living proof of God's grace & living free to share hope, encouragement & adventures
If you're a fan of those HGTV home reno shows with the major before and after reveals, this post is for you. Buying an old house to renovate Back in 2021, my husband John and I started casually looking for property somewhere along the Gulf of Mexico to purchase for a short-term rental. Ideally something …
Continue reading Renovating a Mid Century Modern House: Before & After
Have you heard the saying, "Comparison is the thief of joy"? While I do believe that's true, I don't think it goes far enough. Comparison doesn't just steal your joy. It takes your life. The Comparison Trap How often do you compare yourself to other people? No judgment. I'm writing this for myself just as …
April and May are special months for me. At the end of April in 2016, I made a major decision. I decided to go an entire month without bingeing and purging food. An entire month without my bulimia AND without restricting calories to make up for it. After 10+ years of bulimia, going a month …
Continue reading Life After Eating Disorder Recovery: What I Learned
I wonder. How much do I miss on a daily basis because I'm not paying attention? Here's what prompted the question... We bought a house Back in February 2023, my husband John and I bought a house in Apollo Beach, Florida—not to move from our home in Knoxville, TN, but to renovate and turn into …
Do bad body image days make you hate trying on clothes? Take all the fun out of shopping? I understand. After recovering from an eating disorder (ED) in 2016, dealing with both rapid and gradual weight gain has been tough. And, it forced me to replace nearly my entire wardrobe over a span of several …
Continue reading Tips for Clothes Shopping on Bad Body Image Days
It's my birthday today. I'm officially 40 years old. At one time, this age felt SO OLD. I mean, heck. When you graduate from high school, you haven't even lived half of 40 years yet! But today, as I embrace this age, it doesn't feel old. I don't feel any different than I did yesterday. …
Have you ever felt disqualified or unworthy because of your past? Maybe you fear judgment. Maybe you wonder if anyone will take you seriously or trust you. Maybe shame holds you back. Or, maybe you question how God could possibly use you after what you've done. Friend, if that's you. If you can resonate, please …
Continue reading How to Overcome Your Past and Use it for Good
I was that kid who dreamt of writing a book one day. And now, just shy of 40 years old, I can call myself a published author. Well, self-published. This blog takes you step-by-step through my self-publishing journey. Click here to skip to that part. Why I wrote a devotional You can click here to …
Continue reading How to Self-Publish a Book on Amazon (KDP): Tips From My Experience
I have to admit, I never thought I'd write a Christian devotional. For much of my life, I struggled to even read devotionals regularly. (More about that part of my story here.) Writing my own? Years ago, I would've laughed in disbelief. I grew up thinking I'd never be qualified to offer any sort of …
Continue reading Why I Published an Eating Disorder Recovery Devotional
Last summer, a stark reality hit me. I complain a lot. Wowwww, I complain a lot. And, I didn't like who I was when I complained. Ouch! For me, it's all too easy to justify complaining about things in this life. I complain when I'm frustrated with a situation that I don't like—and sometimes can't …
adventure and the girl 