Tag Archives: life

Mar20

Coronavirus Vibe Killer

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Coronavirus Vibe Killer

Hi everyone! In the midst of all of this coronavirus craziness, I hope that all of my dear friends and readers are staying safe, happy, and healthy as panic spreads and toilet paper runs scarce. Everyone seems to be quarantining themselves from work, school, and other commitments and gatherings at movie theaters, concerts, and the like have been cancelled.

Normally, I would be stoked on literal government permission to not leave my house. Believe you me, I fantasize about that on mornings where it’s particularly hard to get out of bed and get to work. But, goddamn gang, I am SO disappointed because all of the fun events that I have been looking forward to are dropping out like flies.

For example, I was supposed to see Jesus Christ Super Star twice within one week at Playhouse Square in Cleveland and when it got cancelled your girl was just devastated. I have wanted to see that show live since my youth and seeing it twice was probably one of the best things to ever happen to me… until it didn’t. -___-

My boyfriend’s band, The Outside Voices, was also supposed to open for Molly Hatchet in April, which got the boot amid this unnerving time worldwide too. Am I shocked? No. It’s the right thing to do to protect our vulnerable populations. Am I disappointed? You better fucking believe it!

Yes, I’m disappointed in my festivities being cancelled. But, damn, I’m the most disappointed about certain behaviors that I have seen manifesting during this difficult time. There is absolutely NO need to be stockpiling mass amounts of food and product, preventing those who also need some to be left empty handed. I have also been sickened to see that people have been selling their hoards at an extremely marked up price on Facebook marketplace to make a quick buck. It’s shameful.

I’m sick of the racist remarks, I’m tired of the selfishness, and I urge all of you to take a minute and reflect on everything that is going on and how you can help. Whether that be Purel-ing your hands constantly to stop the spread of germs or packing a lunch for children who might need it now that the schools are shut down. We are all in this together, so let’s start acting like it! Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

How have you been dealing with the coronavirus panic? How has your life been affected by it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar11

Pampering Party: My Perfect Night Off

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Pampering Party: My Perfect Night Off

Hellooo! I lead a pretty busy life. Between running two businesses, my boyfriend, and going here, there, and everywhere for work it’s important to me to still make time to take care of myself. That’s why, without fail, I always look forward to my Tuesday nights. Of course, I don’t love not seeing my MAN but I never say no to an opportunity to soak in the tub!

Tuesday is my busiest day of my already busy week. I see three out of my four clients and am normally gone for anywhere between ten to twelve hours. So, trust and believe that as soon as I come tiredly stumbling into my apartment around eight in the evening that bath water is on within thirty seconds. And, the best part?! I got a new hot water tank in my apartment so no more lukewarm baths for me. 😀

This past week, I got to enjoy my first bath in a month of Sundays that didn’t turn into ice water five minutes later. It. Was. Magnificent. During my soak, I am able to shave, decompress, and get myself relaxed enough for sleep after a long day of going nonstop. And, then, I put on some lotion, dress in my comfiest pajamas, and tuck in with a good book or Netflix show before bed.

Although this is a pretty basic way to spend an evening, there is seriously nothing better to me. I love being able to do something nice for myself after doing for others all day and it just hits the spot every time. Working in an evening just for me is one of the best things that I can do for myself and I encourage all of you to try and do the same!

What is your perfect night off like? How do you pamper yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar9

Pocket Park: 4 Strategies To Raise Funds In Your Area

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Pocket Park: 4 Strategies To Raise Funds In Your Area

People in areas with plenty of farmland may not need parks because they have lots of wide-open spaces and plenty of greenery. But if you live in the city, parks are important. That little bit of oasis can help you maintain your sanity in the middle of a fast-paced city.

Unfortunately, land does not come cheap. Reports show that Sydney, the most expensive city, has land prices to match – a square meter of land is $1000. And, while Perth is much cheaper compared to Sydney, the area will cost you $700 per square meter.

If you still want to create a park in a farming community, your location will determine how much you spend on land. Some farmlands are as cheap as $41 per hectare, while others can cost you as much as $21,999 per hectare.

But whenever the cost is a challenge, you need to think outside the box. One way to get the park of your dreams is by opting for a pocket-park design. Such a plan will enable you to create multiple park attractions within a limited amount of space. But what if you don’t have the funding? Read on to find out more:

Your local business community:

Members of your local business community may be willing to help you raise the funding that you need to see that pocket park design come to life. After all, they also live in the area. They and their loved ones would benefit from having a park nearby, too.

You can reach out to the local business community and ask them for financial support to help build a mini-park. Those who choose not to pay cash can provide the materials or labor required to create the park. What matters is that it gets made.

You can also think of providing free advertising opportunities for businesses that help you get the funding. It could be plaques or free marketing from professionals in the area who donate marketing services as their contribution to the park construction.

Your local media platforms:

Many media stations in your area may be willing to help you create awareness of your initiative if you reach out to them. It would be part of their corporate social responsibilities. The free marketing that they do as well as the influence they wield can get locals on board and inspire them to donate time, energy, and money towards building your pocket park.

Online fundraising:

The digital era has revolutionized fundraising. Platforms like Kickstarter allow you to raise monies for a cause by appealing to the online community. You can also sell branded merchandise as part of your strategy to raise money for your park.

Local NGOs:

Community grants programs or local NGOs may be willing to sponsor the construction of your park. But this depends on whether your goals are aligned to theirs. For example, if you would like to build a pocket park whose design is meant to provide playing and sensory therapy to kids with special kids, NGOs that work with children with disabilities may be willing to help you out financially.

The lack of space or funding should not deter you from realizing your dream of creating a pocket park. All you need to do is think outside the box and find creative ways of getting the funding that you need. Then your local community can enjoy the benefits of your park for a long time to come.

Feb11

Sweet Surprises: It Doesn’t Take Much Edition

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Sweet Surprises: It Doesn’t Take Much Edition

Hello everyone! With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I thought I would take a minute to commemorate my darling boyfriend, Johnny, because he so deserves it! As we all know, Lil Red is a huge fan of sweet surprises and I like to show my gratitude for any type of gift that is treated to me with a blog post. So, here we are!

I, myself, am a huge fan of administering surprises even though I’m rotten at keeping my surprise a surprise! I feel like Johnny and I are always picking each other up a little something while we’re out and about whether it be a cool find at a thrift store or just grabbing dinner on the way home from work. Either way, it’s fun giving and receiving small treasures from the one you love best.

As the title of this post states, it really doesn’t take much to make me happy. In fact, just a six pack of tiny Diet Coke cans waiting for me in my fridge once I got home from a long day at work was enough to turn my day around. Let’s discuss:

pop

After my horrible oral surgery gone wrong last winter, I totally lost my taste for pop or coffee and became a fairly avid tea drinker. The harshness of the coffee’s caffeine and the pop’s carbonation was enough to put my stomach in knots, especially since I was used to only drinking the flat chocolatey chalk of Ensure for over a month and a half.

Once I was about four months out from my recovery and sunny days were a norm in Ohio again, the thought of an ice cold can of pop was enough to make my mouth water. And, as a bonus, I was able to drink it without an upset stomach. Back in the day, I was a Diet Coke fiend and could drink six cans a day, easily. Now, I might have one or two cans a week. But, when I do, it always hits the spot.

I haven’t been grocery shopping in a while and Johnny knows that I have been mooching on my mom and dad’s pop stash while I work from their home. So, he picked me up my own little cans when he went to the store after he got off from work. I came home and got a glass of wine from the fridge and he told me to look at the side compartment where my treat was cooling down for me.

I was so tickled because I always say that I could go for a pop when I never have it in the house and nine times out of ten he ends up hearing about it. He stifled my Diet Coke cravings for the time being because he thought of what I might need while he did his shopping. This was such a simple gesture but I felt so loved and taken care of and that’s what made it grand to me.

This Valentine’s Day, remember that it doesn’t matter what your gifts costed or if you can post a picture of the fancy meal you had on Instagram. What is really important is the thought that your partner put into it. I feel lucky that Johnny thinks of me when he’s going about his day to day life when we’re not together and I just know we are going to have the happiest Valentine’s Day together! ❤

What is a Sweet Surprise that you gave or received recently? How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb8

Facing Your Fears: A Memoir

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Facing Your Fears: A Memoir

Hi! For those of you who recall, around this time last year I was suffering through a recovery from an oral surgery gone severely wrong. For those of you who don’t recall, I had an oral surgery last year that went severely wrong, which you can read about on the provided link! I have always been wary about the dental arts and, after such a traumatic experience, the last thing I wanted was any more people poking around in my mouth with sharp objects.

Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out the way I hoped, which was never having to go to a dentist or oral surgeon again. Especially because the surgery I had last year left me with some lingering problems that needed corrected. And, especially because I turn twenty-six this year, these issues needed sorted out ASAP before I get off my mom and dad’s insurance.

So, with a heaping dose of anxiety, I made my way to the periodontist who my mom recommended as a patient herself. After an exam, the decisions were made that 1) the doctor was very nice and 2) I would need to undergo a deep cleaning of my gums to help with the recession that was happening as well as the recession that became worse post surgery.

This past week, I had the first deep cleaning on the right half of my mouth and I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t freaking out. Last year, one bad procedure on my mouth left me drinking Ensure and out of work for a month and a half. However, I knew that all of this work had to be done so I bucked up and sat myself in the chair after announcing how nervous I was, of course.

In fact, I started crying as soon as the first numbing injection took place. Yes, I was being a baby but I just couldn’t help myself. I was traumatized by a quack of an oral surgeon and being back in an office to get work done on my mouth made a whole flood of scared emotions come out. But, I gritted my teeth metaphorically speaking because my mouth was open and had the doctor continue.

By the time the numbing kicked in, I literally couldn’t feel a thing and the doctor spent at least an hour cleaning the first half of my mouth (I’ll get the second half done this week). At the end of the procedure, my periodontist thanked me for trusting him because he knew how much I had suffered and how hard it was for me to allow someone to do that type of work on me.

I was so moved by this because I was downright embarrassed. No one wants to hear that they take poor care of their mouth and also no one wants to burst into tears as soon as a needle gets pulled out. I didn’t feel one ounce of shame after the doctor thanked me because he understood where I was coming from and didn’t take it lightly that I was even there to begin with.

After the procedure, I was a bit sore and nauseous but, within a few days, everything was back to normal. My mouth already feels infinitely better and, shockingly, I’m looking forward to getting the other half taken care of this week. The doctor helped restore my faith in those working in the field of dentistry and it also motivated me to continue taking the best care of my teeth as all of the problems I have begin to resolve.

I faced my fear in a big way and the risk was definitely worth the reward. Despite not feeling well post procedure, I felt proud of myself and strangely confident. I confronted one of my biggest fears head on and I came out on top. This is a lesson that I am going to always come back to in my life because sometimes taking a leap of faith pays off in the best way!

What are you afraid of? How did you confront that fear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan20

When Can You Say That You’ve ‘Made It’?

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When Can You Say That You’ve ‘Made It’?

Perhaps the easiest thing in the world to do is compare yourself to other people. As children, we learn this technique to help us understand our place in the social hierarchy, for better or worse. As we get older and compare our grades to other children or our siblings, we continually find out if we’re ‘good enough’ or where we’re lagging behind.

This can translate into adulthood, where the means of our livelihood or how much money we pull in each year can be somewhat intrusive areas of discussion at the Christmas work party or family barbecue. But when can you say that you’ve ‘made it’? We often use this term to express artists that now have enough listeners to guarantee material success, but should we really limit ourselves to this description?

In the following post, we hope to widen the parameters through which you may give yourself the real credit of ‘making it’, allowing us to think along healthier and more considered lines. Please, consider:

A Home You Love:

When occupying a home you love, you have one of the most vital and beautiful possessions anyone could hope for – no matter if you rent or use a mortgage to gain said property. A home you love can be a vital part of your personality, help you raise a family, or schedule the best social events within, and generally give you the room to be your most authentic self. General contractors can help you express your creative interests and tastes over the years, and that in itself gives you the opportunity to design to your hearts content. If you have this, no matter if you live alone or own a property in which you keep roommates or a humble family setup, you have something to be proud of.

Connections You Care About:

It’s very easy for us to mark ourselves as only successful when affluent, or able to define our material success this way. But really, the people we know, the loving connections we adopt, the closeness to our family, the genuine experiences we share with our friends – these are the things that count. It’s possible for someone living on a shoestring budget to enjoy and curate the closest relationships around them, while it’s also possible for someone within a beautiful, million-dollar home to feel completely isolated from those they are supposed to call friends. This realization can help you adjust your priorities accordingly.

Curating Your Interests:

Curating your interests is something that can seem so simple and basic. We’re all supposed to have hobbies. But more than simply watching something on Netflix or playing a video game (which are more than justified methods of relaxing and taking some stress off), curating a real interest can help bring you an incredible amount of joy over the years. It might be reading into a subject, learning a craft, or cooking well and eating a wide array of cuisines. We take interests for granted, but really, we should appreciate them as additional pursuits that give our life value. If you have a few of these to curate, you are truly a lucky individual.

With this advice, we hope you can see the conventional idea of ‘making it’ is only worthwhile when contributing to a healthy, humble life!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan20

Paranormal Activity Pt. 3

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Paranormal Activity Pt. 3

Hi! So as all of you know, I have experienced some paranormal activity in my apartment. The major occurrences happened when I first moved in and the last activity before the most recent one took place about a month ago. This spooky situation came about on Friday the tenth around two in the afternoon and it had me SHOOK. So, let’s discuss:

I always have the afternoons off on Friday and some of the days are spent running around doing errands while others involve curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee. This Friday afternoon happened to be one of those days, so I lit my candles, got myself comfortable, and cracked open one of my comic books.

All was going well and I was enjoying my time relaxing when a piece of paper I had on my coffee table FLOATED ON TOP OF ONE OF THE CANDLES. This paper was sitting on top of a board game that was about a foot and a half away from my candles and when I adjusted my head I saw the paper in the air.

Luckily for me, the piece of paper landed on a candle that was burnt down enough that the flame wasn’t going to touch it. But, the candle that it did fall on was about six inches away from a brand new Yankee Candle that I got for Christmas whose two wicks were burning close to the top. Yikes!

Needless to say, I freaked out and phoned my parents who know about the haunting situation in my apartment and they freaked out too. Lol, it was such a crazy thing to have witnessed and I still get goosebumps when I think about it. There was just no way that that paper floating could have happened on its own. It had also been sitting there for months and a situation even remotely similar has never happened.

I have come to associate my “friend” in my apartment with being a man. When I first moved in, I always seemed to hear heavy footsteps at night coming from the office in my top floor apartment. In fact, I used to have to go downstairs to make sure there was no one there.

There is also a mirror in my loft bedroom with a skylight shining directly on it. And, at night when the light from the outdoors is coming in, the shadowy shape that forms behind the mirror looks like a poor silhouette of a man to me. Believe you me, nothing makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up like when I see that at bedtime.

The paranormal activity I had in my apartment in December seemed to be a friendly one but this last occurrence was anything but. I think it will be a good long while before I light my candles again!

What did you do to deal with paranormal activity if you’ve ever experienced any? Does anyone have any advice for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec27

Paranormal Activity Update

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Paranormal Activity Update

Hello!! So as you guys might remember, I experienced a few instances of paranormal activity in my apartment when I first moved in. It definitely gave me the creeps but, luckily, after those initial encounters, I haven’t had any cases of unexplained occurrences happen at chez moi. That is, until about one week ago.

I had an unexpected day off on Monday because a client was sick, so I went back to bed for a while and then got up and began to get some writing done. That’s when I heard the catchphrase of little Agnes from Despicable Me, “IT’S SO FLUFFY” coming from my office.

In my office, I have a closet. In this closet, there is my hair dye hoard on one of the top shelves on the left wall, some boxes from when I moved in, and plastic bags from grocery shopping. And, tucked into the corner of the right wall is a bag of stuffed animals, one of which is the stuffed unicorn from Despicable Me, whose paw you can squeeze (Quite hard, I might add.) to hear phrases from the movie.

Because you have to physically squeeze the paw with some extra oomph because of it’s awkward shape, there’s just no way this could have happened on its own. When I checked my closet, nothing fell on the stuffed animals or was out of place in any way. It just happened.

I’d be a liar if I said that I haven’t been freaked out since this paranormal activity occurred, especially because it has been such a long time since I moved in. I don’t think my ghostly friend is trying to be mean, though. Maybe it was just his or her little way of saying “hello” and that they’re still here.

Am I thrilled about it? Not particularly. But, who’s to say that people and spirits can’t live in harmony?!

Have you ever experienced paranormal activity? What did you do about it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec17

Wow Them With Your Wedding Favors

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Wow Them With Your Wedding Favors

Planning your wedding gives you the perfect opportunity to create an exciting and personal event. When you’re choosing the venue, flowers, entertainment, and favors, for example, you’ll want each element to represent you and your new spouse.

With so many things to consider in the lead up to the big day, it’s easy to forget about some details. However, it can be the smaller things that really make an impression on your guests. Wedding favors are a great way to show your appreciation to your guests and to give them something that will remind them of the day in the future.

While some people stick to tried and tested favors, there are plenty of other options available. If you want to do something different on your special day, take a look at these top ideas for creative and original wedding favors:

Donuts:

Everyone loves a sweet treat, so donuts are always a crowd-pleaser. With frosting to match your decor or personalized icing, you can commemorate your day with a fun, edible snack. As many people travel a long distance to attend weddings, they’ll be thrilled with something they can tuck into the next morning, especially if they’ve got a sore head from partying a little too hard!

Seeds:

Giving guests a packet of seeds to take home is a stunningly simple idea yet one that’s memorable and personal. Choose something that’s easy to grow, so that even your guests who aren’t experienced gardeners can watch their plants thrive. Similarly, choosing something which can flourish in a pot will ensure guests who live in apartments or who don’t have gardens can take part in the fun too. You can even request that guests send you a quick snap of their shrubs or flowers on your anniversary and enjoy the fact that your guests have a forever reminder of your happy day.

Candy:

Choosing candy as your wedding favor can be a great way to impress your guests. With personalized candy wrappers, you can create a gift that will keep you in their minds. As candies stay fresh for far longer than most other sweet treats, you know that guests will be enjoying them for a long time to come. What’s more, candy is easy to transport and won’t take up too much space, which is great for those who traveled to your wedding.

wedd1

So cute!

Flowers:

If you’re using flowers to decorate your wedding venue, why not use them as wedding favors too? Giving guests a small vase or a miniature pail and inviting them to help themselves to the centerpieces is the perfect way to combine a gift they can cherish forever and a special memento from your big day.

With the right favors, you can commemorate your special day and show your guests just how much you appreciate their support. While the options are endless, you’ll find a variety of personalized and meaningful favors to suit any budget and any style of wedding.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Dec12

Holiday Card Call To Action

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Holiday Card Call To Action

Hello! While scrolling through Facebook the other day, I stumbled upon a news article that someone posted about a Wisconsin man, Gene Weittenhiller, who is currently dying of cancer. In this article it explained the hardship and that his last Christmas wish is to receive a ton of Christmas cards. You can read the full article here if you would like more details.

Gene is a father, grandfather, and loving husband and his story touched me. So, the following day, I sent out a Christmas card myself to Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin in the hopes that it would give him a little holiday cheer from Akron, Ohio. But, how wonderful would it be if he received cards from all over the world? Cue the lifewithlilred platform!

If you would like to send off a card to Mr. Weittenhiller, you can do so to this address to give him his best holiday yet:

Gene Weittenhiller

410 20th St.

Prairie du Sac, WI 53578

I hope that all of my darling readers can take some time out of their day to spread some happiness to a family who is in such desperate need of it. My heart goes out to the Weittenhillers and my wish is that their mailbox is overflowing with holiday cards daily. ❤

Who is sending out a Christmas card to Gene? Where in the world are you located? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah