Your Life Sparkles

December is here. I am getting out my Christmas decorations and I always get excited about that... but I miss my tall-helper. My Ben.

And his meticulousness with things. Lights, perfect...with proper clamps and staples. It may surprise you to hear that I am satisfied with duct-taped sparkly lights ...my goal is quantity and wanting decor everywhere... and don't worry I will cover that duct tape with garland... I just wanted glitter, spark...

Terramara: Mara's Transformation

Enchanted rivers and magic marhilias care for the land in Terramara. Everything that grows thrives and humans live in harmony with the tiny marhilias. When the River’s magic starts to fade, Terramara’s future is at stake. Mara, a silvery marhilia is transformed. She has an important destiny to fulfill...but will it be enough to save Terramara?

I...

It takes more work to seek the joy. To hold on to the joyful moments, because right now- they are only moments. And they are fleeting. It's a difficult mental exercise for me. I know the power of our minds, the impact of gratitude, the importance of kindness. I have been a champion for these things for years.

And now, in October 2020, I am struggling to do the mental work myself. I see many others who are a bit ...

It's so hard missing Ben. I wish he was here for all the little things. The daily things. All the little moments that fill my day. I got new glasses today. I moved my RRSP to a new bank. I had caesar salad for lunch- is my breath garlicy? I'll catch up on laundry tomorrow. Do you want to go for a walk? You don't realise how many moments add up in a day. How many moments I miss him.

It's constant. That's why I live in the mix of joy and sorrow. 

I have...

Be kind to yourself. Let your thoughts love you and be nice to you. You really are a wonderful person, and you are doing your best.

This year has been a beast ... for all of us. I think it's important not to compare our journeys, to allow ourselves grace and a DEEP BREATH.. no matter what we faced. Everything in *our* lives matters to us, and is important to us.

My own pe...

Today I was interviewed by Marsha Bergher Wietecha on her Blog Talk Radio Show. It's called Born to Talk. She asked me about my 2020, about being the CEO of Your Life Sparkles, being an artist, author and all the different hats that I wear. We also talked about the inspiration for Your Life Sparkles- so much of it is from my mom, Marie. She passed away in October, 2018 but her legacy is alive in the positive, loving things I do today. We talked about my sisters and their impact and suppo...

It's harder to find gratitude in my 2020.

This year has been a series of difficult events. Heartbreaking times. Trials in our human world. Trials in my personal world. Losing my 43 year old husband on July 16 was a shock that I was not prepared for. Sometimes I want to put my head under the pillow and hide away. 

But then I see glimmers of hope. Pieces of the world that are working together. C...

I've seen a flurry of activity on my social media. Of course, that is what social media is for: sharing. 

But when sharing starts to encompass fearful rhetoric, conspiracy theories and angry messages, I worry. I wonder where has the critical thinking gone? When we quickly share a meme, a joke, a photo that makes us smile or laugh, I know I don't always put too much thought into it. But when we share impactful vi...

Here in BC, Dr. Bonnie Henry has coined this phrase, 'Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe' and it's words to remember, words to live by as we navigate the isolation, changes and difficulties that are here alongside COVid-19. I thank her for those words, they have helped me over and over again in the past few weeks. 

Lately, I have seen a lot of posts about hardships, struggles and the difficulties folks are facing. Lack o...

Some of you have already made the decision to do a small elopement. I've felt the mix of emotions then, too. It wasn't an easy decision to make and it was filled with so much...emotion.

The joy for the marriage! The grins between brides and grooms. The sadness for missing best friends, bridal parties and more. The worry for those not with you. The smiles for your love. It's such a crazy mix, it's emotional,...