Monday, February 6, 2017

Right In Front Of Your Eyes #MyPostMonday + The Week's Best Original Content


 Do you ever do the coulda' woulda' shoulda' game? Not a smart idea to do for very long. But sometimes I do occasionally indulge in a bit of 'What if' reminiscing. 

For instance I wish that I had treated my two grandmas so much better. Not that I treated them badly at all, but I wish I had written them more letters, and shown them more consideration and honor. They were such wonderful women, whom I loved dearly. If I had known that they wouldn't be with me forever here on this earth, I might have gleaned more of their wisdom, spent more time sitting at their knees, and taken their words more to heart than I did. 

If I had known that my boys would have turned out to be such amazing young men, and that I really had such a limited time to be with them, as it turned out, would I have spent so much time trying to improve them, mold them into what I thought they should be, disciplining them, and most regretfully, raising my voice at them? Honestly, I would have spent much more time just laughing with them, and admiring their individual characteristics and God-given traits. I am lucky that now I can still spend time with them on occasion and I can do better by them than I did my own grandmas because I know that I won't always have those moments to enjoy. 

And of course there is my own husband. Wow, we've been through a lot of ups and downs. With my own baggage from a previous marriage, along with his own previous marriage, and our own individual childhood upbringings that occasionally don't mesh, especially when it comes to dealing with kids and our family. But I do love him after all of it, and there is still a long way to go. In him is the ticket to every bit of happiness that I'd ever want. He's kind to me, kind to my aging father, and kind to my boys. He brings me nice gifts (my love language), thinks I'm pretty, and compliments me enough to make me blush. And there are more and more times of just peaceful contentment between us! What's not to look forward to and appreciate now? 

I think that I've learned enough from the past to know that the very best things in life have been right in front of me all along. I just needed to see it!
Image - Jami Bollshweiler Photography

Saturday, February 4, 2017

I Changed My Philosophy About Being In The Sun!

Whew, we got through January and I've changed my philosophy about being out in the sun. I guess I got a little paranoid for awhile, with all of the warnings, articles, and hype about the dangers of getting too much sun. Skin cancer and wrinkles are not my favorites. I have been known to avoid being in the sun, going outside only in the early mornings or evenings. I kind of hate sunscreen because it is so greasy and shiny-looking. My husband is always telling me to blend in a bit of errant sunscreen here or there on my face when I have it on and we're out. I felt that rather than slather on the sunscreen I would try to avoid going outside in the middle of the day. Then I read something that gave me pause.
If I am to understand it right, the sun is responsible for the health of your heart. It is what changes the water you drink into a more energizing substance that can then help the blood flow upwards into the extremities of the circulatory system. It's not the heart alone that keeps the blood rushing through your body. It's also solar energy! If you keep yourself isolated inside, you won't get the life enriching benefit of that special function. Not to mention, the assimilation and production of Vitamin D, which is also a vital nutrient found to be very depleted during the snowy winters of most of the Western and Eastern States, barring just a few lucky states such as Florida, California and Arizona.

I received product for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own!
Also, being in the sun alleviates Seasonal Affective Disorder, can help prevent the onset of diabetes, helps prevent MS, helps you lose weight because the higher levels of sun- induced serotonin decreases the appetite, boosts the immune system, helps skin conditions, and gives you more energy! 

But the main reason I've changed my philosophy about being out in the sun? Winter. Yes, just winter. It has kicked my butt, these last 2 months. December and January have done it. It has been so snowy and cold. Give me the sun already! So, while I am still cautious about over-exposing myself to damaging ultra-violet and gamma red rays, I am determined to be out more often in the sun by wearing good sunglasses, sensible sunscreen, and limiting my time spans in direct sunlight.

Del Sol is here to motivate us to be in the sun! Their amazing color changing clothing and accessories are the perfect incentive! The clothing is great indoors, but when those same threads go outdoors, they burst with color! What a great Valentine Gift to give to anyone who is tired of winter and ready for spring! It's perfect! Here I am in a Del Sol Star Wars shirt from last summer. Notice how I am shading my face from the sun! Ha Ha!
Check out their Valentine's Day Items and Marvel Items! They also have amazing color-changing sunglasses, nail polish and now gel appliques! You'll love it all!!!




Monday, January 23, 2017

Perspective Gained From Others' Quest For Freedom + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

This site uses affiliate and non-affiliate links for reference purposes. Thank you for your readership and support!
This past weekend I read an amazing book called The Girl With Seven Names: A North Korean Defector's Story by Hyeonseo Lee. It was fascinating and I couldn't put it down!   We can learn a lot from North Korean defectors. From childhood they are lied to, made to believe they have no choice, are made to be afraid, to not ask questions, told to betray their neighbors and friends, and watch public executions for things like complaining about rations, not dressing like the rest of the citizenry, or consuming foreign literature, entertainment, and music. They are taught that the Kim regime is all-knowing and beneficent. Religion and free-thinking are absolutely not allowed.
Some of them are actually brave enough use logic and reason to form different opinions than what they are indoctrinated with, and dare to think there is something else out there. Most of these "truth-seekers" go through extreme risk and hardship in order to defect to neighboring countries like South Korea, China, Taiwan, Laos, etc. If they do succeed, they find such a stark contrast, compared to the fictitious things that were fed to them. They realize that their country is 3rd world compared to the neighboring countries and that their supposedly mighty military power is weak at best. They certainly didn't conquer South Korea or China, as they were told. Nor are the Americans and other Westerners savages that kill children in the streets.
When many of the defectors first come into their host countries after many hardships, their problems aren't over. They have adjustment problems. They are usually very suspicious, vindictive, ready to fight and rat out their fellow citizens. They are hesitant to help another human being. It's what the regime has turned them into! It takes patience and a period of tutelage to help the new immigrants to adjust. Thus, the journey to one's freedom is more than mere distance!
Image - kw Wood

Monday, January 16, 2017

Creating Peace and Serenity + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

There is nothing as peaceful to me as quiet snow falling around a tiny little cabin, warmed by a fire, with a cup of something hot to sip on. I'm sure it stems from the vacations my family took when I was small. We stayed in a tiny cabin for a few weeks every summer in Montana, and it was magical for me! To languish as long as possible in those moments is truly something to hold onto. Especially when there is so much to get stressed over, just thinking about it. 

I mean, seriously, how can Barnum & Bailey be closing forever? There goes a 146 year old piece of Americana! And all jest aside--the America I have known for all my life, is it really that bad? Because it is disappearing like a really bad game of Jenga, one piece at a time. Before long, children will think of the America I have known and loved as some kind of ancient history! And I'm not talking about the land-line dial-tone phones, the t.v.'s you had to stand up and walk over to change the channel, the strict dress standards at the school, or the excitement of watching the local parade. I'm talking about the respect that neighbors had for one another, the friendliness of people to each other, the slower pace of life, the overall lack of worry about locking the front door, the patriotism that citizens felt for the flag. 

And while I am concerned for the future of the country, and definitely other things that are more parts of my personal life, I love those peaceful moments when I don't have to think about anything but how much I'm enjoying the moment.  
I hope that we can all take a few moments and go to that peaceful place that gives us serenity more often, where worry isn't a part of the equation. Yes, it's appropriate to voice concerns, to take part in the change that is wanted/needed. But worrying about it is not really going to change anything.

Image - Jerol Garner

Monday, January 2, 2017

Beautiful Bamboo Giveaway - $100 eGift Code to Cariloha!

Cariloha is synonymous with tropical vibes. That's because their stores sell bamboo products exclusively! They have 50 stores in 14 countries, most of which are tropical vacation spots! Their products are soft, sustainable, wearable, and irresistible!

Welcome to the 'Beautiful Bamboo Giveaway' brought to you by Cariloha and A GAL NEEDS...

Sunday, January 1, 2017

2017 Is Going To Be The Best Yet!! Right??

2017 is going to be so good! Let me get some heck yeahs and some cheers! Sure, 2016 wasn't quite what many of us had hoped, but hey, what election year is? I'm going to recommit with the things I was doing in 2016 and keep moving forward. After all, there is no such thing as standing still. If you're not moving forward, you're moving backwards! And it doesn't matter how fast---baby steps are awesome!

My Post Monday - I had so much fun writing my  (mostly) once-a-week posts about anything I wanted to write about (because it's called #MyPostMonday) and also finding the week's best original content on the internet, which I link and feature on Twitter under the above hashtag. I turned my love of stalking into a regular thing, and apparently you like me to bring the content to you as well! Thanks so much! 

Basically I wrote about whatever was on my mind and sometimes I went there. During the course of 2016, I revealed that I am indeed a Christian, an LDS Christian. My definition of Christian is someone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World and died for all of us, so that we might live once again beyond physical death. I believe that what we do beyond that amazing gift is up to us, but He is ever merciful and ever kind. No human being is so hopeless as to be beyond His infinite mercy! He is there when we are sad, lonely, depressed, angry, or dejected. We just need to call upon Him and have that humble, believing faith! He is available to all of us!! I think that in these troubled times, it is wise for anyone to invest in His amazing promises, which you can readily access in the scriptures!

In one post, I admitted that sometimes I felt envy and jealousy. I'm happy to say that I have overcome so much of those feelings in the past year. It's like I took my own advice in the post I wrote. I identified jealousy as a time sucker and gave 4 ways to overcome feelings of jealousy! It's called living abundantly and it is so freeing! And so it went from there throughout the year--me talking about things that I was concerned about or interested in. I even lamented the end of Downton Abbey, one of my all-time favorite t.v. shows! 

I hope to continue My Post Monday's and I hope you will continue to drop by and check them out when you can! Better yet, subscribe to my updates! (Right Side Bar) 

I also continue to write about health & wellness, fashion and do reviews and giveaways! Be assured I have some great ones lined up for the upcoming year! Thanks so much for your support and your readership! They help me continue to do what I love to do---blog for you!


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Determination Could Save Your Life + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

I sometimes wonder exactly how much grit and determination I would have if I were stuck out in the wilderness and no one knew where I was. Would I just lay down and hope against all hope that someone would rescue me, or would I do everything humanly possible to find a solution? If my recent experience of running out of gas on the freeway is any indication, it might be a very sketchy situation for me if I were in a more precarious scenario. 
I am a work-smarter-not-harder kind of person. But somehow my gas tank filling habits are definitely on the dumbed down side of my thought process, I am always seeing how far I can get before I absolutely have to fill up. 
And so I found myself trying to get home after work on fumes, constantly glancing at the gauge to see if I could make it to the next gas station. Fortunately, I was going downhill on the freeway and close to the exit, which I took, as my car slowed down---70, 60, 55---What made matters even worse was it was also the day I forgot my phone, so I couldn't call anyone. (Yes, it was a Monday and it had been a hectic pre-Christmas weekend.) There is obviously more than one way to run on fumes!
 I waited in the car with my flashers on for a full 26 minutes, not knowing where any gas stations were. I finally decided I needed to hoof it to someplace, any place, where there was a phone because no one seemed to want to stop and help this hapless woman, chilling in her car, flashers going, just barely off the exit ramp. I saw a distant building approximately 2 miles away that looked like an office setup. So I got out of the car and started walking. I hadn't walked 20 yards when I realized that on my right was a gas station that had been obscured by a small hill. That was my ticket to success and I was soon happily on my way. 
I could have waited in my car indefinitely, waiting for who knows what. I'm embarrassed that I waited for as long as I did.

Image - John Lloyd
And then there's the recent story of a woman who walked for 30 straight hours to find help when her family became stranded around the Grand Canyon because it was closed for the season. She wasn't about to give up. Her twin sister said that her personality is "Do it, or die trying."  She ended up eating pine twigs to keep herself from starving, drinking her own urine trying to keep herself hydrated and finally found a ranger cabin, breaking a window to get in, where she collapsed, barely conscious. Fortunately she was found. I've got to say, I admire her courage and her unwillingness to just lay down and give up. 
I think this kind of determination applies in a lot of different situations, not just life or death. What about you? Do you have the determination to "Do it, or die trying"?

 Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! (Affiliate links welcome!) 

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

2 Ways To Show People That They Matter #LIGHTtheWORLD

A couple years ago at the high school where I work, they handed out hoodies and these hoodies had a motto on them that read, "You Matter Because You Exist". Now I don't know about you, but this particular saying doesn't really do it for me. I am aware that there are millions of people "existing" in this world that don't seem to matter to anyone. Granted, some of these very same people seem to be the happiest! I think they must know something that some people don't! 

Christmas is a wonderful time of year to show people how much they really do matter! Love truly is the magical word for the season! We all want to feel loved all the time, but isn’t Christmas a wonderful time to share some extra love to the lonely, the needy, or someone whom you are very thankful for or who is extra special to you?
No monetary compensation was received for this post. This site uses both affiliate and non-affiliate links for reference purposes.Thanks for your readership and support!
Featured below are a couple of ways to show a few special people that they are loved, and needed! It is in keeping with the #LIGHTtheWORLD  campaign from Mormon.org, where they are helping us honor Jesus Christ during the 25 days of Christmas by doing the things He did each and every day He was alive on the earth! 

These are two ways to remind people how truly loved and valued they are--especially to the Savior Jesus Christ and to our Heavenly Father!  Each involves a free printout I discovered at Polka Dot Poplars, and a little bit of glue, paint, and thought!

Brown Paper Packages 
Use the free printable to create a small package to deliver to someone! I had a brown paper gift bag saved from another year.


 I used a hot glue gun to make a little envelope for a candy bar, along with a message saying "Brown paper packages tied up with string, Oh you are one of His favorite things!"

Wall Art Motivation
Using the free printable, I made some wall art. I found frames at my local thrift store and spray painted them 'heirloom white'. 
Before

 The message by Dieter F. Uchtdorf is so reassuring that you are of infinite value and worth. Not just because you exist, but because you are loved by the most wonderful being in the Universe!
After
 It is the goal of the #LIGHTtheWORLD Campaign to help illuminate the earth with His light during this very special time of year. I hope that you will have a wonderful Christmas and feel how loved and important you are to Him, even Jesus Christ!

The Risk Of Confiding + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Image - Shawn Heiner
 I sometimes wait out the rush hour traffic if I happen to be running late. I'll stop off at a local bakery or the library and read or catch up on e-mails. Somehow last Friday I ended up reading a short story autobiography-type narrative and it sucked me in! 
It was about a woman telling about her life, starting when she was in college, rooming with a bunch of girls weaving in and out of each others' lives, and especially one particular friend. She described her as a Russian girl, sometimes very animated and other times very sullen and withdrawn. Through the course of their association, they became better friends than just roommates.  They ended up appreciating each other enough to do good things for each other, knowing more about one another than the normal chat-it-up at lunch things. Yet as the years rolled by, there were some things neither of them ever divulged to the other.  The narrator had been abused by her boyfriend and never chose to tell her friend because of an opinion her friend had voiced about abused wives and girlfriends being weak and co-dependent. They lost touch for a few years and by the time the narrator found where her Russian friend lived, the husband informed her she had died. When she asked how her friend had died, he vaguely said she had been sick. Finally, after some research, she found out that she had died of cancer and had fought it for some time. Her friend had never told her that she was ill and suffering. 
 How much deeper friendship might they have shared if they had chosen to share their secret trials? I suppose it had risks to it. Either one of them might have exposed themselves, only to find themselves rejected. It's always a risk.
We choose what to curate about our lives and how we reveal who we are to the world. Some of us are blatantly authentic, choosing to risk rejection for revelation. Some choose carefully and are very veiled about what they reveal about themselves. And understandably so.
I actually have a story of my own--of friendship lost! But it is because of confiding, rather than hiding. In high school I was best friends with a girl from another country, let's call her Flo. She came as an exchange student and we hung out a lot together. We had so many great talks and fun times. It's like we found so many similarities despite being from different countries and cultures! We were like soul sisters!
But we lost touch over the years. She went back to her country, got married, and ended up back in the States with her husband. But some years later, we connected, met up, talked and laughed again. During that time, she divulged something that happened to her when she was a girl. It was pretty heavy. because it was about abuse of some form. It was hard for me to deal with at the time because I hadn't walked in her shoes. Right after that, something really hard happened to me. It was tragic and hard. I told her, and I know it was hard for her to deal with. She hadn't walked in my shoes. I told her that she wasn't helping me. She responded back in kind. We lost the friendship. Too much pain to deal with. We discovered that those innocent times in high school had become more complicated and that there were things beneath the surface that were too hard to deal with. It's been 20 years since we last connected.
 After reading that story in the library, I am realizing that I don't want to let such a real friendship go, even though the things we both went through were hard and hard for each other to understand. The thing is, we did confide and reveal our hidden selves. And no, we weren't able to deal with the revelations. But time is a wonderful healer and a teacher. I think that I'm ready. I'm ready to go back and pick up where I left off with Flo. I think I'll be ready to be the friend that she had hoped I would be!
 Today is "My Post Monday!" It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs or vlogs. If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! (Affiliate links welcome!)

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Empowering Children & Youth To Perform Small Acts Of Meaningful Service #LIGHTtheWORLD


 Things are getting crazy this time of year--we have parties and functions to attend, all the gifts, all the food, all the Hallmark Shows, decorating, and everything else! This time of year, though, is a time to be reflective and remember the reason for the Season! I feel like it's a great time to give more than just monetary gifts! It's a time to teach youth and children about the joy of service! 
I received no monetary compensation for this post! This site uses affiliate and non-affiliate links for reference purposes. Thanks for your readership and support!
I am participating as best as I can in a campaign that is helping me find ways to serve others and stretch myself a bit more this season. I'm trying to find a way to incorporate things into my already busy life--things that may not be huge, but can make a difference! It's called #LIGHTtheWORLD. When we remember all of the things that Jesus Christ did for us throughout His life, non-stop, I think that I can do just a little bit during the 25 days of Christmas of what I know He would want me to do as well!

 
At my school, I've decided to help the students (9th - 12th grade Behavior/Special Ed Resource Room) recognize when they are being helpful and thoughtful. It's really simple--I used fun, colorful, free printables to recognize little things that the kids do every day that are above and beyond the call of duty. I saw a boy help retrieve someone's backpack that had fallen down the stairs. I saw someone else bring Christmas gifts to his fellow classmates, I saw someone let another go in front of them in line. I saw someone give a special snack from home to someone else who was having a hard day. I saw someone use polite words when feeling annoyed. All of these things make everyone's day brighter, happier, easier and more joyful. When combined, these things do make a difference!

 For the last week of school I am handing these tickets out from my special box and on the last day before Christmas Break, students will be able to redeem each ticket for a small treat from my gift basket! It's full of small items I have retrieved from the Dollar Store, Craft Stores, and left over from other activities. They seem to love this kind of thing. They love the recognition, they learn how to be helpful, they learn that even the small things matter! 
Of course, this same thing can be done in the home with the kids! They love to be recognized for the good they do and this is an easy way to do it!
Even if you are super busy, just the small things can make a huge difference during this time of year! 

Get fun craft ideas and other printables at Lollie Jane!