Update & DIY Essential Oil Bug Spray!

Hi y'all! Happy Monday!

I am not 100% yet - nor do I really even feel close to being near to that point. However, I am still fighting and working on getting there, no matter how long it takes. It may end up taking a really long time, and a lot more doctor appointments.

I've been able to work part-time - almost every work day, in the afternoons. I seriously have the best bosses and coworkers, they have been amazingly supportive and understanding. I'm blessed to work for a company that cares for their employees!

Anyway, although I haven't been able to do as much, I'm still making it a point to do some stuff. Being outside is a huge must for me. If I were to spend all my time inside the house, I would go mad.

It's always fun to explore around the area. Nathan and I came across Melton Hill Park not too long ago. There are some trails that you can walk/run/bike/etc. Once I feel better, I would like to go walk the trails!

Melton Hill Park

Another must for me = BOOKS.

I absolutely LOVE our local used bookstore - McKay's! Just browsing around, I found the complete Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris (for under $5.00)!! If you watched/watch the HBO show, True Blood, these are the books the show was based off of! I can't wait to read the series and see how different or similar it is to the show!

I've been spending a LOT of my time out on the patio. It has definitely been warm and humid, but I still love being "outside."

I haven't been able to workout in what seems to be forever. I finally was recently able to go outside and walk around the neighborhood. We have a fairly steep hill that is great for walking up & down. I need to build up my strength back, so simply walking around seems like the best way to start.

I can't forget about my Young Living Essential Oils. The oils play a major part when it comes to my wellness and health. 

After showing positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, I learned my lesson the hard way - always wear bug repellant when outdoors. If you are like me, I hate wearing bug spray. It smells awful and is greasy. I decided to use my oils and make my own!

DIY Young Living Essential Oils Bug Spray Blend:

14 oz witch hazel

15 drops lemongrass essential oil

15 drops citronella essential oil

10 drops of lavender essential oil

6 drops of peppermint essential oil

Combine, pour into spray bottle(s) - (I like the travel size), and shake well!

It smells amazing, and doesn't leave me feeling gross at all!

Note: You can always alter the blend of ingredients to your own liking/preferences!

The travel size bottle is perfect for keeping in my purse!

Questions!

* Do you wear bug spray regularly, or only for camping, hiking, etc.?

* Do you have a favorite book store?

* Where is/are your favorite place(s) to walk around?

Summertime Sickness

Hey y'all!

I have been having some health problems for the past month & 1/2, but I think I am FINALLY getting better!

 The last blood work showed me positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). Haha, yes, it is an actual real disease.

All I knew previously about RMSF at first was that it was a tick borne disease that is transmitted just like lyme disease. I didn't realize how harmful it could potentially be.

If you are curious about it, you can read it here: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

 The antibiotics didn't seem to be helping at first, but I heard it can take awhile before they actually begin to work.

I guess I learned the hard way to always wear BUG SPRAY while hiking/being outside!

 I'm determined to get over being sick and get back to enjoying life even more! I was absolutely thrilled to get back to work today, even if it was just for a few hours. 

My Young Living Essential Oils have helped tremendously. Peppermint is my miracle oil! I have learned to bring my oils with me wherever I go - it's my first aid kit!

My husband has seriously been an angel. He has gone above and beyond helping me through this time, whether it has been cleaning or just holding me while I cry from the pain. I truly could not survive without him.  <3

Anyway, I won't continue to bore you with the details about my health. 

So, trying to get back on track with health and fitness, with my hubby's help, we went to the grocery store and picked up some goodies. I did not push myself, but finally being able to do something like go to a grocery store was so wonderful. I have taken my health for granted, so now when I am able to walk around, it means so much more to me than it did before.

I grabbed peppers, oranges, baby carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, butternut squash, zucchini, avocados, sweet onion, white onion, oranges, and cantaloupe melon.

Oh! Now you can buy wine in grocery stores here in TN! It's definitely strange seeing wine in grocery stores, but I know a lot of people are happy about it.

I can't wait till I feel 100% better so I can have a glass of wine!

The first thing I made was fresh orange juice! I haven't juiced in a while and fresh orange juice is the best. Gotta get those vitamins!

The next thing I made was a recipe inspired from my favorite blog - Simply Taralynn: Simply Taralynn's Blog

Usually for lunch/dinner side items I have asparagus or broccoli. Having the same thing constantly can get boring. I want to add more variety of vegetables to go with lunch and dinner meals. 

I heated up the oven to 400 degrees while I chopped up my veggies. My blend of veggies contained zucchini, squash, orange bell peppers, and white onion.

I seasoned them with garlic salt, pepper, and onion powder, and popped them in the oven for an hour, stirring about every 20 minutes.

I grilled some chicken seasoned with a little olive oil and Mediterranean mixed spices that I bought previously from Zi Olive (Zi Olive Knox)

It was delicious!

Nathan even surprised me with a new kitchen island! Now I have more incentive to get better so I can really use it! :)

I want to say thank you to all of my family, friends, and my work family, for all your support, prayers and positive thoughts through this difficult time! <3

July 1st

Hey y'all! Happy July 1st!
Monday is Independence Day! It sounds like there are some fun things going on this weekend but alas, I'm still sick, so I won't be able to participate!  :(
I hope I will at least be able to see some fireworks from a distance!

A couple weekends ago, Nathan and I were in Charleston, SC, to attend my brother's wedding.

Charleston always takes my breath away (I don't mean because of the humidity). The mesmerizing Spanish moss on the gigantic oak trees are one of my favorite things to see down south. 

My brother Ryan has finally tied the knot! I am so happy for him and his wife, Jamie! The ceremony was held at my parents house, and it was beautiful!

Jamie's extremely talented father built the stunning arbor/trellis!

The reception was held at a restaurant, literally 15 seconds down the road from the house.

Jamie did an amazing job decorating for the ceremony and reception! Her style was an elegant Alice in Wonderland/tea party, which looked gorgeous! I especially loved the cake and cupcake display table!

I am still under the weather, so I tried to rest as much as possible while I was in Charleston, but it still wasn't enough. I made it through the wedding, but it wore me down a lot. We ended up leaving to head back home earlier than planned so I could rest the remainder of the week (which has turned into multiple weeks).

Usually while we are in Charleston, we make a trip downtown to walk around and/or go to the beach to hang out. Unfortunately, we weren't able to do any of that. However, Nathan was a sweetheart and drove me around downtown so I could still take in the City's sights.

My parents house has a lovely pond in the backyard, so I was able to stay out there and feed the ducks and turtles. The turtles ate the food right out of my hand! It was adorable!

It was wonderful being with my family, even though I was sick the entire visit.
Now we are back at home, and I have been doing nothing but resting. I am ready to be back to normal so I can actually be productive!
My furbaby, Riley is the only thing keeping me sane while being sick!

Although I'll be stuck at home for Independence Day celebrations, I figured I could still do something to show my pride. I got out my nail polish and painted my nails red, white, and blue.

Questions for you:

* How do you stay sane while you are sick?

* Have you ever been sick while on vacation?

* What are your plans for the Fourth of July?!