New Year...New YOU!
9:42 AM - Posted by Tomorrow's Wishes - 0 comments
Happy New Year! Cheers!


Wow! I still can't believe it is 2019. I mean I remember when I was partying like it was 1999 and unplugging all the computers before midnight. Nah, not really, but I might have partied like it was 1999, just saying. 

2018 felt like it flew by! So many things in my journal, so many things STILL in my journal. Projects and great ideas left undone. Still haven't taken our dream trip to Portugal. Still haven't figured out a way to retire and pay off our mortgage before we are too old to celebrate it. 



So yeah, January...I'll be another year older and I keep writing some of the same things in my journal year after year. I start to get down on myself. 

When I was younger and complaining about not being able to get my ears pierced, or able to drive yet, or not able to get into the bar (to dance of course!), or whatever, my mom would always say, "Terri, stop wishing your life away, the older you get, the faster it goes." 

Man was she right! If she was still with us on this beautiful Earth I would hug her right now and tell her she was right, and possibly about that one time that I had a party and we drank my dad's mini liquor bottles. (Sorry Dad!) He's not with us anymore either, that's why I'm owning up to it now.  

So now that I'm all grown up, and don't have to sneak the liquor bottles. I still find myself wishing for things. They may have changed slightly. For instance; I wish I am able to live a long and healthy life that allows me to watch my children raise their own kids. I wish we could remodel the kitchen (can you say DOUBLE OVEN! Drool!)  I wish I could sky dive without fear of breaking a hip!  I wish to be debt free, follow my dreams, and be happy right where I am. 

It has kind of come full circle; I've stopped wishing my life away and I am the one telling my kids to stop wishing their lives away. To stop, take a breath, and just be in the moment. Enjoy life, don't let it get the best of you. Focus on being happy right where you are. 

(Insert adorable picture of my youngest daughter kissing me) 


Geesh, when did I become so wise. I mean that sounded like solid advice right?

So why do we continue to put this pressure on ourselves every year. We make these resolutions, write in our journals, make big plans, only to pass through another year realizing, well, perhaps I had too many things on my to do list last year. 

Or life just gets in the way.  Taxes go up, mortgage goes up, and your salary doesn't go up. Can't afford the trip, DIY farm table has to wait, vacation? What's that? Super perfect business idea, nope, didn't happen, looked good on paper though. Stepping out in faith....Whoa! I don't know, that's kind scary! 

So, you find yourself right where you were.

Sure, you ticked a few things off. One graduated, helped two move, home schooling another, husbands surgery was a success, rekindled friendships, made new friends, had lots of fun....but then right back to focusing on the things that didn't get done.

Well, not in 2019 baby! 

In the words of one of the wisest woman that I do not know...

"Be thankful for what you have, you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never have enough." -Oprah

I mean I read that on the Internet, so she must have said it. Either way, those are wise words and to sum it up in one word...GRATEFUL. That is going to be my word, my mantra for this year. To be GRATEFUL for what we have, who we are, and where we are right at this very moment. 

Instead of beating myself up this year I am going to take a moment to reflect on 2018 and what I accomplished, all the good things that happened in my life, and yes even the bad. I am going to take time to celebrate my accomplishments, learn from my mistakes, grow in love, and then....MOVE ON! 

Being GRATEFUL for where I am in this very moment. 



When I log onto my banking website they have a picture of an adorable family smiling and enjoying the moment with these words... "Stop stressing about the checkbook and get back to the storybook" I love that! 

I mean sure, you need money to get through life, but most of the time worrying about it doesn't actually help. And do we really need some of that stuff we have? 

Time to regroup, throw out, purge, organize...one drawer, one closet, one thing at a time. 

Focus on one thing you want to do, then do it. Then focus on another, and do it. Before you know it you will have a year filled with accomplishments. No matter how big or how small, they count! 

It's a New Year and a new YOU! You are not defined my your past mistakes. So stop trying to do that to yourself! You are a beautiful creation. You are worthy. You are Ah-Mazing! 

So let's all stand together, focus on building each other up. Write inspirational quotes on our mirror, fridge, in our cars, wherever! Focus on the positive!



Focus less on strategy and more on listening to your inner Spirit!

I mean, 2018, thanks for the lessons, but 2019, let's do this!

Now go give someone a hug!

GRATEFUL.


What's on Your Fall Bucket List?
11:27 AM - Posted by Tomorrow's Wishes - 0 comments

Fall is such a unique season. It is full of life, vibrant colors, and busy wildlife. It is a time of long walks, comfy sweaters, and bonfire nights.

It reminds me of my parents, who are no longer with me.


It reminds me of the possibilities that we have in our life.


Trees release so that they may create new life, they feed the critters, and allow us to admire their beauty. What once was alive, falls into a slumber, only to awaken in a new season.


Fall is constantly popping up new wonders...



Life and decay come together to create magnificent works of art.


It is the start of the holiday season, and gatherings of family and friends.


It is a time to be thankful, a time to make new plans, and the perfect time to reinvent ourselves.


It also reminds me that I have a ton of things on my bucket list, that often I feel like I will never get to. For many reasons, like lack of money, life circumstance, or simply the lack of my own motivation.

Or maybe it's because I think I am supposed to be in a certain place, but in reality, the timing just isn't right for me yet.

Regardless, I like to create bucket lists of small things I can do everyday. To live in the moment, to be happy right where I am, to live in the metaphorical season I am in.


I feel like I am always in transition, hoping to come out of this season with a new understanding of who I am and what my purpose is. It seems to be a never ending search at times. My passions tend to get put to the side and life takes over.

But that's OK.

I realize that I can't force things, that my path isn't always straight, it might even feel like I am repeating the same thing over and over, going in a never ending circle.

But my life is not dictated by me, in His timing I will end up where I was meant to be all along.



Writing things down, like a fall bucket list, helps to take my mind off of what I can't control, and grounds me into the moment I am in.

Until we can learn to enjoy those simple things in life, the small everyday moments, of every season of our lives, we are not truly living.

Maybe, just maybe, we have to be happy right where we are, no matter the circumstance, before we can move forward. It might not be where we want to be or thought we would be, but we need to trust that it is all part of His perfect plan.

What's on your bucket list?





DIY Lip Balm
1:36 PM - Posted by Tomorrow's Wishes - 1 comments
DIY LIP BALM


I love this one, it is incredibly smooth and feels amazing on your lips!

I have played around with a lot of different recipes, but by far, I LOVE this one!

Now, you might think that is a lot to make a tube of lip balm, but honey...you can't just make one! You have to share!

What you'll need: (I've tried to include links to most...but you can get everything on Amazon)

1/4 cup Shea Butter
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Beeswax
8 tbsp.Sweet Almond Oil
4 Drops Vitamin E
20-22 drops essential oils
Empty Lip Balm Tubes

Optional: Lip Balm Tube Holder and Disposable Droppers



This recipe will make 24 lip balm tubes or small cosmetic jars. I prefer it in the tubes myself, but I made a few just to give you an idea.

I have tried to include links to many of the products I purchased, but they are all easily found on Amazon.

It is a bit expensive getting all of the ingredients initially, but honestly it will make so much! And you can use a lot of the ingredients for other DIY products. And when you think about what you would pay for one single tube of lip balm in the store...you are saving so much money!And they make great gifts, teacher gifts, family, friends,mail person, bus driver, stocking stuffers, party favors, and you can put on in every room. You can never have too many lip balms!

Pair this with a DIY sugar scrub and homemade soap for a great hostess gift! The gift possibilities are endless!

This really is a super easy recipe.

Melt the Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Beeswax together. For this recipe I used Beeswax in a block, so much easier to use the pellets, but I was out, either is fine! I usually start with the beeswax since it takes a bit longer, half way through you can add in the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil. Or throw it all in at once, either is fine!



I like to use a glass measuring cup placed into a pot of shallow water. However, you can melt them in a microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each 30 seconds.BUT, I prefer the stove method, I think it makes for a more creamy lip balm, but that is just my opinion.

Next, once it is nearly melted, add in your sweet almond oil and Vitamin E.


Once it is fully melted, remove from the heat.

Add in your essential oils and you are ready to pour! Be sure to start pouring immediately because it starts to firm back up quickly.

For this recipe I used lemon and lime essential oils for half of the recipe and Lavender essential oil for the other half, I also made a few with Peppermint essential oil in the jars.

Just make sure to either pour your melted mixture into separate glass cups before adding your essential oils OR cut the recipe in half and do it twice, or go crazy and make a bunch of smaller batches...you really can't go wrong!

If you need to purchase pure essential oils you can use this link to either purchase retail or join my oily team to receive 24% off of retail. I'll even send you a welcome gift if you sign up with a premium starter kit. Reach out to me for more information!

OK we are almost done!

NOTE: THE GLASS WILL BE HOT SO PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE A POTHOLDER OR GLOVE WHEN HANDLING.

Again, I use the lip balm tube holder and disposable droppers to make my life easier! I find this MUCH easier than trying to hit the little lip balm tube holes.Or trying to get them to stand up while pouring. I mean you can scrape it off and reuse it, but it is much less messy using the holder and disposable droppers. You can also purchase glass droppers.


That's it! Once they firm up, cap each tube and let them sit for about an hour. After that they are ready to use!


Let the gift giving begin! And of course...the soft lips!



I love living the oily farm life. But listen, you don't have to live on a farm to live that kind of life. It's not about having farm fresh eggs (but I highly recommend them...yum!) or about having your own land, it really isn't even about the oils (stay with me) it is about attempting to live a more toxic free life. Living like they used to, farm fresh eggs, home grown veggies (no matter if you grown them or you purchased them at your local farm stand) It's about cooking at home and not eating out all the time, replacing chemical laden products with natural alternatives, taking small steps here and there to "extend our warranty". Bottom line...taking care of YOU.  

Who's with me?!

If you are interested in learning more about the essential oils I use Click here to get started! 






My Oily Farm Life Obsession
12:22 PM - Posted by Tomorrow's Wishes - 0 comments
As you know, a few years ago we moved our family out to the country. Yee Haw! Let me tell you, it has been a life changing experience all around, and that's a good thing. From learning how to put up pasture fencing to raising chickens to growing our own food.


I cook at home all the time now. Honestly, that started because I realized the stores are not that close anymore and we can't even get a pizza delivered. I know! So we make our own. We save money to!

Anyway, we have completely converted from our city selves to country folk, and we love it!

I'm always learning new things. I bake pies, make my own pasta, can our home grown veggies, and grow my own herbs like lavender, rosemary and thyme. Mmmm mmmm! It is very satisfying. 

Not long after moving here I was introduced to essential oils, and I never looked back! For the past few years I have been using them and started replacing my everyday items with essential oils. I am obsessed!

It started out as a DIY kind of thing; making my own soaps, sugar scrubs, lip balms, bug spray (MAN! Does the country have some bugs!) pillow mists, and more. 



I LOVE me a good DIY especially when they smell AMAZING! And it really is fun. 

I made some good ones, and some not so good ones. Laundry soap...FAIL!

Anyway, my point is, once I really started reading up on them, I became more and more interested in how they could help me, my family, and the environment. It became more than just a DIY craft.

Let me explain. 

I don't know about you but cleaning products give me a headache! I had tried replacing some of my chemical laden products for store bought "organic" or "chemical free" brands. Nope! You really need to read the labels, they are not all what they say they are. There had to be another way.

So I started there! Replacing my toxic and chemical laden products with natural essential oils. I mean, if the oils were good enough for baby Jesus!

I started researching and asking A LOT of questions, and then I made the switch! I replaced my counter cleaner with an essential oil called Thieves. 


GAME CHANGER!!!

At first, since I love DIY I made my own cleaner with it. Then I realized that Young Living did it much better so I started buying the Thieves Household Cleaner. It is super concentrated and last for a very long time! A little goes a long way! I just used an amber colored spray bottle, put in a cap full of Thieves cleaner, added some distilled water, and I was ready to clean!


It works GREAT! And bonus...NO HEADACHES! I am no longer using harsh chemicals to clean my home. I use Thieves on my floors, counters, windows, you name it! 

Yaaaas! First step!

Thieves has a whole line of products that can help you replace the toxic chemicals in your home. From cleaning products to personal hygiene. 

I even diffuse it during cold and flu season or just to purify the air in our home. 

Next I decided to go after the chemical laden room sprays and candles. Say it isn't so! Yes, and trust me you will never look back!

Did you know that most candles are made of paraffin wax and when burned they create highly toxic carcinogens? The same found in diesel fuel fumes! 

What?! 

Yes!!!

So I ditched the toxic candles and started diffusing essential oils. I am constantly trying out new oils and blends. 



When I am stressed...

Stress Away blend

When I need to relax...

Lavender

When I need a mental boost...

Peppermint

The combinations are endless...





Essential oils can also be a more natural alternative for your health as well. 

(please see disclaimer at the bottom of this page)

For instance Panaway is my go to for back and neck pain. I use it with a roller ball and dilute it with a carrier oil, think Icy Hot but it is all natural! 



I take an allergy pill sometimes, we have a lot of animals, and sometimes I need it. But I try to not take them all the time and one of the oils I use when I can is Breathe Again.




Listen, I love living the oily farm life, but you don't have to live on a farm to live that kind of life. It's not about having chickens and farm fresh eggs (although I highly recommend them, yum!), or owning your own land, or even about the oils. (Stay with me) It is about attempting to live a more toxic free life. 

Living like they used to; farm fresh eggs, home grown veggies, whether from your own garden or you get them from the farmers market. It is about cooking at home and not eating out all of the time, replacing chemical laden products with natural alternatives.  Taking small steps here and there to "extend our warranty" so to speak. 

Bottom line...it is about taking care of YOU!

If you would like to learn more about the oils that I use follow this link Essential Oils


*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please confirm any information obtained from or through this website with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment.




It's all in Your Perspective
11:02 AM - Posted by Tomorrow's Wishes - 0 comments
per-spec-tive- a particular attitude toward or a way of regarding something; a point of view.


Life is all about perspective. Optimists, pessimists, we all view things differently, and that's okay!

My family teases me sometimes because I like to take pictures of everything...e v e r y t h i n g ...leaves, bugs, a spiders web, mushrooms...I see beauty everywhere!

Let me ask you...

When you see a field of dandelions, do you see a hundred weeds or a hundred wishes?

When you see a lawn of clover, do you see a menace to your lawn, more work on your plate for the weekend, or a place to look for a lucky four leaf clover?

When you see a ring of mushrooms pop in your yard after the rain, do you see a fungus or a magical mushroom ring?

When you change your perspective, it opens your eyes to see the beauty that is all around you.

Yes, there is beauty in that mushroom ring, trust me, you just have to pause for a moment and open your mind to it.

I knew my husband wouldn't be fond of the mushroom ring in his lawn (however he is the one that told me to take a picture of it, before he mowed it down of course). I did take a picture of course, and when I showed it to our daughter she found it so fascinating. She went from it being just a cool looking mushroom (it opened up to be bigger than my hand!), to a fairy ring, to a door to another dimension (Google is crazy sometimes!) but the joy I got watching her...(sigh)...it's truly in your perspective people!

I will say my husband left it there longer than I thought he would to. ;)

I challenge you to change your perspective.



Take a Chance on YOU
10:56 AM - Posted by Tomorrow's Wishes - 0 comments

Soooo, it's July. Many of us (well me) start to reflect on what we have accomplished so far this year. What our New Year's resolutions were, what we were going to change, what was on our list, and what is STILL on our list.

Writing in my journal is kind of grounding for me, I have been doing it on and off my whole life. (I tend to write more when I think I am having an epiphany, you know like now.)

It is also where every year I write down that THIS is the year I follow MY dreams.

As I flip through the pages of 2018; I am looking at all of the posts about my family, the funny things that happened, our happy times and our sad times, what the kids have been doing, what we have been doing around the house and barn, the non profit organizations that I've helped, etc.

I have written about the things I wanted, WAIT scratch that, was GOING to accomplish, and I have written down ideas, dreams and quotes.

I always focused on a word or words and doodled it in my journal, words like:

Be Brave, Be Bold, Grow, The Future is Female, BOSS, Don't Fear Change, Have Faith in YOURself! Do What YOU Love, YOU are the only one holding yourself back, Make stuff happen!

2018 is the year for YOU!



Yup, it's July! J...U...L...Y people, and I still am not doing what I truly want to be doing! WT(blank)! Ugh, I am not getting any younger!

So, why, oh why do I have such a hard time with this? I mean I am always willing to help others with their plans and help motivate them to achieve their goals. Yet, here I am still typing away on this blog. (That most likely nobody outside of my family and maybe, I mean maybe, a few friends are reading.) AHHHHHH!

I put things on my calendar, IN INK, 'cause if it is written in ink it will happen, right. (You know they make these awesome white-out rollers!) I seem to keep pushing off anything that involves ME.

Somehow, every year, I let the world define me. I conform to what I feel I need to do, not what I truly want to do. In turn, I miss out on what I feel, deep inside, that I should be doing.

It's nothing fantastical, just focusing on my passions, taking pictures, writing, sharing my love for animals and our Life on Lost Creek Ranch (Yet another blog, no one reads) and using that to help others in some way.

I promote other peoples dreams, businesses, and lives, yet...I get stuck when it comes to my own.

2018 was supposed to be THE YEAR FOR ME...The year I made my inner dream come true. Well, other than actually hitting the big five O. I am still in the same boat I was in 2017. And I might add a few pounds heavier, I mean I DO love those evening milkshakes!

Yes, I have helped some very worthy non-profits with their missions, but I have a mission to...dang it! I keep saying that I'm am not going to take on anything that I really do not want to do, I am going to learn to say no, and I am going to follow my heart and take a chance on ME.

Maybe I feel like that is selfish? I don't know.

I like to do things for others though, make other people happy, help them accomplish their goals and their calling, but I have a hard time receiving that for myself. I can't seem to take the first step onto the path I feel deep inside my being that is meant for me.



God will lead me. I keep thinking that everything will lineup just right and I will know when to step onto that path. I will get a sign. Well, let me tell you, I've had plenty of signs, and He has led me to that path time and time again. I have stood at the beginning, maybe even lifted my foot to take the first step, but then...I swing myself around and go down a path in the opposite direction.

Maybe it is a fear of rejection...what if nobody likes my writing? What if they think my pictures suck? Maybe it is the fear that what I want to do really won't make a difference? Even though people keep telling me to move forward, maybe I'm not really good enough?

Yikes! It's scary putting yourself out there and failing (or tripping, I do that a lot). But if you never take a chance at failing, you'll never know what you are truly capable of or what is waiting down that path that is meant for you.

Yesterday my desktop motivation calendar kind of hit home...

"Don't wait until the time feels right. Don't wait until you feel ready. You will wait forever."



That is an incredibly true statement. We are in charge of our destiny and if we (OK I) keep waiting for the time to be perfect, for everything to line up just right, it will never happen.

So, yes, I might still be writing for a non existent audience and sharing pictures to my very limited social media following. But maybe, just maybe, this will motivate someone else to start living THEIR dream!

And, if it does motivate you, the one person reading this, could you please come get me, I think I need a kick in the arse (that's the British word for buttocks)!

Make what's left of 2018 the year you go out and take a chance on YOU! You're not getting any younger either! Just saying.

Remember...

We think in pictures...if you wish to change what you think, change the picture. - Aristotle



Perspective
10:22 AM - Posted by Tomorrow's Wishes - 0 comments
Perspective.
per·spec·tive   /pərˈspektiv/A particular attitude toward or a way of regarding something; a point of view.

Today as I was walking through our property admiring all that is coming to life this Spring; I happened upon a batch of wildflowers that popped up in our flower beds. 


They weren't there last year,or the year before, they just kind of showed up. They were speckled throughout the garden bed, weaving in between the ornamental grasses, and spilling over unto the lawn like a gentle flowing brook. They were beautiful.


Sure, they may be wildflowers, some may even call them weeds, but I felt blessed that they popped up where they did. 

As I smiled, and of course, took a picture, I thought to myself; I guess it is all in your perspective isn't it? 

I mean, I see them as a beautiful addition to the garden, yet others might see them as a weed that popped up and now they have a another chore added to their to do list.

As we go through life, each of us will see things in a different perspective. I guess you could say I am more of a glass half full, instead of a glass half empty, kind of gal. 

I see the beauty that is all around me; in a wildflower, a smile, a simple kind word or action. Or, even in how a leaf managed to land on a freshly poured driveway and left behind a beautiful impression in the concrete as it dried.


I think it's kind of cool that even though the leaf may be gone, I can still enjoy it. 

Perspective. 

Everyday I am grateful for the little things in life...green grass, the chirp of a songbird,  a roof over my head, food on my table, a wonderful family... SO MANY BLESSINGS! When I am feeling overwhelmed with tasks, I remember, I am grateful for BEING ALIVE and able to do those tasks.

So, I challenge you today, and everyday, to see the tasks that you have to do, not as tasks, but as blessings. Remember, YOU ARE ALIVE and able to do those tasks!

Change your perspective. 

I challenge you to stop and truly take in your surroundings. It might be a cool cloud formation, rows of newly planted flowers outside your office, a cool pattern in the sidewalk, or the way the rain beads off of your window. Maybe someone paid for your coffee, opened the door for you, or smiled when you needed it the most. There are times when you may have to look harder to find it, but it is there. There is BEAUTY EVERYWHERE and always something to be GRATEFUL for. 

Too often we go through life with our heads down, looking at our smart phones, consumed with what is going on in our own lives and on our metaphorical plates; that we can't be bothered to look up at what is going on around us. 

Well, I say LOOK UP!

I challenge you to make eye contact with every person you cross paths with, say hello, give them a compliment, or just smile. That smile could be the one thing that keeps them going. Even in the most desperate times, you can find beauty, hope, and kindness in something as simple as a smile. 

Be the person that takes the first step, be grateful, hold open the door, say hello, volunteer...just be kind...and watch the kindness spread like wildflowers!