Dear Friend Trying to Lose Weight for Summer, Before you go on a diet, there's something I want to talk to you about. Consider it a very necessary Summer self-care tip. Every year as warm weather approaches, I come across so many comments online from women saying it’s time to get back on a diet; that they need to lose weight so they’ll look good in a swimsuit. I get it. I really do. I remember when my daughter was little, she had to be about three, she would tell people I was ... VIEW POST
The Summer Self-Care Tip You’ve Been Missing
Simple Living Principles for Navigating Through Our Differences
Regardless of your political affiliation, religious beliefs, or stance on social issues, the discord in our world makes it incredibly hard to hear ourselves think or to know how to respond. I see my role within the simple living niche as helping you cut through the clanging noise so you can find your voice and use it for good; yours and others. I also feel led to help you use your voice effectively, which in my experience means, mindfully and intentionally. The more I walk this ... VIEW POST
The Road Trip – Introduction
Introduction It’d been a hell of a year. In June of 2016, my Dad suffered a massive stroke. To say it changed my world is to put it mildly. There’s a scene in the show One Mississippi where Tig’s mother had just passed away. As Tig was getting ready for bed, her partner tells her, “You need to get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day.” “Tomorrow is actually a very small day, because my mother’s not in it.” Tig responded. I had to turn the show off after that. ... VIEW POST
The Road Trip – Day 1
Travis the Mechanic and Midnight in New Mexico "Are you going to be able to enjoy this vacation?" someone asked me, knowing it would end with leaving my daughter thousands of miles away. "I sure hope so," I answered since we, after the year we’d had, really needed this vacation to be a vacation. The next morning we got up and started packing Harold, Hannah's car, not just with luggage for the trip, but with moving boxes. Setting the GPS to our first destination and pulling out of the ... VIEW POST
The Road Trip – Day 2
Starring Ben and Lois I woke up to the sounds of Matt coming in and out of the front door as I lingered in bed, wondering what kind of mood he was in, especially since we'd gone to bed somewhat angry with each other, not to mention his aggravation over the lingering car repair. At this point Hannah started stirring. The plan was to tour the Carlsbad Caverns, then head to Arizona. Between sinus pressure, poor sleep, and feeling stiff and swollen from sitting in the car ... VIEW POST
The Road Trip – Day 3
That Night in La Jolla We'd made it to our Airbnb in San Diego by the late afternoon. Once we unpacked the car and settled into our room, we asked our lovely host for dinner suggestions. The local barbecue restaurant she'd suggested had a really long line wrapped around the building. We were too tired and hungry to wait, so we ended up at Olive Garden. After dinner, I suggested we walk along the beach and maybe try to find the seals our host had mentioned. We were enchanted with the ... VIEW POST
The Road Trip – Day 4
A Good Day in San Diego We originally wanted to enjoy breakfast on the back patio of the Airbnb, but there was another guest whose loud and intrusive presence made us uncomfortable. So, we left. After breakfast, we revisited our original plan to visit the San Diego Zoo. Between ticket prices and feeling worn out, we decided to spend the day lounging on a nearby beach. The warm sun, crashing waves, and gentle breeze rocked us to sleep. These types of days were a respite to my ... VIEW POST
The Road Trip – Day 5
Where Wishes Come True Have you ever experienced an inner shift, one where you’re now resigned to and committed to making the rest of your world reflect that shift, but nothing has changed just yet? A caterpillar transformed into a beautiful butterfly, wings ready to bear.A babe prepared to leave the womb where he was fearfully and wonderfully knitThis innate need to transition wells up insidefilling your soul, claiming your voice, but the time is yet; Like a wave on the brink ... VIEW POST
The Road Trip – Day 6
We got up, got dressed, and set the GPS to Saddleback college. In the fifteen minutes it took to get to the school, the mental, emotional, and physical toll of this road trip washed over me. I regrettably let Matt and Hannah know I couldn't summon the energy to walk around a college campus. They seemed to understand. So, Matt and Hannah went without me. Meanwhile, disappointment, embarrassment and guilt kept me company while I slept in the car. This was quite the disparity between the way ... VIEW POST
Your Step-by-Step Clothes Declutter Guide to a Tidy Closet
You feel like you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. You're over trying to figure out what to wear everyday. And, you're tired of the clothes clutter. My clothes declutter guide will help you edit your clothes and pare down your wardrobe. You're going to love getting dressed again! What Does 'Declutter Clothes' Mean? When you declutter your clothes, you're simply going through what you have, and making a decision about each piece. It's ... VIEW POST
Paper Plates, Cups and Napkins, Oh My! – 11 Simple Tips for Organizing Party Supplies
HOW TO ORGANIZE PARTY SUPPLIES From picnics to birthday parties to nights where we just don’t want to dirty the dishes, we’ve all accumulated a stash of party supplies we’re not quite sure what to do with. Where do you store paper plates? How do you organize party supplies? I’ve been faced with those same questions. So, as an experienced hostess and home organizer, I've curated my best tips for organizing party supplies. Party Supply Storage Inevitably ... VIEW POST
How to Organize a Kitchen in 5 Easy Steps
Kitchens are the hub of the home, making this space susceptible to clutter and disorganization. Whether your kitchen clutter is due to the busyness of your household, needing some kitchen organizing ideas, not being able to resist all the cute mugs, or all the above, the following tips on how to organize a kitchen will certainly help. A Step-by-Step Guide to Basic Kitchen Organization An efficient and functional kitchen that serves your lifestyle starts with good, basic kitchen ... VIEW POST
The Most Profound Reason to Trust Your Inner Voice
I remember the first time it happened. I was in first grade, about to turn in my math worksheet, when the girl who sat next to me insisted I had the wrong answer on one of the problems. So, I changed my answer. It's been that way ever since; anytime someone else spoke with confidence or conviction, I took them at their word. I gave all of those people, with their strong opinions, firm beliefs, and well-intended advice authority over me; over my own opinions and beliefs and desires. I ... VIEW POST
How to Create a Foyer When There Is None
Are you wondering how to create a foyer when there isn't one? I've been there, too. The good news is with a little imagination and creativity, you can turn an open space into a cozy foyer that serves your lifestyle. How to Create a Foyer in an Open Floor Plan Many of today's homes have an open floor plan with the door opening into the living room. If your door opens into the living room or you have an open concept home, there are still ways to create a foyer in your ... VIEW POST
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