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Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Reflections

First Time Again…

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What’s a book, movie, or TV show that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Book:

Masterpiece By Francine Rivers

This is one of my favorite books. And I just discovered it on my mom’s audible list. I remember the first time I heard this book, yes heard. I listened to this book with my mom while we drove up to my brother at his second year of college. I don’t know how long ago that was…for sure over fifteen years. But the drive was five hours up and five hours home. I finished the last five hours of the book once we got home. I don’t do well with cliffhangers. Parts of this book I still remember, but I’ve always wanted to read it again. So over fifteen years later, I’ll listen again.

Movie:

This one is hard. I don’t really know if I have a movie I would want to see again for the first time. All the movies I have seen in my life, I’ve enjoyed to an extent. Where I either watch the movies over and over again, or I only watch it once, and once is enough. Like mom had us watch a movie called, “The Silver Stallion”. It was terrible. She probably remembers. Haha! But I only remember the ending of the movie, and once was enough for me.

TV Show:

I’ve seen so many TV shows. So many! Probably more tv shows than movies in my lifetime. At least in my teenage to early twenty years. Now I just watch the shows that I’ve liked in the past, new shows always have new ideas they want to force on you. So I just stick to a few. A couple are: “Lie to Me” was a good show that I wish I could see brand new again. It got cancelled but I still occasionally watch it. “Veronica Mars” I remember liking it, but it’s been years since I watched it. I watched it with my older sister. But I’ve recently started watching “White Collar” again. I’ve seen the first few seasons a few times, I don’t remember later on. But it should be interesting to finish again. Again, it’s been over ten years since I last watched the show. I’ve been sticking to YouTube or short tv shows.

Here’s one. Maybe I would want to watch “Lost” again. For the first time with no knowledge of it. Because now you could sit down and start and finish the show. You wouldn’t have to wait until next seasons are coming out. It wasn’t my favorite show, and I don’t really remember most of it, but i might watch it again. Maybe. It was a show I watched with my older brother. How time does fly.

But something I would really like to experience for the first time again, is meeting my now husband for the first time. I would love to be an onlooker watching what went down. How I walked right by him, and didn’t recognize him. How he ordered me a hot chocolate. How he talked the entire time and I awkwardly listened. How he drove me home. How he gave me a side hug. BEST SIDE HUG!! (That hug told me he was the one). I wish I could watch it all again. Or maybe watch our first few dates. I really need to write our love story down. So our kids know what a true love story can look like.

Enjoy your weekend. 😊

Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

This has been a thought a few times.

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If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

So actually before I knew where my name came from, I thought about wanting my name to be changed.

I had thought about keeping the Emily but changing my middle to Elizabeth. Because I used to love Clifford.

Then for a bit I wanted my initials to be DW. I didn’t care what my name would be. But that show Arthur was my favorite, and I of course I gravitated towards the sister DW. I’m amazed my older brother still likes me after those years. Haha!

Then in elementary school I wanted to have the name Samantha so that I could match my friend’s name. We could be Samantha twins. Instead I’ve given my daughter this name. funny how things come full circle.

In high school I liked my name. But I wanted a new last name. I had even thought about changing my last name to my mom’s maiden name. But then at some point I decided to see my last name as my brothers’ name.

Then pretty much the rest of my teenage years I dreamed about finding my Mr. Right. And I actually looked up men last names and wondered what my name would be.

In my twenties, I met my husband. My only true name change. And I’m so happy I kept everything the same. My mom chose my name because she liked it. And I could never be anyone, but who I am.

Love you mama ❤️

Enjoy your Sunday!

Three days until my husband comes home!! The kiddos and I have been counting down the days.

The cover photo is of my newer daughter. She likes to have capes. Her siblings don’t know yet, but she is the boss. Haha!

Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

What does it mean?

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Describe your dream chocolate bar.

Honestly when I read this my first thought was “oh! A bar that specializes in chocolate. So everything is chocolate inspired on tap.” Now that would be amazing!!

Like you could go in and order a chocolate sundae, with hot fudge and Oreo crumbles.

Or you could order wafer cookies and dip them in chocolate moose.

Or just get the creamy hot coco on tap.

Or…you get me…

Actually it’s a pretty good idea. It would make bank. Because when women need chocolate, they need chocolate!

I can even see it in my mind. I would make it be moody. I would paint it like a moody library. So you could go sit in a nook and eat your indulgence in secret. Because I don’t know about all women; but since I have kids, I eat my chocolate in secret. In a corner. Alone.

But all to say. Everything would be made with the best ingredients. Coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup. There are various allergies out there. I would use the good flour, unenriched. So that you could eat anything without the fear of puffing up or swelling. Because if a place like this became a thing, I would want to divulge in eating everything. EVERYTHING!! Haha!

But if this prompt meant an actual chocolate bar…

I guess I already make my favorite chocolate bar. It’s made with coconut sugar. It is all homemade. I use it for chocolate chips, pudding, etc. it’s more of a dark chocolate.

But I guess I would love to go to Europe and watch a chocolate master make milk chocolate. I’ve tried to look up different brands or recipes and the heating of the milk is a secret. I don’t want to use milk powder. I wouldn’t be able to eat it.

But I guess that’s my dream bar. Discovering how to make a milk chocolate bar from scratch.

But I like the Chocolate Bar idea more. Maybe call it Coco Bar. And….

I’m getting too invested in this idea.

Have a great Friday. Maybe have some chocolate…I know I will be.

I try to make up a few batches of chocolate. So I have it for whatever. I need to get more molds though…

I didn’t make this chocolate 100% correct. I didn’t have my blender to make powder sugar so I made it with normal coconut sugar. So it would be grainy. But I’m only going to use it for baking. Or melting.

Just incase some chocolate master sees this picture and is appalled at my chocolate. Haha!

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3…!

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List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

#1 The Bible.

Some people might say I’m being too generic. But really. It amazes me that the Bible can hit you differently in every stage of life. And when you most need any advice, wisdom, reassurance, care, love, knowledge, kindness, etc. You can find it all in one book.

#2 This Present Darkness- By Frank E. Peretti.

This book still lingers in my brain. Whenever someone talks about needing a good book this is my first thought. It’s…it’s so good I don’t know how exactly to describe it. But it needs to be read during the day. If you magically have a free day, start the book in the morning. It’s not super scary or anything. But it’s a constant battle between God and angels verses demons. Just like how life is.

#3 Emily Elephant

A children’s book. It talks all about Emily’s day. How she cooks, cleans, shops, plans a party, bakes, etc. It didn’t realize it at the time that this would still to this day be one of my favorite books. But it is. My mom actually gave me the very same book I read as a child.

There are several books I would like to continue or to start. I just have been tired recently. I’ve not been sleeping well, because I miss my husband. Only 4 more days!! I miss him so much.

Enjoy your Thursday!

…

This picture pretty much sums up me. I have a dinosaur eating gnomes statue. Various books that I love. Including Ride a Purple Pelican. Another favorite of mine. It inspired my love of poetry. A small truck that I actually made for or wedding decor. It’s only been almost 9 years.

Going for the whole redneck meets nice. Haha 😂 I made the “truck“ suburban look like my husband’s actual vehicle. I made all the decor that we used for the wedding. Hot glue guns are amazing!!

Then the stack next to the books are various cook books or recipes from my great grandmother. I want to slowly try and make her recipes. And dwindle down the recipes. I only have so much space and time. But I love the handwritten recipes.

Then the little canvas saying bless our nest. I don’t know where this little canvas came from but we’ve had it forever. My thought process is that it’s nice, but that if it gets destroyed by the hippo, then it will be fine.

Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

A Few.

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What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

Obviously husband and kids can’t be my personal belongings…

#1 My giant metal bowl.

We have finally move again. We are in a townhouse for a year so that we can save up some money for a down payment. But we are unpacking boxes, and I found my giant metal bowl! It can rise four loaves of bread at once. It’s amazing. It’s been about two years since I packed it away.

#2 Mr. Pinky

I unpacked my giant pink bear named Mr. Pinky. It’s the one stuffed animal I didn’t want to pass down to my kids. However, my youngest saw Mr. Pinky and it was live at first sight. The hugs she gave him, made me happy but strangely possessive of him. Haha!

If you want to figure out what is your most important things; live in a 200sq ft camper and then a single 300sq ft room for a year. You unpack your belongs and it can make you cherish them more.

#3 The Sound Bar

The sound bar has been with us this whole time. Having the ability to play my music out load is a gift. Music somehow helps me with the chaos. And the more rock n roll type music calms my kids. I’m other parents worst nightmare.

#4 Berry

My two foot blue rubber chicken. I love Berry. He’s been with us the whole time too. Even in the camper. He has had his own perch this whole time.

#5 My skinny clothes

Since last August I have lost forty-five pounds. So I’m so happy I haven’t gotten rid of any of my clothes through the years. Because my clothes from ten years ago are now fitting. The clothes I wore when I had just begun dating my husband fit. It’s amazing.

I don’t have a picture of this. But believe me! Most of them fit!! Some I will just pack away and save for my daughters.

I know there are more, but I can’t think of them. As I unpack things I’ll find more. But for now I’m good with these few. Small blessings.

Enjoy your Tuesday!💕

Some tricks for losing weight. Realistic tricks:

I paid for 6 months of wall Pilates. But I got my deal on Pinterest for 50% off. I thought if I paid for it I would commit to it. And I did. (It was $36 for 6 months).

A big one is cut out all sugar. I know it’s quite hard because sugar is in everything. But switch to making things with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. What I learned from my years. For coconut sugar it’s a 1:1 ratio. But for maple syrup or honey it’s a 2/3 to a cup. So if a recipe calls for 1 cup sugar it would be 2/3 cup honey or maple syrup.

But also I did do the fasting part of watching your foods. It was included on the wall Pilates app. So it really did help to quit my nighttime snacking. I always loved to indulge in random sweets or chips at night. But if you don’t eat from 6pm to 7am you burn so many calories. As a woman you need to fast for 12hrs. My husband said a man needs to fast for 16hrs I think. Happy I’m a woman! But the fasting really helped.

The last one was stress. I don’t recommend it. I’ve been in stress maybe the last six months. I don’t stress eat. I only overly indulge myself when I’m depressed. I know when I’m in my depression. Painting helps with that. But I haven’t been in depression for a bit. I at least know the signs. I tell my husband and he super helps me stay motivated to get out of it. But back to weight. I know the stress helped me lose weight, but not a recommendation. Live happily and stress free.

But I’m human. I always eat the whole bag of chips. I can’t stop myself. Especially these spicy bbq chipotle chip we’ve found. If I’m given a bag, it’s mine. And it will be gone in a sitting. My husband now hides the chips. Haha!

Daily Prompts, Reflections, Creativity, Adventures, Life As A Mama

It’s All Mesh Together!

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How do you balance work and home life?

For me at least it’s all mixed together. Because as a stay at home mom I don’t get balance. I get chaos ties with a bow of craziness!

But if we go for the idea of me painting, then I try to set aside one to two hours of painting time. Not really keeping it separated, but that I try to allow myself that small window of time to focus on only myself.

But being a mom, home chef, whole house cleaner, personal school teacher, etc. It is all my work. I’m constantly working.

But when I originally read this question I thought of my husband. He currently started a new job. His schedule is going to be twelve days working, twelve days off. So he is going to have a harder time balancing his work and home life.

I will just struggle with how life is going to be when he comes home. During fire season he can be gone for fourteen days, in various places. Out of state. He might miss out on some big moments for his kids. He also wants to still become a pilot. So even on his days off he might be flying or hunting…

Life is changing! But it’s a good change.

P.S. I finally posted my paintings on a secondary page on my blog called Portfolio. We have been so busy the last month that I have not had a chance to paint.

But I’m excited to have the paintings able to be seen. Also, when I go to a gallery to sell, I can give them a link to see my paintings.

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

Mama.

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What was the best compliment you’ve received?

When all seemed lost…”You are doing a great job raising your kids.”

That’s what all moms want to hear when we are struggling.

Being a mom is the hardest job ever! I’m not just a mom. I’m a stay at home mom. I do everything. I cook from scratch. I do all the laundry. I keep the house clean. I paint almost everyday. I homeschool my two eldest kids. My family is never hungry. Never dirty. Never…

But some days I feel like I’m failing. Like I’m screwing up their lives. That I’m not doing enough for them.

And when moms begin to spiral down that black hole, there’s only one thing that helps bring us out of it. Some stranger telling us that “we are doing a great job!” Or “hold in there mama, you are doing great.” Not a family member or a friend. But someone who doesn’t know anything about us. Because they see our hard work, without knowing anything.

Many a times I’ve begun to spiral and I’ve been blessed to be told I’m doing great. It helps so much.

So if you see a mom struggling today. Take a short moment in your day, and stop and tell her she is doing a great job. Maybe she doesn’t desperately need it right there. But eventually in the future when she needs to hear it, she will remember your words. One way of another your words will help her. But to a mom that is indeed struggling, and spiraling, you will really bless her. Don’t feel bad if she starts to tear up randomly. Because all of her self doubt and worry of not being a good mom, will be swept away with the simple phrase.

“You are doing a good job, mama.”

(I’m tearing up remembering when it happened to me.)

Adventures, Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Poetry, Reflections

Word Of The Day 02-23-26 Culminate

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What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Culminate

Synonyms: come to a climax, come to a crescendo, peak, climax, come to the end with, etc.

.-.-.-.-.

Why are you rushing,

Constantly brushing,

Important people off.

Slow down!

Life won’t pass you by,

It’s not just about finding a guy.

Enjoy the sights,

Enjoy the heights!

Growing up will come real quick.

Should have been patient.

Those guys were just a few some,

If you waited he could have come.

Now at thirty-two,

Your dreams have come true!

He is perfect.

At twenty-two,

You found your crescendo,

Finally taking life slow.

.-.-.-.-.

My advice to my teenage self would have been to slow down. Unless you are one of the few lucky ones, most people don’t find love at fifteen.

And if I had been patient, I might have met him at fifteen. We were in the same sport and at same sporting events. We lived close enough. I would drop my brother off at our cousin’s house, and it was just down the block from him. He worked right around the corner from where I grew up.

But by the grace of God I didn’t miss him, by being impatient. I just met him later in life. Meeting him was at the peak of life. Now I’m enjoying the lowering decent into my adult life. Of kids and adventures.

Life is good. 😊

Digital Art: By emily2jane
10-12-23
Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

Three? I think it said three..!

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Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

Three different pairs of shoes came to mind.

First: My black combat boots.

Those shoes were throughout my teenage years. I wore them everywhere. They were so comfy. They laced up, but had a zipper. They went mid shin. Oh! I loved those shoes. They made me feel confident.

They took me to several different places. They took me to trivia nights. I was always so nervous to go to trivia. I’m not a social butterfly, but I wanted to try and work on my social skills. Those boots went with me.

I wanted to go to a Ball. (Yes. Think princess) but I had to stand before a panel of judges and say why I thought I should be selected as a Pasadena princess. I wore those combat boots. I looked cute, but compared to the other girls around me I looked tough. Haha! To help end your curiosity, I was not selected. But I still got to go to the ball, just because I tried. Getting ready was more fun than actually being there. That was too much socializing for me.

I wore those boots when I had coach banquets. They helped me walk into a situation I did not want to be in. Public speaking. Terrible. But my shoes were cute.

The shoes finally died. I really do miss that shoe. Maybe I’ll get another pair one day. But I got those from Nordstrom rack. They were on sale for $50. Normally $180. I can’t afford shoes like that anymore.

Second: My wedge sandle heels.

I love these heels. They are the most comfortable high heeled shoe I own. The straps are a light tan color. The wedge is light brown. They are quite tall. About three inches. So I’m taller than my husband when I wear them.

But I feel so pretty and fancy when I wear those shoes. My posture is also perfect when I wear heels.

Fun story. My mom and I got the same shoes at the same time. I tried them on and said they were so comfy, that my mom found a pair, rusty orange straps, and she thought they were super comfy too. So we got them together. I don’t think she has them anymore. But I do!

They are currently in storage. But occasionally I wish I had them currently. Some outfits would just pop a bit more with those shoes. My confidence would be back. I’m not one, but some women can wear the heels and deal with their toddlers. I can’t. My toddler is super fast and sneaky. Heels would just make it that much harder.

So as long as my feet stop growing with having babies, I’ll wear them again. At some point.

But they have taken me to dances, family weddings, dates (with hubby), all events where I felt the most fancy, just because I could dance the night away in those shoes. (without any pain!)

Third: My black short snow boots.

Its silly. But I’ve had those boots for so many different milestones in my adult life. I had them as my first daughter grew up. I wore them 95% of my pregnancy with my son. Also with my newest daughter.

I hiked trails, our old property, sledding, snowman, snowball fights, etc. And the boots still live on today. Merrel footwear is awesome! Expensive!! Buy them on sale, but they last for several years. Instead of buying a pair of shoes every two months for $12, it makes more sense to spend the price tag and not buy shoes for several years. (Not a sales pitch, just like the shoes!!) I like to use things until they are falling apart. And even then I still keep them sometimes. My husband usually has to throw them away, because I can’t seem to part with them.

But yeah. Those black boots are my favorite! But there is no snow…so they are too in storage. I can’t wait to have a closet big enough to have everything out! And me and my daughters can have a fashion show in mommy’s closet.

I’m excited for that day. I really want an extra closet in the house. And I’ll put all of the clothes I’ve been hanging onto. And for chores my daughter will get tickets. The tickets will allow them to wear clothes from that closet. But not to keep.

Just a way for them to “shop” without actually spending their money. Instead it’s hard work “buying” them.

I don’t know if that will be a thing, maybe they will just raid my closet like I used to do to my mom and sisters. (With permission) but good memories.

I think my most used shoes right now are my slippers. I wear them everyday, for almost 80% of my day. They are old, flat, and uncomfortable, but free. I like free.

Enjoy your Thursday! Just finished making my tortillas. Hubby wants Chicken Tortilla Soup tonight!!

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

Coming Home.

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What is something others do that sparks your admiration?

Soldiers coming home. That’s what I thought of when I read the prompt. Strangely, soldiers coming home to surprise their loved ones have been in my short videos lately. Those videos always make me cry; I always tear up.

I’ve never had this experience. No one in my family went into the military. Which I know was a huge bummer to my brothers. But became of eyes, asthma, etc it was not an option for them. (they have new passions now.)

But I admire all the military. That they do the hardest job. They leave their loved ones to protect us and our loved ones.

So I continue to watch the solider coming home videos. Even though I’m always in need of tissues. Because it is a reminder that what they are doing is worth admiring.

So admire them, thank them, care for them. They deserve it. You are free because they protect.

Have a blessed Wednesday ❤️