The Internet is not Just for Evil

The Internet is not Just for Evil

by | Apr 17, 2017 | Weekend Warrior

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Take your chance and try something new!

I have been reflecting today as I am now actively involved in a fourth new group I found on facebook.  There are a lot of possible outcomes when one surfs the internet.  One click can lead down a dark narrow path to things you never imagined, not even in your worst nightmares.  Evil does lurk in the world, and I am certain that there is a way to twist any online search into something most people would never look for.

I have been expanding my horizons and plans for the future.  I am careful when I am online, but I choose ads on facebook if they REALLY speak to me.  That is how I found the A Bowl Full Of Lemons facebook group.  I was looking for guidance and inspiration in my household cleaning struggles.  I know how to clean, I just don’t like doing it!  So I clicked on the link, joined the group, and worked on one project.

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Pantry Shelf Project

Since then, it has been fairly organized, and I had some help to reinforce the shelves (Thanks, Dad!).  It needs some TLC this year, but I am still proud of completing this project.  The facebook group has SO many good organization ideas, before and after pics, and some amazing decorating ideas.  It is something I have worked towards this year, and so far I have been able to share my Coffee Station Complete! project.  There will be more pics coming soon from my kitchen, I promise!

I have yet to make it through the whole house with the challenge.  I am confident that this will be the year.  I shared a picture when I bought a new shelving unit for my Master Bedroom, as I am moving my craft studio out of the Guest Room and relocating it in the larger Master Bedroom.

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Craft Studio Relocation Project

The area is still “under construction”. That means I am still in the planning stages of how to reorganize my craft supplies in this room.  I have taken step two today, and purchased a second cube bookcase, with 6 squares, not 9.  I had already bought the matching plastic bins for it while they were on sale, but again, I felt I was being held back from completing this project because I didn’t have all of the pieces for it ready to go.  I still have to assemble the shelf, (and move a dresser to that side of the room to put the new shelf on top of) but I can work on that as soon as I finish my kitchen.  I have no regrets about joining this facebook group, at all.

I also found the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) Plan in the same way.  THM is a lifestyle change in how you eat food.  It is wonderful, they have more than one facebook group, actually, and I am a member of several different THM facebook groups.  I have implemented many of their guidelines into my life, and when I am on plan, I feel great!  I need to focus on staying on plan more than being off plan because I KNOW IT WORKS WHEN YOU WORK IT.  I have seen it for myself.  So I start every day trying to stay on plan.  Some days I succeed.  Others I don’t.  One of the best things about the plan is that you work it into your own life, and if you go off plan, well you just pull up your socks and get back on plan.  No worries.  I realized, when I was looking at this ad two years ago, that what I was doing was not working, so I was ready to try something different.  I am still not 100% on plan, but I am more convinced than ever that I can do it because I am.  This is another group that came along when I needed it, and I have no regrets about joining this group, either.

The third group I joined in 2016.  I was thinking about how to get my lyrics out to the world.  I had watched a motivational video, I have written about this before, and I decided it was time.  About the same time I started looking into this, I decided that I was also done waiting to write books, and I wanted to make the dream of becoming an author a reality.  While this was all being processed in my mind, another facebook group, the Ninja Writers showed up in my ads.  Well, this group has been a game changer for me.  The Ninja Writers Facebook Page has been an incredible resource.  I had no idea how to brand myself as an author, how or why to start a Blog, or what I had to do to make this all effective towards my goal of becoming an author.  I even designed my own tartan and logo for it! I have made friends that have really helped me with this blog, and spark a passion in me that I didn’t even know I had the potential for.  And if you are reading this, you know that I am blogging frequently, to develop my writing habit and expand my creative horizons.  There are no regrets for me in terms of joining this group.  Only positive strides towards making a dream into a reality.

The fourth group is a new addition.  One of my fellow Ninja Writers shared a new group page on her wall, encouraging people to check it out.  I became curious, and trusted my fellow Ninja Writer friend, and joined the group.  It is called 100 Coffees.  They have a facebook group, 100 Coffees Facebook Group and through that group, you can join their website.  It is for women entrepreneurs, and they are based on networking through the group, to meet members through coffee meetings.  This has an immense potential for people like me, trying to find their way in this online business world.  Membership is free, and eventually, there will be other options for paid subscribers, but I am in the group and hoping to make new friends, get and give support to and from members, and to learn as much as I can from my peers.  This is a great concept, and I am glad to be involved with it already.

One thing that is very important to keep in mind when you join a new group online, is to find out the rules.  The people that create these groups have their reasons, and sticking to their rules will mean you get to remain in the group, and get all the benefits of belonging.  If you choose to just join a bunch of groups to do your own thing, disregarding the rules, expect your time in that group to be limited.  The rules keep the group working together towards a common goal, and going your own way will likely result in you getting the boot.

So there you have it.  The internet is not just being used for evil.  When you are surfing, and something keeps showing up in your feed, and it is a group or a theme that resonates with you, check it out!  You might find something wonderful!  If you don’t,  leave the group and find another one that works for you and helps you in your life.  If any of the above groups peak your interest, check them out!  I am glad I did, and maybe you will be too!

 

Weekend Warrior #5

Weekend Warrior #5

by | Mar 25, 2017 | Weekend Warrior

 

Well, look at that.  I made it to another weekend.  It is unplanned, as of yet, and that could be dangerous.  In terms of making the most of my weekend off, that is.

Looking around, I can get overwhelmed at the amount of work I still need to do.  But just looking at it won’t fix that.

So I have to make a list.  It will be for both days, as I never seem to finish the list I make in one day, so I’ll be realistic.  Then  I will pick some small things to get me going.  It is motivating to cross things off of the list.

eggs and avs

Eggs and Avs (THM) A nice filling breakfast. I love poached eggs, but you can fry them if you prefer. I love this quick, healthy breakfast on weekends.

We do have to run errands today.  So I’ve filled the Overthinkin and Coffee Drinkin mug to sip my coffee while I Brunch and write.  Tomorrow I’ll need to prep cook, and my husband doesn’t know it yet, but there is a package of bacon for tomorrow’s breakfast.  He wouldn’t eat this with me, but he loves bacon and eggs.

I am still struggling with the cleaning challenge.  I feel like this weekend might be when I get back on track.  I set the goals at the start of the year, and I intend to keep them.  But where to begin?  I am overwhelmed by a number of things to do on an exponentially growing to do list and underwhelmed with the energy to attack it.  How do I fight my way to doing instead of dreading?

The lists and music are the answer.  Even if I take an hour to make the list, it is a start.  Do I write down everything, share it with my husband, and tackle it with him?  Will we bicker if we tackle the same thing together?  Sometimes that happens.  If we are both working in the kitchen, there is not a lot of space when we are doing the dishes.  My kitchen is deceptive.  It looks spacious but has very little cupboard space.  I have had to be creative in what I have and where I store things.  I have a bookcase, an open pantry, and a large standing shelf with a door on it.

My Open Shelf Pantry

This is the final result of the only thing I really accomplished in the first year I joined the Cleaning Challenge. I need to tidy it up this year, but for the most part, it is still in good shape, and just needs a good dusting job. It is my Open Shelf Pantry.

We have often talked about how to get more efficient storage in the kitchen.  We are planning to get some furniture “someday” at Ikea.  It will be mostly to set up the living room, but the kitchen will get a boost too.  It will happen, it is hard sometimes to make do and stay motivated, but it is what it is.

This afternoon we went to get our taxes finished up.  Done for another year.  We then made an afternoon trip of going to two local SPCA animal shelters.  We are starting to think about getting our first dog, and saw a lot of cats too.  We will get another cat too, someday, but we needed a break, after having been a cat only home for so long.

This evening we went to visit some friends.  It was nice to get out and socialize as a couple with another couple that we are friends with, but haven’t been to visit in quite some time.

Another productive day outside of the house.  I will have to work really hard tomorrow to catch up.  It can be done.  It will be done.  It has to.  I hope the energy is still with me tomorrow.  The house needs a bouncing!