Come along to see my day to day
It has been a year! Actually, at this point, it has been 1 year and 5 days. 🙂
If this is your first time at Simple Blessings blog welcome!!! We also have a podcast which is where I am leading you next 🙂
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
There is no script for this episode because I am just chatting away and talking recap and update 🙂
Thank you for all of your support and love over this last year! I can not wait to see what happens over the next years to come!
Hello everyone! This episode was me just talking away so there is no script but to give you a sneak peek and a visual of what we are talking about I hope you enjoy the photos below. Perhaps a video or two as well 🙂
To head over to our podcast site check out the address below!
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Simple Blessings Storm damage Video
I hoped you enjoyed the visuals of the damage here on Simple Blessings property. We have a long road ahead of us for cleanup and damage repair but all will be ok thanks to the grace of God and his wonderful hand guiding the trees to minimum damage! The photos were taken by me (Krissa) the morning after the storm. The video is provided by Chris my tech and marketing man. Thank you Chris!
See the Blessings in every day!
It’s Thursday! There is no podcast episode up. We are having technical problems on this end but I am hoping that by Friday evening everything will be good to go again and I will be able to upload the episode 🙂
Until then, here is the script for Episode 17: What is Your Perfect Workspace?
We all have to work. Whether it is in a cubicle, in a field, in a classroom, in a giant office, on your couch, in your car, on a plane, we all work. When we have to work we want to get stuff done. Not just sit and stare at the wall or out the window.
I was surfing on YouTube the other day and I saw a video about redoing their office so they wanted to work on it.
I have what I call my “back room.” This backroom is my office, storage, laundry, and closet. I never wanted to work in that room. My desk is always a mess and used as a mid spot before things are put away. When I want to work on anything I carry my stack of paperwork and books downstairs and set up a folding table in the Library or I spread out on the dining room table. I never wanted to work in the backroom. I would try but I never felt like I was getting anything done. After watching the YouTube video I finally realized why I never wanted to work in that room. There was too much going on. Space was not just the place to get anything done it was my everything room. If you wish, my junk drawer room. A little bit of everything is happening in that room. It is definitely not ideal.
Once I move my office to its own area working with be much better 🙂
What else makes a work environment? Noise. For me I need music going. And not just on, I can work if it is on but I prefer it loud. As in, you can hear it from a distance away. When I work downstairs I do always have something on. It does get loud. My house has fantastic acoustics! I can put my speaker on the stairway half wall and I can hear all around downstairs and a little bit upstairs too. It is perfect! I can blast my music and get stuff done. If you ever need my attention and you are not getting my attention but you here music so you know I am there. Call me. The music is probably playing from my phone so if you call me the music will stop and so will I 🙂 I don’t have those days very often but maybe once a month.
Another environment point is your utensils. Do you like black and only black, maybe a highlight. Are you a pencil person? Are you a multi-colored person? That’s me. I use multiple colors of pens, markers, and highlighters. I have different colored sticky notes I use. I have folders, tabs, binders all different colors. If I have something the same color the label on the front is in multiple colors. This is how I stay organized and wanting to work. I can use gel pens or different color markers to have my brain on paper. I give myself a table to follow so for instance, red would be total and blue is the adding number. Green would be the signs (plus, minus) and purple would be double-checked.
When I am using sticky notes maybe I have two colors, so yellow would go back to for the project and pink would be for future reference. I would have paper, scrap or otherwise, making notes for myself on anything or everything of course not always the same color 🙂
Now, what about space? How much space do you need to work efficiently? I take over tables. If I have a lot to do and I am cranking out all sorts of work, I am spreading out wide and high. I use the whole table, sometimes the floor or chairs. I have a list somewhere telling me everything I need to get done and as I check stuff off the piles shrink, the room grows and my cozy crowded workspace becomes bigger and more open. I am slowly able to breathe again and not just because the room is growing but because I am coming to the end of the pile. I take over the space that I am working in much of the time.
What about the time? Do you know how long it will take you to finish what you need to finish? Estimate, now say it will take a little bit longer. Now if you finish at your estimate you will feel amazing (great guess by the way!) If you finish at the lengthen time you picked, that is fine, you had the time blocked off to get it done all is well. Now if you finish before either of those times, man don’t you feel amazing! Maybe a little like you missed something, but you didn’t, and you feel amazing! Always block off more time than you know you will need to complete your work. This way you are never rushed to finish or have to leave and you can’t finish. If you finish with time you can get to your next appointment early, hand in your assignment early or just get to the weekend early 🙂
Planners. Who else needs to have planners? I have a friend who if she lost her planner she would just sit on a chair in her super soft PJ pants curled up in a ball under a blanket looking out the window with no emotion on her face. Would anyone else be that way? Would anyone else be completely lost without their planner? For me, it isn’t so much my planner as it is my calendar and notes. I make notes. Today at work (church) I sat down and used a scrap paper and I wrote down everything I needed to do today and the rest of the week. I knew I wouldn’t be able to remember everything off the top of my head so I wrote it down before I did anything else. I was thinking of what I needed to do on my walk to work and once I got there I wrote them all down, adding to the list as the day went on.Â
My perfect Workspace has a big table with stools or chairs scattered around it, with a jar or bucket of colored sharpies, colored pens, and pencils in the middle of it. There would be a comfy chair or couch off to the side with a fun yet settle soft rug underneath. There would be baskets trays and shelves for neat storage along with drawers and cabinets. There would be a giant magnetic whiteboard and a corkboard for random thoughts and important notes posted.Â
I’m curious, what is your perfect workspace? Is it small and confined or is it large and spacious? Is it bright and colorful or is it dark and focusing? Do you prefer to have your notes on your phone or written on a piece of paper or do you prefer them on your computer or on a board written out? Comment on our Instagram or our blog. What is your “#perfectworkspace?
Click the link below to listen to any previous episodes!
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
I am so sorry I missed last week guys! This week is not much better. I am hard to understand and a bit on the tired side of life 🙂
I plum forgot to record an episode the week before and earlier this week I had my wisdom teeth removed. Did I record an episode ahead of time? No, no I did not. Did I think about doing it? Yes! I know it doesn’t count if I just think about it but I am proud of myself for that 🙂
Next week should be much more interesting and easier to listen to. See you there!
Truly Living in the moment. That is what we are talking about today.
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
There is no script along with this episode because it was a last-minute change of plans topic. I think you will really enjoy it. There is also some hope that you will take it to heart.
Simply Living isn’t just the name of the podcast, it is also a statement. Simply Live in the moments God gives you.
Until next time, see the blessings in every day.
Episode 14 is here and as always, click the link below to take a listen!
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Rest your ears and warm up your mind by reading the episode below! The “script” is the bear. Sometimes it lines up pretty close with what is on audio and sometimes we go a bit off-script 🙂 You do miss out on some special things if you don’t listen and read 🙂
Enjoy!
Back to school. We all know this time of year too well. Some of you are going into this season with new pens and pencils, fresh note pads and heavy books. Others are going into this season knowing you won’t be seeing your grandkids as much. Some of you are going in knowing there is a routine around your corner with quiet no kid moments in the middle of the day. And then there are you who are sending your babies off to college.
Back to school for me now is more some friends are closer and some friends are farther away. More people are calling the school at work and the teachers are around more. Quiet mornings aren’t a thing now.
Back to school shopping was always my favorite. My mom and I would go to Kohls and JCPenny and find deals and cute clothes. We would go to Shopko (who have let me down) and get the school supplies. The excitement to go back to school so you can see your friends every day is the best feeling! Going back to school and going home with a bag full of homework is a very sad feeling.Â
What are some of your back to school traditions? Leave a comment on our Instagram or Facebook!Â
If you have kiddos who are going into Preschool or Kindergarten you are excited that they are excited but sad that you won’t be seeing your baby all day. But to see them in that “first day of school” photo and outfit makes it a hint better 🙂
If you have kiddos or are a kiddo going into Middle school you are probably gearing up for some serious awesome friend time. Maybe a hint of sports and activities in there too 🙂Â
If you have kiddos or are a kiddo going into high school you are probably not looking forward to the harder classes but you are looking forward to seeing your favorite teacher 🙂 There are also some awesome clubs in high school that always make going to school a little easier 🙂
Then we get to college. Poor parents, sending their babies off to be independent and sometimes idiotic. poor kids, losing having their parents there all the time to give them the look. You guys know what I am talking about and trust me, you will miss it.
When I went away to college I felt homesick most of the time. My family is super sarcastic and it was a bit of a shock when I didn’t have all that sarcasm in my life every day. Then there was the lack of being picked on. It is annoying when your parents pick on you all the time but when you don’t have your parents to pick on you, man, life just isn’t the same. trust me on that. It is weird.
I have a friend right now who stayed in the city she is going to college, over summer, to work. She starts school next week and our conversation tonight was talking about her finding time to come home. Going back to school for her is missing home because she hasn’t seen it is over 3 months.
I have a friend…actually, I have a few friends who are gearing to start their new school year as student teachers. All of them are super psyched and excited about this journey but they are nervous. They are still trying to figure everything out. Mostly because I want to spend time with them this semester…friend withdrawal is serious business 🙂Â
I have a brother going into his Junior year of high school. I was with my family and they were talking about the courses he was going to take this year. He has some hard classes but I know he can rock every single one.Â
My other brother is a Sophomore in College this coming year. I still think he is going to change what direction he wants to take engineering by the end of the year…again. BUT he is going to have a great year full of friends, tears, laughs and very late nights 🙂
To all of you going starting your school year with new school supplies, old school supplies, and hammy downs, YOU GOT THIS! Mama and Papa bears, YOU GOT THIS! You raised your kids to be amazing young adults. They may go through a rough patch, but they will grow up the way you guided them 🙂Â
Teachers, YOU GOT THIS!!! We love you, we believe in you and we support you!
For you all going back to school, may God bless your school year and may you all thrive with the knowledge you accumulate. Have fun this year!
Us “done with school for a while-ers” will be cheering you on and thanking the Lord we are done 🙂Â
Until next time, see the blessings in every day.
Click the link below to take a listen to Episode 13!
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Books and books Episode 13 is all about books!
Panda joins this week for an episode talking all about books. This is one of her most passionate topics and it becomes quite obvious as you listen along.
Again there is no script for this episode.
I will give you all a hint though, we talk about books and quote one of our favorite movies. 🙂
Until next time, see the blessings in everyday.
Episode 12 is filled with laughter, reminiscing, adventures and silly things three friends did growing up together. Click the link below to listen to Episode 12 of Simply Living Podcast
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
There is no script for Episode 12 because it was three friends catching up and talking.
The whole idea of episode 12 was talking about the importance of old friends…however, when you get three old friends together we can easily get off task and rabbit trail our way around the farm. We did go back to talking old friends off and on (maybe twice out of the whole 37+ min) but not a lot. We didn’t have a lot of time to be together so we ended up just talking and catching up. There are a few topics that were cut short on the episode because they weren’t relevant, important or too many names were said.
Thank you for listening to Episode 12! We will see you next week for Episode 13 when Panda comes BACK and we talk all things books. I think Episode 13 might be a part 1. There are too many thoughts about books to have just one Episode on!
Until next time, see the blessings in every day.
Oops! Thank you, grandma, for letting me know. Apparently last week I completely forgot to post a blog about Episode 10! Completely my bad!
As always, click the link below to listen to all the episodes!
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
You can also listen to the podcast on iTunes, google music and more!
On episode 10 Katelyn Raddatz joins us and talks all about the importance of friendship.
There is no script being that the episode is a recording of two friends chatting away about the importance of friendship and how they both became the friends they are now.
Katelyn and I share the story of how we became friends, how we became better friends to others and how we know who are our true friends in life.
On episode 11 it is just me, Krissa. I talk about making new friends in each place I go to. I also do a little preaching to myself but I truly think it is a message we all need to hear sometimes. A good reminder and a nice kick in the rear 🙂
There is also no script for episode 11 because I was just talking from the heart. That is also why the episode sounds like a long rant 🙂 No punctuation edits, no reading of any sort, just a ramble of this and a ramble of that 🙂
Until next time; see the blessings in every day.
Click the link below to listen to Episode 9 of Simply Living Podcast!
http://simpleblessingspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
As always, if you don’t want to listen go ahead and read! The podcast does have more to it but the script gives the gist 🙂 Enjoy!
Advice. Good advice. Bad advice. Advice is always one of those.
Getting the bad out of the way right away. I was told that using dictation to write anything on my computer is one of the best ways to go. Ok. So let’s give it a whirl here.
Okay so the actual work real well, before that it did not. I was in my kitchen working on stuff and wanted to start working on the script while I got stuff done. So I recorded some things and it kept saying potatoes. Potatoes this crazy, potatoes this, potatoes that. I didn’t even have potatoes on my mind yet, it was saying that I was talking potatoes. I was really confused so I thought well maybe it is just really noisy.
So it didn’t do to bad…this time. Haha
I am going to have to say, that advice was bad for me. I talk weird and machines have a really hard time understanding me.
Sometimes you just have to dress up to feel good. This advice does not always work for me…ok it usually doesn’t. Clothes don’t always fit me very well and weird things happen. I often feel my best when I look my worst. For instance, wearing a dress keeps you from doing criss-cross apple sauce when sitting on the ground. Instead, you have to sit to the side causing your hips and whole body really to be at a bad angle and if you are anything like me half of your body falls asleep and you can’t get up. Now if I was in jeans or shorts with a comfy T-shirt or a big sweatshirt I could sit on the ground criss-cross apple sauce and not have to worry about anything. Also the wind, there is nothing to hold down!Â
I will admit that sometimes putting on a full face of makeup is fun. I actually did that this afternoon just because. I am not looking forward to taking it off because it takes absolutely FOREVER but, it feels good right now 🙂
Some really good advice (that I am still working on) I was actually given a month ago. I was talking to someone about how behind on bookkeeping and other things I was and how I just can’t seem to focus down to get everything done. Her advice, you just have to do it. Yes, that is pretty much Nike’s slogan but it hit harder. For me, I have to literally just do it or it will never get done. It doesn’t matter how much someone nags me to do something if I don’t tell myself or make myself to do it. That project will never get done by me. For instance, I want to put a shower in my current bedroom to give it a full bath. I had to call a plumber to get a quote. It didn’t matter how many times my mom reminded me to call or asked if I had called, I had to make myself do it.Â
I have a neighbor who tells me almost every time we talk, the people surrounding you on the block want to help. All you have to do is ask. Man, I struggle with that.Â
Another piece of good advice that I think we have all heard it “dream big.”
This is one of the best pieces of advice I think I could have ever been given because of who I am. I have always had a big imagination. I have always been a big dreamer and it has only gotten more so as I grew older.
To not be afraid to dream big is one of the biggest comforts I have. I know, most of my dreams will not come true but why take away the fun of dreaming? Dreams put smiles on your face, hope in your heart and they give you a place to go when you are feeling down. Dreams aren’t always just dreams either. Dreams can be a reality. I have physical proof of that. To me, as of right now, I can say my dream is successful. I can say that I am happy, that I am living my dreams and that God truly blessed me WAY beyond anything I could have ever thought.Â
Smile. People honestly notice when you are smiley and happy all the time. If you are wondering if this is really me? Do I really smile all the time? Yes and no. Hahaha, There are moments in life where a smile is hard. Where the devil works deep and strong and takes the smile off your face. Those moments are pretty rare lately. I really do smile most of the time. I get a lot of comments from people saying they love my smile. They thank me for smiling all the time. They thank me for being happy. That is the best advice I have ever given. Smile.
Another one is “be positive.” That is one that I have seen in so many places but recently I have seen scientific studies about being positive and how great it is on our lives. It really drives me nuts when people don’t see the positive in things. When all they see is the negativity and the sadness. I don’t know how people can go through life seeing sadness all the time everywhere they look. God made such an amazing world and life for us. Yes, it isn’t easy, but it is ours. We decide how we want to see life. We decided how we want to live our lives. Positivity has shown to lengthen your years. It’s cheesy I know, but in the words of 6th grade KJ, “Smile every day no matter what comes your way.”