by Tish MacWebber | Sep 22, 2017 | Treasure Seeker Tuesdays
A hummingbird, in flight, searching for nectar and chasing rainbows
Things are really starting to come together for me since I started taking an interest in branding myself as an author and artist while learning how to grow my tribe. I have been expanding my own horizons, chasing my dreams, and fueling my own creativity by following my passions. I am currently working on so many things at once, I wanted to start a new category here, in the Blog, for news that relates to you. I am launching it officially on Tuesday, but I could not wait to share this idea with you all, so I am publishing this introduction a little early. If you are reading this, and you are following my Blog, then you are a Treasure Seeker. But what does that mean?
It means that you have taken an interest in my writing. I have been told my blog is like a journal. I have been told that I write as if I was having an actual conversation with the reader. I have several categories on my blog, and I have some fictional stories at Tish MacWebber on Medium . I write from my heart, and I try to make things funny or give you my very own perspective that makes you think. At least, that is what I hope you get out of reading my stories. Because to me, they are all stories, based on how I see life, the good, the bad, and the stuff I never thought I would write about.
It means that you have taken an interest in what I am working on. Whether it is my custom made jewellery that you can see at Tish’s Treasures or maybe you were a customer before I even started the Blog. I plan to open an online store when I launch my own website, and I am so excited to share my treasures with the world. Gems are often considered to be treasures. I like to think of myself as a gem, sparkly and shiny, with a highly polished surface, cut to display multifaceted layers of beauty from the outside in.
Multifaceted
Maybe you know me personally and have been swept up in my enthusiasm for my newly rediscovered passion. I know it is contagious. It is visible. It is inspirational, and I don’t say that because it was the reason I started this journey. I say this because people I know want to join me in the blogging community, or in their own creative outlets. They can see how happy I am when I am telling people about what I am working on, and they want to find their own way to feel the same way I do.
Finally, it means that you want to be inspired to seek your own treasures. I can help you do that. It’s not all about me. I want to help the Treasure Seeker in you to learn with me and seek the treasures that you have been hiding. My passion fuels my creativity. It is positively contagious. You can see it when you look at me, you can hear it when you talk to me, and you can read it when I write about things that I am inspired to write about.
Take flight in search of your hidden treasures
If you are new to my Blog, grab onto something and hold on. I am in the midst of preparing to launch my own website, and the tagline description is Bling | Blog | Books. It is the biggest project I have tackled this far, and it is progressing when I have time. It will be launched soon. I have to create a store, and even though I want it to be perfect for you all, I need the time to figure out how it is all going to fit together. I now understand that it doesn’t have to be perfect to share it, but I am still in the planning stages, so it is not ready yet. Opening soon, I promise. What else do I have up my sleeve? Well, if you join the Tish’s Treasure Seekers officially, then you will be in the loop. I am full of surprises, and I have even been known to surprise myself!
What is holding you back from chasing your dreams? Why not make it official, and join the Tish’s Treasure Seekers group on Facebook. Or you can send me an e-mail, at tishmacwebber@gmail.com. I am Always Thinking…and great at brainstorming. We can have a consultation, and start to figure things out. Two heads are better than one.
Welcome, friends, I look forward to sharing Treasure Seeker Tuesdays with you.
Welcome Treasure Seekers!
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 21, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 30
I am happy to say that I am doing better. Not 100% organized or on the plan, but better. I did get in 2 Zumba classes last week. Due to things happening in my life that I have to deal with and work through, I was not at Zumba this week. The good news is that I will be going back. No worries there, I have to keep going. I need the outlet, and it is good to get the workouts fit into my week.
It is hard to climb and claw my way back out of a slump. Sometimes life has other plans. The good news is that I am cooking again. Cooking means less junk food. That is a great thing. The easy way out is not always better, in fact, it is usually the wrong way. I attack a lot of my own problems from the wrong side, not the easy way first. I just use my stubbornness to my advantage and push my way through whatever is going on.
I have said prep cooking and planning are key points for my success. I have said that I need to stop making excuses. I have actually made progress with both of those tasks. However, I am still not ready to commit to being on THM 100%. Why? There are two reasons. One is that it is a lot of work. I have to plan and cook. It would be great if my husband was following the plan with me, but he is not. There are just some things he refuses to eat. So that is one of my lingering excuses. The other is a fear of success. The success itself would be wonderful. But then
The other is fear. Fear of success. The success itself would be wonderful. But then what? After I find my way to being healthier, and the need for the push is over, then I would have other, new issues. I may need plastic surgery for excess skin. I may give in a little more until I find that I am putting the weight back on. I may lose my gumption halfway and fall off the wagon and revert to my old ways.
Let’s face it, I didn’t become morbidly obese overnight. I didn’t choose this path for myself. I choose what to eat and drink. I choose to not exercise and do things that I find more fun. I choose to listen to the monster that wants junk food instead of the beautiful inner spark that longs for freedom, and the power to defeat that monster. So what is it going to take?
I already know. I have to want it bad enough to do the work. I have to want it bad enough to plan it out. I have to want it enough to have to go shopping for a new wardrobe. Hmm…I may be on to something with that last one.
The biggest reason for anyone facing weight issues is themselves. You have to pick a path, follow it, and commit to seeing it through. Here is the kicker. At least for me, it is. You have to believe in yourself. You have to believe that you are worth the effort, and that you are going to stick to it, and that you are going to come out OK on the other side of changing your entire life. You simply have to do it, succeed at it, and change your life for the better. Shut that monster up with salad. Don’t forget to drown it with water, and feed the inner beauty healthy morsels of amazing food choices. Take her out for a walk. She needs to get fresh air and exercise to thrive. A little sunshine is always a nice treat.
She is worth the effort, and so are you.
Trust Your Gut.
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 17, 2017 | Weekend Warrior
It is quiet here this morning. I had my chance to sleep in yesterday, so I am up and online early today. This weekend had promised to be a busy one, but in reality, that is not what happened.
Today will have to be busy to catch up. I am a little down this weekend. I have a friend that is in the hospital. If you want to send me a personal comment about this, I would prefer if it was private. I do not want a flood of messages on my feed because I do not want to do that publicly. You can send me an e-mail, my contact page works well.
Saturday was another socially busy day, around what is going on. I was online a fair bit yesterday and this morning. I am in the overthinking stage for the website building. I am stuck in that, but it will progress when I am ready. I created a graphic for welcoming people to Tish’s Treasure Seekers Facebook Group. I had fun with it. Then after a short visit at the hospital, my husband and I took in a movie. Valerian was OK. I think they missed the memo on casting the actors, and Avatar the movie already had blue-skinned aliens that were living in harmony with nature. The actors seemed too young for the roles and dialogue. Not to say they are bad actors, but it kind of felt like I was watching the next Spy Kids movie with teens. It just didn’t feel right.
After this, I tried to find a way to hear Colin James at Harvest Jazz and Blues in downtown Fredericton. My husband wanted to go home to avoid traffic. I may have pitched a small fit in the car. We went for an hour. I did not hear Colin James, I missed him. Again. This is the third time I have tried to see him in concert. I have made a vow that the next time I am going to buy tickets. Here’s hoping he comes back again. I enjoyed some mini doughnuts with Roy as we wandered. We met up with some friends, and that was a nice surprise.
Today I am going to fit in 2 visits with friends, as I have to touch base with another friend today before we go on a road trip next weekend. I am helping her at a Craft Show in Nova Scotia. I will fill you all in on that when it is over. It may be Monday next week before I share that story. If I am missing for a few days over the next month, know that I am OK, and with friends. Make sure you take the time to let your friends know how much they mean to you while you are together. You just never know when it will be too late.
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 15, 2017 | Guest Blogging
Money. Love it or hate it, whether you have tons or none, it is something that dictates a lot about your life. With that being said, I hate it, and it is because I have spent all of my life never having enough money. My husband and I work hard and in our house, he does the budget. It isn’t because I am not capable of running the household budget, but rather because money slips like mercury through my fingers, faster than the speed of light. Once in a while, I ask him where things stand, and these days, it is looking better than it ever has. We are not rolling in the dough, in fact, we are very far from that with our household income. We decided years ago that it was better for him to take control over the money. Many fights happened since then, but when we made the decision to have him handle the budget, we promised to never let any fights we had about money be about anything other than the money. Do you know what? It worked. There have been days where I was so angry I was shouting at him to find me the money I needed for whatever we were fighting about needing money for. We made that little rule at the start, and we have made it work for us, ever since.
I am now going to share my top 6 Budgeting Tips. They will not be things that you have never heard of before, but they have helped me stay the course and not go crazy all the time.
- Don’t leave the house. I am really serious about this one. The second I walk out of the house I am 100% guaranteed that I am going to spend money. Except if I am going to work, or to visit a friend. It is a given. When I have time off, I avoid shopping temptation by staying home. I am not an avid online shopper, so this does not affect me like it might for other people. When I do make online purchases, they are planned, not impulse purchases.
- Make a grocery list. Use the weekly flyers. Cut the coupons. Go the extra mile to get whatever deals that you can find. If you can sign up for email coupon sites or local couponing groups, you can swap the ones you don’t need for some that you do.
- Pack your lunch. Eating out should be a treat, not an everyday event. If you make a meal, the leftovers can be your lunch the next day. I do this a lot. I get bored of sandwiches, so when I prep cook, it is for my lunches. I recently discovered that I need carbs at lunch. I will have to be planning ahead more for this, as I thought the sleepiness after lunch was my blood sugars being too high. I checked. They weren’t. The next day I added the right kind of carbs, and I wasn’t falling asleep at my desk. Who knew?
- Find ways to earn money to save up for something extra. I have done a bit of pet sitting for friends, but it can be anything that you can do. I have also done overtime at the day job when I was planning something that I couldn’t afford from the regular budget. The household budget has been so rigid for so long that it is now a habit for me to stop and think before I make plans to figure out where the money for such and such is going to come from.
- Make use of points. Whether you collect air miles, scene points for movies points at your local grocery store or pharmacy, spend them wisely. I have one that I let accumulate until I have enough saved to buy makeup with. I have others that I cash in when I am low on funds and need to make a purchase that I can’t wait until payday for. If you are spending money to buy coffee every day (another way to save money is to make it at home) then get the card and claim your free coffee when it is earned. Or, pay a gift forward to a friend in need with points. Save them to purchase Christmas or Birthday gifts. Whatever you use them for, if the points are used, and it is something that you want instead of need, then it is a valuable way to spend them.
- When you are paying down your debt load, pay extra when you can. Choose one of two things when you start to target your debt load, either the smallest total balance and continue paying each one off one at a time while paying the regular payments to the other bills. The other factor to weigh into this decision is the interest rate for each separate debt load. When it comes to making ground, it makes sense to start small and remove the smaller totals first. This builds momentum because you are seeing results as each bill is paid off. Then you can change tactics when you only have larger bills left, and tackle the one that is charging you the highest interest rate first. When you are improving your credit rating, then call the companies that you want to keep doing business with, and ask them what they can do to help you save money, and keep doing business with them. They may lower your interest rate that they charge, and if you have problems spending, ask them to lower your balance when you hit the balance that you can manage.
My bonus tip is to live within your means. Think before you shop. Wants are not needs. If you don’t overspend, you won’t have to pay down the debt if there is none there, to begin with. This is practical advice, but not always possible. Emergencies happen and need to be dealt with. If you have your debt under control, having to find a way to cover an emergency is not as stressful when you have wiggle room to manage to pay down a new and unexpected bill.
I am writing this story for 2 different reasons. One is that it is something that might help someone like me figure out how to manage their money better. My husband uses a computer program to keep track of it all, but he also writes out the budget by hand months in advance to help him plan ahead. The other one is to slip in another introduction for a third Guest Blogging adventure. I have teamed up with Carla Gardiner who was the first Blogger to respond to my open invitation to guest blogging. I have written a story for her blog. It is a bit familiar to the information I have shared here on this blog, with my own little spin to make it just different enough that you should go read it, to make sure you don’t miss out on any of my stories. I really had fun with this one, and there is a science fiction reference or two in it. You can read What are you doing with your towel? on Carla’s Blog.
While you are there, check out what she is up to. She is 
so you can well imagine that she has her own stories to tell, in her own way, from living life through her own journey. I do read her blog, and I am in the #100Coffees group with her, it is where we met. She and I were brainstorming, as I am not quite what her ideal audience member would look like. While chatting, I was inspired to write about reinventing myself and to share budgeting tips. These topics were chosen based on sharing the audiences of both blogs. So here is the first part. Please do take the time to visit her blog also. The Blogging community has always been a delightful way to help other bloggers with Guest Posting such as this one, and I look forward to participating in more writing adventures in my own journey.
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 14, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share Carla’s Story, written in her own words.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Carla’s Story
Discover Why the Bulge is Harder to Battle for Women Over 50
Have you ever looked in the mirror and quickly looked away in disgust? Don’t feel bad, I know just how you feel; I’ve done that more times than I can count … my entire life. Why is it that women over 50 have this ongoing bulge to battle, especially between our armpits and our thighs?
It would take a book to share my entire story; but, it has been a journey, one that I’m still on. You can read about one of my “diets” and the yo-yo effect it had on my belly fat here. Have you ever noticed that when we set our minds to lose weight we do it? But, what happens when we “transition” back to real life and the diet is finished? If you are like me you gradually put back on the weight you lost plus 25 – 50 pounds. Gosh, what a struggle, right?
After many years of trying this diet and that one; losing and gaining weight I gave up. I resigned myself to be the squishy grandma as one of my grandsons called me. Hey, what’s wrong with being squishy, there’s more to love and love is what it is all about, right? We can play all the games in our heads that we want to; but, the bottom line is this – we want our youthful body back. Secretly we want our spouse to look at us and see and feel the firm muscles our bodies were meant to be. Today, hubby looks at me and we laugh at the mature figure we each have. Are we really laughing or secretly crying for something better?
Over the past ten years, age has entered the race for the fat factor. I’m finding bulges everywhere and some places you wouldn’t expect! We’ve had many changes in our lives, too. Stress, business, and life have a way of taking the bulge to a whole new battle and to a whole new level. So, January 2017 I decided it was time to stop the battle and wage war on my fat and these hideous bulges. I threw the word diet out of my vocabulary. I measured every inch of my body, where I couldn’t reach I had the hubby measure. I weighed for the sake of a starting number and put it in my journal. Then, I started sipping my way slim. I’m starting my final journey to battle the bulge after 50 and taking along those who want to do the same. They say there is power in numbers, I believe it. Together we can do anything we can conceive.
You can wish me success or join me on the journey, your choice. I’ll be posting my results, my accomplishments, and failures on my blog. I’m not sure anyone else can relate to a grandma, a woman over 50 who has failed in the weight loss arena her entire life or not. All I know is I will win this battle of the bulge and help others to do the same come h-e-double toothpicks or high water!
Me (Carla) at my heaviest (not a proud moment) in 2009 with youngest grandson in Hawaii at the time of photo 5′ 4″ 235#s.
Carla, thanks so much for accepting my invitation to be a guest blogger here. If Carla’s story resonates with you, or if you would just like to connect with her to learn more, you can check out her Facebook page Coffee with Carla and just pop over to say hi when you are having your coffee some day. I have had the chance to meet her in the process of setting this story up, and she is a wonderful person, who is easy to chat with. I wish her success in her journey and am happy to share her story with you here. I am certain if you take the time to learn more about her, she will be happy to share more of her story with you and join you on your own journey. Two heads are better than one.
#TrustYourGut
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 10, 2017 | Weekend Warrior
Wow. I am winning this weekend all over the place. I have so much going on, and I wanted to write to share some big news with you all. Big news. First I need to give you the rest of the story.
Friday night is a distant memory. I am still floored by the fact that when I checked my Blog on Friday, that I had 930 followers. I know there are more now. This little Blog that could (it is my nickname for this blog and a title I have used for a story on the blog) is just amazing. I am so thankful that there are people that take time out of their busy lives to read what I am writing. It gives me such a rush! It confirms that I am on my way as an author, and inspires me to keep going.I worked so hard on Saturday, I don’t even remember what else I was up to on Friday. Saturday was the start of something new. And big. Did I mention big? It’s huge.
I am in the process of building my own website. I took the leap, and have had a lot of friends want to help. I am working on leveling up! It is good to know that people support me and want to help. Technology is not my passion, but I am asking questions and trying new things all the time. It is still a lot of work, but now it is a little more familiar than the first time I started this blogging adventure.
I needed to schedule time away from the computer this afternoon. I was so focused on the new website yesterday that I spent all of Saturday online. I am thinking Saturday might be needing a new definition for me. It hasn’t been chore day for several weeks. It is hard to tear myself away, but necessary. If I don’t make time for prep cooking and cleaning, the week will be expensive and messy. So I am going to take a break from the computer today and get some other things done.
Before I left, I decided to try and start a movement this week. I called it #ShareYourLoveSunday and I made a graphic to go along with it. What do you think?
The goal is to start a discussion, based on love, positivity and good news. I have had a few people join in, so maybe I am starting to learn more about turning things around, and shaking things up in a good way. If you want to participate, leave a comment here or on my Tish’s Treasure Seekers Group on Facebook or @Tish MacWebber on Twitter. I wanted to start something small that could have a big impact. If you choose to join the facebook group, why not take the extra three minutes to join the Tish’s Treasure Seekers Birthday Bling Club? There is a form with 5 required questions and one optional one. I will be checking progress later on. For now, onward with the things that I don’t want to do because I need to do them, and also so I can get back to working on the things I want to do. What are you doing this weekend?
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 7, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 29
I have not done what I set out to do in September. I have not followed the plan, I have not kept detailed records, and I have not put any effort into what I needed to do this week at all.
The Monster is winning this week. It is crushing the soul of my inner beauty. What am I going to do about it?
I have to refocus. I have to make the efforts I need to make to have results. I am not perfect, and although I was going to try my best, I fell short. Like not even falling off the wagon, because I never climbed on it in the first place.
What am I NOT going to do about it? Make excuses.
I am better than that. I am better than the monster inside that convinced me it was a great idea to eat chips and Fudgsicles this week. I am better than the monster that is telling me it is OK to eat whatever I want to because I am really hungry and don’t have time to wait for a healthier option to be ready to eat. I am worth the effort of drowning out the monster with my inner beauty. I need to let it shine, and help me find the way to becoming a healthier version of myself.
I need to have a plan, not just the THM plan, although that is a part of what I need to do, it needs to be a complete plan that encompasses everything I am working on and makes me want to work at this. On me. It is bigger than me just writing about it. I need to DO it. So this weekend, I am going to set aside a few hours to get this set up.
Part of the reason is that I am very skilled at making excuses. I need to stop it. Right now. I am on such a roll with my writing that I do not want to stop. I want to keep moving forward in all aspects of my life and live it to the fullest. I will also avoid things and just do what I want to do instead of what I need to do if it is easier. This is not a good way to do what I want to do, which is to lead by example. I am not feeling the leader vibe this week. I need to change things and make this happen.
Now. OK, on the weekend, as I am a tad bit busy with the writing and the entrepreneurial dreams and projects I am working on to change my whole life for the better. The problem with letting the monster win is that I am leaving out a very important aspect of this dream, and that is me. I need to rank myself higher on the list of things to be taken care of, so the inner beauty has the chance to glow and outshine the monster forever.
I am making a commitment here to have this ready to go for Monday. I am going to hold myself accountable for taking the steps to make things happen. Only I can make the necessary plans and changes to have this work. It is time to take action and stop listening to the monster that keeps me from being the healthiest version of myself. It is time to open the cage that traps my inner beauty so far inside me that I cannot find it anymore. I need to let it out and nurture it until it is as bright as the sun. I need to keep telling myself that I am worth it until I believe it. Louder than the monster. Brighter than the stars in the sky. Over and over again, until I really get it. And then you will see that I am doing this in front of all who witness it, and I will be accomplishing the dream of leading by example, by working hard to achieve my personal and professional goals. Other things are starting to fall into place. This is just the next thing I am on the verge of succeeding at. Time to shine.
If you are following this series, and like what you read, thank you. If you have your own story to share, please contact me. I have accepted other people’s stories in this category and would love to have more stories than my own to share here. I don’t want to bore everyone with my stories EVERY week, so if this is something YOU want to do, reach out to me. There is a contact page for that very reason. I am also willing to work with people to write a story based on an informal interview or having some discussions about their issues, to help other people deal with their own issues, and helping people understand what it is really like to have issues on EITHER END of the scale. I would be happy to share your experiences, issues, successes, and tips here in the future. Stop thinking about it. Stop making excuses. Let’s work together to change ourselves and the lives we live. Our inner beauties deserve to be free and thriving. We are worth every bit of the effort. Let’s drop-kick those monsters to the curb. Together. If I can do this, so can you.
#TrustYourGut.
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 3, 2017 | Weekend Warrior
Long weekend! Yes! I had planned to take Friday off as a vacation day. I am working on the Holiday. I earn holiday pay, it is a Stat. So I am OK with that, as I enjoyed having yesterday off.
We started the day off at a local restaurant for Brunch. It was my second time at Claudine’s Eatery on Main Street, in Fredericton. It was my husband’s first time there. When I spoke to the owner about writing about our experience, she was concerned that we took pictures of our meals. There was a new cook, and apparently, they are not trained on presentation, yet. I told her not to worry, as long as I had permission to use some pictures from her online pages. She said that would be fine.
I didn’t know if I should go for something fancy or not, but when I saw a number of choices on the breakfast menu that included lobster…I decided to take the plunge in for some seafood. I ordered the lobster omelet with a side salad instead of homefries, and also no toast.
My husband got “The Maritimer” a traditional bacon eggs sausage toast and added ham. The new cook forgot to put the pancakes on his plate. They brought them out on a separate plate. He liked his breakfast. I enjoyed mine, immensely. There were large pieces of lobster in the omelet, and the side salad was fresh. I would recommend it to anyone, it was wonderful. The pic below has toast, mine did not.
Other than specializing in many types of Eggs Benny, they also have french onion soup listed as one of their favourites. While I was searching through their pictures, I spied what I will try the next time I go for lunch.
Lobster grilled cheese with gouda and a small crock pot lobster poutine at Claudine’s Eatery.
My husband is not a fan of seafood. Lobster ranks higher than chocolate or pizza on my list. I will be going to try this, and maybe to talk about my favourite way to eat lobster. Always Thinking…
I then made my way out to King Woolens and Yarns after I brought my husband home. I was planning to visit my friend, the owner, and check out what she set up for the new display for my Tish’s Treasures in her store. I forgot to bring my new blue flower earrings. 🙁
Blue Flower Earrings
She had found a picture of a display online that she asked my opinion on. I liked it and told her so. She didn’t need help assembling it, but I went out to look for ideas for the base with her. She had the new display assembled and ready. It makes you want to walk around it to see what else is there. She did a great job on it. I happened to bring out a few new jewellery displays I had found yard sale shopping earlier in the summer, and we made a few changes. We worked on it together, and it looks great now!
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Tish’s Treasures Grape Cluster Necklace and Butterfly Necklace at King Woolens and Yarns
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Snowflakes by Tish’s Treasures at King Woolens and Yarns
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Tish’s Treasures array of Earrings, Dragonfly Suncatchers, Flower Pendants, and a Turtle Bracelet at King Woolens and yarns.
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Necklaces and earrings by Tish’s Treasures at King Woolens and Yarns..
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Sock Monkey Cup Cozy found at King Woolens and Yarns
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King Woolens and Yarns is in Douglas, just a few minutes outside of Fredericton, NB
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Yarn at King Woolens and Yarns
Saturday was a day for Blogging, errands and social media work. It was busy in its own way. I have been fighting a sinus headache. I think I am winning, and I finished my day with making a pot of chili. Not a lot of prep cooking today, but we have leftover chili to eat when we are hungry.
Sunday is here. I am Bouncing the House, still with plans to go to Church this evening. I then have a skype date with my cousin. Until then I busied myself with the Master Bedroom cleaning, and shopping at the local Northside Market. When things slow down and I have access to a better camera, I will be writing about the different markets in the city, and maybe guest blogging about them. If that plan works out, I will be sure to share the links.
I bought a large fresh cabbage, and some ground pork while I was at the Market. I plan on making egg roll in a bowl late tonight so I can have it for lunch at work tomorrow.
I bought meat, eggs, and vegetables for groceries, and splurged on some His & Hers Samosas (we each like different kinds) and a bag of apple muffins for a treat.
It was a busy long weekend. What are your plans? What did you do this weekend?
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 2, 2017 | Events
I recently took part in a couple of challenges. The Brand Story Challenge was the first one. The design I started this story with is the result of the week-long challenge. But if you were not following me on Facebook, you missed a lot of the work that led up to this graphic.
There is a progression, with daily “homework” to complete the challenge and be entered in the contest for prizes. If you were reading the daily prompts, then you will be very familiar with the daily public shares that I am copying into this story here. Why am I doing that? If you are wondering, it is to show the progress, and seeing them grouped together here will help understand the process and progress I accomplished by taking these challenges.
If you want to learn about how to Master Brand yourself, check out these links. For the Master Brand course, check out this website http://www.jenniferkem.com/. She teaches about #masterbrand and #paidtobeyou. If you look on Facebook, these hashtags will lead you to the right place.
I will start with the Brand Story Challenge. This may seem like a long read today, but I feel it is the best way to share this information with all of you that are reading. So grab a cup of coffee or tea and spend a little time with me as I share this journey. The end goal is to become an entrepreneur with Bling. Blog. Books. and I will be happy if you stick with me through this adventure. You can even participate in the Bling and Blog Freebies if you read to the end.
I found out about the Brand Story Challenge #BSC while scrolling through Facebook. I do not click on all of the ads I see, but sometimes I check things out. I am in 100 Coffees to enhance my networking skills with women like myself. I am in #HappyWriting because the creator, Jessica Dionne Abouelela, has been there for my journey since almost the very beginning. She helped me to change my blog from its former Newbie status to the one you see today. To be honest, she rescued me and my website and gave me a new direction for it. I did most of the work, and she was instrumental in helping me figure out how to do that. She had been encouraging me to do more research on my own Brand, and she also thought that the #BSC would be a good fit for me. I know you are reading, so thank you, Jessica.
Jessica’s current website is girlvscity, and she is going to be launching a Happy Writing project in October. If you want to join an AMAZING writing community on Facebook, then I highly recommend Happy Writing the Facebook Group that I am in. You can also check out Happy Writing Co, which is another Facebook group she has on the go. Jessica has always taken the time to answer my questions and gives solid advice.
The next 5 entries will share the five days of #BSC public posts.
I am inspired by what happens when I apply all of my creative skills and imagination to my projects. The results speak for themselves, and when I complete a project that I conceptualized entirely myself, it literally amazes me how my brain comes up with ideas that work. My passion is being creative, and the more I believe in myself and push myself, the possibilities have no limits. I will think my way through everything that I do and find success while spreading joy through my work. If I apply my talents, each success inspires me to try more new things, and I get so excited when my brain is “on fire” and I am in the zone. When your passion reveals itself, there is no comparison to the feelings of accomplishment that you get from following it.
The world needs more of Tish MacWebber’s creativity in it. I help people spread it around, with my Blog, Bling, and Lyrics.
#brandstorychallenge #day1
The moment that I decided I would help people was when I decided that I would start with helping myself. I started my blog to share my lyrics, for collaboration with musicians. I realized that writing my blog is bigger than me just writing to practice for writing my books. People are reading, commenting, and liking what I am writing about. They are watching for my regular series stories and following them. What I write about is holding me accountable, and helping me grow in my personal journey through my life. My writing is helping me gain confidence to keep writing, and to write books like I dreamed of doing. I feel good about creating, and writing is a creative outlet for me. It is something that I enjoy doing. As an avid reader, I want to write a fantasy trilogy. By writing stories from my heart and mind, I can help people escape the real world one chapter at a time, and by achieving my dreams, maybe I will inspire someone else to stop procrastinating about making their dreams a reality, and act on those dreams to make them come true. #brandstorychallenge #day2
I’m looking for 5 people who feel like their true worth is being overlooked in their real life, and love to read books that help them escape their every day and inspire them to be someone that is worth taking the time to get to know who they really are on the inside. I am also looking for people that appreciate details, that know the little things matter and can make a big impact if they are displayed in the correct fashion. Are you one of those people?
#brandstorychallenge #day3
My business Superpower is applying Tish into everything I do. Whether it shows in my creativity and thinking, my stubbornness, imagination, finding solutions, embracing my feelings and pushing through them to the other side, facing every project with an open heart, my sense of humour or my geekiness, I give my all and get’er done. When I reach that time that my brain finds the solution to what I have been thinking about, I make decisions and act on them.
My creativity thought processes and quirkiness combined with asking a million and one questions to brainstorm and learn what I need to give’er leads me to creative Tish solutions and final products that I am proud to share with the world. My business superpower is me, and my secret weapon is that I am full of surprises.
#brandstorychallenge #day4
Tish of Tish’s Treasures wants YOU to know that when you want her to create a custom order for YOU that she will listen to what your needs are, and DESIGN unique jewellery for you or someone you love to wear.
Tish MacWebber wants YOU to know that she is the real deal. She is writing her first book, and practicing her writing skills while holding herself accountable in her blog at the same time. Her writing is reaching people through her blog in 50 different countries, and she cannot wait to share her fantasy trilogy with you all. Escape your world for a little while by reading what she is up to. There will be excerpts from her first book shared when it is closer to completion.
#brandsstorychallenge#day5
ARE YOU STILL AWAKE? We are halfway through this epic long story. This can be your intermission break if you need one. Refill your coffee or tea cup, grab a snack, run to do whatever needs to be taken care of, but please do come back. Keep reading, if you made it this far, there are things to do at the end!
In between the challenges, I held a Scavenger Hunt Contest to encourage people to look up my Tish’s Treasures Facebook Page, my Tish MacWebber Author Page, and of course, to check out my blog. I made my first Facebook Live videos. I had a winner, and she now has a custom designed pair of earrings as her prize.
These are the earrings I made as the prize for my Scavenger Hunt Contest.
The second Challenge was the Grow Your Tribe Challenge, #GYTC. It took some of the work I did in #BSC and added to it while exploring different methods of growing your tribe. Here is the summary of the daily prompts for that challenge.
The solutions I provide are unique because I pour myself into everything I create, and it is my passion. As an artist; that translates to being a creator of unique designs that come from my heart and mind. As an author; my writing speaks to people through my blog already. My fantasy books will share stories that are written so well that you get sucked in, don’t want to put the book down, and the readers feel invested in the stories and the characters in my books. I want to help the readers escape their lives by reading their way into my imagination. Not everyone that reads my blog is a writer, but 6 people that I know in real life have decided to look into writing their own blogs and asked me for advice. If I can do this, you can chase your dreams and make them a reality too. You just have to decide that you are going to make them happen, and start learning and doing.
#growyourtribechallenge #day1
My Tribe is amazing because they may not all have been there since day 1, and they may not all know me in person, but they are open enough to learn, laugh, cry, and be surprised by me. They are learning what I am all about and at the same time, they are discovering how my creativity infuses positivity and it is my passion. Oh, and that it is contagious. People in my Tribe check things out, ask questions, and learn to believe in themselves, right beside me. I want to help my readers escape their lives by reading their way into my imagination. They will discover their passion, explore their own imagination, ask a million and one questions and add a little more Tish in their lives. They need it, and they don’t even know it yet unless they are already in!
Please note: There was a new “Tish-ism” created during this day’s challenge, so keep an eye out on the blog, it’s going to be a busy week there!
#growyourtribechallenge #day2
Freebies for Tribe Members!
With my free consultations, I can help you find the perfect gift for that hard to buy for person. I know for a fact that not everyone has a unique beaded design made by Tish’s Treasures, and it is my mission to share a little more of Tish with the whole world. How can I help you at the same time? I am starting up a Birthday Club for the Tish’s Treasures Tribe. There will be a survey to enter, and every month there will be a prize for one person that has their birthday that month. Bonus for everyone that has a birthday that month? $5 off coupon for your birthday month purchases with Tish’s Treasures. The Survey will be ready on Friday, September 1st, and the coupons will be good for the whole month for the September Birthday People. This will continue indefinitely, every month. Prize name will be drawn on the last day of the month, every month.
Need traffic on your blog? Guest posting is currently available with my blog.
I will be both a host for your submission on my blog, and you can also ask for me to write a guest post for yours. What do you get? Both websites get more traffic. It’s a win win!
Do you want to share a story on my blog, but are not confident in your own writing skills to write your story yourself? I can schedule a meeting or an interview with you and help you share that story. I am currently looking for contributions and submissions for my Trust Your Gut series, about issues people have with weight, no matter what those issues are.
Remember Tish MacWebber is Always Thinking…and if you need help with something I am available for brainstorming sessions. I like to help people. Two heads are better than one.
#growyourtribechallenge #day3
Part 1: I’ve decided to present my freebie Tish’s Treasure Seekers Guest Blogging as an open invitation which I will be designing before September 1, 2017, to share on my Facebook Author page. It will invite Bloggers to contact me for Guest Blogging opportunities, either for me to host your story on my blog, or for me to guest write a story for your blog. My initial goal is one or two a month, so shout out if you want to be involved. Guest Blogging is a very good way to increase your traffic to your blog website.
#growyourtribechallenge #day4
Part 2: I’m so excited to create the Tish’s Treasure Seekers Birthday Bling Club, my new freebie that’s a short survey to help people sign up for a contest during their Birthday month! One person wins a gift from Tish’s Treasures every month, and everyone gets a $5 discount for shopping with Tish’s Treasures during their birthday month that is valid for the whole month! It will be starting on September 1, 2017.
#growyourtribechallenge #day4
I am committed to streamlining the Tish MacWebber BlingBlogBooks brand, including all of you, Tish’s Treasure Seekers, because I am passionate about creativity. I want to lead by example, and this means I will be taking the dreamer inside of me and encouraging her to be the successful entrepreneur that I know she will be. I pour myself into everything I create, and it is my passion. As an artist; that translates to being a creator of unique designs that come from my heart and mind. As an author; I want to help my readers escape their lives by reading their way into my imagination. I am already proving that I can write through my blogging journey. I have already swept up people in my enthusiasm and inspired them to think outside of their comfort zone. If you’re ready to start seeking your treasures, then join me on September 1st, 2017 for the Launch of Tish’s Treasure Seekers Birthday Bling Club as well as keeping a watch for the open invitation to Tish’s Treasure Seekers Guest Blogging Series on the same day! It’s a double whammy! I am full of surprises, and when you join Tish’s Treasure Seekers, not only will I surprise you, but you may also find that you start surprising yourself!
As promised, the freebies from above are things YOU can participate in.
Please note the new website address is http://tishmacwebber.com
and…
Tish’s Treasure Seekers Birthday Bling Club Q&A
If you answer 6 questions, you can be entered too! I promised there were good reasons to read to the end!
Since I have completed the second challenge, I have launched the above freebies. I have also renamed and updated the Tish’s Treasures Facebook group. It is now Tish’s Treasure Seekers and is linked to the business page.
What is coming in the future? More fun. More interactions. More writing. More Bling. More contests. Growth doesn’t happen by itself, or overnight. So more work. I will be moving this Blog to an umbrella website for Tish MacWebber. Things are going to become even more exciting than they already are. I hope that you all join me. It’s going to be something you don’t want to miss.
Could I have made this a shorter read? Yes. I didn’t because I wanted you all to see the bigger picture with me. Congratulations for reading all the way to the end. I have to say, the bigger picture is panoramic! I love the view!
by Tish MacWebber | Sep 1, 2017 | Trust Your Gut
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 28
Somebody asked me a question the day that made me stop and think. The question was, “Where do you get your energy?” My quick response was, “Coffee and kickass multivitamins.” But I thought about it some more and felt that the person that asked me the question deserved a better answer. I met up with him a few minutes later, and I explained that it is from following my passion. When I am being creative, it makes me push my limits and myself. I am inspired all the time, even in my sleep. If I let myself go when it comes to being creative, whether or not it is writing, there are no boundaries. I can be struck by an idea for the blog by having a conversation with my husband or a friend. It can even happen when I am working. I can wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, and when that happens, I make myself go write it down.
I wish I could harness this energy, and direct some of it towards my metabolic rate. The feelings of utter joy I have when I am making progress on one of my projects is unmatched anywhere else in my life. It is all me, from my very core, and it radiates out. It is contagious. It is visible. People can see the change in me when I am working on something that makes my heart sing!
Note: I realized after this was published, that I forgot a very important part of my answer to this question. YOU! Every time someone reads, likes, shares or comments on this blog, it adds fuel to my train of momentum. So thank you, each and every one of you for taking the time out of your busy lives to include reading my words. It means more than I can write here, in just one paragraph, and even if there was a longer place for this note, I don’t know if words can describe the feelings I have inside about every bit of growth it has from your continued support. You all amaze me.
I am starting to prepare for my challenge. It starts tomorrow. I have a long weekend. With the work I have done in the last month with the other challenges, I want to keep the momentum going. I am going to focus on making healthier choices. I am going to use the same fire and determination in my journey to be a healthier version of myself. Tonight, I am getting it out of my system. This weekend, I am going to be setting up my new routine. I will need to get organized and to do that I will need a plan. That means food, specifically meals, and snacks, drinks, testing my sugars frequently, recording all of this and how much insulin I am taking. If I am serious about this, I know I will see results. I wrote in my challenges about why I want to be an entrepreneur. Part of the answer was because I want to lead by example. I am working hard on my dreams, and one of them is becoming a healthier version of myself. I am going to start with planning the next week while I start this weekend.
I will be researching new recipes in my Trim Healthy Mama book. There are other recipes online, and there are my favourites I can mix into the meal plan. I have not made a lot of desserts because I was not certain of the sweetener ratio. I am using swerve in the powdered and granular form. THM uses their own sweeteners, and there are conversions for their blends of sweeteners. I have the chart on the inside of a cabinet door in the kitchen. I have most of the ingredients I need for making THM recipes, so I am going to expand my horizons with testing some new recipes and adding the ones I like to my rotation. I think that might be why I have not been as inspired to stay on plan. I know I need to do this.
#TrustYourGut
