Recycling & Upcycling, save the earth, Uncategorized

How to Make Wool Dryer Balls From an Old Sweater

The Renegade Seamstress

diy wool dryer balls

Oh no! You reached for your favorite wool sweater and realized with heartache that the moths have gotten to it, and now there are holes. Maybe your treasured alpaca wool sweater has been unraveling, and you’ve been wondering what to do with it. Even worse, maybe you didn’t realize that your wool sweater wasn’t machine washable, and it shrunk. What do you do now? No worries — we’re here to help. Instead of throwing it away or donating it to the thrift store, try using the wool to make mittens, quilts, home decor or even wool dryer balls.

diy wool dryer balls

Wool dryer balls are a wonderful way to make use of the natural fibers of wool from old sweaters. Replacing disposable dryer sheets with reusable felted wool dryer balls can help reduce waste and save money. Plus, dryer sheets have been getting a bad rap lately. It’s been said…

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Carrot Recipes, Food/Cooking, Uncategorized

Classic Carrot Cake

Classic carrot cakeClassic Carrot Cake Monica's art printed on useful and decorative items available at fine art america. Any purchase help support this blog. Thank you. Homemade Granola Recipe Homemade Convenience Food Series #2: Banana Bread Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Personal Pizza Homemade Convenience Ideas Rosemary Garlic Artisan Bread Wild Plum Ketchup Plum Crisp

Food Forest Gardening (Permaculture), Gardening, Herbs, Home And Garden, Thrifty, Uncategorized

How I Created Raised Garden Beds For Free

Before the pandemic hit, I only had a 4x4' garden bed. I was laid off from my job and concerned about food shortages so wanted to start growing a larger garden. I also had health in mind, wanting to grow herbs and produce. In the past I studied herbs and knew many of them have… Continue reading How I Created Raised Garden Beds For Free

Gardening, Herbs, Uncategorized

An Easy Way to Multiply Many of Your Garden Plants

A while ago, I wanted to multiply a lot of my plants but didn't want to go to the hassle of propagating cuttings in pots. I'd have to buy more potting soil, fill containers with soil, plant the cuttings, keep the pots watered and finally when the cuttings root, adjust them to a sunnier position,… Continue reading An Easy Way to Multiply Many of Your Garden Plants

beauty, Gardening, Herbs, Homemade Beauty Products, Self Care, Uncategorized

Homemade Lilac Salve

Pin to Pinterest with this image so you can refer back to it later Last March, I was laid off from my job for 2.5 months due to the pandemic. During this time I began to get back in touch with my passion for gardening and using herbs and flowers. At first, the reason I… Continue reading Homemade Lilac Salve

Advice, Being Self Employed, Brainstorming, Seeking Advice, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Please Share Your Thoughts And Experiences On Livelihood

Here I share some random thoughts on livelihood as an opening to reader comments on the subject. I wish society was more about teaching people to expand on their gifts and passions, rather than pushing everyone to go for the money. If we were taught from a young age to pursue our gifts and passions,… Continue reading Please Share Your Thoughts And Experiences On Livelihood

Being Single And Happy, Brainstorming, Road Trips and Adventures, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Please Share What You Do For Fun and The Effect Fun Has On Your Life.

Here I share a fun experience I had yesterday and the effect it had on me as an opening to reader shares on this subject of having fun. I hope you will join so we can create a resource for anyone looking to improve their life. My Share: I made time for fun this weekend.… Continue reading Please Share What You Do For Fun and The Effect Fun Has On Your Life.

Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Thoughts On Death, Healing and Being Of Service To Others

I have learned that service helps not only others, but yourself.  I have two recent examples. My mom was declining from Cancer and it was her wish to die at home.  I was the only one in the family that was 'strong' enough mentally and physically to be able to help her fulfill her wish. … Continue reading Thoughts On Death, Healing and Being Of Service To Others

Uncategorized

A Daily Dose Of Self Love

Sharing a thoughtful post from my daughter’s blog 🙂

Shauna Resinger Blogs

Hello! I have decided to share with you the first message received for those who subscribed to “Daily Insights With Shauna” On Self Love. If you would like to subscribe to get more messages like these, there will be a link below, or check out my previous blog.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

​”Certain days of life are meant to be completely on hold. It seems there is not a single drop of success, love, or movement surrounding you. Life’s spark has been lost, and hopelessness is the best way to describe it.

There are so many reasons why our life seems to be out of service. It’s just all happening behind the scenes. Sometimes these days are best spent releasing emotions, balancing our routine, or simply being present in the moment- without all the distractions. It’s actually here for our development and expansion.

What’s most likely to happen during pauses in life…

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art, Self Care, Uncategorized

Sexy Red Lips Face Mask

Hi everyone. A few days ago I got to thinking that since we all have to wear face masks now, we might as well make it fun. I decided I'd start making nose and lip designs to go on face masks with different looks. This is my first design. I have plenty more ideas I'll… Continue reading Sexy Red Lips Face Mask

Uncategorized

The Universe Is Speaking To You

Sharing a lovely message by my daughter Shauna. Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

Shauna Resinger Blogs

Hi 🙂 I’m so glad you were directed to this blog post today. There’s a reason why you are are here. I am sharing with you something I’ve done for myself for many years. Tarot & oracle card readings. I incorporate these into my daily meditation and often write myself letters from the messages I receive. I truly believe these messages come from the universe and are meant to give me the exact positive words I need to hear. I felt it was my time to share it with the world.

When I choose the cards, I shuffle very quickly and the cards actually fly out of the deck. This is how I know they are meant for me. I have prepared a letter from the Universe, for anyone reading this article today, and I did it exactly how I prepare the readings for myself.

It is my intention that…

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Road Trips and Adventures, Uncategorized

Photos From a Neighborhood Walk

Along my driveway - Daffodils, Dandelion & Bluebells A few flowering plants walking down the road. Not sure what the white one is. The blue is Rosemary, then a couple of dark pink tulips and finally a flowering Oregon Grape. Trees and the beautiful sky The pond is not far behind my house. Many frogs… Continue reading Photos From a Neighborhood Walk

art, Self Care, Uncategorized

Face Masks With My Art Printed On Them Available Now!!

I just learned that my print-on-demand art service (Fine Art America) is now offering face masks with art printed on them!! I will include a few of the face masks with my art below. It is a process to get each one of my designs available for the face mask option so please be on… Continue reading Face Masks With My Art Printed On Them Available Now!!

Uncategorized

How I Quit Drinking

Another post by my daughter. Thank-you all for supporting her!

Shauna Resinger Blogs

“Drinking helps you relax and you deserve it.”

“Work was so stressful — I need a drink.

“I got the job, I need a drink to celebrate!”

I hear these phrases and so many more on a daily basis. They have become extremely apparent to me after battling my own issues with alcohol. I hate that society conditions us with sentences and thinking like that. Alcohol doesn’t directly correlate to stress relief and it doesn’t always mean fun or celebration.

The first time I ever had a drink was when I was 16. It didn’t really become a huge problem until after I turned 21. At 21, you’re excited to drink. You are simply having fun, and going through a “party phase.” Some take this path of life, and some do not. For myself, it quickly became an escape.

An escape from my own reality and all of the…

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Uncategorized

How to stay in your power around abusive and controlling people

My daughter has just started her blog and this is her first post! I’m so excited for her new adventure in blogging. I know she’s going to love it. She’s always been very good at writing. In her school years, multiple teachers advised to to ‘keep on writing’.

We often go through the same life lessons at the same time. I’m not sure if this is because we are close, or the universe wants us to learn together and help each other learn the lessons, or other reasons like family dynamics. This is her take on dealing with toxic abusive people, which I’ve been writing about sporadically since this blog started.

Thank-you for taking the time to read her first article!

~ Monica

Shauna Resinger Blogs

Everyone has toxic people in their life. This is nothing new. There were times in my own life where I did not understand just how much of a mental and emotional drain it was to have certain people around. I’ve begun to understand that the more you love your life and yourself, the more you start to see how awful people treat you and how you just can’t take it anymore. I think the reason for this is because we have finally started to treat ourselves good and so our standards have raised. We now know what it feels like to be treated well and so it’s easier to see who is not treating us so well. Sometimes the toxic people in our lives aren’t just toxic. They are also abusive and controlling. They can be our own family members, friends, parents, lovers. This is where it gets extremely difficult…

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Food/Cooking, Homemade Convenience Food, Uncategorized

Quick and Easy Candied Walnuts

Years ago, my then-husband and I went to a fancy restaurant.  One of the things I ordered was a salad - I cannot remember everything on the salad, but I do remember the candied walnuts that I loved so much. I wanted to make them at home so looked in a recipe book (this must… Continue reading Quick and Easy Candied Walnuts

Food/Cooking, Uncategorized

Canned Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie Great For Upset Stomach

Yesterday I had an upset stomach. I've been taking supplements that I don't normally take and I think that is what's doing it along with some stress. It was odd - my stomach was churning but I was hungry. I didn't want to eat something that would upset it more. Then I remembered that the… Continue reading Canned Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie Great For Upset Stomach

Advice, Dating and Relationships, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Your Well Being ALWAYS Comes First

In healthy, loving relationships there is mutual care, support, consideration and love. This seems obvious, but sometimes people were raised in dysfunction and have no clue what a healthy relationship is. For most of my life, I've been in this club and only beginning to painfully figure it all out within the past couple of… Continue reading Your Well Being ALWAYS Comes First

Being Self Employed, Thrifty, Uncategorized

MY EBAY LIQUIDATION SALE – Clothing Makeup Jewelry Rubber Stamps Grab Bag Lg Flat Rate Box Lot Liquidation

**This sale is available to U.S. only since shipping prices and rules differ worldwide. Hey there - As some of you may know I've been an eBay reseller since 1998. This post tells that story, if you'd like to know more. Now, I would like to clear out my eBay inventory so I can use… Continue reading MY EBAY LIQUIDATION SALE – Clothing Makeup Jewelry Rubber Stamps Grab Bag Lg Flat Rate Box Lot Liquidation

Being Single And Happy, Dating and Relationships, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Covid19 Brought The Energy Vampires Out. I Deserve Better.

Two days ago I got a message from a guy I used to date wanting to 'cuddle'. Yesterday I got a message from my ex-boyfriend. I'm not entertaining either one because both men have toxic qualities and are in the past for a reason. I'm trying to heal my childhood issues that led me to… Continue reading Covid19 Brought The Energy Vampires Out. I Deserve Better.

Advice, Gardening, Home And Garden, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Bealtaine Cottage, An Inspiration For A Healthier World

Yesterday on Youtube I found a very inspiring woman that lives in Ireland. Sixteen years ago she purchased a large piece of property that was all grassy field. She purchased this property to prove to people what one woman can do to help the earth's health. She was not happy that Ireland was taking down… Continue reading Bealtaine Cottage, An Inspiration For A Healthier World

Advice, Being Self Employed, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Creating a Little Stability in a Time of Instability

The past couple of weeks have been surreal. It's hard to believe what is happening. Each day that goes by I keep thinking the Universe/God/Higher Power has slowed us down and put a stop to the way we've been living because it's been damaging us and our environment. It's crazy that the entire world is… Continue reading Creating a Little Stability in a Time of Instability

Advice, Being Self Employed, Food/Cooking, Home And Garden, Self Care, Self Improvement, Thrifty, Uncategorized

Covid19 Stay-Home and Lifestyle Thoughts

A few years ago I had FOMO (fear of missing out) and didn't know it. I didn't have the money to go to restaurants, bars, vacations, movies. I didn't have a partner to share all these good times with like everyone else seemed to. I'd dread the weekends thinking everyone else was out having the… Continue reading Covid19 Stay-Home and Lifestyle Thoughts

Advice, Food/Cooking, Home And Garden, Self Care, Thrifty, Uncategorized

Follow-Up On Walmart Grocery Pick-Up

On my first post on Walmart Grocery Pick-Up, I left off with not being able to schedule a time due to increased demand so I was going to try back later. I tried back the next morning and was able to schedule the pick-up for 2 days later. The instructions said to get their app… Continue reading Follow-Up On Walmart Grocery Pick-Up

Uncategorized

Is Your Attitude RIGHT?: How to Develop a Good (or even a Great) Attitude to Life

I am reblogging this post by Craig Lock because he makes really good points that I completely agree with, and I think these points can be of help while going through the Coronavirus pandemic. I’d like to add that when we can see the good in certain situations and be optimistic, it helps our immune system fight off and even deflect illness. Joe Dispenza has proof of this and if you’re interested, look him up on Youtube or the internet.

Self Help (Personal Growth) Books

 

Article Title: Is Your Attitude RIGHT?: How to Develop a Good (or even a Great) Attitude to Life

Author: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Motivation, Self Help,
Self Help Books, Handbook to Survive Life, Personal Growth, Success, Empowerment

The submitter’s motor racing blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://grandprixdriver.wordpress.com
 

Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)

Publishing Guidelines:

We hope that the following article (an extract from Craig’s first published book HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE LIFE) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. This article may be freely reproduced electronically or…

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Advice, Self Care, Uncategorized

Staying Well Through Coronavirus

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. When I first heard Coronavirus made it to Washington, the state I live in, I made some rules for myself in an effort to keep myself safe and help stop the spread. I would order my groceries online and pick them up. I would order other necessities… Continue reading Staying Well Through Coronavirus

Food/Cooking, Home And Garden, Thrifty, Uncategorized

Walmart Grocery Shopping Online & Pick-Up Experience

One of the things I planned to do in protecting myself from CoronaVirus is to shop online for my groceries and do the pick-up service. This is not something I was open to before because I like looking for deals and picking out my own fresh produce. But I'm trying to stay away from large… Continue reading Walmart Grocery Shopping Online & Pick-Up Experience

Advice, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Remember That News Media Gets Paid For High Ratings

I avoid most news media because of the embellishments they tend to make to get high ratings and because it's all mostly bad news.  They spread bad news because it puts people in fear, then they watch the news to see if they can let go of the fear yet, if anything has changed.  Just… Continue reading Remember That News Media Gets Paid For High Ratings

Advice, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

To Learn Anything New, We Must Apply It Long Enough To Learn It

I remember back in school days in quite a few subjects or classes we'd 'study', have a test and move on. Then there were subjects, such as math, spelling or hand-writing that we practiced all the time and had those classes every year. Then I became an adult and studied my own interests such as… Continue reading To Learn Anything New, We Must Apply It Long Enough To Learn It

Home And Garden, Home Organization, Seeking Advice, Uncategorized

Seeking Advice On How To Get Motivated To Organize and Re-Decorate

The difficult things going on in my life over the past year have taken most of my mental and physical energy to get through so I have not been putting a lot of energy into my home and I'm not liking the state that it's in.  I do keep up with the cleaning - dishes,… Continue reading Seeking Advice On How To Get Motivated To Organize and Re-Decorate

Advice, Law of Attraction, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Worry, Doubt And Fear Is A Program That Leads To Anxiety, Depression and Illness

Living in fear, doubt and worry leads to anxiety, then to depression, then to physical sickness. Being in the present moment and focusing on gratitude, dreams and goals have helped me cure anxiety and depression, and I’ve read living this way has cured mental and physical sickness in others. To imagine living in a world… Continue reading Worry, Doubt And Fear Is A Program That Leads To Anxiety, Depression and Illness

Uncategorized

The Gift of Reality Calibration

A very important message here about parenting. I’d like to add that it applies to not just our children but anyone we love and want to ‘rescue’. Thank-you Albert, for your well-written wisdom.

Dream The Written Word

The hardest part of parenting is to step back and allow your children to fail at something. It takes a fortitude that hurts. You want to just reach out and hug them and tell them what to do. All so they don’t feel pain. But, if your children are teenagers, or like my kids in general, telling them what to do is a sure fire way to get them to not do it.

Failing at something, or what I call a Reality Calibration, can be helpful. It can spur focus, determination, or simply more effort.

Reality Calibrations come all the time and aren’t failures per se. They’re reminders. You think you’ve done enough work on a school or work project only to find there’s far more work needed. Usually, at least for me personally, Reality Calibrations strike when I’ve made too many assumptions about something. I may have missed an…

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Advice, Home And Garden, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

The Importance Of To-Do Lists

I was reminded of the importance of to-do lists this weekend. I work full time and when the weekend comes around I feel really scattered because there seems to be so much to do.  The scatteredness is not a pleasant feeling - I'll think of a few things I need to do, then start doing… Continue reading The Importance Of To-Do Lists

Thrifty, Uncategorized

I Got An Entire Outfit for $32 At Goodwill

My daughter and I went thrifting last night at Goodwill.  I came home with an entire outfit and a pack of gum for a total of $32 (that includes tax).  The outfit included a pair of Ugg-style boots, a pair of Hue jeggings, a Paper + Tee plaid shirt and a below-the-tush Liz Claiborne warm/thicker… Continue reading I Got An Entire Outfit for $32 At Goodwill

Advice, Dating and Relationships, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Using Our Energy Wisely

I've been writing a lot about focus and that's because the past couple of years I've had major life lessons that showed me very directly that if I continued living the way that I was, I'd continue to spiral down in anxiety and depression. I've read about energy healing work in the past but I… Continue reading Using Our Energy Wisely

Advice, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Visualizing What We Want Rather Than What We Don’t Want

Most of us are living life on auto-pilot. Going to work, coming home, eating, watching some TV, chores, sleeping and repeating. Just getting by.  Surviving. Much of the time our thoughts are on our problems.  Our debt, health issues, relationship issues, etc. This can cause anxiety and depression. What if we spent our time thinking… Continue reading Visualizing What We Want Rather Than What We Don’t Want

Advice, Law of Attraction, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Unconditional Joy

For most of my life, having a good day or a bad day depended on what was happening in my life. When I weighed myself going up or down one pound was the deciding factor for how I felt that day. (I stopped weighing myself years ago). When I've had a partner and things were… Continue reading Unconditional Joy

art, Uncategorized

’68 Charger Painting

I am critical of this in many ways, but thought I'd post it for entertainment's sake.  Obviously I'm not a realist artist.  I've self-taught myself over the years and go through phases where I can't paint enough.  I first learned to tole paint from instruction books in my 20's.  That evolved over the years to… Continue reading ’68 Charger Painting

art, Signs and Symbols, Uncategorized

Playful Pig Painting + Symbolism

I'm really loving choosing my subject and colors to paint from strips of paper in a cup.  Today's subject was Pig with the colors pink, purple and teal.  You'll also see some grey, white and black - I allow myself to use white and black along with the chosen colors, and if I want to… Continue reading Playful Pig Painting + Symbolism

Dating and Relationships, Uncategorized

Dating: Listening To Your Gut

Your gut says 'trouble, don't date him' Your mind says 'but he seemed so nice and he's so good looking' You date him He wows you over with his words He is everything you always wanted He paid attention to everything you said And noticed qualities no one has ever noticed He's attentive and pursuing… Continue reading Dating: Listening To Your Gut

art, Uncategorized

Colorful Houses Painting w/Notes

I've been painting a lot lately and enjoying it.  It's helping me get through some difficult times.  When I paint, all I think about is painting.  Is there anything you do that gets you through difficult times? Here is today's painting.  I've been admiring the work of Georges Rouault so I imitated his style. Sometimes… Continue reading Colorful Houses Painting w/Notes

art, Uncategorized

Clematis Impressionism Painting

This is a new painting I completed today of clematis (I think Nelly Moser).  I took a photo of one at a friend's BBQ a few years ago and this is my impression of it. It is 5″ x 7″ and painted on stretched canvas with acrylics. This can be purchased as a print here.… Continue reading Clematis Impressionism Painting

art, Uncategorized

Rose Bouquet Impressionism Painting

This is a new painting I completed today of a rose bouquet.  I took a picture of a rose bouquet my daughter bought me a few years ago and this is my impression of it. It is 5" x 7" and painted on stretched canvas with acrylics. This can be purchased as a print here.… Continue reading Rose Bouquet Impressionism Painting

art, Uncategorized

Elephant Pastel Drawing

I never know if pastel art should be called a drawing or a painting.  Any thoughts? Pastels are fairly new to me and I'm still trying to get the hang of it.  I'm used to painting with acrylics. This is a new piece of oil pastel art I completed today of an elephant. It is… Continue reading Elephant Pastel Drawing

Homemade Convenience Food, Uncategorized

Personal Pizza Homemade Convenience Ideas

Pizza is one of my favorite foods.  I make it at least once a week. I've been single for a long time so if I make a regular size pizza I will will eat too much. The solution for this was to make a batch of pizza dough and freeze dough balls that will fit… Continue reading Personal Pizza Homemade Convenience Ideas

art, Uncategorized

Chickadee Impressionism Painting

This is a new painting I completed today of a Chickadee. It is an artist trading card that is 2.5″ x 3.5″.  I painted it with acrylics. This can be purchased as a print here All my current paintings are listed on eBay as auctions. To see what’s available at this time, click here.