Friday, September 28, 2012

Living Like It's Your Last Day

I think we've all heard the song, "Live Like You Were Dying". Many people I know say they live everyday to the fullest, to make life worth it. But the question is, do you really live like each day is possibly your last?

Sure, it's easy to go out and do the things you want and have a good time...but what are you really leaving behind for those who will remember you?  What do you want to actually be remembered for? What will your last words be?

Lately, these things have been running through my mind, and to be honest, I'm not unhappy with what I've left behind me in life so far. I want to be remembered for being kind and polite, for loving and caring for animals, for being patient and gentle, and for generally being a good person. I would love for those who live after me to remember me for all the good things I did and said in life, and not for the angry outbursts or mean words uttered without thought.

So I'm being more patient in my day-to-day goings on, taking my time when responding to people who might irk me, and perpetuate drama for the sake of it. And even on the various social media outlets I have, like Facebook and Twitter, I'm not ranting or posting nonsense too much. Why go through all this trouble of monitoring my social media, and editing myself? I visited the profile of an old friend on Facebook earlier, only to find out he was recently killed in a car accident. His last status update?
"I hate my family. And that bitch who cheated on me can rot in fucking hell. I don't need anyone in my life. I hate my Mom, I hate my Dad, and I hate my baby sister. I don't need anyone anymore."
Those are his last words, as he was struck and killed only 20 minutes later. His family will be turning his account into a memorial, as so often happens nowadays, and this will forever be the first things people see when they look him up. His last, angry, hurtful words, that he can never take back. THIS is the reason I will never again be posting in anger...I don't want my mother to ever have to see these words, let alone have to see them every time she comes to my Facebook profile.

So think on it, dear readers...what could your last words be? What will people remember you for? I'll leave you with a passage from a wonderful book, A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

"My, how foolish I am!" my friend cries, suddenly alert, like a woman remembering too late she has biscuits in the oven. "You know what I've always thought?" she asks in a tone of discovery and not smiling at me but a point beyond. "I've always thought a body would have to be sick and dying before they saw the Lord. And I imagined that when he came it would be like looking at the Baptist window: pretty as colored glass with the sun pouring through, such a shine you don't know it's getting dark. And it's been a comfort: to think of that shine taking away all the spooky feeling. But I'll wager it never happens. I'll wager at the very end a body realizes the Lord has already shown Himself. That things as they are"—her hand circles in a gesture that gathers clouds and kites and grass and Queenie pawing earth over her bone—"just what they've always seen, was seeing Him. As for me, I could leave the world with today in my eyes."

Love and Lightning Bugs,
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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Learning to Love Art Again: The Beginning

So, I went looking back through some of my old artwork today, and I realized that I used to draw and paint...a lot. It's something I've been thinking of taking back up, but with as little time as I have now, I'm not sure it's worth it anymore. I love creating artwork, but anymore it seems more like a job. I've lost my passion for the simple idea of putting together something beautiful.

I created this drawing in 2006, when I was struggling to find myself during those awkward High School years. I tried to incorporate a bit of everything I saw in myself.


Each item in this drawing has meaning to me...and meaning about me. I want to go back to this, and remember why I loved creating. So, I'm going to start putting forth a real effort to remember how to draw after so long, and to learn to love art again.

Feel free to come back and check on my updates in this journey. I have a feeling I will gain much more in this than just a long lost talent.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Lacework Bloggers!

Well, I started something the other day that has so far been great! After a bit of a misunderstanding at the beginning, the Lacework Bloggers email list is up and running!


What is Lacework Bloggers?

It's a group of blogger who all receive my daily email, that has tons of great goodies useful to bloggers! The reasoning behind creating this email was to make it easy to find all the daily info a blogger might want, in one easy place, without having to check the hundreds of different groups on Facebook all day, everyday.

What is in this daily email?

I scour the internet looking for blogger hosted giveaways ending that night, and include them. I tend to have anywhere between 15-30 giveaways per email...and I'm always looking for more to add!

There is a list of companies that work with bloggers, which I add to everyday. I'm thinking of keeping the list whole for a while, then when it gets too long, only putting on the new companies every day. I'm averaging about 4 a day right now, which is a pretty decent number for a daily email...I think so anyway.

I also have a list of blogger hosted opps, which also gets added to daily! I'm working on getting a list of paid blog posts as well.

This sounds great! How do I join?

All you have to do to be added to the daily email list, is comment below or send me a message, with an e-mail that you check most often, and I'll add you! Simple as that!

If you have a giveaway, or opp, or anything else that you would like to be added to the daily email just send me an email to Isabella_Grey@Hotmail.com

Love and Lightning Bugs,
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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Indulge Your Senses with Eden Fantasys

Sex toys - EdenFantasys adult toys store 

 Looking for a great place to get some amazing massage oils, perfumes, and other luxurious bath and body products? If so, make sure you stop by Eden Fantasys, and look at their wide array of sensuous products. This site not only caters to the kinkier side of life, but also to the soft and feminine things every girl wants in her life.

There are hundreds of massage items to choose from, including candles, oils, and lotions. Along with massage items, they also carry makeup products, perfumes, and skin care items. Best of all, they carry many brands which are cruelty free! That's right, you can look fabulous, feel fabulous, and not have to feel bad about using a product that was tested on animals. They even carry organic and all natural items in their skincare and lips sections!


The fun doesn't stop there however, as there is an amazing bath and shower section stocked full of shower gels, body wash, and other products to pamper yourself with. How lovely would the above gift set be to give away at Christmas, or even to receive from a beloved friend? There are many more products just like this waiting for you over at Eden Fantasys, so take a few minutes out of your day to look around at their wonderful bath and body products, and maybe indulge your senses in something great.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
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Car Rides and Copyrights

You know me, I will take pictures of anything and everything if given the chance! Well, I was out and about the other evening, driving back from a long day of college classes, when a certain cloud formation caught my eye. I took out the camera, and snapped a photo, with the car driving at about 75 mph.

Thankfully Bastian drives the car for us.

I wasn't expecting too much when I uploaded the photo onto my computer...but boy was I wrong! Not only was the image crystal clear, but with only a slight tweak in the contrast, and the bottom cropped out, it came out looking like this!

Click on the image to enlarge it and look at it better if you like!

I love the colors in this image, and the way the shadows play across each other.

I also want to apologize in advance for having two watermarks on this image. I have recently found a few other sites using my photos without permission. They simply cropped out my blog watermark in the bottom of the photo, so now I will be putting my business watermark over the center of my images, as well as my blog watermark in the corners.
Again, I'm sorry for this, but photography and designing are the only thing keeping my head above water right now. Thievery is NOT going to be tolerated.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
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Sunday, September 9, 2012

A Refreshing Afternoon with Amy & Brian!

Time for another awesome Pitch List review and giveaway!

Last week, I was given the chance to try something I never would have otherwise: Amy & Brian Coconut Juice and Mangosteen Juice drinks.

I'm not normally one to try something like this, but I figured what could a bit of healthy hurt? When I signed up for this, I thought I might get a can or two...but oh no....I got two cans, of each flavor! Which means I was able to try 12 cans of yummy!


In the above photo, is half of the Coconut water I reviewed. I received the normal Coconut Water, as well as two with added pulp, and two with lime. To be honest, the flavors just weren't something I was in love with. They were ok, but since I've never had Coconut water before, it could just be a more acquired taste. I did feel better after drinking them, and stayed quenched for quite a bit longer than a normal glass of water, but as I said before, I may add some flavoring to it, until I can adjust to the taste.

I also used some of this to make a fruit smoothie, and it was so great for that! I used the one with lime, and pulp, and it added quite the boost!


Unlike the water, I was in LOVE with these Mangosteen drinks! not only were they awesome when added to smoothies, but they were so yummy on their own! It may be a bit thicker than most people are used too, but it's not too bad. I loved the one with passionfruit the most, with the goji being a close second.

These are perfect for those mornings when you forget breakfast, or those afternoon cravings that break your diet!

Enter below for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Once you enter, feel free to follow the links below, and check out all the other awesome reviews!

Love and Lightning Bugs,
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Saturday, September 8, 2012

I am an Artist

I've been getting quite a bit of slack lately for watermarking my photos on this blog, as well as the ones I take and share on Facebook (usually my living history and reenactment photos). It seems some people think that the hard work you do (be it blogging, taking photographs, making digital creations, etc.) should cost them nothing to take and use as they wish.

I'm sorry, but that is NOT how art works.

It takes time, effort, and in many cases money out of your own pocket to create something...so why should you not even be given credit for all that hard work you do? I made this in my frustration today.


If you feel the same, feel free to share this, and spread the word!

Love and Lightning Bugs,
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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Conversations with Wild Bunnies

I had quite the visitor today! I went out to water my plants, and look who stopped by!

 "Hello human who has tamed my kin...I have come to watch you and learn the secret as to how you keep my kin inside, and controlled with an odd pink contraption when they come outside." At least, that's how I image he was talking, tee hee!


 "You brought me a carrot...I will tolerate your presence in my kingdom. But I still don't trust you. I will watch you from my favorite perch."


"What is this you have brought me? Apples? Well, perhaps you can come a bit closer. I am magnificent to look at, if I do say so myself."


 "I like you human...you offer me the gifts I deserve as king of the kingdom of 'Front Yard'. I will permit you to lie with me in the clover bed, and take my photos up close. Perhaps I will come back, and you may offer me more gifts of delicious food."


Just a fun conversation I mentally had with this adorable little bun! He was quite regal!

Love and Lightning Bugs,
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

He Passed!

I'm in an AMAZING mood right now! Why, you ask?

My brother Passed his Physical Training for the Air Force! And with three seconds to spare as well!

You might not all know it, but my little brother, who is 5 years younger than I, entered the Air Force in early June. Here's him during his Swearing In. He's the one with the Livestrong bracelet, in the foreground.


After countless weeks of grueling training both physically and mentally, it came down to taking his Basic Training Fitness test, which decided if he graduated or not. The Fitness test is different for every age group, but for his age, he had to run 1.5 miles in 8 minutes, do 65 push-ups in 1 minute, 70 sit-ups in one minute, and do 10 pull ups with no time limit.

And after all that, he still had 3 seconds to spare in his overall time limit!

So I'm howling for the Wolfpack today!

 (Like this graphic? I made it just for him!)


Love and Lightning Bugs,
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