Lip care addition

 As a lipstick lover, these masks are killing my game!😉 I do, however want to make sure I keep my lips pretty! There a tons of over the counter options, but I'm gonna give you a few tips to keep your lips 💋 happy and healthy at home! I think most of us are on a budget and these options are pennies to create. 

Sugar!! This is the one place you will see the benefits! Sugar is a hyaluronic acid molecule.  Hyluaronic acid plumps the skin. Everyone loves plump, smooth, healthy lips.  It starts with exfoliation! My favorite lip exfoliate is coconut oil blended with sugar. If you'd like to plump your lips, add some cinnamon oil.  Only a drop or 2 will do the job.  Anymore can irritate the lips. Gently massage the coconut/sugar blend on your lips and remove with a kleenex. 

To keep your lips hydrated without color, massage organic coconut oil on them! Exfoliation and hydration of the lips will reduce fine lines and allow lip color and lip liner to be applied seamlessly.

It doesn't feel like it now, but colder weather is upon us and your lips will thank you!!💋👄💄

That happy place.

 It's been a couple weeks since I've blogged.  The boy went back to school and I started a new job. We are truly blessed.

Part of my training today was on mindset. I have always believed what you think about you bring about, but was ridiculed for that mentality for many years. You know the old saying, sticks and stones. 

I thought about the videos I watched and the training I received today and how others lives are affected by their mindset. Tonight I witnessed two men, who grew up in the same home, surrounded by the same people and yet they are so incredibly different with how they view life and how they interact with others. Both are educated and handsome. Both are successful in their careers and yet one is so apparently happier than the other. He is forgiving and understanding and generally enjoys life.  I believe it is not what happens to you, but how you respond. I know I decide what kind of day I will have by what I think.  Yes, bad things happen, but it really is how you respond. 

I also believe the happier man is honest with who he is and loves himself.  Sometimes looking at your ugly parts and working on making them better is hard, but worth the journey. 

I challenge you all to watch some Ted Talks on mindset.  It is backed up by science and experience. 

Wishing you happy thoughts!

Bucket List

 What an amazing week! My second grandson was born healthy and handsome as ever.  My son is such an amazing father and husband.  I am very proud of him! He didn't have a solid example, but he sought out mentors and is killing it! He is an example of becoming who you are not  because of your situation but in spite of it! The victim versus the victor mindset.

For me, the last three decades have been wrapped up in being a mom and wife. There was little time to really think about what I wanted to do.  I never really thought about a bucket list.  I listened to a podcast a couple years ago by a young man who discussed 30 things he wanted to do, places to go and things he wanted to have.  30 is deep!! I don't think I'm on that level yet!! I say yet, because I will get there.  I think as you begin checking things off your list it becomes easier to add to it.  So I will share with you my five in each category. I would love for you to do the same.  You don't have to share it with me, but put it on paper.  Think about it, feel it! God gives us all gifts, the question is will we be brave enough to open and experience those gifts. I believe he wants us to have an abundant life, we just have to get out of our own way!! 

Have

1. My own house in my name

2. A boat 

3. A tiny house in Costa Rica 🇨🇷 

4.  My degree 

5.  A shipping container house

Go

1.  Costa Rica

2.  Puerta Vallarta (scatter my mama's ashes)

3.  Tree houses in Oregon 

4.  Germany (the mother land🙃)

5.  Canada 

Be

1.  A college graduate

2.  A better mom

3.  Influencer of happy hearts

4.  A mentor to teen moms

5.  A leader in my career touching lives and feeding souls

 

Momma

 Friday is my mom's angelversary. Four years later it doesn't feel real.  My mom had me at 17 so I thought I'd have her forever.  In a lot of ways I took our time for granted.  I don't think we ever realize how much our parents mean to us until they are gone. She was such a hard worker and handled everything perfectly, or so it seemed. We grew up poor, but she never really let us feel it. We always had a spotless house and nice clothes and she was very creative when it came to feeding us.  Beans and cornbread were a weekly meal. I saw her heart break more than once,  but no one bounced back like my mom. After some hard years, my mom met Roy.  He embraced me and my sister and our children like his own.  Most importantly he loved my mom properly. I will forever be thankful knowing my mom felt loved. I think of all the lives she touched and I know her legacy lives on. So if you still have your momma, hug her tighter and make sure she knows you love her. I'm wearing my big girl panties, mama and I kept my promise. Until we meet again. 🌷

It's Never too Late!

 I don't know about anyone else, but I needed this 3 day weekend! I needed to decompress! This past week was super productive! I took and passed the state property and casualty licensing test for the state on Thursday. I had my license in the past, but didn't do my CEs to keep it active.  I suggest whatever license you obtain, keep it active even if you think you'll never need it again! I also completed part one of my Paralegal certification!! On to part 2! I will be specializing in Real Estate and family low., which will also include obtaining my notary. I share these things not to brag, but to give you hope. It's been said that I had plenty of opportunity to go back to school and chose not to. I was seen as lazy or had no follow through. Honestly, I didn't want to become unavailable to those I loved. You may say that's an excuse, but it was my reality and what I have learned is nobody else gets to decide how someone else feels. I really enjoy taking care of those I love. Learning to love myself has provided an opportunity to take care of me. I want to be the best mom, grandma, sister, auntie and friend I can be! 

So if you're not who you always wanted to be, it's not too late.  Message me and I will cheer you on, or hold your hand when you need more strength. I have asked God to expand my borders  so I can touch more lives. If I can do it,  so can you!

Time Management

 Happy Monday Eve!!  I know most people dread Mondays, but I love them! It's a fresh start every week!  We are going into week 4 of high school from home and I have to say I am very happy with my son's teachers and the administration in general.  We started football last week, so I know my boy is feeling better and looking forward to a great year however it looks. 

I have never dealt very well with stress.  I know this about myself, so I am trying to put systems in place to eliminate as much stress as possible.  I have always taken on more than I could, and most of the time it was to make other people happy.  No isn't an easy word for me.  Years ago one of my mentors said you have to so no to good so you can say yes to great! When things start to pile up, I ask myself that question and make the decision according to what will be great.

Time management, when I do it correctly (I am human and fall off the wagon sometimes) helps me so much!  I have to be super strict with myself and schedule my day by the half-hour.  I found some fantastic FREE downloads on www.passionplanner.com.  Yes they have fabulous planners and I could spend lots of money, but for now free is fantastic! I color code my day to apply to my activities and my son's. It also has a place for me to separate work and personal projects.  I prioritize my todo list.  I know that sticking to my plan means I reach my goals.  I am setting a better example for my son to also stay on task.  He has big goals and I hope these little tricks will help him along the way.

To be completely honest, these are things I have struggled with, but I know I want better.  To have better, I have to be better.  We all have the same 168 hours in a week.  Subtract your sleep and your fulltime work week we are left with 112 hours. We are all guilty of wasting time, but time is fleeting and I want my time better spent. It's about achieving my goals and being present with my loved ones.  When I am unorganized with my time, my thoughts are on what did I forget or what else do I have to do, not so much who is in my presence. 

Make your lists and plug it in.  What phone calls have to be made? Emails sent?  Bills paid? Groceries and supplies needed? It feels so great to check things off your list and know you are closer to your goals! 

"Be selective with who you invest your time, wasted time is worse than wasted money."

Self care body care edition!

 I meant to get this out a little earlier today, but I had the opportunity to spend some time with my sister's family. I don't see them nearly enough.  We had tacos and brownies.  The bonus to dinner at my sister's is she ALWAYS serves dessert! Played a super fun board game which doubles as an ab workout because we always end up laughing until it hurts!  Simple pleasures....❤

I wanted to share a not so secret recipe I use to help my terribly dry skin stay soft. We all know our skin is the body's largest organ, but did you know we shed an entire layer every 30 days?  Did you know dead skin makes up for 85% of the dust in our homes?  Super gross, right?! After probably hundreds or maybe thousands of dollars on body exfoliation products, I now use a little do it yourself concoction.  First, you want to start with a natural bristle bath brush. DO NOT USE THE BRUSH WITH PLASTIC BRISTLES! You can find maps on Pinterest which will show you which direction to use the brush and the benefits for your body.  Basically, you will do this before getting in the shower while your skin and brush are dry. I do it in an up and out motion.  I start and my ankles and work up the body. Not only will this exfoliate, but it will also help to open the lymphatic system and detox the body.  Double win!!🎉🎉

The next product I use is something I mix up in the kitchen.  I'm currently using Johnson and Johnson's Shea and Cocoa oil.  I take a mason jar.  I use the 12-ounce size. 1 cup of sugar, I add the oil until I like the consistency. I like it more liquid than paste. Next, I add about an ounce of vodka. Mix it up and you will have an amazing and inexpensive exfoliant.  In case you were wondering, vodka helps to brighten the skin.  As we age our skin tends to look a little more dull, I know I need all the help I can get!!😁 I keep this product in the shower and use it twice a week.

I hope this provides a little spa day getaway from home!

Keeping our Sanity!

 Never in a million years did I think my son would be home-schooling!! I am truly blessed we are in a proactive district where the teachers are handling the actual lessons and Zoom class time!  I am also blessed my son is older and I don't have to make him sit still in front of a computer to attend class!! 

Some of our challenges this first week have been meals and mindset! I thought I would share some of my shortcuts that might also help you out!  

We are all social beings, and some more than others. These kids have been out of class for MONTHS and are missing their peers! My son will be playing football this year so I have encouraged him to reach out to some of the players he doesn't know. He met a new teammate and they will be working out together this weekend! (safety precautions, of course).  With older kids, they are geniuses at finding each other on social media. Maybe the younger kids could identify someone new in their class and send an email introducing themselves.  We need happy, healthy kiddos and sometimes it's the little things that can make sure that happens.

Keeping them fed!  I don't know about anyone else but I am so tired of washing dishes!!! Holy moly!!! To cut down on some of the work, I have been doubling everything I make.  This lessens the load on mealtime.  My son doesn't do cereal, so that means I'm cooking for breakfast, too.  I reheat everything on the stovetop.  Microwaving breakfast just isn't that appetizing. We have been doing chicken and rice bowls or chicken salad for lunch.  I bought pre-sliced chicken (because it was a great deal) and grilled it with ranch seasoning.  Made 2 salads and 2 chicken and rice bowls.  I had quite a bit of chicken leftover, so I put it in a ziplock freezer bag and stuck it in the freezer for next week.

Snacks!! Cheese sticks, carrot sticks, grapes, protein shakes, and pretzels. Crystal light in water bottles.  I prefer the Crystal Light sweetened with Stevia.

Kids feed off our mood or energy.  I'm working every day to keep my mood light and the stress to a minimum.  I have felt extremely grateful to have my son home with me this extra time.  They grow up so fast, before you know it this time is gone.  We got this, mommas!