Lorraine Reguly's Blog, page 5

A Special Strength

I wrote the following poem during my trip to Toronto…

I gave copies of it (the whole page) to a few parents who were staying at RMH (Ronald McDonald House).

I went there after my niece, Sam, lost her eye.

A Poem For YOU

I wrote the following on the page I handed out:

This poem is meant to uplift you. It was written by the sister of one of the RMH guests, who stayed at RMH for two weeks in October 2015 while her niece recovered from chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. She met many wonderful parents and children while here… including you!

A Special Strength

The struggles I face sometimes seem too much to bear,

But the people who surround me, who really DO care,

Help make things better by giving me might,

Which empowers me as I endure my plight.

The warmth and understanding they extend to me

Makes me feel just a little bit more free.

Their love and generosity truly is heartfelt;

They help me put another day under my belt.

The compassion and closeness helps me feel better inside,

And allows me to face life… instead of wanting to hide.

Though the days are long and plentiful,

Each day is filled with light,

And deep in my heart I’m filled with hope

That things will turn out all right.

 

My Trip to Toronto Gave Me Strength

And do drop by Wording Well to see a TON of pics I took while I was in Toronto!!!

While there I met Kerry, a blind author/blogger whom I have gotten to know quite well over the past year or so… from the interview with a blind woman, and then from staying in touch online. She gave me an autographed copy of the anthology she contributed to (which I reviewed on Laying It Out There) and I even dined with her!!!

I also met another writer, Glenda MacDonald, at our meeting.

Be sure to read about my experience with these lovely ladies!

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True Tales about My Life

Hi. It’s been a while since I’ve been around this website of mine… I know.

You deserve to know the truth as to WHY.

I’ve been busy as all get-out! I’ve also been doing some soul-searching.

True Tales Tuesdays ARE BACK!!!

Yes, that’s right! I’m bringing back True Tales Tuesdays to this site!

The Day Jobs of Famous Writers (A #Writing #Infographic)

So you want to be a famous writer, huh? Cool.

Don’t quit your day job just yet!

Or do. It’s up to you!

Whatever your job is, don’t worry. You can still become famous.

Here’s proof! Take a look at these surprising day jobs these famous writers had!

(And a big shout-out to The Expert Editor for creating this infographic and allowing me to share it on my site!)

The Jobs of 20 Famous Writers


Being famous in this day and age is not that hard to do, because anyone can publish books and sell them on Amazon, Kobo, Nook, Barnes & Noble, Selz, etc.

The thing is, you have to have an audience. If you have that, you’re golden!
And then you CAN quit your day job, like these famous authors did!

Hashtags for Authors

Do you know what a hashtag is?

I bet you’ve seen hashtags already, in social media, or even in blog post titles.

Perhaps you’ve used them. Perhaps not.

At any rate, today I’m going to help you get a clearer understanding of what hashtags are… and give you some sample hashtags you can use… if you are a writer or author.

I also want you to share this information with your friends and followers, so please share this post on social media, including on Twitter!

Check out this post on Hashtags for #writers and #authors!
Click To Tweet

Now, let’s get to it…

What is a Hashtag, and Why are Hashtags Used?

Hashtags are created by inserting the number sign (often called the tic-tac-toe board or the pound key) in front of a word or a group of words.

The word or phrase preceded by a hash or pound sign (#) is used to identify messages on a specific topic.

Hashtags are used on different social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and Instagram.

A hashtag is a word or a group of words preceded by a pound (#) sign, which is used to categorize and find conversations around a particular topic or trend.

Hashtags help people find information on specific topics.

For example, writers who are looking for writing tips will use and search for #writingtips. Do-it-yourself-ers will look for #DIY or #DIYtips. Businesses will use #B2B (Business to Business) or #B2C (Business to Consumer), and marketers will use #mktg.

There are tons of hashtags out there. Hashtags can be created for any topic, too.

Check out this post on Hashtags for #writers and #authors!
Click To Tweet

Using Hashtags in Blog Posts

If you are a writer or an author, chances are you already are blogging as a way to help promote your writing.

(If you’re not, you should be! Here’s why.)

Recently, I created a post for my freelancing business site, Wording Well, called Do YOU Use Hashtags in Your Blog Post Titles? Yay or Nay?

That post contains a ton of information, so I urge you to check it out to gain a clearer understanding of what hashtags are and how to use them… and why you should or shouldn’t use them in your blog posts.

If you simply want more information on hashtags, also read How to Use Hashtags: A Complete Guide.

Sample Hashtags for Authors and Writers

#amwriting

#amediting

#writingtip or #writetip (used by writing coaches, editors, etc.)

#writingprompt

#writingsprint

#nanowrimo (a big one in November!)

#writerwednesday

#fridayreads

#ff (Friday Follow)

Genre Hashtags:

#book

#novel

#nonfiction

#fiction

#paperbacks

#shortstory

#story

#shortstories

#shortreads

#litfic is for literary fiction

#histfic and #histnovel are for historical fiction

#womensfiction

#scifi or #science #fiction

#paranormal

#crime

#suspense

#kidlit

For Promotions:

#bookgiveaway

#free

#freebie

#teasertuesday

#samplesunday (for offering snippets of your work or a link to a sample chapter)

#novelines (for quotes from any novel, yours or someone else’s)

#poetrymonth (in April)

#indiethursday (this is for readers who support independent booksellers, not indie authors)

#new

#special

#free

#freebie

#bookbuzz

For Indies:

#indieauthor

#indiepub

#indie

Platform-specific hashtags:

#ebook

#amazon

#kpd

#smashwords

#kindle

#sony

#nook

#nookpress

#kobo

#ipad

For more information, check out 100 Twitter Hashtags Every Writer Should Know.

Or 240 Hashtags for Writers.

Or Literary Related Hashtags For Authors (& Readers).

Or any of the other tons of resources out there!

Boost Your Productivity by Using Future Me (and Accomplish a TON!)

Wow. I’m a bit of a procrastinator.

I just checked all the “drafts” I have in my blogging folder, and some are from over two years ago!

Shame on me. And I call myself a writer. LOL

But that’s not why I’m writing this to you today. And, yes, it’s today, April 5, 2016.

Today, I’m going on a rant. I’m also going to talk to you about how you can follow my example to attain self-actualization, as well as all of the things I’ve accomplished since using Future Me.

However, this is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill blog post. So please read it until the end! (Or you might miss something!)

Some Thoughts about my Future

Because I like to write, I think I’m going to bring back True Tales Tuesdays blog posts, like the kind I used to write on my very first blog, Lorraine Reguly’s Life (which no longer exists, as I’ve turned that blog into Wording Well and have since opened a business which offers 4 different freelancing services).

But I like writing, diary-style, and feel the need to document some more of my life history.

After all, one day (ask me when!), I’m going to publish a series of books about my life and all that I’ve been through… from being raped when I was a virgin, to quitting school, to becoming a single mom of a half-Spanish boy, to doing drugs, to prostituting myself, to getting two university degrees, to teaching high school, to returning to prostitution and then getting involved with crack, to turning my life around after nearly dying, to opening a freelancing business, to going on the trip of a lifetime, to… well, let’s see, that’s where I’m at right now, so I am not sure how or when the series will end!

My question to you: Would you like to see these types of posts here?

Let me know in the comments!

How I Used Future Me to Boost My Productivity

Anyway, today I wanted to share something with you that I found helpful to me a couple of years ago, and also which is helpful to me today, in keeping my goals and productivity on track.

It involves writing a letter to yourself… to your future self… using a free service called FUTURE ME.

HOW IT WORKS

Basically, you simply write a letter to your future self. You pick the day you want to receive an email from your present self, then write the letter, then send it off.

Easy-peasy, right?

I was first introduced to this site by Benny Hsu, when I took one of his courses just over two years ago.

At that time, I was still suffering (although mildly) from depression, and I wanted to Get Busy Living instead of dying (the name of the course, which is now unavailable).

Benny actually gave it to me because I wanted it. And, at the time, I had no money. And no credit card.

I am forever indebted to the mastermind who created that 30-day email course.

It changed my life.

I became motivated.

I had drive.

I wanted to reach my goals, and made plans to do so.

Then I reached them.

I used FUTURE ME to help.

I started writing letters to myself, knowing that I’d be disappointed in myself if I didn’t do what I said I was going to do.

It worked.

Almost three years ago, I wrote the following letter, which I was to receive on my mom’s 68th birthday. I got it, too!

Here is the letter I sent myself:

Dear Future Me,

Today is mom’s 67th birthday, and day 6 of my resolution to Get Busy Living instead of dying…

I hope that, in one year from now, I will have a book coming out for publication.

I plan on spending all winter writing it.

I plan on getting an e-book out, too.

Now, one year later, I want to know this: Did I accomplish these goals?

The answer had better be “YES”!

The kitchen has been started, now, a year later, is it finished?

Sigh. Don’t disappoint me, Lorraine.

Signed,

Lorraine

Here is a screenshot of the email I received:

I will admit that it was kind of weird writing a letter to myself. I’ve written letters to my son, throughout the years, but never to myself!

This is the first letter I ever wrote. Coincidentally, I wrote it on the same day I posted my sneak-peek post of my e-book cover for my book of short stories.

I Forgot What I Wrote in the Letter to Myself

In all honesty, I forgot what I wrote to myself. But I think that was kind of the point.

Indie Promotion Sites

There are many sites that promote books. Today I will share a couple with you, and I want YOU to tell ME which sites YOU KNOW OF that promote books. Let’s all share with one another!

Just drop a line and a link in the comments! Thanks.

Indie Promoter: Owen Thomas

I recently discovered another promotional site for indie authors: Owen Thomas Fiction. This indie helps emerging Indie fiction Authors by doing several different things, including author interviews.

He published a mention of my book on his Emerging Indie Authors page, which links to a press release for Risky Issues.

According to Owen:

Selected authors must subscribe to this site and include a reciprocal link on their author website. If your application is approved, I will post the following information: your name, the name of your book, available formats, a 100-word summary, a link to your website, and the place or places your book can be found. Postings will be made 1-3 times per week on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Indies Unlimited

Indies Unlimited is a great place to connect with other Indie authors. It’s written by Indies, for Indies. Need I say more?

Check out their FAQ page to learn more.

A Book Review of Risky Issues

You meet people of all ages when blogging, and a while back I had the fortune of meeting and interacting with a teenage girl. She bought my book, and wrote me a review. She blogged her review of Risky Issues on her site, The Confetti Girl, too.

Below are a couple of things she said, about each story:

The Secrets of the Study – This story deals with the idea of adoption and made me feel and understand every thought and feeling of the character as she weighs all positive and negative thoughts while tension increases and builds to the climax.

Pamela in the Park- The ever changing balance between actions and decisions is something we teenagers face everyday as we learn to make decisions, form opinions and accept mistakes that we make and it is brought out beautifully and realistically by Reguly in the second story.

The Day Adam Saw Red – This story brings out the many layers of complexities and bundled emotions that a young victim experiences and these are effectively portrayed by Reguly in a fashion that makes you feel that the characters could be anyone in the world around you, making you sensitive to the issue and more aware.

My Best Friend – Personally, this story affected me deeply and is one of my favorites in this book because it made me realize how true friends are the ones that cannot be replaced no matter what.

I simply love what she has said in her recommendation, too, as it proves that one of my goals about raising awareness and communication have been met:

I highly recommend this book to every young adult and adult even though this book focuses on teenagers. This is because along with expressing and exploring teenagers, Reguly also explores the adults in the lives of these teenagers which can bring to you a fresh perspective in your understanding of teenagers. Though a little short and elaborate in the dealing of complex issues and ideas, this book is a lifeline to teenagers in such issues and a torch to others who become more sensitive and aware after reading it.

You can purchase Risky issues here. (Indian citizens)

And here (For US and Canadian citizens)

YOUR TURN:

Do you help promote Indie authors?

What promotion services have you found to be useful?

Share in the comments, please, and help others discover new ways to  promote their books!

The post Indie Promotion Sites appeared first on .

Recipe for My Sweet 8-Layer Cake

I have a sweet tooth. Many people do.

That’s one of the reasons I wanted to share this SUPER-EASY recipe for my 8-layer cake with you.

The other reason I am sharing this is because I believe that good great recipes should be shared!

This is NOT Just a Christmas Recipe!

You can make this recipe any time you want. It’s not just for Christmas!

WARNING: You will love this sweet treat!

The best part about this recipe is that it is SUPER EASY to make. Basically, all you do is simply layer your ingredients in the pan and then throw it in the oven and let the heat do the work!

How Much This Recipe Makes

This recipe will make two pans: one 8 x 13″ pan AND one 8 x 8″ pan.

If you want to make less, adjust the amounts accordingly.

I made a lot because I made this for Christmas 2015. You can see it below in the picture of my baking tray! (I had to do all the cooking for our Christmas dinner, as my mom fell and broke her arm. I even made homemade cabbage rolls for the first time. Get the recipe for THE BEST Cabbage Rolls EVER and try them. Then thank me later!)

Crust Ingredients for My Sweet 8-Layer Cake

Crust Ingredients:

2 ½  cups graham cracker crumbs

½  cup sugar

1 cup melted margarine or butter

Mix all ingredients together and press into the pans.

Directions for Assembling My Sweet 8-Layer Cake

Create the cake by sprinkling each of the following layers over the crust, IN THIS ORDER:

1.5 cups raw sunflower seeds

1.5 cups dessicated coconut

1.5 cups finely ground nuts (almonds or pecans are the best)

1 300-gram package butterscotch chips

1 300-gram package chocolate chips

about 80 glazed cherries (40 red, 40 green) OR cherry pieces

2 cans of sweetened condensed milk

NOTE: When pouring the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, start at one corner and then, very slowly, pour it in a straight line across the cake. When you get to the edge, move it downward and then pour it across the cake in the opposite direction. Repeat until the entire cake is covered!

Use the following diagram to help you understand this process:

Cooking the Sweet 8-Layer Cake

Cook at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes. It’s done when the edges become golden and the cake starts pulling away from the pan.

Note that the cake will “set” over time, so it’s best to let it sit overnight before you cut it. (I know, who want to wait, right?!)

After you cut it, place the pieces in an airtight container so it does not get dried out.

You can freeze some of it, too, if you wish!

Share this Recipe for My Sweet 8-Layer Cake

I’d appreciate it if you would share this recipe with your friends.

I’m pretty sure they’ll thank you for it, too!

Recipe for THE BEST Cabbage Rolls EVER (Pics included!)

My grandmother was the best cook I know. She passed along her knowledge to my mom, and my mom has passed along her knowledge to me.

By writing about the creation of one of the Christmas dishes I made after my mom broke her arm in late 2015, I’m not only sharing their secrets with my cousin (who expressed interest in this recipe in my Facebook post), but…

…I’m also passing this information along to you!

Trust me, you’ll thank me for it in the end, as this recipe for the BEST CABBAGE ROLLS EVER makes the best cabbage rolls in the world!

These cabbage rolls are very easy to make although making them takes a bit of time.

Clear Instructions

I’ve outlined everything clearly, in a step-by-step fashion, too. (I know not everyone is a cook, and I once needed all the instruction I could get!)

I know you are going to love these cabbage rolls. My entire family does, and so do my friends (those lucky enough to have tasted these cabbage rolls, that is…)!

Enjoy!

Ingredients Needed for THE BEST Cabbage Rolls EVER

Ingredients:

One head of cabbage

One pound/package of bacon

One bunch of celery (about 6 full stalks)

Two large onions

Two cups of long grain white rice

Water

V8 juice (or a vegetable cocktail or similar juice)

Ketchup

Season salt

Pepper

Garlic powder or garlic salt

Olive oil or vegetable oil

Cooking spray

Materials Needed for THE BEST Cabbage Rolls EVER

Materials Needed:

A big pot

A medium pot with a lid

A large frying pan

A food processor

A big bowl

A small bowl or large measuring cup

A pair of tongs

Scissors

Two casserole dishes with lids

Directions for THE BEST Cabbage Rolls EVER

Directions:

There are a few steps to making these cabbage rolls.

First, in a large pot, boil some water.

Then core the cabbage. (This means simply cutting the core of the cabbage out, which you can do by cutting around it in a circle.)

Once the water has been boiled, turn down the element to medium-low and insert the head of cabbage.

Then wait for it to soften.

Step-by-Step Directions for Making THE BEST Cabbage Rolls EVER

While you are waiting, do the following, in this order:

ONE: Boil water for the rice. Make it according to the directions on the package.

TWO: Cut the onions and celery into chunks and put in the food processor so you can chop them into fine pieces.

Once that’s done, heat the frying pan on an element at medium heat. Spray with Pam (or another type of cooking spray.)

Fry the celery and onion mixture in a bit of olive oil (or vegetable oil, or butter).

Once they are cooked, put them in a big bowl.

THREE: Cut the bacon into small pieces with the scissors. (Use the same frying pan you just used for the celery and onions.)

Fry the bacon, constantly stirring it, until it’s cooked.

Drain off the fat, then put it in the food processor so that you can chop it into tiny pieces.

Put the bacon in the bowl with the celery and onions.

FOUR: Once the rice is cooked, put it in the big bowl, too.

FIVE: Add some season salt, some pepper, and some garlic salt/powder, and mix well.

This is the filling for the cabbage roll!

To check to see if the cabbage is soft enough, try GENTLY peeling a cabbage leaf away from the rest of the cabbage using the tongs.

The leaf should not break!

It should be pliable enough to  handle, as well as being a bit translucent (sort of clear).

Once the leaves are soft enough, you can separate each leaf.

Note: For this recipe, I used what was called a “flat cabbage.”

Assembly:

Spray the inside of the casserole dishes with cooking spray.

Place the casserole dish, the big bowl of your rice mixture, and your pot of cabbage leaves on a table.

To assemble the cabbage rolls, you need to take a spoonful of the rice mixture and place it inside a cabbage leaf.

Then you need to roll it up, much like you would roll some coins that you’d bring to a bank.

When rolling, tuck the edges of the cabbage leaf in, and be mindful that each cabbage roll is a delicate thing, so handle each one with the utmost gentlest care!

Place each cabbage roll into the casserole dish. Repeat until the dish is fairly full.

You WILL have “leftover” cabbage and you WILL have leftover mixture. That’s okay!

Simply cut up the remaining cabbage and mix it into the remaining mixture. Put this into the other casserole dish. This is what people call “lazy cabbage rolls.”

Then complete the following step FOR BOTH CASSEROLE DISHES:

In a small bowl or large measuring cup, mix ONE CUP of V8 juice (or other vegetable juice) with TWO TABLESPOONS of ketchup and ABOUT A HALF CUP of water.

Pour equally over each casserole dish.

Bake at 350°F for about two hours (120 minutes) but check it at about the 1.75-hour mark (about 105 minutes). The cabbage rolls are done when a fork can easily be inserted into them!

Once the cabbage rolls have cooled, you can freeze them in their casserole dishes.

To re-heat them, simply thaw them and then cook them at 350°F for about an hour.

Share this Recipe!

This recipe has been in my family for generations, and these cabbage rolls are considered to be the BEST CABBAGE ROLLS EVER!

Note that this recipe can also be adapted for meaty cabbage rolls. All you have to do is simply add a pound of fried, lean ground beef (or ground pork… or both!) to the rice mixture.

Please share this recipe with your friends. They will thank you for it!

Two Recipes for YOU + Why I’ve Been Offline (Hint: My Mom Broke Her Arm)

I’ve been offline for over a month, and it’s all my mom’s fault!

(Well, I have to blame someone… right?)

It’s true, in this case, though, because my mom fell and broke her arm.

My Mom Broke Her Arm

She hurt herself quite badly, and needed to go to the hospital to learn that she broke her left humerous (upper arm bone).

The image of her X-ray (below) clearly shows the broken bone. (The arrows indicate where it’s broken.)

Because she happens to be left-handed, she needed a lot of help in doing basic things. She still needs help, and will for a while, but she is now at least starting to heal.

The bruising is finally dimishing, too.

 

It’s My Mom’s Own Darn Fault

Why did my mom fall? Because she didn’t listen to me.

I told her to get a handrail installed. Did she listen? No!

So now… she’s been suffering. (And, in a way, I am, too…)

I’ve had to take some time off as a result. To help her, of course, and my dad, too, as he doesn’t do much around the house.

So… someone has to be the responsible one. Guess who that someone is?

Yep. Me!

I’ve had to do a lot of things for my parents the past one-and-a-half months.

The first thing I did was install handrails on her stairs… even though she fell outside. (She needed the support to go up and down the stairs.) I did this with the help of my son.

Oh, the Things I’ve Done…

I’ve done many things (and am still continuing to do most of them), including:

1) Cooking meals (not so bad, as I am becoming a MUCH better cook!)

2) Doing the dishes (also not so bad, as I did them half the time anyway…)

3) Changing the garbages

4) Cleaning the cats’ litter box

5) Washing my mom’s hair

6) Giving my mom sponge baths (…What a glorious life I lead!)

7) Wiping my mom’s butt (Thankfully she is not in as much pain and can do this herself now!)

8) Taking her to her physiotherapy appointments

9) Taking her to the Fracture Clinic appointments

10) Doing the grocery shopping

11) Doing whatever else she needs done.

I’m Learning Her Cooking Secrets!!!

The good thing about this tragedy is that I’m learning my mom’s cooking secrets, which I wanted to do before she died. (I know that sounds a bit morbid, but it’s the truth.)

I even prepared Christmas dinner!

In my family, we always have a feast.

This year, instead of a turkey, however, we had chicken. (More people like chicken, anyway.)

But I made cabbage rolls for the first time! (Get the recipe for THE BEST Cabbage Rolls EVER right here!)

And I made stuffing.

And homemade perogies.

And glazed carrots.

And sunshine salad (made with marshmallows, sour cream, pineapple and mandarin oranges).

And devilled eggs.

I even put together an olive-and-pickle plate.

And made two different types of baking for dessert, including my mom’s famous 8-layer cake! (Get the recipe for my sweet 8-layer cake right here.)

Look!

We Went Shopping for a Power Lift Chair

After seeing the commercials for Leon’s and their big Boxing Day Sale (that lasted until January 5, 2016), I convinced my mom to go to their showroom to check out their recliners.

She has been wanting a new chair for a while, and so I took my mom to “test-drive” a few.

She decided upon a really comfortable one, shown in the picture below.

We’re currently waiting for the shipment to come in, and have put a down-payment on it already.

What’s Next?

My mom has to continue her physiotherapy for a while, and is still under the care of a specialist from the Fracture Clinic.

I suspect that she will need a few more X-rays to be sure that she’s healed properly from the break,

In the meantime, she’s starting to feel better and is having less pain. I will still be helping her, but I’ve decided my hiatus from being online is over.

Time to get back to work! (You all know that I’m a freelancer, right?! Hire me here…)

30 Days to Freelancing Success? Yes!

FYI, the one thing I love about freelancing is the ability to set my OWN hours!

If YOU are at all interested in learning how to become a freelancer, I’d highly suggest you check out Gina Horkey’s course: 30 Days or Less to Freelancing Success.

At the end of it, you can even become an affiliate and be paid to promote this wonderful, extremely helpful course (like me)!

If you want to talk to me, speak your mind and/or ask me questions in the comments!

Cheers!

 

 

 

The post Two Recipes for YOU + Why I’ve Been Offline (Hint: My Mom Broke Her Arm) appeared first on .

Two Recipes for YOU + Why I’ve Been Offline (Hint: It’s My Mom’s Fault)

I’ve been offline for over a month, and it’s all my mom’s fault!

(Well, I have to blame someone… right?)

It’s true, in this case, though, because my mom fell and broke her arm.

My Mom Broke Her Arm

She hurt herself quite badly, and needed to go to the hospital to learn that she broke her left humerous (upper arm bone).

The image of her X-ray (below) clearly shows the broken bone. (The arrows indicate where it’s broken.)

Because she happens to be left-handed, she needed a lot of help in doing basic things. She still needs help, and will for a while, but she is now at least starting to heal.

The bruising is finally dimishing, too.

 

It’s My Mom’s Own Darn Fault

Why did my mom fall? Because she didn’t listen to me.

I told her to get a handrail installed. Did she listen? No!

So now… she’s been suffering. (And, in a way, I am, too…)

I’ve had to take some time off as a result. To help her, of course, and my dad, too, as he doesn’t do much around the house.

So… someone has to be the responsible one. Guess who that someone is?

Yep. Me!

I’ve had to do a lot of things for my parents the past one-and-a-half months.

The first thing I did was install handrails on her stairs… even though she fell outside. (She needed the support to go up and down the stairs.) I did this with the help of my son.

Oh, the Things I’ve Done…

I’ve done many things (and am still continuing to do most of them), including:

1) Cooking meals (not so bad, as I am becoming a MUCH better cook!)

2) Doing the dishes (also not so bad, as I did them half the time anyway…)

3) Changing the garbages

4) Cleaning the cats’ litter box

5) Washing my mom’s hair

6) Giving my mom sponge baths (…What a glorious life I lead!)

7) Wiping my mom’s butt (Thankfully she is not in as much pain and can do this herself now!)

8) Taking her to her physiotherapy appointments

9) Taking her to the Fracture Clinic appointments

10) Doing the grocery shopping

11) Doing whatever else she needs done.

I’m Learning Her Cooking Secrets!!!

The good thing about this tragedy is that I’m learning my mom’s cooking secrets, which I wanted to do before she died. (I know that sounds a bit morbid, but it’s the truth.)

I even prepared Christmas dinner!

In my family, we always have a feast.

This year, instead of a turkey, however, we had chicken. (More people like chicken, anyway.)

But I made cabbage rolls for the first time! (Get the recipe for THE BEST Cabbage Rolls EVER right here!)

And I made stuffing.

And homemade perogies.

And glazed carrots.

And sunshine salad (made with marshmallows, sour cream, pineapple and mandarin oranges).

And devilled eggs.

I even put together an olive-and-pickle plate.

And made two different types of baking for dessert, including my mom’s famous 8-layer cake! (Get the recipe for my sweet 8-layer cake right here.)

Look!

We Went Shopping for a Power Lift Chair

After seeing the commercials for Leon’s and their big Boxing Day Sale (that lasted until January 5, 2016), I convinced my mom to go to their showroom to check out their recliners.

She has been wanting a new chair for a while, and so I took my mom to “test-drive” a few.

She decided upon a really comfortable one, shown in the picture below.

We’re currently waiting for the shipment to come in, and have put a down-payment on it already.

What’s Next?

My mom has to continue her physiotherapy for a while, and is still under the care of a specialist from the Fracture Clinic.

I suspect that she will need a few more X-rays to be sure that she’s healed properly from the break,

In the meantime, she’s starting to feel better and is having less pain. I will still be helping her, but I’ve decided my hiatus from being online is over.

Time to get back to work! (You all know that I’m a freelancer, right?! Hire me here…)

30 Days to Freelancing Success? Yes!

FYI, the one thing I love about freelancing is the ability to set my OWN hours!

If YOU are at all interested in learning how to become a freelancer, I’d highly suggest you check out Gina Horkey’s course: 30 Days or Less to Freelancing Success.

At the end of it, you can even become an affiliate and be paid to promote this wonderful, extremely helpful course (like me)!

If you want to talk to me, speak your mind and/or ask me questions in the comments!

Cheers!

 

 

 

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