Today is my mother’s heavenly birthday. She is forever in my heart, and I thank the Lord for having her in my life. I know that my mother and my grandmother inspired my fashion and stylish creativity. My mother did not take many pictures. I do not have any photos taken with her; so I cherish the images I have attained. I am not sure why she didn’t like taking pictures, but we all have those quirks about us. I still have the French provincial couch that she is sitting on, the end table in the view, the lamp, and a few other treasures.
My mother in the 1960s in our home on 13th Street
My mother instilled My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, faith, strength, wisdom, compassion, and integrity in me. These values are goals that make me a lifelong learner striving to grow each and everyday.
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Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers and Father Figures!
Happy Heavenly Father’s Day to my Daddy!
I love you, Daddy, and you inspire my life, and you are in my heart each day.
Fun Fact: In this picture the photographer asked my Daddy to put a penny in my shoe for luck at my wedding. Have you heard of that story? It was new to both of us.
JT and Daddy
Memories: My Daddy, my hubby and I, and my mother in love at our wedding at St. James the Greater Catholic Church.
I went to church with my hubby this Father’s Day and thanked my Lord for my Daddy. Hall of Fame St. Louis Rams football player Isaac Bruce was the guest speaker at church. You can watch the entire service with Bruce’s message here.
I honor my Daddy because he loved me and took care of me. This man of God would give me tea every night, and after he went to be with the Lord, my hubby took on the tradition. I am humbled and blessed.
Finding the perfect birthday gift for a child can be a daunting experience. There’s the chance they may not like it. Or the parents may not be happy with what you buy.
See What’s Currently Trending You can always play it safe and see what’s trending right now. Toy fads come and go. But some toys stay popular. And others are even becoming collective because they are so in demand. For example, LOL Surprise toys are highly prized by kids between 4 and 11 years old. You can check what’s trending with a simple Google search. Or you can check individual retailers who usually have a “What’s Hot” section on their online sales websites.
Ask the Child’s Parents Of course, the easiest way to find a gift for a kid is to ask the parents. However, there are some risks with this. The parents may not want to put you on the spot because they don’t know how much you are willing to spend. Conversely, they may ask for something expensive that you aren’t willing to spend. Either way, however, you will get major kudos from the parents, and the kid will love you. But this can also help you get something the parents will approve of.
A Book is the Perfect Birthday Gift for a Child Kids love toys. Of course, they do. But most kids also love reading, especially if it’s a child’s book focused on something they are interested in. For instance, if your nephew can’t get enough of Jurassic Park, then a big book of dinosaurs would make you the best aunt or uncle in the world. Then, of course, some children are above average reading age. Classics such as Roald Dahl’s books, Narnia books, and others are a safe bet.
Consider Sharing Toys There are many types of toys. And not all are made for the individual and are best enjoyed by others. Board games are a perfect example. Today, video game versions such as for Nintendo Switch might be more appropriate. Then there are things like puzzles, sports games, and activity books. These are great gifts for kids with siblings, friends, and cousins who visit often. It also means they will learn to share and develop better social skills while having fun.
Make Sure a Gift is Age Appropriate Toys are labeled with ages for a reason. Some toys are not appropriate for certain age ranges and may be dangerous. For example, an action figure for 8-year-olds isn’t the best thing for a toddler because of choking hazards. You also don’t want to get a toy too young for a child, either. And then, of course, there are age-rated products. You know, the ones. Many kids have gotten a copy of Grand Theft Auto V, even though it’s for 18+.
Summary It can be tricky to find the perfect birthday gift for a child. But you can always try trending toys, a book of something they like, and try to make sure the gift is an appropriate age level too.
If you are trying to lose weight, It is as much about mindset as it is about the practices you embody. When it comes to losing weight, our mindset is just as important as the food we consume. Here are a few things to get you in the right mindset to lose weight effectively.
Set Smaller Goals Many people think about losing a lot of weight as their first goal, but instead, it’s far more effective for you to list smaller goals that will help you over time. We must remember that losing weight is about improving our lifestyle without opting for short-term tactics. This could include something like practicing intermittent fasting, but it’s also important to remember that if you have a significant calorie deficit, this will go against you because your body will effectively lock up any excess fat as storage. This is where you may benefit from the best meal replacement shakes on the market to ensure you get the right amount of calories.
It’s not about having a complete calorie deficit but about reducing your calorie intake gradually, which is why setting smaller goals by eating more fruits and vegetables or having a little bit more physical activity are things that are more manageable because you will barely notice the additions of them into your life. Making change is difficult, so we need to start with the small things that gradually get bigger and take over in time.
Set a Plan and Stick to It If you plan everything, including your meals and your fitness regimes, this will help keep you on track. It’s important to schedule these things into our lives so we know exactly what we’re going to eat and when we’re going to exercise, and this means that over time, these routines slowly become a habit. It can take up to three months for a proper habit to form, which is why scheduling everything at the very beginning and sticking to it will create a roadmap for success.
Get Rid of Those Old Habits We all know the habits that are detrimental to our abilities to lose weight, but even if you’re not sure, you need to start identifying the behaviors resulting in weight gain. For example, if you like to relax on the couch at night and instantly reach for a chocolate bar every single evening, you should start by changing that bar of chocolate to something healthier, and gradually, these little changes become habits over time.
One of the best ways to eliminate any temptation is to remove anything unhealthy from your pantry, but it’s not about eliminating it. You must replace them with healthier options. If you are someone that, like the best of us, has an addiction to sweet treats, one of the fundamentals of escaping the clutches of addiction is replacing a bad habit with a healthier one. Lots of people think that they can go cold turkey, but it’s essential to avoid putting that pressure on yourself because if you are someone who is a stress eater, you will inevitably fall back on those older habits which, as we all know, die hard.
Be Realistic in Your Expectations Having long-term goals is critical to keep us on track, but when we ask ourselves how much we would like to weigh in 12 months’ time, having a realistic number that is totally doable will ensure that we stick to the plans better. For example, if you want to be 12 pounds lighter this time next year, this works out to one pound per month, which is easily achievable and manageable in the context of your life. You can always change it to a more adventurous number after six months if you are on course, but it is critical from a mindset to start at the realistic end of the spectrum.
Know Why You Want To Do It Motivation makes it easier to make changes in your life. If there is a dress that you want to fit in and it’s too tight, setting a realistic strategy and seeing that dress every day can act as a reminder as to why you are doing this and will give you motivation during those challenging periods when you are in a lot of doubt. Preparing yourself properly to lose weight is critical, but remembering that motivation is a fantastic tool during those tough times will provide a double whammy of inspiration.
Reward Yourself When it comes to the smaller milestones, for example, if you have lost two pounds in two months or a few inches around the waist, you need to reward yourself so you can recognize the hard work you have done and celebrate the steps that you are taking to be a healthier version of yourself. Choosing rewards that will make you feel good about your accomplishments is critical, and this means not indulging in cookies and ice cream.
Thinking about what would be a great reward system for you will help to reduce those temptations. For example, a trip to the movies may be a great reward, but there are a lot of unhealthy temptations, so make sure you have something like popcorn or some fruit in your bag to help reduce those desires.
Keep Track Of Your Progress Whether you are exercising to lose weight without changing your diet or you have completely overhauled your eating habits, one of the best ways to promote positive behaviors and reduce those unhealthy ones is to watch your progress like a hawk and detail everything that you eat and what you do, so if you end up not losing weight a particular month, you can understand why. It’s also a great way to keep yourself accountable and will work wonders to reduce those temptations to eat unhealthy foods.
For many, embarking on a weight loss journey can be daunting, so mindset is just as crucial as your meals.
Did you know that skin wrinkling, a prominent aging sign accelerates at age 33? Indeed, your body undergoes various changes as you age. While these transformations may vary among people, embracing them with grace and understanding their underlying causes is essential. Doing so will help you better appreciate your body and care for it. This discussion explores four common physical changes accompanying aging and how to manage them.
Wrinkles and fine lines Statistics show that approximately 90% of visible aging signs are attributed to sun exposure, making it the leading factor responsible for wrinkles and fine lines. As you age, your skin produces less collagen and elastin, proteins that contribute to its elasticity and firmness. This reduction in collagen and elastin production, coupled with the effects of external factors like ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leads to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Indeed, many people will purchase skin products to slow down the process at the first sign of visible wrinkling. Other individuals also seek treatments such as dermal fillers or laser therapy to diminish the appearance of wrinkles. While embracing these changes can be empowering, it’s important to remember that this stage is a natural process, and taking care of your skin by wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can help maintain vitality and resilience.
Reduced bone density Bone density loss, commonly known as osteoporosis, is another physical change often accompanying aging. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three women and one in five men over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures. As you age, your bones become less dense and more prone to fractures, primarily due to a decline in the production of bone tissue and a decrease in calcium absorption. Regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and avoiding nicotine can help maintain bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related complications. It cannot be cured or stopped as a degenerative condition, but it can be slowed down enough to improve your quality of life.
Hair loss and hair thinning Hair loss is a common concern among men and women as they age. Approximately 85% of men experience significant hair thinning by age 50, while nearly 40% of women face hair loss by age 60. The primary cause of age-related hair loss is a combination of genetics, hormonal changes, and the shrinking of hair follicles. Fortunately, advancements in medical science have led to effective hair restoration procedures such as hair transplants. A hair transplant involves transferring healthy hair follicles from one part of the body (typically the back of the scalp) to the balding areas. This procedure provides a natural-looking and permanent solution to combat hair loss, enhancing both physical appearance and self-confidence.
Changes in vision Aging also affects your vision, often resulting in presbyopia, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Presbyopia is a natural age-related condition that impacts the ability to focus on nearby objects due to the hardening of the lens in the eye. It explains why older adults are most comfortable viewing things when positioned far away from their eyes. Cataracts are also common in old age and are characterized by clouding the eye’s lens, causing blurred or dimmed vision. All these age-related eye conditions are treatable, but you can have better vision when detected and treated early. Corrective measures like glasses, contact lenses, or surgical interventions like cataract surgery or laser treatments can help manage vision-related changes effectively. However, regular eye exams, maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, protecting your eyes from excessive sunlight exposure, and avoiding smoking are crucial for preserving eye health as you age.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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