The publishing world is robust, complex, confusing and can be daunting for a new author. In fact, some stats claim only 1% of submitted manuscripts get published by a traditional publisher. ONE PERCENT! I don’t know if that number is true, but what I do know is book publishing is a long and arduous process.
Read MoreI fell into a marriage with addiction, by fall, I mean, fell head over heels. I didn't want to live a perfect life, and I loved the party. I have always found going to a bar to be more enjoyable than Bible study. When I was first introduced to drugs, I thought they were fantastic. Aside from the fact that my parents were going to kill me, for the first time in my life, I wasn't shrouded in insecurity. The alternative crowd, the everything-in-moderation mentality, the excitement of the rave- it made me feel like I could be myself; darkness and all.
Read MoreDo you feel you drop the ball a lot when it comes to your goals?
Be honest, this is a judgement-free zone here, Sis 🤗. I’ve definitely felt that way. It’s hard to admit, but since we’re now officially internet friends, I can keep it real with you.
Sometimes, my motivation feels like Carmen San Diego - “Where in the world was it?!”
Read MoreAs you may, or may not, know I no longer have a kitchen to clean out so this month’s posts didn’t exactly help my productivity. I spent days trying to rearrange everything into dysfunctional cupboards and then ended up removing it all and throwing it all in my home office!
Read MoreThe kitchen is the hub and heart of any home but what happens when the kitchen is a hot mess?!
Our kitchen is small, old, and extremely dysfunctional. It needs a renovation, it cannot be helped much without one. Although we’re saving our pennies and a renovation is in our future, it’s important to my husband and I that we can pay for it and we’re not accumulating more debt.
Read MoreGoing to Europe with three children for two weeks is a feat! Thanks to Tidying Up star, Marie Kondo, luggage for five doesn’t have to be overwhelming. All you have to do is Marie Kondo your suitcase!
We went to Europe a few years ago and the hardest part about travelling for me was the lack of sleep on the plane and trying to lug our suitcases up and down the European train station staircases. I brought way too much and had a heavy stroller (relatively heavy, it’s quite a small, light stroller compared to the average North American stroller).
Read MoreOkay, well the name is super obvious but it’s having a vacation wherever you are!
I’d like to preempt by saying that my children and I have lived in my parent’s basement, in a 650 square foot apartment, a high-rise, and also a single family home- you can have a staycation anywhere.
I’m going to assume you have children because the majority of the readers here are married and in their twenties and thirties. If you don’t have children, so much easier.
Read MoreHave you heard the saying, “Put on your own oxygen mask first”?
If you’ve been on an airplane, you have! It’s counter-intuitive to help yourself before your children but the truth is, we cannot help anyone until we help ourselves. If Mommy is laying in the aisle, who will help the kiddos? It’s the same in addiction. Put on your own oxygen mask first!
Read MoreIs it possible to go to Europe, with a baby, a toddler and a tween for two weeks… as minimalists?
I’d first like to say that I am not a minimalist, yet! I’m merely a girl looking to simplify her life and get as bare-bones as possible so I can Marie Kondo my life to spark joy in as many areas as possible.
I did not plan the Fresh 2019 series to fall so perfectly in-time with Marie Kondo’s home takeover but she is here and it happened and it feels a little bit like fate. Although I will not be introducing myself to my home and thanking my belongings for their time with me (with the exception of my favourite sweater my husband sent through the dryer to which I mourned for a few weeks on chilly mornings and needed to give it a proper goodbye to let it go) I will happily buy tiny boxes and organize my drawers into slivers of tiny folded gifts.
Read MoreMy husband and I decided we would try a no buy month. Actually, I announced to everyone suddenly that it was “no buy month” and demanded they all follow suit- effective immediately.
Hm.
It last for about 15 hours before my husband had spent over $100 on a diet program. I have to say, I thought for sure what broke him would be Home Depot. I am honestly scared every time he goes there because I never know what he’s going to come home with. It won’t be what was on the list, though!
Read MoreParenting is difficult. There are no bones about it.
With each child, I have three most of the time, four on occasion, they require something different. One tries my patience with his sass, the other tries it with his constant bouncing off the furniture, the other, well, she’s beautiful but she’s one year old and thinks her crib is a jail cell and has boycotted it’s existence.
Maybe I should paint it pink?
Read MoreWhen I get really depressed or upset about something, certain things that are important to me completely lose priority. One of those things is washing my face before I go to bed. It’s very rare that I succumb to my inner-laziness and rebel against my self-made rules. I hate waking up with yesterday’s makeup and goo still on my face. Even after I wash it the next morning, my makeup doesn’t go on as smooth and my eyelashes are still wrinkly or creased in wayward positions. It’s a safe bet that if my face is a mess, my heart is a mess too.
Why do I do that?
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