as the main person in that story so I want to make it the best show ever. I want to live my life to the fullest and best possible. I want to be the best version of myself. Every. Single. Day.

So, will my story inspire others?!
YES. Even if it is a flicker of inspiration or motivation...yes!!!

How are you working on your Wednesday today?
Are you inspiring others?!

September 26, 2016

Weekly Hopes {60}


For the past few weeks I have kept quiet on the blog. I have not had the urge to write, share, blog...you name it. I guess this is my season to slow down, to stay more mellow and relax and not worry too much about when I post and what I post. In the end it is my time and my ideas and posts that I choose to share with you. I thought a lot about it all and while I will not stop blogging I will try to post at least twice a week. Three times would be ideal. I don't want to lose this part of me because it is part of my life, part of who I am and what makes me happy. And one should never give up what one loves and finds happiness in, am I right?! So having said this I am closing today with my Weekly Hopes. I still believe this to be the best way to look forward to any week. Here we go...

1 - Summer/Fall clothes switch
2 - Buying new walking/running shoes {HELP!!!!}
3 - Create a Christmas Shopping list
4 - Wash the car
5 - Date night on Thursday? Maybe? {because it is needed}
6 - Massage
7 - {Re}Connect more with friends
8 - Finish watching Army Wives
9 - Make more foaming hand soaps
10 - Maybe go fall outfit shopping

It's going to be a boring week, but all in all entertaining. I wish I had friends close by so I could meet up for a drink or a chat. Believe it or not I have no friends here. None. I feel lonely. It's the weirdest feeling ever. Yet, well, I hope this week despite my loneliness is going to be fun. I'm looking forward to washing the car, and getting my massage. My back cannot wait for its massage. And yes, you read right...I'm about to go Christmas shopping...it has to be done. Can you believe that October is practically around the corner????!!!!

What are your Weekly Hopes for this week?

September 23, 2016

Currently {12}


Thinking about: My mom. Her birthday was a week ago.. I love birthdays; she hated them. So I don't know if that was already a sign she wasn't doing well or knew her life would end a lot sooner, or if it was just her. Either way, we were both very different when it came to the big day. I wanted to make sure I got distracted around her birthday and in a way I was getting distractions in...yet it still stings knowing I couldn't celebrate with her. I just hope she had fun. 

Watching: Dexter. Yes. I know it's an old show. I had to find a show B hadn't seen {which is very easy to do} and that would interest him. Voila. Dexter it is. Also, the new fall shows or new seasons are about to start or have already started so I'm sure we will have plenty of TV dates together! Ha!!

Reading: The Girl on the Train. I just got it and I'm reading it so I can add this to my reading challenge. Oh, and I'm also reading my free magazines{yes, free! And no I don't steal them. I'm a subscriber. For free though. Say what?!}. I'm a huge home magazine lover. So, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and all those lovely magazines with home improvements, decor inspiration, recipes, and wellness are my go-to reads...every day. Every month. Whenever I need to get inspired. :) 

Loving: Connections. I have learned over the past few years, but months really, that connections are very important. 

Cooking: At least one new recipe every other week. I tried every week, but I am also budgeting our grocery budget. When it doesn't fit in I'll try to at least cook a new recipe every other week to spice things up a bit. This week I tried two recipes though...YES...I felt inspired and we had most ingredients already at home...so why not!???? I'm cooking this quick recipe tonight, and I tried this one two days ago...YUMMY!!!

What have you been up to lately?!

September 19, 2016

Weekly Hopes {59}

Everything happens for a reason. This is a saying one of my very best friends used a lot. She believed and I am sure she still does that things in life happen when they happen because they were meant to happen right there and then. Simple as that. Truth be told, looking back at what life had in store for me I truly believe so, too. I would not be here writing to you all if I hadn't left my old job behind in hopes to find something new in life. It took me a while but I did find something and someone new. It all happened when I least expected it to, and it worked beautifully.

With this week starting off very differently than usual...I know it's because it needs to happen this way! One day I will know why, but for now...let's see what I am hoping to accomplish or happen this week...


1 - Meetings with a Staffing Company {finally, after oh-so many months of agony!!!}
2 - Visiting a friend who moved to NorCal this weekend {helping him move some more & settle in}
3 - Cooler temps {we are still having 99-degree weather and I am not even kidding!!}
4 - Changing our decor from spring/summer to fall
5 - Donating summer clothes
6 - Send out happy mail
7 - Jacuzzi nights

Not much happening this week or wishing for to happen but it looks all positive, and positive is all I need. Hello new week, I am so ready for you!

xox

September 14, 2016

The Ever Returning Enemy: Grief!

Grief is like the unwanted relative visiting you or bugging you, or the friend you cannot let go off, or the boyfriend your heart longs for but your mind knows better. Grief stays. Unwanted. Unloved. Bothersome. And especially making one long for someone or something that no longer is. 

Grief is the enemy to our happy soul. It arrives mostly announced and out of nowhere. Sometimes it lets you know ahead of time that it will arrive but oftentimes this is not the case. Worst of all, the enemy to our happy soul, the unwanted one, stays forever! Rude.


Personally I have had my fair share with grief. I got different visits, at different times, and not one has hit me as hard as the one last year. It took me over a year to come to terms that yes, I have this visitor eating all my joy and motivation and that this visitor will probably not leave. Ever. So I fought back. Slowly. I kept it a secret because, well, grief couldn't and should not know what I was up to. It worked. Granted, I had to accept that this visitor will be yet another part of me. So I decided to fight back on a daily basis. I cannot let this enemy of mine win. I am the only one who can win and I should win. The other times I dealt with loss I had hardly any issues. Yes, I mourned. I cried. I wept actually, for days and weeks. But then, it was over. Grief nestled in a corner and stayed there. Easy.

Last year though, grief was not quiet. Grief was loud, obnoxious, ridiculous, and especially annoying. I wanted to fire grief. If it were this easy I would have done it. The enemy stays, and needs to find a place to stay and settle somewhere. So while grief tried to do just that I was perplexed, frozen, in pain and mad. Fighting back took time because, just like my enemy, I had to be slick. So how did I do it?!

I took time off!!!
Off of everything!

Now, not everyone can do this. I was blessed. I wanted to get back into a routine, follow my dreams, work, do things that would distract me, but I was in pain. Physical pain. There were times I couldn't move my arms or legs. My neck was a totally different story. My body was in constant shock. I worked hard on getting this part of the process fixed, and today I can say that I haven't felt this good in over a year. Not all distractions are good, you know. You may think they are, but they aren't. I still have issues going out and meeting new people, or attending conferences, or a simple birthday party. My body tenses up and then I can't breathe and well, we can guess what follows next. It's freaking annoying and disruptive. So, taking time off was the only option for me. Luckily, I was okay being around B, his family, and occasional visit from friends. I remember walking back home after my friend dropped me off and I felt relieved. Crazy. Love my friend but seeing her and her family after a few years and meeting up should not be intense. I loved seeing her, my body didn't agree. So taking off, avoiding some events, laying low {on the couch with reruns of old shows}, focusing on me and my body was the only thing that worked for me. It's the most bizarre thing ever because I always thought I'd be okay when I get distracted. I was before, just not this time around. I guess, it is very true...people change. And we change at the most impractical times.


Last week I learned of sad news. It hit home for me once more. I was so perplexed that at some point I had to go back to some texts to check and see if I dreamed it all. I didn't. It was real. Needless to say, my body decided to cramp up again. Holy cow!!!! I did however sleep a lot better at night. So, what changed?! My constant and unwanted visitor let go. This ever returning enemy of mine still sits in a corner, arms crossed and all, but the enemy decided to loosen up the knots. I felt one loosen up last night. It cracked. Literally. I felt so much better this morning. It's incredibly crazy how one reacts to dramatic events. Seriously. It's crazy. And what I have experienced will most probably not be what you have experience {or will experience one day}. It's one crazy roller coaster! 

Despite the sad new, the few hours I cried my heart out for my friends, life, love, family, and what not...I found a way back to reality; a way back to the NOW.
The ever returning enemy can visit but it cannot put me down. It can shock me, but I will fight back. I will find a way back to my own person, to my own personality. I let my passions go, I let my desire to be a great friend, daughter, cousin, and wife vanish...but no more!!! I want to reconnect, I want to discover, I want to experience, I want to help. I want to be me again. I need to be me again in order to fight back; even after 16 months. I am ready, and grief can kiss my well-shaped behind and stay in the corner; heavily sulking I hope. 

September 12, 2016

Weekly Hopes {58}


Happy Monday!!!!
I hope you are having a great day, and are ready for this week. I am. I am more determined than ever, especially after this very sad weekend. Let's get started with my Weekly Hopes this week:

1 - chiropractor appointment {oh-so needed}
2 - date night
3 - strength
4 - grief online counseling
5 - movie day?
6 - distractions for the 17th
7 - beginning of my 30-day hustle month challenge

This week is going to be very simple. I like simple. I need simple. We all do I guess. I'm looking forward to my chiropractor appointment because my neck has gotten a bit more stiff in the past few days. I decided to visit once a month now, compared to when I started with three times a week. I have improved greatly; my posture is better, my digestion is better {yes, I have no shame, it's life after all}, and my shoulders feel less heavy. I have decided to attend an online grief counseling this week due to two factors: my mom's birthday is on the 17th and while it is not the first it is a date that brings back more sadness. Also, my best friends' mom passed away Friday unexpectedly. The news didn't get to me at first because I thought it was a joke, but I know it is not. I had to pull myself together while we were skyping. I loved their mom. She was such a sweet, warm and welcoming person. I'm still in shock, and I wish I could be there and give my friends a huge hug and support them in any way possible. My heart broke a little again. So, yes, that's why this online grief counseling is happening. Also, we are having the day off on Tuesday and Tuesdays here are movie days...which means movies are either $5 or $7. We haven't been to the movies in months so it may be fun to go since we are both off. Hoping there's a good movie playing?! 

Other than that, this week will be simple. B's best friend is moving to our area this upcoming weekend, so we are planning on meeting up soon. It's great to have friends close by. We cannot wait to spend time with him as he will be new to this area...and we are already pros. Hahahahaha! Wish us luck!

With that being said I hope you are doing well and enjoying life to the fullest! Hope your Hopes are coming through, or at least you get to make a list and accomplish at least 50% of it.

xox

September 9, 2016

Dear Luna and Lilee


Dear Luna and Lilee,

How are you two snuggle birds doing? I hope you have found a warm spot, preferably with a view, and feel cozy and happy. I hope you are happy. What I'm trying to say here though is thank you!

Thank you Luna and Lilee. You two have no idea how much you enriched my life in the past 11 months. You have given me hope. You have given me love. You have shown me life continues no matter what happens. You have helped me get over that slump, that disgusting black hole I tried to jump over. You have helped me so much. You may not know this but you were meant for me, for us. I'm so glad we found you when we almost lost hope, and I'm so happy we decided to get you despite people telling us not to.

Life with you has definitely changed my mood. Your two very different personalities make me smile every time. One of you {you know who} is such a food whore {yes, I said that word!!}. You want to eat eat eat all the time. You think it's food time when we walk into the kitchen. You won't shut up until you get your wet food. Yet, despite your loud and may I add annoying voice {sorry you will never be an Opera singer} you are the sweetest and most loving cat ever. You know how to push my buttons, and you know how to make my heart melt. Thank you for not scratching anything, and thank you for being the cat you are because your curiosity is the funniest and most adventurous ever. And well, there's my love bug. Thank you for being the cutie pie you are. Your smile and cute voice always makes me weak. You are the total opposite to your sister. You are quiet, patient, and you know how to wait. You and I have a morning routine and I cannot express how awesome this routine is. I love our morning snuggles, and the fact that you are mommy's girl. Thank you. 

Yes, my lovely fur babies. This post is for you. Thank you for being a part of my life, of our life that is. You have definitely enhanced our dull life, and have helped us define who we are. Yes, believe it or not you did help define our life. Thank you for loving us.

We love you, too.

xox

P.s. I'm sorry I took photos of you girls stretched or sleeping...you are super cute when you are sound asleep so I had to take a photo and share it with the world. 

September 7, 2016

Pet Peeve Alert

Pet peeves. We all have them. Some of us are very vocal about them, and others aren't. A year ago I posted a few of mine, because, well, it's part of my life and quite frankly it felt great to share this. A lifestyle blog can be filled with outfits, decorations, and what not...and mine also consists of random ideas, things I like and things, yes, I dislike!!! It's time for me to become vocal again. ;-) 



1. Random shopping carts in the parking lot. Hmmmmm, seriously people. You grabbed the cart, you shopped, and put all your items in the car. Lock that car and put your car away. It's that easy. There are so many aisles available to put the shopping carts back, and a few extra steps have never hurt anyone before. Thinking about this drives me nuts.

2. Tables that are set wrong. Yes, I get it. Not everyone had a grandma who taught them how to properly eat or set a table. Google it though. Fork goes to the left, and the knife goes to the right. Not the other way around. It bugs me. I might be spoiled but heck, it bugs me big time.

3. Toilet paper rolls that are backwards! Do I need to say more?! There's two worlds out there. Rolls that roll with the paper facing forward, and then there's the backward rolling. This is a conversation piece, my lovely readers. There's two worlds there. Which one is correct?! Who knows. For me, it has to be forward rolling...never ever backward!!! Just saying. 

4. When people repeat the same story, over and over and over again. I get it. It was fun, or you had fun. I loved hearing the story once. I was genuinely happy for you. Yet, I don't need to hear the story again the next day, or the next time I see you. Now it's either them having forgotten that they told the story or they think I have forgotten about it. Either way, very annoying and time consuming. 

5. Unfriendly people. That's a logical thing, isn't it? Yet, what I mean here is people who cannot say a simple "hello". When you work in retail, or in the hospitality industry, or are a front desk clerk of whatever business dealing with people coming in and out...have the decency to say "hello" and "bye". That's all. Acknowledge someone came in, it won't kill ya! In this business {and yes I have worked in this business, and hello, have my degrees in it too} you gotta fake it. Yes. No matter how you feel or what happened in your life, if you have to work you show up and have a great attitude. Fake it. I know I had to. We all do at times. You don't need to make small talk, or tell your life story to everyone {heck no!!} but be adult enough and say hello.

6. When people refer to me as Swedish. First, get your geography right. Second, know that Swedish is for Sweden, and Swiss is for Switzerland. HUGE difference. Not the same country. Not the same language. Not even neighbors. Americans don't like to be called Canadians either, or English. Or Armenians, or Argentinians. Nope. Nope. Nope.

7. Slow drivers. Don't get me wrong. I am a great driver. I don't speed. But when the speed limit is 45 and you drive 25....I get peeved!! Worse is when it is a one lane street. Someone help me!

8. When people refer to McDonald's or Chipotle as a restaurant. Granted, yes, you get food there and you won't starve. A restaurant to me is not a fast food place or a place you get in line to receive your food. A restaurant to me is a sit-down place, with a server and a menu that is handed to me. A bonus here is a non-chain place. Mom'n'Pop places are my favorites. Yes, I'm a snob...hahahahaha!

9. Dirty dishes in the sink. I get that we are busy, and sometimes it is not possible to clean the dishes right away. I hate to see the sink piled up with all kinds of grossness. YUCK. At least make an effort to get rid of the dirties before you go to bed so your new day can start fresh.

10. Chipped nail polish. I know it happens. It's annoying. I can't stand it. I hate when it happens a day or two after your manicure. Oh, and it has happened with gel manicures too {yes, how outrageous!}. So, when it happens to me I get antsy. I need to get the remainder off. Immediately.

It feels great to write this down. We all have pet peeves. Some we share, and some we don't. And that is okay. What may bug me is very normal to you and you may not even recognize it at all. It's fine. What may bug you will probably not be an issue for me, who knows. This is what makes life interesting. I love it. One of my friend's pet peeve is that she must make sure all her notification number symbols on her phone must be unseen, also known as checked immediately or as soon as possible. So those tiny numbers bug her?! Not me. But I get it...knowing you have 1438 unread emails would bug me, too :)

Have a wonderful day and try not to get peeved today! No one needs a pet peeve alert at all.

xox

September 5, 2016

Weekly Hopes {57}


Happy Labor Day, America!! This is my first Weekly Hopes in September. It's incredible; fall is here. To me it starts September 1, so we are almost a week old. Wow. What have I done this whole week?! No idea...but I do know it is Monday and time to make my list for this week, so I can look forward to anything I have on that list.

1 - Spending time with my man!
2 - Date night after a very long time..."insert eye roll here!!"
3 - Preparing myself for two challenges beginning this month
4 - Applying each day to ten different places {specifically selected places; 70 in total}
5 - Going through our cabinets and getting rid of unused toxic items
6 - Organize closet to be fall ready
7 - Finish one book
8 - Watch two movies released in my birth year {that will be fun and weird at the same time}
9 - Finishing up my Christmas wish list
10 - Working on my essential oil recipes for the fall {cold & flu time is approaching and I want to be prepared!!}

This week will be fun. I will hate applying again {yes, still looking} but it will click one day and make me happy. Also, date night is a must. It has been a long time. I tried to squeeze one in every week {and mostly failed due to schedule conflicts} but this time I want it to be a real date like it once used to be. A "let's go out and dress up" kind of date. Wish me luck. :) Also, as you know I use essential oils. This is not a hobby, it is a lifestyle. It's like eaten vegan or being a vegetarian. It's not a hobby. I love it and it has helped our bodies and home so much. I always thought it was all about the scent and that is it. Well, I wasn't very off. I have experienced it, and so has B. We are thrilled to see and feel results. Plus, we have not gotten sick during the winter so we are prepping ourselves more for this winter so we won't get sick. With that I am putting together diffuser recipes we will need and have to try as well as combinations to use topically on us. Most of it is very logical as we have been using them for over one year, but some of it will be new as I want to try something new. It's going to be an exciting time. Knowing it will benefit our health and our future only encourages me to work on this. So glad I chose to go this path. :)
And yes, watching movies made in my birth year...it's always fun to see oldies. No? 

Happy Monday!!
Hope your week starts off beautifully and you have a Weekly Hopes list ready as well! :)

xox

September 2, 2016

Happy Friday & Happy September!



Happy Friday everyone.
Oh, and yes, happy September, too. To me, fall has officially started. I know, I know it is not official until close to the end of this month but to me fall starts on September 1. That's it. I can't wait for cooler weather, rain, pumpkins, wearing scarves, wearing socks, layering up, and drinking hot drinks without getting hot flashes. It's still warm here so I am only dreaming about fall but I know it is slowly approaching.

Today, I decided to finally link up with some awesome bloggers again. I haven't done this in weeks, or months?! Life took over and sometimes it is just not fun to schedule posts ahead of time because they won't reflect what's going on in my life. So, here I am today...sharing with you what made me happy this week and linking up with Krysten, Lindsay, and Charlotte. Join the fun and say hello!

1 - New semester began {meaning, B is closer to the end of his ordeal}
2 - Eye infection is slowly coming to an end {hallelujah!!}
3 - No more cable fees
4 - Projects
5 - Evening walks to walk off dinner
6 - Our loud next door neighbors have moved out!
7 - Red nail polish
8 - Found two new recipes
9 - NingXia Red
10 - Blush

This week wasn't very spectacular. College finally started again and B had to attend his classes. Poor guy is so over school. That's what you get when you choose a field that requires so much work and so many classes, and hours, and what not. Almost done. Almost. We had a setback in that department though as one class didn't let him in. Graduating or not, they do not care. I won't get into this but man, the school system is oh-so flawed!
In other news, it has cooled down which allows us to sit on our patio and walk at night again {or in the morning!}. I don't want to jinx it but we are out of the triple digits. This also means cooler days are coming our way, and with school having started, the cold and flu season is around the corner as well. I am helping my whole body be prepared for what may come our way. Prevention is everything. I've been drinking my morning antioxidant immune booster for weeks, and I am loving it and can feel a huge difference to the days when I forget to drink it. I have more energy, don't get that afternoon slump anymore, and my joints don't hurt as much either. Oh, and my gluten belly is taken care of as well...heck, my issues are barely noticeable. I'm a much happier girl, trust me. And happiness is all I want in life. How can one be happy when the whole body is sick? Exactly, not! So, I'm taking care of that on a daily basis. Hope you are doing the same!

With that, I'm ready to tackle Friday and the weekend!! Blush always makes my rather pale self cuter {I have a tan I swear but it's literally unnoticeable}, and a glass of wine for dinner is always a great choice! :)

Happy Friday, happy September, and happy early Labor Day!

xox

August 31, 2016

A Fall List


Summer is slowly but soon officially coming to an end and fall is practically around the corner! At the beginning of summer I put together a summer list filled with things I wanted to accomplish throughout the season. I wanted to make memories and challenge ourselves to find ways to enjoy summer better! As we are slowly leaving summer, with extreme temperatures as usual, I want to make sure I am enjoying every bit of the new season as well. My summer list, just like the spring list, didn't fully get accomplished but that is okay. I love fall and cannot wait to see how much I get to tackle this season. And what I don't accomplish I get to accomplish next time.

Here are some of the things I’m looking forward to doing this season; wish me luck:
  • change my blog
  • go apple picking 
  • make an apple pie {tried so many times and failed, so hopefully this season I can do this}
  • go to at least one pumpkin patch
  • carve pumpkins 
  • wine tasting
  • upgrade my fall wardrobe
  • explore more surrounding cities
  • finally go to the old town underground tour
  • decorate patio and porch for fall
  • enjoy one Pumpkin Spice Latte
  • create new chili recipes 
  • go to a local fall/halloween event since the one we usually went to closed down
  • find fall recipes to cook for Thanksgiving
  • create fun fall diffuser recipes
How's your fall list coming together? Anything exciting I have to add to mine?!

xox

August 29, 2016

Two Years



Today marks two years of being married to the love of my life! Time has flown by so fast it is incredibly hard to believe it's been two years already! I believe the first two years are the hardest. They feel easy but the first two years build the foundation for the future, our future. The past couple of years have been wonderful yet challenging. While we have managed those moments beautifully by supporting each other through one of the hardest times, I am very excited for what the future holds for us. B, thank you for being my best friend, my partner in life and love. I am so grateful for all the support, love and strength you have given me over the past years. You are my rock, and my very own fortune!

I love you.

xox

August 24, 2016

Currently {11}


Thinking about: September. Yay! I will partake in two challenges that month. One will be part of Jon Acuff's 30-day of Hustle challenge {I'm excited about this because I need some butt kick to get back into a speedy gear!!}, and the other one will be health related and will last 90 days. The health one will be part of a group, and so far we are like 600+ participating in this. It'll be nice because when cooler temperatures arrive I tend to get more productive as well as lazy at the same time. Yes, both. So yes, I get to walk more because it won't be scorching hot anymore, but I will also love to stay inside more and wrap myself with a cozy blanket and drink hot cocoa. I want to find a healthy and happy middle. So stinking excited, and I cannot wait to see how these two challenges will benefit my life. Wish me luck!!

Listening: Not much lately. Music inspires me but lately I feel nothing musical makes me say "yeah, this is awesome and I want to hear more!". So what I'm listening to lately is Pandora, a random radio channel, or some older CDs from Europe...I won't give up on music {heck, no!!} but I am not particularly into anything at the moment. Fall will hopefully change this soon. 

Watching: This time of year doesn't have much on TV. I can't wait for fall TV to start again {hello, my lovely distracting shows!}, so I started rewatching shows like Brothers&Sisters, HIMYM, and Savannah. I also try to watch a few movies here and there. Nothing too exciting. 

Reading: Three different books. 3!! What was I thinking?! I normally don't do this. This month it is a bit different. Well, it's officially two and the third book I felt like was okay reading from time to time, when I feel like a mellow, softy novel will add some reading excitement to my life. After all, we know this year I am trying to get back into reading more. The books I am reading are The Third Wave, Start, as well as The New Girl. Hopefully I finish all of these by the time I'm writing up my reading challenge for you all. 

Loving: That September will be next week!!! HELLO! YES. I'm so over August. I love summer, don't get me wrong but this month has been dragging. I think mentally, my brain decided to take a step back and make me emotional again and I cannot stand that part of me. It's depressing. I want to be and feel happy. I'm healthy, I've got a great man in my life, two beautiful kittens...well, cats, and friends and family. So let me be okay...stupid stupid stupid brain...so I'm loving that September is around the corner.
Other than that, I'm in love with SteamSmart, Thieves cleaner, frozen yogurt, and homemade gluten free banana bread. Can't complain about that one, can I?!

Planning: A get together with cousins. B's cousins live close by, so we are trying to get together in a few weeks. Only thing we have to work on is to get time off. They are off on weekends, we works weekends. We can figure this out. Yes, we can. Also, since our anniversary is practically around the corner I am hoping we get to enjoy that day as well. 

Working on: Being a better person. I am a great person, don't get wrong. But I always try to be better, to be more helpful, to be more outgoing, to be more me. Over the past 18 months I have become a recluse. I am an introvert, and I love to be among like-minded people, it is hard for me to get these two sides of mine merged together. I need to find a way to better myself and to find a balance in everything I do. I need to be a better person, period. Here's to feeling and being better!! Woohoo! 

What have you currently been up to?!

August 22, 2016

Weekly Hopes {56}


I'm still around. I promise. Last week an unfortunate {or maybe fortunate} event turned into a road trip over the mountains to see family. It wasn't planned and although I am spontaneous this was too much for me. I guess my anxiety kicked in again and I felt overwhelmed. Needless to say stupid drivers on the road didn't help either. We made it, and have been away for a few days. Worst part will be when we return home. We forgot to take the trash out and accidentally left two bananas on the counter we wanted to eat on the road...great smelly home will await us for sure. Dreading this for sure. Other than that, it's nice to be away but I'm so ready to go home. Yup, I said it. 

Now for this week...my Weekly Hopes will consist of...

1 - Going home
2 - Getting the car serviced {recall fix time}
3 - Working on a few projects
4 - Updating my calendar for September
5 - Painting my nails...it's summer and I feel like pink
6 - Donate a few things again
7 - Get back into physical training as it is hard when not at home
8 - Be more productive and more social
9 - Apply some more
10 - Spend some time by the pool

See? It's a bit of a different list. I'm looking forward to going home. I miss my own place. I can pretend to be Phoebe or Rachel {Friends, anyone?} and walk around naked. Ha. Ok, maybe not, but being in your own home makes things so much easier. 

So wish me luck!!! This week will be challenging for me but it'll be good. Some challenges are needed in life, no?!

Happy Monday!!

xox

August 17, 2016

Books to read this fall season

Reading has always been one of my favorite things to do. Last year I literally lost interest. Life changed quite drastically and I had no desire to get lost in the written word. I felt alone, hopeless, sad, and confused. I wanted to change my mood and find books that inspire me again. Honestly it was tough. I'm still working on it, but what better time to approach this whole reading thing when fall is around the corner?! Yes yes! So I decided to create a list of books I think are perfect to read during this fall season. And what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon with a book and a hot cup of tea or chocolate?! 


I have had All the Light We Cannot See on my to-read list forever. It is about time I start reading it, isn't it?! It also won a Pulitzer Prize. I love those kind of books anyhow.

I read Me Before You in German. I liked the film, but I still prefer the book. So naturally I want to read After You. I know it is not going to be the same book, and the story won't be as heart-warming but I still know I'm going to enjoy it this fall.

Whenever I enter a bookstore I see Big Little Lies. I even saw it at Target and somehow it also ended up in my recommendation of books I should read. I think it is time. And I'm all about a novel about women and their lives, and I read it will become an HBO series in the future?! Hello, yes!!

In Twenty Years is a novel that confronts friends to face their past. I'm a sucker for stories like that. Plus, when temperatures drop and it slowly gets darker I want to hold a book that forces me to get lost in it and face my own past and how it has shaped the me today. Can't wait!

Family portraits. What can I say?! These are the books that keep me warm when temperatures drop or rain is about to show up. Everything I Never Told You will be all that, let me tell you. It will suck you in and I can't wait to not want to put this book down.

I have been waiting for this book for so long. My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry is a book I want to read because it will challenge me. I read books that go back and forth, and books that make me think, and I read books that are super abnormal and what not. Either way, this will be fun and I cannot wait!!

There's a few more books I'm interested in but these are my definite favorites. Hope I get to read them all this upcoming fall season. Wish me luck! Any books you would recommend to me?! Or any author you fancy? Let me know. I'm always open for suggestions.

xox

August 15, 2016

Weekly Hopes {55}



Blah. You guys, I got sick this weekend. I felt off Friday and Saturday but blamed the heat as we had temps in the 100s. Sunday it hit me. I woke up with a massive headache out of nowhere. This had never happened before and if I had a bottle of wine by myself. Not this time. I had no alcohol, and drank and ate plenty in general...but what on earth?! I literally woke up as if someone had walked on top of my head. It was massive and it wasn't fun. I spent all day in bed; slept it off and when awake I watched 1980's movies. From Teen Witch, and Big to When Harry Met Sally to Parenthood. I might have been a mess but I tried to make it enjoyable too. 

So this week I am hoping to accomplish as much as I did last week {because I did accomplish everything on my list!!}. Let's see what I am hoping to do this week...


1 - Get a massage in {new masseuse...so let's see if I enjoy her as much as I enjoy my regular lady}
2 - Trading in books so we get some $$ back
3 - Exercise more {I did slight workouts last week but then the "sickness" kicked in}
4 - Feeling healthier
5 - Making reservations for our anniversary dinner {staying in town this year}
6 - Dreaming of cute fall decoration
7 - Hoping for cooler temps because, hello, 108 is no fun temperature
8 - Finding two things each day that make me happy! Two!!!

See? My list doesn't have to be ten things. This week my Weekly Hopes consists of eight simple and achievable things. The cooler temps is a dream because that won't be happening unless the weather God up there reads my blog. I mean, I am all for warm summer weather. I love it. But when it's over 100 for about two weeks straight and not just a day or two here and there it gets annoying and very boring. Anything else on my list is definitely doable so wish me luck.

How's your weekend been?
Hope your ready for what this week has in store!

xox

August 10, 2016

Easy Hash Brown Frittata



Finding happiness has so many layers and comes in so many shapes. For me, food is one way to make me happy. I don't mean I am stuffing myself with thousands of different flavors. This would be nice but at the same time also very unhealthy. Food gives me pleasure. Food gives me idea. I love food, and when I discover a new recipe or find two recipes and combine them to make my own creation I am the happiest girl alive. Last week I tried something new. I have been emptying our fridge and freezer lately {and pantry of course}, so naturally I wanted to create a new dish for our household with ingredients we already had handy. 

This hash brown frittata is so easy to make and can be used as a breakfast dish or lunch or dinner. Brinner has become so popular these days, so why not use this fun hash brown dish for dinner as well?! We certainly did and loved it.

Here's what you need:
  • 1 pound hash browns
  • 1 tsp salt & pepper & paprika
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/3 cup whole milk {or regular} or heavy cream
  • 6 sliced bacon {I used 8}
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped {I have the pre-chopped one ready in the fridge, yes I'm lazy}


Here's what you do:
  • Preheat over to 350F
  • Season hash brown with salt, pepper and paprika in a medium sized bowl. Toss it so all is well distributed.
  • In a medium skillet cook the bacon, and set it aside. Remove excess fat from pan.
  • Heat oil in the same skillet. 
  • Spread the hash browns in the skillet so the entire pan in covered in hash browns.
  • Cook hash browns for about 7 minutes on medium. The bottom should become crusty.
  • In a medium bowl whisk the eggs, milk, chopped bacon and cheddar cheese together.
  • Pour mixture onto the hash browns in the pan. Spread evenly.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and eggs are cooked through.
  • Sprinkle with chives and serve.


Add ketchup or hot sauce for an extra kick, but is absolutely optional. 

This hash brown frittata is so simple. Best part is that only one pan is used, and one bowl. Less dishes, less clean up and less stress. YAY. Will definitely make this again.

What have you been cooking lately!!??

xox

August 8, 2016

Weekly Hopes {54}


Weekend is finally over. Lately I am not into weekends. I was supposed to attend a Bridal Shower this weekend and couldn't go due to distance. What I ended up doing was cleaning my closet, reorganizing everything, tossing some items and putting other items in good shape away into a donation bag. My closet feels cleaner, fresher, and more put-together. Yay. Oh and I watched a ton of TV. Oops!!! Though I pretty much accomplished most of my Weekly Hopes from last week; it sure feels amazing!

Now for this week...I feel more me, and I feel more determined to change a few things here and there. Hopefully I get to enjoy a perfect week again. Weekly Hopes here I come...wish me luck!

1) Connect more with people 
2) Be more confident
3) Wear more dresses
4) Cook something new without going to the grocery store {challenge accepted!!}
5) Refill my roller bottles so we are prepared for back to school days
6) Trim my fur ladies' nails
7) Send my man to the hair dresser
8) Create my own meat marinade
9) Possible last day trip together for a while
10) Take more photos

This week I want to focus specifically on me. I always do but this week I want to make myself feel better, I want to feel and act more confident, I want to find happiness in every single moment. For months I have been trying to find happiness and I have, I really have. Yet there are times I feel I lose that happiness at times. It may just be a setback in whatever I do and then the day is ruined and my goal to find happiness for that day is gone. Poof, just like that. So, this week I want to face that fear and face those setbacks {if any} and kick some butt. Ha!!!!

Here's to a great week and accomplishing my hopes and my dreams I have for this week.
What are yours?! Anything in particular?!!

Let me know.

xox


August 5, 2016

Seven Ideas to Declutter Again

Seven months ago I talked about what you could or probably should do to declutter your wardrobe and home at the same time. The list ranged from specific hangers, to plastic utensils, and to electronic devices that are no longer used or broken. Back then I listed 50 things but honestly there is always more you can get rid of. Always. Granted, it takes time and it is not always fun to dedicate a day or two {or more} to clean out a specific room or the entire house. BUT it is so worth it!!

Today, I'm reminding us all that it is time again to look at our homes. How much have we accumulated over the past few months?! How many more items did we purchase? Have we used them at least five times since then? If not, think back, was the purchase really necessary?! Have we gotten rid of unused, unloved, triple jeans/t-shirt stacks we never touch?! 

I'm not here to preach, believe me. B and I often talk about it. He wanted to get something last week and I was against it. Not only do we not need it, I know we will never ever use it. I know I won't. Last week wasn't the only time he came up with some item that needs to be part of our household. Oh man, he sometimes thinks machines can solve the world. Don't get me wrong, when something helps me work faster and it makes, let's say, cooking easier I am all for it. Hello crock pot, or a fabulous mixer. All for it. Yet, do I really need an automatic can opener that needs to be plugged in, when I have a wonderful hand-held one already available working perfectly?! NOPE. Do I need a spaghetti maker machine? Absolutely NOT. My coffee maker is old and needs to be replaced, yes, but it is still working and until it stops working the replacement can wait. But I'd rather have a new coffee machine than those two other items. What B doesn't realize is 1) I'd rather save the money or spend it on something else, like a nice dinner or a bottle of wine {ha!} and 2) We don't have the space for any new item. And this is what brings me back to today's post...more detailed decluttering!


Are you still with me?! I hope so! Why? Because this shows dedication and curiosity. Also, it is probably a sign your home is as messy as mine and you are in desperate need for a quick clean-up. So let's get started!

1. Line up all your shoes {winter, summer, heels, what not}, count them, and put those pairs away you have not worn in one full year. Those, you donate if in excellent condition or try to get some money for thanks to thred up, or toss if in bad shape.

2. Go through all mail you put away {wherever that is}...do you really truly absolutely need to keep a birthday card from 2004?

3. Look into your medicine cabinet. Toss away expired items. No need to be sad. Toss it all away!

4. Line up every single beauty and body product you have. What is unopened goes nicely organized back into a cabinet. Everything that has been opened and used at least once stays outside and will be used. NO MORE SHOPPING FOR NEW SHAMPOO OR EYELINER OR WHAT NOT until you used everything else up. Do you really need five different shampoos? Or ten different lipsticks, two of which you haven't touched in the past year?! Or 40 different nail polish bottles, ten of which are already so crusty there is no way they will look good on any of your nails?! NOPE. Use now or toss right away.

5. Schoolbooks...you might have kept the ones for your major. Makes absolute sense, hello, same here! Have you touched them since you graduated? Never?! I don't know about you, but B has over 14 biology books. Granted most of them are different but some are the same exact ones just a different cover and edition...I made him toss the very very old versions because not only are those books heavy, they take up a ton of space and he hasn't touched them in years. It hurt to toss them but he felt relieved afterwards. Or find a way to get sell them to a company. Someone can always use a used book.

6. Go through your pantry/freezer and fridge and make a list of what you have {opened and closed products, include all produce too}. Create a meal plan for at least one full week with what you have in stock, with you at home. Oh and do not grocery shop!!! Unless you need milk and will run out of it tomorrow. Scared?! Don't be. It's actually nice to create new dishes {or old ones} with food you already have. Use them up, empty your uber full pantry, and make room for new products. It shocked me when I did this month ago. Saved me a ton of money too. Nothing got thrown away {I was lucky nothing was expired}, and I enjoyed seeing a more organized and fresh looking pantry!! Use what you have!!!

7. Challenge yourself to do less laundry! Wait what?! YES. Here's what I want you to do...count your underwear! Yes, you read right. Count it. Do you have more than 14? So you're good to go without doing any laundry for two full weeks. WHAT?! Yes. Think about it. You change your underwear once a day {assuming this as a normality}, and you probably have more than one pair of PJs, and probably more than one pair of work pants, home/lounge wear, casual T-shirts, and blouses. Right?! I'm right, aren't I? When I announced to B that I was planning on doing laundry every two weeks he was absolutely against it. My question to him was Why?! You've got plenty of underwear for over two weeks, you've got a massive load of socks, work shorts and shirts, as well as regular shorts and shirts. Besides, if I wash every week the same clothes will be worn over and over again and the rest will not be touched. Plus, every garment will be valued. End result? He realized I was right {women are always right, right?!}. We have plenty of towels and sheets too so no need to worry about those as well. This little laundry challenge helped us wear clothes we would probably not have touched or worn, and would have donated.
*of couse, if you have children this challenge will be interesting but there's a way it may work as well because your children probably have more than two shirts and pants and pjs as well.

Here you go...seven ideas on how to declutter again. You have to do this more than just once in your life or a year. Yes. I go through my clothes a lot. Probably once a month. I'm also getting older. I don't need clothes from when I was 20, or 25. It's time to let go. Plus, styles change; bodies change, too. Letting go of the past {clothes, food, mail, shoes included} is cleansing. It helps rejuvenate the soul. Sounds ridiculous but is so true. Also, it helps find pleasure in exploring new styles and items. Thanks to StitchFix I can do this. If you haven't heard of StitchFix, you're truly missing out! Plus, having plenty of room for a new item or two {or three} is always an exciting moment, isn't it?! *more on StitchFix soon {because I use their items more than I do anything else...it is definitely time to declutter my closet again}.

What have you done so far to make your life less chaotic? Have you gotten rid of clutter and if so, what was it and how long has it taken you?!

xoxo

August 2, 2016

Hope becomes Love


“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” 

- Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist

*****

Today I decided to do something different. I wanted to share a recipe with you. I wanted to share with you what I got rid of and how I created my summer drink. I stopped, deleted most of my drafts and focused on the NOW. Well, August started out well and the first day ended with lots of question marks. One of my lovely blog friends, a gal whose sass, awesomeness and love for her family and life is beyond explainable, was expecting her fourth child. She was stinking excited and ready to welcome her little one. Well, life sometimes draws a line and says not today...and for her, well, labor wasn't easy and delivery wasn't easy either. Her little girl, healthy and so cute, got delivered by an emergency c-section and there were some complications. She's now in a medically induced coma and although she's stable...to me, a coma does not sound stable. At the same time, another friend of mine gave birth to a baby boy. Her photos and smile and what not made me happy yet sad, knowing someone was off dreaming at the moment fighting an infection and fighting to wake up.

In the mean time there's a GoFundMe page for anyone who is willing to help her family out. Who knows how long her recovery is going to take, let alone the endless bills. She's got awesome children waiting for momma to be momma again, and a devoted loving husband who's taken extra shifts to provide for the family. Every dollar counts. It's not so much the amount one donates, it's the meaning behind that dollar. I thought I'd let people know here. Her blog is ongoing, as she has scheduled her posts but this she certainly did not see coming. No one ever does.

That being said...life is precious, life is wonderful and also short. Last year I learned how quickly things can change. Today, again, I am reminded of this beautiful life and how fragile we all are. I am hopeful. Hope has always kept me going, and hope remains strong. And where there is hope, there is love! And love is even stronger than hope! So Coehlo was right when he wrote that when we love, everything around us becomes better as well. It does. 

Hope becomes Love!

Don't you ever forget and lose hope! Hope is essential to our happiness!!

xox

August 1, 2016

Weekly Hopes {53}


Happy Birthday Switzerland!!!!
Yes, August 1 is Switzerland's National Holiday...just like July 4 for the US, July 14 for France or any other day for any other country on this beautiful planet. So yes, happy birthday Switzerland! 

Last weeks Weekly Hope was quite successful. I don't go back and cross out the things I accomplished, but let me tell you, I pretty much accomplished every single thing I listed. Well,  my physical therapy...that one didn't work as well as I hoped but I tried and that is all I needed to do. If you don't even try what's the point of it all?!

Hope your weekend went well and you got to spend it either with family or friends or by yourself on the couch or out and about living it up to make great memories. My weekend was okay. I spent it at home, working, cleaning, and relaxing. We had scorching temperatures so being out after 11am wasn't logical, and if I found myself out after 12pm I wasn't the happiest because nothing is fun when it is 110 degrees!! With that in mind...here's my Weekly Hopes for this week...

1 - Cooler temps
2 - Chiro adjustment
3 - Making and using my homemade mosquito repellent spray
4 - Send out happy mail
5 - Cleaning our patio and entrance
6 - Cook a new dish {breakfast for dinner? Anyone?}
7 - Clean out my iPhone, iPad and computer {delete photos, videos I have long saved somewhere else}
8 - Learn more about my beloved Essential Oils
9 - Make my own handsoap {way cheaper!}
10 - Sing and dance more

What are your Weekly Hopes this week?
May August start beautifully for you...this is a new month so make it a great month!

xox

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...