Priorities + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Wow, the winter went by slowly! And now we're into Spring, one of my 3 favorite seasons! But just to be fair, I love winter for it's renewing effect and time spent in gloriously soft blankets, immersed in a plethora of pillows, and drowning in books of various genres. 

And now I've emerged, ready to dial into the tasks at hand!

Gardening is at the forefront for sure! I've got some seeds in little containers, sprouting or trying to sprout, early spring annuals and perennials blooming in various places around the yard, and we have big plans for the smallish space we use for a garden. We will be putting in a drip system! I'm so excited at the prospect! No more dragging the hose halfway around the house every day to spray the garden! 

Biking is going to start once more, as well as some hiking! We did one really great snowshoe hike this past winter, but unfortunately, I spent most of the winter recovering from a nasty knee sprain that occurred at my work. For awhile there, I thought I might be permanently hampered in my ability to hike and bike. But happily, each day I feel better and better! 

I've become somewhat of an essential oil connoisseur, having collected around 60 pure, undiluted oils from around the world! I would love to share my excitement, experience and knowledge of said oils. And no, I'm not a DoTerra distributor. I get mine wholesale from another extremely reputable company. I have the option to become a distributor for that company, but I haven't quite decided how I want to pursue that, if at all.

I will be caring more extensively for my 91 year old father. He still is very diligent about getting 30 minutes of walking daily and even some weight training, which I believe is keeping him as healthy as he is, but he is getting more and more dependent upon me to make sure he gets meals, his laundry done, and other things. 

Evee, my sweet border collie has become a companion animal for my dad. She spends half the time with him and half the time with me. We go on walks every day and she was a welcome pile of fluff on my lap this winter. We liked to watch t.v. and nap when I got home from work. 

Summer is the time when we see many of our extended family from out of state. We usually have guests starting from mid-April out to August. So all my time can't be spent on my wonderful hobbies!

As Long As We Can + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

When the notion of labeling people by their social tendencies of either loving to be around people or avoiding them like the plague became a hot topic, I started to analyze some of my own tendencies. Was I an introvert or an extrovert? It's not that I don't like people, but when I'm dealing with my seasonal depression, I don't naturally tend to like being around people. It's exhausting. Ask my husband, if I'm really overwhelmed, all I want is to be alone and try and recover in my own way. On the other hand, when I'm not depressed (usually in the warm weather, post daylight savings time) I love to get out and be with people. As a result I captioned the phrase "reclusive extrovert" to describe myself.

My husband is the total opposite of me. He always craves social interaction and will strike up conversations with complete strangers just for the sake of socializing and finding common ground. Once I got a sunburn on top of a peak we had hiked together because he wanted to converse with another couple who had summited at the same time. The sun was blazing, I had left my sunscreen below to lighten my load when making summit, and there we were for 45 minutes blissfully, in his mind, talking to like-minded individuals, when all I wanted to do was get the heck off the peak and get some sunscreen!

I do realize how important it is to be people-oriented. It is so essential to love people and to find real connections and learn from their experiences and, in turn, share yours. There are many more similarities than differences among people. You just need to find them. And that takes discussion and time. I think one of the reasons why travel is so invigorating for lots of people are the possible connections one can make with people who may have different life experiences and customs. Maybe they don't even speak the same language! But given the chance, what amazing things can you learn from someone like that?

One of the best ways I've seen to meet awesome new people is to volunteer! I did that recently when I volunteered for a project serving children in need. We got together and were given assignments. I sat at a table where we were making quilts. I didn't know anyone at the table, but by the end of the project, I had made 2 new and fascinating friends and we had so much in common! It was one of the most fun days ever!

I highly recommend going out of your comfort zone once in awhile and meeting new people. It's an awesome, life-enriching experience!

Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of my picks of the week's best original content. It's all about posts 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)

A Smile She Can Live With #BracesJourney Part II

As promised, I'm checking in periodically to let you know how I'm doing on my braces journey that began in early August of this year. 

What I like - I love that can feel my teeth changing and getting straighter. Not only are my lower teeth gradually changing, but my top two front teeth are straightening out. They were slightly overlapping. Eventually my top teeth will shift more outward because they were actually leaning in significantly! Below are some screenshots of me while talking before getting treatment. You can see that the lower teeth are quite crooked!

I chose to wear Invisalign clear retainer trays because they are removable, and that is important for me. I don't wear them to social functions where eating is involved, I don't wear them to photo shoots. I do wear them to bed, when I'm exercising or when I'm lounging in my p.j.'s. It's surprising how much I don't wear them, though. Although I always wear them at night, I sometimes go for hours on end during the day not wearing them. A couple of times I have forgotten to wear them to work and so I can't wear them for at least 5 - 6  hours. But they seem to be moving my teeth anyway. My last check-up was 2 weeks ago and Dr. Cook seemed satisfied with my progress. And I'm still on my 10-day tray switch-out schedule.

What I Notice - I notice that there are plenty of DIY clear aligner companies, where all you need to do is go to an initial appointment and get a scan and then the company will send it in and get a series of trays to get the teeth realigned according to a computer simulation. There are no appointments with an orthodontist or even a dentist to make sure the teeth are aligning properly. I don't think I'd like that at all. There are too many variables as to how teeth, mouth, and even jaws will actually react according to a very impersonal computer simulation.I love to be able to check in with Dr. Cook and have him analyze how my teeth are doing. He is always able to make adjustments and do it well. He is Invisalign certified!

What I Need Help With - I need help with not losing or mixing up current trays with my previous trays. These retainers or "trays" are very clear, to the point that when you put them on, people often don't even realize you are wearing them. So when you take them off and leave them, sometimes you can forget where you put them and spend lots of time trying to find them. 

Once I made the stupid mistake of putting my old trays near my new trays. I left for awhile and when I came back, I couldn't figure out which ones were which. I literally had to guess by which trays looked the most used. That was kind of hard because they are clear and they are only worn 10 days. I finally decided on an upper and lower set because one looked slightly more cloudy in appearance. I still don't know if I guessed correctly. 

Tips I've Learned - I've learned that wearing lipstick can be tricky with the trays. It tends to get all over the tray and look pretty tacky. I've quit wearing lipstick when I have them on.

I've also learned that cleaning the trays is really important. They tend to get food stuck on them and they tend to get rather whiffy if you don't take care of them. I can run a toothbrush over them when I'm in a hurry. But my favorite way to clean them is with White Teeth Global Alightener foam teeth whitener/tray cleaner. It is a foam with hydrogen peroxide that is sprayed into the tray and left for an hour or so. If you want to whiten your teeth while you clean your tray, just wear it. If not, leave the tray with the foam on it. It's really easy and gets rid of food build-up and any odor.  It has a pleasant minty smell. 

I'm looking forward to the changes I will see as I get further and further into my braces journey! I'll soon be on Tray 13 of 30. It's turning out to be one of the better decisions I've made recently! 

And if you live in the Salt Lake City Area, or know someone who needs braces from there, you can nominate them for free braces! Check out Dr. Cook's Facebook Page to check it out!

In the meantime, don't forget to keep smiling no matter what! It changes lives and attitudes, including your own!

It Is In The Focus + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

One of the wisest men to ever live on the planet said that the joy we feel isn't because of circumstances in our lives, but rather, where our focus lies. 

I find that when I step outside of myself, out of my own little box of pity parties, self-justifications, rationalizations and explanations as to why I should be feeling horrible, and instead focus on someone else and how they might be feeling, I find that I can feel joy and gratitude more readily.

Why is that? I feel that as a Christian woman, I have been taught to rely on Jesus Christ and his gift of the Atonement. It is a real and working entity that has such power, if I let it. He has given us teachings and examples in His life that are so powerful. If I truly follow those examples and teachings, I can access the power that He was teaching those who had eyes to see and ears to hear. 

Love Is A Choice + #MyPostMonday This Week's Best Original Content

 

Recently, I've had a dear member of my extended family tell me that he wants no contact with me. It really hurts. He has made choices that are contrary to what we have always understood are MY values and which I had hoped and thought would also be his. But now his choices have led him down a road that is really hard to turn back on. It has become a very narrow path, one with very few odds of return. Needless to say, I'm very worried about him. Apparently he feels judged and belittled because my values won't change to accommodate his philosophies and ideology. But my judging him and wanting to alienate him could not be further from the truth. I think we could still have a great relationship regardless of his choices. 

At first I tried reaching out and trying to let him know that I was there and wanted to talk and communicate. But that didn't go well. He only attacked me and told me I had betrayed him. I felt like I couldn't say anything right. It was all interpreted as condescending and judgmental. It wasn't meant to be at all. On the contrary, I tried to be so supportive, the best that I knew how. But to no avail. So I've chosen to step back and let him contact me when he feels like he wants to. Note: I also live across the country from this individual so personal contact is difficult at best.

National Working Parents Day + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Today is "National Working Parents Day."

When you're a working parent, you really have very limited "me" time. 

Personal development goes down the tubes.

Any real time is spent with your kids

Any leftover time is spent with your spouse, or if you're single, doing what would have been your spouses share of the work done at home.

Sometimes the yard and home don't look like you've spent hours on it. Probably because you've chosen getting a few hours of sleep over taking care of the yard. I certainly get it!

My single friend is a teacher at a charter school and she has a son and two dogs at home. She is so talented and is always volunteering and helping others when she isn't working. You might guess what gets put at the last of the list...Her yard. It's not terrible, but it's not designer and manicured like some of the other homes around her. I sincerely hope that her neighbors take that into account and aren't talking about her behind her back! Maybe some of them even help her occasionally with her yard work. There's my optimistic and altruistic thinking coming out!

It takes an extremely special person to handle parenting and working full-time.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 61 percent of families with children have both parents working outside the home.

I would be happy to see more paid time-off for parents of school-age and younger children. Children are so vulnerable and society would be well-served to see parents who work have the option to do more parenting, especially when their children are crying out for it. 

At my job at a local Middle School, I have seen young teachers or staff members working, with a baby on the way. I've talked to some who are very unclear about what their work future will be. Our school district does provide paid leave for new moms and dads, but many have said that it isn't long enough. The standard leave is 6 weeks. One mom decided to ditch the job and stay home with her baby. Another mom, after having her baby, is back to work! It's all what they decide is best for their situation and how they can work with the benefits provided. 

I know that many feel guilt because they can't be there for some of those amazing milestones, like the assemblies, the award dinners, the many sports events. They sometimes also can't be there when their child is sick. They need to rely on pre-arranged plans or spur-of-the-moment favors. Some parents pay exorbitant child care fees because they don't want to entrust their children to just anyone. Because we've all heard the stories...

What I do know is that working parents are no slouches. Some of them go through extreme fatigue and pressure just to make sure they fulfill their job at work AND their full-time commitment to their families. To those who I see doing this, I am in awe and I salute you!

I love what Ann Landers said because it's so true!!! If we can remember and take comfort knowing that "It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings", then we can be confident that we have done our very best and they will remember our good intentions and the hard work that we did for their best life! So,here's to you working parents! Thanks for all you do!

 Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts 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) 

Getting Into The Halloween Spirit Early + #MyPostMonday - Week's Best Original Content

My husband is feeling pretty smug lately. Unbeknownst to me, he purchased a couple of horrible, furry, black spiders to be used for Halloween purposes! That's right, Halloween. We're in the 2nd week of September so nothing like that should be around yet, right?

I guess it had been too long since he had gotten me good, so he played it up. He furtively planted one on my side of the bed and let things play out. 

When I'm just done with the day and can't keep my eyes open anymore, that is when I will head up to bed. I'll yell out, "I'm going to bed, G'night!" and as quickly as my head hits the pillow, usually I'm out.  So I'm heading up and he is in the next room, probably just waiting for what  will happen next. I do my "git 'her done" face wash routine and teeth brushing, throw on some sleep wear, and go around the bed to get in. On the floor is an awful sight that I just can't deal with right now. 

I'm so scared that all I can muster is to do a sharp intake of breath. I'm thinking, "This is the biggest wolf spider I've ever seen. Either that, or a tarantula, but I've never seen one in these parts....I'm too experienced with the ways of Athropoda to even think of screaming. That would startle it and send it scurrying to who knows where?" This all goes through my head in all of 5 seconds. Then I realized that it was my dearest, playing brilliant "let's scare the wifey" games. I yelled at him hard! He laughed and I thought it was over. But no, it wasn't over. I pulled the covers back, and there was another one....in the bed! He's so done for. Just wait!

Of course then he tried it on the dog! He planted the spider where she would happen upon it in her travels. And of course, he's waiting in the wings, as I am too. 'Cause now, I'm an accomplice. I thought for sure she would either attack it or jump back, but I think it was too much like some of her other furry dog toys, so she just didn't register much at all!

I think there are many other people who just can't seem to wait until actual Halloween. They are so into it! I actually love the idea that some guy with a drone came up with. He attached a grim reaper to it! You've seen the YouTube videos where people are duped by fake scary things and they start running like crazy! If you haven't already, this grim reaper video is so funny! It's epic! So to get you in the Halloween Spirit, here's the link!! Enjoy!


Are you looking forward to Halloween or are you all about one of the other post summer holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas? Any others? 

 Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts 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)    

I Left It On Clayton Peak + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Happy Labor Day! It was a much-needed long weekend because I went back to work way too early! I needed just one more last hurrah before Fall really begins. 

So early this morning, like 4am early, I started to get ready for an "easy"  hike up to Clayton Peak, a hike my husband assured me would be done in 4 hours, tops!

We started out at around 6:15, a little bit behind schedule. We always like to start before sunrise to beat the heat (today it was a sweltering 100 degrees in the valley, so around 80 up in the higher elevations.) But intent and execution are two different things---We always have good intent to get off early, but we rarely execute our intent! 

 We climbed and climbed. We actually went off-trail and found our own route. And what was supposed to have been a 3.5 round trip ended up being a 6.66 round trip! But hey, more time with my babes! 

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Heart and Soul #Giveaway $200 To Del Sol!!

This blog accepts product samples to facilitate an honest and fair review.

This is the time of year when we are all trying to squeeze in every last bit of summer fun that we possibly can because we know that it won't last for much longer. We are putting our hearts and souls into the last strains of summer!

And for good reason.....summer is when the sun is at its peak and we can do more outside than any other season! 

Del Sol is a company that is ALL heart and soul! They use the power of the sun to make us feel great about ourselves and about the things we're doing! When the UV rays are out, their many developed colors become visible to the naked eye. When the sun isn't involved, the only creatures that see those colors are, strangely enough, bats! (Bats love the dark....)

Del Sol's panel of chemists from around the world have tested tens of thousands of color-changing product variations! Because of that, they are always finding new ways to enhance various products and their inventory is constantly changing and expanding!

Here are some of my favorites

Solize Sunglasses! 100% UVA and UVB sun protection, with a 100% replacement guarantee! So many styles to choose from!

Del Sol Nail Polish! Two different colors in one application! One color inside, one color outside! You'll never get bored, that's for certain! 

Del Sol Tee Shirts! These are the most fun shirts ever! So comfortable, made from 100% premium cotton and the designs are all heart and soul! 

Del Sol Beach Towels! An extra large color-changing beach towel that will be your favorite beach accessory, especially when people around you are amazed at the burst of colors that explode when you bring it out of your bag! 

Del Sol Charm Bracelets! Get the charm bracelet that you can accessorize with the symbols that represent you! They show what you are all about. These make such cute gifts for girls of all ages!  

Del Sol Hair Accessories! These hairpins and hair decorations are the most creative way to put some heart and soul into your hair style! 

Del Sol Beach Toys! These are toys that you typically see at the beach, but you also see them everywhere where there is some sunshine! I think these are the BEST gift ideas for active kids, teens, and young-at-heart adults! 

These are just a few of the things that I love at Del Sol. What is your favorite? I'll bet you can't keep it at just one! Also, make sure to take advantage of this exclusive 20% Discount Code! Use GAL20 at check-out for a 20% total discount!

Now for the giveaway!!! One person will win an incredible $200 eGift Code to spend at Del Sol! You could seriously get much of your Christmas gift-giving list done with this prize! Or you could really get decked out in color changing apparel from now through the end of 2020 if you wanted!  You could get towels for every one of your favorite munchkins! The possibilities are endless! Thanks so much Del Sol! You are truly Heart and Soul!!   Follow Del Sol on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada. One entrant per household, please, and you must be 21 or older to enter! Enter once or enter daily, you choose! Thanks for checking us out and keep your face lifted to the sun!  Enter in the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Open to U.S. and Canada!  A GAL NEEDS...received product from this sponsor to facilitate the review of this company. Affiliate links may be present.
Must be 21 or older to participate, one entrant per household. Winner will be contacted by e-mail after 09/10/19.  Must respond within 48 hours.
Entrants with invalid entries will be disqualified.
Sponsor, Del Sol, is responsible for delivery of prize package. In the case of non-delivery, A GAL NEEDS...is not responsible for delivery.  

Heart And Soul With Del Sol #Review and 35% Discount Code

There is a saying that says, "In the end we won't remember the most beautiful face or body. Instead, we'll remember the most beautiful heart and soul." 

Del Sol is the company that shows heart and soul with everything it does. They make their fashion out of a desire to show you that life is beautiful! Life is fun! And that you are amazing! When you put on one of their designer tee shirts or their Solize Sunglasses, you know that you can get out there and just be you! You can be all heart and soul! 

I've been wearing Del Sol clothing for 9 years now and they are a company that makes me feel great about myself! Their clothing makes me feel comfortable in my own skin. I love tee shirts. They are my comfort zone. Del Sol tees are so comfortable, fun, and unique!  And, of course, every one of their many products is color-changing!

 Del Sol Solize Sunglasses have a life-time guarantee and they are 100% UVA and UVB sun block protection! I love them because, first of all, they're hecka fun! People are always mentioning that they love my shades because they are stylish AND they change colors. I love them as well because they block out sun glare like a boss! My eyes are so sensitive to sun, that I think I must be half vampire. So these sunglasses are a must for me for that reason alone! Right now I'm loving my Top of The World Solize Sunglasses! 

This site accepts product samples to facilitate honest and fair reviews. Affiliate and non-affiliate links are used for information purposes.