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.
-
4 Unexpected Practices to Help with Weight Loss
For many people, losing weight has a lot of benefits including disease prevention as well as improved overall health. With more than two-thirds of adults in the United States being overweight or obese, more Americans than ever are following a weight loss diet, with one survey reporting that 52% of participants adhere to a specific diet plan or eating pattern. Diet plans and eating practices come in many forms, giving you a variety of options to try. However, many weight loss programs can be very restrictive when it comes to diet which could lead to a quick loss in motivation. If you have tried traditional dieting practices in the past with…
-
Healing in the New Year & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up On the Edge #636
My word of the year for 2023 is Healing. 2022 started out great and then sometime in the middle of the year, all sorts of things started going awry, stirring up old hurts and reopening decades old wounds. While I continued my focus in 2022 on Perspective and Gratitude, as the year progressed healing became a major goal not only for myself but for the world as a whole. Late last summer, I decided to take some steps toward achieving this goal and by the end of September I had received my Usui Holy Fire® III Level II Reiki certification. Some of you may already be familiar with the practice…
-
5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Lab-Grown Diamonds
Diamonds are a symbol of love, commitment, and beauty. For centuries, they have been sought after for their rareness and timelessness. However, the traditional diamond industry has caused tremendous environmental and humanitarian damage. Fortunately, you can still purchase a beautiful diamond without the environmental and human cost of lab-grown diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are identical to traditional diamonds, offering the same beauty and brilliance but with the added assurance that they have not been mined. Below are 5 reasons for choosing lab grown diamonds over mined stones. 1. Lab-grown diamonds are ethically produced. The traditional diamond industry is extraordinarily harmful to the environment and to human rights. There are many risks…
-
How to Cope with a Difficult Pregnancy
Although I am a decade past my childbearing years, I have friends and readers of all ages, some who are still having babies and others who may be expecting the arrival of their grand-babies. While I was blessed to have two healthy pregnancies and deliver two healthy babies, I know that other women may experience difficulties during pregnancy. So I am providing this article for those women. When family planning begins and you finally get a positive pregnancy test, you might assume that the whole journey is going to be a wonderful time. And it is a wonderful time, however, the reality is that some pregnancies are not as easy…
-
10 on the 10th: January 2023-New Year Would You Rathers
In case I haven’t said it yet, Happy New Year to you all! All of my monthly collaboration series are continuing into 2023 with lots of fun new topics and inspirations on the horizon. How we are already a third of the way through January is beyond my comprehension which has led to this date sneaking up on me. Nevertheless, it is time for Marsha’s 10 on the 10th series to kick off another year of getting to know each other a little bit more. 10 on the 10th is a monthly series hosted by my friend Marsha of Marsha in the Middle. Each month, she presents us with 10 questions about a…
-
4 Things to Consider Before Starting a Luxury Clothing Brand
Have you ever considered launching your very own luxury clothing brand? If this is a goal that you have had in mind, keep reading for some helpful tips as you begin your goal setting and embark on your new business venture. Starting a luxury clothing brand can be a challenging and risky endeavor, but it also has the potential to be highly rewarding. A successful luxury brand can command a higher price point and generate significant profits due to the products’ perceived exclusivity and high quality. To achieve success, continuously innovating and evolving is essential to stay relevant in the competitive market. Here are some things worth considering to achieve…
-
10 on the 10th: December 2022-Christmas Gift Giving
Let the Christmas countdown begin…we are down to just 2 weeks away and I have managed to get the bulk of my shopping finished way ahead of time this year. That really does relieve a lot of the holiday spending stress when you start early and buy a few things each week starting in September or October. I have even been wrapping everything as it is arrives so I am not overwhelmed on Christmas Eve with giant gift piles that need to be covered in paper. And now it is time again for Marsha’s 10 on the 10th questions. 10 on the 10th is a monthly series with Marsha of Marsha in the…
-
What to Buy for a New Foster Child
If you have applied to become a foster parent and are waiting to hear more about your placement, then you might be wondering what you are going to need to purchase to prepare your home for the new arrival. It is important to make sure that you are providing your foster child with a safe, stable, and loving environment where they can heal and thrive from whatever may have happened during their past. While it can be difficult to know exactly what to buy until your foster child arrives and you have had the chance to get to know them a little bit better, there are a few basics you…
-
17 Ways to Express Gratitude This Thanksgiving Season & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #302
With Thanksgiving just two days away, I thought I would share a list of thoughtful ways that we can express our gratitude this holiday season. Gratitude is a conscious and positive emotion that exhibits a readiness to show appreciation for the kindness of others as well as thankfulness for any and all good things, tangible or not. But the conscious act of gratitude is much more than just practicing good manners. Gratitude requires recognition and acknowledgement of the goodness in others as well as the ability to be actively thankful for all of the positive things in our lives. When we make a conscious effort to recognize and appreciate the…
-
10 Romantic Gift Ideas for Your Beloved
When it comes to expressing your love, there is nothing quite like giving a romantic gift. Whether it is for a special occasion or for no occasion at all, a romantic gift can show your partner just how much you care for them. However, with so many different gift giving options available, choosing that one special gift can be overwhelming. So I have put together a list of 10 romantic gift ideas to consider for your beloved. 1. Flowers There is nothing quite as romantic as receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Whether you go for red roses, pink tulips, or a more unique arrangement, flowers brighten up everyone’s day…
