I came across a great website

https://www.wearyourmusic.com/

It's a pretty cool site. Musicians donate their used strings & Wear Your Music turns them in to jewelry.

Their story:

In the summer of 2004, designer Hannah Garrison was focused on making jewelry from recycled and found objects. Her island studio was also a gathering place for all kinds of people, especially musicians.  Naturally, she began to pick up the refuse they left, and transform it into art – specifically, guitar string bracelets were born. 

Her initial designs were gifted to and purchased by the girlfriends, wives and families of local musicians. After the initial inventory sold, Garrison moved to Mexico to work for a designer there, and the guitar string bracelet idea lay dormant for a  few years.  Then one day, back in NYC, she stumbled upon a Craigslist ad for someone who did interesting things with guitar strings.  All of her ideas came tumbling back.  Alongside the ex-president and publisher of Relix Magazine, the Wear Your Music concept was born: Bracelets made from guitar strings used and donated by acclaimed musicians with the profits going to the charities of their choosing.

Read more here:  Wear Your Music

They were looking for people to blog about music related topics so I volunteered. My first blog post can be found here:

Don’t call 80's Hair Bands Classic Rock

 ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

It's a pretty cool website. You need to check it out!

Find them on instagram & twitter also 

Haiti 2018 - just a playground? Or much more.

This years trip to Haiti was a little different the in the past. First off there were 27 of us so that made for a pretty full house. Secondly instead of building housing we were going to build a play ground at the school. I will be perfectly honest I wasn't too thrilled with this project. Not that the children didn't need this but there are so many other needs that I felt it wasn't important. But, God, of course knew better than I and the end result was blessings all around. 

Do you see those smiles? Too bad you weren't there to hear the laughter and all the fun they were having. It was contagious. 

God's ways are much bigger than anything we can imagine. I should have known he would use a playground for His glory. 

Haiti 2017

Once again my trip to Haiti has come and gone. But, my emotions are still running high. When I first arrived this year I felt so comfortable...that feeling you get when you finally go home. Almost too comfortable. Then I remembered that I had prayed that I never become this comfortable because I don't want to forget why we go. We don't go to just build housing or bring presents for the Haitians. We don't go to feel good about ourselves or put another notch in our missions belt. 

We go because of this:

This isn't a photo of an abandoned home...this IS someone's home.

 Children live here. They play here.

 Mother's do their laundry here among the piles of trash.

 Haitians live here. 

This isn't fake news...this is real.

I stood in the center of this and I cried. 

I cried for the mothers who have to endure this daily, the children that have no where else to play but in a trash pile right next o an open well.

The well is directly behind these two children

This area is lower than the alley that you walk on to get to this living area called Bethel. So, when it rains this fills like up a bowl with trash & waste water. Meaning the well has been completely contaminated. There are buckets next to the well attached to rope so someone is using this water for something.

Bethel I & II will be the next project we are involved in. It will be slow going because there is demolition as well as rebuilding. To add to it there are families living in these homes that we can't displace. So, the work has to be done one living space at a time. Once complete these people will have a beautiful place to live. 

But, what about the rest? MANY people live like this in Haiti, many people go days without food, fresh water is hard to come by, jobs are hard to come by.  I pray for the Haitians and I pray for God to show us what else we can for these people. 

Why Haiti? Why not right in my own back yard? Because God has placed this nation on my heart. He has given me a passion for these people. The poorest American has it better than the people of Haiti. 

While driving around the city of Cap-Haitian you get to see a lot of things. People rummaging in garbage for food remnants. And, Haiti's garbage isn't like our garbage. America's garbage is 'clean' compared to the piles of garbage laying in waste water that you have in Haiti.

 Trash is piled on the streets

This water is running out from the pile of trash. 

My heart aches each time I leave. I feel as though I am not doing enough. Once a year I go with our group do some work and hope & pray it helps someone. Throughout the year I pray for this nation & look for more opportunities to help. Please join me in my prayers.

Haiti 2016 - Part 2

A friend used the quote above to help encourage me! I love it! 

The first time I went to Haiti the sites and sounds were overwhelming. There are people, motorcycles & other vehicles all over. People talking, laughing, yelling! Horns blowing on either side of you as they are signaling they are passing you. The smells of open sewer and garbage hit you like nothing you ever experience in America.  The sun is usually shining and the heat of the day hits you, which being from Iowa and it is January, you will get NO complaints from me! It was all foreign and new to me. 

The second time I went everything was a bit more familiar but, still foreign and somewhat new.

This third visit...it was like coming home. The sun, the heat, the sounds and the dirt and dust.

As things become more familiar I pray I don't get complacent and become numb to my surroundings. I need to remind myself that behind the smiles of the Haitians there is poverty. Extreme poverty. Most of them have nothing and others have less than nothing. Jobs are almost non existent.

When you drive around the city you see lots of people heading in all different directions. I am not sure where they always have to go but, go they do. As you look you see all the trash and sewage. It is heart breaking. You see people taking sponge baths outside of their homes. Laundry, that has all be washed by hand, is hanging from anything standing still, from roof tops to cactuses.

The homes are pieced together with whatever they can find.

The trash is every where. Along the streets & buildings.

On the sidewalks.

Even in the bay.

Some people keep mission work in a tidy little box and feel it is worthless if it doesn't fit in the box they have created for it. But, there are MANY ways to serve the Haitians. Applying a new coat a paint may seem like silly work for a missions team but, when you see the joy in the ladies eyes because they now have a place to call home they can feel proud about...it doesn't seem so silly! Repairing bunk beds at a church camp might not seem so mission minded but, the day that the young Haitians come to that camp and have a fabulous time near the ocean doing something besides playing in the dirt...so worth it! Mission work can even be done from home. Raise some money for toiletry supplies. A friend of mine crochets and she is going to crochet dish cloths that we can take down and pass out to the ladies. Save money to give to the church so they can buy food for the homeless and starving people. Send gently used clothing and shoes. For a child to attend school it costs about $30 American dollars which, I believe, includes their uniform..support a child or two! When the average Haitian wage for a family is $2 a day someone taking are of the school fee will go along way for that family.

Here are posts about my 2015 trip

This one was written before my 2015 trip

Haiti Mission Trip 2015- Matthew 25:40

This one was written after (I never did a part 2 like I intended)

Thoughts from my Haiti Trip 2015 - Part 1

Haiti 2016-emotions

I have just returned from a week long mission trip to Cap-Haitian, Haiti. My emotions are high, I feel like I could just break down and cry. I missed my family and I am glad to be back home with them. But, on my drive to work today I wondered what my purpose for this day was. I go to my job and I sit and do my work. It isn't life altering work, just pushing paper.

Last week I was helping to fix a leaking roof on the Pastor's home so that other people could sleep in that room and serve our Lord in Haiti. Last week I saw the poorest people in the Western hemisphere go through their days with smiles on the faces because we were there working side by side with them to make repairs they don't have the means to do on their own. I am not always skilled at the jobs that need done but, I am able to hand tools & supplies where they are needed or learn how to do a new skill to help finish a job. I helped paint people's homes so that they feel a sense of pride in their tiny little homes. I was able to share a smile, a hug, hold a hand in solidarity with people who truly appreciate the work we were doing.

Now, I am back in the States with all my 1st world problems and it makes me sick. I would happily be right back there without hot water and intermittent electricity, no social media, no coffee shops on each corner, just as long as there are jobs to do to help others. People get after me for not helping more in the States. It is something you will never understand until you go to a 3rd world country. Even the poorest American has it better than these people.

I keep trying to put into words all that is weighing on my heart. To try and explain the inner turmoil I am experiencing. When I try to tell people the ideas I have they just sit quietly, probably thinking I am crazy for having these thoughts or they say negative things about why it just won't work. I don't understand why these things won't work. I am a person who would rather be doing than talking about doing. To make plans, set goals and get busy working on them. I am at a loss as where to start with this.

I believe God has called me to serve Him. Whether it is locally or abroad I feel Him pulling me to help others. Is what I am doing enough? I don't think so. I am going to start with prayer. I am going to search my heart and find out where God wants me to start. I just don't think one week a year is enough.

Trim Healthy Mama eating plan

I have been struggling with my weight for quite some time. Actually since I had a hysterectomy and was then in surgical menopause. I have tried lo-carb, weight watchers, myfitness pal & other ways to drop some pounds. Things just aren't working!

So, my SIL introduced me to TRIM HEALTHY MAMA! She had lost 20# in 3 months. I thought I would try it and see how it goes.

Well, three weeks in and I have lost 10#. And, not only that I have so much more energy! I don't hit a wall at 3pm. I eating and I am FULL. I am so excited about this new eating plan.

There is a lot of info online but, I recommend buying the plan book & the cook book to start.

Click links below to order via Amazon.

The recipes are easy to prepare. My family is even enjoying the supper time meals with me as well. I will be posting more about this fabulous new to me, eating plan! 

No sew Christmas tree skirt!

I had issues finding a tree skirt that I really liked. After searching online, Then I found this TUTORIAL so I could make one instead of purchasing one. 

I purchased this FELT on Amazon, which is no longer available. Here are several other options on Amazon. 

I made my flowers a bit larger and then coated them with shimmering paint. It was super easy and I LOVE the way it turned out!!

The blog where I got this tutorial is awesome, with so many fun ideas! Be sure to check her out!!

LIVE LOVE DIY

Fall Leaves Printables

I have been searching online for about an hour for the perfect printable leaves to add to my fall banner!! I FOUND THEM!!! via 

http://www.intimateweddings.com/

LOOK AT THEM!!!

Link here:

http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-printable-leaf-place-cards/

She has a tutorial on how to make them into place cards! Neat idea!

I am going to use them for a banner for my mantle. (I will link later)

I just had to share her site because I am so excited about these dang printable leaves! :)

I hope you visit her site and see what else she has! I am already married but, there are some fabulous ideas on her site!

RED BULLETIN NORMAN REEDUS GIVEAWAY!!

Find how you can win via my TUMBLR account

http://wouldnormanreedus.tumblr.com/post/126877127973/the-red-bulletin-featured-norman-reedus-on-the

Rayna Sunset - a story of love & heartache

On June 30th I became a grandma or Gigi as I like to be called. It was a day of great joy for our family. Then almost a month later I received an email from our church that described a different outcome of a day that should have been the same joyfilled day as we had. For whatever reason God called this little girl home. We know that God's way is perfect but, that doesn't do anything to ease the pain we experience. My heart goes out to this family. I am sharing the mother's post (with permission) about her sweet angel in the hopes that it will help others dealing with the same heartache.

Our lives forever changed two weeks ago. On July 25th, while visiting my family in Iowa, I wasn't feeling our normally very active baby moving. We then went into the hospital as a precaution, where we found out our baby of 33 weeks did not have a heartbeat. After being induced into labor, we delivered Rayna Harlan Lindberg on July 27th at 9:26 am. She was 4 lbs 7 oz and 17 ¾” long... tall like her daddy and as beautiful as her mommy (according to Nick).

She is named Rayna because she was a ray of sunshine in our lives. Before we went to the hospital, there was an amazing sunset on the farm. Looking back, we think this was Rayna saying goodbye to us. Now, every time we see the sunset, we think of our Rayna. She was born in Harlan, IA, at the same hospital I was born in. We were blessed to have so many family members nearby, and many small town (and small world) touches made it clear that if our little girl had to die, we were in the right place... hence her middle name.

The past couple weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions, each day bringing its own set of challenges. Nick and I are parents now, and we will always treasure the time we had with Rayna, and we want to talk about our daughter. We are also aware we are not alone in having lost our baby before she could take her first breath, that 1 in every 160 pregnancies ends in stillbirth. We hope sharing our story can be of help to others.

Our ask of you is:
1) Pray for the two of us and our families so we may find comfort in the midst of our grief
2) If you know someone who also has gone through this, give them a hug, send them an email, say a prayer for them... you never know how much you might be helping
3) Take pictures of sunsets and send them to us or post them using ‪#‎raynasunset‬ to help us remember Rayna's brightness.

A mutual friend posted this on the mother's FB wall and it was so touching I had to share 

(with permission, of course)

There were swaths of bended colored sky

The day baby Rayna said goodbye.

Clutch your heart and look up high

And warm your face til your tears are dry.

‪#‎RaynaSunset‬ From Toronto Island. From our hearts to yours.

GM Diet

I have been in a rut with my weight loss. I am eating better, working out and walking with NO results! Ok, some results but the scale isn't moving! VERY frustrating. I did some research and found that 'rebooting' your system may help. I found the "GM" diet and again did more research. It is extreme but at the same time I found a lot of good info about this program.

So, I am here at 3:30 on the first day. 

I have eaten cantaloupe, strawberries, cherries, grapes and a nectarine. And, so far drank tons of water. Luckily the bathroom at work is downstairs so I have gotten in A LOT of extra steps just running back and forth to the restroom!

I always hit a wall about this time and today is no exception. I only had a bit of coffee this morning instead of the pot I usually drink so that may have something to do with it :)

If you don't know what the GM diet is GOOGLE it or search it on PINTEREST. Or read my  interpretation below:

Day 1 consists of ONLY fruits, no bananas and tons of water

Day 2 consists of a baked potato w/ 1 pat of butter in the morning and then veggies for the rest of the day, again with tons of water. 

Day 3 veggies and fruits all you can eat and WATER
Day 4 up to 6 bananas and 3 cups of milk and super soup (recipe to follow)
Day 5 beef & tomatoes & soup
Day 6 20oz beef & veggies
Day 7 Veggies, rice & fruit juice

Day 1
So, as I said above day one was all fruit. I ate and ate and felt guilty for all that I ate! By evening I was really wanting a hot meal instead of cool fruit. So, I got creative and grilled a nectarine. I brushed it w/ some honey, figuring natural sugar is natural sugar! Right? I did consume about 12.5 cups of water this day.

They say if you eat mostly watermelon & cantaloupe for the first day you can lose 3#. Well, I can't stand watermelon so that wasn't an option for me! But, maybe you can do that!

DAY 2
I weighed in and didn't lose any. But, I wasn't sure that I would anyway.
This day was hard for me. I am not sure if I just wasn't creative enough or if it was the fact that my daughter was in labor for my first grandchild! :)
This day started w/ a baked potato and 1 pat of butter. I was excited for this...but, it turns out, I am not a baked potato for breakfast person. I LOVE baked potatoes but starting my day out this way wasn't good for me. I ate as much I could tho.
I packed zucchini and carrots. And, I sauteed some cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, carrots in some water and added Mrs. Dash for flavor. DELISH!
I was really struggling for things to eat on the go today. I went to the store and found low sodium V-8. It was surprisingly satisfying. I know tomatoes are a fruit but I figured it was loaded w/ other veggies and would be fine. I drank two of these today.
I really didn't eat a lot this day because I was in and our of the hospital all day. But, did consume another 12.5 cups of water.

Day 3
I weighted in...down 3#!! woot woot
Today is all the veggies & fruit!
I had fruit for breakfast.
For lunch I had a meeting and was worried I wouldn't find anything I could eat. Luckily it was a locally owned organic eatery. I ordered a kale salad and it had strawberries & grape tomatoes. I used raspberry vinegar for dressing. This was delicious! I would have preferred some other greens in w/ the kale but I ate this was full.
I snacked on raw fruits and veggies.
For supper  I had more of the sauteed veggies from yesterday. Mrs. Dash is definitely a good friend during this diet!

Day 4
Bananas & Milk! I am not a huge fan of either so I was dreading this day! BUT...I sliced up the bananas and put them in the milk for breakfast and pretended I was eating cereal! Not to bad. Then I had a thought...I can have black coffee AND milk...coffee+milk=latte. So, I frothed a 1/2 a cup of milk made some strong black coffee and boy was this a treat!!
Today you can also consume some of the super soup.
I wasn't able to eat 6 bananas but I did eat 4 (2 in the milk) and had two of my lattes and 1 bowl of soup. I was surprisingly full this day!
Also 12.5 c of water.

Day 5
Weighed in...down 5#!!!
Today is BEEF & tomatoes. BE CAREFUL if you have acid reflux. I ate a lean burger for breakfast. I had a steak and 3 tomatoes for lunch!! OUCH! I was in so much pain! I drank a lot of water before and after to try and reduce the acid...but it didn't work! You can eat soup this day and I read that watermelons can take the place of the tomato...but, remember I don't like watermelon!!! Just be cautious! I had another lean burger for super. More water this day!!

Day 6
Down 6#!!!
My mom was in town and we did get a latte at my friends coffee shop. But, only two shots of espresso and milk in the smallest cup...NO SUGAR!!
All the beef you want and veggies! Veggies for breakfast. We went out for lunch so I had a salad w/ vinegar and oil dressing. And chicken breast. (I read that you could substitute chicken for the beef)
Lean burger w/ broccoli for supper.
I have to admit, I cheated!! I needed something sweet so bad! I stopped and bought milk duds and ate 10! It was so satisfying! :)
12.5 cups of water

Day 7
HOME STRETCH
No weight change this morning.
Today is one cup of brown rice, veggies and fruit juice. I also read you could eat fruit. So, that is probably up to you. I started out w/ 100% orange mango juice and a cup of black coffee. Drank mostly fruit juice this day but, still a lot of water. Had a salad w/ vinegar and oil for lunch.
Made a kind of fried brown rice w/ veggies for supper.
At the end of this day my whole family made ice cream sundaes! I caved...I ate one too! :)


Day 8
I weighed in just to see and still down the 6#. So, i feel this was a success for me. Even tho I did a few things differently than I read about it worked for me. I didn't ever really feel hungry. I didn't feel exhausted during this week (and it was a busy week around here)

Things I learned about myself and my eating:
I don't need to drink pop.
I can drink more water than I ever thought I could :)
I do much better with a structured meal plan.


SOUPER SOUP RECIPE

64 oz water
2 pkg onion soup mix
Whole head of cabbage, chopped
6 green onions
1 lg white onion
any veggies you want, except potatoes or corn
fresh garlic
herbs & spices of your choosing

I put everything in a soup pot and brought it all to a boil, reduced the heat, covered it and cooked for about 45min.
It is my understanding that you can consume this soup any day of the diet. I only did it days 4-7.
I also found recipes that added tomatoes so you might try that.


It is recommended to wait 3-7 days before doing this same plan again. I will not have to time try it a 2nd time this month. Too many trips and overnight guests.

*****This is only information. I am not saying anyone should do this diet. I am not professing that I know anything about nutrition. I don't need to hear any negatives about trying something like this, you aren't my mother! :) I did this for me and no one else. If you don't like the info here click the X in the top right hand corner. If you have tired this  diet, please, share your stories in the comments.
I would LOVE to hear your experiences!  If you have any questions post them in the comments as well.

don't forget to: