12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 6: Leslie Gould

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 6: Leslie Gould
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.

***

Year of Adversity Brings Joy
By Leslie Gould

I’ve been writing Amish fiction for nearly three years now—telling stories about non-resistant people who live a simple life. It’s a nice reprieve from my own life.

When my husband, Peter, joined the Army Reserve back in the mid 1980s, I wasn’t thrilled about it. Nor did I believe him when he said he’d probably never see action. Sure, the Cold War was ending and—for a short time—all seemed well in the world, but I had a degree in history. I knew better. I didn’t want to be a controlling wife (as new to the job as I was!) and come out and say he absolutely couldn’t do it. And it did help that he was joining a medical unit. Still I had my reservations.

We’ve been far more fortunate than many military families, but still it’s been quite a ride. The first exciting episode began in 1990 when Peter flew to Germany on Christmas Eve to work in an Army hospital during Desert Storm, leaving me behind with our two young sons. During the next twenty years, Peter went from being a Lt. to being a Col. and commanding a unit. Countless maneuvers and a mobilization occurred during that time, but his Army Reserve career culminated in his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.

My days throughout last year were an odd combination of hearing the daily news from a war zone via Skype and then writing about the plain life of the Amish. By last December I was working on my third Amish novel of the year while, in contrast, Peter and his field hospital staff had cared for hundreds of NATO soldiers and Afghan nationals, endured ten months of rocket fire, and continued to grieve the killing of one of their own.

Surprisingly, what seemed like it might be our worst Christmas ever, even harder than in 1990, wasn’t. Our four children (one teen and three young adults now) rallied to help make it a memorable day. We counted our blessings—Peter was well, we had all we needed, and God was at work in the life of our family. The result was an underlying joy, deeper than what we’d felt during past Christmases.

In reflection, I wrote: When it started, I thought 2011 might be one of our worst years. But it hasn’t been. Sure, it’s been one of our hardest, but a lot of good has come from it.

That was evident on Christmas morning as we Skyped with Peter. We were so thankful for the good connection and for all of us to be “together” that we hardly noticed we really weren’t.

This December, Peter is back at his civilian job (as a manager for a hospital corporation) and also commanding a nearby Army Reserve unit, which means one weekend a month and plenty of evenings—but no rockets or causalities.

I’m working on a new Amish novel and still enjoying my “time” with those who practice non-resistance, which doesn’t discount the appreciation I have for my husband’s service. I’ve even grown to the place where I’m thankful he joined the military. They’ve served each other well.

Our year of adversity resulted in a deep joy. I’m pretty sure it will carry over to this Christmas as well.

***
Leslie Gould is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, including the #1 bestseller and Christy Award winner The Amish Midwife, co-written with Mindy Starns Clark. Her latest release is Courting Cate, a retelling of the “Taming of the Shrew.” Leslie lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children. www.lesliegould.com

Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 5: Glynnis Whitwer

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 5: Glynnis Whitwer
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.

***

Will They Know What it Cost?
By Glynnis Whitwer

My daughter Cathrine went on a field trip to the Grand Canyon when she was in fourth grade. As I picked her up upon her return, she couldn’t wait to show me an adorable little stuffed brown bear she’d bought as a gift. She started to say that it was for everyone—meaning her three brothers and sister—but then her words got jumbled. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to explain how she ran out of money when trying to buy gifts. Her distress was obvious.

To understand fully, it might help to know that Cathrine was born in Africa and experienced deprivation of every sort for the first eleven years of her life. At thirteen years old, she was only in fourth grade. And although she has made remarkable gains, even now she struggles with communication and math—especially money.

Later that night I finally understood what Cathrine was trying to tell me about the bear. She had taken twenty dollars of her own money to buy herself a souvenir. But before buying herself something, she wanted to buy some small gifts. So she started with two of her teachers and bought them each a small ring with the first initial of their last names. I looked at the price on the rings and realized each was $3.99. Times that by two, add tax, and Cathrine would have been left with eleven dollars for other gifts and herself.

I imagine she stood at the gift store counter bewildered by what she had just done. She was probably embarrassed to ask any of her classmates for help. And maybe the teacher wasn't around. There she stood with just over half of her money, and three brothers and a sister left to buy for. She decided to get a group gift, and that’s where the bear came in.

Standing in our kitchen, looking at the three items she purchased, I smiled brightly and told her everyone was going to love their gifts and that she’d made wonderful purchases. She smiled back, and the night ended well.

The next morning as she wrapped up the little rings, I kept thinking about those two teachers who were going to receive a gift that day. All they would see is a little silver ring. I knew they would be very loving and appreciative. But would they truly understand the sacrifice Cathrine made?

Would they understand their gifts cost Cathrine half of what she had? Would they ever know the frustration and worry Cathrine felt as she realized she didn't have enough to buy her family any gifts? Would they treasure those little rings, or would they put them in a drawer with gifts from other students throughout the year?

As I pondered these thoughts, I considered a gift I was given two thousand years ago: Jesus. God sent His Son into the world as a baby, knowing He would die on a cross for me. The cost of this gift staggers me.

As I decorate my tree and shop for my family, I’m reminded of what my freedom cost my Heavenly Father. Do I truly understand the sacrifice of that gift? Do I understand the anguish God the Father must have felt sending His Son? Do I treasure this gift, or do I take it for granted?

Christmas is a time for celebration. But it’s also a time to remember God’s sacrifice. For it is in understanding the cost, that we fully appreciate the gift.

Meet Glynnis Whitwer
***
Glynnis Whitwer is an executive director with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is one of the writers of Encouragement for Today, the Proverbs 31 e-mail devotions, with over 500,000 daily readers. Her newest book, I Used to be So Organized, was released last fall. Glynnis, her husband Tod, and their five children live in Glendale, Arizona. Visit www.GlynnisWhitwer.com for more information.

Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 4: Margaret McSweeney

Pearls of Christmas revisited - Day 4: Margaret McSweeney

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.

***

A Mistletoe Medley

By Margaret McSweeney

“You have breast cancer.” Those four words my doctor said the week of Mother’s Day 2012 have forever changed my life. Mere months after my fiftieth birthday, I encountered this unexpected “lump in the road” and ventured through a major detour after reaching my half-century mark.

Through this “grit,” God has covered me with His amazing grace! At the same time of my diagnosis, two books released: Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith along with Aftermath: Growing in Grace Through Grief. During this Christmas season, I rejoice that my cancer was caught and treated at an early stage. After six weeks of “daily radiance” (AKA radiation therapy), I started my daily dose of Tamoxifen to help battle any potential cells that might cause a recurrence. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

While writing Aftermath and sharing my journey of grief as an adult orphan, I experienced several “hugs from heaven” as I discovered family letters, journals, and even a video in which my mother shares her faith. This is a mistletoe medley from my mother’s heart:

Each Christmas season my father used to go down into the woods behind our home and bring us back some mistletoe. It was a present that my sister and I loved. We’d tie it with bright ribbons and would hang it over several doorways in the house.

It was always fun of course for a Christmas party, but it came to mean more than that to us. It seemed to become a symbol of the meaning of Christmas: Love, God’s love for the world that prompted Him to send Christ to become our Savior. Somehow it seemed to enhance our love for each other as a family. And we found ourselves stepping under the mistletoe to give someone a hug or to plant a kiss on someone’s cheek and say, “I love you.”

I thought of these mistletoe Christmases during my mother’s losing battle with cancer. I penned my thoughts like this:

Illness, you ugly parasite!

Like mistletoe, you’ve entrenched yourself upon my body!

As you bloom and grow, you feed upon my strength.

I shall fight!

Battalions stand by to help!

My doctor’s scalpel will sever you.

Modern medicine will shrivel you.

You shall fall to the ground,

And I shall stand again strong and well.

But what if I cannot conquer you?

If you are with me still

As my constant, inevitable companion,

I pray that God will help me

Learn to live with you in peace

And somehow discover how you, my enemy—

Like mistletoe at Christmas—

Can serve some useful purpose.

There are times when we cannot rid our lives of things that hurt such as pain or grief, loss, illness, sorrow. Sometimes they’re with us as our inevitable companions and we must learn to make peace with them.

Those are the times when we can ask God through Christ to help us transform the loneliness, the pain, the grief, the loss-symbolically into something that can serve a useful purpose in our lives.

May you feel an extra “hug from heaven” this Christmas season from the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. God is present, and He knows your name!
*Text quoted from Aftermath (New Hope, 2012) by Margaret McSweeney, pp 114-115

***

WebTalkRadio.net Host Margaret McSweeny is a well-published author and freelance writer for the 411 Voices and the Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. She is the author of Aftermath, A Mother's Heart Knows and Go Back and Be Happy. She is also the founder of Pearl Girls™ and the general editor of the Pearl Girls™ books; Mother of Pearl and Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace. All proceeds from the sales of the Pearl Girls™ books go to charity. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for WINGS, an organization that helps abused women and their children get a new start in life. Margaret would love to meet you too. Follow her on twitter or friend her on facebook. You can also keep up with Margaret at Kitchen Chat or on facebook. Margaret lives with her husband and two daughters in the Chicago suburbs.

Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.

Pearls of Christmas ~ Day 3: Debora Coty

Pearls of Christmas revisited - Day 3: Debora Coty
Welcome to the12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.

***
Who is Mr. Carbunkle?
By: Debora M. Coty

In a dream this November, I was playing Clue (remember that board game from your childhood?) with three friendly strangers. We were each moving our pieces from room to room in the mysterious mansion trying to figure out who-done-it.

So far we knew it wasn’t Miss Scarlet in the parlor with a candlestick . . . or Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with a wrench.

With a voice bursting with sudden enlightenment, the player to my right announced, “Why, it’s Mr. Carbunkle!*”

My other two opponents and I looked at one another in bewilderment. Everyone knew there was no such character in this game.

It seemed my lot to state the obvious. “Who is Mr. Carbunkle?”

The words continued to ring in my head as I sat straight up in bed. I must have spoken the question aloud to jerk me awake so.

Who is Mr. Carbunkle?

And then I knew. I knew just as surely as if the Almighty had sent me an e-mail titled, “Hey, Deb, here’s your answer.”

I had been praying for several weeks about how Papa God would like me to use my writing tithe this year. It’s been my custom, for the nine years I’ve written professionally, to give away each December (anonymously, if possible) ten percent of that year’s income from my writing ministry to someone the Lord designates.

The sum isn’t really all that much in the grand scheme of things (contrary to popular belief, Christian writers don’t get rich), but it’s enough to bless somebody in their celebration of Christ’s birth with the knowledge that their Heavenly Father knows about their needs . . . and cares.

I thought about the only Mr. Carbunkle I knew—the one who attends our church, a quiet, unassuming man who’d been out of work for more than a year. I confess that I knew about his plight but hadn’t really given it much thought—or prayer—lately. Although he never complained, I knew his family must be struggling.

So Mr. Carbunkle it is.

You know, there are lots of Mr. Carbunkles out there who would be blessed mightily by a love-gift from you this Christmas. It doesn’t have to be money; it could be help with yard work, or home repairs, or a loaf of banana bread, or best of all, a gift of your time. Thirty minutes of your undivided attention for a lonely soul who needs to know Papa God knows his or her needs … and cares.

Who is your Mr. Carbunkle?

Don’t have a Clue? I know someone who does. Just ask Him.

*Name changed for privacy

***

Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She's also involved in the children's ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled "Grace Notes: God's Grace for Everyday Living." Look for Fear, Faith and a Fist Full of Chocolate in February of 2013. Follow her website @ http://deboracoty.com

Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.

Pearls of Christmas ~ Day 2 Christy Fitzwater

Pearls of Christmas - Day 2: Christy Fitzwater
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series ~ Revisited

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.

***

An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition
By: Christy Fitzwater

I was invited to play some Christmas carols on the piano for a senior-adult luncheon, but before I got up to play they had a time for the seniors to share what they remembered as their favorite Christmas gifts.

There was talk of new bicycles, a pony, and a new dress.

Then one elderly man took the microphone and said, “An orange.” When he was young, an orange was a rare treat. As he spoke, he got choked up and had to stop talking to collect himself. He explained that his Sunday School was giving an orange for anyone who memorized a Bible verse. He tearfully described earning that delicious orange and slowly savoring every bite. When he was done eating the orange, he put the peel on the furnace so it would dry, and then he chewed on the peel.

He said with conviction, “We just don’t know how rich we are in this country.”
Christmas is usually the time when I feel broke. I tuck away money for gifts all year long, but money doesn’t go very far these days. My husband and I love to spoil our kids and try to scheme how to get them a big-ticket item. We’ve enjoyed the Christmas mornings when we’ve been able to enjoy watching our kids open such gifts as an electric guitar or an iPad.

I stopped to imagine how our whole family would feel if, on Christmas morning, the only gift under the tree was a small basket cradling an orange for each of us. I think we would feel disappointment and great loss. What would we do the rest of the morning if not consumed by opening gift after gift? Where would the focus be?
Our years of wealth make thankfulness for an orange seem ludicrous.

As I processed this man’s story, I decided what we lack at Christmas isn’t money to buy nice gifts—it’s gratitude to relish the simple treasures we enjoy every day.
This Christmas I am going to begin a new tradition for my family, and I would invite your family to do the same. I am going to place a small basket with four oranges under the tree, along with a printed copy of the man’s story of the orange. We’re going to pause at some point in the morning and each hold an orange while we read the story. And then we’re going to hold those oranges up to our noses and breathe in the fragrance God built into it, peel it slowly, and enjoy each juicy bite. And while we eat it, we’ll each speak thankfulness to the Lord for the grace He has poured into our lives.

In that moment, we’ll know how rich we are.

Christy Fitzwater is a writer and pastor’s wife living in Kalispell, Montana. She is the mother of a daughter in college and a high-school boy. Read her personal blog at christyfitzwater.com

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Grab your coffee

Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting. If you choose to purchase any of the books linked to this post from Amazon I may or may not receive a small percentage from the sale.

The 12 pearls of Christmas ~ revisited

This month I want to revisit the 12 pearls of Christmas. A series I participated in on the other GivingNSharing blog (that I can't access to post on) way back in 2012. The links don't seem to work anymore so I'm going to just be sharing the devotional each day.

The 12 pearls of Christmas Revisited
Day 1 ~ Susan May Warren

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace (a GREAT gift!) to give to a friend or for yourself.

***

God with Us . . . And Us with Him

By: Susan May Warren

Every year over labor day weekend, the Warren family has a MWE. Mandatory Warren Event. It’s a call to come home and enjoy the long weekend with our favorite people. Since my children have left for college, I relish every second of this weekend—the laughter in the kitchen, the long conversations in the family room, the frenzy of backyard football, the quietness of the morning as we drink coffee on the deck and watch the sunrise. I cherish these people, and when they are with me, I drink in their presence.

I’ve been reading the prophecies about Christ this season and came across Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

I am struck by the word Immanuel. God with us. The closest I get to comprehending this is reading about how Jesus’ loved his disciples. Surely they relished the time with him more profoundly after his resurrection, knowing he would soon leave.

Thankfully, he didn’t leave them for long and sent His Holy Spirit. God . . . still with them. 

As I consider the magnitude of this God who would come to earth, who would abide with the disciples, and then with me, I have to wonder not only do I relish God’s presence in my life, but does God relish time with me? Am I committed to embracing His entrance into my life? Am I even making the effort to see Him?

Imagine that during our MWE weekend, I ignored my children, and they, me? I would lose the joy of their presence.

It is not surprising to me that the Jewish people did not recognize their Savior. After all, who would guess that the Almighty might package himself as a baby and appear among them, fragile and dependent? But today, we know the story, we know the miracles, we know the truth, and God invites us into an abundant relationship, one that He wishes to relish, one that will change us. A relationship that will slake our thirsts and satisfy our hungers. One that reminds us that we are never alone.

Because every day we are a mandatory event to our Immanuel.

This season, look for the ways that God is your Immanuel, with you, every day.

Susan May Warren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 novels. With over 750,000 books in print, her stories of family, romance and adventure have earned her acclaim and reader fans from around the world. Visit her website for upcoming books and sneak peeks!

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Sundays Best LinkUp @ Mother2Motherblog

Disclaimer: This post is a partial copy of a event I did back in 2012. I was not offered compensation or product for posting.

What does it mean when you "shop small"?

Say NO to mass-produced! 

1) Handmade usually means BETTER quality items individually made by hand from a skilled small shop maker.

2) Small shop owners have the ability to make each & every customer feel special when they do business with them. Imagine walking into a big box store and asking employee #1639 to drop what they're doing and find XYZ, read the title of the product and then hand you 10 boxes individually while you decide what you need. While they are doing that they are listening to your needs and WHY you need 10 of them. At the same time their ear piece is blaring in their ear telling them that there was a spill in aisle 24 and that as man and woman with a baby in the cart just walked out with a big screen tv under their coat.... 

3)  When you shop small:

- 70% of the purchase price generally goes right back into the local economy of       that shop's location.

- You help create jobs for single parents, stay at home moms, elderly people trying to stretch their income a bit more. Small businesses create 2 out of every 3 new jobs in the US and employ over 1/2 of the people in the workforce.

- You're allowing a small shop owner to buy groceries, pay utility bills, pay for      medical needs, give dance lessons, pay for team uniforms, and more. It helps with family budgets and pays for the little extras!

- You aren't supporting billionaires and lining the pockets of a corporate CEO                driving that sports car and living in a gated community. 

Begin by visiting The Handmade Pledge and commit to purchase handmade items for you, your loved ones and to ask others to do te same when buying this holiday shopping season.

2nd, Rock the Sock and start filling up your shopping list when you click the following image:

Disclaimer: I was not asked to post for GSHandmade and no compensation was received. I do have a shop on GSHandmade and that is the only way I may receive any compensation.

And life continues... Shoes for Crews review

Hi everyone - well, life continues. I'm finding I'm really enjoying my new job now that the stress and frustration of not knowing what I'm doing and worry about finances is finally easing up. My feet are still causing me many, many problems tho. I will be sharing some mini reviews of the shoes I order and try. Hopefully others will benefit from my experience.

Yesterday my 3rd pair of tennis shoes (in 3 months) were delivered. I bought a pair of Dr Scholls shoes when I began the new job. I've used that brand for years and other than occasional issues with achy feet did very well with them. I did have to use plantar fasciitis insoles with them when I had issues with that. Between the insoles and my chiropractor I hadn't had issues for quite a while with that kind of pain. So, I bought a new pair for work.

Then the serious pain began. At first I just figured I was out of shape and needed to work up some endurance since this job is 100% walking. I was expecting back and hip pain. I've had absolutely none of that. It's all in my feet, ankles and legs. The chiropractor says it's in my calves though.

So I ordered pair 2 from Shoes for Crews online. They were recommended by my good friend Marybeth. Her husband has used them for years and loves them. They had great reviews for plantar fasciitis and foot/leg pain. I signed up for their newsletter and received a 20% discount to use on my first pair. Paid $71 I think for a pair of the Revolution II. Unfortunately I barely managed to wear them for 1 1/2 days before I had to set them aside. My pain intensified & I barely made it home. I even had to write my boss and tell her I may need to take the next day off to get my pain to go down.

The Revolution II is a cute pair of shoes - with a hard sole that isn't flexible at all. I knew as soon as I removed it from the box it wasn't going to work but I gave them a try anyway. This pair of shoes has a noticeable arch support, the tongue rides up against the front of the ankle (which was very uncomfortable and triggered my nerve pain in that area). They are very roomy in the toe area and didn't seem to be very heavy to walk in and I think could be comfortable for many people that aren't dealing with nerve pain in the feet and ankles.

So, as the company has a 30 day return/exchange policy on shoes I'm going to try to order another pair that hopefully will work for me. I'm looking

at the Jasmine I think. I've been emailing customer service back and forth for the last several days and Sabrina from customer service was able to find a pair of the Jasmine shoes in the office and she told me that the sole is flexible and that the toe area will bend. So, I guess I'll give those a try. They are a bit more casual and will look nice with slacks, jeans and shorts. Fingers crossed they work. I'll post another mini review when I receive the new pair and let you know my thoughts.

Customer service with Shoes from Crews has been great. I get prompt response to my emails and they have been willing to figure out if a shoe has a flexible sole if they can. Evidently they don't work in the same place the shoes are shipped out of. I have a feeling I'm going to be losing money in this endeavor since the Jasmine are about $10 cheaper and I'm sure I'll have to pay to ship them back in forth while I try to find a pair I can actually wear. I strongly suggest you read the return policy - there is a $6.95 restocking fee and you have to cover the original shipping fee (which I had to pay at time of ordering) so I guess I pay shipping each time I return the shoes to exchange or get a refund. I'll let you know when I update you... I don't do a lot of shopping online obviously.

If you're looking for new shoes that are supportive and styish visit Shoes from Crews. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to get the discount. I think their prices are comparable to what you'd pay at Kohl's or JcPennys.

Stay tuned for an update and more reviews until I find the shoes I can wear with little to no pain.

Linked up at:
Grammy's Grid Unlimited monthly party

Disclaimer: This mini review is my honest opinion and shares my experience with this company. I was not asked to post a review, received nothing in exchanged for my review and I will not receive anything as compensation. I am not an affiliate of the company.

Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries blog tour

Christmas in Newfoundland

Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories & Mysteries
Author: Mike Martin
Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing
Pages: 113

Genre: Mystery/Memoir

About the book:
Christmas in Newfoundland is a special time. In the depths of long winter nights memories are made and stories are told. Of Christmas by candlelight and horse and buggy rides to church. Of shopping on Water Street in St. John’s before malls and the
Internet.

In later years, Sgt. Windflower came to work and then to stay in the quiet town of Grand Bank by the Atlantic Ocean where the salt air froze in the wind and the Mounties were welcomed to warm themselves by every fire.

Come and warm yourself by the fire and hear their stories. Some memories and some
mysteries. Enjoy some holiday time with Sgt. Windflower and all the familiar characters
that you’d come to know and love. Good food, good friends and always another chair at
the table.

My thoughts:

Christmas. Some of my favorite memories from Christmas are the simple ones. One year the plan was to do the usual. Christmas Eve we always opened gifts from each other, Christmas Day we went to Grandmas. The year I was in 7th grade was a bit different though. That year money was very tight and we ran out of Propane on Christmas Eve. We had a big fireplace in the living room and we all camped out in the living room, Christmas Eve we piled into dads old Chevy, covered ourselves in blankets and drove to Grandma & Grandpas to stay for a couple nights until the propane arrive the day after Christmas. Santa found us there - no need for a fireplace.  This is one of my favorite Christmas memories.

Mike Martin's new book is a compilation of favorite memories based in the town of New Foundland combined with a mystery or two. It's a story of tradition, lights, music, food, community and family. The writing is a bit different than what I'm used to. I found it harder to get into. It seemed a bit dryer, more like several stories a relative is telling at a family reunion and you don't know any of the people. I like longer stories, novel length where I can grow to know the characters and connect with them. At the same time it was neat to read about traditions in another setting. I would of loved to participate in some of those activities ~ buggy rides in particular. 

Learn more:

A sneak peak at the book:

Excerpt: A Windflower Christmas
It was just days before Christmas, and Sergeant Winston Windflower only had one big problem. That was what to get his girlfriend, Sheila Hillier, for Christmas. Other than that, life was good for the RCMP officer in Grand Bank, Newfoundland. Crime was low, if not non-existent, and spirits were running high as the holiday neared its peak in this little seaside town. 

Of course, being the holiday season, the Mountie was concerned about impaired driving. But Windflower and his team had been out on the roads for the past two weekends with the R.I.D.E. program. He figured that meant everyone would be on their best behaviour for the next couple of weeks. That was especially true since one town resident had been charged with impaired driving and two others had received suspended licences because they were just over the legal limit of alcohol.

Fortunately, even the weather was cooperating. They hadn’t had any snow in Grand Bank for almost two weeks. That was a relief to not only the snow shovellers catching a break after a series of early winter storms but also to the RCMP officers, as they had already worked several overnight shifts because of storms. The best news was that there wasn’t even any snow in the short-term forecast.

All of this meant the town could be festive and safe during the holiday season already well
underway.

The old Town of Grand Bank went all out to pretty itself up for Christmas. Almost every house had some form of decoration, and Christmas lights were aplenty all over town. Some people went old-fashioned and just had a wreath on their front door and a couple of strings of lights hanging from their eaves. Others decided to splurge on nativity scenes and blow-up Santas, as they held nothing back in their gaudy and joyous celebration of the season.

Old Saint Nick had already made one visit. That was last weekend during the Santa Claus parade led by the antique pumper truck from the volunteer fire department. Local RCMP vehicles were decked out in flashing lights and ribbons as the Mounties collected toys and gifts along the parade route for the Salvation Army. Sheila had rounded up a few extra dollars from local businesses to ensure that even the abandoned buildings near the wharf were gaily festooned with ribbons, bows and the essential Christmas lights in time for the parade. Now, Saint Nick’s return engagement on December 25th was eagerly anticipated.

About the author:
Mike Martin was born in Newfoundland on the East Coast of Canada and now lives and
works in Ottawa, Ontario. The Walker on the Cape was his first full fiction book and the
premiere of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series. Other books in the series include The
Body on the T, Beneath the Surface, A Twist of Fortune and A Long Ways from Home,
which was shortlisted for the Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award as the best light mystery
of the year. A Tangled Web was released in 2017 and the newest book in the series.is
Darkest Before the Dawn which won the Bony Blithe Award in 2019. A new book in the
series, Fire, Fog and Water is being released in October.

Mike is currently Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization
promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers.

How to find the author:
Website → www.sgtwindflowermysteries.com
Twitter Link: → http://ww.twitter.com/mike54martin
Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAnd
More/

Linked up @:
1)  Hearth & Soul: https://apriljharris.com/christmas-celebrations-at-the-hearth-and-soul-link-party/  
2) Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party: https://www.loulougirls.com/2019/12/lou-lou-girls-fabulous-party-299.html 
3) Wine'd Down Wednesday: http://ourthreepeas.com/wined-down-wednesday-325/ 

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in this post are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommed products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Leg pain, yoga & chiropractics

Hi everyone! 

About 3 weeks ago I began training for a new job as a merchandiser in one of the big box stores and am really enjoying my job. One of the things I didn't think about when I joined was the fact that I would be walking on hard concrete type floors and that is something that my fibromyalgia or my back doesn't like. Last Friday I worked 6 hours and it took me till Wednesday of this week to fully recover. I also worked this Monday and I think that's why it took so long. BUT yesterday (Wednesday again) I worked 6.5 hours and I'm in NO WHERE near the pain I was in. So, hopefully my endurance is growing and soon I won't feel the pain I was in.

Today I visited my chiropractor. My chiropractor specializes in trigger point and myofascile release and I have used her for relief of my chronic pain with fibromyalgia as well as my migraines for about 3 or 4 years. I have spoken on GivingNSharing before about the severe pain I've had with my new job and today I decided to ask Dr Kayla if she had any stretches or tips I could use to ease the severe pain.


Dr Kayla told me today that the issue isn't my feet or ankles - it's my calves. Which really surprises me. At first my calves were really sore because of the bending required for one of my tasks but yesterday and today they aren't bothering me at all. She showed me a couple of stretches. One focuses on the achilles tendon & is also helpful for Plantar Fascitis and the other focuses on stretching the toes. (My pain has been in the arches of my foot, the sides of my big toe and the side of my baby toe.)

One of my favorite yoga therapists on YouTube is Yoga with Kassandra. She has a video called Yoga Poses to Relieve Foot and Ankle Tension.  I also really like Michelle Kenway who does more work with Kegels and Core Strength. I didn't see anything on yoga though for feet/ankles and calves on her YouTube page unfortunately.

I hope this information helps someone else avoid the severe pain I've had for the last week. Stay tuned and I'll try to post some of the things that the guy at the health food store suggested. He made a couple of suggestions that I'd like to try such as magnesium, enzymes, water drinking, etc but I need to learn more and then actually buy some of it so I can give my opinion on it. 

As always, Thanks for Listening!

Featured THIS WEEKEND at:

Linked up to:
1) Farm Fresh Tuesdays
2)  Thursdays Favorite Things
3) Friday Features
4) Friendship Friday
5) Hearth & Soul Party
6) Bloggers Pit Stop

Disclaimer: The information found in this blog is not intended to take the place of a Drs advice. Please contact your medical team with any questions you may have and before you begin a new routine. The information shared on this blog is based on my own experience and whether it has helped me or not.

New Job = Pain

I recently started a new job about 3 weeks ago as a merchandiser. I'm enjoying the job so far but having issues with pain and walking. I think once I get used to being more active and walking on hard surfaces it should get better.

My feet feel like they've turned into blocks and my legs are SOOOO sore. I've actually bruised on my hips where the hips meet the legs and walking has been a real chore. Even straightening up from sitting has been difficult. Since last Friday I've been really struggling.

My poor fibro body is just hating me right now. As some of you know I am unmedicated and have been for at least 10 years of the 21 I've been diagnosed. I don't tolerate meds well except a couple of over the counter pain relievers (thank heavens) for when it gets bad.

So, what I've been doing for the last week is the following - if ANYONE has any other suggestions I'm all ears!

1) Shoes off as soon as I get home (my feet are VERY tender especially around the baby and big toes. I had to buy new shoes and can only wear Dr Scholls tennis shoes - they seem to work best with my hip issues.
2) Foot Soak - I dug through my cabinet and have been using Village Naturals Therapy line. They have a WONDERFUL line for Aches & Pains Muscle Relief that have eased my pain and the feeling of swelling in my feet (I don't have any swelling just a block like feeling lol).
3) I've also been using a LOT of heat therapy. I personally use a heated mattress pad during the cold months or I'm not able to function in the morning. I've had enough of crawling to the bathroom in the morning because I can't stand up straight after lying down for a few hours overnight. It was either that or start sleeping in a recliner.

First I soak my feet in the Aches & Pains Muscle Relief Concentrated Mineral Bath Soak which has Eucalypus to revitalize & restore, Spearmint to refresh & renew and Menthol to soothe and comfort. They use essential oils and extracts along with a combination of Sea Salt & Epsom Salts to ease tired muscles.

After the water cools and I've dried my feet I use the Aches & Pain Muscle Relief Hand & Body Lotion which has Eucalyptus, Wintergreen and Aloe to refresh & renew your feet. My feet feel nice and relaxed and cool by now.

I noticed they have a Chronic Pain & Fatigue line as well. I think I may try that next. Their prices are very reasonable. On the website the items above are only $6.99 each and they have a $1 coupon online that you can use if you'd like. I usually buy mine from Walmart where their display is back in the cosmetic area set up right as you walk in.

If anyone has any other suggestions to help me with the job and pain control I'd love to hear it. I had forgotten how painful being on hard floors is and walking for the 6.5-7 hours a day I'm doing has been very hard on my Fibro.

Linked up @
Wonderful Wednesday Hop: https://ducksnarow.com/?s=wednesday+hop

Disclaimer: This review was not requested by Village Naturals and no compensation was received. I am not a medical provider and I'm just sharing my experience. If you have any concerns I would suggest you speak with your Dr.. Thanks for reading!

Apple Cider diffuser blend ~

What scent signifies the Fall/Autumn season to you the most? Is it Apple Cider? Pumpkins? Hazelnut coffee?

I love the scent of apple cider. The crisp sweet scent that hangs in the air makes me lift my nose and close my eyes. It's relaxing and calming and yet it has a bit of spicyness all at the same time.

Lately I've been using this blend in my diffuser & I'm loving it. Feel free to cut back on your drops if you feel it's so strong. That's what I did.

Notes:

I am going to share a bit about each of the oils I use in this blend so you know a bit about how to use it before purchasing.. 

1) Please remember Cinnamon Bark is not a Kid Safe oil and I personally do not use it when I have children in the house. It is a HOT oil and should not be used topically. I use Plant Therapy Oils and you can learn more about Cinnamon Bark here. Best used in the diffuser, it has a warm spicy scent that blends well with orange, vanilla, clove, copaiba and many others. For a more masculine scent mix it with palmarosa and patchouli.

2) Orange or Wild Orange has a light uplifting scent. =D Orange is calming and helps when you need a "pick me up", when your tense, anxious - or need energy while cleaning. Learn more here.

3) Ginger is another Not for Kids oil. It has warm, spicy properties that make it ideal as an aid for digestion and helps relieve a queasy stomach and menstrual discomfort. Add it to a carrier oil or lotion to help joint and muscle aches. Learn more here.

I strongly recommend you do your own research if you have questions about whether you should use a oil personally. Plant Therapy has certified aromatherapists on staff that have helped me decide how to use the oils I use for my Fibromyalgia and when I need to help one of the kids with a small health issue (like ear aches & sniffles). Please do your own research before blindly trusting anyone with information about essential oils. 

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Friendship Friday

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A Gathering of Friends

Friday Feature

Disclaimer: this deliciousness has been shared from my own recipe gleaned and helped by many pinterest recipes shared by others. ;) I am not an affiliate with Plant Therapy at this time and do not receive anything for sharing about their products.

FREE Noxicare Sample Pack

I've been using Noxicare for a number of years to help relieve pain and inflammation of my fibromyalgia and arthritis. The last few years especially has been hard as I'm having more issues with my joints stiffening up and my muscles cramping more. I'm also having more issues with restless leg syndrome and while my chiropractor does help immensely Noxicare seems to take it to the next level. A couple of years ago I took my tube to the massage therapist when my back was really bothering me and while Diane was doing her thing she tried a bit of the cream on her shoulders and she commented later that she noticed her shoulder muscles relaxed and she wasn't expecting it to work as quickly (if at all) right away.

Noxicare is a pain cream formulated with willow bark, holy basil, rosemary extact, Alpha Lipoic Acids, ginger and Boswellia extract. No prescription is needed. It is designed to help alleviate inflammation, muscle aches and nerve pain. There are no known side effects - what I HAVE noticed is that suddenly I will notice a decrease in the deep ache that I am feeling.  Learn more about how it works here.

Noxicare is offering a FREE 5ml Noxicare sample pack with free shipping as well. Click here to orders yours today.  This is a nice size to keep in your backpack or purse.


Disclaimer: I did not receive anything for posting this announcement.

Linked up @:
Oh My Heartsie: Friday Feature Linky
Funtastic Friday: Coastal Bohemian
Friendship Friday: Create with Joy
Friday at the Firestation

Review coming soon:

New review for Christmas in Newfoundland Memories and Mysteries by Mike Martin is coming Nov 20th. We will be participating in the Blog Tour for Pump Up Your Book.

Honey apple crisp ~ Yum!

Today I thought I'd share a favorite desert. It's based on a recipe for Apple Goodie my aunt once made when we went to her house for desert and games and I've tweaked it to make it my own.

When I was growing up my mom only cooked with honey. Now, I can't stand the taste of honey on it's own but add some apples, cinnamon and oats and it makes a awesome Apple Crisp. Add some caramel and whip cream or vanilla ice cream and it tastes like heaven. This recipe doesn't need to be adjusted - this is the recipe I personally use when making Honey Apple Crisp.

There are a couple things to remember when cooking with honey.
1) Lower the oven temperature 25 degrees
2) Use half the amount of the sugar in a recipe if you are using sugar. So, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar then use a 1/2 cup of honey. Simple.

Honey Apple Crisp
3 cups apples, sliced (I don't peel it but you can if you want)
1/2 cup honey
1 Tb flour
1 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)

Mix together and put into a 9x9" pan.

Topping:
3/4 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup flour
1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup melted butter (or margarine)

Mix together completely and crumble over the apple mixture in the pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

This recipe is pretty sweet and rich. If you'd like to adjust the amount of sugar feel free to. This has already been adjusted as it had a LOT of sugar to start with and this is less than 1/2 of what was originally called for.

Enjoy!

Linked up @
1)  Friendship Friday w Create with Joy
2) Friday Feature with Oh My Heartsie Girl
3) Inspire Me Monday w Create with Joy
4) A Gathering of Friends
5) Hearth & Soul with AprilJHarris
6) Friday at the Firehouse
7) What are you doing? with Content in the Meantime

Stocktober ~ a GyspySpoonful tradition

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Stocktober Fest has arrived! Snag amazing savings on the GS site today on all types of ready to ship, in stock items. We're moving it ALL OUT at deeply discounted prices to make way for our holiday inventory. Start your holiday shopping NOW ~ it's only 82 days until Christmas...

Plus, we'll even ship it to the US for no extra charge. The price you see is the price you pay.

My shop, Natural Therapy Packs has a variety of items such as fall/halloween coasters, water bottle carriers for kiddos, travel pillows and so on @ http://bit.ly/NatTherapyPacks

See everything @ https://gypsyspoonful.com/market/product-tag/stocktober/

An example of some of the discounts:
1) NaturalTherapyPacks (misc) is 10-30% off for travel pillows, seasonal coasters, water bottle carriers, etc.
2) MeeshesPieces aprons are 30% off
3) Barbs Yarn Gallery has scarves, hats, lovies and phone covers 20-57% off
4) Yves Treasure Shoppe - use coupon code: October10 for 10% off everything not currently discounted in her shop
5) Just Bobbin Along: has 9-20% off on keyfobs, blankets, etc
6) Forest of Jewels: has several pieces of jewelry on sale. Use coupon code: WelcomeOctober for 10% off everything not currently discounted in her shop.
7) Goosie Girl is the founder of the GypsySpoonful Market community and very tallented. She creates fascinators, hair bows, and many other things perfect for pictures, pageants, Halloween, holidays, etc. Her discount is approximately 10-35% off.
8) A Crafty Mama Co is offering 50% off instant downloads as well as some markdowns. Your coupon code for the downloads is: id50stocktober
9) Scrapper's Snips & Stitches - most of the shops inventory is on sale. The majority is 40% or more off.
10) Simply the Glitter - many pieces of jewelry are marked 10% off
11) Lace and Sneakers - Entire store is marked down 25-50%.


Disclaimer: These discounts are provided by the owners of these handmade shops. I am not an affiliate and do not receive anything for sharing except from sales in my own shop @ NaturalTherapyPacks. Thank you for reading GivingNSharing2.