Reflections & Ruminations on New Year's Eve 2017

As I sit here watching CBS Sunday Morning and watching all the stories that happened this past year and seeing those that have gone on before us I'm doing a lot of thinking and reflecting of my own year.  It's a rambling thought process but I thought that I would share it with you.

This year has flown by and yet it has taken forever. 

I turned 50 this year. 

My divorce was finalized after he walked out on Sam and I two years ago.  Has it really been two years?  Sam and I have been through so much in these two years but I think that we are finally finding our "groove" so to speak.  On the flip side,  I'm finding myself trying to reinvent my life.  Wait....myself.  I wonder who I am anymore.  I'm 50 and wonder what I'm going to do with the rest of my life as I try to support my family, by myself.  And speaking of family, the week of Thanksgiving Sam texted me saying that one of his friends from school had been kicked out of his house and needed a place to stay.  Well me and my big heart couldn't say no.  I now have 2 teenage boys in my house now.  Yes, there have been some major adjustments and lots of "talks" as to how we should act.  And the talks haven't been with Sam but our new family member.  There have been times (many times) I've wondered if I did the right thing.  But that is in the past and that's where it needs to stay.  Gee, as I write that last sentence I realize that that is how I need to consider my life.  What is in the past is just that....the past.  No matter what I can't change that and must put my best foot forward.  I can still look at the past.  I can learn from the past.  I can enjoy the past.  But it's just that...past.  

As I struggle to support my family I have found myself this past week with a notion tickling the back of my brain.  Go back to school.  WHAT?!?!?  Am I hearing myself correctly?  School?  Learn something new?  Yup.  It's been nagging at me all week.  I've prayed on it and have done a lot of thinking as well.  Soooo, I'm going to see where this "nag" takes me.  Maybe I'll find a new love.  And by that what I really mean is passion.  This is kind of scary!  But I think that it's something that I need to do.  

In doing more reflecting I came across an article talking about how we shouldn't make resolutions but instead we should make an "Anti-Resolution List" instead. They give suggestions as to what to put on it any my favorite one and one that I think I will do my best at is, "Stop rehearsing unhappiness".  WOW!  Just those three little words say so much to me.  I think that I've lived in that unhappiness for quite some time and I need to get out of it.  This past year I've found myself pretty depressed.  I'm working on it and those of you that are depressed know that it is a process to getting better and just these three little words are screaming at me as to how to turn the tide.   If you'd like to read the whole article, which I suggest that you do, then head on over to HERE.  It's a unique perspective on how to look at resolutions.

Another thing that I'd like to focus more on this upcoming year is to do more crafting.  As many of you know I love to craft and even have my own "store" so to speak.  It's called Moonbeams & Mistletoe Boutique.  When I lived in TX I used to do craft shows and I had my best friend working alongside with me.  Since I moved to MO it has been moved onto the back burner.  I'd like to change that a bit.  Maybe not doing the craft shows as of yet but at least start creating some more.  I get so much out of it and for me it is therapeutic.  

And speaking of therapeutic......One thing that I did quite a bit of when he walked out was Bible Journaling.  My therapist that I was seeing at the time suggested that I do it and it really helped.  I haven't done it much since I moved here and I would like to get back into it on at least a weekly basis if not more as long as time permits.  Since we are still in Christmastime here is one that I did in April 2016 when my Sunday School class was studying Isaiah.  This particular one I got off of Pinterest.  That is one thing that I love about the Bible Journaling Community as a whole...it's ok to take someones ideas or finished products to create or recreate as your own.  This community is so amazing and one that I need to dive back into again.

Now that I've rambled on and on....how about you?  What are you reflecting back on and what are you looking forward to in this next year?  Do you do resolutions or do you like the idea of doing an anti-resolution list?


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Who Doesn't Love...READING!!

I have always loved to read and can't think of a time in my life where I didn't have at least 2 books (ok, or more) on my nightstand.  I love going to the library and I particularly love getting FREE books either the physical copy or in e-format.  I wish that I had more time to read or could devote more time to it every day.  

I like doing reading challenges too.  I thought about compiling a list for you but then remembered that one of my favorite blogs already has a list compiled.  Head on over to Feed Your Fiction Addiction and check this list out for 2017 reading challenges.  WARNING: Be prepared to be there for awhile.  She will have the 2018 list up in a few weeks and I can't wait to see what's on there.  

If you like FREE books in e-format then you need to subscribe to the following.  They will send you an email daily with links to the books that are FREE that day.  What a better way to build your library!

Freebooksy (Free books)

Bookbub (FREE along with discounted books)

Bookshout (discounted books)

Pixel of Ink (FREE along with discounted books)

Bargin Booksy (discounted books)

I like to read just about any genre of book except horror.  Never have like it and I don't know if I ever will.    There are soooo many!  Here is a list that I have come up with:

Science fiction

Satire

Drama

Action and Adventure

Romance

Suspense

Mystery

Horror

Self help

Health

Guide

Travel

Children's

Religion, Spirituality & New Age

Science

History

Math

Anthology

Poetry

Comics

Art

Cookbooks

Diaries

Journals

Prayer books

Series

Trilogy

Biographies

Autobiographies

Fantasy

Did I miss any?  I probably did.   I'm re-reading (again) The Little House on the Prairie books.  I read these as a little girl and not only do I love re-reading them because they are good books but because they bring back so many memories while I read them.  They are fantastic books for any age/gender and I recommend them all the time to those that are looking for books to give as gifts.

I've also started the Witch & Wizard series by James Patterson.  The first book is titled Witch & Wizard.

I really like reading the BE Series that Warren Wiersbe writes and have just started reading his Be Responsible based on 1 Kings earlier this week.

What genre do you like to read?  What are you reading now?  Do you ever read more than one book at a time?

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By clicking on these 2 banners you are helping me support my family. These are who I am an Independent Consultant for. Paparazzi Accessories and Buskins Leggins. Thank you for your purchases!

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE

I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Being Real

I've been struggling lately with some depression.  There.  I said it.  I haven't been officially diagnosed but I know.  I feel it.  Yes.  If you see me more than likely you'll see the happy go lucky girl that you've always seen in me.  Yes.  I can be happy and generally I am.  But I am struggling.  I wake up and I don't even want to get out of bed.  But I Do.  I get home and although I have things to do I'm counting down the time that I can crawl right back into my bed.  But I Get Those Things Done.  Well, most of them. 

One of my favorite shows is This Is Us.  And it relates to me in ways no other show can.  I'm a few shows behind and am catching up as I write this.  On one of the episodes the mom was talking to her brand new grand-daughter in the hospital and telling her that there is the beginning, the end and the middle.  And that sometimes the middle is one of the hardest places.  That's where I'm at right now.  The middle.  And the hardest deepest part of it.  Or so it seems right now. 

Just watched the part on This Is Us where they were in front of the judge and officially adopted Randall. So many memories just came flooding back! It reminded me of when I adopted my beautiful baby boy.  Sam. 

Oh Boy!  This little boy right here is what I'm fighting for!  He is my everything and my whole world.  MY PURPOSE!  He was and is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  The above picture was taken the day that I met Sam.  Don't know where that little baby boy has gone as he's almost an adult now.  And yet I seem to be struggling more with this age than when he was little.

If you know me though, you will know that I am determined to get through this!  I am a strong person even though every day right now I don't feel like it.  And every day right now is rough.  I can't wait for the day when you will read on here how I am crushing it.  But until then....this is my real life.

Okay...I've rambled quite a bit now.  Going to turn the table on you now.  Be honest.  Really honest with yourself.  What do you struggle with?  You may think it's trivial but you know what it may not be to someone else.  Share it!!  You may be helping someone else by sharing your struggles.

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By clicking on these 2 banners you are helping me support my family. These are who I am an Independent Consultant for. Paparazzi Accessories and Buskins Leggins. Thank you for your purchases!

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE

I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Taking Photos

Sam borrowed my Canon EOS Rebel camera today and asked if we could go out and take some pictures/video. SURE! I took Spike along too and while Sam was out getting some shots I took this picture of Spike watching the cows in a field. I love that I caught the wind blowing through his fur. My favorite type of picture to take is either Black & White or Sepia Tone. Seems to be a lost art now that we have a camera at our fingertips on our phones now days. But we can still take great photos with our phones as well. The photo below was taken with my phone on the black & white setting. I focused on him instead of the background where he was looking.

Taking this photo, along with a few others, reminds me how much I miss taking photos. I may have to pick up that hobby again. Or at least do it more often. It's so relaxing going out with the camera and looking at the world around me. I mean really looking. Forgetting about everything else and looking and the beauty this world has to offer. You really can get lost in a moment when you take photos. Do you take photos? What's your favorite type of photo to take? Why do you take photos? I'd love to know.

By clicking on these 2 banners you are helping me support my family. These are who I am an Independent Consultant for. Paparazzi Accessories and Buskins Leggins. Thank you for your purchases!

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

My Businesses

Besides working my part-time job I also am an Independent Consultant with two different companies along with working my own craft business.  Thought that I would share with you a little bit from each one that I am an Independent Consultant.  Please stop by and check them out!

The first one that I'm an Independent Consultant at is Paparazzi Accessories.  All of our Jewelry is $5!!!  How can you go wrong?  To see what I have on hand you can follow my Facebook business page or you can purchase directly from my website.  Here are some pieces that I currently have on hand just so you can see how wonderful they are. 

The second company that I am an Independent Consultant for I just joined today.  I love leggings and once I found this company, and the fact that I don't have to carry any inventory, and saw what they have to offer I knew that it was one that I could work for.  It's Buskins Leggings.  Their quality is amazing and the cost is very reasonably priced.  My store front is BeYouTiful Leggings.  You can do all of your shopping right from your computer!  I will soon have a Facebook Page up and running as well.  But I couldn't wait to share it with y'all!

Buskins leggings are SOFT, Durable and great quality. Made from Polyester and Spandex, these peach skin fabric leggings will make you never go anywhere else for leggings again. Buskins Leggings carries, Regular, Fleece and Fur lined Leggings and sizes include toddler through plus women (pluskins) and even some mens. We may carry specialty items from time to time. 

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By clicking on these 2 banners you are helping me support my family. These are who I am an Independent Consultant for. Paparazzi Accessories and Buskins Leggins. Thank you for your purchases!

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE

I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

New Header

I'm so excited!  I finally created a new header for my blog.  I've always had a fascination with the 50s so I thought that I would incorporate that with my header.  So after searching Google I found a picture that I like along with a free photo editor, BeFunky, that would help me with resizing the photo along with some nice fonts to choose from so that I could add my name to it.  Then all that was left was to save it and uploaded it!  And just like that I have a new header! Wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. What do you think?

I'm back & My Pumpkin Soup

It's been way to long since I've written here.  In fact it's been almost a year and a half!  I really need to get back into writing.  Writing posts on my blog had always helped me relax, concentrate, feel better when I was down....basically my therapy.  And I need my therapy now.  In all honesty, I also miss sharing with you all!  What's sad is that I don't even know if I have an audience anymore.  Hopefully someone out there will read this.  I want to get back into writing, at the very least, once a week. There is still a lot I need to do to update this blog which I hope to do this week so it will make it easier for all of you to navigate and find things here.  I will update you about what all has been happening in my life this week as well since it's been so long since I was last on here.  I hope all is well with all of you and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and making some new.

So, I thought that I would start this blog back off by sharing a favorite soup recipe of mine that I will be making tonight.  It's my Pumpkin Soup Recipe.  It's so savory and good that I look forward to making it every year about this time.  If I'm serving it at a party I will usually double this recipe.  What is your favorite soup recipe?  I'd love to know as I'm always looking for new ones to try.  Let me know if you try this one.  ENJOY!

Pumpkin Soup

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups pumpkin puree (can use canned)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
5 whole black peppercorns

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic and peppercorns.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered.
2. Puree the soup in small batches using a food processor or a blender.  I used an immersion blender in the pot and it works just fine.
3. Return to pan, and bring to a boil again.  Reduce heat to low, and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered.  Stir in heavy cream.  Pour into soup bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or some cracked pepper.