Five Simple Things (April 26)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These "greens."

Always love getting my Your Super shipment for the two weeks ahead. I've gotten into a solid routine with these and I feel like they set the weeks ahead up for success.

2. This box.

I always look forward to receiving my Kiwi Eco Box each month. There is never anything in this box I am not thrilled to start using, and this month was no different. The cloth pad was my favorite item this month.

3. These souvenirs.

So many great things from our Eclipse road trip earlier this month. I am excited to go through all of them. We bought several things, but also my mom and sister gave us some gifts, as well. I can't wait to sort through it all and relive the wonderful moments from our trip.

4. This doggy.

  

Hardy has been sleeping a lot since we got back. He had such a great time exploring new areas and all the new smells. He loved every minute of it and right now we are letting him relax since we returned and he has been taking advantage of it 100%. He is such a good doggy, he deserves it.

5. This selfcare.

I found these Hello Kitty eye masks on our trip and I couldn't wait to use them once we returned. When I was a kid I loved Hello Kitty, but that was before it went mainstream and got popular. I like to think I was one of the first OG users of Hello Kitty, even at the tender age of eight.

One last thing:

 

While we were in Arkansas, I was blown away by all of the state sales taxes. After living in Oregon for almost 20 years I've gotten used to no sales tax. The amount of tax that Arkansas has people pay is mind blowing. On a $27.42 purchase, there were a 6.5% state tax, 1.5% county tax, and 1.5% city tax. I get that this tax is how the states make money on tourism dollars, but that's a lot of tax on a small purchase. Not only that, if these states are charging that much per transaction, why are these states still so poor? It's a mystery to me.

Positive affirmations this week:

One thing I have tried to focus on more is the good in every situation. Even in stressful or hurtful situations, or even situations of loss, focusing on the good is a way to train the brain to not sink into a dark place for too long. Sadness and anger are valid emotions and there is nothing wrong with feeling those feelings. Be it for a day, a week, or even a year. But, feel those feelings and let them go. Grief has no time limit, but the longer we stay in a grief moment, the longer it because part of us. Time does help to allow us to accept it, but when that first light of hope comes in, allow it in. 

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (April 19)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This bench.

I love how much my dad loves(ed) my grandmother. She was the last of my grandparents and passed away in 2011 suddenly. It was very hard on all of us, especially my dad. They were close and I remember how much it changed him after her passing. He has gotten better with accepting the loss, but as an empath I still sense his pain. This bench was more for him than anyone else. He walked us down the trail he rides on his bike, so that he could show it to us while we were visiting. I felt my dad's happiness and pain all in one moment as we sat on the bench together. I don't know if my Nana was present, but I would like to think so. As I sit typing this out, I still feel how much he misses her and loves her still. My Nana wasn't perfect, and of course she had her faults, but she was a big part of all of our lives on my dad's side. I hope she knows how much we all miss her every day and how much of an impact she had on all of us Hardages. She was one of a kind, and a wonderful woman. As I get older I see a lot of her in myself. No matter how many times she frustrated me, I am happy to say that I am my Nana's granddaughter and having her qualities makes me proud.❤

2. These souvenirs.

We have been going through out souvenirs from our recent road trip in the bus and these are Skylar's. He and I were able to get moccasins in New Mexico and I am so happy I finally have a pair to wear, but even more happy that Skylar was able to get a pair, too.

3. This ketchup.

This was another Influenster product to try to give my honest opinion on. I love ketchup and I love pickles even more, but I never imagined having pickle-flavored ketchup before. It was definitely pickle-flavored, but with a twist of ketchup flavor. When you are eating a hamburger and the pickle and ketchup mix together, it tastes great with the burger, but this ketchup flavor was great on everything, French fries, hot dogs, and even fried potatoes. It was definitely one that surprised me a lot.

I was sent this product for free for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

4. These kits.

I found these embroidery kits on our recent road trip in the bus and I got the ladybug for me and the mushroom for Skylar. I am looking forward to learning how to embroider more, or possibly caring a similar kit in the future at the shop.

5. These products.

I was so pleased to get a shipment of Nécessaire this week. I definitely can't wait to try the new sandalwood bodywash scent. My favorite is the eucalyptus scent, but every shipment I am trying the new scents they are carrying now.

One last thing:

I have been finding natural ways to relax more and help my anxiety, especially at night. I found that lavender essential oil and tenting over my face to help a lot in calming my nerves. I also drop a few drops on my pillow on both sides at night. It has helped a great deal. I have been using Plant Therapy's Organic Lavender in the 1oz. size.

Positive affirmations this week:

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (April 12)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This button.

Found on our eclipse road trip, I can't wait to see what I can make with it for my shop.

2. This stove.

It really came in handy while traveling.

3. This nightlight.

We are Stranger Things fans and this Hellfire Club LED light find was totally awesome!

4. This worm.

Inch worms are always my favorite. This one was hitching a ride on my Komuso Shift necklace at my parent's house this week.

5. This star.

This star was in El Paso, Texas. As we passed through on our eclipse road trip I looked across to the Mexico border. All of the people in Mexico just going about their lives just like all of us in the United States. I hate how awful humans are to other humans. We are all floating in space on a round ball, yet we can't seem to check our own egos in order to live in peace on the ball. I am glad I am raising my own son to respect all people, no matter where they are from. We have so much racism and discrimination in the United States, even in our own family, and I am just glad to know that I am putting forth into the world a good hearted, kind, caring, and compassionate human being. I wish others could see themselves through the eyes of people like us. I would like to think they would be ashamed and embarrassed by seeing their own actions.

One last thing:

This stuff has been incredible for me while we are on the road. I spray my pillows and the surrounding air. They name says it all, "this works." It helps me calm my mind and actually helps me to fall asleep faster and in a more relaxed state.

THISWORKS Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Positive affirmations this week:

Sometimes alone time is necessary in order for our minds to be more relaxed and centered. Alone time can mean anything, from just being alone, to separating ourselves from family, or even taking time away from the internet and social media. If you are a person that is always high strung (which I totally understand), or someone that just needs a break, don't even feel ashamed at taking time for yourself and stepping away from whatever it is that is draining you. Selfcare comes in all forms, and alone time is one of those forms.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (April 5)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This basket.

Since Easter landed on the same day we left on our trip this week, we gave Skylar his Easter basket on the bus in his "room." He loved the surprise and it was a nice way to kick off our Eclipse road trip.

2. This doggy.

We got new signs for the bus and we also put our Instagram handle on two of them-one in the back and one on the side of the bus. We hope we can gain new friends while we are traveling. We are excited to be on the road this week.

3. These cookies.

I spent this week making snacks for our trip. I made three dozen chocolate chip cookies, granola mix, two dozen oatmeal cookies, and trail mix. We are hoping to stay on the road driving as much as we can, so these quick snacks will help keep us moving instead of having to stop somewhere to eat.

4. This bee.

My Easter gift from Jeff. He had it sitting on my pillows on the bus when we went to leave. 

5. These masks.

I created some face masks of my own with an old cotton shirt that had been through a lot over the years. I took a face mask template and cut out masks to use with aloe, or clay, and save money and the environment from single use face masks. I am currently working on a few different masks to use. I am excited to put an old shirt to good use and keep it out of the landfill.

One last thing:

Your Super Super Green, Gut Feeling, and Golden Mellow.

Absolutely love this brand and you'll love it too! Use this link above and get 20% off!

Positive affirmations this week:

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (March 29)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This find.

We participated in Natural Grocers/Vitamin Cottage Golden Egg Hunt this week. It was their community activity for spring. We were afraid we weren't going to find one, but we went around the corner and Skylar immediately spotted it. Inside was a store gift card for $25. Score!

2. These boxes.

This week two Kiwi Eco Boxes came, and our Mighty Nest Mighty Fix. I am not sure why both boxes came, but I'm not complaining. My favorite thing in the first box is the eye mask. I love these things and with having sensitive skin, so this one was perfect. I've already been using it each night this week. The soap and soap-saver bag in the Mighty Nest box was a hit again this month. I love the smell of these soap from Oars and Alps smells amazing. The light scent of juniper berries is nice and the soap saver bag helps use up every little bit, so it doesn't go down the drain. My favorite thing in the second Kiwi Eco Box is the bath bomb from Renew Bath and Body. It smells amazing!

3. This view.

Selmet has changed so much over the years. It went from a smaller company and everyone knew each other, and one building in the shape of a U, to more buildings, a larger parking lot, and a lot more people. I used to drive there on Jeff's lunch break and spend that time with him, while people walked by that I knew and said hello. Now, I don't like going out there unless I have to. I don't know the people anymore, and the ones I do know are all scattered around that I don't see them anymore. I miss when the company was smaller and everyone knew each other. Jeff doesn't even know half the people that work there now and the company was purchased a few different times now. *sigh* Jeff is hoping to finish up his 25 years there and say goodbye in the next two years. It's a little bitter sweet, to say the least.

4. This "bomb."

I had to circle back around for this bath bomb. The smell is amazing and Renew Bath and Body is a great brand, because they wrap their products in plastic-free material. The bath bomb itself comes in a dissolvable wrap when dropped in water. I definitely will be purchasing more of these bath bombs. I may even consider carrying them in my shop in the future.

5. This haircut.

Skylar had a haircut this week and he was relieved. I love his longer hair and when he goes to get a haircut every two to three months I get nervous that he is going to chop it all off. I'm glad this time he kept it. I think it fits his face perfectly.

One last thing:

I am loving these Petal Sparking drinks-Elderberry White Tea is my favorite. I don't drink alcohol, so these are great for when you want that kick, but don't want to drink. The company is women owned, so that alone is a plus for me. You can get a 12 pack of them here.

Positive affirmations this week:

Have a nice weekend.