Discover Your Own Value

By: Angela Brooks

“You deserve mean children” … “Your ornery and always will be” …  “Your just like them”

As I reflect back in my early days. I still hear words that were spoken over me…not once…but for years. Why would I not believe them they loved me right? and they knew me better than anyone, even myself. Cause how I could I know who I was as a kid growing up – I was being told who I was before I had permission to deny the words that were coming at me.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not angry at the ones that spoke those words. I understand now they were trying to deal with their own mess in their journey …some of it just spilled out on my road and I stepped in the toxic waste. It stuck to my feet for many years because I did not know I could just wipe it off and be done with it. Instead…I carried it…into everything I did for the next 29 years.

I grew up in church where when someone asks for prayer it became the gossip of the church. Instead praying for guidance or healing of a situation it was judged. As I grew up I saw fewer people kneeling in public. It made me hold back from asking, not wanting to be the center of church attention. I just held it in – since those were church people and knew God – I sure did not want to ask God to help me because…well his opinion scared me.

I knew the bible had all the answers for my life and it said “You reap what you sow” and I had sowed some pretty bad seeds…so I figured I was getting what I deserved, and I needed to suck it up.

Living Life according to what I believed

At the tender age of 16 I knew it all. I got married and moved to another country….not another state. I lived in a duplex that had rats the size of cats that lived in the garage (I am not kidding).

I did not lay eyes on another family member for two and half years. My mother came to visit once for 30 days after the first year. My youngest friend back then was 30 years old. I hung out with people who were past the silly thoughts I was having at 16 – so I tried to be like them. Grown up – drinking and partying to fit in. I hung with the best of them. I got in two fist fights, one with military women and almost got deported from the country – punched a man in the face when he put his drunken hands on me – then told his wife.

I never felt like I fit in. I wanted to be more than broke, and broke is what I was. Since I had never bought groceries for myself much less a house hold – I had no idea how to look for bargains and make the best of having little. I was allowed to spent $80 on household and food every 2 weeks. Most of the time my refrigerator had crackers and peanut butter. I ate the left-overs at the day care center I was working for, I only worked 15 hours a week. The other 153 hours a week I got hungry often. I was thin, very thin.

At 18 – I lived in the south, in house that had cock-roaches, (I hate those things) around more strangers trying to find my way. They did not know me and I didn’t either. Inside of me, I knew I wanted more – I just did not know what it was. I had mentioned once out loud that I wanted to work in business – I did not know what kind of business. I was driven in that direction but after being told to get a real job and not waste my time. I did. I was like them in the rat race. Stuffing my dream deeper in my pocket.

My Belief was showing up

At 20 I wanted children – but was told I was too young and what did I know about raising a kid – I could not take care of myself. The baby that I miscarried was never mentioned again – it was not talked about – I was not allowed to talk about it or to cry over it. It was over. Move on. Be tuff. Grow the hell up.

Sowing more seeds

At 21 1/2 years old – I was divorced after 6 years of whatever that was called, a marriage or a cage. I was angry at the world and it was not going to get in my way! I spewed whatever I wanted to whoever I wanted and could care less if it hurt your feeling. Grow the hell up and get over it.

I ran head first into another relationship that poured more acid on the toxic waste that was on my shoes. Walking down a path that brewed more anger.

This sums up my worldview at the time.

Full of spit and vinegar I was living out what people expected me to be. Mean, Ornery and like them. On the inside I knew I was not like them and that was not who I was. I had no idea how to change the pattern. I was right dead smack in the middle of a pit with no ladder – no hand held out to pull me up. Since I was so close to the ground I dropped to my knees and looked up. I said, “God – if you can hear me then I need you to help me this is not the life I want.” – something twinge but I had no idea it was God. I walked on.

Ending another dead end relationship, jumping right into another one, this time it almost  took my life. I fell head over heels in love with the devil himself. I knew with every part of my being I did not need to be around this man. He scared me – he excited me – but I could not leave. Everyone had already told me I was wrong again and I was going to get what I deserved – so I waited for it to show up. Family members stopped talking to me and would act like I was not in the room. Church felt like I was choking so I stopped going, my friends were his friends, my life was a freaking mess. Then it happened – he hid my one year old son from me for over 15 hours. I quickly understood how psychosis felt in my patients. I also understood how women who had shot their husbands did it with the blank mug shot face.

My son arrived home safe and I was scared and angry. I wanted out – but again felt I was in a pit that was deeper than before. This time I had been abandoned from all the males in my family. I called no one, I stayed until he hit me so hard in my left eye that he lifted me off the ground. I left shoe marks 5 feet up on the white wall in the hallway – I remember falling what seemed like forever, but I do not remember hitting the floor. I was floating in time. Everything stopped but yet it felt like it was in slow motion. I tried to get up and saw the huge puddle of blood on the white carpet of the brand new house. He rolled me over and our eyes met. There was hate – anger, actually I saw fire. I opened my mouth to scream and I don’t know if anything came out. All sound was gone, I could hear nothing, but I felt the tears roll down my cheeks and I rose off the floor with such power that I swore someone picked me up. The rage that came out was that of 10 horses – I screamed and I made a promise that I have never gone back on. With the whole left side of my face swollen down to the middle of my neck – I had whip lash and blood pouring out my nose. I felt no pain, I felt no feelings, I had something pushing me out the door so fast I did not realize I had my son wrapped around my hips like he was super glued. No one touched me – no one said a word. They moved out of my way. My ass was out of there.

I got home, walked into my bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. My face was black and purple, my shirt covered in blood, my son looked as if he was so scared he would never speak again. I looked at that young girl straight in the eye. “You will never live like this again, you will not look back, I have no idea where you are going but it is not here.” I dropped to my knees and said, “God I know you are here – and I need you and tonight I need you to show up. The peace that fell over me was like a cool breeze – I held my arms out and allowed him to love me in the mess I was in and the tears fell – buckets full.

I picked up the phone and called the ones that had stopped talking to me. Within 6 hours the biggest U-haul I had ever seen showed up, my driveway filled with people I did not know. Women came in my kitchen and began loading boxes faster than I had ever seen anyone pack. Not one person mentioned my face – someone took my son because I could not remember when he had been fed or had a drink.

I drove out the driveway broken, crushed, and lost.

Somehow I knew what just happened was going to be used later in my life for the good…somehow.

Visions lead people

I still had the passion for business in my gut. I ran into an old acquaintance and she had a bottle of product she was selling she told me how she was making money selling them to people. It was my first exposure to marketing a multi-leveling company. I was in! I had no clue how to make it work and neither did my friend, but I was drawn to it. I stayed with the company for several years – making MM’s and gas money.

At 25 – I began working out in the gym – which lead me to a new group of people who needed my product. They all bought it. I began pumping iron and dispensing the anger inside onto the dumbbells all 30lbs as I curled them with each arm. One…two…three….four…. My body began taking on a new shape that brought a new confidence in myself.  I went on to try out for the gladiators in Nashville – I was toned packed with muscles and full of attitude. I never once thought they could beat me. I smiled at my competitor who was twice my size and grinned. My mind was set – I would have one of those uniforms.

I pushed – I pulled – I darted – I jabbed. I made the 2nd string.

I could see myself on a stage and I just guessed it was the gladiators – I never got the chance to use my 2nd string position. I did not care – I made it.

My focus, drive and vision pushed me to the level I was able to compete. It was never about moving onto the next level. It was about filling the desire that was brewing inside. From there I focused on running a 10K Classic, I did not want to win it – I wanted to finish. Out of 1500 people I did – #84. Another goal met – I felt confidence rise again.

Strength was growing on the inside.

What I had learned from a very rocky path were the things that I focused on – I got. Even the rocky relationships – they were what I felt like I deserved at that time. I was filling my belief. It took lots of tears, a few more back slides, and determination to know I was designed for more and what I deserved was to be live wild and bold like my God had designed me to be. He gave me the courage to move forward and knock the dust off my feet from the journey that was behind me. It took 16 more years before I could see through the fogged life that I had lived. I am no longer angry; I actually have the courage to thank the people in my past for pushing me out of that life so I can be who I am.

At  16 – 18 – 20 – 25 and now 45

I had people who loved me and supported me my whole life – but I shut them out. As a brewing volcano I was not looking for the positive in my life. Today, I am blessed! I have two healthy children, a wonderful husband, a home filled with peace and love, a job, a business, I am a published author, and I am headed in the direction bigger than my minds- eye because I am focused with a business coach in place to lead me down a path she / and he has already paved. I am not walking in the dark but full on in the light that was provided.

As a business owner – learning how to generate my own leads, write my own copy, lead a team full of business minds, speaking into the lives of other nurses in a place I wanted out of, I know how you feel – as you can see – I was once there. I felt like I had nothing to offer anyone else – I was not good enough. I remember telling my best friend at the time “I am going to be a millionaire someday – even though I had no idea how I am going to do that”. She laughed and so did I – except deep inside my gut I believed me.

I knew I had to change

I was drawn to the internet in 1996 – but not very many people were online yet. It was drawing me like a magnet.

After working with a few companies online, before I found one that I could relate to, the business journey began. I followed people who were leading with the business model to talk to more people and follow up on the phone. To be honest, I sucked at it. I made very little money.

I hired a coach, Sandi Krakowski, in 2011 for a full year and learned the skill of life/business coaching (to coach myself and others; to learn how to truly “listen” and connect with people, and to myself).

After my first six months with that coach I was clear on what my core values were; I was mindful of how to apply what I had learned in my own life; so I could attract the outcomes I sought.

Once again for 2012, I have hired two coaches Sandi and PJ McClure to continue growing personally and coaching my business.

It takes time, and I have lots to learn. I apply everything she teaches me – even when it makes no sense to me – the results show up. I apply it again. My business grows, so does my confidence. In 8 months I replaced half of my nursing income.

As I sit on my couch looking out the front windows I can look out across an open 17 acre field – in the distance the dogs are barking and the day is coming to a close. In the distance, is the world that is waiting for me, the same world that I despised at one time. The same one that I thought had nothing to offer for me.

As I reflect on my life I now know that with every painful wrong turn there is something to learn. Someone is out there waiting on me to grow .

My journey began 29 years ago

As I consider all the people touched by my decision to contribute rather than complain, I’m moved beyond measure by the potential I know is inside each and every one of you.

Everyone has value, and it can be expanded when you get in touch with your true self.

Everyone has a story to tell.

Everyone has life lessons to share.

Everyone has skills that can be repackaged to make a greater contribution; to make more money; but more importantly, to connect yourself with the world more closely.

P.S: Please leave a comment below – I would love to hear from you.

Angela Brooks is a mental health nurse educator who spent the last 22 years working in a state funded mental hospital. In ‘A Nurses Story’, she shares not only what her patients have taught her over the years, but what we can all learn from those we consider ‘at the  margins of society’. But it’s also a book about nursing, about nurses, and about how a nurse healed alongside her patients. Ultimately, “A Nurses Story” exposes a raw truth – that each of us, individually, can inspire self-worth and purpose in every life we touch, if only we choose to.

What are nurses really thinking? What causes them to be frustrated and want to quit nursing even when they love taking care of people? What makes nurses stay, even when it feels like everything is against them?  In ‘A Nurses Story’, you’ll discover the answer.  

The words in this book give voice to the millions of men and women who care for us and our loved ones every day in our most vulnerable times.  ‘A Nurses Story’ is their story.

So you moms/dads who love to cook but want quick meal’s so you can still have a good meal and not lose valuable quality family time.  This information is for you or someone you know.  You do not have to spend hours in your kitchen to have a healthy hearty meal for your family. 

I just like the next mother/father love to cook and take care of my family.  But that does not mean we have to spend hours in the kitchen.  So the idea is to take meals you already make or come up with some new ones and figure out how to make them in the slow cooker and or prepare ahead of time.  The idea is 30 minute meals (preparation time only; not the cooking process).  This may take longer for some then others and that is ok but know that meal planning and planning ahead will save you not only money but lots of time.  Both cooking, shopping and so on.

Also, a key to this taking 30 minutes to make a meal is to get the family to help with dinner.  We try to get them as involved as possible in things around the house.  I know this is about food but want to make sure I get the point across that kids learn from us in every aspect of the home.  And it is paying off, not just in the kitchen.  This last Saturday we (the whole family) cleaned the house in 1 hour.  My 17 month old loves to help me with the laundry!  I’m glad that my kids love helping and spending time as a family. 

In a blink of an eye our kids grow up; we assume that our spouses will be here forever.  But all this too will come to an end.  So take EVERY MOMENT, treasure it and make the most of your times together.  Please feel free to click below and down the "7 Meals-30 Minute Meal's".

“ 7 Meals~30 Minute Meal’s”

So it’s 2012, we are almost a month into the New Year;  what happened to January?  How many you are already breaking those New Year’s Resolution’s?

Well, I for one did not make any per say; I have things I want to do in 2012, and with continued support from my family and God I plan to do so.  One day at a time; and not stress over things that I do not get accomplished.

To start off the New Year I got a bad cold; what better time than to use the new juicer I got for Christmas.  Both my kids love to help in this process.  Now I did not have exactly what I needed so we made up our own recipe.

This month has just flown by and I feel like that not much has been accomplished; but I am reminded that what has gotten done is what is important.  Time with God and my family; even though I have work stuff to do it will wait and the time will come.

I was reminded by a friend the other day of Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord they God is with three whither so ever thou goest.”  I needed that as the last couple weeks I felt like forever step I took forward I was taking two back.

Sometimes as a stay at home mom I feel like at the end of the day or month I have nothing to show for it.  Time seems to get away from me!  But I continue to remember that no matter what it will all happen in GOD’S time not MINE. 

While doing things for other throughout the year we need to also take care of ourselves.  My goal is to exercise 2-4 times a week and be applying Essential Oils on a daily bases.  We need to learn to live by example to our friends, family and clients. 

Leaving you with this thought as we close out the end of the first month of 2012; what are you going to do for God, yourself, friends and business (home or otherwise) for the remaining 11 months of 2012? 

Healthy Breakfast Choices: Home made-Greek Yogurt Parfait w/raspberries from freezer (we grew)

As I wonder if I am teaching my kids anything, are they learning and is it sinking in Joshua (my almost 15 month old) climbs up on my lap.  With an empty roll-on essential oil bottle (Deep Relief and Tranquil) and lifts up the edge of my shirt and rubs in on my tummy.  Being fully aware that this took no prompting and that he was smiling knowing what he were doing.  I am so thankful that my kids love the smell of oils and know how to properly use them for the most part.

Which on that note; last week my curious 4 year old (Joy) was at my friends office and found a bottle of Thieves Spray and accidently sprayed in her eyes while looking at it.  As calmly as possible I got a cool cloth and some V-6 Oil and applied.  With in minutes she was all better. NO need to call poison control or go to the hospital because it was an "all natural product" and it was not chemically based.

Joy has wanted recently to help me start cleaning, etc.  I can have her help me clean without worrying because I clean with Thieves Household Cleaner which is completely safe and chemical free.  

Both my children LOVE to brush there teeth and this is something that I enjoy seeing them do together.  And we use again all natural tooth paste.  We introduce them to teeth brushing as young as 10 months and use Thieves Toothpaste and Kid Scents Toothpaste.  The kids will use both toothpaste and love the flavor of both!

When we planned what we were going to do this summer; the last thing we thought we would be doing is being displaced from our home.

Even though we did not lose the whole house enough was damaged and water/power turned off that it was not livable. Also, due to the fire and water from the fire trucks there was water leaking into the ceiling of other rooms and starting to create the perfect circumstances for mold

Day 1 after fire-I had called my parents shortly after the fire (my mother came up to NY that day and then spent the following 2 plus weeks with us). I am so thankful that she was able to come up, in more ways than I can say she was a help, with the kids, cleaning, keeping me calm and collected, etc.

Talked to many people on the phone, went back to the house in the day light to see the damage, packed up what we needed to live with clothes, food, etc.  We stayed at my sister in laws for about 1 1/2 weeks.  And still we went back and forth several times a day, very displaced.  With not being in one place we ate out a light, not sleeping very well and in turn our health went downhill.  But stocked up on essential oils and ningxia red which helped a great deal

Weeks following fire-it still seem at times like it was yesterday, the days and weeks that followed.  So many things happened this summer and did not due to the fire.  God has taught me a whole new level of patients and dealing with change.  Both of which are things I work on and struggle with daily.

The garden got slightly neglected but even so we got a fair amount of produce (put away in friend’s freezers as ours got ruined in the fire).  We went back and forth the house almost every day; this has been very hard on the kids as much if not more than us.  There was a great lack of schedules, naps, eating all hours of the day, and staying with people so we could meet with people.  Joy will remember all that has gone on; Joshua is young enough he will not.

So what insight have I gotten from all this???  We (people in general) have a lot of stuff!  Mind you yes the insurance company furnished the apartment for us (but the pod is full) and I cannot imagine how much I will be selling, cleaning out, giving away etc as we clean it out.  Have not needed the stuff in it for 5 months why keep it? 

I love my pictures, etc. but I had a lot of things/junk that in the move back in will be going away (had my kitchen cupboards made to the ceiling so I could not collect STUFF on the top of them).  Even though at times it has been very hard being displaced, running between here and the house (and at the end of the day we are all exhausted and spent) it has been great walking with the kids in town, spending lots of time together as a family and be able to see the garage and house being built.  

It is not how we saw fixing the house and garage but as always God knows best and this is what He saw best for our family.  And we continue to trust in Him daily for His providing for our family through this "traumatic" event.  We serve an AWESOME God and sometimes we forget when everything is going great.  I am reminded through this "tragedy/traumatic event" that in the good and the bad we need to be thankful and continue to thank God no matter what the circumstances. 

The prayers of family, friends and loves ones have been felt throughout this whole process.  We are very thankful for your prayers, thoughts, cards, generous gifts, meals and out pour of love and support for our family these last few months.

I want to share with my readers something that has changed my life in so many ways.  This will be a several part series as it takes time for me to get my thoughts out.  Friday, July 1st I went out for the evening with the kids to a friend’s house, attended the local parade and then a bonfire.  Then headed home about 10:30pm and went to bed.  Little did I know that in the following hours my life was going to be turned upside down?

At about 1:25am I woke up (Thanks be to God…I had 3 fans running and was confused as to what was going on) to hearing people yelling outside and banging on the door.  I would not have known the garage/house on fire until it was too late.  Thank you God for watching out for our family!  Things like this make one realize how fragile life is and how it can be gone in an instant. I got up and walked to the back door.  Opened it and saw that the garage was completely engulfed in fire.  I just stood there in shock and then my brain engaged.  I grabbed my phone and went to open the front door; the neighbors where the ones outside making all the noise trying to wake us up.  They helped me get the kids out of the house.  And the neighbors’ son moved my van. (God watched over that van because it was parked right next to the garage and should have been gone).

The neighbors had already called 911; I stood in my drive way watching it burn feeling entirely helpless and in shock not knowing what to do.  Just a few hours before the fire we had gotten home and everything seemed normal.  I knew that things were going to be changing.  As I saw the garage on fire, I knew the house was the next to go.  Still the fire man had not arrived yet.  I called Bryon and told him he needed to come home because the garage was on fire.  Then I called various people to tell them of that early morning's events.   As I saw the fireman pulling in and starting to put out the fire I remember praying to God; saying thank you for great neighbors, for watching out for us, and for sparing our lives.

The rest of the morning is a little bit of a blur: talking to the police, fire chief, starting to compile list of things in the garage (you would be amazed how much stuff one has when you have to try to remember all of it), trying to keep the kids calm, etc.  This affected Joy in more ways than we realized it would.  Joshua is young enough he will not remember.

As I sit here typing out the events of the evening; it still gives me chills and goose bumps.  It has almost been 2 ½ months since the fire.  I still struggle with trying to write out the events of that night and due to that what is going to take place over the next few months.

We all see tragedies like house fires happen to other people and think it will never be me.  I will be writing more in the upcoming weeks.  But just a few thoughts to leave you with: 1. Make sure whether your garage is attached or separate; make sure there is a smoke alarm hooked into the main system in the house.  So if one goes off they all go off. 2. Make sure to take pictures/video of everything in your house, garage, etc.  3.  When you are put in a situation like a fire people have asked what you would grab when you leave; all I grabbed was my cell phone and the kids. At the time nothing else seemed important or mattered.

So summer has gotten a hold of me and I am just getting back to blogging. The garden is in, the plants are growing and we are starting to see blossoms and food will be picked soon. We have already harvested: strawberries, Asparagus, and Rhubarb. We planned on having a small garden this year which so did not happen. We have a variety of plants in the garden this year and have them planted not just in the garden but also in pots on our deck as well.

STRAWBERRY PICKING…these are Yummy!

I found this last year that putting plants in pots on the deck that they got much more attention and did very well. We still have a great amount of plants in the garden: beans, peas, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beets, lettuce, swish chard, radishes, butternut, pumpkin, yellow summer squash, and zucchini. We also have apple trees, a pear tree, raspberries (red and added yellow this year), and some new shoots of blueberry bushes.

As you can tell we love our produce and love spending time outside. We own about 5 acres, which we garden, landscape and mow. Living in the country is great; and the kids love spending time outside. We have had some problems with birds so we hung dental floss and old/bad cd's across the garden to scare them away. The wood structures/twine are for the pole beans and peas to climb up. Use things you already have laying around for the garden and so in. Don't go out and buy things when you more than likely have what you need right under your nose. Below you will see pictures of the garden (vegetable and flower garden).

Both the kids love being outside and helping as much as they can; below are pictures of childrens play and Joy in the garden.  Learn how to work with your kids not around them.  It will help train future generations to carry on your legacy.

Never a time like the present to clean out those closets, garages, shed's etc. and have a yard sale! Good test if you can get rid of it: is you have not used it or worn it in the last 6-12 months you are not going to the next 6-12 months. So away it goes to someone else that can use it and maybe you can make a little something while you are at it.

Pool tips: do not get in the pool when it is storming outside. Better safe then sorry. Also, do not swim during the heat of the day 10:30-2:30pm. It is not worth it to your health and the chance of getting really bad sunburn. Even if you swim when it is the non-heat of the day wear sunscreen and make sure to be safe. (BELOW: pool fun times)

With being outside all day long the last thing I want to do it come inside and cook dinner; so my summer cooking tip is crock-pot cook (easy, quick, and does not get the house hot) or BBQ. It saves you time/money and helps keep you from eating out/eating non-healthy.

I find all sorts of uses for Essential Oils in the summer time! Bug Repellent, Bug Bites/Spider Bites, Cuts/Scrapes, headaches, cooking, overall staying healthy/allergy relief, and cleaning. In addition we continue to use out Young Living Lotions, Shampoos, Soaps, NingXia Red (helps with energy and keeping up with the kids) and Toothpastes. (Virtual Catalog) I have several opportunities during the summer months to spend time with family and friends. Having opportunities to then share what these great products do for my family on a daily basis! I hope you all have a great summer, enjoy your family, friends and making memories that last a life time!

A Tribute to Fathers (quotes, Bible verses, sayings, etc.)

I am truly blessed to have a great father and father in law. I have had great Christian Role models to learn from; and continue to, which gave me guidance and what to look for in a future husband. God has truly blessed me with amazing men in my life. As I sit at home today with my 2 kids, loving that I am a stay at home mom and pondering all these great Christian men that have impacted my life. As we all celebrated father’s day this last week I just wanted to write something special to all the dad’s, fathers, husbands, father in-laws, grandparents and men in our lives. Our lives would not be the same without you in them!

"Dad, no matter how tall I grow, I’ll always look up to you There is no friendship, no love, like that of a parent for the child." ~Henry Word Beecher

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." ~2 Corinthians 9:15

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty." ~Anonymous

"A father carries pictures where his money used to be." 

"The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him." ~Proverbs 20:7

"It is a wise father that knows his own child." ~William Shakespeare

"It is a wise child that knows his own father." ~Homer

Dad: a son’s first hero, a daughter’s first love

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy. ~2 Timothy 1:3-4

Father w/Joy & Joshua | Father In-Law w/Joy & Joshua | Husband w/Joy & Joshua

Spring has been in the air, rain has been a daily event for weeks, and now the sun is coming out.  Our lawns are looking like hay fields, our gardens need planted, flower beds need cleaned, and garage needs cleaned. What project do we do first?  We all make our lists of summer projects that need to be done.

I am finding the joys of trying to work out side with a 3 1/2 year old and an almost 9 month old, which can be very challenging at times. I am learning to enjoy every second of every day.  Outside work is one of our families favorite parts of the year.  Outside we can incorporate some many things: the use of essential oils to keep bugs off, use oils/Thieves Household Cleaner in the garden and while out shopping. Remember  to drink lots of water while working outside (helps with weight loss and working burns calories), and at the end of the day coming in to enjoy fresh pork chops (that have cooked in the crock pot all day, just falling off the bones and seasoned with Italian dressing).

Essential Oils, Etc. to use to repel bugs/insects: 

~Thieves Cleaner mixed with water (about 1 capful to 1 quart of water).  Spray around the outside doors to help keep the insects out–works great–you still might get a few but nothing like before.

~Every spring, I have a healthy invasion of little black ants that come into my kitchen for a few weeks. I happened to grab a squirt bottle with a dilution of Thieves Cleaner and give that a try. 

~Had a problem with flies buzzing around the food in the kitchen. Had a bottle of Grapefruit handy and just opened it and set the bottle on the kitchen counter and the flies stayed away from the food.

~Mosquitoes Mix: a 16 oz bottle half full of V-6; then put about 20 drops each of Euclayptus Globulus, Peppermintand Lemon Oil. We mixed it pretty strong because being out in the heat of the summer you are sure to sweat some of it off. 

~GARDEN PROTECTION: How I protected my vegetable garden from animal intrusion was by using Clove oil. Most animals (deer, rabbits, etc.) do not like the smell of cloves. I put a few drops of Clove oil in a spray bucket and sprayed around perimeter of garden on a daily basis. I had no problem with animals raiding my garden and had a spectacular garden of growth.

Essential Oils to Use if you get bug bites, Etc.:

~Peppermint oil works great on ticks. My puppy had a tick and it worked great at removing it. ~Dona Burke

~When an insect sting happens you should immediately apply drops of Lavender essential oil on the spot/sting. This should help to prevent pain and large swelling.