Writing a Book?

Hello Readers!

I haven't written in a while. Boo! And I have missed it. Asking for more responsibility at work means only one thing... You get it! And with that, comes a lot less down time, and exhaustion after work. The only things I have been doing consistently are going to bed early and watching Netflix. Beyond that, I can barely bring myself to want to go to Target after work. Which is weird, because I always, always go to Target. Like once or twice a week...

I digress. Motivation is something that seems to hit the most when you don't have the time to do anything, or, more specifically, the energy (Thank you Diabetes for taking all my energy). I am motivated by SO MUCH! There are so many things I want and would love to do! I just can't seem to grasp the 'thing' that will allow me to jump in head first.

Somethings that hold me back: fear of judgement, fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of lacking. These are the things that keep us all from doing what we wish we could do. What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? Let me write you a list! Fear, you suck! But you are also so real.

So I thought I would turn to the blog to ramble. And what do I love the most? Literature. I love reading. It is always my number one thing when asked what I like to do. I could read for 100 hours in a row and love every second. I have been known to lose sleep around a good book, and that's okay with me! I tends to be the one thing that I am willing to lose sleep over (much to my boyfriend's chagrin since he wants to watch movies and eat ice cream until 2am)! 

Well! I want to be the reason someone stays up late at night, the reason someone find courage in a horrible situation, the reason some one laughs out loud, or cries, or changes their goal in life because a book character did. I want to write a book!

Reading all the time, I have developed a little bit of knowledge about what works and what doesn't in a book. For example, if there isn't enough back story, the reader can't connect with the characters, however if there is too much back story, the readers can't connect with the story. How to achieve the perfect balance, not impossible, but not easy. I am not a writer. I love the idea of being a great writer, I love that so many people are good at it, and I really enjoyt that there isn't a limit to writing. You can create your own world, realm, universe and it is solely yours. I have my reality, I have my main character. However, I don't think I have enough yet to make a story. I am just getting to know her. We have only hung out a few times. But I can see us getting deeper and deeper as our relationship blooms.

So, I am hoping this is a great something that I can work towards. I have been in need of a new personal computer, so I believe that is something I will work towards. Right now, I only have my boyfriends desktop computer and I don't like it. He is so generous to let me use it, but it just doesn't feel like mine. I don't think he would snoop, or even cares what I do on there, but I would just feel more comfortable if it were mine.

Okay! Ramblings complete...

Blog Challenge: Thoughts and Feelings.

I have had a little bit of time to let the Blog Challenge sit, and stew. I have reflected on it. And I have found that I enjoyed it so much!

Was I all for it the entire month? No. There were days when I didn't want to post, or days when I looked at the clock and realized I was going to bed without having done my blog post for the day. However, when I look over it, I think there is a lot to be said about a routine, and schedule for a blog. Especially when you are new to blogging. With sporadic posts, it is hard to gain and audience, and though the blog posts didn't really relate to my theme of this blog, I knew that I was giving readers a chance to get to know me.

So, while I am happy it is over, I think I will search for ANOTHER blog challenge to do in the near future. Maybe I will do one a little more open ended. Or maybe I will create my own. The wheels are turning here, to see what I can do for my readers, and for this blog.

Brainstorming is something I never thought I would do for a blog, but I think it is necessary. If I want this to become a habit, something important, and a hobby that I enjoy, I will need content and I will need regularity.

So, overall, I loved to Blog Challenge. LOVED IT! It was definitely a challenge, but all good things are. I am excited to start posting some of the ideas I have.

Welcome to my Blog!

Blog Challenge: Day 29.

How Have You Changed in the Past 5 years?

Five years ago was 2010. There are so many things that have changed since then. I have now graduated from college with a Bachelor's Degree, worked three different jobs, lived in two different states, four different homes/apartments, and four cities.

I have ended one serious relationship, started another, and had a lot of dates in between. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, my weight has spanned almost 50 pounds, my hair has been every length and color.

I attended beauty school, met several new friends, gained and lost friends along the way.

My dad was diagnosed with a life altering disease. My family and I have gotten closer than ever.

The dog that tops all dogs, my parent's dog Checkers started to suffer so we had to put him down. He died in my arms. There will never be another dog like him.

I would say that, while you're in the changing year and years, you begin to feel as though nothing is changing. However, when you look back over five years, it is mind blowing how many things have changed.

Blog Challenge: Day 22.

What Do You Miss (Person, place, thing or time in your life)

Something that has recently come up for me, is missing how things used to be. I have always been close with my family, extremely close, and because of that I was happy to live at home until I was 26 years old. This isn't something I am ashamed of, or something that I hide from people. I branched out, went to college, moved to Los Angeles for 8 months. However, I was never ready to live on my own because the relationship I had with my parents was so great.

I think there is a lot to be said about all the things that I have left to experience in my life. No one knows what is going to happen in the future, and I know that at some point in the coming years I will miss this moment. But that's part of life. We miss the things that are comfortable and familiar. The future is unknown, so when you think back to how things used to be, it is easy to get nostalgic.

I miss when my brother was little and how we used to play trains all day.

I miss when I used to go to school instead of work and always had something fun to talk about.

I miss my grandparents,

I miss liking things that didn't make me one type of person or another.

I miss summer vacation.

I miss my parent's old dog.

I miss not worrying about so many things.

I miss being a kid.

Blog Challenge: Day 18.

Something You Find Fascinating

There are so many things that I find fascinating in this world. However, one of the things that I love are conspiracy theories. I don't mean that I buy into all of them, or that I believe they are true or that they are not true, but I love hearing about and speaking to people who believe wholeheartedly in something that not many people do.

To mention a few things I find fascinating:

Big Foot

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Mermaids

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Loch Ness Monster

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Time Travel

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Aliens

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Parallel Universes

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Telekinesis

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No one knows everything. This world is too big of a place for these things to be completely disregarded.

Blog Challenge: Day 17.

5 TV Shows You Would Recommend & Why

1. Prison Break: Hot guys, drama, suspense. It kept my interested and on the edge of my seat for the entire series. One I would love to watch all the way through again.

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2. Fringe: Science, supernatural, suspense, drama. This show was never something I was remotely interested in when it was on television. However, once my boyfriend got me started on it, I couldn't stop. It is so different from anything I have ever seen, and it creates so many questions, gets you thinking outside the box, and makes you wonder. The last season was... a struggle but I love this show.

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3. White Collar: Hot guys, FBI, drama. This was such a fun show. This carried enough humor to keep it from being overly serious, and the bond between the main characters is undeniable enviable. However, it looks at crime shows in a different way. It leaves out the blood and gore for more of a corporate espionage, money laundering, and counterfeiting. I only watched what was on Netflix, so I don't know how to series ends, but I enjoyed every episode I watched.

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4. Friends. It's Friends.

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5. Veronica Mars: Suspense, drama, mystery, comedy. A high school girl who doubles as a Private Investigator? Yes please. No one knows about this show. Or, at least, almost no one. I LOVED it when it was on television (being a high school girl myself), and I loved it even more when I got to watch the entire series on DVD. Same with the second season. And the third. I just adore this show. They even made a movie the continues the story. Just a fun and interesting one.

 

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Blog Challege: Day 11.

React to This: Letting Go

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Blog Challenge: Day 4.

Twenty Facts or Things About You

1. I have green eyes.

2. I have 4 piercings.

3. I have 4 tattoos.

4. I studied abroad in Ireland.

5. I have not planned out my wedding like most girls.

6. I have dyed my hair a lot of times, a lot of colors.

7. I have naturally curly hair and hate it when it's straight.

8. I believe I am being called to North Carolina.

9. I have a strong relationship with the number 8.

10. I have a Goddess Mama who I cherish with everything I am.

11. My brother is my best friend.

12. I am a fairly extroverted introvert.

13. I love birthdays, except my own.

14. I want zero children or four children: no in between.

15. I believe that my boyfriend and I were meant to be together.

16. I am definitely a morning person.

17. I am way harder on myself than I should be.

18. I have a small group of quality friends and I like it.

19. My parents are still together after 32 years.

20. My two favorite past times are: reading and sleeping.

Blog Challenge: Day 3.

Favorite Quotes or Song Lyrics.

This is a challenge day that has my name written ALL OVER IT!

I simply love quotes. I write them down all over the place. I highlight them in books, in my bible. I read quote books and inspirational pins. Songs are just quotes and poems put to a melody. I have listed a few here for you.

 "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5

"Your life only needs to go in one direction: forward. If anything behind you belongs where you are, it will find it's way by catching up." Gentlemanhood.com

  

"Anyone who thinks sunshine is happiness has never danced in the rain." Unknown

"Walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

"Don't let your mind bully your body." Unknown

"Love will always be a tough job for the wrong person." Gentlemanhood

"Put on your shades 'cuz I'll be dancing in the flames." Lady Gaga Edge of Glory

Blog Challenge: Day 2.

Five Super Cool Things about Your City or Town

I was born and raised in Portland, OR. I absolutely love this place and would recommend everyone visit at least once!

It is widely believed that it rains ALL THE TIME here, but it doesn't rain nearly as much as you might think. Don't get me wrong. When it rains, it RAINS! But we have many, many days that it doesn't rain at all.

Not to mention, with all the rain comes green landscapes that will take your breath away.

The five things that I love so much about my city are:

1. It is one of the smallest big cities I have ever been to. What I mean by this, is there are so many things to do, but it is all so condensed. Everyone is friendly, there aren't any parts that are too off putting, and there are things for EVERYONE to do. I have lived here for 26 years and I have yet to run out of things to do, however, I also know my way around extremely well. It is so much fun showing new people around the city! Everything is at your finger tips.

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2. There is nature, and green EVERYWHERE. Because we are in the Pacific Northwest we tend to be a much wetter climate, and with that comes green forests, parks, gardens, flowers. We have some of the most beautiful landscape in the world. We are surrounded by it. And with that comes a need and a drive to be a green city as well. I have heard people comment that we are one of the cleanest cities they have been to. People do their part to keep the wonderful environment we are blessed with just that way.

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3. Mt. Hood. We have access to an amazing mountain community that touches on all your snow sport needs. Snow shoeing, snowboarding, skiiing, intertubbing, hiking, cabins in the snow, hot chocolate at the lodge. We have it all, and it is only about a 50 minute drive from the heart of the city. Not to mention the view isn't too bad either!

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4. The ocean. Specifically to beach towns. Here, it is often referred to as the coast, but any way you spin it, we are blessed to have an entire shoreline of public beaches for everyone to enjoy. Unlike some places in the US and the world, every stretch of Oregon Beach is public access. Towns like Cannon Beach, Newport, Astoria, and dozens in between offer the small beach town feel that is as close as a 90 minute drive from the city. Got a dog? Head to the coast. Got some children? Head to the coast. Want a romantic weekend? Head to the coast. Need some time to breathe and reflect? Head to the coast. My heart is at the Oregon Coast.

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5. The drinks. This may sound a little strange, but believe me, Portland, OR is known for a plethora of drinks. The Willamette Valley is home to some of the most famous vineyards in the world. People come and visit specifically for the wine country we offer. We also have an amazing niche in the coffee industry. Stumptown Coffee? That is from Portland, OR. And finally, probably to most well knows is our breweries. Rogue Brewery, McMenamin's Pubs, Widmer Brothers Brewing. Come and stop in. I suggest the Maple Bacon Beer from Rogue Brewery, named after the famous VooDoo Donut.  

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Gosh! I could go on and on. There are so many more things that just five! But this is a good start. Maybe I will dedicate a post to some more of the things I love about Portland, OR. I think I will always love it here. I have an itch to move somewhere new and try to new things, like most people do, but I will always love Portland, and will always want to come back.

Blog Challenge: Day 1.

Tell Your Life Story in 300 Words or Less.

I was born June 8^th, 1988.

I still remember what it is like to be an only child.

My brother was born on January 3^rd, 1993.

My mother’s name begins with S.

My father’s name begins with S.

My brother’s name begins with S.

My name begins with L. Go figure.

I attended Kindergarten at a Montessori School.

I spent first grade through fourth grade at a private Catholic School.

I spent fifth through eighth grade at a public school.

I spent high school at a private Catholic School.

I worked in a restaurant during my Junior and Senior year of high school.

I spent college at a public university.

I graduated with a bachelor’s in Liberal Arts.

I have always been close with my parents.

I moved to Los Angeles, CA for 8 months with my best friend.

I’ve worked in retail several times and, although I hate it, I am really good at it.

I went to beauty school to become an esthetician and a make-up artist.

I found out I am Type 1 Diabetic at the age of 24.

I was a nanny for one and half years.

I met the love of my life through a mutual friend.

We are no longer friends with her, but we are still together.

I found a wonderful, full time job with Benefits (necessary with T1D).

I moved in with my boyfriend and we couldn’t be happier.

We got our first Christmas Tree, real Christmas Tree, together this year.

I have recently started building a relationship with God again, and it makes me very emotional.

I love music, movies, ice cream, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

I have been told I am an artist, but I say I’m more of a crafter.

I love to be clean and organized.

Blog Challenge.

Good morning folks!

It is a new year, a new me, and a new blog!

I was trying to think of something I could do to start my blog off strong!

What better way then to work through a 31 day challenge that allows me to talk on several topics and offer a true sense of who I am as a woman, person, heart, soul in this world.

I already posted my introduction but I wanted to dive right in.

When I am excited about things, I need to go full force into it! And blogging feels like something I will really enjoy.

So welcome to my 31 Day Blog Challenge! January has 31 days, so I am going to do a blog post a day for 31 days. Here is a list of days and what I will be writing on! Feel free to link your own blog or any challenges you have done. I am always happy to chat and make new friends.

31 DAY BLOG CHALLENGE (found here):
Day 1: Tell Your Life Story in 300 Words or Less
Day 2: 5 Super Cool Things About Your City or Town
Day 3: Favourite Quotes or Song Lyrics
Day 4: 20 Facts or Things About You
Day 5: 9 Guilty Pleasures
Day 6: 5 Random Acts of Kindness That Inspire You
Day 7: 5 Recommended Reads (These can be books, websites, blogs etc.)
Day 8: Discuss Something You Have Read Online & Link to It
Day 9: Tell Us About An Interesting Documentary You Have Watched
Day 10. Dinner Party Wish List (Anyone dead, alive or fictional )
Day 11: React to This: Letting Go
Day 12: 5 Amazing …(Songs, films, artists, books, websites etc.)
Day 13: 5 Spectacular ….(As above, but choose a different category)
Day 14: 5 Things You Can’t Live Without
Day 15: 5 Things That Make You Uncomfortable
Day 16: 5 Best Things About Being a Woman or Man
Day 17: 5 Film or TV Shows You Would Recommend & Why
Day 18: Something You Find Fascinating
Day 19: Favourite Faery or Folk Tale
Day 20: React to This: Positivity
Day 21: Finish This Story in Under 500 Words:
              The flash of light momentarily blinded him, and he wondered how it had all come to this.
Day 22: What Do You Miss (Person, place, thing or time in your life)
Day 23: 5 People Who Inspire You
Day 24: Things You Made (This can be a craft, piece of art, website, film, music video, song, poem etc.)
Day 25: 5 Favourite Blogs & Why You Love Them
Day 26: Happiness Tips: Spread the Joy Around
Day 27: In Pictures: Things that Inspire You
Day 28: 5 Pieces of Advice to Your Younger Self
Day 29: How You Have Changed in the Past 5 Years
Day 30: 5 Things You Achieved in the Past Year
Day 31: 5 Goals for the Next 12 Months

Welcome.

Diabetes is not a fun condition to deal with. It is hard, complicated, and has no cure.

BUT!!

That doesn't mean that we can't work on making things a little bit better in other areas!

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in October 2012.

Between then, and now, I have done so many things that are Diabetes related, and so many more wonderful things that have nothing to do with Diabetes.

I felt like this coming year was a great time to start whining blogging about my journey. I have been through a lot, and there are still so many more things to come.

I need to be held more accountable for myself: my health, my heart, and my life. I need to take better care of Lindsey, and put less care in what other people think about me. I am me. I can't apologize for that.

 

 Happiness isn't always a choice. At least, I don't believe so. I think there is a lot to be said for people who make their own happiness. It is hard to be happy in a world such as ours. There are so many things that bring us down; so many negative things that affect us every single day. And, as humans in this world, we are conditioned to look at the negative and dismiss the positive. 

An example I always use: when I get together with my girlfriends and we start talking about our significant others {whether they are girlfriends, husbands, boyfriends, or fiances}, it tends to center around things they have done to wrong us.

"He didn't take out the trash!"

"She left dirty dishes in the sink for 2 days!"

"He hasn't surprised me with flowers in months!"

"He spends so much time on video games!"

And the list continues on and on.

However, when was the last time they we praised the person we share our heart with? It is so much easier to commiserate with our friends about wrongs, and feels so foreign, strange, and sometimes shameful to share all the wonderful things about them.

"He came in after I was asleep, and held me."

"She called to see if she needed to bring home dinner."

"We ate Oreos and shared the milk after we made love."

These are the things we need to share. Spread goodness, hope, and love. It feels so much better to share the good, without sharing the bad.

I have been very guilty of this since I was diagnosed. Having T1D sucks. It isn't a Ferris Wheel of Fun to have to constantly be aware of food, stresses, exercise, environment, the time, supplies, etc. The Diabetic Life isn't something that I would wish on anyone.

HOWEVER!!

Just because it is THE BIGGEST PAIN IN THE REAR END a challenge, doesn't mean it has to be an excuse for me to use at will. It is a very real condition that I am faced with, and it isn't anyone's fault. It is simply something that I need to alter my life style for.

The guilt comes in when I use it as an excuse for things that I should NOT use it for. 

My friends plan something I am not interested in. My blood sugars are too high, I'm not feeling well.

I want to eat something I know I shouldn't. I need to eat because I am diabetic.

Gym time is important. I didn't eat properly and my blood sugars will get weird.

I might as well just claim I am in a vegetable state and can't be bothered with anything.

{Please don't misunderstand! I know these are all legitimate issues that we all, as T1Ds, face. But just because they DO happen, doesn't mean I should use them as an excuse in they AREN'T actually happening. I am the girl who cries Diabetic.}

 

Where is this blog post going? I don't quite know. I am COMPLETELY new to blogging. I think this post is just to get me over the threshold. It start the blog, and then from here, I am make this exactly what I envision. Everything starts out a little awkwardly, and then when we know better, we do better. 

[Maya Angelou paraphrased quote]

My small thing, that I want to do in a great way, is open up my soul, my life, and my journey to you. There isn't a TON of resources. I mean there is a lot of research out there. There is a lot of help out there, dos and don'ts, and things like that, but there isn't a lot of support from diabetics living for diabetics.

ESPECIALLY Type 1. The struggles are real, and my friends don't know what I need, and the support I need. Shoving medical advice in my face, or worse... Hard candy when I am high! **CRINGE**

I appreciate the thought, and I usually just smile and say thank you. But communities of people who know exactly what it means to have a low or a high, or people who love chocolate cake, but never know how to dose insulin for it. Bouncing diets and snacks, and just sharing the highs and lows (literally and figuratively) of Type 1 Diabetes.

 

Isn't this little girl adorable?

And she is so right. 

Diabetes aside (because that always needs a plan.), this is something that people need to do a little bit more. The most pertinent example I have is love. For me, all the cliches about it happening when it happens ended up being true. But it goes with anything. When you want something SO MUCH, you lose sight of everything around you. So, we all need to take a step back sometimes, breath a little, trust the universe, God, yourself, fate, destiny, the stars, and you are more free to see what happens.

 

So with all this ramblings, I would just like to say, WELCOME. I am so glad you are here. I am hoping this will be a place to talk about my diabetes, but also to talk about my life.