Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Porch Talk: Three Friends Talk “Coping” During #PANDEMIC (while raising children/pregnancy)

I recently had the chance to porch sit with my bestie neighbor, Miranda Crosby and our mutual friend Danica Thomas, to talk about the ups and downs we’ve experienced throughout the Covid-19 pandemic— and how we have coped with the changes in our lives. We brought our unique perspectives, backgrounds, personalities, quirks to the microphone 🎙 to chat candidly about this strange time in life that has turned the world 🌎 upside down. Miranda— an Army spouse whose husband deployed overseas in January— is pregnant with their first child all while wading through these new socially distant waters sans her husband. Danica— a widowed Army spouse, is a military suicide awareness and prevention advocate raising two young daughters as a single parent while working and virtually homeschooling her daughters all on her own. Alison (me)— an Army spouse, children’s book author, writer, podcaster trying to juggle content creation, marketing, writing, book sales while rejoicing as the final week of the school year approaches for her second grader. Thank the LORD.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Kellie Artis, Millie COO— Helping military families PCS during pandemic with help from Lowe’s Home Improvement #LetsPCSTogether

What can already be a stressful time for military households in the midst of relocating to new duty stations across the USA and world has been rudely interrupted during this time of social-distancing. During this 2020 PCS Season, military lives are in major flux and plans have been placed on hold. But thanks to MILLIE and Lowe’s Home Improvement, PCS woes are about to get a little bit easier. In April 2020, Lowe’s announced it would contribute a $170 million community commitment toward the COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts by supporting their associates, hiring more team members, and giving back to their communities.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Edible Landscapes Are Fun!

I love to garden. I’m no expert gardener nor a perfectionist. But I’ve always loved to put my hands in the dirt and reap the benefits of what grows. I like to have fun designing an edible landscape around my home mixing flowers, herbs and veggies throughout my yard. When the first tomato 🍅 ripens I can pluck it from the bush along with a handful of fresh herbs— rosemary, basil, sage— along with a few greens, spring onions, and walk a few feet to my kitchen to mix up a delicious dish 🥗 homegrown in my edible landscape.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Six Ways You Can Raise Awareness to Prevent Child Abuse

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each of us plays a vital role in raising awareness about the prevention of child abuse. It is of utmost importance that we each take an active stand to prevent child abuse to build healthier, more loving, whole communities where a child is never forgotten. If ever there was a critical time to promote social wellness and prevention of maltreatment of children, it is now especially due to current world circumstances. Through social-distancing, it may seem even more challenging to help others, but we can still spread the word to create awareness.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Melissa Vera- Adventures of Frugal Mom Blog

Melissa Vera is the creator and contributor of four beautiful and informative blogs: Adventures of Frugal Mom, Champagne Style Bare Budget, Reading with Frugal Mom, and her most recent venture coming soon, The Writer and The Farmer.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Children’s Book Review- Fairy-Tailed Wish by Megan Pighetti

Megan Pighetti was inspired by a longtime family tradition to create an adorable book called Fairy-Tailed Wish. What is a Fairy-Tailed Wish you ask? On birthday eves, children make a special wish for fairies to come and decorate their bedrooms with two special ingredients— FAIRY DUST and TOILET PAPER!

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Get DETERMINED to drive toward your dreams!

I am so thrilled to be a part of Women's Business Center of Fayetteville at CEED’s Monday Motivation online webinar this coming Monday, April 27, 2020 @10:00am!

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Children’s Book Review- Little Fergen’s Fish Feelings (and how he learns to cope with his parents’ divorce) by Charles M. Iker, LCSW, ACSW, BCD

This book is a wonderful resource for any child and/or parent experiencing a major change in their life. It provides clear and wise advice on how to accept those changes as well as how to communicate about your feelings in a positive way. The colorful and sweet illustrations by Ron Bracato provide relatable yet fun images children will learn from and enjoy.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

20 Things I will NOT Take for Granted After Covid-19

If social distancing has taught me anything, it is to try my best to remain on a positive minded track. Have I done this consistently? Nope. I’ve had my meltdowns for sure, but through timeouts, interventions and prayer I find my way back. Here is a list I wrote down to remind myself to remain grateful and positive with the hope that this phase of life will end and a new better chapter will begin.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Six Step DIY Hand Sanitizer- Made from supplies you have at home!

My son and I had a fun at home science project today. We decided to make our own hand sanitizer from ingredients we had on hand. With the spread of Covid-19, we felt it would be really cool to make our own without having to leave the comfort of our home. So we gathered up the ingredients listed below and gave it a whirl! DIY Hand Sanitizer Instructions: