Finding Peace In a Stressful World

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I wrote on my blog! It's been a rough one.  My health has been a challenge, to say the least, but challenges in life make us appreciate what and who is really important.   At the same time, we all have to find a way to deal with the stress that life hands us.  I usually read or write, but when my stress level gets too high, I overthink everything and end up rereading or rewriting the same page over and over again.

During this past year I have discovered a passion for painting.  I never realized how therapeutic painting could be.  I have always wanted to paint but was afraid to try because I was afraid. However, there are some very good tutorials online which anyone can follow in order to learn basic technques. I am paiting fruit, flowers, trees, etc.  They will never hang in a museum, but my husband likes them and I get hours of peace and happiness.

Did you know that when you paint or do something equally creative your stress level automatically drops?  It is like taking a valium without the side effects or pesky possible drug addiction.  The reason is simple science.  When we create, we use only the right side of our brain which gives the left side, the side that reasons and allows us to feel anxiety, a little vacation.  To increase the effect, play classical music in the room as you paint or do other crafts.  Even if you hate Mozart, just have allow him to serenade you in the background.  Not only will it insure that your left brain keeps quiet, it will also make your right brain very happy allowing you to create better art and feel less anxiety.  All classical music is beneficial, but science has proven that the right brain just loves old Wolfgang!

For more information about the Mozart Effect, go to
http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/how-music-makes-us-feel-better
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3112339/How-listening-Mozart-boost-memory-Classical-composer-s-music-linked-increase-brain-wave-activity-beats-Beethoven.html

My T-Shirt To Raise Awareness & Fund Research

      

 PLEASE SUPPORT AWARENESS AND RESEARCH OF PITUITARY TUMORS BY ORDERING THE T SHIRT DESIGNING BY YOURS TRULY!

As I can personally tell you, pituitary tumors wreck havoc on your physical and emotional well being.  So many go undiagnosed, and even when they are finally diagnosed, they are very difficult to treat much less remove.  The effects of pituitary tumors include everything from personality changes to blindness.   The list of symptoms and complications can be found on Harvard Medicine's website.  It is truly shocking.  

Although the pituitary is the size of a pea, it is called the "master" gland because it effects every system of the body.   When it stops working, the body follows little by little.  It devastates lives and families.  Please support the Pituitary Network Association.  Every penny counts!

I'M GOING TO BE IN ALL YOU MAGAZINE!!!!

IT PAYS TO SHARE STORIES ONLINE!

Since I've boarded the savings train (CHOO CHOO), and since I love All You Magazine, I recently joined All You Reality Checkers.  It's a new online community where participants can get freebies, share savings tips, get exclusive savings, and possibly be featured in the magazine.  

About a month ago we were asked to share a story about a great bargain that we found.  I wrote about a terrific find that my husband and I made and today I got this letter:

Hi Kimberly,

I hope this finds you well!

You recently commented on ALL YOU Reality Checker Central about an AMAZING shopping score you found:

“For years, I’ve wanted the orange Rachael Ray cookware set. Back in the spring, Wal Mart marked it down from $199 to $99, but I still couldn't part with $100. Then my husband and I were waiting in the checkout line when an associate brought over a box—the last one of the set—and stamped it with ‘$49.’ I heard bells ringing! Sometimes, it really pays to wait.”

Good news! We'd love to include this quote (and you!) in an upcoming issue of ALL YOU magazine!

To be featured, can you please reply with the following info?

- Your full name, date of birth and where you live 

- A high-res photo of yourself (preferably smiling and looking at the camera)

- If possible, a photo of the item you're referencing in your quote

Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing back from you! Please let me know if you have any questions at all.

Best,

Kathleen 

I'm very excited and I wanted to share this wonderful opportunity with you.  Join today and you too will get freebies, lots of savings tips, and possibly be featured in an upcoming issue of All You.  I have saved SO much money by reading All You ever month.  It pays for itself ten times over.  Peace, love, and happy savings!!!

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Grandma Knew Best: Pinching Pennies and Cheeks: Twenty-four Carat Love

Grandma Knew Best: Pinching Pennies and Cheeks: Twenty-four Carat Love: TWENTY-FOUR CARAT LOVE What is twenty-four carat love?   It is pure love, love without expectations or manipulation.  It is lov...

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Twenty-four Carat Love

TWENTY-FOUR CARAT LOVE

What is twenty-four carat love?   It is pure love, love without expectations or manipulation.  It is loving someone so much that you would do anything to spare them any suffering.  It is honest.  It is unselfish.

My Mawmaw (or Momo) gave me twenty-four carat love.  Now that I'm getting older and I have my own granddaughter, I can look back and learn from her actions; I can and do appreciate the unselfishness of her love for me.  

So how do we know if we are loving completely, unselfishly?  All that I can do is give you examples of why I think she loved me that way.

• She never lied to me, even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear. 
• When I asked her to keep my secrets, she did.
• She never talked bad about my parents, my friends, or anyone in my life.  She may have given me advice when she thought someone might not be a positive influence, but she did not try to turn me against anyone.
• She never asked me to lie and taught me not to lie.
• When she gave, she did not expect anything in return.
• She listened and never judged. 
• She spent time with me, even if we were just watching television or playing Old Maid.  She talked to me and showed an interest in what I thought and felt.  
• When I suffered, she cried with me.
• She let me make a mess even though she hated to have anything out of place.  
• I always tried to do what she asked me to do, but if I couldn't, she did not try to make me feel guilty.
• When I was upset, she didn't try to make it about her.  She just tried to make me feel better.

If only we could all love with twenty-four carat love!  I hope that when I am gone, my children and grandchildren will have such beautiful memories of me, memories that give them both roots and wings.  

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Toys From the 70's That You Can Still Buy Today!

Mawmaw taught me to take care of my baby dolls like they were real little babies.  I LOVED baby dolls.  I was amazed to find that some of the dolls and other toys that I loved are still made today!  Just click on the links to buy them.

Baby Alive!  You fed her, she pooped!  No wonder she is still around, cute as ever!

I NEVER went to sleep without my Raggedy Ann Doll! Remember the real heart on her little chest? It's still there!

Paper dolls!!!  They still make them!

AND, OF COURSE, I HAD TO BAKE "FOR MY BABIES."

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We are Paper Dolls

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

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How many of these did I play with in the 70's?  I LOVED them! They came with cute outfits, and they were cheap!   My Mawmaw and my Moma bought me a lot of them.  They would help me punch out the little outfits because they tore so easily; they were fragile, especially in the hands of a five year old.

Like paper dolls, people are fragile.  Life is fragile.   No matter how fancy we dress or how careful we are, we are easily hurt or "torn" by those we allow in our lives.

One of my favorite quotes is by Bob Marley.
                           
           

Your family may hurt you, but that is only because we hold them so close to our hearts that sometimes we feel we love them more than they love us, whether it is true or not.  They are worth the worry, the arguments, and the tears that come with living.   

If I could put anything on my grandmother's tombstone, it would be, "She was an amazing grandmother."  I only hope that whenever I'm gone, my children, my grandchildren, and my husband will feel that way about me, because without them I am nothing but a paper doll on a shelf, no life, no purpose.

FYI: I don't see paper dolls anywhere anymore, so I did a little googling, and guess what I found?  See if any of these bring back any memories!  You can still buy them by clicking on the link for each.  I think I'll buy a few for when my granddaughter gets to be a little older.  Right now she is ten months old and just enjoys the sound of tearing paper.  <3

Retro Paper Dolls and Where You Can Buy Them:

• Dover Publications
• Google Shopping
• Ebay
• The Find (Very pricey but worth the look just for nostalgia.)

For a view of more nostalgic toys from the 70's, visit my Pinterest board labeled Childhood Memories.  Share some memories of toys you loved back in the day by commenting below.

Peace, love, & happiness!  

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