5 New Years Resolutions that you can do right now to save the planet

 Do you still make a new years resolution?

ME TOO!!!!

I love these boho suggestions for new years resolutions that will make the world a better place. The truth is that although it's easy to blame companies for polluting the planet, we are just as much to blame if we continue to buy and/or use their products. There is a way to force change if we stick together and make conscientious decisions as consumers. Here are some ideas for new years resolutions to get us started.

 Go paperless as often as you can. This can include bills (pay your bills online), paper towels (use cloth ones), magazines (go online, most magazines and catalogs now have an online version), paper bags at the grocery ( yes, even those. Use cloth ones or reusable grocery bags instead that you can use over and over again, even the plastic ones are ok for this because many stores now contain recycle bins for these and they are upcycled to new products).  

Thrift

Shop secondhand and thrift stores as often as you can (or when you need something). This is a kind of recycling and if you've never gone into a thrift shop, it can be more fun than you can imagine. The prices are better. You can pretty much find anything you need and are looking for. A lot of the organizations that are associated with thrift shops have amazing community and outreach programs that help community members who are in need of support so you're supporting your community by shopping there also.

Jorisobohodesigns

Recycled mayo jar

Collect your trash with recycling in mind.  As a teacher back in the old days we didn't have big budgets to buy great science kits, I was constantly collecting 'garbage' with the intent of repurposing it as usable stuff in my classroom. Here are some ideas: If you still get those newspaper adds for the stores nearby, and I still do in my mailbox even though I've gone paperless with my bills and other items, the thrift stores always welcome boxes and newspaper for their customers purchases. /When I go to the grocery store, I make a point to buy products packaged in glass containers instead of plastic containers because glass jars can be reused for so many things. For example,  I use my kombucha bottles as water bottles and my jars for my homemade products including food and personal products like my bath stuff. Glass jars have countless uses for crafting and art.

Soap Nuts

Make your own cleaning products. If you haven't discovered soap nuts, let me introduce you: https://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/products/soap-nuts.aspx . This is just one vendor, there are many. I learned about these a while ago and I am amazed at how many products they have replaced in my life. You can actually say goodbye to chemicals for everything that you would use soap or detergents: clothing detergents, dish detergents, shampoo, body products, household cleaners and more, These are just the things I have replaced in the last year, I'm sure there are many more uses. They are all natural and don't hurt the groundwater. They do not even have to be manufactured!! They are a gift from mother nature herself. You can learn about them from this vendor as well as others. They are becoming more and more readily accessible.

Here's a recipe I use for my household cleaner.

32 oz. spray bottle (you can get these at the $store)

3 to 5 soap nuts

3/4 cup of vinegar

3/4 cup of bleach

1 1/2 cups of water

optional: few drops of essential oil for scent.

Make your own bath and beauty products. So many of the hobby shops have everything you need to make your own soap now and it's a really fun project. Now, the melt and pour soaps are readily available and you don't have to wait for your soaps to go through the saponification process because the melt and pour soap has already been through that process. If you prefer to make your soaps by using the cold or hot processes, there are lots of companies that sell those ingredients as well. My favorite is brambleberry.com, they have everything you would need to make your own products, as well as tutorials, recipes, a lye calculator, and lots of other cool stuff to get you started.

If you're already doing all these then please share with us and give us more ideas!!!! It will take a critical mass of us to make the changes that need to be made to help our beautiful planet recover from our inconsiderate missuses of her. In the meantime, HAPPY NEW YEAR!! you beautiful soul you!!

Love and Peace,

Jorisoboho

Are you a first, second or third waver? Spiritual Journey/Journal

To be BOHO is to be spiritual. Are you a first, second or third waver in your spiritual journey?

It is interesting how given enough 'uncluttered' time, you can make some significant discoveries about yourself and life in general. By uncluttered, I mean quiet, contemplative (or not), calm and uninterrupted personal, stress-free time. I think this is why the boho soul tends to be one that meditates, contemplates (maybe not at the same time as meditating necessarily), and is reflective.

 Using that time for those things is great but it's also great to use that time to research what interests you so that you know things and you can learn new things to know.

I mentioned that I recently retired right? (I taught science and math for 33 years to all ages over those years but most of that time was with 4th-7th graders) Well, let me tell you, it's amazing to be this stress free now that I'm retired. This fabulously uncluttered time has afforded me the opportunity to really dig into some of the things I'm interested in and to meditate more so that I can contemplate and reflect more and hopefully know more too. 

Right at the beginning of my 'uncluttered time' I discovered an author whose amazing career is published in her numerous books of her life's work spanning 50 years! Her work is absolutely fascinating, I couldn't put her books down. The way that I found out about her and her work was very organic and just meant to be, and although it was very dense reading, non-fiction (depending on your belief system) and pretty much mind blowing, it was right on time for me to discover. However, because of the nature of her work it is considered to definitely be 'on the fringe', so this resulted in many dismissing her work. But it really resonated with me and changed my whole perspective on life. See if  you have a similar experience. 

The author's name is Dolores Cannon. She was still working on several books when she died in 2014. One of her last books referred to the three waves which her daughter, who is thankfully following in her mother's footsteps due to her training, went on to publish. 

If you know Dolores Cannon, you know she is the founder of QHHT, Quantum Healing Hypno-Therapy. She and her husband received their initial training from the military back in the 1960s and they both went on to be hypnotherapist until her husband was critically injured in a car wreck. She continued the work and soon began to observe patterns and interesting anomalies during her sessions, which were always taped. Before long she was doing past life regression hypnosis sessions with her subjects and the things she learned from these sessions inspired her to profess that she was a seeker of lost knowledge. She later became a healer through a process she developed and then she started her QHHT training school, that she and her daughter ran together up until she passed. She has a huge body of work both online and in her books, and is very well known in her circles. 

The idea of seeking the lost knowledge resonated so clearly with me because it really confirmed my already firm belief that our current body is only a vessel for our soul (because the soul lives forever) and who doesn't want to find out about the lost knowledge? This is not a religious thing for me (and she never presents it this way either) it is spiritual, and a total extension of my career in my retired, newly uncluttered life. I have also found her work to be critically important at this point in time and I wish I could somehow make it required reading for the human population. In addition, I would assign every American human to watch Unacknowledged https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6400614/ and write a book report on Dr. Greer, for the A+. So yes, I'm saying read her books. Suspend your disbelief if you must, but definitely take a look at her work, especially now. 

First, second or third waver, so  what does it mean? Well, I have to give a spoiler alert here for Dolores Cannon's work because you will have to understand some of the core concepts revealed in her 50-year body of work. Unfortunately this will be an oversimplification of her excellent work but this will only be the part that is pertinent to this article.

Core concept 1- Your soul has been around for a long time, we are all part of the One, so your soul is as old as that. That's why we need to love each other, because we ARE all connected and what hurts one, hurts us all. 

Core Concept 2- You have lived many lives, not all human, not all from this planet, not all from this dimension.  

Core Concept 3- Planet Earth is a living entity. AND it is getting ready to go through a shift.

I told you it was mind blowing, go ahead, take a break and get a glass of water if you need to  because it's about to get even more out there/interesting. So what about those waves? It has to do with core concept number 3 and the fact that the Earth is an entity and all entities/souls want to get closer to the One. The way this is accomplished is to move to the next dimension. This is achieved by raising your resonance, your frequency. All things have a resonant frequency, it has to do with our subatomic structure, quantum physics (one of my research interests) has helped us to understand some of this but there's so much more to know. There is scientific evidence that the Earth's resonant frequency has started to increase. Very slightly and slowly but increasing none the less. Now, don't worry, this isn't going to happen immediately because the waves are actually generations of individuals (and there may be more coming). So don't worry, we haven't run out of time yet, but this information may help you to understand yourself better and help you to either cope or find your purpose in this life, or both.

It was revealed to Dolores Cannon by hundreds of subjects from her work, while under hypnosis, that there is to be a major Earth event, one that has never happened before, (which rules out global warming because that has happened many, many times in the past). This event will need support from individuals who have "chosen to come" and assist with the transition. We are talking about souls who have chosen to come to earth at their respective times and either witness the event, or prepare for the event. They have arrived in what Dolores Cannon has called waves, of which there were only 3 at the time of her passing, there may be more to come.

Defining the Waves(Directly quoted from Dolores Cannon's book The Three Waves of Volunteers and the New Earth)

The First Wavers- "The first wave of these souls, in their late 40s to early 60s ( after the dropping of the bomb at the end of the 1940s) now, have had the most difficult time of adjusting. They don't like the violence and ugliness they find in this world and want to return "home" even though they have no idea, consciously, where that might be. Emotions disturb and even paralyze them, especially strong ones like anger and hate. They cannot handle being around people expressing them. These dramatically affect them, as though emotions are foreign to them. They are used to peace and love because that's what they experienced where they came from. Even though these people seem to have a good life, loving family and a good job, many of them try to commit suicide. There seems to be no logical reason, yet they are so unhappy they don't want to be here."  pg. 23-24

The Second Wavers- "The second wave are now in their late 20s and 30s. They are moving through life much more easily. They are generally focused on helping others, creating no karma, and normally going unnoticed. They have been described as antennas, beacons, generators, channels of energy. They have come in with a unique energy that greatly affects others. They don't have to do anything. They just have to be. I have been told that just by walking through a crowded mall or grocery store their energy affects everyone they come in contact with. It is that strong, and of course, they do not realize this consciously. The paradox is that although they are supposed to be affecting people by their energy, they really don't feel comfortable being around people. So many of them stay home secluded, to avoid mixing with the others; even working from their homes. Thus they are defeating their purpose. Many of the first and second wave do not want to have children. They unconsciously realize that children create karma, and they don't want anything to tie them here. They just want to do their job and get out of here. Many of them do not marry unless they are lucky enough to find one of their kind." pg. 24-25

The Third Wavers- "The third wave are the new children, many of whom are now in their teens. They have come in with all the knowledge needed, on an unconscious level. The DNA of everyone on earth is being altered at the present time and changed in order to adjust to the new vibrations and frequencies. But the DNA of the new children has already been altered and they are prepared to proceed with little or no problems. Of course, many of these children are misunderstood by the schools and are sadly being medicated. A recent medical report has now announced that 100 million children have been misdiagnosed with ADHD, and put on Ritalin and other drugs. There is nothing wrong with these children. They are just more advanced and operating on a different frequency. Because they are so intelligent they become easily bored at school. I have been told that they need challenges to keep them interested. This group have been called the "hope of the world." Some of these children are only nine or ten years old and have already graduated from college. They are forming organizations, and amazingly, these are organizations to help the children of the world!!" pg. 25

This information is close to a decade old. But I have realized while working with children and adults of all ages, as a teacher, these ranges are fluid. So although you may fit into a specific category, you will most likely find a wave that resonates with you, If, you are a volunteer and if you discover that you are, let us try to consciously remember that we made the choice to come at this time. This can be accomplished by meditation and following the path that is laid before you.

More to come.........................

New Trends for Christmas

 

Love to craft? Me too!!!

I love to craft during the holidays. I start getting all of these catalogues for the home around Halloween and then it's on, the inspiration arrives and I begin my crafting ritual. It always gives me a sense of, I want it, so if I can make it I can have it and save a whole lot of money, so I win!!!!

 This is my craft table right now.

The Vintage Pastel collection I worked on turned out to be so 'yesterday' 

I really enjoyed the vintage pastel collection I made a few years ago. I decided this would be my theme for this year as well, so I made this wreath to go over my mantle. Then I found these really cute light up iridescent trees at the 99 cent store and these white and hombre pink bottle brush trees at the Dollar Tree. I'm thinking this is going to complement my vintage pastel tree so nicely.

This year's inspiration

Then I fell in love with a new ornament set, which, of course was not vintage pastel. Instead, this inspiration is a fresh new mix of colors and textures.

This ornament set is from Grandin Road and retails for $189.00. I don't know about you, but that's expensive for me. Ok, yes, they are glass blown and imported, true enough. However, I personally prefer shatterproof because I have pets and concrete floors so ornaments will fall off the tree. I would be really upset if any of them got broken especially after paying $189 plus shipping for them. 

This got me thinking, I had so much luck recreating the vintage pastel inspiration set, by collecting and doing a few DIYs, I think I can make or collect this set for much cheaper and I don't have to worry about them breaking. Plus, here's my craft project for the holidays, right?

Easily accessible DIY supplies

Herein lies the challenge. This set includes large finials which I was able to locate on Amazon in the clear but not in the colors. Ok, I thought,  I will paint them, problem solved (I thought). 

Next this set has gold foiling on several ornaments. Dollar Tree has gold foil, so I will foil them, problem solved (I thought). The baubles of this set seem to be much bigger than average sized ones too, but again, Dollar Tree has those so I'll go get a dozen or so of those in various sizes and paint those as well. All of my problems are now solved, or so I thought.

I collected the DIY stuff I would need which included the following:

• clear, shatterproof finials from Amazon
• clear, shatterproof baubles from Dollar Tree
• craft paints in pastel colors ( I can collect the other shiny ornaments of this set)
• gold foil from Dollar Tree
• paint additive to help paint adhere to plastic (there are lots of different kinds, I tried several)
• Mod Podge (shiny or matte, I didn't have shiny so I used matte, but I didn't like it)
• Clear spray paint (shiney)
• gold craft paint

This DIY was fraught with issues

1. Chunky glitter instead of foil

To be honest, this project turned into a 'Is it worth it or not?' situation. First of all, I really didn't like working with the foil. It looked awful to me, the ones in the inspiration set look really nice, but I personally could not recreate it. Instead I used the chunky glitter on the smaller baubles and I liked it much better.

The blue one was my tester bauble so you can maybe see where there is some foil, then there's gold paint on top of that and then I went with the glitter. The other colors only have the glitter, to me they look much cleaner.

2. Not all paints and paint additives are the same.

Painting on plastic can be really tricky too apparently. I tried a variety of craft paints, they were all about the same result except the premixed pour paint. It was the worst. Since I was going to paint the inside of the ornaments I needed something that would flow well but also adhere permanently and dry quickly, the pour paint drained out almost completely, so I don't recommend that kind of paint for this project. Older paints that I had already, didn't work as well, so go ahead and buy new paints for this project. I didn't really notice a difference between cheapo craft paint and more expensive craft paint, so this can save you money as well, by buying the cheaper brand, except for the pour paint, I don't recommend using that for this project.

 I knew I would need an additive also. The ones I tried were: baking soda (to make a chalk-like paint), Elmer's white glue, Mod Podge, and Polycrylic  Protective Finish (a Minwax product). I recommend the Polycrylic mixed into your paint in a 1:1 ratio. You actually don't need a lot of paint for this project, I used disposable mouthwash cups to mix and pour into the baubles. I used droppers to pour the paint into the finials.

3. Drying time took forever

Once painted, you will need to drain the excess paint into a plastic cup or newspaper, or whatever you have. This is where the problem started with all of the other products besides the Polycrylic. Typically too much would drain out and then when I would try to apply a second coat things got gloppy inside the baubles especially when using glue based products like Mod Podge and Elmers.  This mixture also seemed to take way longer to dry than the others too. The baking soda seems to thin out the paint somehow so it didn't work for me at all. 

Since draining is very important you will need to monitor them to make sure that they are still covered with paint inside all over, I had places where paint wouldn't adhere and no matter how many times I turned it to cover the inside, eventually it would drain off again. The Polycrylic prevented this from happening as bad. 

Recommendations:

• You can use chunky glitter as an alternative to foiling, seal them with clear, glossy spray paint
• Use inexpensive, new craft paint
• Use Minwax's Polycrylic as a paint additive in a 1:1 ratio
•  Pour about 2 -3 tablespoons of  paint mixture into ornaments, swirl and drain
• Dry ornaments for several days,
  turn them regularly.

Is it worth it or not?

If you are a crafter like me and you have all of the stuff (and the knowledge) already, then I would recommend making this set. Everything is easily accessible at your favorite craft store or dollar store. If you are thinking about just trying to collect the pieces, I will tell you that I had a really hard time finding baubles in these pastel colors. They just aren't there yet on Amazon or in the stores where I have shopped for them. Or if you can find them, you have to buy 100 pieces of the same color and if you're like me, you already have too many baubles.

The other thing is that with a DIY you will always have to accept some imperfections. This is fine with me if helps me to save money. So, in this case I got more ornaments for less money.

Grandin Roads collection

If you don't have the time but you have the money and don't mind glass ornaments, then I think this is a great set. The only thing to remember is that this is a 20 piece set and I was able to DIY and collect over 50 Pieces for around $75. 

My collection

The striped finials are a collected item. I bought these on sale for 50% off from Hobby Lobby. They are, unfortunately, made of glass. 

What's more environmentally friendly? 

There are so many factors involved; manufacturing, shipping, how many jobs are created by each way of 'getting' them, how do those "jobs"  impact nature. If I were to do an actual analysis, it would probably be more environmentally friendly to buy the glass set. So it would seem that this is a rare instance in which a DIY would have more of a negative environmental impact because of the number of supplies needed and how we have to go about getting them. On the other hand, by DIYing most of my set, I was able to produce more ornaments. What do you think?

Either way, crafting is fun. These ornaments are beautiful and I love my tree this year, it even blends well with my vintage pastel mantle pieces. I hope this was helpful, thought provoking, and inspiring.

Happy crafting. Stay environmentally conscious and have a beautiful holiday season filled with love and joy.

XOXO,

JORISOBOHO

Boho Vacation Inspo

 

It's February and I'm dreaming of a white, sandy beach somewhere to just sit and listen to the waves and collect my thoughts.

 Sounds dreamy huh? Especially since winter is hard on us no matter where we live. So I'm thinking a virtual trip is what we need right now and YOU know that all we have to do is visualize to realize. Remember? That's your awesome super power that you use everyday or if you're still new to this idea, let's do it here and now with our virtual trip. Let me share with you how I get my mind, heart and soul ready for that special getaway. It will be like creating an inspiration board for that dreamy vacation.

It used to be that I would grab whatever time I could and make a couple of cute frocks and some jewelry to go with it so that I would have something special (and unique) to take with me on vacation. But now I find myself making a lot of clothes and jewelry that I want to wear on that sandy beach or cute little restaurant that right now only exists in my mind. I also remember fun vacations I've had in the past while I'm busily sewing and making jewelry so that fun vacation energy is made right into the pieces I am working on. 

You may or may not know that I have a large collection of handmade jewelry that I have shared on Pinterest. I get a lot of inspiration for my projects from there. Here are my latest pieces from this years' Gem Show here in Tucson. These are pieces that will look great with any beachy or coastal outfit. 

This piece has a 3 inch shell and is made with blue agate rectangular beads, mother of pearl flat beads,  white ceramic beads, and lampworked little blue beads. It's a choker / laureate style which would look great over a swimsuit or solid color outfit. I named it the Gom Jabbar because of it's HUGE (3 inches long) dagger-like  pointed shell.

To the right is the beautiful SHE necklace made with moonstone beads of all sizes and shapes and aurora beads in three colors, white, pink and peach. The pendant was so unusual that I went back to buy a tray of them and someone bought them ALL just the day before. I was so sad. She is made of moonstone and is a fertility goddess. I have gorgeous beaded hoops made with moonstone beads to wear with this one. 

Below on the left has three shells trimmed in gold and is made with the squashed Mother of Pearl beads and sea glass beads. 

To the right is my sea glass sand

dollar. It is made with green sea glass beads and aurora beads.

Every summer I make a lot of beach themed jewelry, most of it is posted on Pinterest here: https://www.pinterest.com/jorikonrad/_created/  

All of these are my designs but they're pretty basic. When I wear my jewelry, I love to layer my pieces so when looking on Pinterest at my collection, think layer, layer, layer.  To give inspiration credit where it is due, I have some favorites on Pinterest. I have just come to know about French Kande. Kande Hall, the founder and designer, definitely provides inspiration and examples of great layering. I love the designs and her models look adorable in her style guide where they show how to pair and layer this beautiful jewelry.  Check it out here:  https://www.frenchkande.com/lookbooks 

So now we have the blingy stuff packed , we just need some dreamy outfits to look fabulous in on this vacation of ours. I'm loving these looks right now for fun and fabulous vacationing.

These are all great for all sizes, loose and flowy, large prints or solid colors, they would flatter anyone. These images were taken from Pinterest but I have found lots of patterns that are just like these styles. If you are a sewer you may not even need a pattern for these styles because they are so uncomplicated and flowy which is what we want a vacation to be like, am I right?!                                        

 Vogue pattern V1665 is a lot like the bird pant suit pic, New Look N6736 is like the green leaves pant suit, V 1802 is like the beige dress pic. Even if you're not a sewer these are super easy styles to make. Mimi G is a great resource for learning how to sew with her sewing tutorials, find her here: mimigstyle.com and then break out that sewing machine girl!                                                                                                          

 Most of these styles will require anywhere from 3 to 5 yards depending on how tall you are. I find that after 3 yards, a project is now getting expensive so I buy from the wholesale online fabric shops. Lots of them have free shipping after you spend a certain amount like $50-$100 so that helps. The one I like best is Fabric Wholesale Direct. I have all good things to say about them and they have a great selection with exceptional pricing. 

So now we are planned out and packed, where do you want to go? How about Paris! I have always wanted to go to Paris and see the Louvre, so here we go : https://www.louvre.fr/en/online-tours   Don't forget to check out Versailles while you're there https://artsandculture.google.com/project/versailles  What trip to Paris would be complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower  https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/recreation/virtual-tour-eiffel-tower And where's the beach? Right here baby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cCsoaOwEc4  Or maybe this seaside cafe would be more relaxing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1_3oQ3LoX4   Ok, so we got away for a little while and we were looking fabulous while we did. Now, it's back to planning for the real thing but even if the real thing is out of reach, at least we had this little vacation.                                                   

   Peace and Love dear souls, Jorisoboho

 

Surviving Cancer and Turning 60

 Our body is a vessel for the soul so that we can learn the lessons of love.

"I'm a $100 bill in a 2 cent envelope". This is a line from one of my favorite people to describe how young he still feels even though he's pushing 70 years old.

Personally, I can't believe I'm still here at 60 years old, but I will tell you it really is the best time of my life so far. There are quite a few reasons for this.

 The US is a very work oriented country, and although there is nothing wrong with being productive and a contributor to society, there is also nothing wrong with being who we are and doing what makes us happy.

I had a great career of 33 years during which  time I was recognized and celebrated many times. It was very fulfilling so I don't feel as though I was just working for a paycheck all those years, which is the unfortunate truth for so many. What it did for me was to make sure I was entitled to social security benefits (when I am of age) and provided a pension that helps pay the bills now. But the boho soul knows that life isn't about the pursuit of money. In fact, we're pretty sure that money is the root of all evil, but that's a discussion for another post, even though we started with the metaphor about the $100 bill in a 2 cent envelope. Now is actually the time that the envelop is getting some attention.

The first and BEST thing I did to make 60 so fabulous is I decided to retire early because I worked during the time I had cancer back in  2007-08. I'm still not sure why I felt it was necessary to work through that whole ordeal except for the fact that I was in my 40s and a single mom, so it was for stability I guess. However, as soon as my house was paid off I officially resigned from my job to become an artist and to fully embrace the hippy/boho/Jori that I really am and have always wanted to be.

Financial Transformation

It's amazing the transformation I went through when I finally said, that's it I'm retired now. First of all, my friends were in disbelief and asked me, but how can you do that? Well, it took some planning. When I first started my career, I hired a financial adviser. Someone to take care of my retirement investments for me because I was clueless about that kind of stuff and didn't really want to know about that kind of stuff. However, living in the real world  made it necessary to make financial plans for my future. So a friend of mine (very important to know your financial advisor personally) took over that plan for me through his company and it was one of the smartest moves of my life and has given me an income to float me through until I can collect my social security.

Physical Transformation

One of the first changes I made after retirement was I quit coloring my hair and let my grey take over which I love, love, love. Instead of my usual work/ conservative attire I began to let it be and I have embraced my boho style instead, the boho attitude was always there. I feel like I am free at last to LIVE the life I was meant to have.  Another thing that was instrumental for my physical transformation and something that shocked me to learn after I retired was that apparently I am a nervous eater. When I became stressed I would comfort myself with food. But I'm not talking about sitting in front of the TV with a carton of ice cream, I'm talking constant snacking on nuts and veggies and fruit and sweets (mostly chocolate). It sounds harmless but if it's constant all day long, then as in my case, it kept about 20 pounds of extra stress weight on me at all times. I used to comfort myself with shopping, but you can only house so much stuff until that becomes stressful, not to mention that there was a price tag involved so that wasn't a healthy option either. I am not someone who can go for a walk or commit to some kind of work out regimen either because I have a wrecked knee, (which I will tend to soon, I'll keep you posted.)  So I stopped shopping and started creating. I began to read new and interesting things. I started listening to the kind of music I like, which got me up to dance, A LOT. I was SO busy with new pursuits that I didn't eat constantly and I dropped  weight like crazy.

I also started cooking at home for most meals. Going out became a special event, a date night kind of thing with all that goes along with date night, which made going out really fun. Making dinner at home became special too because my husband (the Bohemian) is a fabulous cook, he makes international dishes that are interesting and unique so even cooking at home was somehow transformed.  We always have a pot of soup available, this usually becomes a quick lunch or is served with dinner. So stress was removed from meal time because it is something we do together over cocktails and music. Doesn't that sound fun!

One of my favorite fun new hobbies has also contributed tremendously to my happiness and health. Following my cancer diagnosis 15 years ago I decided to make my own skin care products and this has been a game changer. I have learned about what ingredients were used in ancient times and what items are used today to nourish and protect skin without using harsh chemicals or things our bodies don't need. I can tell a difference in how I feel overall after leaving store bought skincare products on the shelf. I use natural products now to enhance my look and how I care for my body. 

A couple of other new things I added to my 'retired' lifestyle. I eat breakfast everyday. I'm talking eggs and cheese and bread and hash browns, sometimes bacon, sometimes fruit. I probably have a 1000 calorie breakfast everyday. Here's why, I am not hungry during the day because I had this great breakfast so I don't snack anymore. Sometimes I'm still full at lunch time so I eat something lighter for lunch, like bone broth soup or a green salad. Then when supper time rolls around I am ready for a healthy, balanced meal, but I never eat until I can't move. If I over eat I can't sleep. During meal times I eat until I don't feel hungry anymore but I no longer eat until I'm miserable., which is something I used to do. Your body will tell you, ok, you're good now. Anything more will be misery for you. Listen to your body. If you're popping prilosec  to get over your misery, you are using chemicals for something that you have control over.

Kombucha, my daughter said that kombucha was too much of a trendy fad for her, to which I say BS!!!!! Who cares what people think about what you're eating and drinking, you have to know what works for you!!! Since I started drinking kombucha I'm so regular. What more could you ask for? I use my little squatty potty step and I eliminate like a champ everyday. I feel so good now that I have gut health, all health is based on gut health, it is true.  I'm so sorry for all those impacted people, when the answer is available.  I know medications can bring that on. I take nothing. I never have. I don't even take aspirin. I know many people have to take medications but unless you are prescribed meds. Don't, just don't. I'm not a naturopath but humans have survived for millennia without big pharma. I'm not saying quit taking your meds,  I wouldn't be here today if  it hadn't been for the cancer drugs I was given to save me. But I will tell you that I live everyday with the side effects of those drugs. In other words, I am here but the quality of life that I have is compromised by those drugs and their side effects. The crazy thing is, they tell you up front that those drugs will do those awful things to you. Shouldn't we be looking for alternatives too? Such as ancient medicines that used herbs and various other natural ingredients? A lot of modern medications are developed to mimic natural ingredients, so think about that the next time you pop a chemical for what ails you.

Spiritual Transformation

I started meditating, this has also been a game changer. I'm still learning how to do it but I have already had some experiences that have enhanced my spirituality. I'm not afraid to die anymore because I believe that this isn't all there is. I look forward to being reunited with my loved ones who have passed. My whole life philosophy has changed due to this one activity. I highly recommend it for anyone who is seeking inner peace. It works because it teaches us to be still and  listen, something that most of us are too busy to do.

I began to seek ancient lost knowledge which led to a plethora of new age ideas and books which has facilitated a sort of spiritual awakening. There's so much to know and learn. One author in particular has shared her entire 50 year career in her writings which are focused on seeking lost knowledge through the use of regressive hypnosis therapy. These books are fascinating and the revelations within them have really changed my whole outlook on life and how I view my purpose here on Earth. 

I research everything now. I don't take things at face value anymore there's just too much BS out there but there are nuggets of truth out there too, even unbelievable truths. Researching things that I'm interested in has been an unexpected pleasure. Taking all of the pieces together and looking at the big picture has been an AHA moment for me.

 I don't watch the news anymore. I don't stick my head in the sand but I will not be "led" by an unscrupulous media that is in the pocket of whoever is paying the best to indoctrinate the masses with their agenda. I remember having a conversation with one of my dearest friends with whom I just happen to disagree with politically. To my shock he said, "why don't you watch the news so that you know what's going on?' I just had to laugh and replied " because I can see what's going on without being told by the media what is going on". I use my own sources and I check them all. I use my own mind to make my decisions about what is right and wrong, I don't have to get my ideas from the media.

My parents, yes thank goodness they are still with me here on earth, came from a time when the news was an ethical business, it's not anymore. My daughter tells me I'm 'croning' which is wicken I guess, because I know things. I'm beginning to see the truth because I seek the truth. 

So turning 60 hasn't been a bad thing, it's been an awesome thing for me. I'm finally free to know me and my world and I love us both now, more than ever. I'm not afraid to die but I feel that I have a lot to still give and share to help us all make the transformation to what we are meant to be as a species. I have finally graduated from being a global citizen to being a spiritual, galactic citizen. Although, that may sound far out to some, just think if every human would seek their own inner peace and find a way to be positive about this short life we have here on Earth, because they have remembered that the envelope we are all inside is only the vessel for the soul. The soul is eternal no matter what and there is nothing anyone or any situation can do to the soul as far as destroying it (except of course, for the ONE). So live your life, learn your lessons, be you, take care of your planet, expect the unexpected, and enjoy the smallest of things while experiencing this miracle called life. Don't forget to love too, because that's really what it's all about.

Love and peace dear souls,

Jorisoboho