More Than Enough

Book Review: Everything You Need You have.

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books. This is my honest review of this book and was not compensated monitarily for my review. Just a free book.

When I received this book it was during a time in my life in which I was purging. It fit in wonderfully with this part of my life and has helped me grow and understand myself better. At first glance the cover is magnificently  designed, with swirling loops and the ever calming blue. The script is easy to read and the hardback sturdy. Its pleasing to the eye and undeniably attractive.
The book is legible and extremely easy to read. The writing is casual as if the author is having a conversation solely with you. Like a gentle but firm friend the author provides you with the sense to take those big steps in life.
However, unlike a friend, the writing is a bit dull. More instructional like the mother of a group of friends than offering a view on why you need nothing more than your own strength and drive. It provides minimal  While guiding and informative in optimism, the book is a tad dry on narration. That’s not to say this is not a good book, but a few examples of how others have over come issues by realizing they have enough.
Despite this lack of examples, the book is a fantastic read and I would recommend it to someone that needs a pick me up. To know that they are enough despite what those around them claim, they will make it because of their own strength. Over all, this book would make a great gift for those that enjoy self help books.

How I Quit My Secure Job and Have Never Been Happier.

Let me just start with this - this March has

been the best March since 2009, the year and month my oldest son was born. Every year March seems like a pivotal month for me. It is as if March is the month I decide to do new things or make a major change in my life, then April is the month in which I grow; most likely because I had to.

This year was no different. This March, however, I took a major step. I quit my secure,health care toting, vacation offering, retirement paying State job. Was I scared? Heck yes! It paid well and it actually had paid time off. YIPPIE!! It was the first long term job I had since my oldest was born, it was a job I had fought for, at least against my ex husband.  It paid well, it had a retirement! For the first time in years I felt like an adult!

Not all good things last. I was spending less and less time with my kids, having to take them out of school early and suddenly this job wasn't as fantastic as I thought it was.

Soon disenchantment set in, I hated going in. If I got there early I would wait until the very last second to clock in. I started questioning myself. Was this how I wanted to live my life the next 26 plus years? The horrid feeling of being trapped set in, yet I refused to resign myself to being stuck again.

First thing was building an emergency fund.

This took me quiet awhile and while it was only a thousand dollars, I knew I would be okay. I had been applying left and right for new jobs so I knew it wouldn't take me long to find new work.

Second I had to convince myself.

This was and always is the hardest part for anyone. We have a running dialog of 'if I do this I am going to fail;' ' I can't because of (insert some lame excuse here)'. Seriously? It was a war with myself, I'm sure I looked like some crazed directionless squirrel and that's because I was. What was I going to do? Then it hit me - just shut up and do it. Rip the bandaid off fast!

Lastly I celebrated. 

I was joyous, I believe I even sang on the way to get my kids from the baby sitter. I felt lighter, that scared self loathing person was gone. I'm still happy even three weeks later.

The Monday after I quit I got a new job, that pays great and the best part, the hours are perfect! She ding self doubt is had for anyone, but sometimes we need to not doubt our selves as much as we do.

I Forgot About This Book.

*This book was sent to me for free in exchange for a review.*
I got I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillian in January of 2016; and have picked it up multiple times throughout the past year. Sadly I couldn't make it out of the first chapter no matter what. The prose irked me, even skipping to later chapters I didn't fall in love with the story, I could not connect with the characters. Hopefully in the future I can pick this book up and read through it,

Financial Planning

As we begin wrapping up the holiday season it's time to make those resolutions that may last for a week. Earlier this year I wrote about following Dave Ramsey ' Financial Peace University. I fell off that band wagon. Very hard. So I decided to try it again and ACTUALLY attend a class. 

So I looked on the Dave Ramsey site and the didn't have one. This was a bit upsetting. But a few days later, at church they had a giant banner that read. FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY. It was amazing as I have been looking for a few months. 

Niw I'm sitting or is it laying here donating plasma for extra money. Not because I need something but I'm on baby step one - catching up on bills. 

Book Review: Spark Joy By Marie Kondo

*This book was provided to me by bloggingforbooks to review. My review is solely my own.*

Its been a few months since I received it and I own the ever popular Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up in an audio book. When I got the chance to review this book, I jumped at it. Its a great companion piece with adorable illustrations of how to organize. Just perfect for a visual learner like myself!

To continue with my ever evolving minimal lifestyle I have greatly reduced things I did not enjoy, and bought things I did (hello stack-able plastic bowls with locking lids! Never a question there.) And visually wanted to show things off, like my somewhat organized mixing bowls and stainless steal pots and pans. Lets not forget my daughters room with her dolls and easily excess-able clothes that she can just pluck from their basket. Spark Joy is far more in-depth, like a mother holding a child's hand threw each step of the organization process. The book is sturdy and the covers are simple and clean, not distracting - very organized. I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up,  or if they are just lost in how to get organized and clutter under control.

Fit for Change

Recently a lot has changed in my life. Last year I ended a six year marriage  that was being drug along by vultures. That perverbal horse had died and while many attempts where made to save it, none worked. 2015 was definitely  a year of change for me and keeping with that trend I decided in 2016 I would keep that change going. I had 3 simple resolutions:

¤get out of my comfort zones.
¤start working out
And lastly
¤meet new people.

Many years ago I had tried P90X and let's say it kicked my butt. Not to mention I was extremely stressed as well as being depressed. A few months later I started looking at an online website but then noticed that it was a paid membership and all equipment except for the meal guide where etxra. I followed along always promising myself that I would start working out one day. That day never came. I never had time nor money or something else would come up most of the time I procrastinated and pushed it back.

Not this year. I began looking into Beachbody in October  2015. I wanted change but going to the gym was weird. It's not my element. I commited myself in December that I would start at the end of Janurary. Cause I hate, with a passion, starting something on the first. Maybe I'm superstitious  but I waited till the end of the month and by February  2nd I got the 21 day fix as well as joining as a coach.

I actually did the 6th of February all the way till March  11th. Which is longer than 21 days and was a lot of fun. I will be resting the 21 day fix April 4th and would love for you to join me!

Book Review: Overcoming Abuse God’s Way Janet Nappier

I recently received Overcoming Abuse Gods Way by Janet Marie Nappier and Brenda Branson from Booklook. Abuse is a horrible plague that both men and women suffer from childhood abuse to relationship abuse, its present in many forms. In Overcoming Abuse God’s Way it is the story of Janet Nappier who as a very young child, along with her sisters, where abandoned by their mom who left them alone to die.
While many people who have experienced abuse can relate the story is rather choppy and the reflection sections after each chapter would be best to have them at the end of the story. It is a very quick read and having them at the end in which she highlights how it relates to her journey from start to finish would make for an easier read, or at least having a small discussion area at the end on how abuse has affected the reader. It seemed more as if being told what we should do from her experiences that how she really felt after the experiences and how they ultimately affected her and led to God.
The story also just skims the top and it is not very deep emotionally, it barely touches the top of the issue. While it is hard to talk about for someone who is standing on the outside, it can come off as a woe-is-me story when it is not. Overall, it could be more in depth.