Tricky Tuesday #12

Do you think you'll  try the system for "loading up" any time soon?  I have to let you know it's not perfect the first time... or three.  As with any training, it does take consistency and time.  Practice.  And the first few times it is important and necessary for you to be present and give directions and correction.  To be honest, you'll have to do this repeatedly forever, just less and less over time... that's life with children, right?

Once we arrive at our destination, we unload in a very specific order.  The girls in the back row exit first, often while I'm unbuckling the baby.  They stand near whichever tire I direct them to stand next to (no leaning on the van!).  My oldest daughter often/usually climbs over and unbuckles the little guy.  She usually exits before him.  He almost always finds something to fiddle with and take a bit longer than he needs to get out.  A guy thing?  I don't know.

When out of the van, they know they are supposed to stand in order... either birth order or reverse birth order.  Either is acceptable.

Once I've taken baby out of her car seat and put her in the sling, I hold the youngest's hand and the girls line up in reverse birth order behind him.  We walk to the store this way.  I do check my girls in line frequently for two reasons.  First, to make sure they are still there!  And, of course, to make sure they are walking in a straight line.  Unfortunately, lines are very much part of our society, so as a homeschool family, I take such opportunities to teach them how to walk in a line.

I put the youngest in the seat of the shopping cart.  If the store has a bench right at the front, he climbs onto it and I lift him from there.  If not, I just lift him up from the ground.  He's a pretty solid guy, so I like when there is a bench at the front of the store!  My third daughter likes to ride on the opposite end of the card (standing on the undercarriage and holding on to the basket), but I don't often let her as it usually causes problems.  So, most often, the girls line up in reverse birth order behind me and that's how we walk.  It works.  We get plenty of comments about "Mama Duck and her ducklings" and most of the time I don't mind at all.  The comments that bug me are usually, "Man you've got YOUR hands full!"  Sometimes it's said very kindly and I don't mind those.  But there is a tone of voice that is problematic and I definitely don't prefer those comments (same words, just different delivery).

Next week: how I save money and aggravation while shopping without using any coupons!

Meditation Monday #52

Meditating has gone very well this last week.  I feel like something new has happened, but not really sure *what* it is.  It's like I've made it over a difficult pass and things are getting sorta easier?  I'm not really sure if that's it, though.

Basically, even when situations have been really troubling in the last week or so, I've not been very troubled.  Perhaps it's just this part of my circle/cycle (not feminine hormonal... more like the seasons referenced in the Bible).  I'm not sure.  But I feel pretty dang good.  And SO very thankful!!!

My routine lately has been: open, Sa Re Sa Sa, conquer anger, overcoming anger, Kirtan Kriya, Prosperity, close.  It's going very well... even with a longer meditation time.  I've been so impressed with my baby!  She's only 6.5 months old, but she is so sweet and patient!  She plays quietly during most of my meditations.  Sometimes she's asleep.  But usually, she is just SO patient and CONTENT.  SO very very content!  :)  I'm so grateful for her!

I've been thinking so much about seasons.  I guess, really, it's not so much thinking as it is SEEing... during meditation... especially Sa Re Sa Sa meditation.  I'm just seeing so clearly how things are in cycles and seasons and how appropriate it all is... how everything is a system and so very conncted even while seeming disconnencted or unconnected.  It's been really wonderful and liberating!  I'm hoping to put my thoughts into a better form so that it's not as much gibberish as this probably sounds.  As I mentioned, I'm feeling really good lately!  Praise the Lord!!!

Did you notice my button to the right?  I'm experimenting.  What do you think?

It looks like:

Hoping for Sunday Slimdown

Have you heard, I'm part of the writing team for One Roll At a Time?  I'm pretty excited about it.  I sure do hope to continue to shed excess poundage off my frame.  I hope you'll join me in working toward making our body temples fit and healthy through the coming year.  I'm hopeful!  One of the challenges for January is contained in this picture.  I'm going to do my best.  Won't you join in!??

I will probably post most frequently on Facebook.  I need to remember to use: #OneRollChallenge  I hope you'll do it, too!  Just another way we can work together to build community and get to know one another better.  I LOVE it!  :)

Thinking About The Future: 2014

2014.  Can you believe it's almost here?!!  It IS!

This new year feels even more like a gift waiting to be unwrapped, to me.  I've heard others feeling this way, in years past, but I can't remember feeling it to this extent, myself.  How about you?  Do you feel the coming of this new year to be full of promise and exciting things?

I'm excited to, hopefully, get to know you better.  I hope to learn more what you would like to hear from me and what you would like to see happening here.  I sure hope you will tell me! 

One of the things, pertaining to my blog, that I'm pretty excited about is GUEST POSTING. Won't you come read me in other blogs when I share with you where I'm writing?!?   I sure do looking forward to this new experience and I hope you'll tell me what you think about my efforts along the way!

I'm excited about building my businesseses.  I feel a huge impetus.  Have I told you about the dream that drives me?  It's probably not what you'd expect.  I hope to share it with you sometime.  Lilla Rose, among my business building efforts, is doing best, currently.  I love selling beautiful hair jewelry at the Farmer's Market on Wednesdays.  It's really enjoyable to meet so many new people.  If you'd like to earn some FREE Lilla Rose Hair Jewelry, I can do Facebook and Catalog parties.  In fact, if you are a hostess with me during January or February 2014 and your party reaches $200 in sales, you'll be entered into an opportunity to receive a pretty hefty cash prize (around $500 or MORE!).  I would love to help you qualify for that incentive!  :)

Although I'm not doing as well at selling/earning with Juice Plus and Young Living, I am very glad to be part of both companies.  I'm pleased and impressed with their products and very glad I am able to use them at a discounted price!  I love my Tower Garden (through Juice Plus) and am REALLY impressed with Young Living's essential oils.

I'm happy that my crocheting business has already made a little money and hope to experience exponential growth in that endeavor.  Crochet has been my longest standing friend (next to food, but I'm getting over that dependent relationship.  haha!).  I've had crochet as a time of peace and enjoyment since I was ten years old!!!

Another exciting thing in the coming year is the new experience/effort of working my blog as a business.  I hope very much to reap some monetary rewards from this part of my life.  I really believe multiple streams of income is really the way to go in this day and age.  And since I already do it and love, I figured: why not try to make a little money from what I do already!  Can you believe I've been blogging since 2008!??  I'm happily surprised, myself.

I've joined a writing team for a fitness blog.  NOT because I'm actually fit and healthy, but because I'm striving to be.  I'm REALLY real and full of flaws... I sure am hoping to reduce some of they physical flaws (mostly the ones in the form of rolls of fat on my figure) in the coming year.

If you are planning and hoping to become fit and healthy in 2014, you may find my next venture helpful.  It'll go live for purchases on January 3rd.  Right now you can read a bit about the products offered.  I've become an affiliate, which is one of the ways bloggers are able to make an income via what we do out of love (write our blogs, of course!).

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for abundance.  I'm thankful for mercy and the BIG three (hope, faith and love).  I'm thankful for greater and greater Peace in my heart, mind, and world.  I'm thankful for this crazy thing we call life and the lessons that come with living it.  I'm thankful to be here!

Working Wednesday

The Farmer's Market I've been working is closed today and next week (of course), but I'm still working!

What do I DO?  How do I work?

Thank you for asking!  I'm glad you're interested.  *wink, wink*

I actually have way more work than I can handle. Not all of it falls under the umbrella of "work for money," of course.  I'll stick to that umbrella for now, though.

My efforts to market myself and thus market: my Lilla Rose business, and the other businesses I own are, in large part, spent online.  This blog, Pinterest, Facebook, twitter, my newsletter (you can sign up by entering your email address in the box under "TNJNT newsletter" to the right), picture/graphic alteration and creation, networking, and actual crocheting (which, of course, is not online) take up a huge amount of time.

But what do I DO?

Well, I spend a lot of time in my work space... at my computer.  That time is spent writing posts, which is a time consumer.  I love it.  I love to write.  None-the-less, it eats time.  Making pictures to work with my posts is also time consumptive.  Notice, I haven't had photos with every post for the majority of my blog's life!  I am hoping to go back and add photos to older posts.



My Facebook business page is a time eater.  I love the growing interaction there.  It's been a lot of fun to put out games and enjoy the responses.  I really love seeing what and how people think.  It's just cool.  Anytime you see a picture on that (or any of my pages), you can bet it's taken a while to create them.  I'm so grateful for picmonkey.com and Photobie.  I don't know how I would manipulate pictures if not for those two tools!  What you see on my Pinterest is most often NOT my picture creation. Twitter still befuddles me a bit.  I really don't know the etiquetter of that social media.  I don't post often and have a very poor following because I really don't know what I'm doing there.  That is one of my goals for the new year: to figure that out and increase my followers.

You may not realize it, but for a blogger to get in good with those who pay for what we do (write, review, do giveaways), I need to have good numbers here in my blog as well as the other social media I've mentioned.  It's a lot, I tell ya!

I use and love Pinterest as a photo bookmark more than an idea storage place.  I like the ideas, too, of course.  I just tend to use it to keep track of things I'd like to find again.  For ideas, I've used Pinterest most for recipes.  I like to see what the food is going to look like before I attempt a new recipe.  Is that weird?

Pretty sure I'm missing something, but my brain is mush right now.  I sure would love to hear from you!  Is there some form of social media (or other tool) that you think would help me get out there more?  I sure can use all the help I can get!

Some Crochet Animals

Why yes, I do make these lovely little animals.

And, yes, you can order your very own!

 

 

Tricky Tuesday #11

Systems.  Order.  Organization.  Things in their place.  This sort of thing was way beyond my ken not so long ago.  Things being in their place is still a bit out there, but we're working on it!  Thankfully, I have progressed!  Praise the Lord for always providing me the information I needed when I needed it.

So now I'm sharing what I've been given.

Do you feel completely frustrated and near to tears just at the thought of getting out of the house to go shopping?  Well, if you have two or three babies (3 or under), all I can say is: this too shall pass.  Seriously, you can implement some of my suggestions, but when your oldest child is 3 years old, things are bit more hectic than when they are bit older and more able.

My life is more difficult and fuller and better and harder all at once, now that I have 5 children.  My oldest is 9 years old and amazing.  The next is 7 and also amazing (in different ways, sometimes, but still amazing).  I used to hear mothers of many say, "I couldn't have this many children without this many children."  I get it now.

Because we have systems in place for most events, activities, situations, life is a lot easier even though it's still more difficult in some ways.  Yes, I do know that sounds contradictory, but it's absolutely true.

To depart, I give assignments.  They are usually pretty much the same.  Oldst daughter helps with youngest child (finding shoes, getting any final articles of clothing put on... sometimes that doesn't work, so I do it at the last minute before we head out).  The two middle daughters are pretty independent, so they get themselves together and head out as soon as my oldest daughter is ready.

At the van: My oldest daughter knows how to unlock the door they need to enter.  The children enter in a certain order.  First the youngest enters first.  His seat is in the first bench farthest from the one sliding door.  Next my oldest daughter climbs in and helps youngest buckle in his seat.  Next my second daughter gets in her seat and puts on her buckle.  Finally, my third daughter gets in and buckles herself up, unless it's dark in which case my second daughter might need to help her.  It used to be second daughter's job to help third daughter get buckled.  Finally, oldest climbs over the first bench into the row on which she sits.    How does this work?  Everyone has assigned seats.  YEAY!  No arguements over who sits where.  I put the baby in her seat as I compliment or correct based on how they did or did not accomplish the load up procedure.  It actually works.

Having this system in place (loading up), I don't spend nearly as much time as I onc did.  So, even though I'm not technically saving money, I am saving time... and time is really important to making money, right!??

Next week I'll share with you how it works when getting out of the van and going into stores.

Tricky Tuesday used to be all about saving money.  It is now becoming more about dealing with things that might be tricky to deal with.  In many instances, those things that are tricky to deal with may save you money if dealt with in a new way.  We can hope!

Meditation Monday #51

This last week went well.  I missed Sunday, though.  It was just a bit of a difficult weekend and I didn't take care of myself first.  That's how it happens most of the time when I miss my meditation for a whole day.  Pretty bummed about it because now I need to restart my 40 day challenge.  ahwell.  I'm sure I need it!

I was able to do a LONG meditation on Saturday.  An hour.  Baby slept almost the whole time, which is why I was able to spend so much time in the quiet of my mind.  Very nice.  I would probably be sad if that's all I had, but it's nice to have it when I can here and there.

Saturday Soliloquy #16



It's been a while since I was able to work on this series.  I hope to have it here for a while now.  :)

Now on to Australia.  Those are stories my eldest daughter asks for second only to Japan.  Japan is basically done, so... here we are.

My plane took off for Australia about a year after I left for Japan.  I met my future husband about a month after I got back to the states from Australia (January 2011).  He departed for a 6 month deployment a couple months before I left for Australia (in May 2011).    I departed at the end of July.

Before I left for Oz, I planned out my whole trip from flight to arrival in Perth (the city of my school: Edith Cowan).  I purchased a pass for bus travel anywhere on the continent (only caveat: you can not go back once you've gone in one direction unless going back the way you've come is the only option).

I flew into Sydney.  I was blessed by some of my luggage being lost on the trip.  I didn't feel totally blessed until I was out and walking in the city... then I realized what a hassle it would've been to have ALL of my stuff with me.  As it was, my hiking packs barely fit into the locker I paid for until I could check into my room.

I stayed at a Hostel very near the center of town.  Yes, hostel.  Not hotel.  The main difference is that a hostel is more for community than a hotel.  Sometimes, you share rooms with others.  Usually, you have to pick up your linens when you check in, make your own bed.  The don't usually provide towels or any other toiletries (though some do have toilet paper).  The kitchens are communal with lockers in which you can keep your own food.  Anything you keep in the fridge, you must label or it's up for grabs.  There is a whole room intended for hangout out and getting to know others.  Often, a TV is in that room.  Maybe wifi.  It was very cool.

Stay Tuned for more next week!  :)

A New Giveaway Is Active Now!

Carrie,k at Growing Kid Reviews, says some interesting things.  I'm very pleased!  I hope you'll let me know what you think via a comment here!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for marriage.  I don't know about you, but I think there's something about marriage... it becomes sort of a whole new being among the people it binds.  I think it's own entity.  I'm grateful for it.  What do YOU think?

Working Wednesday

I stopped these posts because I was just so frustrated about my tent remaining non-functional due to problems replacing a broken part.  The problem is mostly resolved, but not compltely.  It caused another problem, though.  I'm selling indoors for December because I could, at least, do that and I didn't want to miss ANOTHER market day because my tent company couldn't get me the correct part to repair my tent.  The new problem: it's more expensive to sell inside AND inside gets less traffic.

Dec. 4th

 

Dec. 11th

Dec. 11th trying to get baby to smile.

Ria holding baby and our setup on the 11th.

 

 

God has been very good to us and we've had a few sales each time.  Praying for more as we could really use the business and encouragement in business!  If you think to pray for us, I hope you will!  I KNOW prayer works wonders!!!

Meditation Monday #50

I've been able to share meditation, the idea of Kundalini Yoga, with a few people in real life lately.  It's so exciting to hope that I might, just by sharing this awesome technology, help a few others to experience the changes I've enjoyed as a result of my meditation practice.  I sure do hope they feel the peace that has come to me.  Of course, it didn't happen after one experience with meditation.

Can you believe I've been meditating using Kundalini Yoga for 18+ months now?  Well, I can hardly believe it's been so long.  Exciting and wonderful!

I've had a very busy week and, as a result, I had less available time for meditation.  I didn't do Kirtan Kriya every single day last week.  I still did all of my 40 Day Challenge forms of meditating, though.  YEAY!!  :) So, I'm going strong!

Praise the Lord for turning this chaotic girl into a lady who is becoming consistent in lots of ways!!!

Happy Birthday

To Me!  ^_^

I'm 38 today.  I feel like such a baby in so many ways, so sit's hard to believe I'm well on my way to becoming an older lady!  HA!!!

Only 10am and it's already been a great day.  I want to share a couple things that have helped it feel that way.  First, is the joyful manner with which my children have greeted me and wished me happiness today.  Although it has subsided already, they were starting out well with their chores and responsibilities.  At least it started out well.  They could've just done poorly with that from the start (or: as usual).

I was able to take a walk.  It helps me to get out of the house and away from my load of responsibilities.  I left a lot later than normal because the weather is rather cold and I've been worried about how the mists are effecting me and baby girl.  Thankfully they were basically gone by the time I went out.  Yeay!  :)

Lots of facebook friends have wished me a Happy Birthday.  That definitely brings brightness to my day.  I'm so grateful!

The best thing, probably, so far, is the 'secret' gift my children delivered a few days ago.  They wanted to give me a surprise party.  I don't like surprises unless I've asked for them.  So... they did something that could be a surprise/secret.

Now, try and tell me that's NOT funny!!

 

That's today.

Once you read the letter,

you'll understand better what this is all about.  ^_^

 

Pretty sweet letter!  I'll transcribe it below.

 

My oldest daughter wrote the letter.  It says:
Dear Mrs. Gollihugh,

We are the mama boosters. & we have been to mama's house before. & we had a vote about a month ago & the subject of the vote was you!  We the four mama booster's all agreed that you are the best mother on the face of the earth so along  with this Letter there will also be a blue ribbon because you have won the blue ribbon of being the best mother ever miss Gollihugh we apreeceate what you do very much.  keep doing what you do & keep being who you are!

Sincerely,

the mama booster's

P.S.

Happy birthday!  from the mama boosters.

 

So, the picture before the letter is my Blue Ribbon.  How awesome and wonderful is that!!!??  Pretty sweet gift, if you ask me!  My children have risen up and called me blessed.  My business is growing bit by bit... I'm becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.  Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever!!!!

 

I Wear Skirts All The Time (and maybe a little bit of Saturday Soliloquy returning... we'll call this #15)

Did you know?  Probably not.  I haven't really mentioned it and most folks don't see me IRL often enough to realize it.  I haven't told all that many about WHY I wear skirts all the time.  I wanted to once, but then I just didn't feel like it was the right time, so I didn't.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about this subject for various reasons and keep feeling like I should share a bit about my story.  I don't know why now, but hey... I think it might be nice to finally share.

So, first and foremost I want to share that I do NOT think wearing skirts is something that's sort of mandated by the Bible.  I totally and completely disagree with that point of "man's philosophy" and, yes, I'm going to share why.

Let us consider Biblical times.  Basically, as far as we all know, pretty much everyone wore something that looked a bit like a dress... called robes.  Right?  Right.  So... there were women's robes and there were men's robes, yes?  Yes.  What was the difference?  Well, I haven't done any research on this, but I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest there are at least a couple ways/reasons that some items were men's robes while others were only meant for women.  If YOU have done research on this and would like to say I'm wrong, I would love to hear what you have to say.  Keep it kind and provide proofs.  I'm totally willing to learn.

So... one way I think robes intended for men and woman may have been differentiated was by color.  Really, that way is not very important.  I think the more important factor was purposed intent AND weave.  I think there may have been an actual way of weaving a man's robe that was different from the way fabric intended for a woman's robe was woven.  Also, when the weaver was weaving, I have a feeling that s/he was thinking about the person (even, just the male or female-ness of the person) the fabric would clothe.

If you don't realize the power of intention and the energy of it, then this point will seem weird and totally lame to you.  If you DO realize how much intention impacts this world, then you already understand that intention alone would/does make a world of difference in the fabric.  Combine that with an actual weaving pattern or process and you have fabric made for men's garments and fabric made for women's garments.  SOoooo... even if a woman wore her robe draped THE SAME way as a man, it would be a woman's robe based on the fabric and intention woven into it.  The reverse being true for a man as well.

This brings me to our day.  Women's clothing is specifically made for women's bodies.  It is NOT an abomination for a woman to wear something purposefully made for a woman's body - whether it's a skirt, pants, or otherwise.  It would be an abomination for a woman to wear the kind of kilt intended for a man for the same reason it is an abomination for a woman to wear man's pants.  But for a woman to wear pants made with the intention that a woman would wear them... therein is NO abomination.  Now... if a fella goes around wearing pants made FOR WOMEN... that is the same sort of abomination as a woman wearing pants made for a man.

Okay, so I don't wear skirts all the time because I think pants are abomination for women, generally.  Then why do I do it?  Will I always do it?

I think I wold like to wear pants again some day.  So, I probably will.  But for now, it's skirts all the time for me.  Why?

Okay... so... getting close to 3 years ago I realized a few things about how someone important to me perceived me.  Silly as it may be, the realization of these things drastically impacted my perception of myself.  I already had self-esteem issues (especially about my physical appearance) and it just got super bad.  When I looked at myself in the mirror (which I avoided) I saw a hideous creature.  The only thing that set me apart from a guy was the lack of stuff in my pants (I did wear them at the time) and the two bumps on the upper part of my body.  I felt mannish and ugly and totally unattractive.

I wanted to feel better... and I couldn't think of anything that would help me feel NOT mannish... so I started wearing skirts.  For the most part, guys don't wear them, so I was able to do something that was definitely NOT generally approached by men or considered mannish.

And then some stuff started to happen when I was out and about in the world... guys held doors for me wherever I went (still do).  They spoke respectfully to me (much more than before) and still do.  Even other women seem kinder, more respectful, and gentler?  I'm not talking about aquaintances and friends... I'm talking about perfect strangers that I probably won't ever see again.  The fact that I felt more feminine was definitely good for me.  Increasingly, I could look in the mirror and NOT see a beastly mannish female.  I started to see a fluffy girl (cause I'm actually overweight) who was doing her best.

Now... I still don't see a beauty-girl or anything.  But I see a lady when I look in the mirror.  I really think wearing skirts all the time has been really important to my development... all aspects: mental, emotional, spirtual, and even physical.

I also really enjoy meeting other women who always wear skirts.  Generally, we do it for totally different reasons (they almost always think women wearing pants is abomination because of what I believe is misunderstood and misinterpreted Bible stuff... misinterpreted, I believe, because fellas would like their gals to be in skirts all the time, so they subconsciously seek to control them into so doing by interpreting the Bible in this manner).  I truly believe, even if my reasonings are not absolutely spot on, that their interpretation is far askew the actual meaning.  I truly believe that my understanding of intent is more what the Bible is referring to.

We can believe differently.  There's nothing wrong with that!  It's the weaponizing of opposing beliefs that is the problem.  And I don't mean bringing in weapons like guns and knives, though that does happen in far too many disagreements.  I mean, weaponizing by the use of name calling... or trying to turn the discussion into something it's not.

So, I'm going to say right out: I love when other women wear skirts all the time.  I think it's lovely.  I love it regardless of their reasons for doing it.  I might disagree, but I'm going to support you and love you no matter what.  Cause that's what we're supposed to do, right!??  :)

Just a girl becoming a lady with her little ladies.

 

This is the only photo I could find me me wearing a skirt that looks even half-way decent.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24548515@N08/11360590035/in/photostream/

 Yes, you can laugh now!

 



Gifts for Girls

I have four girls, so I know what mine love!  If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear what gifts YOU think girls would love.

As for mine: My eldest daughter asked for the complete set (books and movies) of Star Wars, a music box, and any series of mytery books.

My second daughter asked for a white dress, boots with fur (what girls doesn't love shoes??), a ballerina doll, a muff or mittens, and a toy pig.
 

My third daughter asked for: jewelry (she specifically wants Lilla Rose so she can set up for sales!  SO awesome!  At 5 she wants to be in business for herself!), yarn and a crochet hook, sewing machine, Chick-Fil-A toy, and a puzzle.

My youngest daughter is 6 months old.  She will get a gift and play with the box more, at least initially... so there's that funny thing about kids.  ^_^

My girls are pretty assured of getting some Flexis for Christmas, so they didn't specifically ask for that.  Flexis are awesome for every girl in your life... little ladies love them as much as older ones.  And they are lovely for anyone.

I'm a girl... but more accurately a woman and more specifically, I hope, a lady.  My wish list includes things that that are behavior more than tangible.  Probably also related to the fact that I'm a Mama!!  ^_^

Meditation Monday #49

Still going stong, yall.  Are you meditating consistently?  If yes, what form do you use?  What do you love about it?  How long have you been at it?  What got you started?

As for me, I started another 40 Day Meditation Challenge, got sick, missed a day or two as a result of the illness, so started over.  I re-started this newest Challenge on December 2nd.  I'll finish it on January 10th.  My challenge this time is a bit more difficult than the previous ones.  I'm adding in a couple forms to the two "anger" forms I've been doing for a while now.  I'm adding Prosperity back in AND a new form... not sure what to call it, but the chant says Sa Re Sa Sa Sa Re Sa Sa Sa Re Sa Sa Sa Rung Hur Re Hur Hur Hur Re Hur Hur Hur Re Hur Hur Hur Hung.  The greatest difference I have experienced since adding in this last one is a HUGE spike in my experience of peace.  So, that's pretty amazing to me!  :)

This video is a yogi teaching the Sa Re Sa Sa meditation that I recently added in.  I strive to complete at least 5 minutes of this form.  It's awesome!



With the new forms, my meditation time looks something like this: open, Kirtan Kriya (7 minutes minimum), anger (3 minute minimum), anger (3 minute minimum), Sa Ray Sa Sa (above; 5 minute minimum), Prosperity (3 minute minimum), and close.  It's not always in that order, but most often it is.  I usually need to do the quiet forms (anger) so that my baby will stay asleep.  Not that she's always asleep when I meditate (because she's not), but when she is, I try to help her stay asleep as long as possible.  It certainly is easier to complete longer versions of each when she's asleep!

Can you believe it... my baby is 6 months old tomorrow!!!!?!!!  She's the most blessed of the bunch cause I've been meditating the whole time she was gestating and for the whole of her life (except for a random few days I've missed).  :)

A Little More on Expectations

I had absolutely NO expectation of any comments, as, for whatever reason, they are super rare.  I love comments and love to interact with those who read my blog... reading comments and then responding either in the comments or in a new blog post.  Maybe it has something to do with ME.  I mean, people seem pretty put off by ME a LOT... so perhaps it's just an extension of the same... so I don't get lots of comments.  I don't love it, but I figure I write here more for myself and my Mom and siblings than for anything else... so it's all right.

And then I was blessed with TWO comments on one little post!  And I love them!!!  Such super thoughtful comments.  So meaningful and WOW!  I'm amazingly grateful!

So, of course, I have to respond in part because it's a worthwhile conversation and in hopes that my past commentors will want to continue the conversation, too.  :)  And, I guess, I do hope there might be others that would like to take the minutes necessary to share a few thoughts, suggestions, questions.  No expectations!  ;)  Just hoping....

By way of reply to my lovely commentors:

In my opinion, goals an expectations are sorta different animals.  I know expectations CAN be about oneself, but for me, expectations are almost always about others.  While goals, on the other hand, are about me.  And I set goals.  Often I do not accomplish them, but I strive toward accomplishment of them.  Sometimes more consistently than others, but the effort is there.

The point was made that moderation is the key when it comes to expectations.  I do agree, in a way.  If, however, your expectations have been consistently NOT met and, in fact, COMPLETELY disregarded (I'm talking a DECADE, now)... well, I think this may be an indication that having any expectations of such a person is truly unwise.  Why?  Because the person obviously doesn't care.  AND when we have expectations, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment.  If we have been shown over the coarse of a decade or more that someone doesn't care about your feelings... well, perhaps it's best to release all expectations for and about that person.

Being realistic and flexibile aren't even considerations in the scenario I'm thinking of.  The expectations are realistic.  They are even agreed upon.  Consistenly, the person who agrees to the WHATEVER chooses NOT to do what they said they would do.  This is a case of compelete lack of care and respect.  It hurts.  Since the situation is not changeable, the only option is to release expectations of/for/about that person and do any/all changing I can do in and for me.

My other commentor brought up the point of the way they have been treated... she thinks it may have been poorer treatement than she should've had if she had expected better.  Well, my sister, I guarantee you that your expectations will not make a bit of difference to someone who doesn't care to start with.  If they care, your expectations will not be their motivating force, it will be their own internal desire to do better.  Now, I'm not referring to children here.  I believe that if we are clear, good high expectations can be a benefit to children.  I'm referring to other adults.  And, perhaps especially, adults who are male.

I really believe it is internal motivation that drives me - not their wives.  Does a man want to prove his love for his woman?  THAT will motivate him.  Not a woman asking her man to show her he loves her.  If he believes he's done all he can do, he will do not more.  If he believes he has done all he needs to do, he will do no more no matter how his wife/girl/lover communicates that what he has done is not what she needs.

We cannot allow or disallow another adult (especially men) to do anything.  The only way the majority of them is motivated is by their own pride.  Even among the most loving gestures, in most cases, their own selfishness and/or pride is the actual motivation... not me... not you... not some higher motivator.  Sad?  But true.

Expectations of other adults only create opportunities for pain; especially if the adult(s) with whom you must relate and/or interact have any sort of mental illness.  This is what I believe based on where I am in my journey at this time.  It is what has been proven true more consistently than most anything else.

Just my two cents, of course.  And that's what I have to say about that.  ;)

My Birthday

Did you know this is my birthday month?  (Wedding anniversary, too!)  Perhaps because of those reasons for celebrating, I would love to give a gift to everyone.  However, at this time in my journey, I'm limited by availability of funds.  So, instead, I'm going to give someone some Free Lilla Rose!  Just participate in the Rafflecopter and you could be the one who gets a birthday gift from the birthday girl!  ^_^

If you'd like to give me a fabulous birthday gift: Join my team!  I'd love to have a few more Consultants with whom to rejoice and brainstorm.  This business is truly one's one, but we are not on our own.  When you sign up with me, you become a part of a group of truly Lovely Ladies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I'm thankful for slow days and family time.  I'm grateful for family traditions and trying new things in a safe and comfy way.

We are regular Americans here in the Gollihugh household.  We do things a bit differently, here and there.  One tradition we changed happens to be for Thanksgiving.  We decided (maybe the children and I and Jessie has sorta just gone along with it??) that we would forego the traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving.

It happened very "organically" last year.

A couple nights before Thanksgiving last year we had a hankerin' for sushi.  We didn't have much of the makings, but we had a few things (like the ingredients to make sushi rice and nori, so we made a go of it).  Actually... Jessie MADE it, I just encouraged him along.  And MAN! did he make a GO of it!  We ended up with what we'll call "redneck sushi" and it was fabulous!  We had a roll with green apples in it, a spicy tuna roll made of tun from a can, and another few rolls.  It was scrumptious!

All that wonderful redneck sushi made us want more, so we went to the store and purchased a few things and planned to have more for Thanksgiving.  Since we were going to have sushi, we decided to make it an Asian meal.  I prepared lumpia (with two sauces), okonomiyaki, and Jessie made lots and lots of sushi rolls!  It was AWESOME!  We had okonomiyaki for a few days after.  The children still remember all of it (including the leftovers) with fondness!

This year, the requests were Taiwanese or Thai.  Well, as it happens, Taiwanese food is very much like Chinese.  It would've taken me a great deal more research time to find some authentic Tiawanese recipes.  It's a little easier to find Thai recipes (or, as we've coined it: Thai-ican recipes).  So, we had a lovely Thai dinner for our Thanksgiving dinner and it was FABULOUS!

We had Green Chicken Curry on Jasmine rice, cold broccoli salad, butternut squash cakes, butternut squash biscuit pudding, butternut squash spice bread, and pineapple banana coconut milk shake!  MAN!  Our bellies are very very FULL!

God is good.  Even when things in my life don't feel quite as wonderful as they do right now.  God is GREAT!



Meditation Monday #48

I'm still going strong, yall!  :)  I haven't yet figured out what my new 40 day challenge will be.  I'm holding steady with the two conquering anger meditations, though.  Hoping for more drastic changes in that area of my development.  *sigh*

Are you meditating?

Expectations

They are what get us in to trouble.

Agree or disagree?

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful to be well now.  Last week I was down with some sort of crud.  It wasn't as bad as it could've been since I know a thing or two about essential oils (Praise the Lord for THAT awesome provision).  I'm also a Young Living Distributor, if you're interested, let me know.

I'm grateful to have been ill.  Being sick provides a wonderful way of comparing wellness!  If I was always well, I wouldn't realize how wonderful it was to be well!  I certainly prefer to avoid being sick, but I'm striving to be thankful/grateful in ALL things.

My walks were out while I was sick, so I'm VERY glad and grateful to be back to that part of my morning routine.  Routines are very comforting (increasingly more so) to me.  It's very strange.  I used to think such a feeling was pretty lame.  It's AMAZING how much God is changing me!  I'm so grateful!

Working Wednesday #5

My Ria's Lilla Rose Party turned out quite well.  She is very pleased with it's conclusion, as am I.

The Farmer's Market(s) are not happening because my tent is STILL in disrepair.  :(  I'm hoping for some satisfactory resolution very soon.

I continue to work on building my business online by seeking out bloggers with whom to do reviews and giveaways.  It could be a bit of work for bloggers, but they get a Free Flexi from me... if you love this hair jewelry or are looking for something comfy AND beautiful to hold your hair, it is totally worth it.  The bloggers I have worked with have been wonderful so far!

Networking can help our businesses and lives, too... Did you know more than 1/2 of job-seekers find their employment through networking?  I'm not really sure how to do it... the whole networking thing.... so it's like I'm feeling my way in the dark.  I know there are classes and online things you can pay for to teach about those things, but I just don't want to spend what I'm making for that.  I guess I'm willing to spend my time more than money.  Praying for leading always!

Being a Mama is always lots of work... especially as a Homeschooling Mama.  I'm definitely still doing that!  And my laundry room floor was actually bare at least once this week!  HA!!!  ^_^

Meditation Monday #47

Another 40 day meditation challenge completed without fanfare.  Totally didn't realize it was already upon me!  I finished on the 13th.  I'm still doing the challenge form and I added another one in during the challenge (on November 3rd) that I'm going to continue for 40 days.  I'm working on figuring out what new form to begin a 40 day challenge on next.  If you have any suggestions (within Kundalini Yoga), I'm happy to hear them!

I'm excited that I'm well on my way to my second year meditating!  How time flies!  I encourage you to begin.  My baby (now 5 months) has patiently waited through many sessions.  It's amazing how it has worked even when I wondered if it could!

Working Wednesday #4

I continue to work hard to market myself and my businesses, primarily Lilla Rose.  I am working to increase my efforts at marketing my crocheted items, too.  I've crocheted since I was around 10 years old and am pretty good at it.  I'm even an award winning crocheter, matter-of-fact.  I am very pleased about that bit of info.  ^_^

I didn't get to go to the Volusia County Fairgrounds Farmer's Market last Wednesday because the part for my tent that I received was wrong again.  We ordered a new one and it's STILL wrong.  I'm going to miss my Wednesday market day yet AGAIN.  I'm especially sad about it because the County Fair is going on and that means LOTS more traffic than normal.  Trying to look on the bright side... I was pretty sick on Sunday and Monday.  Maybe I need the break?  Working to resolve this newest problem.

If you like what I do here, I hope you'll check me out on Facebook by searching for TNJNT!  I would love to hear from you here AND there.  I would love to develop a community feeling with you.  As it stands, I don't really feel like I know my audience very well.  I know a few of the ladies who post and comment regularly.  I sure would like to know more of you!  One benefit to you of me knowing you... I can cater what I do to you and for you.  I sure would like to!

These cuties are examples of my work.

You can order these guys in purple (with pink,

as pictured, blue with green, green with blue, and more!)

$15 each plus shipping

drop me a line if you're interested



Meditation Monday #46

I'm sick.  I was sick yesterday.  I'm still meditating daily.  Most days it's the minimum of: open, 7 minute kirtan kriya, 3 minutes anger meditation, 3 minutes conquering anger meditation, close.  But I'm still DOing it!

Do you realize some of the time contraints in my life that I could (and did in the past) use as excuses for NOT doing meditation or other things that consume time and are good for our physical/spirit systems?  I'm a homeschooling Mama.  I have 5 children.  I am overweight (which means, in my experience of it and with others who are: I'm ALWAYS tired to a degree greater than "normal").  I am a business owner.  My husband is a Chef (which means he's not really around while awake  much).  My fifth child is 5 months old (I have meditated almost every day since she was 4 days old).

Very recently I learned the real definition of excuse.  Excuse: a well-planned lie.  Yep.  I'm working toward not using excuses.

The Backpack

I've long heard the backpack analogy.  Have you?  My quick version goes something like:

Feeling overburdened, someone begged to be freed of the weight on their shoudlers (seen figuratively as a backpack).  In a dream or vision the person pleading encounters Jesus Christ who accepts the person's backpack.  He takes it and tells the person, "I will take it.  In a few minutes, I'll take you to a room with new backpacks.  You can choose a new one because in life all the sons of men carry backpacks."

The person is relieved and waits a little while and then Jesus returns, takes them to a room full of backpacks and the person chooses one.  Jesus says, "Are you sure this is the backpack you want?"  The person is sure.  Jesus says, "This is the backpack you did not want.  Why do you want it now?"  Shocked, the person says, "All the other backpacks are bigger.  I was sure I couldn't manage those.  I guess mine isn't so bad afterall."

I've long accepted this story as truly representative.  However, as a result of some experiences in the last while, I believe this story conveys a fallacious view of reality.  I accept that I may be the only one who sees things as I do, but I'm going to share my perspective because I think it is much more accurate.

So, I think that everyone's experience is basically the same.  Do the same things happen?  NO WAY!  Of course, not!  But I think the changes required are often the same sorts of things.  For some the changes required are more than others.  For some the changes required much occur in a much shorter period of time.  So, those "backpacks" would, to me, look ginormous.  I actually think, though, that the weight of the backpacks is the same.

How could that be?

Well, let's look at it!  To travel, everyone needs all of the same basics.  Nitty gritty bare bones basics.  They are the same for all of humanity.  Then there are the things that each person needs because of their different needs... males have certain thing they need to carry to provide for themselves as do females.  Then there are those with physical ailments.  They have some different things, of course.  But everyone has something that is difficult.  Whether it's physical (and visible OR not).  Whether it's mental, emotional, spiritual, whatever.  Everyone has a disability.  Everyone!  Just like everyone has a gift.  EVERYONE is everyone.

All the things that are in the backpack for this life are the same.  I do think it's probable that some carry things from before (the pre-existence).  Maybe, superficially, things look easier and smoother in their life to others who are cumbered by physical problems that are outwardly obvious.  This does not mean that they weigh differently, overall, though.
Maybe one person has stronger spiritual muscles, so it seems that little phases them in that area.  But something else troubles them deeply and greatly that another deals with really well because of their inherent strengths.  This does not mean that the person who does NOT struggle spiritually does not struggle.  Just means their struggle is DIFFERENT.

I look at women who have children very close together and cannot imagine dealing with that since Father has planned this family and the children are all at least 2 years and a couple weeks apart (or more!).  So, my fire is not super heated... my backpack for child rearing is not weighted heavily by closely spaced children.  Does that mean that childrearing is a cinch for me?  Absolutely not!  My challenges are just much less obvious.

Perhaps all of the backpacks in the room actually carry the same weight.  Perhaps they are simply different colors, styles, and packed differently.  A pack with the sleeping bag packed on top feel very different from one packed on the bottom.  A pack with an external frame is different from one with an internatl frame is different from one with no frame.  Does that mean I could bear the pack of anyone else?

Certainly not.  That's not the point.  I know I need my backpack packed just the way Father has it for me.  I know I could not bear a single day with another's burdens because my "body" is made for the burdens I bear.

The point is more this: maybe we (I) should consider, when I look at to observe another in wonder and awe, that yes, they are probably wonderful in whatever way I have observed, but they struggle, too.  In that moment, I think it would be good and helpful to give thanks for the struggles I have.  To give thanks that my perfectly packed backpack, colored specially for me, tailor made and packed for me is mine!

The theory of relativity is not just a Scientific theory.

New Giveaway. Go Enter!

Tammy Trayer at Mountain Woman Journals is AWESOME.  I hope you will check out the review she did for me AND read up in her part of the internet.  She's a lovely person.  I'm blessed to know her and work with her!  Also, enter the giveaway!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful to be alive.  I'm thankful for hope.  I'm thankful for my family.  I'm thankful for my friends.  I'm thankful for my business.  I'm thankful for hope.

I'm thankful for you.  Thank you for taking the time to read here.  Seriously.

I'm thankul for my Savior.  I'm thankful for the Plan of Salvation.  I'm thankful for God's Word and the opportunity to hear His voice directly to and for me through His word AND the Holy Ghost.

 

What are you thankful for today?



Working Wednesday #3

So... remember how my tent sustained some damage last week?  Well, the part did not arrive in time for me to have my first Saturday Farmer's Market day.  It still had not arrived in time for me to return to my regular market day.  Very disappointing in some ways, but probably best.

My children have a little bit of a cold-thing.  Probably a result of too much sugar.  We had two birthdays in just over two weeks and I go against my standard "No" to sugar.  I regret it.  I've also been feeling icky.  Not much externally noticeable, but definitely feeling a depressed immune system.  I've missed my walk for 3 or 4 days because I wake up with a rockin' headache and I have tried walking with one and it was a rotten idea.

I really REALLY "love" sugary things... but I also really REALLY do NOT... especially the effects of them on my body and mind!

So... here's hoping I'll be back at the market next time (which is actually today).  I'd also REALLY like to be able to start my Saturday market!  I sure do hope to gain a customer base and, eventually, be able to run this business exclusively from home.  It's exhausting to worry about getting to market days each week.  I'd still love to do shows and things... just rather not have to do them EVERY week (or multiple times each week).

If you think Lilla Rose is nice, I sure would love it if you'd LIKE my Facebook business page, share stuff from there, and introduce your friends to Lilla Rose... if you'd like to get some Lilla Rose for free, let's have a party!  Even if you live totally far away.  We can do a Facebook party, google hangout party or some combination.  Just write to me through my Facebook business page.

November Flexi of the Month

(they are going fast)



Keep Calm

 

Meditation does wonders, too!

 

 



Meditation Monday #45

I missed posting last week only because I lost track of time and days and stuff.  Sorry about that if you look forward to Meditation Monday!

So... over the past two weeks, I've continued meditating each day.  Only rarely am I able to do more than a 7 minute Kirtan Kriya.  I'm still only doing a 3 minute conquering anger meditation, but my prosperity meditation is often 5-11 minutes long.  I'm not really sure why, but my baby seems to mind that form less than any of the others!

I've been able to wake up super early (between 4 and 6am) 5 times in the last two weeks.  That's not great, but it is progress!  Especially considering how TIRED I've been lately.  Probably due to the increased sugar consumption as a result of two October birthdays.

Are you still meditating every day?  Are you going to start?  I'd love to hear!

 

You could do this for a few minutes each day!



What Do YOU Think?

There's a new Flexi of the Month out now and going fast.  I think it's beautiful.  What do YOU think?  Click over to my replicated website to buy yours now... or, better yet, click over to my eldest daughter's Lilla Rose Party to register as a guest and/or place an order.  The party will close a day or two after November 16th (the day of the house party), so if you choose to help my girl by ordering through her party, your order will ship AFTER the party closes.  Just want to fully disclose.  :)

If you're up for it, you are hereby cordially invited to join in the Facebook party I'm holding (real time) online the same day as her in Home Party.

Additionally, I'm adding to my business adventures.  Have you heard the word?  Do you know?  Well, I've been crocheting since I was a preteen... tween... sometime quite a good many years ago now (around when I was 10, I think).  I decided to sell what I make as there is desire from my friends/family/readers/followers.  I am taking orders.  I have a few pictures and will share more as I make more items for sale.  If you have a special request, I'm happy to get to work on that, too!

This is the monkey style I have available.

Currently available in purple (with pink, as in the picture),

 pink (with purple), blue (with green), and green (with blue).

$15 plus shipping.

Special request colors for only $18

I also have elephants, giraffes, and owls.

Just a bit bigger than the monkey.  $12 plus shipping



Working Wednesday #2

Last Wednesday (October 23, 2013) was an interesting day, for sure!  The weather forecast was iffy, but I went out just the same.  Setup was a little damp because it had rained, but our feet dried quickly.  A quiet day turned a little windy.  I put stakes in my tent.  They were no match.  The wind flipped it... of course, while I was nursing.

God is ALWAYS mindful.  A wonderful family who would've likely passed right by if not for the dire circumstances, stopped to help.  Amy held me so I could hold myself together.  I literally felt like our Father placed a Godly Mama in my path in that moment to hold me and enable me to NOT freak out.  She just hugged me and spoke soothing, comforting, uplifting words to my heart.  Amy was wonderful.  Before she started hugging me, she had directed assistance.  At least one of my peers (a spot away from me) came over to right my tent.  It could've been more... things were a bit of a blur for me.  Seriously.  I didn't actually cry (because I was held in a wonderful tight hug that enabled me to hold it together), but my eyes were sure full and I really couldn't see clearly.  Amy directed her children who were with her, Amber and Tim, to work together to right the tent.  They also partially unzipped my walls to hopefully prevent the "kite effect" that has caused liftoff.  Amanda was standing in shock, I think, holding tight to her stroller, but provided such sweet words of comfort when I was able to stand on my own.  (I really feel like Amy helped me to keep standing in some literal and figurative ways!!!)  Praise God for being so very mindful of me!  He is ALWAYS Good!!!

As a result of my cover taking flight, I was very on edge through the rest of the hours we were at the market.  (8:08pm when I looked at the clock just now.)  I can only imagine that my concern over the wind and resulting anxiety over discovering that a metal part of my tent was completely broken was quite constricting and prickly... pushing potential customers away rather than attracting them.  Praise the Lord, for He had provided a few early customers, which resulted in a day of sales almost exactly half what they were the previous week (my first week outside).

While I would not wish the tent/kite experience on anyone, it was (as are all dark cloud sort of trials) thickly lined with beautiful, wonderful silver!  I Praise our Father God for providing customers before the experience AND the experience itself because it provided me such sweet interactions as He provided me with the wonderful Godly family who helped me so tremendously!!!  Isn't life just AMAZING!??!!

I was early blessed in my day to see Stacy at my tent.  She came to see my setup and expressed pleasure at it's appearance.  I sure do want to see hers now!  Maybe soon.  She also came by as she departed and we exchanged reports of the day.  She, also, had done about half as well as the preceeding week.  SO interesting!

My husband came to walk around with our children (and look for something among the vendors at the Market).  In speaking with the fella I could see who helped right my tent, my husband learned that where I was usually did about the same business as the busier looking part of the market.  Very interesting.

I was also blessed with a departing interaction with neighboring vendors who stopped to chat with me before they completely left.  I honestly cannot remember WHY they initially stopped, but through the brief interaction, I was able to learn a couple interesting things... one of them something that I used to believe I was very lonesome in doing/knowing/believing.  So... Father is using my work as a Lilla Rose Consultant to enable me to surround myself with others who know stuff.  I feel very much as if He is working to build a network of people who will be important to me for a good long time.  I sure look forward to seeing how this impression plays out!

My Daughter's Feet

It can be a little silly... the things we feel proud of, as parents.  I know, for sure, from experience that this is true!  Well, this most recent one isn't just about my daughter's feet... it's also about a friend's talent with a camera and photo treatments.  My daughter's feet ARE beautiful.  She was only two months when the photo was taken and who doesn't just LOVE baby feet?

I hope you'll check out the picture and do what you need to do to make it take top prize!  Won't you, please!??  Make sure you tell me you did on my Facebook Business page (search TNJNT), and you'll earn $200 Lilla Rose Bucks.  If you don't know about those, you definitely need to LIKE my business page in Facebook world and get busy there so you can earn more LR Bucks and buy something in the upcoming sale!!!

Do YOU have any experiences of feeling just SILLY proud of something a little less recognized as something to be proud of in your children, yourself, or someone you care about?  I'd love to hear about it!

Giveaway At Joybilee Farm's Blog

I hope you'll enter to win a beautiful piece of Lilla Rose Hair Jewelry!  I sure would love for one of my regular blog readers and/or Facebook Likers to win!!!  ^_^

Oh... and if you've LIKED my Facebook business page and choose to share this giveaway there (I've got a post you can share), I may feel inclined to pay you some Lilla Rose Bucks... if you don't know what that is, you haven't LIKED me on Facebook yet!  ;)  Go on over and do that now... earn some LR Bucks!  You can find me by searching TNJNT in the search bar on Facebook!  :)   (I have planned another sale at which you can spend your LR Bucks coming up very very soon!)

Prophet



Did you know there are many prophets and prophetesses?  It's true.  Moses told us that we should welcome such and be glad for them.  Search it out.  It's pretty plain.
What does a prophet do?  Prophets testify of Christ.  I know that prophets are often able to see how things come together because they seek the best gifts (spiritual).  Among the many spiritual gifts there is the ability to see and foresee how things will play out.

I testify of Christ.

I have seen how many things were going to transpire and are.

A few years ago, I mentioned to someone that psychological profiles and notes taken by psychologists and psychiatrists would be used to confiscate weapons and detain.  Did you know the first has come to pass?  It's true.  You won't have to search long for the information.  It's happened and happening in New York.

I told someone about this knowledge... that I could see that this would happen.  I was called crazy and told it never would because of Hippa, the Constitution... whatever.  I was told I was wrong and it would N.E.V.E.R. happen.

Do you think I enjoy being right about this?

You do not know me if you think I do.  Vindication is not sweet, my friend.  This is the second time in a short period of time that my ability to see what others refuse to (or cannot?) see has been vindicated much to my GREAT sorrow.

Did you know there is a Prophet on the earth today?  You know... one much like Moses or Elijah or any of the others.  It's true.  I encourage you to find out for yourself if what I say (any of the above) is actually true.  Don't take my word for it.  Just don't call me crazy until you know for sure that I'm wrong.  Seriously. 

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful to be fully free of PostPartum Depression for the first time.  My fifth baby is 4.5 months old and, if I remember correctly, it's hit prior to now in each preceeding postpartum period.  I'm so grateful to hope that it will stay away for good.

Monday morning, during my walk, I imagined a series of scenes... almost like a movie in my head.  I saw my past experiences with postpartum depression (especially the first time around!) as if I was mauled... slowly and painfully ripped at, and eventually fully eaten by a big, bad, horriblyhideous dog of hell.  I was still aware as I traveled through the digestive system of the hell dog and, yes, still aware as I was pooped out.  As poop in a pile, I was conscious and did, at times, feel a desire to give up and just be poop.  But even though the changes (through the whole process) were so super slow and took so long it felt like forever... the piles of poop next to each other melded together and eventually reformed into me... but different.  Very different.  So, I'm not the glamourous phoenix, for sure... but at least I know where I've been and what I am.  What we all are, really.  Cause that phoenix was originally poop, too.... way back.

Anyway... I felt like I should share that "movie" right after I saw it.  I felt like, maybe, if someone else feels like poop in a similar way... well, maybe they'd feel able to share with me... because I also saw that Heavenly Father allowed me those tortures (and those I still endure, just happen to be free of PPD!) so that I could sit in the darkness with another... that I might be able to bring some comfort and hopefully light to their darkness.  I sure hope so.  I know there were so few who could endure my darkness...  those few who did dare... well, even if they might hate me in the future, I will adore them to my dying day!

I believe Heavenly Father takes those He takes through valley so that they are able to guide others through... sorta like trail blazers.  Those they guide could rely on God just as the trail blazers did... but perhaps choose not to?  I'm not really sure about that part, but I definitely yearn to help others through faster than what I've endured.  I know *a* way and sure hope to share it with anyone who may be willing to listen!  ^_^

Working Wednesday #1

I've been working Wednesdays for a little while now.  I display Lilla Rose hair jewelry at a local Farmer's Market.  It's a lot of work.  Enjoyable.  The first time I had all five of my children with me.  That was rough... but workable.  The next time, I took all my girls (4).  That was workable, but also very stressful because my third daughter is 4 years old and has quite a lot of trouble being obedient.  The next few times she stayed home with her brother (and Daddy) and the two oldest girls and baby girl came with me.  The two eldest are 9 and (now) 7, baby is 4 months.  The older two are, for the most part, very well-behaved, obedient, and helpful.  They did help.  And they learned!

Over the course of our working Wednesdays, the girls have taken over customer interactions a great deal.  For the most part, they are a huge draw for my business and their knowledge about the Flexi Clip and other hair jewelry is tremendous and really entertaining (it seems) to those who stop to talk with us.

I have to tell you, though, as much as we do enjoy the business, I'm pretty sure the main reason we have this business is to get us out around lots more people.  I have a number of ideas about the reason for that.  What it boils down to is, basically, ministry.  I decided, when I decided to begin trying to earn money, that I would dedicate my efforts to the glory of God.  So, it just makes sense that He would use this business as a way to get me amongst those to whom He would have us minister.

For instance: last Wednesday the first two to stop to talk to us were two old guys who spoke to us about their grandchildren... specifically granddaughters.  The last few people to stop to talk to us seemed like they simply wanted to connect to others.  Sometimes a positive connection to another human being is all we need.

This business opportunity is tremendous.  It's not a widely known company/product, so the market is wide open.  I think of it as 31 before everyone knew about it!  I'm so excited about the opportunity it is for me and could be for you, too!

Tricky Tuesday #10

Why do we have "money problems"?  Do we believe money is the root of all evil?  That's what the devil would have us believe, but it's a lie.  You see, he's taken, as he does, part of the truth and twisted it.  That scripture actually says the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.  Now, the LOVE of money referenced in that scripture is what Jesus Christ talked about when He said things like, "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".  If we understand this truly and fully, we will come to the realization that money is only a tool... like so many things.  The goodness or badness perceived is in the person who perceives, not the thing itself.  The goodness or badness can also be in the use of it, not the IT.

Tricky Tuesday is supposed to be about saving money and ideas to help finances and whatnot.  So, what AM i going on about?  Well, if we can come to truly understand these principles, we will be able to transform how we use and interact with money.  We will be able to use the tool AS a tool... we will be able to be wise.  How can we truly understand?  Well, I believe that meditation is a wonderful tool to help us move into greater profound understanding more quickly than anything else I've found.  I prefer Kundalini Yoga.

Why?  Well... I tried mindfulness.  It didn't do anything for me.  I tried focusing on the breath... it helped me feel more physically calm, but my brain was WAY too busy for me to feel any swift good from it.  I tried guided imagery.  That was quite powerful for me... but compared to Kundalini Yoga it was like a jerky jumpy ride.  I think I would like to try it again in a few months, but to start with, it was really rough.  Kundalini Yoga has been a smooth seamless transitioning.  It has enabled me to see things in new ways and come to deeper and truly profound understandings more smoothly and quickly than anything else... prayer may be equal, but not as consistent for me.

Want to try?  Just as in prayer there is an open and close.  I do Kirtan Kriya daily.  Currently I also do Prosperity (still) and a conquering anger meditation (I'm in a 40 day challenge for anger).  My main "teacher" has been Felice Austin.  She's great.  If you don't prefer her, you can search each term in YouTube (make sure to include KundaliniYoga).

Meditation Monday #44

Another week done and I'm still going strong, meditating each day.  Praise the Lord!  His mercy endureth forever!!!  He really is changing me and I'm so excited to see what else He will do!!!

This last week was exhausting.  I woke a few times quite early (around 5am) to make sure I was able to meditate nice and early.  I still haven't made it up before 5am, but I'm working toward my goal of changing to a consistent 4am meditation time.  :)  I'm quite okay that it will probably take a while to become consistent, but I'm pretty sure I will... and that's a wonderful feeling!

No real break-throughs this past week, per se.  Just continuing to feel better day by day... and being able to work consistently with the heavy load I have currently... well, that's HUGE for me!

I TOTALLY beleive this!