Happy Halloween!

Hoping you and your family had a happy and safe Halloween!

Still Making Changes

I know that most of my posts are centered around being eco-friendly, healthy, and/or parenting, but not all of the changes I am making are centered around those things. When I started this blog, I knew that I needed to turn my life around because I was just not where I wanted to be or where I ever expected to be in my life. Some changes have been intentional and sometimes things change as a result of those intentional changes. 

At the root of all of this is the decision to change into the person that I want to be. That meant a change in the way I make other decisions. With every new situation, I now have a new way to look at that situation and decide how to proceed. My former self would often look at the neighbors and see what they were doing, think about what my family and friends would expect me to do, and contemplate how my husband or children would react to my decision. It doesn't take a genius to see the flaw in that line of thinking. I had left out those that should have been the two biggest influences in my decision-making: God and myself. 

I made an intentional change to base my decisions on what I think, what I know, what I believe, and what the Bible says, what God would want for me.

A small example: When I wanted a garden, I took into account the best way to keep my pets out of it, make it easily accessible for me and the kids, have it blocked off from the rest of the yard, etc. Turns out the best spot was in the front yard, just off the porch. What did the neighbors think? I don't know. I didn't ask. 

A big example: When my husband left me, I took into account the way I felt about his leaving, the way our relationship had been from beginning to present, the probable future if he came back and if he didn't, and what would make me happy. Should I plead with him to keep trying or let him go? If he asked to come back should I let him or refuse? I looked to my Bible and my Church family for guidance and I prayed and prayed. Everyone had their opinions. I listened quietly and knew that I would make my own decision. I am now a single mother. And quite happy.

My amazing daughter and I

I was reminded this morning in Church that I am God's daughter and he wants me to be happy and to be successful in my endeavors. I won't always make the right decisions, and we don't all live happily ever after. There will be bumps in the road. But if I admit my mistakes when I realize them and I ask forgiveness, I can start over and try again. At least now I am setting myself up for a better success rate by making better decisions in my life. 

Winter Wonderland Giveaway Hop

Announcing The Winter Wonderland Blog Hop...

I am excited to announce the team up of Andersons Angels and Joy of Momma Joyner once again to bring you another FUN blog hop called Winter Wonderland! This event will run from 12:01am EST Saturday December 1, 2012 through 11:59pm EST Saturday December 15, 2012. It's super easy to join in on all the fun of getting ready for the Winter Season!



Sign-ups are open now, so head on over to add your blog to the Linky. Be sure to tell them that Mama Making Changes sent you!

Mama Making Changes will have a two great prizes for this giveaway: one sponsored by BeeAlive and another sponsored by Sprout San Francisco for a total of more than $100 in prizes! 

Mama's Green Gift Guide

Have you started Christmas shopping? 

Like me, do you tend to wait till the last minute? 

I like to do lots of research and window shopping first. Then I do the shopping in December. 

This year I have decided that I may as well share the fruits of my labor. I am working on a list of great green gift ideas to post! The Green Gift Guide will be posted on Mama Making Changes in early November so that you can start shopping in plenty of time to have items delivered to your door. 

In the meantime, if you have your own products or would like to recommend other items for the Green Gift Guide, I will be happy to have a look! Please feel free to send submissions to mamamakingchanges@aim.com by 11:59pm Eastern Time on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

And stay tuned for more info on Mama Making Changes' Green Gift Guide! 

Blogger Opportunity Alert

I'm excited about a new way to earn money with your blog. Wingsplay is accepting sign-ups now and will be launching soon. Head on over to sign up now so that you can be one of the initial participants!

Just click here.... to get an estimate of how much you could earn and sign up.

Saturday Afternoons

What do Saturday afternoons mean to me? I work Saturday mornings, but in the afternoon, well, that's fun time. 

Saturday afternoons are great for sitting outside on the front porch, doing nothing, or watching the kids and dogs play. 

Saturday afternoons are a good time to go for a milkshake or ice cream with my daughter.

Saturday afternoon is a great time for a nap on the sofa, which I have time to do because...

Saturday afternoons mean dinner at our house is "see-food"...you see it, you eat it. 

Saturday afternoon in the fall means time to watch my favorite team play football and yell at the television, no matter whether they are winning or losing. 

Saturday afternoons are great for a good book or catching up on those magazines on the coffee table.

Saturday afternoons are time for casual visits with good friends. 

Saturday afternoons are lazy and comfortable and make me feel warm and smiley.

What are Saturday afternoons for you?