Well Yes! To A Stronger, Healthier, Happier Life

This shop, Well Yes! To A Stronger, Healthier, Happier Life, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WellYesMoment #CollectiveBias

Be inspired by this story of personal strength and determination while eating a delicious and nutritious cup of Well Yes!® Soup.

 

Well Yes! To A Stronger, Healthier, Happier Life

A Story of Challenge and Personal Determination.

 

There is something beautiful about a person who is confident, positive, and happy despite any struggles and challenges they may face. This type of person is an inspiration and encouragement to others with their strength and determination.

It is a mindset, one they live by day-by-day. One that starts with making good choices. Good choices such as eating deliciously crafted food, with real nutritious ingredients like Well Yes!® Soup. Good choices that inspire Moments of Yes!

 

Today, I’d like to share one such Moment of Yes!

My daughter, Rory, was born with a mitochondrial disorder — an energy metabolism disorder. What does that mean? Well, basically, she doesn’t always have the energy to make her body function properly. Because of this, she spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital while growing up, and that meant she missed a lot of schooling.

School Is A Challenge

The lowest point of her illness came when she was in the sixth grade as she spent six months in the hospital. She was at a children’s hospital, so that meant she could get some sort of schooling. But here is the rub, to qualify for schooling, your admission must last for two weeks, then your schooling may begin. Once discharged in the hospital’s computer system, even if immediately readmitted, your two-week waiting period begins all over again. Just think how crazy that is for chronically ill kids.

Well, during this six months in the hospital, they would try to get Rory home and discharge her. Sometimes we didn’t even leave the hospital room before being readmitted, others we’d get part way home before turning around, and a couple of times we made it home for a few hours before returning. That meant her schooling was constantly disrupted, and then you have to take into account the fact that she was gravely ill and not up to school as well.

Once Rory’s health stabilized somewhat, she qualified for medical home teaching through special education at the public school. They promised us that she would be able to achieve her high school diploma, after all, she had until she reached 21 years of age. It was important to me, but more importantly, the high school diploma was important to Rory. She is a smart girl; she could do the work and accomplish her goal.

Fighting To Make Dreams Come True

Of course, receiving only 2-hours of teaching 2-days a week, makes for slow progress, but that is all the California school district allows. As she turned seventeen, the school district suddenly changed their tune about Rory getting her diploma. They wanted her to take the test for her GED and move on her way. Her teacher was appalled, I was upset, and Rory was staunch in her decision that a GED was not acceptable to her. She was determined to earn her high school diploma!

With Rory leading the charge, we persevered. She earned her high school diploma! It was a fantastic and emotional day, a definite Moment of Yes!

Today, Rory attends a local college where she works hard and has attained membership in the Honors Society, Phi Theta Kappa. Can we say, “Proud Mama?” Well Yes!

Rory sips her favorite flavor, Tomato Carrot Bisque, from our vintage Campbell’s Soup mug.

 

Find Your Moment of Yes!

So, I encourage you to make your own Moments of Yes! Find the courage and the strength to make your dreams a reality. A great way to start is with a real, nutritious bowl of Well Yes! Soup.

Don’t forget to enter the #WellYesMoment Sweepstakes in the widget below for a chance to win up to a $500 Visa gift card! It’s as easy as clicking, logging in, and sharing your Moment of Yes story! If you win, think of all the ways you can use the prizing to achieve your Moment of Yes!

#WellYesMoment #Sweepstakes

#WellYesMoment #Sweepstakes (10/14 to 11/17)

CLICK HERE to ENTER the SWEEPSTAKES!

 

Well Yes! Soups are made with real, non-GMO ingredients with no antibiotics, contain no artificial flavors or colors, and is packaged with non-BPA linings. There are nine featured flavors. Some of our favorite flavors are Roasted Chicken with Wild Rice; Chicken Noodle; Tomato Carrot Bisque; Minestrone with Kale; and Sweet Potato Corn Chowder. YUM! These unique flavors challenge the status quo of canned soups.

So, say yes to the good stuff so you have what you need to say yes in the rest of your life. Well Yes! A Soup in the Right Direction®!

Want Savings? Click HERE for a printable COUPON!

Looking for another heartwarming story? Check out A Random Act of Kindness and see one woman’s amazing Moment of Yes! You just won’t believe what happened…

Do you have a Well Yes! Moment? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Or you can share them on Facebook and Instagram and find additional inspiration too.

 

 

...

...

 

...

Share using our Hashtag!

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

 

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

 

...

 

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

     

Living A Grateful Life

 

Living a Grateful Life

It’s been said that living your life with an attitude of gratitude can work like magic in your life. I truly believe this and therefore, make a point to practice gratitude every day. Not only do I say the “magic words” every time I get a chance, but I often sit and reflect on those things for which I am most grateful.

A lot has changed in my life this past year. Last Thanksgiving we were living in Kentucky, dreaming about one day moving to California, the state in which my husband was born and spent many youthful years. I was working my dream job. My parents and brother were five minutes away, my eldest daughter was an hour away, and my sister only 6 hours. I was close to a large group of friends, extended family, and attended a church that treated me like their own child. I knew my town like the back of my hand, and had my own little farm. I was home, and I was grateful.

Today, as I sit writing this, I am two thousand miles from that place. We finally made it to California. I have a new house in the city and a new job that takes me 45 minutes to get to. My kids have been uprooted, with new schools, dance studios, and friends. I haven’t seen my folks or brother since June, or my daughter and sister since July. But, you know what? There is a cost to living your dreams, and I am grateful.

Even though I am sad that I have left my home of so many years, I am so happy that my life finally feels right. It finally feels like I am on the path that God has laid out for me. My son, who is special needs, is finally seeing the right doctors and is finally in the proper class at school. My daughter is at a dance studio that is going to take her to the next level. My husband is happy at work. And, while I don’t love my 9 to 5 (or 7 to 5:30) job, it’s not the worst in the world and I do have time to write for my blog. We are also in very close proximity to both the beach and the mountains. And, for all of this, I am so very grateful.

I made the choice years ago to always be thankful no matter where I am at in my life. Because of this decision, I lead a very happy life. I try to erase all negative thoughts. When I am at work and everyone is complaining about being tired and sore, I say (at least to myself), “I have energy and I feel great!” This positive attitude enables me to leave the house at 5:30am, get back home at 6:45pm, and still have love and attention to give to my family.

Another thing I enjoy doing that seems to make a difference, is keeping a gratitude journal. You can do this, too! You can do it on something fancy, like a nice leather-bound journal, or something as simple as a spiral notebook.

Here’s an easy how-to:

  1. Pick a time of day to write your list and stick to it. I find it easiest to do this first thing in the morning with coffee or last thing at night as I lay in bed.
  2. Use this formula: I am so very grateful for________________ because_________________.
  3. Do this 10 times.
  4. After you have written out 10 things for which you are grateful, read them out loud, and then say, “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you”.

 

Try doing this for a week and evaluate how your attitude has changed. I’ll admit that I do go through phases where I don’t write in my journal every night, and I can really tell a difference in my outlook on life. However, when I start my journal back up, I feel so much lighter after a few days.

Lastly, I’d like to say that I am so grateful for Lorelai for letting me contribute to her blog. And, I am so very grateful for each of you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving!!


Visit Deborah at her blog, Kentucky to Cali!

 

...

...

 

...

Share using our Hashtag!

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

 

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

 

...

 

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

     

Hello, My Friends… Life Goes On

~ Life Goes On ~

It’s been a long time since my last post—nearly six months. As we all know, life has a tendency to go crazy from time-to-time. And that is what happened around here.

So, here’s a brief update on what’s happening.

Writing

I had decided to slow down a little on the blog to concentrate on my writing. Done and doing.

Book One:

I have a middle-grade fantasy book out with an agent now. The publishing world moves at such a S—L—O—W pace. I am biting my nails waiting for a response as to whether or not she will take on the project.

Book Two:

I am currently working on changing the point of view (POV) on a cozy mystery that I began writing years ago and never finished. The change in POV from third person omniscient to first person past has made all the difference in the world. It is an enormous task to rewrite and create new, but I am thoroughly enjoying it, and my story seems much happier.

ps.—This book is the first in a series, which has a second book already written, but not edited. It will need a POV change as well.

Life

The beginning of May brought Kirk back home from the college campus, broken ankle and all. He broke it playing soccer in April. His ankle was broken so badly that he barely escaped having surgery, but the ankle did not want to heal. He was just allowed off the crutches three weeks ago and has been out of the boot now for one week. Talk about a pain in my multi-level house. The poor guy couldn’t even get to the bathroom without managing a step. Crutches take up a lot of space when you are 6 ft. 7 in. (the crutches were almost as tall as me), and my walls and baseboards suffered for it. Yet more work to be done around here. Kirk’s move home has been a mixed bag for Rory and I, as we were comfortable and happy with our new life routine. Change and adjustment are never easy.

Luke is still as wonderful as ever! We were in the middle of painting the exterior of his house, when I came down with Shingles. YUCK! So, he had to finish the base color himself, and we are waiting a bit to do the trim color. The house looks much better, even if it is monochromatic.

My house—the de-clutter and organize project came to a screeching halt, when I took a fall and severely injured my right arm (dislocated elbow and all). You don’t have to tell me, I know…it HURT!

But my loving Luke has been a busy bee in my courtyard the past week. Ripping out plants in order to get the overgrown jungle under control. He is repairing the sprinkler system, and investigating the electrical wires we found coming up out of the ground. They are hot! And they seem to run along the edge of the bricks across the courtyard without being in any protective conduit. Somehow, I don’t think that’s exactly legal…let alone safe.

Rory is doing great. She’s been healthy (knock on wood) and happy, and a big help to me.

Well, that catches you up on the major happenings. If I could get rid of these blasted Shingles things would be wonderful.

[youtube=https://youtu.be/jU5h2izGG-Y]

I look forward to blogging again and catching up with all of you.

What have you been up to?

Follow me on

I would love to hear from youleave me a Comment.

~Lorelai

 

...

...

 

...

Share using our Hashtag!

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

 

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

 

...

 

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

     

Monday Mournings

Last week, Christopher moved out of the house leaving Rory and I with no food and suddenly cut-off without warning of money (including the automatic deposit that went straight to my account every two weeks). This threw me into a whirlwind of trying to figure out what I needed to do in order to feed my child, NOW.

I found myself filing a case at Child Support Services for Child Support, and also doing court paperwork and filing for Spousal Support, (we had a long-term marriage of 23-1/2-years). These were not only time consuming, stressful, and not fun, but they also ate up my gas that I had so precious little of in my truck.

Child Support Services and the Court told me that I needed to file for a food program, as immediate need was required. After driving to the location to fill out more paperwork, I spoke with a man at the service window who told me it would be a 4-hour wait to see someone and get the paperwork started, OR I could go home and do it online. Why don’t they tell you that little tidbit over the phone?! Needless to say, I climbed back in the truck and high-tailed it home to spend about 5 more grueling hours gathering even more documentation and filling out yet another application. Of course, by the time I was finished, it was past 5 pm, so my application would not be looked at until the following business day. Thank God, it was Thursday night.

Friday morning I received a phone call at 10:15 AM telling me that I had an appointment at 1 PM to go over my application, and oh, by the way, you need to bring along additional documentation. I sped around the house going through files, raced to two banks, made phone calls, borrowed some money from a friend for gas, and flew out of the house for my 30-mile drive to my appointment. Phew…

I had to have a face-to-face interview so the lady on the other side of the desk could ask me questions that I had already answered on the online application. She took copies of my additional information, fingerprinted me, handed me a card with $200 on it, and sent me on my way home–four hours later in the height of rush-hour traffic in Southern California…oh yeah…

The good news was that I received some much-needed aid for Rory and me. The bad news for Christopher, at any rate, is that he will be responsible for paying it back (they will even garnish his wages if he does not).

Hopefully, this week will be less stressful. I have another appointment on Thursday with my new divorce attorney where she will help me file an amendment to my Response.

I would love to hear any tips on getting through this stuff with your sanity intact. I think the key for me right now is to remember to smile and laugh. Being down and depressed isn’t going to help anything.

Luke took me out Saturday night for Karaoke. We had a great dinner, I sang 5 songs, had lots of laughs, and the Cadillac Margarita really hit the spot after the week I’d had. Thanks, honey!

I would love to hear from you…leave me a COMMENT.

 

...

...

 

...

Share using our Hashtag!

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

 

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

 

...

 

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

     

A New Book…

“No, this is not the beginning of a new chapter in my life; this is the beginning of a new book! That first book is already closed, ended, and tossed into the seas; this new book is newly opened, has just begun! Look, it is the first page! And it is a beautiful one!”
― C. JoyBell C.

 

...

...

 

...

Share using our Hashtag!

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

 

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

 

...

 

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

     
Exit mobile version