• Depression, Anxiety, Meds, and Hope

    Finding the right medicine for depression and anxiety is awful! I wish there was a better process than trial and error. I knew going into this that there would be bad side effects, I’ve tried this MANY times before (which is why I put it off for so long). But when I started Wellbutrin, a miracle happened! I started to have energy again. I’d been convinced that my body was just too overweight and unhealthy to be able to do all but the smallest amount of physical activity. My mind has been sluggish, my ADHD out of control, and I’m just exhausted all the time. But shortly after taking Wellbutrin…

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  • Persephone Reimagined: Chapter 4

    I’m having such a fun time writing Persephone Reimagined! Persephone, Hades, Demeter, Zeus, and all of the other characters in Greek mythology have always been so interesting to me, and I love being able to fill in the rest of the details the stories never give us. I admit, I had a hard time deciding how to write Hades at first. Then, it hit me. He’s just like the rest of us. Writing Hades has become natural because, in a big way, his personality is my own. Both Persephone and Hades are, in many ways, writing different parts of myself. (No, I’m not a god. No, I was never kidnapped…

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  • Persephone Reimagined: Chapter 1

    I started writing Persephone as a side project several years ago. Life, as usual got busy, and this book got put on a shelf where it’s gathered more than its share of dust. So, I’m starting over. I may keep a little of the first draft, I may not. Either way, it should be fun. I hope you’ll enjoy reading along as I write! CHAPTER 1PERSEPHONE I didn’t exactly hate my life. It was beautiful. Well, that was my job, at least. As the daughter of Demeter, goddess of cultivation itself, what else was I supposed to do? Mother was responsible for everything that grew upon the earth. The bounty…

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  • Persephone Chapter 3

    Hades is a very misunderstood figure in mythology. I’m so excited to include his POV in my retelling of this story! I know some of the liberties I’m taking with the story will ruffle some feathers, but I’m incorporating different elements of mythology to fit this version of the story, while changing as little as possible. I hope you’ll enjoy reimagining this world as much as I do. Read the first chapter of Persephone here.  Chapter 3​Hades You know that feeling when you just wake up, and you know you have to get out of bed and get things done, but you really don’t want to? Well, I have to.…

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  • Persephone: Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 is as far as I ever got when I first started writing Persephone all those years ago. From here, it’s a completely new adventure. I can’t wait to share it with you! Read the first chapter of Persephone here.  Chapter 2Persephone “Don’t say it so loud, if you please, my dear.” He took her hand. “If my wife does find me here, it will not be pleasant, and I did not spend all those years diverting her gaze from you for nothing.” “What do you mean,” I asked. “The queen is the most jealous of immortals,” he said. “Completely unreasonable and distrusting.” Both water and woods stirred as…

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  • Diamond Painting for Beginners

    With Covid-19 quarantine, we’ve all been desperate to find fun activities to do at home. Diamond painting (or Diamond Dots) is fun, addicting, fulfilling, and kid-friendly. Fans of perler beads will love diamond painting! What is Diamond Painting? So what the heck is diamond painting?? No, they’re not actual diamonds, and there’s no paint involved. Diamond paintings are mosaics made up of tiny resin beads called drills (the “diamonds”). Image via Amazon.com Diamond paintings are actually a lot like perler beads (read more about perler beads here). It’s kind of a cross between a paint by numbers or a cross stitch. Your diamond painting is done of a canvas covered in a…

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  • Social Distance-Friendly Activities and Fun: Staying Safe and Sane During Covid-19

    Covid-19 has our lives in upheaval. It’s changing everything, and causing stressors we never knew existed. I keep seeing one constant need: Whether you’ve suddenly found yourself teaching home school, alone and isolated, or a parent of special needs children (like me), it seems we’re all desperate to find fun things to do while social distancing.  Some of us can go out and enjoy a walk, others are in quarantine. This Utlimate Guide to Social Distance-friendly Activities and Fun has something for everyone.   Service Opportunities Helping someone else is one of the best ways to distract from stress. These are simple and fun ways you can serve while having fun…

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  • These Geeky Yard Sale Signs Will Make You Want to Stop and Shop

    I love going to yard sales but putting one on is very daunting—so much to do! With cleaning out the house (my in-laws lived here for 30 years and there is a ton of stuff that’s accumulated), moving plans, packing, and getting the house ready to sell, we already have a lot on our plate—not to mention depression and anxiety messing with my head. So, I decided I was gonna own this yard sale! I remembered seeing some fun garage sale signs last year, when we were out on the hunt. I could totally make something fun for ours! Looking for inspiration, Google did not disappoint. I found some yard sale sign…

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  • My Battle For Better Health: The Healing Power of Horses

    Since we have a lot of new readers, I thought I should reintroduce myself. Welcome! ​I’m Laura, a mother of three, from Kennewick, Washington.  Daisy, our dog, and me a several years ago, after my health problems started. I was used to living a very active lifestyle, playing tennis, colorguard, gymnastics, theater, orchestra, choir, and more. But fourteen years ago, a combination of thyroid disease, PCOS, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, etc. caused rapid weight gain and morbid obesity.  Family trip to the Oregon Coast. I couldn’t complete the hike and they had to come pick me up in the car. ​Now, everyday tasks like grocery shopping or even showering are sometimes…

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  • Winner of the Handmade Princess Aurora Crown from Refreshing Designs Jewelry

    Congratulations to Sarah C., our giveaway winner! She is the proud new owner of a handmade Princess Aurora Crown from Refreshing Designs Jewelry! You can find Refreshing Designs Jewelry on Facebook, Instagram, and Etsy. Heidi and her beautiful jewelry will also be at FanX again this April! Didn’t Win? Don’t Give Up! There’s still hope for your dream of owning a beautiful crown!  ​As a special bonus, all fans can get free shipping on any order from Refreshing Designs Jewelry in the U.S. by using code: SHIPSFREE2ME * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name What types of updates do you want to receive: Geeky Fun Giveaways and Free Stuff My Battle for Better Health Perler Bead and Other Geek…

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