Rabbit Holes ~ and Faith

I've been in a lot of what I call "Rabbit Holes" during my life.  The place where you're not exactly sure where you are, why you're there and how long it will take to get out...but you know...if you hold on long enough and hang on to your Faith - you will get out!

"Down the Rabbit Hole.jpg" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Mountain Roamer

During some of those times, my husband and I would repeat the words from one of our favorite movies, Memphis Belle.  Now what?!?

So - while I think about the various "Rabbit Holes" we've found ourselves in over the decades, I always come back to - 

I'm thankful for my family, I'm thankful for the way I earn my living,
I'm thankful for the friends that know just when I need a smile and a kind word.

I'm blessed beyond measure with the love of a Heavenly Father that reminds me of the good that is in my life while I climb out of the "Rabbit Holes" of life.

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Young Living is ~ Sharing and Education

I love learning and I love sharing what I learn!  Here are some truths as I've experienced them.

The NingXia products are some of my favorites!

Young Living is:

• A Membership - think Sams or Costco.  You purchase your membership allowing you to shop at discounted prices.  *The difference is - Young Living gives you oils for your money and not just your membership.  (At Sam's I have to pay for the "membership" and then I go pay for my items.)
  
  
• NOT Sales - with my membership I buy for MY family.  I can help you become a member so you can buy for YOUR family.
  
  
• Education - I post what I'm using, what I've discovered, Workshop links, etc. to help educate others in the use of essential oils.  You don't have to be leery of my "ulterior motive" - I don't have one unless it's to see us all healthy and thriving.  If you don't want to join me on this trip, it's a-okay.  I'll still love you - promise!

Now that we've discussed the "elephant in the room"...

You may have a zillion questions (I know I did).  Feel free to ask away.  I'm a good, safe and honest place to discover ways to kick chemicals out of your house and your body.
Thanks for visiting!  Reia (YL#2389165)

My Daughter's World ~ Bring on the Young Living Essential Oils!

My daughter, Ginger, from www.boredagainlife.com posted the following
today.  (As you read I believe you'll realize - her life is far from "boring"!)

I might start keeping a journal of all the ways we use oils on a daily basis.  Today was both frightening and funny.

We do the daily regimens for our immunity and sleep. 

I do my beauty routine per usual.

Then you have the extra respiratory support for this "mama to be" since my organs are now located in new places.  This basically creates a whole mess of new oil uses to be honest.

But here we go, the good stuff.

Reasons you need oils:

1. Your dog hates thunderstorms and you like to sleep.

Lavender!

2. Your 2 year old delivers you dog poop.  "Vannah stinky poop."

Thieves!  I need the Thieves!!

3. Your 7 year old caught a football with his face.

Lavender!
(What would we do without multipurpose Lavender?)

I mean, really?
Glad I have them, but I could do without the "human" Pooper Scooper.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Still Small Voice

I live 600 miles from my youngest daughter.  I'm thankful for FaceBook, for cell phones and for email.  It makes the distance seem much shorter.

Photo by Tabea Schimpf on Unsplash

When a grandchild is hurting - that changes everything.  At that point, my daughter & son-in-law are hurting and Gramma is hurting.

My namesake had her elbow come out of joint yesterday.  While Dad raced off to Urgent Care, we all stood on pins & needles.  One of our own was in pain.  Therefore, we hurt also.  I think it's called family.  One tug and we're all tugged.

The outcome was good.  Her elbow was put back in place and we all appreciated each other even more.

I'm thankful for a loving God that watches over us and helps us put our broken pieces back in place.

I'm thankful for hugs - even across 600 miles.  I'm thankful for a good son-in-law and I'm thankful for a daughter that loves her children like I love her.

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Ash Wednesday ~ With These Ashes

As we approach Ash Wednesday and I'm preparing the music for our 7pm Mass - this song is staying in my head.  So...I'm sharing it with you.

With These Ashes

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Minimalism ~ When Less is More!

I think I've always been a Minimalist.  As an adult, I get to be a Minimalist.  "Things" don't matter to me although I do have "things" that matter to me.  I know - a real paradox!

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

I found Minimalism: a Documentary About the Important Things on Netflix.  Watching it reinforced a lot of my beliefs.  Beliefs I live by daily.

1)  People matter - things don't.  I find myself looking at "things" and praying about who could benefit from this "thing" the most.

2)  From Be More With Less (don't you love that name?) - 25 Reasons You Might Be a Minimalist - yes, that's me.

3)  "Where There's a Will There's a Way" - you actually can raise a family in a small house.  I love the phrase "McMansion" & yet I cry inside.  I see too many young families thinking the only option is a big house - period.  I know for a fact there's been many a family raised in a small house.  It really can be done.  Don't saddle yourself with mortgages that hurt not help your family - please!

4)  You really CAN live without some of the things that are "musts" in your life right now.  Simplicity carries with it freedom from worry.  As one that's cut the cable/satellite cord more than once in my lifetime.  Less truly IS more!

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

I Love Clearance Items!

In my area - they're marked all different ways and I've learned to look for each store's particular sign.  (I'm with Kroger - "Woohoo! Great deal!")

Last night i found a very special find.  A clearance item that has 0 carbs and bacon in it.
What's not to love, right?

On top of the great price...it tastes really good!  ~  Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Coupons ~ Almay

Don't you hate it when a coupon is expiring - today - and you're not sure if it's worth making the trip to the store to use it?  This happened to me last Sunday with the $4 Almay coupons.  They were burning a hole in my coupon holder - I had to use them!

FYI - I only buy and stock up on things I can use, donate or gift so my haul wasn't huge but it's perfect for my needs.


Here's the deal...

CVS Extrabuck promotion:  Spend $12 on Almay products - receive $4 in Extrabucks.  Limit of 6 times

I bought - (4) Almay products (2 Liquid Balms and 2 Eye Makeup removers) at $6.79 each.
I used - (4) $4 Almay coupons

$27.16 - $16 coupons = $11.16 oop (out of pocket) plus I received $8 in Extrabucks for later. 

I'm really glad I used my coupons!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Coupons ~ No Expiration Date

Tonight's shopping trip to Food Lion was one I've waited around 10 years to make.  I've been using coupons for over 30 years.  Yes, over 30 years.  I've learned to hang on to coupons that don't expire - you just never know.  I posted about one coupon "pay dirt" experience here.

Tonight's story... I've been hanging on to $1.00 off of Margaritaville Foods (Shrimp) coupons for over 10 years.  The expiration date was "No Expiration Date".

I don't have a lot of "pay dirt" moments like this.  But tonight was one of them.  Food Lion had the Margaritaville Foods (normally $7.99) "Buy One Get One Free" so they were each $3.99.  My $1.00 coupon brought it down to $2.99 each.

In writing this post - I discovered more Margaritaville Foods coupons at their website.  Woo hoo!  (Food Lion's sale lasts through Tuesday.  Guess where I'm headed before Wednesday!  Get your coupons and join me.)

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

There's Always a ~ Song Inside

Today was a really good day.  It was a busy day though and sometimes that means my reflection is done when the day finally ends.

One thing that never changes...there's always a song going on inside of me.  It can change throughout the day but - there's always a song.

I don't think it's because my income is earned from music.  In fact that could make it dull and boring because I'm working on, thinking about and teaching music all day long.

I think it's because music is so very important.  It's a way that I pray throughout the day and also a way I know what's going on inside of me.

"Sing unto the Lord a new song" (CC BY 2.0) by @markheybo

Sometimes I'm praising, sometimes I'm praying and sometimes...well I don't know why I'm singing what I'm singing...but I'm singing.

A dear friend sent me a cartoon that probably explains it best.  He always has a song going inside of him also.

(originator-unknown)

I bet you understand what it's like to have a song going on inside of you also.

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Sometimes NOT sleeping is a ~ Blessing

Couldn't get to sleep until early in the morning one day last week.  I knew I needed to sleep but it just wasn't going to happen.  So...I turned to YouTube and found some truly wonderful "new finds".

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

As I look back I realize it was life changing in some ways and I didn't miss the sleep at all.  Isn't life funny sometimes.

This is what I found:

1)  Andy Andrews telling his tale of singing Amazing Grace as a little boy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cINrWlfCPI

2)  "Piano Lessons" Comedy by Chondra Pierce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjcfdnqSvT0

3)  A song to play on my kindle at church or learn to sing ~ Gaither Vocal Band - "You Are My All in All - Canon in D"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDZZ0-F5EKk

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

We Three Kings ~ Frankincense and Myrrh

Today was the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.  The Three Kings joined us at our Nativity Manger.

Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash

I brought my Young Living Frankincense and Myrrh with me today.  I enjoyed passing the essential oils around to enrich our celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

CVS ~ Rain Checks

Coupons in hand - wanting to finish the "Boost" deal for this week (Buy $25 worth of Boost & receive a $10 Extrabucks rewards) and there's only one 6-pack of Boost on the shelf.  Oh no!


I asked the very nice Associate if there were any in the back.  Nope.

No problem - I now have a "Raincheck" - to include the Extrabucks Rewards deal.

Photo by Marques Thomas on Unsplash

CVS you just earned my future business - thank you!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Kroger ~ Mega Sale continues

There are a lot of beautiful things in my life that make me smile.  Today it was...Kroger's Mega Sale is going on for another week.

Photo by Tamanna Rumee on Unsplash

Yes!  Music to my ears - a big smile on my face!


I've been able to collect my coupons, plan my attack and come home with a good stock up of some things we really need.  Here are a few of the things I've saved on.  

Mission Tortilla chips - 89cents ~ Oscar Mayer Lunch Meat (8 oz) - $1.79 - 75 cent coupon ~ Valley Fresh (5 oz) canned chicken $.89 - 55 cent coupon and Hefty Slider Bags - $.99 - .50 coupon.

Like a hunter out to provide for their family - that's me but in the grocery store.

Thanks for visiting!  Reia