Hallmark Movies ~ Worth the Work!

I've really enjoyed the Hallmark Movies this weekend.  I've laughed and I've cried.  I've fallen in love with Christmas all over again.  I've also realized...they offer the chance to work through some tough emotions and allow for healing.

I've always believed in facing the tough things rather than run from them - this weekend of movies has affirmed my beliefs.  Face the grief, face the pain, face the lost dreams and go from there.

The movies I enjoyed this weekend were - A Bride For Christmas, A Princess For Christmas, Angels Sing, The Christmas Ornament, Christmas Magic and Christmas with Holly.

It's worth working through the emotions - getting to the other end is so worth it!

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Thank you, Steve Harvey!

I've stumbled on several motivating episodes of "Oprah's Lifeclass" in the last few weeks.

• If you get the opportunity, be sure to watch TD Jakes - here's a tidbit from TD Jakes' Lifeclass episode and Steve Harvey - a tidbit from Steve Harvey's Lifeclass episode.

Last night I watched "A Special Night with Steve Harvey" on UPtv.  Several things Steve Harvey said about our "Gifts" hit home with me.  Here are my notes...

• Our "Career" is what we're paid for but our "Gift" is what we're made for.
• Our Purpose is tied to our "Gift". 
• Our "Gift" is the thing you do the absolute best with the least amount of effort.
• Our "Gift" is the thing on the inside of you - stirring within you.
• When you find your "Gift" you'll be able to say - "Everything I wanted to be - I found it."

Last of all...

• Surround yourself with the right people.
• Don't tell your "Big Dream" to "Small minded people".

As for me - I know what it's like to recognize and live every day using my "Gift".  I have over 40 piano students and am the Music Director for an active Catholic Church.  I love what I do - even the challenges.

Please, please, please - find your "Gift" and let it be what motivates and fills your time.  You'll never regret it!

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Coupons, Coupons Everywhere! ~ Kelloggs Family Rewards

My daughter (Ginger of www.literallyinspired.com) started a new group on FaceBook - "Super Savers Squad".  It's been fun to share sales, coupons, refunds and savings with others from around the country.

It really helps to hear what items worked for refunds, what coupons are available, the best store(s) to take those coupons to each week.  We've been able to get some items we need for a good price and to try some items we never would have purchased without coupons.

I had fun today with my cereal purchases.  Kellogg's Family Rewards has some really good deals going.  I was interested in the "Get $5 for a Healthier You" reward.  You Buy 3 boxes of Kelloggs cereals with the "Get $5 for a Healthier You" logo on them.

Inside of the box is a code - you enter the code online.  I needed ONE more box to get my $5.  I bought the 3rd box today.  I entered the code from the 3rd box and immediately the check began the process of being sent to me.  (see above)  I love it!

I can complete the refund 2 more times by 12/31/14.  You can bet that I'm going to take advantage of this great deal!  Thank you, Kelloggs!  (Now I'm off to find some more coupons.)

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Songs of My Life ~ God Bless the Broken Road

There are several people I care deeply about going through a patch of "unknowns" right now.  They trust God, they pray, they follow the Bible's teachings.  I know that all will turn out "just right" for them but it's an unknown and unknowns can be stressful.  I've experienced more unknowns than I ever wanted to experience.  I've always found a Bible verse or quote to hang on to.

  by  Exothermic 

After my divorce, I moved my girls, my mother & myself to a new state - no job, no home, just knew it was the right place to go.  The Scripture I held on to was Abraham traveling to a place God would show him.  (Gen. 12:1, Heb. 11:8).  I'd done my homework - I knew we could survive there - maybe even be successful.

I met my husband (of 20 years now) in this new place.  I had no idea exactly how it would turn out but knew we needed to go there.  I wouldn't give anything for our time spent in Nashville, TN!

I discovered Rascal Flatts' song "God Bless the Broken Road".  It summed up so many things in my life.

My journal entry for this song was..."The broken dreams, the pain, the disillusionment strengthened the person I was and made me so thankful for my present and

future."

  by  akabane_hiro2 

For those of you going through a time of "unknowns" - it may not seem like it now, but...if you take a step at a time and do your best with each step - you'll look back at this "Broken Road" and know that it made you a stronger and better person.

I often think of the "you" in this song as the "you" I am now - the "you" I'm becoming.  "God Bless the Broken Road" that led me straight to "you".

I've had many more challenges - some tougher than others.  My "Broken Road" is still being traveled and I'm becoming a more compassionate, loving and prayerful person.

May your "Broken Road" become a path that leads to a stronger, braver "you".  A "you" that is more compassionate and more empathetic with others' struggles.

Still putting one foot in front of the other...Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Songs of My Life ~ I'm Moving On...

My life has been filled with highs and lows.  I'm an eternal optimist and have always looked for the silver lining - the one good thing to get out of every situation.

When facing a lay off - knowing it was coming - sitting tight in my boat as the waves tossed me around - this song stayed in my heart.

I'm Moving On

My journal entry - "It's also a great song when I consider my past.  However, it helped me during this traumatic time in my life.  "I'm moving on, at last I can see - life has been patiently waiting for me and I know there's no guarantees but I'm not alone.  There comes a time in everyone's life when all you can see are the years passing by and I have made up my mind that those days are gone."  The full lyrics are at http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rascalflatts/immovingon.html.  I found myself singing this song a LOT during this time."

It was a good change and reminded me that some of the best things in life are when the marbles are dumped upside down and re-positioned.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Songs of My Life ~ There Goes My Life

I love how music plays such an important part in so many of our lives.  I've been reading some journals I wrote a few years back.  I used music to explain what I was going through at different stages in my life.

I thought I'd share a song now and then plus how it affected my life and why it resonated so.  I'd love to hear about the "Songs in Your Life".

Today's post is about the song - "There Goes My Life" by Kenny Chesney.  The YouTube link is here.  My journal entry - "Watching them grow up and head out on their own.  I kept reminding myself that we'd raised them to do just that - grow wings and fly away.  It still hurt and yet it was right."

Why do I love this song?  All my life I wanted to be a mother.  After losing one baby, I was blessed to have two little girls.  This song touches my heart because - well - they grow up.  I knew it was going to happen and I worked really hard to make sure they were equipped to take the world on.

Everything from getting through tough times with a hopeful heart and the determination to survive.  Practical skills, money-earning skills, you name it.  We couponed and refunded before "Extreme Couponing" was a term.  I loved my life as Traci & Ginger's mother.

I still see them like this.

As they each left my nest, I learned to love this song.  Your every moment is filled with homework, lunches, washing clothes, making meals, paying for things they need, getting them to Girls Scouts, Soccer practice/games, the "Mall", skating, Band events and then before you know it - "there goes my life".  In their own car to their own home and for me to their own family.  They're successful mothers/wives/wage-earners and I'm proud of them!  However - there are times when I wish I could wrap my arms around their little bodies and know that I was keeping them safe and covering them with my love.

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Vintage ~ Guess That's Me...

Here I am...looking to see what's new on eBay.  There's loads to see since there are so many things I'm interested in and "Wham!" there it is...one of the piano method books I took lessons from and it's labeled...Vintage!

Vintage!  Well maybe I am.  I know I love seeing the faces of my students when I tell them I've been playing the piano for 48 years.  Their faces are priceless.  I try to impress on them that what they're learning will last for many years - more than they can comprehend.  Then I show them this book - you know the "vintage" one and the assignment date of August 27, 1968 along with my lovely handwriting "Reia A."  Their jaws always drop - 1968 - they can't comprehend a date SO far back.

It proves a point though - I've been at this for a long time.  One day you'll look at your lesson book and marvel at how many years have passed.  Hopefully they'll still be playing and loving music.  That's my wish for each of my students.  

A side note - apparently I didn't pass the song on August 27, 1968 since there's a Sept. 3 date added.  I also feel for my middle sister (especially since I was the oldest) - looks like she got the "hand me down" book with the Oct. 25, 1971 date.  I'm thinking the Nov. notation means she didn't pass the song right away either.

I'm also thinking the "Count!" note from our teacher was a sign about something important?

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Happy Birthday to My Baby ~ Ginger...

Dear Ginger,  

In a few hours it will be your birthday.  I remember your entrance into this world well.

You waited until 12:14am on January 19th to make your presence known.  I still swear it was because your sister was born on 11-9 and you were already in that sibling race pre-birth.

You didn't cry a lot, you did sleep a lot and one day I truly wondered if you were going to wake up at all that day.  You seemed to be satisfied to swing in the "baby" swing and Traci seemed determined to make sure it was cranked back up when it stopped.

From day one you've had sisterly help.  I guess it comes with being the baby.  I've got to admit you've weathered being the younger sister well also.

Anyway - I can't imagine what my life would be without you.  You're Ethel to my Lucy or Lucy to my Ethel.  I never know what's going to happen when we're together.  I can count on that it will be fun because you're fun to be around - just ask Snickers!

I love you, Ginger and I hope you have a really special birthday!  Mom 

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Coupon Apps ~ It's a Whole New World...

My daughter and son-in-law gave me an iPhone for Christmas.  They're good to me everyday but I've got to admit this has been a "handy dandy" present to receive.  

I've found it really useful for coupon-ing.  I've been trying out a lot of free apps as I get to know my coupon holder - er - phone.  Here are a few that I'm experimenting with.

• The SavingStar app - not sure about it yet.
  
• My Ginger of www.literallyinspired.com - told me about RetailMeNot so I'm experimenting with it.
  
• The Kroger app ~ I know already that I love it!  Now I actually can see what digital coupons I have on my card without a long print out or hand written notes.

  The one I'm having the most fun with and even paid $9.99 for the full version is Coupon Keeper 2.  Coupon Keeper 2 Lite is the free app.  After scanning in 20 coupons you have to buy the full version or hand enter all your coupons.  I read loads of reviews and everyone stated it was worth the $9.99 - so we'll see.  I do have high hopes from the reviews.

(Image is from http://www.superkiddostudio.com/CouponKeeper2.php)

I'm sure I'll have more apps to experiment with and I'd appreciate your suggestions.  I'll keep you posted on what I find out, what I like and what just doesn't work for me.

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

and the Dominoes Tumbled...

I promised to tell you what my life's like now.  I was an absolute "Looney-Tunes" nut this Sunday.  Bet you didn't expect to read that!  I'd love to tell you that everything always goes GREAT!  But it's real life & it doesn't.

This post should make everybody feel better about themselves!  I was a "Smart Alec" to our wonderful Priest, I had a panic attack when my lead vocalist was a moment late for our abbreviated rehearsal and I forgot to turn the volume up on the microphone for one of our Matriarchs for the Rosary - and that was just one of my three services.

If I could have sunk into a hole or cavern somewhere, I would have.  Instead I apologized to all those I offended and vowed to do better next week.

There are so many things to consider & be on top of during a church service and I have three that I'm specifically in charge of.  I'm not asking for a pat on the back but I am realizing that it's not a walk in the park either.

So - I leave you with this - "to err is human - to forgive, divine".  Thank you to all that forgave their crazy Music Director this Sunday.  I promise to do better this weekend!