There is always more we can do...

 There is always more that we can do. It doesn't matter how much time, money, or lack of it that you have. To give is free, and the reward is within the act of giving itself.

Go out and be there for someone, spend your time with others. There are plenty of places that give the opportunity to volunteer and give.

And whether you think you need it or not, you need it. Helping others gives you perspective and insight into your own life. Could be you need to realize something that you take advantage of in your own life. Maybe it is a way to grow, and there is absolutely nothing greater than soul food. Most times it can teach you charity, love and repentance, and cure you from selfishness, time wasting, judging, gossip, slander, and help you to realize just how wretched you've become.

This is all a good thing, because there is nothing more important than the state of your soul. Helping others on a regular basis, giving of yourself, especially your time and energy is a win, win. Both, the giver and and the one in need of the love, the hope, and the charity, both... receive healing, a reward of grace indeed.

Stephani💗

Christ has no body now on

earth but yours, no hands but 

yours, no feet but yours.

Teresa Of Avila

Do what you can

 where you are...

Most often, with everything else going on in your life, and you might be one of the many who don't like to hear this saying, but it's true: You gotta do what you gotta do....

Pushing through it all might feel torturous at times, overwhelming, however, to move forward, to keep going in a direction of growth, I have found that no matter what is happening in your life, you just have to keep moving, keep doing something.

After that I sit back and take in everything I go through it in my mind, relax and sort through everything by importance, by what is most needed and by what will prove beneficial, even if it is a small step, but in the right direction.

No one is or should come save you,

You just gotta do what you gotta do....

Stephani💗

Something fun for your tongue...

 I remember quite a few of them, and here are 3 of my favorite tongue twisters. 

Back in 1991, I completed on camera television training and one of the best parts was doing tongue twisters. 

One of the best milestones of my life was going to Toronto every week for this and meeting Phil Travis, who was an amazing person in the field. He came down to my town after that and even took me for a tour through CHCH TV, I loved the editing room, it was an amazing experience all and all!

Stephani💗

Free Pattern! Crown and Brim Crochet Tam

 Today I am posting a Free pattern that I made back in 2014. 

This Tam can be made and worn for an season.

Crown and Brim Tam

Materials Needed:

H Hook (small size) I Hook (Medium Size) J Hook (Large, Regular Size) K Hook (Extra Large)

***Note*** To make your tam smaller or larger just go up or down one hook size.

4ply Acrylic Yarn, Wool or Cotton.

Bamboo, Satin or any Shimmer/Shiny Yarn for the Crown and Brim Unique Touch!

Abbreviations

CH – Chain

SC – Single Crochet

DC – Double Crochet

SS – Slip Stitch

CC – Change Colour

Start

Chain 6

Slip Stitch through first Chain 1 to form a ring.

Round 1 : Chain 3, This will count as your first DC.

Double Crochet 9 more times in ring for a total of 10 DC.

CROWN ROW – Colour Change – Drop Main Colour and

Slip Stitch – Pulling through Crown Colour. This will start your Row 2 Crown Row

Round 2: With Crown Colour, Chain 3, then, 1 Double Crochet in the same Double Crochet Stitch.

Next, Put 2 Double Crochet in each Double Crochet stitch for a total of 20 DC

Change Colour back to main by dropping Crown Colour and Picking up Main Colour.

Slip Stitch

Round 3: Chain 3, then, 1 Double Crochet in the same Double Crochet Stitch.

Next, Put 2 Double Crochet in each Double Crochet stitch for a total of 40 DC

Slip Stitch

Round 4: Chain 3, then, 1 Double Crochet in the same Double Crochet Stitch.

Next, Put 2 Double Crochet in each Double Crochet stitch for a total of 80 DC

Slip Stitch

Round's 5-10: Chain 3, then, 1 Double Crochet in each Double Crochet stitch for a total of 80 DC

Slip Stitch

Round 11: Here's where you will DECREASE.

Chain 3, then 1 Double Crochet in each DC, then on every 5th stitch decrease.

Slip Stitch

Round 12: Chain 3, then, 1 Double Crochet in each Double Crochet stitch. Drop Main Colour, then

with Brim Colour (same as Crown Row 2)

Slip Stitch with Brim Colour

Round 13: Chain 3, then, 1 Double Crochet in each Double Crochet Stitch. Drop Brim Colour and

with Main Colour,

Slip Stitch

Round 14: Single Crochet in each Double Crochet Stitch all the way around.

Slip Stitch cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Finished.

Ti Stephani 2014

PERMISSIONS

*** You have permission to make and sell finished items from this pattern.***

*** Please do not resell or redistribute this pattern***

~A Ti Stephani Pattern ~Created by Stephani Grace Miller © 2014 ~ Crown and Brim Tam

Choose Your Battles Wisely....

After today it is so clear how true this is. I almost forgot what I was going to blog about today, How ironic is that!

Making supper, watching the Young and the Restless, cleaning up the kitchen, sitting down for a moment while it cooks, about to write this and then thinking; "should I do it now or wait till after the show, after dinner, after the dishes are done?"

Choosing your battles wisely goes far beyond drama and arguments. It's actually easier in those situations to decide on whether or not to engage or ignore.

It's what I call the TASK Battles that are a lot more tricky! If I had chosen to do this first, maybe supper would have burnt. If I had decided just to watch the show, nothings would have got done. I could fit my blog time in, but not fully concentrate on what I am writing, and so forth.

So I chose to have the show on, check up on supper during commercial breaks, relax and eat, then write my blog.

And, yes, you probably guessed right. The dishes battle can wait till I am done this!

Now I am off. to win a dish war! Have a great evening!

Choose your Task Battles wisely and your sure to come out with victories!

Stephani💗

P.S - Seriously, the dishes aren't going anywhere. Do them last! 

Not Enough... Sometimes Too Much!

 Today I feel so tired, running on less than 4 hours sleep.

Not getting enough sleep is tough, juggling everything, plus those extra things that creep up in life. We are not as sharp, decision making can be foggy, and our mood, definitely pays the price on ourselves and those around us.

Ironically, too much sleep and rest, sadly has similar outcomes. Dragging your butt around trying to stay focused and sharp, seems to evade us and we say, "But, I got so much sleep, I shouldn't be tired."

Balance is the key, I find in my own personal life. I find 6-8 hours of sleep for me is good. I am more productive, not sluggish or foggy, and feel like the day is much more happy and full.

Everyone is different and may require a little more, or a little less sleep. It is worth it to figure it out and stick to what works for you.

This brings to me to my original thought. 

In pretty much all areas in life this also rings true, not enough...sometimes too much, almost always seems to throw things off balance.

Move towards the "Just enough" balance in life.

Stephani💗

Get me out of this funk...

 Tired exhausted, doing it all. Quietly being responsible for others, taking care of others and losing sight all the things that are needed to sustain oneself. Trust me, bad idea, not a great way to live life.

How do I get my self out of the cycle of never ending doing, going and going, on and on.  First I pray about it and then I pick up a good book, shut myself away for a time and totally get my mind off all of it. Then do something positive, something fun.

You might, go out for a 15 minute or more walk, clean ferociously, what ever it takes. It's necessary to remove, regroup, rejuvenate.

Sometimes, we have to look at those things that appear burdensome, as opportunities, as strength building. If we look at things differently, then they don't carry such a heavy weight after all. They become character building, and resilience building tools in life.

Get me out of this funk... yes, and then bring on ,my next lesson in life, mold and shape me, so I can become a better and better person as I make it through it all. And have some fun a long the way!

Grateful for life,

Stephani💗

Game time fun with my youngest son Marcus a few years back. He's 17 now. Taking that time away from all the tough stuff to have some fun!