How A Single Mom Creates Christmas Magic On A Limited Budget

When people find out I have six kids they ask me two questions: Do you know what causes that? And how do you afford Christmas?

The answers are: yes I do, and by planning ahead and creative thinking.

It turns out my own post was a good reminder for myself this year. I spent the last couple nights wrapping presents, and getting kind of down that there wasn't more under the tree for each kid. But, each kid is getting the one thing they really, really wanted. So, that counts as a success!

You can read the rest of my creative Christmas planning post on Parent.Co

How A Single Mom Creates Christmas Magic On A Limited Budget

The Five-Year Writing Plan

December 7 Question: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?

A five-year plan. Well I don't have a concrete long term plan. Except to keep writing of course.

I have made the commitment to begin book two and would like to have it published no later than the beginning of 2018. I was originally thinking next summer but I'm not sure I can get a quality product out in that time.

Of course I would like to continue earning money for my writing. I am happy that my writing brings in a monthly income, but there's always a desire to increase the amount. 

I suppose in five years I would like to be where I've always wanted to be -- a full time writer earning enough money to not have to work a "real job". 

My two favorite times in the past year were on the surface not very good times; Last summer when I was laid off from my full time job and without another full time job for four months. And then these past couple months when I was home with a broken foot on workers comp. Both of those times off of work saw big bursts of writing and creativity. Just not enough financial reward to permanently stay home and write. But I loved the freedom of spending my days writing, reading and creating. 

I know I've said it before, but when I write (and when I am teaching yoga) I feel like I am living my dharma. 

So, OK, an actual plan:

• Continue to write
• Commit to writing more regularly
• Continually remind myself that I must allow writing to be a priority in my life
• Be more intentional in seeking out paid writing opportunities
• Create a timeline, and follow the timeline, to publish book two
• Be more intentional in finding promotion opportunities for book one
• Stop the negative self talk of "I'm not a real writer if I also have to work a day job"

This post is a part of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, a monthly meeting of writers who over think, under write and just want people to like them.

How Yoga Helped Me Remodel My Daughter’s Bedroom

I recently renovated my teenage daughter’s bedroom; new flooring, painted walls, and décor. Let me reiterate this is the bedroom of my daughter, who is a teenager, and dislikes everything I like.

Let’s just say there was potential for stress in this scenario.

Add a bit of teen drama to my general lack of flooring know-how and subsequent lack of confidence, and we were faced with real potential for a meltdown here.

My daughter would most likely have a meltdown as well.

I am happy to report that after four days, three trips to the home improvement store, and no more than a mini meltdown (or two), the room is complete. And we both love it. While taking pictures of the new room, I realized that I have yoga to thank for keeping me sane in these situations.

How does yoga help remodel a bedroom?

Please read the rest of my story on using yoga to redecorate my daughters bedroom on Parent.Co

How Yoga Helped Me Remodel My Daughter’s Bedroom