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?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

Money Monday ~ Week 12 for 2011

Spring Break is officially over (sigh) and it's back to work here (bummer) and now the countdown to Summer is on (YES)! As I said last week I've been creating like crazy and have taken pictures but just haven't gotten them up on my etsy story as of yet. But I will work on that some tomorrow. For now....It's MONEY MONDAY! So link up!

<a border="0" href="http://themisplacedmidwesterner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5068579509_847ba6c8d0_m.jpg" /></a>

It's Monday and time to link-up and join in on the Blog Hop for Money Mondays. To read how Money Mondays got started check out my Money Mondays Page.

So here we go! Link Up your Etsy Stores, Websites, Photography Sites, ect. I'm enjoying hosting this blog hop every week and visiting all of yours as well. Grab the button above and place it on your site. Please remember to keep it family friendly. Explicit Sites will be removed.  Remember to grab the Blog Hop Code below to share with others!  Let's all have some fun, promote our own businesses and check out every one else!

Money Mondays ~ Week 9 for 2011

Well I've been busy crafting again and also planning new projects.  I'll also be doing a craft fair at the beginning of April so if any of you out there have any tips or ideas please let me know.  I can always use them.

Do you know of a crafty person that would like to link up? Send them this blog hop or promote it on your blog, facebook or twitter. Let's help each other out this year and we'll all succeed!

<a border="0" href="http://themisplacedmidwesterner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5068579509_847ba6c8d0_m.jpg" /></a>

It's Monday and time to link-up and join in on the Blog Hop for Money Mondays. To read how Money Mondays got started check out my Money Mondays Page.

So here we go! Link Up your Etsy Stores, Websites, Photography Sites, ect. I'm enjoying hosting this blog hop every week and visiting all of yours as well. Grab the button above and place it on your site. Please remember to keep it family friendly. Explicit Sites will be removed.  Remember to grab the Blog Hop Code below to share with others!  Let's all have some fun, promote our own businesses and check out every one else!

Recycled Journal & Scotch Tape Giveaway!

Thanks to Scotch(R) Double Sided Tape for sponsoring my writing about crafts. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win free sample rolls to help with your upcoming holiday needs.

This year at school my son is in the Environmental Club and one of the first things that they did was to make a Journal. This journal was made out of items you can find around your house and I thought you all would like to see how it's done.

You will need the following items:

Scissors
Cardboard (two empty cereal boxes work great)
Ruler (but it's not necessary)
Glue or Double Sided Tape
Plastic Bag
Pencil
About 20 pieces of Blank Paper
Lightweight fabric or a Brown Paper Bag

Fold a piece of paper in half. Cut two pieces of cardboard slightly bigger than your half piece of paper.  You can use a ruler or eye it.  (see picture)

Lay down your fabric or paper bag under the cardboard and cut it about 2" larger than the cardboard.  **IMPORTANT** Leave a gap between the 2 pieces of cardboard.  If you don't your journal will not be able to close.

Glue or tape your cardboard to the fabric/paper bag.  Then you will glue/tape the edges up on the bottom and top followed by doing the same to the sides.  (see picture)

 

Now you will need to cut a piece of fabric or paper bag to fit just inside of the journal.  Once it is cut out it is ready to glue or tape down.  You have now finished the outside of your journal.  

Now we are going to turn the plastic gab into a rope while your book dries (if you used glue).

Cut the plastic bag from the bottom up and cutting off the handles. You will then cut the middle part into two strips. (see pictures)

Tie the two long strips together.  Now have someone or something hold the knot in place while you do the rest of the work.  Twist both pieces individually to the right.  Then twist them together to the left.  This makes a good strong rope.  Now it is time to put your journal together.  Get your 20 or so pieces of paper, fold them in half, lay them in the middle of your journal and then tie your new rope around it. If you used a paper bag now is the time to decorate away.  There you go...A recycled journal!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!! You have a chance to be one of 10 winners that will win 1 roll of double-sided tape, which will be provided by 3M. All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post telling me how you use tape in your house. I will draw the 10 lucky winners at 11:30 PM, Saturday, November 20. 

Want more chances to win?  Do one or more of the following.  Please leave a separate comment for each one that you do...but not multiple comments for the points...I'll do all of that.

2 Entries ~ Subscribe to my blog newsletter via email as you don't want to miss anything including upcoming giveaways! 

5 Entries ~ Post my button on your blog and leave a link to your blog

5 Entries ~ Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link

1 Entry ~ Become a fan via Google Friend Connect

1 Entry ~ Become a fan on Facebook

1 Entry ~ Follow The Misplaced Midwesterner via Networked Blogs

1 Entry ~ Follow me on Twitter and leave me your twitter ID

Please learn more about Scotch(R) Double Sided Tape and other Scotch(R) Products, and join the conversation on the Scotch(R) Brand Facebook Page and via Twitter.  I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.