Thoughts of the Day
My life has qualified me as "experienced" on such topics as Army life, parenting, mental health, loss and grief, multi-tasking, and adapting to all things new (good, bad, or indifferent). I will share my thoughts on these topics and hopefully you will find some calm in the chaos knowing that others have been where you are.
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To Dye or Not To Dye and #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #17
To dye or not to dye? That is my question. Do you or don’t you? I do. Oh, I do. And I have for most of my life. Here’s the scoop. I dyed my hair various shades of bright colors (green, red, blue, pink, purple) way back before it was cool. In fact, during my teenage years, I was labeled as a weirdo with my ever-changing rainbow locks. My genetically predetermined hair color was a boring shade of brown and I hated it. And as much as I hated it, I had an equal and opposite reaction in my love for dying my hair unnatural colors. Call it rebellion. Call…
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Love Will Prevail and #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #15
Love will prevail. These are words I spoke last week and it really got me thinking about what that means exactly. I was chatting with another mom and I was complaining about how exhausted I am parenting alone for the past 3 months while my husband has been away. And she replied with equal complaints about how difficult it is parenting with a partner who is there in body but absent in every other way. She went on to explain that maybe they were just in a rough patch and it would pass. They are 13 years into their relationship and 8 years into their marriage with two kids. They…
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A Letter to the Army from an Army Wife
Dear Army, Oh, how you torment me. Yet I would not have it any other way, I suppose. I understand that my husband is contractually obligated to you. But is he not also contractually obligated to me? Yet your contract trumps my contract…well, because he entered yours first. And when I entered my contract with my husband, I did so with this understanding. But man, I didn’t know all the ups and downs that would be involved in loving a soldier. He is gone once again, leaving me to care for the children, the household, and everything in between…all the while trying to make sure to take adequate care of…
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What To Do When the Tired Sets In: Developing Healthier Sleep Habits
I know I am not the only one who feels like I am in a perpetual state of tiredness. I don’t know if it is parenthood, middle age, or just poor sleeping habits. Probably a combination of all of those things and more. But somehow, I get up everyday before 5:00 a.m. and trudge through the day, accomplishing what I can along the way. By about 7:00 p.m., I am completely done. Exhausted. Out of patience. Energy depleted. And ready for bed. And then, suddenly I am wide awake making a mental list of all the things I didn’t get done and need to attempt tomorrow. If you are like…
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The Truth About Mental Illness & Link Up On the Edge #32
Many of you may already know that I have a history of Bipolar Disorder. And if you didn’t know, now you do. Recently, someone asked me how I have dealt with this disorder and if I could offer some input for a loved one of theirs who is suffering from depressive episodes. I unfortunately did not have adequate time to elaborate on how I overcame my mental illness. So I am dedicating this post to that person (who will remain anonymous due to privacy issues) and giving the topic the time it deserves and needs. If you have never suffered from mental illness or have never loved a person with…
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The World Is Your Oyster & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #10
Did you ever hear that phrase? It is one that I have carried with me for many, many years. There once was a very influential man in my life…when I was in my mid-twenties. I was going through a divorce. I was still trying to discover myself. I was trying to figure out the person whom I wanted to be. I was working full time and going to law school at night. I was driven. I was determined. I was spiraling out of control. Much of this period in my life is really just a blur. It is sort of unfortunate that I don’t recollect much of it. Or maybe…
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Guest Post: How New Socks Can Change Your Life
Guest post for Shelbee on the Edge Written by Victoria Barnard Socking it to your New Year’s Resolution Inspiration can come from the smallest things. In January 2016, one of my good friends in an unprecedented fit of New Year resolution excitement found the inspiration to change a downward slide into obesity by making changes to his diet and taking up jogging. He chose to begin the popular “Couch to 5k” program, a running training schedule that purports to take you in around 9 weeks from consummate couch potato to running a 5-kilometer mini-marathon. Well, much to his family’s surprise and joy he did indeed complete the 5k program as…
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New Year’s Resolution for 2017: I Choose Joy
Happy New Year! I am back from my blogging break during which time I spent countless hours photographing merchandise for Shelbee’s Shoppe, taking measurements, and loading the images online for your shopping pleasure! I also reformatted my entire website to accommodate my online shop. Please do stop by and see all the pretty things! I am still adding items every day, so please continue to check back. And do let me know what you think! For my very first post of the new year, I want to share a little story with you all. During the late morning of New Year’s Eve, I was out and about running some errands…
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#SpreadTheKindness Movement (and Link Up) & My New Lularoe Carly Dress
Now more than ever, I believe it is of the utmost importance to be spreading kindness and love wherever we go. The holidays have arrived and while many people feel moved by the spirit of the holidays, there are also so many who feel depressed, stressed, tired, or just angry for various reasons at this time of year. Add that to a time of social tension in our country that has arrived in the wake of a controversial Presidential election and emotions are running high. Many people are edgy to say the least. We are watching people every day expressing their emotions by acting out in cruel and frightening ways. We are…
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A Ray of Sunshine in a Hate-Filled World
If you are friends with me or follow me on Facebook, then you already know that I have been receiving some pretty nasty messages and comments in response to my post about the Presidential election. Toward the end of that post, I stated, “Also know that I guarantee that I will NOT respond to harsh and unkind words. So if you are looking for a debate or an argument, you will not be satisfied here.” Being a person who reserves my right to change my mind, I have done just that. I have changed my mind. And at the end of this post, you will find my response to the…
