Update on moi

How on earth has it almost been a month since my last post? 

"Time flies" is such a cliche sentence...but is definitely true! I have to admit, blogging has become more difficult in the past year. As you know it's always been my platform to express myself, to share my story, to be me. I still want it to be all that and much more. This is when my inconsistency comes in. Sometimes my life needs inconsistency, because without it it wouldn't be me. I wouldn't be true to myself. So here I am, writing inconsistently and not happy about it...but alas...that is life!

So what have I been up to??
Living life. Simple as that. Being a housewife, cleaning, cooking, organizing, paying bills, working out, you know the usual...oh, and cuddling my two cats...educating myself on essential oils and teaching about them {and that is my small business if you were wondering}, keeping it all together, house hunting, taking photos, and planning our future vacation!! It's all things life related. Boring, I know. Busy for sure.

Also, as of yesterday we are a bit worried about my husband's grandfather. He spent Christmas with us but has not been doing well in the past four days so things got a bit weird around here and filled with worry. Then again, I am not worried. I have no heart. It is time, and he will leave us eventually. I think I look at things differently since my mom's passing. I show no emotions. Also, he's 94 so it is okay. He's lived a fulfilled life, worked hard and did excellent work in his field, so if and when he goes it will be okay. He'll be reunited with the love of his life and can hang with my mom; she'd then know more about my man from him. Best source ever. Yup, morbid. Yet, that is how I see it.

Until I have more updates and stories to share...if you want to follow along on what I am doing you can easily find me on Instagram, or Pinterest {links available to the right!}. I am definitely trying to engage and entertain everyone on those platforms for sure. 

xox

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

Istanbul

And yes that is a cart with fresh parsley in it...want some?!

Years ago I wrote posts about my beloved and favorite city Istanbul. Without fully looking at them or editing them I chose to share those two posts with you. Reason is I am still in Istanbul enjoying a fabulous longer weekend celebrating my cousin's most precious day. Also, my soul is probably healing better and easier. Plus, I hope you had a great weekend celebrating the 4th of July...that is if you are in the US or in general celebrating. So I wasn't planning on going online often or writing much.

If you know me you know how I feel about Istanbul. This city is awesome, very different from what you would think or assume, and holds a very special place in my heart. Unfortunately, this trip is bittersweet to me. Mom is no longer with me and I would have loved to do this trip with her, but I know she is here with me in spirit. We will honor her and her own unique love for Istanbul as well.

So without further ado...here are a few posts I wrote about Istanbul...oldies {you will see my poor picture choosing qualities...but hey, it is fun to look back at those. That is also why I chose those old ones and chose not to edit a thing}.

My way of looking at it 

My other way of looking at it

Another lovely post about Istanbul

And yet another one {last one I promise}

Why Ashley hates me

Enjoy reading it all...I will be back with photos or updates in general. I have to get back into this regular life of mine. People change once they lose someone or experience a loss but I know that this is okay. I am accepting this change and change is good. Change is always good!!!

Miss you all.

xoxo

No Soda Food Challenge Update

Do I really need to say it? It's an easy challenge. I don't get tempted, save a ton and my teeth love me again. The only time I had to take a sip or two of coca cola was when I felt nauseous one day. I think it was because I didn't eat that day and was a total stressed out wreck ball. Those sips helped me not to faint that day. Plus, yes, I ate something afterwards. 

No soda is absolutely no problem for me. Also, not drinking soda or sweetened anything made me noticed that my favorite person is also not drinking as much. I asked him to do this month's challenge with me but his heart is set; he's in love with his bubbly drinks. Ha! At least he drinks less than before, so that's a start, no?!

Oh, and if you were wondering...yes, I have noticed that my pants are not as tight anymore as they used to be a few months ago. I thought I'd let you know. Some of you were like "why are you doing this?", and "crazy idea, you won't see results". Well, I may not have lost 20 pounds {I'd be a little underweight if I did, just saying} but I have noticed an inch or even two of looser pants and somewhat a lighter feeling. I have to say I am pleased. I didn't start this challenge to lose a ton of weight but to see how my body feels each month, and how I can change my diet towards being healthier. Also, this whole challenge has helped me appreciate certain foods more after I introduced them back into my diet. You are what you eat, and I still strongly believe in that.

Two more weeks of no soda...and I know I won't fully go back once this month's challenge is over.

xoxo

Mother and Daughter

{via}

Thank you so much for all the love and happy, positive thoughts and prayers. My mom's surgery went well and she was recovering for the next couple of days in the ICU. Since yesterday afternoon she is in her own room getting stronger day by day. Considering she is not a young spring chicken anymore, she is a very strong and powerful woman. She's my hero.

I went through an extreme time with unsure tornado-like thoughts making it impossible for me to think clearly. I cried every day. I felt alone. I felt lost. I was close to booking a flight home just to sit in the waiting area. Yet, it would not have made much sense. After such a difficult surgery all one needs is rest. Lots of rest. So I would have flown over for nothing. Literally. Okay, I would have probably cleaned her place, and taken care of laundry and bills {which have been taken care of by her best friend}, but I would not have had a chance to be close to her. So, in a way it's good I didn't fly over. 

My mom even told me not to do it. She said she'd rather see me once she's back home, 90% healed and ready to slowly live life by herself again. She will spend this week in the hospital, and then move to a recovery facility for about one month as far as I know. After that she will be able to go home if the doctors allow it {I am sure they will}. I am planning on visiting her in June and July. Alone. Yes, my favorite person will stay behind, studying his butt off while I will take care of my mom. It will be challenging but part of a cycle everyone somehow at some point in life {sooner or later} has to go through. I have mixed feelings but I know it will all be good. It's life, and life happens every single second. We don't say "every second counts" for nothing.

As a daughter, I am proud of my mom. I am sorry she had to go through this right now at her age. However, it's her life. She will get through this, and heal perfectly. She is stronger than she thinks. I just know it. I learned my lesson through her and her health. I am living a healthier life, and making sure I take care of myself. I have to. I just must. In a way, I believe, the choices I have made in my life are based on how I grew up, and how I saw my mom and family live {healthy or not}. No wonder I chose to work on a food challenge this first half of the year. Living healthy, and feeling better is a major goal of mine. Always has been, always will be!

xoxo

P.s. Update: my mom's surgery was a crucial one; also, it all turned out to be related to a medication she was given 20 years ago to stabilize her stomach issues. It's crazy to think that a simple medication trying to help you in one area may actually cause a whole other issue in another area over time. Insane. Hearing this scared me but it also opened up eyes. Again, I learned my lesson. I also know why I am a strong believer in "you are what you eat and how you live". Everything is always connected. 

No Dairy Food Challenge Update

Ten {okay, maybe 13} more days and this month's food challenge will be over. I am having the hardest time this month and I cannot wait until it is over. Finally. I have been a good girl though. I have to admit there were a few instances where I failed; I realized too late and ate something with dairy. Oops. Then again, I chose to do this challenge to see if I am strong enough, and I didn't do this because of health issues. Failing is okay. I am a human being after all. A human being loving her cheese apparently.  It is not the end of the world. 

What I have learned is that vanilla almond milk definitely saved my life. Yes, the sweetened one. It is not my favorite but it does its job well. However, almond milk with my gluten free cinnamon flavored cereal is downright disgusting. I cannot explain how awful it is. So, I switched to eating more gluten free bread with different toppings for breakfast. Also I made gf oatmeal with water or almond milk, cooked up eggs and hash browns and ate a ton of fruits for breakfast. Smoothies were fun too, and I have to say I like smoothies with vanilla almond milk.  I learned to be more creative in the morning that is for sure.

As far as the rest of the day goes...well, I made sure none of the dishes I had planned for the month had or still have any dairy in them. If they did I would either eliminate it {at least for me, and make another batch for the man of the house} or change the menu. I am making zucchini boats tomorrow and technically it asks for cheese, but I have bread crumbs and that will be just fine. It worked for my stuffed mushrooms I made two nights ago. Also, by eliminating dairy calcium and certain protein are missing. I googled, pinterested, and what not...and well, learned that it's easy to find substitutes that work {for me}. If you are a picky eater this may not work for you though. Here's what helped me out what to incorporate more into our March Diet {thank you, Pinterest}:

I have eaten a ton of spinach, broccoli, romaine, mushrooms, quinoa, avocados, kale, onions, almonds, and what not. I love it all. Making my morning smoothie with fresh spinach was so much fun.

Now, if you were wondering if I felt anything different when it comes to, you know, using the daily bathroom ritual...well, let's just say in the beginning my stomach was pissed off. It reminded me to when I had to go gluten free. Oh man, my favorite word was constipation. And then, after about two weeks {yes, right about now} it all went back to normal. Changing a diet, or just challenging your body to adjust to something new or different for a while is definitely interesting and will always add some sort of challenge to the digestion routine as well. That is how far I go with this topic. Ha!

Ten more days. I can do this. I am so sick and tired of this month...this challenge really got on my nerves {yes, even with my spinach smoothies}. It is interesting to see me and my body go through this. Knowing I can do this gives me personal strength. Never thought I could do this but oh my I have become stronger and more determined for sure.

"Ten" more days!

xoxo

image via here

No Alcohol Food Challenge Update

As you know I am doing a food challenge for the first six months of this year. January I gave up sweets, and this month I am giving up alcohol. I like these kind of challenges because they give me a chance to better myself and to live healthier. Giving up sweets was an interesting experience and giving up alcohol is an even better experience. It is not difficult but it is still challenging. You know, on date night we are just drinking water or sweet tea. A glass of my favorite red wine would be just perfect. Either way, I am doing great so far and even though I do miss a drop or two of my favorite wine I am not having a hard time. I have to say though that my consumption of sweets or sweeter drinks has increased; just water and tea was boring over time. 

The biggest challenge has yet to come. I will be giving up dairy next month and I believe this will be difficult. I am currently researching breakfast options to keep me going throughout the day, and believe me or not it is not as easy as I thought. The Internet is a vast place and it helps tremendously. I have found a few options and I know what I can eat or substitute or change. Giving up sweets and giving up alcohol was one thing but next month will be very interesting.

I am almost done with this month and I cannot wait to go out on a date and enjoy a glass of red wine with my favorite person. Almost done. Almost done. Almost done. YES.

Any suggestions for me for next month are greatly appreciated. Nutella bread was one option, and lots of lots of fruit and granola only. Yet this can be boring after about a week, so I need to spice it up.  So, if you know of a few fun substitutes please let me know! Thank you.

Hope you are having a great Monday!
Cannot believe this month is halfway through already, time sure flies.

xoxo

images via here and here

No Sweets Food Challenge Update

Remember my monthly food challenge? {you can read about it here}. I thought today, mid-month, would be a great idea to share an update...progress if you will. I am "only" giving up sweets, and not just sugar by itself. So, no candy, gum, cookies, cake, cupcakes, you get the picture. This is definitely not a difficult task. It is doable. My gluten intolerance helps me with this challenge. I cannot eat regular cookies or cake or what not anyways, so if I crave these I need to pay some extra money and visit different grocery stores or even cities to get my sweet tooth in line. YET, my body still longs for some sweet stuff; even after two weeks.

How to handle those cravings? Simple. Just find healthier snacks and desserts. I had to get creative and research a little but it all worked out.

Whenever I feel like I need a cookie, or see my favorite person snack on sweet stuff {he's so skinny I wonder how he does that?!} I started taking a handful of cranberries, almonds, grapes, or even raisins. If I had vegetables at hand, I'd chew on those during the day. This wouldn't work for a dessert though but that is then when the cranberries or pomegranate seeds came in and some yogurt. I was in heaven. Also, since this month is a no sweets month and not necessarily a no sugar month {that will happen in June} I added honey to my granny smith apples, or just added it to my teas. Also, cinnamon, banana and some milk helped me ease my cravings for sweet stuff.

Two more weeks and my month of no sweets will be over. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

images via livestrong and deliciously sprinkled

Cozy Afternoons by the fire

 “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”
  - Charles Dickens

*****

We survived Christmas! AND it was slightly white. Yay!
Best part of our trip to see the in-laws was that we could relax, cuddle with the doggies, and just enjoy cozy moments by the fire. Literally. Also, I got everyone winter socks {I am a dork, I know} so it was quite fun to see everyone walk around with matching socks. We had a great holiday time.

I did miss my mother and my Swiss friends but other than that we had a fabulous time, exchanged gifts and surprised each other with laughter and lots of humor. Charles Dickens knew what he wrote about.

Hope your Christmas was filled with love and laughter, and if you were celebrating Hanukkah then I hope you equally enjoyed your holiday time. We all deserved it!!

Here's to relaxing over the weekend and recharging before this year ends. We will quietly spend New Year's Eve at one of our favorite restaurants in town while celebrating our four-month anniversary. Very excited about it.

Have a great day!

image via flickr

Birthday Recap

One month later I can finally share a few of my favorite photos from my Birthday Weekend with you. My birthday was early June but we had to celebrate a little earlier than that, because on my birthday my favorite person and I moved from the LA/OC area to Sacramento. I promised myself and my friends that we would celebrate together - beach, restaurant, movies, brunch...whatever it would be, we would get together and do something; and we did. 

I baked my own gluten free cake. It was a vanilla one, with butter cream frosting. I wanted to order my gf cake from a bakery that makes great gf cakes but to be honest I didn't feel like spending $40 for a cake that will be eaten in a few minutes. So, I baked it myself and spent less than ten dollars. We even gave a slice to our fabulous waiter at Mozambique. We enjoyed a great dinner, fun conversations and just had a blast.

Here's a few more photos...cannot believe it's been over a month ago. I miss SoCal greatly. 

My girlfriends and I went to see Maleficent at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. My bestie, Sierra, drove all the way from Arizona to celebrate with me - and of course her cute little fur baby came along as well.  We also went to the beach, got manicures/pedicures and just enjoyed a fun fun Birthday Week! Cannot complain. Loved spending it with dear friends!

We went bowling, walked down and up about 300 steps to the beach (each way), had a few cocktails overlooking the ocean, ate Sushi at our favorite restaurant, drove and walked through our towns and said our see-you's!!! The weather was perfect, the atmosphere was great...just the thought that I will be leaving was a little saddening. However, we overcame that and now, one month later I am planning a trip down to Orange County. Never thought I would miss it so much, but I am determined to make life beautiful up here - at least, we don't have traffic issues up here. I overheard people complain about it here, and thought they were funny...the lanes are practically empty even during rush hour. Hahaha!

Excuse my hair, outfit, and all...but that's the last photo we took at the old place...I was ready to move especially since I was holding my swiffer!!! Caution!!! :)

Linking up with Monday Morning Gossip with Leeann and Kimberlee.

Have a fantastic start into this new week!

xoxo

The Time I (Almost) Lost My Patience

Hi my lovely readers,

I am back; at least for today. Bear with me. Thank you.
****

Before I tell you the story I'd like to point out that I am typing this from an open wifi connection I found on our property (given by our apartment community yet not necessarily with the best connection hence my non existing posts and comments). Also, I would like to point out that I handled it all sooooo very well.

May 23 I graduated and celebrated with close friends. I was also packing my belongings because I was soon about to move over 600 miles north to Sacramento. May 28 is when my big birthday weekend took place. Initially I wanted to invite people and get together but then thought - due to my move, my life changing decision to move in with my favorite person, and the apparent truth that I won't be seeing my mom and friends over the summer - it was better to keep the partying short, simple and only with close close friends. Also, if it would have been a big number to celebrate maybe I would have reconsidered.

Anyways, my birthday weekend was more like a week. We saw Maleficent at El Capitan, and let me tell you (and I'm sure I am so behind on this)...it was an amazing film. Angelina Jolie's performance was perfect and I am so glad my girls and I went out and saw it opening night! We also went out for lunches, dinners, cocktails (thank you Rooftop Lounge in Laguna Beach), brunches, bowling, movies and had a bitter sweet ending to it all.

It was a busy pre-Birthday combined with graduation, moving away, and happy future celebration...busy busy.

{via}

On my birthday I moved. Well, we moved.

It wasn't my favorite thing to do because not only did it involve driving 7-8 hours (waking up at 3 and leaving before 4am to not hit traffic with a trailer behind us) but it also involved moving furniture, realizing that I no longer was in a place with familiar stores and plazas, and that my life will be different.

I am so glad I had guest bloggers helping me out during this time.

I'd like to thank each and every contributor for their posts and appreciate their help.
Plus, I enjoyed reading the posts...so if you haven't read them yet, please hop on over and check out 

Monic's posts here & here

Sierra's post here

Leeann's post here

Marjan's post here

Mree's post here

Every move involves some kind of hardship. Not only is it a new place, but in our case also a new city/area and we had and still have to get used to it all. Things need to get organized, changed, and we need time to settle in...etc etc. Everything worked out well BUT the internet and TV connection. As of right now, we are still not having either installed, and the way it looks it may never happen. They called and said tomorrow between 10-12 but I only believe it when I see a channel finally flickering on our TV and me using my laptop from somewhere in our apartment. Only then can I breathe and smile again. Kidding, I'm breathing and smiling but not having tv and internet for an entire month can be frustrating. I never thought it would feel this bad but yes it is. 

The only company that works in our area has the most impossible and seriously worst customer service. They have an issue. Literally. Today marks week four going into five of an hopeful installation. Again, I only believe it when I see it. I mean, wtf?!?????

Not only did we miss out on tv (yes redbox and our DVDs helped a little), we also missed out on the internet. The hotspot thing on our phones only does little work, and I wasn't willing to walk 30 minutes to Starbucks to get free wifi (if working) just to check mails, update everything, and apply for jobs. I was devastated. Also I lost touch with the outer world. Hahahahaha!! My mom sent me updates on soccer scores, and occasional other news. My phone was too small to check news, updates or read blogs; let alone apply so I can finally earn some $$$$$.


Last week I hit my low point. I was ready to go off in flames. Explode. This weekend I wrote and orally practiced (yes yes! - I am a nerd) a whole written speech and statement to this company. I am going to (again) complain about the poor and unprofessional service we have been dealing with and given. I want compensation. If they come in tomorrow (yes if) and it all gets installed I will be surprised. If they show up tomorrow, and still have the nerve to charge us something for this month my patience will be gone. Let me rephrase, no matter where you live and read this you will hear me scream!!!!!

I have patience. I have real strong patience. I could have exploded the first week, or the second or the third. But I did not. Today? My patience is gone. I'm holding off from exploding. I handled it well so far but truth be told, I can't hold it in any longer. I'm done. If need be I'm working my butt off to talk to the founder of this unprofessional company or someone wayyyyy up there because I do not tolerate any more waiting. I simply do not. Not fair to us, not fair to friends, family, and holy cow, not fair to any future prospective customer of theirs. 

So my lovely readers...have I lost you?
I probably have. I needed to vent, I needed to share and most importantly I needed to reconnect. Well, still do.

If I still have your attention I thank you.
My regular posts will be up soon again...once our month-long dilemma of no internet will be resolved. In the meantime, stop by Instagram or Twitter...and keep in touch.

Miss you all,

xoxo