Life can change in an instant.  One thing that is sure to happen to all of us is we are going to die.  Sooner or later the curtain of life will fall and our short time on this earth will be over.  I had an instance that reminded me of this fact earlier this week. 



Over the last few weeks I have had the feeling that I should travel to Reno, Nevada to visit some of my family.  My hubby was gone so even though it was going to be several hours in a car with little children I decided I should take off and go.  Usually I have a list a mile long of all the things my family could/should  do on vacation, but this time I couldn’t seem to put anything together.  I really just wanted to go and not be so anal about our trip. 


The day after I got to Reno I went to visit my Grandma who I love dearly.  She was feeling a little under the weather but was happy to have company and welcomed us in.  Lately I have been interested in learning more about my ancestors.  While we were visiting I asked my grandma about her parents and grandparents.  She shared stories about them she showed me some quilts that her mother had sewn that were hanging on her walls.  I was even able to borrow one of my great grandpa’s journals to look over for the week.  After a while we decided to let her rest and planned to get together another day.  After we left her health declined rapidly and within 2 hours an aunt of mine took her to the hospital.  She was quickly moved to ICU and remains there today. 

We don’t know what the outcome will be with my grandmother right now, but we do know that she will pass from this life soon.  In reflecting on this fact, I have come to ponder the question, “what will I be remembered for?”  As I have been looking at my ancestors I have started to categorize them.  Grandma Hellen loved to sew and make porcelain dolls.  Grandpa Van made it a goal in life to do something nice for someone else every day.  Grandma Sarah forgave and cared for her father later in life, whom had abandoned her and her sisters to die as children.  I read these stories and I am so inspired by these people that I have come from.  I believe that if well all looked into our ancestry we would also be awe stricken and gain strength knowing who we come from.  This is where my question is stemming from.  “What will I be remembered for?” 

I have children, and I hope they will be able to grow and someday have families of their own.  I want to watch them get married, have kids, and experience life.  I want to watch my kids children do the same.  I want to have the opportunity to grow old and I know someday I too will be laid to rest.    When I am laid to rest will my family remember me as the mom that was always in a hurry to get things done?  Who never really knew them?  Who cared more about what was going on around her family than what was going on in her family?  Or will I be remembered as a woman who truly loved her family and people?  One who knew what was important and did not let distractions get in the way of what mattered most to her? 

My ancestors live on.  They live on in my memories of them and the stories I have of them.  I want to live on as well, but not as the woman that was always tied up in doing the “thick of thin things.”   I am fearful that I show the characteristics of how I don’t want to be remembered all too often.  It is so easy to get caught up in a whirlwind and step over the important people/instances/moments in life.  I know I have already stepped over to many people/instances/moments and I pray I will not skip over any more. 



I believe faith without works is dead, so I have a few questions we can ask ourselves to help us evaluate what we want to be remembered for/as.  Take a couple of minutes and write down your answers to the following questions. 

1.        What do you want to be remembered for? (Kindness, Cleanliness, Charity, Forgiveness, Love, Health/Fitness, and/or activities you do?)

2.       What do you want your family and friends to say about you when you pass?

When done ask yourself:

1.        Am I living my life the way I want to be remembered?

2.       What changes can I do today that will lead my life the way I want it to go?

3.        Can I commit to changing and how am I going to change?  (Create a plan to change for the better)




About this Author: De Kinsey is the co-owner/manager of LIFE 1010™.  She worked as a licensed residential and commercial escrow officer for over 5 years.  This experience helped her learn how to analyze and understand legal documents and translate them in a way the general public could understand.   De Graduated from Utah Valley University in Psychology and in Community Health Science.  She understands how a person’s psyche and personal health can have positive and/or negative impact on their LIFE and financial well being.  She brings this knowledge into the LIFE 1010™ program. 

If you are like me you are going what happened to Summer? Back to school already? I hate the thought of having to get ready for back to school. So here are my tips for easier preparedness.

1-) School schedule. I hate the day after the first day of school. The kids are already telling you that they are too tired to get up. So start about a week before school getting up and doing your school routine. Have them start setting their own alarm give them some responsability.

2-) Coupon Clipping-  Umm I hate spending money on school supplies. This is a couponers dream month. You can spend next to nothing for school supplies if you find the right coupons. 

3-) Clean out the old- Back to school means new clothes and that means no room for the old. Time to go through the closets and drawers, find a great second hand store to pass on the old. Again use those coupons for the new.

4-) Turn off the TV- time to get into the habit of not having the electronics, this will help when the homework starts rolling in. This also helps when it is time for conversation. Find out how your kids days are going and where you can help. Your kids want to talk they want you to listen. This wwill also help out with reading time.

5-) Time to set up the family calendar- If you are like our family you are busy. Make sure that your calendar is set up so everyone knows where they are supposed to be and when. There are many important dates that have to be added when kids go back to school. You may not think that they are important, but to your kids they are.

 I hope that this helps you get a little more prepared for those long school months coming up. Just remember summer will be here again soon.

I don't know about you, but I get so tired of the summer brain drain. Lets face it our kids don't want to be learning in the summer they want to be having fun. So here are some great ways to keep them learning without them knowing that they are.




1- Create a summer Treasure/memory box. We can never remember all the adventures we went on in the summer. Help your kids create a box or bucket that they can keep a little something from all the fun they had this summer.

At the end of the summer you can create a memory book or box to hang on the wall and talk about all of their adventures. Have them keep a journal to remember these days in detail. This will help with their writing and hand writing.

2- Create a Garden just for them- Come on if they have their own garden it is easier for them to think about weeding it and taking care of it. Plant things that they are going to be excited about.

This will help them in science to figure out how things grow.

3- Go to a Museum and have a scavenger hunt- Hello helps you get out of the heat for a day and they are learning while searching for all the fun things. (There are usually online maps and aids to help you create the scavenger hunt)

This will help them appreciate art and history depending on what type of museum you visit.

4- Turn a handheld device into personal library. When they are reading things that they want to and on that darn device they never want to get off of it is easier to get the reading done. Help them set up a library and their are apps that will time their reading and keep them on track.

5- Learn a new skill around the House. This not only helps them, but helps you get those chores done. Make it a game to learn a certain amount of tasks for the summer and get them a treat when they have learned them all correctly. 

This will just help them out in life.




I am so excited for summer and getting to spend quality time with my kiddos. Make these things you do together. You will also be learning about them when you are having fun with them.

About this Author: Kelli Roethel has 5 years experience in the Health insurance industry as a Cobra specialist. She is owner, co-founder and Manager of the Life1010 program, which is designed to help individuals through a step-by-step process of getting their lives and businesses in order. The program focuses on emergency preparedness, creating an effective spending plan, health and wellness, and retirement planning. She has helped the business in creative aspects of social media and event planning.  Kelli as a part time stay at home mom enjoys helping others get their lives organized. Loves the joy of watching others realize how important it is to be 
prepared for life’s crazy ups and downs. 

Every once in a while, life gets the best of us or we have a day that we’re just down.  It happens , Here are 12( a dozen, as many months are in a year) tips to  hack life, own it, and turn today into the new best day ever!

1-    Always have a quest    

2-    Get a scar and for sure don’t die without a scar. (not these kind of scars though http://scarification-gallery.tumblr.com )

3-    Change the way things are normally done

4-    Take the time to come up with a kick A bucket list, and then start working through it.

5-    Help someone else make their dream come true

6-    Thank a member of the military

7-    Do something that makes you uncomfortable.  Heck, do something that scares the poop right out of you! 

8-    SLOW DOWN!!!

9-    Question authority

10-Write someone a handwritten note.  Shoot, make it a regular habit and write lots of notes ( or lots of notes all at once http://www.buzzfeed.com/melismashable/the-post-it-note-prank )

11-Learn something new today  http://www.factslides.com

12-Don’t be “busy” it’s a trap!  You don’t have to be “bustin’ it” 24/7

About this Author: Ed Kinsey has been in the financial services industry since 2003. He has experience in Real Estate, Mortgages, Commercial Finance, Annuities, and Life and Health Insurance.  His goal is to benefit the lives of one million people. He want companies to start providing better benefits at lower costs through our services. He wants to enlighten people to the retirement benefits available through life insurance, the only tax free retirement option. We have secure solutions.  Ed is also a world ranked powerlifter and fitness enthusiast.

Most people are aware that probiotics are effective in treating digestive and intestinal issues.  For example, it is very common to eat yogurt high in beneficial flora, also known as good bacteria, while on an antibiotic cycle.  This allows the restoration of good bacteria needed to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

However, it is also noteworthy that good bacteria seek to dominate and protect every tissue of your body, not just your digestive system.  There are beneficial bacteria in your nasal passages, nose, throat, and ears as well.  A sinus infection is often the result of bad bacteria overtaking the good, causing mucus and blockages that lead to the infection.  A prescription of antibiotics will kill not only the bad bacteria but also the good, making your nasal passages more susceptible to future frequent infections. 

An effective dose of probiotics can help to guard your nasal passages from the bad pathogens that will try to take over and plug up the works!  Some research also indicates that an effective probiotic can be helpful in reducing nasal congestion associated with seasonal allergies.  This is very interesting because in Chinese medicine it is believed that sinus issues are almost always related to the gut!

I personally have been taking probiotics consistently for over a year and have yet to get a sinus infection during that time.  Prior to that, I was having consistent sinus problems, around 3 infections per year, and was consulting ear, nose, and throat specialists about the need for sinus surgery.  I have also noticed improvements in my digestive health, especially in situations where my routines are altered, such as traveling.  I believe that we are just beginning to discover the depth of the benefits of effective probiotics! 

I have been thinking about Easter and all the fun that comes with it. In my family we always have Easter Egg Hunts. As I thought about it we have a different kind of hunt every year. So I wanted to write them all down and share them in-case you are looking for a different kind of hunt this year.

1- ) Traditional Easter egg hunt-

We have all had the traditional. You put candy in the plastic egg and hide them around and the kids go wild and find the eggs. We love this one it is easy and fast to get this one together.

2- ) Night time hunt-

This one is super fun. You take the traditional plastic eggs and put tiny glow sticks in them and hide them around the yard. You can find the little glow sticks at your local dollar store. Add the candy for extra fun.

3- ) Easter morning hunt-

We always hide the hard boiled and colored eggs. The Easter bunny hides them for the kids on that morning. They love that the Easter Bunny Hides the Eggs that they Dyed.

4- ) the color coded hunt-

We have 10 grandkids in my family so we had to make it even for them to find their eggs. We give them each a color and that is the only color that they can find. This makes it easier for my parents who buy the kids a big treat as well. They can just color code them to match their color. Then nobody fights over how many they have and if someone got more.

5- ) The Easter scavenger Hunt-

We got tired of the usual egg hunt one year and wanted to give the kids more than just candy, so we created the egg Scavenger hunt. We hid clues everywhere to lead them to their big gift. We started with giving them the first clue. Then they had to take turns reading and finding the clues till they found their big gift. It was so fun and took a little more time that the run around like crazy hunt.

6- ) The Healthy Egg hunt-

This one is not my favorite, but I get the necessity. We have all been there trying to avoid the processed food and the sugar. So we did a Healthy fill on the eggs. We put in Grapes, or dried fruit in the eggs, we have also added nuts and trail mix. This was not a big hit with the kids, but it was healthier for them.

7- ) the Money Hunt-

Again we were trying to be healthier and not get the kids “hopped” up on sugar. So we filled the eggs with all that loose change hanging around the house. It was fun to hear all the money rattling around when they found the eggs. They thought that they were rich when we were done.

8-) The doggy egg hunt- So in our family our dogs hold pretty high ranks. They are up there with the kids. So we had to include them in the hunting of the eggs. We packed those plastic eggs with those chewy treats. You would be surprised how quickly they can get into those eggs. They seemed to have a great time.

I am big on Family traditions and getting out into the sunshine. I know that there are lots of hunts out there. We would love to hear all about yours. We hope that you have a great Easter and that you get out and enjoy the little ones. Happy Hunting.

We all know when the sun starts to finally shine, and you look out the window you realize you can’t see out your window as well as you once did. You are tired of being trapped in the house and want to get outside. When you come back in you realize things aren’t as clean as you want them to be. Yep you have spring fever, and it is time to get that spring-cleaning in full gear. Here are some tips to help get started.

1-) Vinegar and Baking soda

These are your best friends when it comes to cleaning. What can they do? Everything. Your dishwasher needs to be cleaned. Did you even think about that? Yes add a little Baking soda and vinegar to a cycle it will be as good as new. Your sink is clogged and nothing is working? ½ cup baking soda and vinegar till it bubbles over. Wait till bubbles disappear turn on warm water clog is gone. Vinegar takes away most stains, and is kid and pet friendly.

2-) Newspaper for Drying windows and Mirrors

You want that streak free perfection from your glass surfaces? Newspaper. It is a weird trick, but it works. No little fuzzies left behind just beautiful windows and glass.

3-) Get the whole Family involved

I know like myself I want things to be done a certain way. And I feel like when others help it won’t be done to my standards, but how are your kids going to learn how if they aren’t helping. This is a great family activity. Brings everyone together and they can have a piece of the satisfaction when they see how clean and shiny everything is after.

4-) be brave enough to throw things out

There is a little pack rat in everyone. You think about the money spent and the memories associated with items, and it is hard to get rid of them. I myself use the six-month method. Have you used it or worn it in six months. Does it still fit or will it be used in the next six months? Time to throw things away or donate. If you are a mom planning on having more kids go through the clothes, and put in sizes in boxes. If you need to hold on to it find a keepsake box but only hold on to things with the most value to you. If not take pictures. Pictures are easier to hold on to than the actual item.

5-) when the inside is done move to the outside

I always start on the inside and work from room to room. Once you are finished inside time to clean up the yard. Wash the windows outside. Clean up flowerbeds, time to plant new plants. Make your garden. The outside is just as important as the inside. Once out there it is also time for the dreaded Garage. Finally all the items you are getting rid of have a Yard sale. Make a little extra money. It makes it easier to get rid of the items that have been clogging up your house.

This is one of my favorite times of year. I love getting organized. Enjoy spring!

Have you ever tried to make something like nachos and forgotten the cheese?  Think about it, Nachos.  What a simple meal?  It is basically chips and cheese.  How could someone ever forget cheese on chips for nachos?!?!?  Well, I could. 

My family has Nachos every Monday night.  We call it Nacho Monday.  We have done this for years.  I don’t know how I did it, but one night I prepared the nachos as usual and forgot… you guessed it… the cheese.  How could I?  Was I going crazy?!?!?  A simple meal that I have made every Monday for years and I forget cheese to put cheese on the chips?!?!?!?    Well, I learned something that day.  Sometimes when life is CRAZY (3 kids, dogs, husband, work, housework, pta, etc.)  it is easy to forget the simple things that are necessities in life!  My hubby and I had a talk… because he thought maybe I was going crazy too!!!  We discussed and decided that from then on I would use the recipe book for every meal.  Even the little mundane ones. 

This was actually harder than I thought it would be.  Who wants to get out a recipe book to make cereal, eggs, grape juice?  I sure didn’t!!!!  I had a really hard time with this for a while.  I thought, I should be able to make simple recipes.  If you ask my hubby would tell you, I had this attitude of being “above” using the recipe book.  I would have to constantly remind myself that I forgot cheese on nachos. (Now if that isn’t a huge slap of humility… I don’t know what is?)  So, I kept on getting the recipe book out for every meal. 

As I was doing this I realized that I had an issue with preparing meals.  I thought I could do them all by myself.  (Sounds like a spoiled child right?)  I also learned that nachos were not the only meals that I would screw up!  I cut corners on all meals!!!  Instead of a tablespoon of sugar for a recipe I would add 2 tablespoons one time then the next time a different amount.  I learned that my lack of consistency was the reason why nothing turned out the same in my meals.  This actually caused strain on my marriage, because my hubby LOVES food.  When I found a dish that he loved, fine-tuned it to perfection and then got him all excited that I was going to make it for him and then didn't follow the recipe, it wouldn't turn out.  Then he was mad with disappointment.  I would sometimes think, “He should be grateful I cooked him food.”  But in actuality, I like cooking for him and if I am cooking for him… shouldn’t I make it for him, the way he likes it?  

As I was realizing all these things with my cooking I realized that life is like this as well.  We go about our days with various tasks and try to accomplish it all.  But what is “it all”, and where is “it all” going to take us?  What are we running around mad for?  Is it to get everything done?  Is it to make ends meet? And how often do we cut corners or forget the purpose for which we're doing things?  I realized that without direction in life our lives would turn out like nachos… with no cheese on them.  If we are even that lucky.  If we don’t have direction we are like leaves blowing in the wind.  We will end up where the wind takes us.  Or with whatever was in the fridge.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to end up like rotten milk!

The good news is we can choose to follow whichever recipe we want in life.  We are not the first people to live this life, and even though all our circumstances are different from one another’s, they are similar enough that we can use the ingredients we see others use to have similar outcomes. Maybe our cooking utensils and ovens are different in life, or circumstances, but we can use what behavior patterns have worked for others in order to produce a similar outcome.

So, what do you want in life?  Do you want to have a happy marriage?  Do you want to have a six figure income?  Do you want to never worry about money?  Then do what people with happy marriages do.  Do what people with six figure incomes do.  Do what people that don’t worry about money do!!! 

Now comes the big question….  How do I do what those people do?!?!?  Well, you wouldn’t try to make Ella’s Banana Bars without first asking her for the recipe would you?  Yes, it might be scary to ask someone what they have done to have a happy marriage, six figure income, or never worry about money, but reverse the roles for a second.  When someone asks you for a recipe of a meal or treat that you have prepared how do you feel?  I can tell you I feel GREAT!!!!! I feel great, because someone likes my cooking, something I prepared, something I spent my time on.  When they ask me how I did it, I take that as a HUGE complement and love sharing how I did it.  Now having a happy marriage, six figure income, and never worrying about money is different than a dessert recipe, but do you really think they spent less time on preparing that happy marriage, six figure income, or never worry about money?  Or do you think they spent more?  How much more of a complement is asking going to be to the person you are asking?  Don’t be afraid to ask!!!!

Once you have the recipe, or you asked the person how they did it, don’t think you are “above” following it!!!  The recipe might be simple, and I bet a few of the items that these people tell you really will be extremely simple.  The trick is not to let yourself prepare nachos without the cheese.  Follow the recipe!!!  If you need to write a to do list every day, then do it! 

This life is a gift and you can choose to shape/mold this life into whatever you want.  Make sure you have the right recipe for what you want, and don’t be afraid or to stubborn to follow it in order for it to turn out right.

About this Author: De Kinsey is the co-owner/manager of LIFE 1010™.  She worked as a licensed residential and commercial escrow officer for over 5 years.  This experience helped her learn how to analyze and understand legal documents and translate them in a way the general public could understand.   De Graduated from Utah Valley University in Psychology and in Community Health Science.  She understands how a person’s psyche and personal health can have positive and/or negative impact on their LIFE and financial well being.  She brings this knowledge into the LIFE 1010™ program. 

A few years ago we started this tradition with our kids and now they LOVE getting ready for St. Patrick's day.  

I found this article on TinyBuddah.com.  They have some really good motivational articles.... so check them out.  

Anyway, Everyone struggles in their relationship sometimes. Don't lie and say you don't.  :)  Remember when you struggle that you can also be growing.  Be sure to grow together instead of apart.


How Relationship Issues Can Lead to Growth (and Why It’s a Daily Process)By Zachary Goodson 

Relationships are tough. Even more difficult is maintaining healthy boundaries within a relationship.

My head hurts and I feel like I’m going to throw up. Let me explain. I’m in a loving healthy relationship with a beautiful woman and I’m proud to call her my partner.

Great, so why do I feel like I want to throw up? Well, because last night was a tough night for us, for me, and today I have an emotional hangover.

Here’s the breakdown. She was going to her girlfriend’s house for dinner and girl time. Great. I was home cooking myself dinner and doing a little reading and television viewing. Great again.

I sent her a text at 9:40 asking if she was having a good time. No response. Okay, no worries. An hour and a half later, worries—a head full of them.

Is she okay? Why no reply? Did I do something wrong?

She always replies to my texts. Always. So why not now?

Good question. A healthy response would’ve been to tell myself she’s having a great time and will call when she’s on her way home. I didn’t have a healthy response.

I leaked. Leaked all over the place. Leaked as in my boundaries were nowhere to be found and hence what should have been kept in my head instead leaked all over our relationship.

I texted a pissy good night text saying I was going to bed and hoped she was having fun. Tough to tell tone via text but anyone could have seen that I was pissy. 

A leak = poor containment. I wasn’t containing. She replied!

She said she was having a blast and that I was entitled to be upset. Not good enough. By now I was shaking.

Containment breach! Containment breach! We have leak in the dam.

I couldn’t stop. I texted her saying her behavior was anything but normal. That she always texted me back.

This didn’t help. Stop Zach! I couldn’t.

The scared, wounded little kid had his hands on the steering wheel. He was in charge, not me. I called her. Told her how she had hurt me, that her lack of communication triggered my abandonment issues.

I blamed her for my own stuff. Great boyfriend I am. Actually, I am a good boyfriend; I just had a tough night.

My lack of containment led to my leaking all over the place, all over her. Bad boundaries, it happens to the best of us.

Here’s the growth. Yes growth. There’s growth all over this and I’m thankful for the opportunity.

Today I can own my part, which was assuming, taking things personally, lack of containment, and blaming. My breach of containment led to all of this. There’s growth because I can see my part, learn, and quickly make amends.

There's growth because although I have an emotional hangover, I know in my heart that the relationship is not over. In years past I would have shut down and never recovered from something like this. Not the case today.

As my therapist told me (yes I texted him about this), we have to make mistakes to learn and grow.

Sometimes containment means holding back our own crazy and being the functional adult who can move beyond it. Other times we leak looking for the other person to be responsible for us. It’s about practice and progress, not perfection.

Relationships are tough but I’d rather say relationships are rewarding if we’re willing to look at our part and do the work. It’s a daily practice. And not just with a significant other.

I’m talking about relationships in all areas of our lives: work relationships, sibling relationships., relationships with our parents—all of this and so much more. The biggest for me is relationship with self. I wasn’t taught growing up how to like and love myself.

I was taught that everything is my fault and that I don’t matter. Makes having a loving relationship with myself tough work. It’s a daily practice, as mentioned.

If daily is what’s needed, then daily it is. Some days are better than others but still daily, nonetheless. I call it re-parenting.

I call it love.


Check out more from Zachary Goodson by clicking Here!