What is wealth?

Wealth or happiness? How about both. 

It is that time of year! Graduation time!! Our youngest of our 5 children graduated from high school last night. This time in our kids' lives always has us turning to the age-old question: What do you want to be when you grow up? What are you going to do now? I really hate that pressure we put on young kids just dipping a toe into adulthood to KNOW what they want out of their lives at 18 years old. I think there is another way. And I believe there is more to life than choosing a lucrative career!! We've had the discussion a few times over this last year as to what is more important to pursue: wealth or happiness? 

Well, if you look up how do I determine my wealth, you will get a lot of results involving words like assets, net worth, and value. Traditionally, wealth is measured in monetary value... dollar and cents folks. Is this really the key? Is this what a good life is all about?  I truly believe there is another way. A much more important way to build wealth in your life, and other key things to pursue, besides just money. 

The question I posed, in the beginning, is that it is more important to pursue wealth or happiness? Depends on who you ask. But, I want to talk about what I feel like I have come to determine at this point in my life and why. At this point in my life, I have come to the conclusion that I have done it all wrong. I have spent the majority of my life trying to make money. That was my goal in a job. I needed to make money. I needed to have the "things" that society teaches us we have to have to be a successful adult. You know what I mean right? A nice home, a nice car or two, a yearly vacation to the beach, and so on and so on. And what is the key to having those "things"? Money, right? Those are all very nice things to have. And I have those. But, what else do I have? Stress, debt, and bills. 

My job pays those bills. I am grateful for that. But, I want something different. I no longer want to spend my days getting through the workday. Just getting through. I have progressively gotten this feeling that I am wasting days. But, I am stuck. Have you ever felt that way? Now don't get me wrong. I have a very happy life, a wonderful family, and a very happy marriage. We do have a lot of joy in our lives, but what I don't have is the freedom to do what I love. I worked myself right into this corner, where I am dependent on the job, which really doesn't bring me any joy. It serves the purpose... but, I want MORE for my children. 

I have tried very hard to encourage my children, who are embarking on their adult life, to make choices differently. Take advantage of these early years and search for what things you enjoy, bring you happiness, make you feel fulfilled. Pursue those things!! Try to not make it about money only. OF COURSE, I want them to be able to live comfortably on their income. But... does that mean it needs to be enough to buy and have all those material things that we are taught will make us feel that way? I have found, (well, for me personally) that that is not always the case. 

I am almost 50 years old. Half my life is behind me. So... where do I want to go with the second half of my life. I want to pursue happiness, joy, and fulfillment. I am working hard to change my path. And I am going to get there!! I really hope I can help guide my children, and maybe a few of you, to get there sooner than I have. Be intentional in the choices you make and do not be afraid to make nontraditional choices!

Just some food for thought. I would love it if you would let me know your thoughts on this subject! Have a great day friends!!

~Stacy

5 minute Monday Motivation

 Monday Motivation ... Never Give Up!!

We have all heard the old saying, "Quitters never win, and Winners never quit." Sounds good, right? But sometimes it's hard to keep going. How do you stay inspired? How do you keep going? 

Start by keeping yourself encouraged. If you have a setback, remember that is the process. We all have setbacks. We all have failures. But, if you have a dream, a goal you feel passionate about, do not let these things sway you from pursuing them. Take one more step, then another towards your goals. Keep going!! 

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9"

When you feel discouraged, you need to revisit your plan. Write down why you want to do this, and ways you think you can make it happen. Organize your thoughts and goals, map them out. Setting goals, and then defining steps for how to reach them can help you stay encouraged and not be overwhelmed by focusing on a little at a time instead of the whole picture at once. Another oldy but goody saying... "Slow and Steady Wins the Race."

I am a big advocate of keeping a journal. A place for your thoughts, your feelings, and your plans. Make yourself a schedule. Make your to-do lists. Keep yourself on track and your goals in front of you. 

If you would like, I have downloadable journal and calendar sheets in my Etsy store, you can download them once for a minimal fee, and print them off as often as you need.  Here is a link to my store if you would like to check that out. 

Beautiful Life 4U

So, how do you know if it's just not the right time to give up on a dream? Ask yourself, will you feel fulfilled without this. Will you regret giving up? Is this something you feel passionate about, or was this just something you thought might be a good idea? There's a difference. Trying out new things, it's a good thing, but might not always work out. But, pursuing your passion, what sets your soul on fire? That's a lot more important. Keep that fire, keep your commitment, and believe in yourself. Never quit on the things that are important to you. 

Have a good week friends!

~Stacy

DIY Dollar Tree Solar Landscape Lights

 Make Beautiful Landscape Lights 

With Dollar Tree Items!!

How about a super easy, affordable, and really pretty craft idea to brighten up your landscaping? Sound good? Well, let me tell you how I made these in just a few simple steps for under $5 each. 

I wanted to make 3 lights for my flower bed. I picked up 3 blue-colored candle holders from Dollar Tree. They had 2 colors of these, a darker blue and a more aqua blue, I got 2 darker ones, and one aqua one.

Next, I picked up 6 bags of multicolored glass gems. My dollar tree did not have any mixed packages, they had blue, green, and clear, so I picked up 2 of each and mixed them myself. I laid them out, divided them by thirds, and mixed them in the jars. 

I also picked up a pack of the aqua-colored floral wire. This comes in a 6 ft. roll, so one was plenty. I unrolled this and cut it into three equal pieces. 

Next, I took 3 solar lights, and I removed the stake and the base, so I was only left with the light.

Ok... so to assemble, I took my wire, wrapped it tightly around the top of the jars. I used needle-nose pliers to twist the wire tightly and left a long enough loop to make a handle. Hopefully, you can see what I mean in the photo below. If you have any questions, please put them in the comments below. 

Once I had the wire secured on the jar, I filled each jar with my glass gem mixture I had divided into thirds and worked the light down into the gems... It took some maneuvering to get them all the way in and straight but they just fit in there and it worked well. I had some old Shepherd hooks I used to hang mine. But you could hang them on a fence, or with a plant hook, or even sit them in your garden or on your porch rail. They look so pretty at night!!

One word of caution... they are not water-tight. So, beware if it rains you will either need to bring them in if they are exposed, or be sure and drain any water out that gets into the jars. 

Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial. I thought these were such an easy craft that adds some real cuteness to your garden. 

Happy Crafting Friends!!

~Stacy

5 minute Monday Motivation

 Monday Motivation... Get your head on straight!!

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there's any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV"

Have you ever thought of Monday as a starting line, a beginning to your race for the week? What is at your finish line? Where are you wanting to be by Friday? Monday morning... your fresh start, your starting shot...get your mind right. It is entirely possible to have some control over your thinking. Meditating on a motivational quote, a bible verse, or just emptying your mind and filling it back up with "I can do this" can change the direction of your week.

So, what do you want to accomplish this week? Just for you, to improve you, to fulfill you?? It may be something as simple as finding a way to get a good belly laugh each day, or something with a little more challenge, like launching a new product, completing a project. Whatever it is, it is worth your focus. THAT is where your focus should be. 

We all can get that dread... sometimes it starts on Sunday evening, sometimes Monday morning. You get stressed. You feel pressured. Right there... that is the point you stop, you direct your thoughts elsewhere. To your motivational quote, to your goal to reach by Friday. Do what you need to do to get your mind right. Do you need to find 5-10 minutes in a quiet place to do that? Or, maybe just write it down and it a real goal that you can physically see, and keep it in your line of vision.

I would love to know what are your goals for the week, and how are you keeping your focus? Please leave me a comment below and let me know. I will start, this week, I want to keep my spirits up, focusing on the changes I am making to change my path for the future! I plan to launch my Etsy store this week. When I do I will post a quick post on here with a link so you can check it out if you'd like. 

Have a  great week my friends!!

~Stacy

Yard Sale and Flea Market finds for 2021

What to search for at Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Flea Markets 2021

10 Trends to search for this year to decorate your home

"One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure"

No truer words have ever been spoken! I love a good yard sale, garage sale, flea market, or peddlers mall. I am a happy woman when I get to scour through the wears offered up for sale and find a treasure to carry home with me!

I have come away with some fabulous deals over the years. It thrills me to decorate my home on a budget. Places like yard sales, flea markets, and market places are a great resource for doing that. Some emerging trends for decorating this year include an earthy, boho, vintage style that is updating the monochromatic look of farmhouse style, with a bit more color and textures. Here are 10 things to keep an eye out for this summer while shopping the tag sales to add to your home decor!

1. Metals elements, such as copper and brass. 
2. Candle Sticks
3. Amber Glass
4. Baskets
5. Cutting boards, or breadboards
6. Vintage Artwork and Framed Prints. 
7. Quilts, a classic that just never goes out of style.
8. Plant Stands and Terrariums 
9. Macrame
10. Vintage Style Lamps

Here are a few last words of advise when you are heading out to the sales.  Keep a little list on your phone or in your car of items you are looking for or need. Take cash with you, and set a limit for yourself. Do not be afraid to haggle, sellers expect it, and it's part of the thrill of the hunt. Most of all, enjoy, converse, and explore. It is a treasure hunt after all 😉And leave me a comment letting me know the most exciting find you've scored at a sale! 

~Stacy

5 Minute Monday Motivation

 5 Minute Monday Motivation

There is a lot of discussion about self-care nowadays. But, what does that mean? What it means to me, and what it means to you, are two different things. There are infinite ways to implement self-care in your life. So, if we can't narrow down the "what", perhaps we can dive into the 'why'. 

Our bodies are made up of so much more than just the physical. We are spiritual, emotional beings. We need to have balance in our lives, or we lose kilter... and things start to feel a little wonky. Years ago I went through a few very devastating, very hard emotional things. All I was focused on was getting through it, staying strong. I never focused on caring for myself through this, or that God could work this out for good in my life. I was simply in survival mode for several years. This took such a toll on my body. I developed anxiety and started having bouts of depression. I was having chest pains, heart palpitations, trouble sleeping. I wasn't caring for myself mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or physically. And my body and mind showed it. It wasn't until I recognized I needed to make time for myself, to keep from being overwhelmed, and distraught. I needed to stop, calm my mind and feed my spirit. I needed to heal my mental health. I needed the balance of being productive, and active, along with being still and quiet. 

We've all heard the Bible verse, "Be still and know that I am God." But, do you know the Bible talks about being still, being quiet, multiple times. There is importance in being still. Letting your mind and body calm down, rest. 

Exodus 14:14 says, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." 

Give yourself a break.

This week, as the workweek, school week, wears on, please, take time to take a break for yourself. Care for every aspect of your being. 

• Take a quiet walk.
• Listen to a soothing playlist or podcast.
• Read a few chapters of a book you've been trying to get to.
• Work in your garden.
• Carve out time for meditation and prayer. 

These are just a few simple ideas anyone can try. They take a small amount of time but can have a big impact. 

Have a wonderful week friends.

~Stacy

10 of the easiest vegetables to grow for beginning gardeners

 

There are so many great reasons to try your hand at growing food. It's cost-effective, it's therapeutic, it's rewarding, and it's healthy. I wanted to give you a list of some of the easiest, practically no-fail, plants to grow in your vegetable garden. 

Lettuce

Easy to grow in containers or direct sown into the ground if you wanted to start from seed. And can be started in the spring.

You can start a patch, wait a few weeks and start a second patch to extend your harvest times, then you can plant again in the fall.

Leaf Lettuce can cut as it grows so you can harvest from it many times.

Spinach

A cold-weather tolerant plant makes it easy to grow in early spring and late fall.

They grow easily from seed, you can direct sow them, or sow them in containers.

Spinach doesn’t need a lot of sun, so can grow in dappled light, unlike a lot of the vegetable plants listed here.

Green Beans

Do you ever wonder why almost every child at some point in elementary school will grow beans in clear cups in the spring to learn about plants and how they grow? Because they are one of the easiest plants to grow from seed.

Bush varieties are easy and don’t require anything to climb on. As a personal preference, I like to get string-less varieties to save me some work when I am harvesting them!

As with Lettuce, you can plant a patch of green beans, wait a couple of weeks and plant another patch to extend your growing season and not have to harvest all at one time.

Zucchini

Zucchini can be an easy to grow, well-producing plant. You will need to plant 2 to 3 plants to try to ensure good pollination so you will actually, get some produce! And be aware, one plant can produce SEVERAL zucchini, so don’t plant TOO many unless you plan to share with family or neighbors ;)

These plants can spread out a bit, so you will want to plant them about 3 feet apart.

You need to keep an eye on these, as the zucchini can grow quickly and become very large in a matter of days. So check the plant often once the blooms start to appear. 

Beets

Beets are fast growers, and easy to grow. 

They can be planted in the spring, and again in the fall as they are cold tolerant, so one pack of seeds can yield you quite a bit of return! But, keep in mind you will need to thin out the plants when they start to come up as seedlings.

Beets are full of nutrients and can add beautiful color to your meal. You can also eat the greens as well as the roots. 

Cucumbers

If you have a trellis or a fence you can grow vining cucumbers on this type of structure and introduce some edibles into your flower garden! Or if you have a small space, bush cucumbers can be grown in containers on your deck or balcony.  

Cucumbers are another plant on this list that produces a lot, and produces quickly! So, as with the lettuce and the green beans, you can plant your cucumbers, wait a couple of weeks and plant another batch for a lot of yield, just not all at once.  Just do not plant these too early, as they need the heat, and do not tolerate the cold well.

Cucumbers are so versatile and can be used in so many ways from freshening your ice water to diced in a pasta salad, or just pickled as a side dish.

 Sugar Snap Peas

These are another cold-tolerant plant and should be planted in early spring. But a tip, make sure they get plenty of sun to give you sweet tasting snap pods.

These plants mature quickly and give a good yield.

Use the pods to snack with dip, throw into a salad or add to a stir fry!

Onions

Onions are easy to grow, tolerate the frost, give a great yield and are so versatile.

Pick up one or two kinds of onion sets, plant in loosened soil in full sun.

Plant half your sets in the spring, and plant again in the fall for a long-lasting harvest, as onions store well in a cool dry place, or can be dried or frozen to preserve easily!

Pumpkins

Pumpkins can be an easy and fun thing to grow in your garden, as long as you have the space to let them vine. They need to be planted after any threat of frost and in a sunny spot.

There are a lot of varieties, so read through the seed packets and pick one just right for you, whether you want to harvest and eat the pumpkins, or if you just want them for the fall décor and carvings!

If you want to harvest the pumpkins for eating, they can store pretty well in a cool dry place, as long as you let them cure in the sun for about a week first.  

Tomatoes

Tomatoes come in so many varieties, and can easily be grown in the garden, or in containers. They love the heat and the sun and good watering.

Most plants put out a lot of fruit, so be mindful not to plant more than you will be able to use. 

But, if you like canning, tomatoes are a must for a variety of sauces or salsa. Speaking of salsa… if you grow tomatoes and onions, which are both easy to grow veggies included in this list, you may consider adding in a cilantro plant so you have all the ingredients on hand to make some fresh pico de gallo! Yum!! Or give some fried green tomatoes a try for a delicious side dish.

 A few more tips for beginners

• My first tip is to just get started! Don't be afraid to try. It's a pretty small investment, that could give a big return.
• Even if you have a small space, you can fit in 2 or 3 plants to try, whether tucked into a small flower bed or on the patio in some inexpensive containers. 
• Did you know, if you receive SNAP/EBT benefits, you can buy vegetable seeds or even plants with your benefits at grocery stores or farmer's markets that accept EBT!?!
• Also, if you are struggling for money to purchase seeds, you may go in with another person or two, each buys one or two packets of seeds, and share!

Talk about healthy foods on a small budget! Happy Gardening my friends!

~Stacy

 

Monday Motivation~ 5 minutes to get you organized for a successful week to meet your goals and get things done

 

DO NOT GIVE UP. 

2 Corinthians 15:7 tells us.... But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. 

But what are some ways you can stay focused, resilient? We all work hard, we want to see the reward for that work. It's so easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you are not making progress. Keeping your goal in front of you, and tracking your progress is key to keeping motivated. Here are some ideas to help you. 

MAKE PLANS AND SET GOALS

Detail out your goals, write them down, literally. Write out your long-term, end game, goal. Where are you trying to get to? What are you trying to accomplish? Write it down, and put it where you see it often.  Then break down this large goal into smaller, shorter-term goals. Now you have a place to start. 

Work on your plan. Break it down into plans for the week, and plans for the month. Again, I  would suggest you actually write it out. You may want to get a notebook or keep a planner dedication to your goal! 

GET ORGANIZED

 I find it helpful to block out my days. Assigning a block of time to each of the things I want to accomplish that day. I refer back to my plan throughout the week to keep me on track to meet my goals. I also write down my goals for the month, for things I may only need to tend to once or twice a month, and then schedule those out to fit into my weekly schedule. 

As the verse states, DON'T GIVE UP. Find your passion and stay steadfast in your pursuit of it and your hard work WILL pay off.  You have to talk the talk and walk the walk if you want to succeed. Keep this verse in mind as you work through your week. Let me know what are some goals you want to reach this week that is working you towards your main goal? 

~Stacy

Monday Motivation

Monday mornings. 

I struggle with Monday mornings. I hate to see my weekends end. My weekends... ahhh they are full of creativity and ME time!! My weekdays however are filled with commitment, housework, dinners, chores. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. I have so much I want to do, and I struggle to put commitments first and to feel good about that. I feel like I am cheating myself somehow, or letting myself down if I cannot accomplish all the things I want to do in my life

.

But, I am not defeated. I will never be defeated. Because I can do all things, through Christ. In fact, 

Romans 8: 37 says 

“Yet in all things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

MORE THAN CONQUERORS

God loves you. He loves me, and he wants to give us good things in life. Try to keep this verse in mind this week when you are struggling. You got this. I hope you have a blessed week my friends. 

~Stacy

Illustrations by:

https://atartdigital.com/

25 Beauty Products YOU should be buying at Dollar Tree

I'm just going to admit it, I am addicted to Dollar Tree. And, no, this is not a sponsored post.  I am just a girl, who is super frugal, and loves a good deal. Well, there are great deals to be had at Dollar Tree. In this post, I want to share with you 25 of my favorite bath and beauty products they sell and that I think YOU should try.

 Coconut Oil

So many uses! Great for moisturizing hair, skin, nails. 

 Dove Beauty Creams  

Great everyday moisturizer, from a company you know. 

                                                 
 Petroleum Jelly with CoCo butter

This is a great condition for lips, eyelashes, nail beds, and feet! So many uses, and it has a nice smell. 

 Makeup wipes

I love to pick these up not only for myself, but, for my daughters. Great to add in stockings or gift baskets!

Dermasil Lotions

I am honestly surprised that Dollar Tree carries this lotion. This same bottle of lotion is around $10 at stores like Walmart 🤯 Two of our children have eczema and this particular lotion really offers them a lot of relief. 

Dermasil Facial Creams

Again, pretty much a steal of a deal at Dollar Tree! This is a great brand, and we really like the quality they offer. 

Charcoal Pore strips

These are a good deal if you don't use these strips very often, as they are only a pack of 3. But, they WORK. So, if this is something you may just be using during a monthly at-home facial, it's perfect! 

Face Masks

Dollar Tree carries a variety of face masks all the time. Perfect for the spa night on any budget. For tips on a spa night on little to no budget, I have a post to detail out how to do that! Check it out You CAN afford a spa night

BB cream

These BB creams are nice for just a little moisturizer and coverage on days when you just don't need full-face makeup!

Reading Glasses

Dollar Tree carries a variety of readers, including sunglasses! At this price, you can keep a collection to match every outfit! 

Bar Soaps

You can find name-brand bar soaps at Dollar Tree. Yardley brand is a favorite at our house, they have really nice scents. But, you can also get beauty bars or antibacterial bars as well.

Shampoo and Conditioner

For everyday hair washing, I think Suave is a nice option. When you are on a tight budget, you can still get name brands you know here, and stretch that dollar! I do this so I can save my more expensive shampoo and conditioners for special occasions.  

Salon Selectives Mousse

This smells amazing! Again, just for everyday use, I love using this mousse. It gives my hair some control and a yummy smell. But, just an FYI, they also sell the Salon Selectives hair spray, steer clear of this. It has a chemical smell and feels very sticky and stiff on your hair. 

Secret Deodorant

A good brand, at a good price, makes this fit in any girl's budget. 

Exfoliating Gloves

I use a lot of self-tanner, and these gloves are awesome for easy exfoliating prior to the application! 

Chillable eye mask

The eye masks can be chilled in the refrigerator and then used to help reduce puffiness around your eyes. Another thing I use this for is sinus headaches, which I get fairly often. I find these give me a lot of relief.

Sleep Masks

Not only a good deal for you, but these are also cute to add to gift baskets. They are usually available in a variety of patterns!

Cotton balls

This is one of those basics that I just cannot bring myself to spend more than a dollar on, and why should I? Just head to Dollar tree and pick these up along with other basic essentials, like q-tips, tissues, make-up sponges. 

Eyelashes

Dollar Tree carries a variety of eyelashes, perfect for your glam look on a tiny budget.  Pair them up with the applicator below, it's a hard-to-beat deal. 

Eyelash applicator

Pedicure brush

These little tools are awesome for summer-ready feet! You can pair this up with the petroleum jelly with coco butter shown above to give you super soft and sexy feet! Dollar Tree also carries lots of pedicure tools! Be sure and check those out. 

Mini Manicure set

These little sets are perfect to keep in your purse. Get you one of these sets, and the foot tool above and you are well on your way to some DIY manicures and pedicures. 

Contouring brushes

I really like these little contouring brushes. They are nice and soft and work really well for defining the jawline. And c'mon, you really cannot beat the price.

L.A. Colors bronzers

I really like the L.A. bronzers in the summer. They give a nice light shimmery bronze look. Give it a try!

E.L.F. cosmetics

I have tried several of the E.L.F. line, and for the money, I think they are pretty nice quality. Especially just for everyday makeup. And by picking them up at Dollar Tree, if you get something you don't love, you aren't out much money. 

Well... there you have it! 25 super affordable options to add to your beauty arsenal. I hope you maybe found a new item or two to try! If you have any favorites that are missing from this list, please leave them in the comments below!