Tag Archives: life

May10

Smile!

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Smile!

Hi!! Johnny and I have a lot to smile about and I am so excited for all of our upcoming adventures. We recently got fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine and are looking forward to a much more active summer than last year! We also recently got engaged and have really been enjoying planning our nuptials. Our wedding will be short, sweet, and small so the ceremony didn’t need much thought but our outfits most definitely did! We have even begun making plans for our honeymoon, hopefully, next year. 😀

Getting vaccinated has lifted our cloud of constant anxiety significantly and while we will always err on the side of caution, it has felt so good to do things we never would have considered at the start of the pandemic. For example, when my brother and his family came to visit from Georgia, we all went to the zoo and ate at a restaurant. That was mine and Johnny’s first big outing since March nineteenth of last year and it was a blast. Spending time in public with my whole family is what I have been waiting for for so long and not experiencing crippling fear the whole time was the cherry on top!

Returning to some semblance of normal has felt like coming home after a long vacation. What never will be normal, however, is my fiance’s process when it comes to taking selfies with me! Lol, I swear getting a regular, smiling picture with Johnny can be like pulling teeth but it always makes me laugh until we snap just the right pic:

^^^ He loves me! 😀

Every day with Johnny is the best day and I feel so thankful for all of the wonderful things we have to smile about. ❤

What are you looking forward to this summer? What can always make you smile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May9

Is It Worth It? Let Me Work Out Pt. 2

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Is It Worth It? Let Me Work Out Pt. 2

Hi! Last month, I posted about how I began doing a small daily work out to strengthen my upper body and thought I would do a follow up on my gains. When it comes to upper body strength, let’s just say that it would qualify under “needs improvement” my entire life because I have little to none, lol. This was further exasperated by the nerve damage in my arms from a car accident that Johnny and I were in in September of 2019 which left me hospitalized with an injury to my cervical spine.

I have never been overly concerned with working out as I mentioned in my original post and I’m not sure what inspired me to start but I am glad that I did. In April, I began doing twenty-five push ups and arm circles every day. At first, the push ups were a bit much but I am proud to say that I can now do fifty in a row! I doubled where I started from and I feel awesome about that.

While I can’t say that I notice any physical differences in my upper body, my arms feel stronger. On a normal work day, my arms are completely aching by the time I go to bed because of the nerve damage. It can be incredibly painful and on a day when I am typing a lot, my arms are sometimes out of commission by the afternoon. Since starting my daily work out, I have noticed that the nerve pain in my arms has gone down considerably and I am really thankful for that. I also feel like I have so much more energy in the evening now because I am not struggling through intense pain to complete any tasks.

After Johnny and I got our second COVID vaccine, we were both hit hard by the side effects and I took a break from my work outs as I recovered. However, trust and believe that as soon as I felt better, I began my routine again. I am looking forward to seeing and feeling more gains in my upper body strength and I am proud of what I have accomplished already! 😀

What are some good upper body work outs? What is your favorite form of exercise? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May6

All Better!

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All Better!

Hello!!! Johnny and I got our second shot of the Moderna vaccine on April 29th and it completely knocked us both off of our feet. I am pleased to report that after two days of full on misery, I am back to normal and can better explain what we went through because I have the energy to sit at my computer! The following may sound awful but it is so worth it to have the vaccine and be better protected for ourselves, loved ones, and strangers. Let’s get to it:

About four to five hours after our shot, we both experienced pain in our arm and a very restless night of sleep. I also think we both had a fever that night too. Upon awakening the following morning, absolutely everything hurt. My arm, my legs, head, stomach – you name it. All day, Johnny and I experienced a fever and chills and went from bundling up in blankets to blasting the air conditioning almost every half hour.

The day after our shot, moving felt physically impossible and I slept off and on for a majority of the day. Johnny did not experience any nausea from the shot but I was very queasy and could only drink water or juice while he could snack on bland foods like crackers. I cannot recall a time when I felt sicker than the day after our second shot and I was excited for the day to end so I could wake up and, hopefully, feel much better. Unfortunately, that was not the case for yours truly although Johnny felt almost back to normal two days after aside from being tired.

We both had a fever that night and I woke up so nauseous that I still couldn’t eat anything. Even if I wanted to, I had no appetite whatsoever. From about ten in the morning to two or so, I vomited five times and laid on the couch or in bed while Johnny played video games. By four thirty and several Tums later, my nausea subsided enough that I was able to eat two small bowls of my mom’s homemade mac n’ cheese and half of a piece of pizza from Pizza Hut. It was one of the best meals I have ever had!

After eating a little bit, the haziness of the past few days lifted considerably and I felt more worn out than anything. Once again, I woke up the following morning in a sweat through nightgown so I am sure I ran a fever throughout the night and was happy to no longer feel any nausea. I just felt weak and tired from all of the strain on my body and lack of food. However, what I felt wasn’t debilitating because I am sitting here writing and that definitely cannot be said for the day before!

Now that I am feeling back up to snuff, the pain and discomfort Johnny and I both experienced after our second shot feels like a vague memory. I feel proud of the both of us for being vaccinated knowing the possibility of the side effects and we would want to be the first in line to do it again if need be.

The COVID-19 vaccine is such an important tool in flattening the spread of the coronavirus once and for all and it is up to all of us to implement it. We have seen the utter devastation that it causes and masking up and getting your vaccine shows that you care about your fellow community members. Although I experienced almost every side effect the vaccine has to offer it was so worth it and Johnny and I can’t wait to see our friends and family while being better protected.

Which side effects did you experience after the vaccine? How long did they last for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May1

We Went To Jared’s

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We Went To Jared’s

Hi! This past Saturday, Johnny and I had a fabulous date day which resulted in picking out my custom wedding band at Jared’s. After getting engaged, I took my ring to Jared’s to get resized and they did an excellent job so I was very excited to go back to see what they could do for my wedding band. I was happy to see all of the wonderful employees who helped me previously at the store that day and Johnny and I left feeling confident and simply ecstatic on our purchase.

Johnny has had his wedding band for a while now and prior to our morning at Jared’s, I spent a decent amount of time coming up with a price point in my head that I was comfortable with. While what I originally had in mind was way over budget, the employees rallied together to help come up with a customized ring that was similar to what I wanted and was within my price point. They were so respectful about not trying to upsell me and I really appreciated that because when it comes to the jewelry business, pushing for a more extravagant purchase is usually the name of the game.

My wedding band will boast rubies and black diamonds which was the most important thing to me and the shape of the rocks are so unique too! I just know it will look perfect with my engagement ring and I cannot wait to pick it up later in May!

After wedding band shopping, Johnny and I headed to my mom and dad’s place to hang out with our little niece, play some games, and watch an episode of the Ken Burns baseball documentary that I got my dad for his birthday. We spent the entire afternoon there and decided to end our day by participating in Dry Ice Saturday at the Cashmere Cricket, our favorite bar.

Unfortunately, The Cricket was jam packed so we went to the Ohio Brewing Company where I had my first Moscow Mule in over a year and a half! I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t had a Mule in so long or the drink I got from the OBC was really that good but it was seriously the best Moscow Mule I’ve ever had. Once we were done at the bar, we returned to our apartment to play Trivial Pursuit and Super Smash Bros and had a blast.

These last few weeks have been extremely stressful for me and my date day with my fiance was just what I needed to help get myself back to baseline. It was a perfect day of ring shopping, family time, and video games and, as always, it’s very exciting to cross one more thing off of our wedding checklist. I cannot wait to get married! ❤

What is your favorite gemstone? What is an ideal date day for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr29

Planning An Eco-Friendly Funeral

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Planning An Eco-Friendly Funeral

It’s becoming increasingly common for people to plan their own funerals. With the price of events like this skyrocketing in recent times, it makes sense that people don’t want to burden their loved ones with a huge bill. Whether you’re going through a funeral care company or want to plan the whole thing yourself, making sure that your final send-off is good for the environment is a great way to approach an issue like this. To help you get started, this post will be exploring some of the key areas that you will need to consider:

The Location:

The location you choose for your funeral is very important, with many people wanting this ceremony to take place somewhere meaningful to them. Whether you choose the town you grew up in or the city you lived in for most of your life, it always makes sense that the location you pick won’t force your guests to make massive journeys. Having a funeral local to most of your guests is likely to be nice and easy, as most people’s fondest memories are in the areas where their friends and family are.

Burial Vs. Cremation:

Many people like the idea of being buried, though this option isn’t as environmentally friendly as cremation. While coffins and bodies can break down over time, this can take many years and this process isn’t always good for the ground when there are a lot of people buried close to one another. This method also takes a lot of space.

Cremation can be a much better option, with the ashes that are leftover being good for the ground if you bury them properly. Cremation urns tend to be more affordable than proper coffins, too. A nice thing about cremation is that you can also have a ceremony spreading the ashes at a favorite place of the deceased. Looking into the cremation cost could be a good step when considering the budget in your funeral planning.

Funerals are more expensive than you might have imagined, especially if there is going to be a large turnout. As cremation is the more cost effective option, you could use some of the monies saved to make a donation to your loved one’s favorite charity or organization. Take the time to research affordable cremation options near you and be sure to let everyone involved vocalize their opinion and come to the best decision for your family together.

Not only is cremation the more eco-friendly approach, but it offers a way to keep your loved one close to you. Whether this be with cremation diamonds or an urn as simple or ornate as you choose, this can provide great comfort. The choice is, ultimately, up to the family but it is something to be considered.

The Donations:

People will almost certainly want to make donations to a cause that you support when you pass away. This gives everyone one last chance to honor your memory, all without having to go over the top. Choosing charities or initiatives that do things like planting trees can be a great way to leave a positive mark on the world once you’ve gone. People will be very eager to donate to causes like this.

The Transport:

Finally, it’s time to think about how you will be transported to your funeral. Hearses are generally used for this, and this is definitely the best option if you want to avoid any difficult organization. There are more and more funeral companies offering electric hearses, and this can help make your funeral transport a little better for the planet.

While it can feel morbid to focus on something like this, many people find that planning their funeral is a big weight off of their shoulders. This will get more important as you get older, as this event will draw closer and closer. This isn’t something to worry about, though; everyone has to go through this process and you’re certainly not alone!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Apr27

Easing Anxiety & Taking Back Control Of Your Mind

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Easing Anxiety & Taking Back Control Of Your Mind

The past year has been incredibly stressful for most people throughout the world. The demands of everyday life can take their toll at the best of times, but a global pandemic can be enough to push people over the edge. It can feel near enough impossible to avoid the crippling sense of anxiety that can take over.

The times when we feel the most anxiety is when we feel as though things are out of our control – and the past 15 months have felt a lot like that. One of the only ways to overcome anxiety is to do what we can to make sure we can focus on the things we can control to make our lives a little easier. Here are some of them:

Stop Putting Things Off:

Some things that we have to deal with in life are unavoidable. Bills need paying, as does the rent, and toothaches can only go so long before booking an appointment with family-friendly dentists when the pain can impact on getting things done. People are often guilty of putting things off out of fear. The dentist is a good example. Not for having an appointment with the physician themselves, but for the fear of the pain that may occur during the appointment.

However, most know that once the appointment is done, treatment takes place so that they can live a relatively pain-free existence. Continuously putting things off will not only make anxiety worse, but it may also be detrimental to health. Untreated dental pain can cause some pretty severe health implications in addition to potential tooth loss so the answer is to stop putting things off that feel scary or uncomfortable. In many situations, the issue will only get worse as time goes on.

Stop Being Angry and Not Doing Anything About it:

Social media and the news is a great tool for making people feel irrationally angry. They can also make people feel hopeless, too. While feeling angry about a situation is not a bad thing, if not followed up by action then there’s little point to it at all.

If a worldwide issue is making somebody feel angry, then there are always things that they could be done in an attempt to make things seem a little better. Know that bigger issues can be helped by a few people making little changes. Climate change is one of them. Start by making small steps to reuse items and to recycle the things that can be and know that it is part of your contribution. Decrease water usage, eat less meat, and walk when possible are also always good choices.

Social media can make people feel resentment, inadequacy, and all kinds of FOMO. The same rule applies – unfollow the folks who contribute to feelings of not being enough. Time on Facebook should be entertaining, not another thing that upsets you.

The most important thing to focus on during continuing feelings of uncertainty is to be thankful for the things that bring comfort, joy, and peace. There is so much in this world that is beyond anybody’s control, so it is important to focus on the things that can be in order to create a better life.

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Apr27

Tips For Getting Back To Dating After A Breakup

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Tips For Getting Back To Dating After A Breakup

Breakups can be exceedingly difficult and traumatic, and can have long-term effects on your well being. When you break up with someone – whether it’s your choice, theirs, or a joint decision – it is always hard to move forward. Relationships often leave a lot of unanswered questions, like was it my fault the relationship didn’t work, should I make changes to see better success in the future, and the age old question of why couldn’t we make it work? Living with those unanswered questions isn’t always easy to do and can have a big impact on your mental health.

After a breakup, it’s normal to want to take some time to deal with any feelings that the breakup or divorce has caused, such as issues with self-esteem and self worth. Once you’ve dealt with those feelings and signed off on divorce papers with help from Bethesda divorce lawyers or one in your area, you may want to start dating again. If you’ve decided that the time has come to start dating, you might be feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the concept of starting over again.

The good news, is that there are lots of steps that you can take to make the process of getting back out there a little easier to manage. Believe it or not, it is possible to actually enjoy dating, it’s just a case of knowing how to approach it. Bearing that in mind, below is a guide to some of the best tips and tricks for getting back to dating again after a breakup – read on for everything that you need to know:

Think about what you want from a relationship:

One of the most important steps that you can take when it comes to getting back to dating is taking the time to think about what you want from a relationship. If you are unsure of what you want from a relationship, you will find it difficult to meet anyone who is a good fit for you and your needs. Are you simply looking to have fun or are you looking for a relationship that’s more serious and settled? It’s important to take the time to think about these things as they will have an impact on how you should go about dating again.

Be mindful about how you date:

It’s also important to be mindful about how you date. Don’t just date anyone, take the time to think about the kind of person that you want to date. What values do you want that person to have? For instance, you might find it beneficial to date someone who shares the same values as you do. Say, for example, you eat a plant-based diet, you might find that dating someone who also eats a plant-based diet could be a good fit and that dating sites like https://myvegandating.com could be useful.

Take things slow:

Don’t be afraid to tell the person or people that you’re dating that you want to take things slowly. After a traumatic breakup it’s perfectly normal to want to take things slow; there’s no reason to rush things. It’s not easy adjusting to dating again or starting a new relationship after loss, but if you take things slowly you should find that it’s easier to adjust. Speak to the person you’re dating and explain your situation. Chances are that they will understand and be willing to do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable.

Of course, there is something to be said about diving right back into the dating scene after a breakup and that’s okay too! A night out with your friends could be the perfect pick me up after ending a relationship. Check out True Pheromones for a scent to have the fellas or ladies swarming, get dolled up, and see what happens!

Date virtually first:

If you don’t feel comfortable dating in person just yet, it’s worth considering doing some virtual dating instead. Virtual dating can be a great way to adjust to dating again as it can feel safer and less stressful than dating in person. The great thing is that there are lots of fantastic apps for dating virtually, so you should find it really easy to start meeting people online.

Once you’ve met someone who you click with online, you can then arrange a video date where you can chat and get to know each other in a safe, stress-free environment. Then, if you feel like you would be comfortable meeting up in person, you can opt to arrange an in person date, but only once you feel comfortable doing so.

With the current pandemic, virtual dating has become extremely popular, and more and more people are now choosing to date virtually in a bid to stay safe. So there’s no reason to worry about suggesting that you date virtually first, as it’s an extremely common method of dating right now.

Hopefully, the tips above will help to make the process of starting to date again after a breakup a more seamless transition, as well as a far less stressful one.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr24

Feeling Blah

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Feeling Blah

Hello! Man, I don’t know about you guys but it has been a week for Lil Red. My lil niece was under the weather which resulted in me getting sick and to make matters worse, it was that time of the month on top of it! It has been a very stressful time in my life recently and I think that made whatever little bug I got from my niece even more debilitating because I was in a bad way. Due to all of the COVID safety precautions, I have not been sick in a really long time so this bout with the flu completely knocked me off my feet.

Being sick is always a bummer and, unfortunately, Johnny and I experienced another bummer to add to the overall blah feeling. We had viewed and applied for a home to rent and it was absolutely perfect. It was an ideal size, wonderful location, and a very cute little neighborhood. I felt so good about the impression that we made and was pretty confident that we would get approved to move in. I checked Trulia religiously after we applied and was crushed when I saw that it had been taken off of the market without us being contacted.

At the end of the day, not getting the house wasn’t a huge deal but it was definitely disappointing. It was just so nice and Johnny and I both loved it. Because of that and feeling confident about the possibility of moving in, I think I got a bit ahead of myself so seeing the house being taken off of the market felt like an even bigger blow. It also made me realize that finding a house to rent might be a lot harder than I had originally bargained for which sucks because I would really like to move out of the apartment!

Needless to say, it has been a blah time in Lil Red’s world but I think things will start turning around soon. A vent sesh on the ol’ blog always makes me feel better so thanks for listening to me complain, lol. Let the Trulia and Zillow searches commence…. again!

Do you have any tips for finding a house to rent? What makes you feel better when you’re feeling blah? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr15

COVID Precautions I’ll Be Keeping

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COVID Precautions I’ll Be Keeping

Hello! We are all eager for the COVID-19 pandemic to be over and done with and while there is a huge light at the end of the tunnel, we still have a ways to go. It is exciting to think of what our lives will be like after the pandemic but it is important to not throw caution to the wind and act haphazardly with the health of yourself and those around you. I, for one, plan on keeping these precautions in place post pandemic:

Masking Up:

Thinking back to pre-pandemic times, it’s hard to understand why you wouldn’t wear a face mask if you aren’t feeling well and need to be out in public. I have always been good about staying home if I am feeling under the weather but I will continue to be keeping face masks handy in case I need to go to the doctor or the pharmacy. I also plan on wearing face masks even after the mandate is lifted in crowded areas like grocery stores and shopping centers. You can just never be too safe after living through a global pandemic!

Testing Frequently:

There was a point when it was SO difficult to get an at home COVID test but that is no longer the case. Grocery stores and pharmacies are in constant supply and you can order them for free through the USPS. This is such a blessing, especially considering how often I test myself for my job and those I love who are imunocompromised. You can also always look up covid testing near me if your access to an at home kit is limited. So many resources are now available and we should all take advantage of them.

Social Distancing:

I don’t know about you guys but I actually love the social distancing in public. I value my personal space and it has been nice to not have people all up in my business while running errands. Protecting my personal bubble while I am out and about will continue to be a priority for me because it really has made me feel so much more comfortable while in public.

Contact Free Grocery Shopping:

A few months ago, Johnny and I began doing contact free grocery shopping to help limit our exposure and have both agreed that we could never go back to doing in store shopping again. At our local grocery store, Giant Eagle, the curbside grocery pickup is free and incredibly convenient. Our shopping gets delivered right to the car by an employee and it has completely changed our grocery game. The curbside pickup has been an option at Giant Eagle even before the pandemic began and we will definitely keep on making the most of it.

Mental Health Breaks:

Working in the care field during a pandemic has easily been one of the most difficult things that I have ever had to do and my mental health was really suffering. I have to take care of myself, first and foremost, before I can adequately provide care for others and began being more lenient with myself about taking a day off every once in a while. My mental health breaks allowed me to chill out in the safety of my home and regroup and I would return back to work feeling refreshed and capable.

Post-pandemic, I am going to be much better about listening to my body and what it needs and if that means a day off to get myself together, then that is okay. It is really hard for me to take time away from my clients because I miss them so much even if it is just one day but occasional mental health breaks will allow for me to be the best provider I can for them and it is well worth it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been insane, for lack of a better word. However, it taught me a lot of best practices that I plan on using long term to better protect myself, loved ones, and strangers. ❤

Which COVID precautions do you plan on keeping? What are you most looking forward to post pandemic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr11

Back To School: My Reoccurring Dream

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Back To School: My Reoccurring Dream

Hey! I have reoccurring dreams fairly frequently and if it isn’t dreaming that I’m back to working retail or in a play and have forgotten all of my lines, then I am dreaming about going back to school. In fact, I just had the dream last night and it never fails to freak me out as soon as I wake up. Not because it’s “scary” by any means but it feels so real that I wake up really thinking that I never took a class that was essential for me to graduate!

The dream always starts out with me in the counselor’s office at Cuyahoga Community College and he or she is explaining to me that there were a few classes in grade and high school that I didn’t take and, technically, never graduated from either of them. Then, with a flash, I am back at my grade school and retaking classes and tests like my life depends on it. It’s so wild!

Last night, the dream ended with me completing grade school because I was kind of waking up. Sometimes, however, the dream will end with me finishing the high school classes too. It’s basically the dream equivalent of Adam Sandler’s “Billy Madison” but not anywhere near as fun lol. No matter how the dream ends, trust and believe that I always wake up with a start! I dream really vividly and, as soon as I am waking up, I feel like I need to rush to get ready for school.

I have been having the same reoccurring dreams for literal years and each of them have never really changed. Clearly, that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel shocked every time they happen, though! Whether they are reoccurring or a one time thing, dreams can be so crazy and I am curious about everyone else’s so feel free to answer the following prompts:

What is the craziest, scariest, or funniest dream that you have ever had? Do you have any reoccurring dreams? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah