Over the years, people and their furry companions that I’d been blessed with the opportunity to get to know have passed away, and that’s just the structure of life, but nonetheless depressing. I was recently reminded of this fact of life. A fluffy white fur baby crossed the rainbow bridge and is now frolicking in green pastures and reunited with loved ones that had passed before her. That did seem to add a different note to the day I’m typing this. A solemn one. Igniting a fire under my rear as well.
Pushing me to get more thoughts out instead of letting them fester and die in the spelunking caves of my mind, never to be touched again. That’s not what that spunky, fluffy little white dog would’ve wanted continuing to happen. She lived her life and lived it well. Spoiled. Sweet. Snuggly. Doggie. We should all live Spoiled. Sweet. Snuggly. Childlike. In Christ Jesus.
Don’t mind me, though. It’s 1 am, and I’m just now finishing processing the rest of the day… I should see if I have a picture of her, I should… somewhere.
Now that it’s almost Easter, we have snow. This winter is a strange one for sure. As we get further into the year, my relationship with Yahusha continues to grow, as doors open and shut, and this new landscape is felt out and mapped. Finding moments to worship His greatness comes at all times, day and night. Just last night, he kept me awake because something had to be prayed away before I could actually fall asleep. Those things that have been continuously messing with me have been around for a while now, but something keeps them from accepting defeat as it is written.
While those spiritual mishaps get old, Yahusha carries me through the day, even as the kids say mom every fifteen seconds, and my workday timing is up in the air until I’m done. (I call everyone as soon as their dog is ready to go.) Even as I’m throwing an internal tantrum because I’m agitated beyond belief, he carries me. Even when I begin to entertain thoughts of throwing in the towel and just curling up in bed for the next week, he carries me. Even when I begin questioning why he keeps waking me up every day, he carries me. He knows the plans he has for me. He knows the plans he has for everyone. All we have to do is just keep moving forward and lean on him.
I’m just babbling today. The world’s going crazy. The veil is being removed, not just lifted. The darkness is coming to light, just like it says in Revelation… It’s all playing out before our eyes. I have about half a mind as almost all aspect of life are happening all at once. Thankfully I’ve been placed in a position to work with cute fluffy pups most of the week. I was shown something really cool in the realm of health. It’s something I believe everybody should at least learn about.
I checked my weight today. A month and a half ago, I was about 220 lbs, and today I’m 209 lbs. So that’s really awesome. I’m also remembering what all I need to get done every day and throughout the week. (Getting it done is a different story, with all the interruptions, but I remember it.) This information came at a great time, too. Trying to decide where to start and how to remain consistent. The goals I was setting were obtainable; I just had no fire under my butt (the word I want to use is escaping me at the moment)
Thankfully I met some really great ladies and coming out of my shell is happening ,albeit slowly,
Accountability… Oh my goodness, why was that word so hard to find.
I had no accountability, so I’d just procrastinate instead of being consistent. Whew! Who knew one word would be so hard to find?
The kinks of life are working out steadily. Business has been going great. The new business will get there the more I share it. Life is good, God is good. It can only get better from here right, (with a measurable amount of bumps). God bless and I’ll talk soon!
As we are finally approaching spring, I’ve got to say this winter was not very wintery… It feels like something is missing.
I love grooming and will continue to do this work as long as my body allows. I also want to create more grooming content, and that takes time. Most days, I focus more on getting everyone’s hair done as timely as possible, and picking up my camera goes to the wayside.
Over the month of February, what a month that was, sheesh! As I spend more and more time with Yahshua and my desires change for the better, I’ve been shown a way to leverage my income (and have been devising ways to further leverage my creative outlets), thus eventually allowing me more quality time with my children. As well as more time to spend on my creative pursuits. Part of which is putting together videos and writing blog posts. Whoo-hoo!
February has shown me the areas that matter the most: Jesus, kids, and quality time (doing everything). I haven’t been jamming my days with appointments and actually been able to breathe. I’ve been getting things done while it’s still daylight as well. That’s been awesome. I’ve also learned that although I would make lists and plan all these healthy things to do/eat every day, I was giving into my flesh and scarfing down whatever was easiest to grab when I got home. The same thing with the kids, I’d make them whatever allowed me time to sit down while it was cooking. I needed better health to get them better health and to be my best for clients without burning out. (which is a common thing with groomers, I’ve been hearing).
So, I did something that seems a little wild: I signed on for another business venture. On top of grooming, on top of social media, on top of my crafts, on top of being a mom, on top of everything else going on. I added some more, and I don’t feel stressed out one bit. It moves forward when I have time, in all the nooks and crannies of my day. It fits in between clients and between temper tantrums. It fits in the middle of the night when I can’t turn my brain off (which is frequently).
I’m getting to that ‘better health’ I mentioned earlier; there is still a way to go, but I’m running the race. The clarity to make and stick to better options for the children and me has been a blessing in disguise. They want to eat more veggies now. Now that they aren’t being filled with junk because mom is tired.
February was a whirlwind but a blessing. The beginning of a future to enjoy. The past is the past, and there it will stay. The children and I are becoming happier, healthier, and freer. I just really want to share this with everybody. Anybody who will listen, really. There is an herbal solution to activating your health and it doesn’t break the bank.
I say all of that to say this: this new season of life will be filled with happiness, health, freedom, and so many more cute pictures and videos of dogs!!
I do hope you’ll all decide to join me on this ride where Jesus has the wheel!
So, a few weeks ago, I was invited to a get-together to learn about ‘self-care’. Little did I know I’d end up trying it out. It’s this thing called ‘Activation’. Everyone’s body could use a little help these days. The day I’m typing this, it’s been two weeks since my package arrived in the mail, and I’ve been taking one little yellow pill a day. All-natural, proprietary herbal formula of Turmeric, Green Tea, Bacopa, Milk Thistle, and Ashwaganda has chased my aches and brain fog to the hills. I haven’t weighed myself recently, but my pants are looser too.
As a mom of four and small business owner, my body was beginning to feel like it was falling apart, and I’m only 31. So in two weeks, I no longer want to cry from the pain when I get out of bed, because my body no longer hurts like that. In two weeks. It’s suggested that you take Protandim for 1 month for every decade you’ve been alive to become fully activated. I’m going to get to that point. You should, too.
Activation is triggering your body to produce antioxidants on its own, and it can. Our bodies were designed to fight free radicals and repair themselves.
Why do you think kids bounce back so fast?
Almost all our health issues can be boiled down to oxidative stress, which causes inflammation; in our joints, in our gut, in our mucus membranes, everywhere. Once we reach our 20’s the production of antioxidants falls drastically and we begin to hurt and become inflammed.
The little yellow pill is called Protandim, and it has been shown to reduce oxidative stress by 40% in 30 Days in 100% of mammals. It’s suggested to take it for one month for every decade you’ve been alive to feel the full effects, and hopefully continue after that to maintain your health.
Another really neat thing about it is that there is a little yellow pill for dogs. The same blend, ratioed for our furry friends, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation to improve their joint and gut health, just their health overall, like us!
I’m excited about continuing with this product and this company. A main selling point for me was that it’s herbal, it’s all natural. There’s none of that hard-to-pronounce chemical stuff in it like in over-processed foods that we eat every day (Blech! McDonald’s). Now that I’m trying it, I can say that it does what it says it does, and that is hard to come by with the flood of gimmick products out there today. I’ve still got a little ways to go before I’m fully activated.
I want to share this with everyone I know, and what better way than to share on social media since I don’t see everyone every day. Check out the links, message me with questions on here, Facebook, or Instagram, and there are even get-togethers to talk face to face. I can tell you where and when those are happening around the Helena, MT area. I hope you all have a blessed day and choose to make your body do what God intended it to do.
This year has been a lesson. Learning or re-learning how to make executive decisions and execute them. Getting all of the thoughts and images out of my head in a constructive God-glorifying way. Getting used to not relying on my own power to figure things out and move forward. I was really hitting my head against a wall until I focused solely on what the Lord wanted me to do. There were many instances of worry followed by this deep regret, because I knew not to, but I let it get to me anyway. You cannot love Jesus and worry simultaneously. It’s one or the other, and oh- is it a battle?! swapping back and forth between the two. The enemy really wants to prolong the inevetible.
This year has been a major reconfiguring. I’m actually getting my own schedule together and following it. Health and physical ability are improving. The children are adjusting, seemingly smoothly. Work has been steady, and the comfortable pace is nice.
Here is to a new calendar year and all of the rebirth of the most amazing blessings in the springtime, God willing. Emotional stability, financial stability, stable relationships, and improved health all year long. My God’s will come down and wash over us all!
My first thought this morning wasn’t the usual “Mornin’ Jesus!”. Something was off. Something was wrong. It continued until mid-morning. I was feeling the familiar grip of depression wrap around me. I woke up feeling despondant. It continued until after arriving at work. Part of the way through the monring I found a pause, so I asked Him what was going on. It had been a considerable amount of time since these feelings were creeping around.
Over the last couple of days I’ve been not wanting to take care of myself, my music taste had changed back to my “B.C.” flavor. Over-all things were becoming gloomy again, like high school gloomy. After arriving at work for the day the gloom continued as it was raining outside. The baby was congested and warm; screaming at me for comfort. I got to a break in my morning and got a chance to sit with Jesus for a bit. Forces were starting to work on me. He told me what to pray, so I did. A little while later “Cast your Cares” came to mind and the sun came out.
The day got brighter, I got lighter. The baby got better (she did have some ibuprofen too, but it should be worn off by now.) She’s not screaming, but playing and not coughing. Smiling. The clouds are coming back around, the weather app said they would, but it’s not affecting my mood like this morning.
It’s Intreguing how the one to shift your focus to when the day is rough can seem so far away when just the thought of His name gets his attention.
After leaving the dentist’s office, the kids and I put gas in my car. Then the kids decided they were just absolutely starving, so we picked up lunch in town for them to eat on the way back to school, and we dropped everyone off where they were going. I finally got back to the house close to 1 pm and had enough time to either edit or work on crafts… I opted to edit and ended up putting together 4 posts. That was a miracle, because I had to leave the house shortly after three to pick the boys up from school.
Fun tidbit: my younger boy was removed from the daycare program that two of the other kids attend, so he needs to be picked up right after school lets out. When dad or I pick him up, our oldest usually wants to be picked up at the same time. At that point, we may as well pick up our oldest girl since the daycare is touching the school playground. Like she could possibly see us, and there is no sense in coming back out two hours later to pick her up since we’re right there. Oh the joys of logistics!
After school pickup the kids decided they didn’t want to go to Awana’s. I don’t want to force them to go do church stuff, that takes the fun out of it. So we stayed home and I finally put together the tortelini and cheese sauce I got the ingredients for more than two weeks ago. Don’t worry, all the stuff was shelf stable.
The kids ran around like heathens for a while before finally crashing. Because they can’t fall asleep or go to bed and drift off into a peaceful slumber. They must crash like an old Dell PC. The only grace in this house is the grace of God. Everything else is bickering and toddler angst.
Then everyone was asleep and awoke the next morning gunning to do it all again.
What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?
It never fails. I can plan to get up in the morning to do even the simplest of things. Sit down and spend a moment with God. Every time my eyes pop open in time… I close them again. Every. Single. Time. There were a few days over the course of the last month where I guzzled caffeine and stayed up for a full 36 hours.
That is not a good idea, in the middle of the school week, with four kids. Not a good idea at all. While I need more sleep and could use a lot more Jesus, I do everything to avoid obtaining those two things.
For example, last night, knowing full well it was my go-to straight to bed after getting home night. I started setting up the new Shopify store to begin selling my crafts on. Instead of leaving it at that, I decided to incorporate some drop ship and print-on-demand items. Then I showered and went to bed. At 2 am, instead of 11 pm, like I had planned…
Today is supposed to be a chill day. I’ll take the kids to a dentist appointment, then take them all back to school and go home to craft before taking them to Awana day. And it’s turned into a scene: all the kids are at the dentist’s office, fighting over who gets to hold the baby that I didn’t want out of her car seat in the first place.
And I’m probably only going to be home for a couple hours before the kids need picked up from school. I’m tempted to just go home and lay in bed until I absolutely have to leave the house again.
I do need to get some writing done and begin crafting some leatherwork stuff. The online store is up and open with a few drop-ship items. I’ve still got some webpage design things to work out, but it’s live.
We had a really neat view of the northern lights last night. I put my best photo up on the picfair store. As well as some of my other favorite work. Which reminds me, there are more photos to add to the gallery, they’ll be nice to look at. I’ll get to those sometime this week.
I’m typing this up during the actual dentist visit. Mom needs some coffee and to put gas in the car
I’ve been wanting to get an online craft store going for years now. I had one sometime ago for bath and body products I made, but life stayed inconsistent, so I was erratic. As things are changing and I’m coming into my divine purpose, doors are opening back up, and these Ideas I have are becoming more plausible. Creating things has always been something for me to look forward to as a way to chillax and do something fun. As a next step in my walk with God I’m going to be getting back into all the craft ideas I’ve had over the years and make them for Him.
That being said, it is coming up on the holidays—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s —and that means it is time to get nose to the grindstone and figure out what I’m doing. To start, greeting cards. Christmas cards, to be specific.
I’m still in the process of designing those, there are two designs so far. I’ll post pictures on Instagram (Link below). There are also some leatherwork items in the works, keychains, bookmarks, collars (later on).
I’ll be setting up the store page here probably this weekend when I have time to sit down and focus.
So I went through a brief hiatus, again. Divorce and separation, then re-re-re getting back into the swing of things, again. I’ve been learning to make Jesus my focal point every day—something I’m still getting used to. As an adult with an ever-expanding vocabulary, I can comfortably say I have always been extra sensitive to spiritual vibrations and excessive empathy. That, paired with a lack of direction, was leading me down a deep, dark rabbit hole no soul should go, especially alone. Ever since I found and accepted the Lord as my personal savior, a lot of those visages, visions, dreams, and skin-crawling feelings have stopped. Thank you, Jesus.
He’s becoming my daily focal point. My orbit still fluctuates. He is always where He said He’d be as my anchor.
Once the wool was lifted, a lifetime of emotional neglect and loneliness hit me like a runaway train. Now we’re on the up-and-up. Still have a long way to go, but we’re going. This last year has been full of tests and training, conviction and redirection, and delving into large books. Yes, I am a nerd.
Moving Foreward
Business has been going very well, steady. I’m going to groom for as long as I can. I’ve been trying to get more into photography. The pace of my days has been breakneck, and I have limited stamina (doesn’t everybody?), so it’s been more of a hobby I can only do occasionally. I have broken down and started a photography store with Picfair. There are only a few images so far, I’m working on taking some more that I can sell with a good conscience.
Robin Grooms 