Bring On Lemons

Good evening! Yesterday I was putting the finishing touches on the laundry room remodel. I was thinking how much easier things are if you're organized. For the most part I feel like I'm pretty organized (of course there's always those one or two drawers or closets, but really...I said 'organized' not 'super human'). Long story short, I was thinking about a dresser, where you keep underwear in one drawer, socks in another, and blouses folded neatly in yet another drawer. In keeping with that analogy, my blogs is a dresser with disorganized drawers. My books and poetry are intermingled with my personal stories, business tips, and musings. As I learn more about search engine optimization, key words, and publishing in general I am realizing that if I want to be fair to my readers, followers, and myself - I need to organize the dresser. Now you'll be able to go to three different drawers/blogs for three different areas I am open to sharing. Here's the s...

Oh yes! You heard me right - "Every Mom Needs a Phone Booth". Why? you may be wondering... ??? When I was a girl, Superman was a famous super hero who was synonymous with a phone booth. If you asked Superman followers "where does Clark Kent change into Superman?" most of us would answer quickly and tell you that he changed in a phone booth. My love of Superman didn't last long and I do not claim to be the expert on superheroes or Superman. I do however claim to be a bumbling idiot when it comes to being an adult. I don't say that because I want your pity - I say it because I am simply doing the best I can under the circumstances and when it comes to being a wife and mother, I'm usually just happy to have made it to bedtime without a visit to the ER. I no longer consider it a maternal crime to put children to bed in day clothes, and I've been known to allow macaroni and cheese for breakfast. Those examples may give you a clearer idea of why 'b...

"As the winds of change began to blow, she braced herself for the inevitable. The future belonged to her and she could taste it. It was sweeter than anything she had delighted in before." Crystal This quote is my gift to you. If you are familiar with this blog, you may have read a previous post titled: Why A Lemonade Attitude Is A Must Have about the lemons to lemonade analogy where I explain that those lemony situations in life are nothing more than little moments of transitions or catalysts of change if you prefer to think of them that way. They are moments that make you question things, and they may even make you uncomfortable ... but in the end, you are a changed person (with a glass of lemonade - in keeping with the analogy). I challenge you to think about the above quote each morning before you get out of bed. If you journal each day, maybe this is something you want to write at the top of the page as a reminder. When you find yourself concentrating on life's p...

You and yours are invite to join in the fun! My Funny Valentine Celebration When: Friday, February 15th  Time: 7:30-10pm Where: Brake Coffee Shop 1200 Washington Street Two Rivers, WI 54241 920.794.4544 Details:   7:30pm - Doors Open 7:30pm - Musical Entertainment Begins With Musical Sensation Rebecca Markvart  8:15pm - Laughter Brought To You By Liysa Callsen  9pm - Cake from Cravings & Kristy's Kakes donated by Relax Consulting  &                     presentation of gratitude by Brake Coffee  9:30pm - Thank You Raffle with gifts donated by local businesses including: Avon by Shauna Jenkins-Olivera Thirty-One Gifts by Victoria Hrudka  MaryKay Cosmetics by Cathy Hansen Motivation For This Event: "I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap." ~Ani Di Franco This event was created ...

Historian and writer, Bill Copeland is said to have given the following advice: "Try to be like the turtle - at ease is your own shell." Bill was also the author of several books (Ashes to the Vistula, and the Secret People's Trilogy) and poems which include a collection of Holocost Poems including the following titles that are particularly moving: The Ravine Nothing To Fear Wiggling Earth Selection Bill held a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Georgia but did not begin writing until a decade before his death. He suffered a heart attack and underwent bypass surgery - it was at that time that his writing began. He was recognized by the National Writer's Association and in 2008 was nominated by the Georgia Writer's Association for the Georgia Author of the Year Award. Bill passed away October 10th 2010 after an extended illness. Now that we know a bit about the man who we credit for the quote, let's look at the qu...

A friend posted the following quote on Facebook this evening: "She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails." I've also read these words paired with gorgeous backgrounds and nautical themes on Pinterest and sites specializing in motivational quotes. If you aren't familiar with the quote, or it's author, you might just think that it's one woman talking about another woman. Possibly a girlfriend with amazing strength and character being described by a long time friend or lover. There is so much more to this story, and it dates back to the 2009. Maybe you don't recall, or maybe you're too young to recall the book this quote originally appeared in or information about it's author. It's a story worth visiting, so here is a VERY abbreviated version. I would encourage you to read more and will include some links at the end of the article that will point you in the direction of more detailed works. ...

Gelato Virgin No More 27 hours ago I was a gelato virgin. I had heard of it; my impression was that gelato was a term given to ice cream so they could charge an arm and a leg for it. I didn’t even know if there was milk in it, and I didn’t care to find out. For me, gelato ranked right up there with Manolo Blahnik shoes – nice to look at, but I would never spend the money … http://www.facebook.com/BrakeCoffeeShop My gelato world was turned upside down yesterday. I walked into an adorably quaint coffee shop (see picture to right) slash bike shop in my hometown of Two Rivers, Wisconsin.  Everything was warm and inviting for both my four year old son and myself. There were books and periodicals to peruse, bikes of every size and color to look at, a few different games to play (including chess), and then my eyes were drawn to the cooler. I think I was drawn in that direction because of the large furry man standing behind it. With his jovial smile and twinkling eyes, he qui...

A friend recently told me about her worrying problem. We all worry, but it seems that she worries about worrying. Her physician had recommended a particular book and when we talked about it, I told her to buy the book because it's the type of thing you don't just read once. As I was searching for the book on the internet, I came across many book and article titles giving a certain number of easy steps to a positive attitude, a certain number of days to a positive self image, and the list goes on and on. It seems if you have any type of problem at all, someone has some steps you can take to rid yourself of the problem. If it really were that easy, don't you think we would all be frolicking in the daisies laughing with childlike glee? All of the therapists, life coaches, psychologists, etc.. would be out of business if there truly were just a few steps needed to change your life. It's no different than the belief that a few pills can end an obese lifestyle. Well that...

I recently had the honor and privilege of listening to a book report and learning about the book titled: Vietnam - Book II 'Sharpshooter' by Chris Lynch Below is a link to the Amazon site for the book, as well as the Amazon book description. Just under the book description is a poem I wrote about the book and the main character, Ivan's experience fighting in Vietnam. The poem is titled "No Longer a Child" and is written in the style of Maxwell Bodenheim's famous poem Death http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-2-Sharpshooter-Chris-Lynch/dp/054527026X Amazon book description: Some things are worth fighting for. Of all his friends, Ivan is the only one looking forward to war. That's because he has never backed down from a fight - - especially when it comes to fighting for what's right. He has protected his friends from bullies for years. And now, as war erupts in Vietnam, Ivan wants nothing more than to fight for his country, just as his...

The Manitowoc Chapter of Women in Management announces that applications are available for: Scholarship  & Professional Woman of the Year MANITOWOC, Wis.—Manitowoc Chapter of Women In Management, Inc. announces that application and nomination forms for WIMI’s Manitowoc Chapter Professional Woman of the Year Award and College Scholarship are now available. Forms can be downloaded from the WIMI website: ( www.wimiwi.org ) or can be obtained via e-mail request:  manitowocwimi@gmail.com The Professional Woman of the Year Award recognizes a professional woman who has made significant contributions to her company, employees and community. The award recipient will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Manitowoc Chapter of WIMI. The WIMI scholarship will be awarded to a female college student aspiring to a post-secondary professional, managerial, or entrepreneurial career. Applicants must have completed at least their first year of college wit...

Article Share "10 Things Extraordinary People Say Every Day" by Jeff Haden http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/10-things-extraordinary-people-say-every-day.html This is fantastic. If you don't have the time to read the entire article (attached), here are the 10 Things Extraordinary People Say Every Day: 1) Here's What I'm Thinking 2) I Was Wrong 3) I'm Sorry 4) That Was Awesome 5) You're Welcome 6) Can You Help Me? 7) Can You Show Me? 8) Let Me Give You A Hand 9) I Love You 10) Nothing May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine, and may you always be extraordinary! ~Crystal

Raining on the Inside If you're anything like me, you don't really enjoy crying in front of people. That means happy tears as well as those of pain and sadness. Such an outflow of emotion is something I feel comfortable doing in the shower, and on rare occasion, in front of my husband. This said, if you've seen me cry, I was likely incredible uncomfortable at that moment. If you've seen my cry more than once, you're probably a dear friend or family member (or a stalker with a stool who can see into my bathroom window). I have plenty of emotions, but I prefer to share the happy ones and leave the tears for private. This morning I logged into my social media accounts (since I own a business where I help businesses with social media, I get to call this "work") - so I started 'working' and my news feed was flooded. 1) The mayor's grandfather died 2) A dear friend described herself as "broken" after the death of yet another family...

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Two Rivers Wisconsin invites you to join in a Women's Bible Study of the Book "Pew Sisters" by Katie Schuermann. This will be a 12 week Bible study starting Monday February 4th from 6-7pm being held at: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 3234 Mishicot Road Two Rivers, WI 54241 920.793.1716 Do you know someone who has faces hurts and disappointments in life? Do you ever wonder where God is in that pain? Perhaps you want to know how you can better help a sister in the pew. Look around you. We all have stories to tell of disappointment, suffering, and hurts. Come hear the tremendous stories of your Lutheran sisters from around the country and what God has done in the midst of their struggles. Call or email Sarah Eiden with questions or to sign up: 920.205.8086 saraheiden@gmail.com.  Come for fellowship, and learn how we truly are "pew sisters".

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Two Rivers, Wisconsin has scheduled a Winterfest Get-Together.  When: February 23rd beginning at 1:30pm Where: Meet at the church then head to Parallel 44 Winery in Stangelville Details: Join Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on February 23rd for Winterfest at Parallel 44 Winery. We will meet at the church (3234 Mishicot Road Two Rivers, WI 54241) at 1:30pm and drive to the winery together. There will be samples of wine and gourmet foods as well as live music. Additional beverages and snacks will be available for purchase and winery/vineyard tours will also be happening for your enjoyment. Indoor and outdoor activities will be available, so dress warm to enjoy everything this great facility has to offer. Sign up in the church office, or by calling: 920.793.1716. For more information about the winery:  http://www.parallel44.com/ For more information about Good Shepherd:   http://goodshepherdlcms.com/   or  htt...

Posting this on both of my blogs - because I am feeling so incredibly passionate about it right now! http://relaxconsultingwi.blogspot.com/2013/01/speak-out-against-bullying-and-abuse.html Speak Out Against Bullying and Abuse What would you do if your child came home and told you that someone in their class was being abused or bullied? I bake my worries away, and the first thing I would want to do is pop another chocolate chip in my mouth to give myself some time to think about what to say. The most important thing to do is listen, so whether you pop another chip, or pour yourself a cup of coffee, you should encourage your child to tell you as much about the situation as possible. Once you have the facts as your child knows them, you can make an educated decision about what the next step should be. I’ll be honest with you, when my daughter came home telling me about one of the smaller boys in her class who was being bullied, my gut reaction was: ·     ...

Who doesn't love a family fun project? We really enjoy a project that creates a treat, so we want to share one of our favorites with you. We found the original recipe on line and made some adjustments and changes to suit our family and we now refer to it as "Andre's Caramel Corn Recipe" since he helped me make at least six batches over the holidays. From our family to yours - enjoy! Andre’s Caramel Corn Recipe Ingredients ·          7 quarts plain popped popcorn (we use an air popper) ·          2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional) ·          2 cups brown sugar (we like the dark, but it’s up to you) ·          ½ cup light corn syrup ·          1 teaspoon salt ·          1 cup butter (doesn’t matter if it’s salted or unsalted a...