8.29.2017

Throw Back Thursday on a Tuesday


Who said TBT had to just be pictures, I wanted to tell you about my time in college today in respect to those heading back to school this week.

I graduated grade 12 in 2000, I knew I always wanted to be a receptionist so I applied to some schools for that and because my boyfriend lived there that was more of an incentive to go there, when I got accepted I was so excited, I had a roommate, a beautiful apartment, everything was working out great, a lot of my class mates had no idea what they wanted to do so I felt like for once I was on the right path.

My parents took a long weekend and drove me to St John’s which was 8 hours away in the middle of what felt like a huge city, they moved me into the apartment that my room mate already lived in, when they left me there I cried, I missed them already. My boyfriend talked to me on the phone for several hours that night to help me get over it. 
Then school started I met new friends, I was enjoying school until October 12 which was my birthday and because my parents could not be there and it was my first birthday alone, my boyfriend came and we had take out back to my apartment, he got me flowers, and a gift he spoiled me… then he had to go to work and I was alone, then the real loneliness struck me, I cried so much that night.  Then my student loan came in and I thought I could go shopping every day as that is money that I would get every single month… ( I was so Naïve) no one ever explained to me that this loan was for 3 months and it is not for shopping every day, it is to live on while you are in college.  

The loneliness didn’t go away with money, in fact 2 weeks later I dropped out of college and moved back home, and then a few months later I moved closer to my parents and went back and graduated from there.

If I could go back to school again, things would be so much different, here is what I would change:
1)      Study more instead of hanging out with my boyfriend, don’t get me wrong I love being with him who is now  my husband
2)      I would not have shopped as much as I did unless it was for food, not shoes or clothes
3)      I would have stayed in school, put my big girl panties on and remembered I am a big girl and I will be OK
4)       got a part time job to help pass time
5)      Budgeted
6)      Maybe got a personal loan instead of a student loan with lower interest rates. 
If you could go back to school, what would you change? 

8.28.2017

NIV Revolution- Review


I do not have any teen boys but I wanted the book as I could pass it on to some teenager when I meet them. 
The beginning of the teen years, time of many questions! I strongly recommend this great work of Bible! It contains many questions that we as parents don't know or even thought that our son was going to ask about life! Not so much biblical questions, life itself! Anything from siblings to sex, sports to video games and friendship to marriage! Every question responds with a verse! So there if no way us as parents will get nervous or maybe make up a story to respond our kids! As a parent, I also recommend this Bible, not only for your son but for parents as well. A great tool to help guide our teens on the right path in this crazy world!

I review for BookLook Bloggers

Bless our Gramps and Gran- Book Review

Perhaps it is unfair for me to review The Berenstain Bears because I am such a huge fan that it’s almost impossible for me to be unbiased. Growing up they were my favorite books to read. 
The Berenstain Bears: Bless Our Gramps & Gran is part of the Living Lights series, written by Mike Berenstain. The cubs have just returned to school for the school year when they find themselves gloomy on a rainy afternoon. They are gloomy because they have homework. Papa tries to cheer them up mentioning Halloween, but that is two months away. Papa tells them there is a very important holiday just a few days away. He tells the cubs Grandparent's day is the Sunday after Labor Day.
This one talked about Grandparent's Day and I really, really like that aspect of the book. We put a lot of focus and attention on Mother's Day and Father's Day but can tend to forget the Grandparents, so I really liked that aspect of the book.

The story line itself was a little unique in my book. The Bears talked about what Gramps and Gran did for them and what they could do for Gramps and Gran for Grandparent's Day. What they decided to do was make a book about Noah's grandchildren and give it to Gramps and Gran because, I guess, Gramps and Gran had made them a Noah's ark set.

Now while I didn't go to the Bible and double check, I do think they used the Biblical names for Noah's grandsons. But then to make it even, they made up 16 granddaughters and gave them modern names. The story was nice, it just didn't ring as true for me as some of the other books have.



I review for BookLook Bloggers

Is your child bullied?

With school starting again, I wanted to talk about bullying, it is unfortunate that it is happening more and more, not just with kids but kids bullying teachers, kids bullying parents, teachers bullying teachers etc, the world is going crazy. Kids can be bullied for any reason, they bully because your not wearing brand name jeans or your parents are incarcerated.  

Do you know the signs to look for if your child is being bullied?  
Most kids aren’t going to come home and tell you that they’re being bullied—in fact, many won’t say anything. Your child might feel ashamed or worried that they are to blame somehow, and they become experts at keeping it all inside. What are the signs you need to know as a parent?
  • Reluctance to go to school or to get on the computer.
  • Your child’s mood changes after looking at their cell phone or going on social media
  • Your child may not want to get on the school bus; begs you for rides to school every day.
  • Is frequently sick, with headaches and sleeping problems—and often wants to stay home from school.
  • You might notice damaged or missing belongings, or that your child keeps losing money or other valuable items.
  • Unexplained injuries or bruises.
  • Your child doesn’t seem to be eating his/her lunch—he/she comes home unusually hungry, or his/her lunch comes back home with him/her.
  • He/She might be moody, anxious, depressed, or withdrawn.
I was bullied when I was in high school, I was always being punched or kicked etc, one guy even put me in a head lock one day and it was scary, I did not want to tell anyone because as most kids feel no one will believe me.. 

What Should Parents Do?
·         What can—or should—you do if your child is being bullied?  Maybe your child will not outright tell you that they are being bullied school or you simply think it is happening… take time out of your busy day, listen to every word they tell you, take them seriously, hold them and hug them.  Let them know this is wrong and you will be there for them. 

·         As moms when we find out  our kids are being bullied we feel anxious, upset and angry, our first reaction may not be the best one though, because it’s probably coming from emotion and not from a calm, objective place—which is where you want to be when you talk with your child. Here are some good rules of thumb for parents to follow when dealing with this difficult situation:


  • ·         Don’t minimize: Keep in mind that you don’t want to under react either, by minimizing the problem or telling your child he’s being “too sensitive.” This is not a time to leave your kid alone. He needs someone more powerful than the bullies to advocate for him and help him handle the situation.


  • ·         Don’t blame: If your child is being bullied, don’t blame her for what’s happening. Don’t ask, “Well, what are you doing to make the kids pick on you? You must be doing something.” There is often no reason for a child to be picked on, other than that they are in the line of sight of another child who wants to taunt or hurt them. There is no justification for bullying. Blaming your child will only make them shut down—or worse, blame themselves for what’s happening. Instead, let your child know that it’s not them—anyone can be a target. It’s often just a case of wrong place, wrong time, and any kind of difference or vulnerability can do it.


  • ·         Have open conversations: Talk with your child about your own experiences. Really empathize with them and their situation by being authentic with them. It’s okay to say, "I feel so sad when I hear what you’re going through. I’m here to help you." Do your best to have the kind of relationship where you keep the lines of communication open. Encourage them to talk to other adults in their lives who they might be close to, as well—sometimes an aunt, friend or teacher can give advice and say things that you might not be able to say because you’re too close to the problem.


  • ·         Teach your child not to react out of fear: Often, kids feel shocked and paralyzed when someone calls them a cruel name or hurts them. If they stand there and take it, get upset and lose control, or start crying, the other kids will have what they want—a reaction. Let your child know that reacting out of fear or anger is going to set them up for more of the same



  •      Cover them in prayer each and every day. 


Provide them the love and support they need, teach them to find true friends who care and will support them in everything they do, most of all hug them and let them know you are there friend and always there to talk to.

8.22.2017

Me, shopaholic, not a chance...

The title says it all... 

I am a shopper, I love it, I can shop from morning to night and still go back again the next day etc... since discovering online shopping now I never wanna hit the mall up, I can sit at home in my comfy clothes and shop all night so now I am always on the lookout for some family-friendly shopping spots, meaning I can buy things for the whole family from one website and not have to enter my payment information on several websites, ( yes maybe I am lazy).. 

Today I want to tell you about a great place to shop online - Engelbert Strauss, who is specializing in the field of gardening & house development clothing and types of equipment, DIY tools, personal protection, safety wear, work wear etc. I mean everything in one place and you can sit on your couch or in bed and order ;)  
I have shared this site with my co-workers as I work in a car dealership with a service dept and the mechanics need work clothes and safety footwear, so why not share the good news, Engelbert Strauss offers a wide range of products in different shapes, materials, and colors, suitable for amateurs and professionals 

 I am a shop-a-holic and I have some several tried and true that I use over and over. 

Amazon.ca- So I recently signed up for Amazon Prime... and I am addicted, now I never want to purchase from Amazon again unless it says Prime, so I can have it in 2 days, I can buy anything I want on there, no more Walmart for me... recently I have purchased 2 dresses, 2 iPad cases, birthday gifts for my son, and I am waiting for more to arrive. I think I may also do back to school shopping and hang out on my couch instead of braving the crowds at Walmart etc. 

Sears.ca - I grew up with a Sears catalog that we would use to order everything as the small town I lived in did not have any shopping malls, so any clothing, footwear, toys etc had to be ordered and shipped, it could take upwards of 10 days. Around Christmas time it was very exciting because there were lots of Sears packages coming into our home and Christmas morning we would find out what was in the pkg. 


Wish.com-  This is a newer site to me and although the shipping can take forever the prices on there make it worth it for me, I love a good deal, Wish has toys, gardening, crafting, DIY, school supplies, clothing, books, jewelry, electronics etc.  It is like eBay only you are not bidding but you can find almost anything you are looking for.  



What about you, where are your favorite places to shop, would you prefer to go to an actual mall or shop online?



sponsered post but all thoughts are my own.

8.21.2017

Dear Moses

Dear Moses,

Wow, I can barely believe the big day has finally arrived. I imagined how this day might be for you from the day I met you, I did not give birth to you but you grew in my heart, the son I never delivered but the son I received. I am so proud that you are standing before your loved ones and starting your marriage today. Congratulations on your wedding, my amazing son.

I can't help thinking about what brought you here to this day. I'm so proud of the choices you've made as well as your many accomplishments.  From your graduation at NCC, your missions trip to Guatemala,  and now back in school to do IT, You seemed to know innately how to live a balanced life, and you've taught me a lot about that.

May you feel the deepest joy all throughout your wedding day and find small ways to keep that joy alive for you and your bride as the years go on. In the 15 years that I've been married, I've discovered that the secret to finding deep joy and ongoing meaning in your relationship boils down to three things that are within the power of you and your bride. 

1. Humbly apologize when you make mistakes. 2. Never act against one another in anger. 3. Show your love in small, unselfish ways on a daily basis. 

I'm sure that you've heard the jokes about people who end up unhappily married, but the truth is that your marriage is your own to treasure and make of it anything you want. Please choose to make it magical, special, and sacred, for then the happiness you both feel together will only increase over the years. You will get from this marriage what you are willing to put into it.

Oh, Son, I hope that you take these things to heart. I cannot tell you how much we adore Kim. We welcome her into our mad and adoring family with open arms. She is all I hoped you'd find in a mate. I vividly remember when you first introduced her to us and I knew she was the one for you when I saw the way she looked at you that evening. You deserve the love reflected in her eyes.

Congratulations again, sweet Moses. Kim adores you unconditionally, and so I.  Take the time to feel and savor this love every day for the rest of your life.

Love you always and forever,


Mom 



8.17.2017

All about me and mine- Answer 4


A few weeks ago I opened my blog up to you to allow you to ask me questions about me that you would love to know so today I am sharing Andrea's questions 

ANDREA: I'd love to know - what is your favorite book in the Bible?  to be absolutely honest I love Psalms and Proverbs, no matter what you are going thru, you can be uplifted and encouraged by God's word. 
Some of my favorite verses in Psalms are:


  Psalm 23- the Lord is my shepherd,  meaning he watches over me, he protects me and loves me 
Psalms 5: 22-Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalms 121: 1-5

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 

2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 
5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 

Proverbs 3:5-6 
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 18:10-
 
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.


There are so many more I could share but my break is over so I best be headed out. 

8.15.2017

Being a home owner

We bought our first home last summer, so we have spent one year in it.  It is fun to find the perfect décor, wall colors, art, furniture, blinds, curtains, rugs etc.


Instead of doing it all at once, it is recommended to buy 2 great pieces that you just love and cant live without per year
Shop around, don’t grab something just because you are tired because 6 months down the road you will regret it, shop til you find the perfect piece


Blinds or Curtains: I am not a curtain person, I mostly enjoy my blinds and some of the windows in my house are oddly shaped and I went looking for some blind websites and I came across Velux 
Some of the ones that caught my eye



They have all you need for blinds and for any room and what I truly love is that you can buy extra cloth to go with the blind for the spring cleaning :) 

Are you a blind or a curtain person? 


8.14.2017

Gift Giving

Today I want to talk to you about something that I am sure probably frustrates every newlywed at gift opening time.
Gifts, presents or whatever you want to call it can be stressful for any one, when you are buying it, I struggle with it as I want to give a WOW gift each time. I am in a busy wedding season, my best friend got married back in June and my son gets married on Aug 21, I was matron of honor for my best friend’s wedding, so I wanted to give her the best gift.. I struggled with it, had no idea what to get her, I googled for hours to find something for her as she did not have a registry which is fine as they had a house together and didn’t need anything, so they got a lot of money, quilts, frames, that kind of thing

My son on the other hands went a different route and he signed up for a registry. So when I was looking for a bridal shower gift, I went to the registry and within 5 mins I had a present picked for them, I also know what I am getting for the wedding gift.
If you are a bride to be, you need to check out Zola for all your wedding needs…  They have everything for your home in one place, you can do a wedding registry in a few hours if you wanted to keep it all one place, plus lots of worthwhile hints and tips on there. 

That being said let’s talk Budgets.. you can spend however much you want
So, Really, How Much Should You Spend On a Wedding Gift?




SO my question is when you go a wedding,  how do you determine what to giv Do you stick to the registry or do you give something that has worked well for you, I know some people like to give their favorite kitchen gadget... for me, I would prefer to stick to registry as you know that is something they want or need. 

8.12.2017

5 tips to getting around when you have a disability


Getting around when you are disabled does not have to be a burden. There are tools and resources that are available to help you get around with ease. Whether you are planning to travel or are just navigating through your daily routine, there are ways in which you can make your life easier. This article will provide some tips on getting around when you have a disability.

Consider how you will get around. If you are in a position where you are challenged by your mobility, you may want to purchase an electric scooter than can help you get around. While it is not a car, the scooter can still help you get to places that you would be unable to access in a standard wheelchair. For more information and to see options that are available, check out electric scooters for sale

Plan ahead. If you are setting off on an adventure and you have heard that the destination you are going to has limited accessibility, it is important to consider this before you arrive. Be sure to plan ahead and take into consideration that you may run into some challenges due to your disability. Try not to let the disappointment damper your spirits and focus on what you need to do in order to be able to enjoy your day. By planning ahead you can be prepared and you will know what to expect. Getting to a place and learning that the accessibility or the accommodations that you need are unavailable can be disappointing and quite a letdown. Avoid all of this by planning ahead.

Plan your route. If you are traveling, be sure to map out your route. If you are unfamiliar with an area, you want to make sure that you know the areas of the town that make it accessible.
Have a backup plan. Things can go wrong at any time. There could be a road closure or perhaps part of a building is closed or the elevator is broken. You can never plan for every single thing that could happen but is best to be able to think on your feet and come up with a backup plan. Whether it be enlisting the help of others who will be traveling with you or signing up for an app that provides helpful directions, there are ways to have a backup plan in case something was to go wrong. Sometimes backup plans end up being better than the original plan.

When traveling stay in accessible accommodations. When you are traveling to another state or country, it is important that you make the hotel staff aware of your needs. Be sure to book a room that offer features that are accommodating. For example, if you are blind but not deaf, perhaps the staff will provide you with a room that has a door bell so that people can ring it to get your attention. 

Another great asset would be if the room offered braille communication from the hotel staff.
There are many ways to get around when you have a disability and they do not have to be overwhelming. 

Time, patience, and perseverance will help you find a good routine.

8.08.2017

With this Ring..

This has been a very busy summer for weddings for me, it started it with my best friends wedding in June, I flew home to be her Maid of Honour, it was a pleasure.  

Our son gets married on Aug 21, so I have had two big events this year to plan for, I love weddings and planning them and making sure they look perfect for the bride and groom.  When looking for wedding ideas, I discovered The Black Tux, it is the perfect place for you to get the clothing for the groom.  

The colors of the year for Weddings are: 
This was the colors of my best friends wedding, the guys wore gorgeous navy suits 


   

The girls wore Light pink dresses, it was beautiful 

I love this green, this would look so pretty with a tan colored men's suit and the light green colored dresses 
 


This gold metallic is also stunning, a gorgeous gray suit and gold color dresses 

 
If you are looking for the perfect tux or a suit for a graduation, wedding or just a business suit, check out The Black Tux

Sponsered Post 

8.07.2017

Saving Moula

Growing up you really thought money grew on trees like your grandparents told you.
My First real life experience was my first semester at university, I went on a shopping spree with my student loans after I had paid rent etc, as I just “assumed” this is was a monthly budget and I would get this same amount each month…. Little did I know… I was calling my parents for money before long. 
Now that I am married and living on my own for 15 years, I have learned so much about budgeting, saving etc. 
Here are 5 tips for saving 


  • Budget always. Budget every last dime. Do not feel deprived. Budget for eating out, the movies, etc , I also budget for shopping. 
  • Set up an emergency fund- this will not come over night. A good emergency fund will have 1000.00 or more in it, this is to be used for a car break down, an emergency in the family, ( not to be used for eating out etc, this is not an emergency)  Quit using credit cards.- If you have a habit of getting into trouble with credit cards, hide your credit cards and keep them in a safe place in your home, not in your wallet. If you need to keep a card for emergencies, that’s okay. Just don’t carry it around with you. If you’re often tempted to use it, keeping your card “out of sight and out of mind” might help.
  • Extreme couponing is a thing as well... I have never fully gotten into it but I do love a good deal.  Some stores have coupons running all the time - for example Macy's which is an amazing store with great deals have coupons running at all times, you can check it out here: https://www.raise.com/coupons/macys. 
  • Menu Plan and stick to your list. I menu plan for 2 weeks at a time and the first few shopping trips will feel like they are expensive but once you get a stock going, you wont have to buy so much the next time or the time after. 
  • Choose quality over quantity. This can apply to food, clothes, electronics and much more. Although it's tempting to choose the more budget-friendly version of an item, sometimes choosing quality over quantity will save you more in the long run. Save up your money and get the best-quality product you can afford, and leverage the cost-per-wear philosophy with more expensive clothing and shoes. 
  • Read a personal finance book, check out Dave Ramsey, he has some really great books that will help everyone 

8.04.2017

Showerless Shave Gel

Summer time, the time for dresses and skirts.. this also means you need to keep those legs nice and smooth, if your like me and usually in a hurry, you let your legs go for a day or so, then you have prickly legs, today I have a solution for those prickly legs 

Showerless Shave Gel- that’s right, shave in the car while someone else is driving if you prefer, shave at the beach, the cottage anywhere you want, no water needed. 

How Does it Work?
The gel is super rich and silky, just on its own, that there’s no need to lather.  It contains natural antiseptic ingredients and nutrient rich oil extracts – including clove, ginger, eucalyptus, oat, and tea tree extracts – that act as a protective barrier against razor burn, cuts, ingrown, and shaving irritation. The formula is so silky and hydrating that it also doubles as a moisturizer – when you’re all done shaving, simply rub in the remaining gel for extra smooth legs!

How to Use

  1. Smooth the gel on your legs
  2. Shave as you normally would with a razor
  3. Rub the excess gel in as a healthy post-shave moisturizer 


Viola, ready for a night out with friends with smooth silky legs
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