Yeah, pretty self explanatory!
I love colors.
Like LOVE them.
Like, the feelings I get within me when I walk past the walls of paint swatches at Sherwin Williams are so strong I'm wondering if my love for colors are borderline obsessive.
I follow this board on Pinterest. Um, wow. Wowza. I drooled. I tuned the whole world out as I slowly scrolled through the board. How colors mesmerize me.
So when I saw this article in my News App, my life came to a screeching halt and instinctively, I clicked on it.
I became fascinated by how colors came to be. I never considered how a certain color was invented or inspired to make.
Read it and know these facts for yourself!
Like LOVE them.
Like, the feelings I get within me when I walk past the walls of paint swatches at Sherwin Williams are so strong I'm wondering if my love for colors are borderline obsessive.
I follow this board on Pinterest. Um, wow. Wowza. I drooled. I tuned the whole world out as I slowly scrolled through the board. How colors mesmerize me.
So when I saw this article in my News App, my life came to a screeching halt and instinctively, I clicked on it.
I became fascinated by how colors came to be. I never considered how a certain color was invented or inspired to make.
Read it and know these facts for yourself!
8 Things You Didn't Know About Color That Almost Seem Too Ridiculous To Be True
One of my favorite things in the world is a good, old fashioned, girl's night out.
For those brief few hours we ladies get together and forget about the dishes that have been smelling up the kitchen. We forget about the dread we have come morning when we have to tackle everything we're putting off tonight to do...as well as the guilt that looms over us as we feel five pounds heavier because we ate that much in weight.
It's just moment in life where it seems like there is no time, there is no worry, we can just be us without the obligations that are calling our name.
And a moment where there is food. A lot of it.
But that's besides the point of this video!
I wanted to show you that while wearing your simple day-to-day outfit that you can make it look like an outfit for the night out! And you can also make that outfit into many different looks with just a couple of accessories.
I originally planned to show off two outfits but while filming, I found four!
And as you can tell in the video, you don't need expensive accessories, or even brand new accessories. Be thrifty and frugal and you can look incredible, for pennies!
And below I took some closeups. I completely spaced on videoing closeups of the accessories until after I had fully edited the video. Some day I'll get it right! ;)
What I'm wearing, to which you'll see just how THRIFTY I am:
Shirt: Gift from Rosemary, Merona from Target
Pants: Old Navy Diva Skinny Jeans, dark blue, $25
Shoes: Converse/Chuck Taylors I got myself for Christmas 2013
Socks: LOL, I had to. Probably No Boundaries from Walmart.
Belt: Given to us years ago!
Earrings: Minicci from Payless Shoes
Knitted Sweater: GAP circa 2000ish
Scarf: From Katherine! From Target.
Pearl Necklace/Bracelet: Got at a yard sale
Wannabe Leather Jacket: ASHLEY by 26 International circa 2000ish
Cream- beaded Necklace: Walmart for $5 or $8
Chevron Bracelets: Birthday gift from another amazing friend.
Yesterday I went to the store to grab some groceries.
Right out of the blue I get this thought to buy this:
I have a history with this dessert. We go way back. And even though I am the world's biggest Reese's fan, so much so that I am confident the only reason this company remains in business because of me, you're welcome, I don't have the happiest of memories with this dessert.
I'm going to take a wild guess that this product came out around 2005 because that's when this girl was introduced to it and once it was brought to my attention that I could pretty much have an 8x8inch sized peanut butter cup, I shelled out money right and left that was budgeted for the gas bill to get me some...the struggle was so real.
Alas, the fault is not Reese's. Nor Betty Crocker.
The fault is mine because, well, momma over here couldn't get enough of this dessert and ate it on the regular right around the time that I got pregnant with my second child, and therefore this go-to addiction came along with me as I entered into my season of nausea.
Then one day, nearly going bankrupt buying my 187th box of this delicious treat in a little over three months, I finished the prolonged task of making it and then took a bite.
And it tasted....gross.
It tasted like how I had been feeling every morning I woke up after eating nearly a whole pan of this dessert. It tasted like how I felt the moment before I ran to the toilet, in hopes I bend over it in time. This was when Mr Hunter's lack of skill in putting down the toilet seat was a godsend.
It tasted like misery. It tasted like my head leaning against the wall that the toilet sat next to as I slowly counted to ten to calm my squeezing stomach. It tasted like the tissue I would use to blow my nose to rid it of the acidic burn. It tasted like the spiked water that I sipped on after everything was said and done.
And so I didn't buy it again. For years.
Every time I look at this delicious dessert, I can taste the misery and the nausea and the dull ache in my head and stomach.
I keep a box around, sitting by the bed, as nothing could possibly make a better birth control reminder than that.
Well, back to yesterday, I was at the store when I get this feeling to buy it. I knew I wouldn't be eating it but I remember thinking, "This would be a fun activity for Girl Bunny and Boy Lyon to do, as it is no bake and they have been wanting to help me more with cooking and baking."
I walk up to get it and while the flooding memories and feelings come back, I grab the box when I think, "But this isn't the most healthy treat...and we are trying to be more health conscious as a family...I wouldn't be setting a good example...." and so I put it back.
I get home from the store when Girl Bunny asks if she could invite her friend over to spend the night. And not only could this girl spend the night, but it was also the night before her birthday.
This girl is probably the easiest person to please. She just blends in with the family, becomes one of our own, I never have to worry about her, it's like she's my own child when she's here.
But every time she comes over, I get her and Girl Bunny a treat or, an activity to do.....
........annnnnnnnnnnnd that is exactly what this Reese's No Bake dessert is.
And here is when I started kicking myself.
Sometimes we get thoughts, or feelings, to do/say things, and while mine was extremely trivial and even silly, as you might consider it, we mustn't let reason tell it "no".
Sometimes a thought is planted in our minds, "Hey, why don't you buy that so Girl Bunny and Boy Lyon could do this..." when the real reason for the purchase of the item was so that I could have a treat and activity for the friend coming over.
I have found that when I feel prompted to do something, the reason I do it is completely different from the outcome.
Needless to say, Mr Hunter made a special trip to the store that evening.
And I made a special reminder to myself to quit second guessing and letting reason snuff the silly promptings I get.
Right out of the blue I get this thought to buy this:
I have a history with this dessert. We go way back. And even though I am the world's biggest Reese's fan, so much so that I am confident the only reason this company remains in business because of me, you're welcome, I don't have the happiest of memories with this dessert.
I'm going to take a wild guess that this product came out around 2005 because that's when this girl was introduced to it and once it was brought to my attention that I could pretty much have an 8x8inch sized peanut butter cup, I shelled out money right and left that was budgeted for the gas bill to get me some...the struggle was so real.
Alas, the fault is not Reese's. Nor Betty Crocker.
The fault is mine because, well, momma over here couldn't get enough of this dessert and ate it on the regular right around the time that I got pregnant with my second child, and therefore this go-to addiction came along with me as I entered into my season of nausea.
Then one day, nearly going bankrupt buying my 187th box of this delicious treat in a little over three months, I finished the prolonged task of making it and then took a bite.
And it tasted....gross.
It tasted like how I had been feeling every morning I woke up after eating nearly a whole pan of this dessert. It tasted like how I felt the moment before I ran to the toilet, in hopes I bend over it in time. This was when Mr Hunter's lack of skill in putting down the toilet seat was a godsend.
It tasted like misery. It tasted like my head leaning against the wall that the toilet sat next to as I slowly counted to ten to calm my squeezing stomach. It tasted like the tissue I would use to blow my nose to rid it of the acidic burn. It tasted like the spiked water that I sipped on after everything was said and done.
And so I didn't buy it again. For years.
Every time I look at this delicious dessert, I can taste the misery and the nausea and the dull ache in my head and stomach.
I keep a box around, sitting by the bed, as nothing could possibly make a better birth control reminder than that.
Ok, I'm totally kidding.
But it is a good idea now that I'm thinking about it. ;)
Well, back to yesterday, I was at the store when I get this feeling to buy it. I knew I wouldn't be eating it but I remember thinking, "This would be a fun activity for Girl Bunny and Boy Lyon to do, as it is no bake and they have been wanting to help me more with cooking and baking."
I walk up to get it and while the flooding memories and feelings come back, I grab the box when I think, "But this isn't the most healthy treat...and we are trying to be more health conscious as a family...I wouldn't be setting a good example...." and so I put it back.
I get home from the store when Girl Bunny asks if she could invite her friend over to spend the night. And not only could this girl spend the night, but it was also the night before her birthday.
This girl is probably the easiest person to please. She just blends in with the family, becomes one of our own, I never have to worry about her, it's like she's my own child when she's here.
But every time she comes over, I get her and Girl Bunny a treat or, an activity to do.....
........annnnnnnnnnnnd that is exactly what this Reese's No Bake dessert is.
And here is when I started kicking myself.
Sometimes we get thoughts, or feelings, to do/say things, and while mine was extremely trivial and even silly, as you might consider it, we mustn't let reason tell it "no".
Sometimes a thought is planted in our minds, "Hey, why don't you buy that so Girl Bunny and Boy Lyon could do this..." when the real reason for the purchase of the item was so that I could have a treat and activity for the friend coming over.
I have found that when I feel prompted to do something, the reason I do it is completely different from the outcome.
Needless to say, Mr Hunter made a special trip to the store that evening.
And I made a special reminder to myself to quit second guessing and letting reason snuff the silly promptings I get.
My daughter has been eye-balling these Diamond Candles for a few months now. They're supposed to be the greatest candles ever, she says, because inside each candle is a diamond ring! And what are diamonds, folks???
So she saved her money, handed it over to me and I ordered one online. She HAD to get the Watermelon Wedge scent, from what other youtubers have stated, it is the best scent, and she HAD to get a gold ring with a PINK diamond, something she knew she couldn't control, but was hoping nonetheless!
Finally it arrived, I called her while she was at the neighbor's house, and she ran home to tear open the box. Instantly the amazingly sweet, savory smell filled our nostrils before she even unwrapped it.
But what touched my heart was when she said, "Hey Mom, do you think you could help me do a ring reveal for youtube?"
"Sure sweetie," I told her, assuming she wanted that to be the start of her youtube channel, as she's been talking about starting one for a while now.
"...and can you post it on your channel? I want your viewers to see."
How could I resist? While Diamond Candles, even product reviews in general, have not been done on my channel, I was happy that my first experience doing so was with my beautiful daughter.
Watch and see what kind of ring she gets and what her thoughts are on this candle!
Do you ever have that ONE THING that stops you dead in your tracks, gets you choked up to near tears, even in the midst of being among far too many strangers, and has you looking at your life from a different perspective?
That was me yesterday.
My friend's little girl's birthday is coming up next week. How I not only love my friend for a novel of reasons I could give, but her little girl has a spirit that warms my soul and just has my heart melting every time I see her.
This little girl is having a big birthday. It's an age she's been looking forward to for quite some time.
I am one who firmly believes to keep a journal, or a blog, or a vlog, whatever means you can to document your life, sweetheart, you should do it.
I also believe a good way to kickstart a new time in one's life is to buy a new journal.
So I went to the store, looking for one for this little girl.
The great thing about journals is that it doesn't matter what you write in it. It really doesn't. And who says you have to WRITE?! Buried deep within my closet are several journals of mine with not only journal entries, but letters never sent to those who have hurt me (for therapeutic reasons), letters to God, poems about love, hurt, and loss of friendship, and also...ART. Sure, my drawings are a far cry from jaw-droppingly beautiful, but to me, at that precise moment in time, they were the masterpiece that depicted what words could not.
^^Which is why I still find having a physical journal more important than a digital one, in case you were gonna say something about that.
I had to get the right journal for this girl. It had to be the right colors, it had to scream her name and be a perfect representation of her, as I want this journal to be a part of her.
But as I was looking through the small bookshelf of journals, I stumbled across one that did not scream her name, but screamed for my attention.
Cue the choking up, the tears, and cue the camera while I take a crooked, sloppy picture that I had to photoshop before putting on here:
I have been considering for a few days now to do a video on Boundaries. Actually, I wanted to do a video about how to have a healthy relationship with others when I realized that it all boiled down to boundaries and therefore, I've been thinking of nothing since.
This same friend whose daughter's birthday is coming up was discussing with me in mid-Autumn about a book she was reading on boundaries.
I didn't think much of it, other than the fact that for her, I thought that was a wonderful idea as I understood why she would need to set these boundaries.
But these past many months I have been worn out, and as you might have read a few posts back, I just feel buried with this job I have. It doesn't help too that I went into this job with all the negative emotions one like me could conjure within.
And stupidly, it was only a couple weeks ago when I actually decided that I can't do this all on my own but that I needed God's help. I firstly kicked myself for being so stupid as to not have asked for His help in the first place. Instead of me asking for help, I realized I was doing more of, "Could you just make this-and-this happen?" or "You know, it would be really great if I could get out of this job...." and along with that, I would give God ideas as to what He could do to make this all just a bit easier on me.
Selfish. That's what I've been. Only thinking of me, and turning to God like I was entitled to have Him listen and go, "Sure Ladee, your wish is my command."
I was driving home from the gym a couple weeks ago, still dark as night at six in the morning when I asked a question I am certain God knew was coming, "Dear Heavenly Father... I need your help. Will you please give me the strength to do what I need to do as well as the knowledge to know what Thou would have me do in this job?" I then went on about why I'm asking for this help, even though I laugh to myself as He's spent the last nine months hearing my complains anyway, so this was no new news to Him.
I park my car in front of the house, end my prayer, knowing that I needed to leave this in His hands now (read: I needed to quit my complaining from here on out), and went on with my morning of getting the kids ready for school, showering, getting ready for the day, and whatever other errands I had planned.
And stupidly again, I figured God would suddenly give me this superhuman strength to be strong and immovable, to tell people what to do without hesitation and especially without feeling guilt, to make assignments without feeling like I'm burdening others, to be able to spring out of bed singing like I'm a member of the Von Trapp family for my early morning meetings, to just suddenly own this President cap, know what the heck I'm doing, and wear it with pride.
And then came Tuesday. Just two days ago. Though I could swear several weeks had passed.
To cut shorter this already long post, I realized that my boundaries have been ignored. Not by others, but by ME and my allowance of overlooking my borders because I find myself to be less than the value of another or less than the issues a friend or two may be having at the time.
This same friend once told me, "Ladee, you feel too much. You carry too much the thoughts and feelings of others. It's a gift of yours, but it's also a curse. You have to know when this is being a gift and when it's not. Your curse is that you concern yourself too much to the thoughts and feelings of how others view you. You can't change that and you know better than to change you. So let that go so that your gift can remain a GIFT."
She was also referring to me saying "yes" to things that will overwhelm me when I worry what saying "no" will do.
HOWEVER: I must give myself some credit. I am far better than I was. Far better.
My journal entry this morning said this:
All in all, I'm good, really. But if you break me down into pieces, my heart is a mess from anxiety, my stomach hasn't had an appetite in days, and my mind is running a mile a minute with things I need to do.
I'm not complaining as I know it'll be over soon enough.
I need to get back to where I feel in control with myself. Like a realignment or something. I'm tired of feeling like I'm OK and then waking up with anxiety. I'm tired of feeling like I have control of things, only to get a vibe like I'm not. I'm tired of just worrying...about *everything*.
I'm tired of feelings people's vibes and having them affect me. I know people think things about me but I can no longer allow myself to care. For if someone thinks they can do a better job than me, I'd be happy to have them take it off my hands and yet, no one wants to.
I just want my freedom back.
Today is the day I've decided I have to be true to myself before I can be true to others. To rebuild my boundaries so that I can have the spiritual/inner safety I need to give me back my sense of freedom. To which I can THEN give my desired effort to this job and be good at it. While proofreading this paragraph makes me cringe, as I know the value of another and know their needs are important, I must see MY VALUE TOO.
I used to be told by my peers that I have no freedom because I live by "rules". And maybe for some, that's true. But for me, and in my opinion, having proper guidelines and boundaries in your life will set you free. A happy balance of when to say yes and when to say no.
Freedom, there is nothing better.
How do you choose to have freedom in your life? How do you acquire it?
Just moments after uploading this video, I did a Google search of: "late people are selfish article". I guess I wanted to believe that maybe I wouldn't find anything. That I would be the only one who had heard that "late people are selfish". But instead I wound up with pages of articles, some written in even heated and frustrated tones, over having to wait for someone.
I have found for myself that those who are late are never intentionally late to hurt the person who is waiting on them. Just as I would never intend to say or do anything to hurt someone, I have anyway.
Just as I don't have the "Organizational" or "Creative" mental chip that many of my friends have, some people don't have the "Time" or "Consideration" mental chip like others have. We are all wired differently. Neither person is better than the other and we're all fools if we are to ever think so.
But when I spent nearly an hour waiting on a friend, almost to the point of calling off our lunch date due to the embarrassment I felt as well as frustration of having to tediously watch the time tick by on my watch, when I had a limited time to be there before another appointment, I considered the words "late people are selfish" in a new perspective.
I have found for myself that those who are late are never intentionally late to hurt the person who is waiting on them. Just as I would never intend to say or do anything to hurt someone, I have anyway.
Just as I don't have the "Organizational" or "Creative" mental chip that many of my friends have, some people don't have the "Time" or "Consideration" mental chip like others have. We are all wired differently. Neither person is better than the other and we're all fools if we are to ever think so.
But when I spent nearly an hour waiting on a friend, almost to the point of calling off our lunch date due to the embarrassment I felt as well as frustration of having to tediously watch the time tick by on my watch, when I had a limited time to be there before another appointment, I considered the words "late people are selfish" in a new perspective.
During this huge journey I've had (and still am going through) of finding who I am and embracing my true self, I realized something.
Something I hate to say.
But something I found to be terribly true. And this fact is one reason I became so gung-ho on doing what I could to look and feel my best, every dang day of the week.
To save you the "inspirational story" that gave me this realization, as it's lengthy, I'll sum up the gist of the story with this:
People will not respect and honor you if they see that you don't care and respect yourself.
I realized that I could be talking the wildest, weirdest, wackiest stuff, and if I'm confident and looking my best, as well as flattering and kind to the person I'm talking to, they'd be more likely to believe me than if I showed up insecure, frumpy, and unkempt.
On the flip of that, I could be speaking truth, and if I look ratty, I'm less likely to be heard and believed or I'll be heard but won't leave any impression and the conversation will be forgotten.
Like I've mentioned time and again, my self esteem was pitiful in my younger years and yet, I hated that no one gave me the time of day or gave me far less respect than I felt I deserved. I silently demanded respect by those around me, friends and strangers and could not figure, for the life of me, why I was being considered less than the expectation of respect I had for myself to give them.
While I still run into those that have hurt me, taken advantage of my kindness, hated me from the beginning, or don't care to hear anything I have to say, I have found in gaining respect for myself, that I have been given more respect...or maybe since I give myself more respect, I don't care to compare how others treat me anymore to how I treat them. Whatever it is, having respect for myself has been far better than not.
What I wish is for everyone is to be seen as the person they are on inside. To be seen as the Child of God that they are, the good-natured person that they are. I believe the majority of people in this world are good and yet news, stereotypes, and body/clothing (FIRST IMPRESSIONS) has us all making incorrect assumptions.
Until we can change people's lasting remembrance of first impressions, here I give a few ways to give your best first impression.
Something I hate to say.
But something I found to be terribly true. And this fact is one reason I became so gung-ho on doing what I could to look and feel my best, every dang day of the week.
To save you the "inspirational story" that gave me this realization, as it's lengthy, I'll sum up the gist of the story with this:
People will not respect and honor you if they see that you don't care and respect yourself.
I realized that I could be talking the wildest, weirdest, wackiest stuff, and if I'm confident and looking my best, as well as flattering and kind to the person I'm talking to, they'd be more likely to believe me than if I showed up insecure, frumpy, and unkempt.
On the flip of that, I could be speaking truth, and if I look ratty, I'm less likely to be heard and believed or I'll be heard but won't leave any impression and the conversation will be forgotten.
Like I've mentioned time and again, my self esteem was pitiful in my younger years and yet, I hated that no one gave me the time of day or gave me far less respect than I felt I deserved. I silently demanded respect by those around me, friends and strangers and could not figure, for the life of me, why I was being considered less than the expectation of respect I had for myself to give them.
While I still run into those that have hurt me, taken advantage of my kindness, hated me from the beginning, or don't care to hear anything I have to say, I have found in gaining respect for myself, that I have been given more respect...or maybe since I give myself more respect, I don't care to compare how others treat me anymore to how I treat them. Whatever it is, having respect for myself has been far better than not.
What I wish is for everyone is to be seen as the person they are on inside. To be seen as the Child of God that they are, the good-natured person that they are. I believe the majority of people in this world are good and yet news, stereotypes, and body/clothing (FIRST IMPRESSIONS) has us all making incorrect assumptions.
Until we can change people's lasting remembrance of first impressions, here I give a few ways to give your best first impression.
Yesterday I was talking with a friend and she said, "I am so glad that 2014 is over...." she momentarily pauses as I can see her eyes gloss over as she is seemingly reflecting on how true her statement is. "I'll spare you the details, as we'd be here a while, but I could write a book about how bad this last year was."
It appears that a lot of my friends have had a really trying year last year. Whether that was by their choice, or by the choice of others, I don't know and it's not my place to judge.
I have found that while we can't always change our circumstances, we can change our attitude and our outlook on life. That doesn't mean we have to like what we're going through (ahem) but we can at least chose to have a better attitude.
Here's some ideas I've gathered these past several months, on how to make life the best and in return, have a great new year.
I pray that 2015 will be a better year for everyone, including those who had a stellar 2014!
It appears that a lot of my friends have had a really trying year last year. Whether that was by their choice, or by the choice of others, I don't know and it's not my place to judge.
I have found that while we can't always change our circumstances, we can change our attitude and our outlook on life. That doesn't mean we have to like what we're going through (ahem) but we can at least chose to have a better attitude.
Here's some ideas I've gathered these past several months, on how to make life the best and in return, have a great new year.
I pray that 2015 will be a better year for everyone, including those who had a stellar 2014!
