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Confident Foundation

June 20, 2017

4 Questions You Might Have When Applying for an ITIN

Applying for an ITIN number can be a daunting task, so it’s a common occurrence that questions exist throughout the process. The information below should be helpful in answering some of the common dilemmas that arise.

What Type of Documentation is Necessary for the Application?

There are several types of identification that will be accepted by the IRS:

  • U.S. Passport – this can be provided without additional ID.
  • U.S. Driver’s License
  • Foreign or U.S. Military identification card
  • Valid Visa from the U.S. Department of State
  • Voter’s registration card from another country
  • National identification card
  • U.S. State identification card

For applicants who are being claimed as dependents, school papers or a valid birth certificate are needed. Also, there are other documents that have to be included with the ITIN application. These include an original and legal U.S. federal income tax return, and, in some cases, the SSA letter of denial is also necessary.

How Long Does it Take to Get an ITIN?

Generally, the IRS processes all ITIN applications in under 10 weeks. The more common time span is between 6 and 8 weeks. If everything was in order, then the applicant’s assigned ITIN should have arrived in the mail by this time.

What is Form W-7?

The W7 form is the official government form which must be completed in order to be assigned an ITIN. It is not possible to apply for an ITIN without having first submitted this form.

Who is Required to Have an ITIN?

Those who do not already have a Social Security Number, and are ineligible for the same, should obtain an ITIN number. Many different circumstances require an ITIN. For example, dependents and spouses of a U.S. citizen, resident alien, or a Visa holder need to have an ITIN number. This is also true of resident and nonresident aliens who are required to file a tax return with the U.S. federal government.

There are many steps to securing an ITIN. The above details should help to clarify some common questions regarding the process and the paperwork. For more information, visit the  ITIN W7 application website today.

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Nicole • 1 Comment

June 17, 2017

Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch Coupon

I’ve partnered with Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch and the US Family Guide in exchange for tickets to the ranch. All opinions are mine alone!

Recently I shared with you all How To Plan the Perfect Staycation. This summer we’re mostly going to be staycationing ourselves. Even though we’ve been in Texas for four years now we’ve barely scratched the surface of some of the things there are to do in our area, and I can’t wait to scratch some more of the destinations off of our Becoming A Texan Bucket List!

As a family we all love animals, so I was super excited to find out about Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch. Here’s a little about this amazing place that I can’t wait to visit this summer, along with how you can save!

Your next wild adventure!!!! Get ready to come face to face with exotic animals from around the world! Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch is a 501(c)3 non-profit, interactive educational wildlife ranch. Our unique facility sits on 126 breath-taking acres and is home to over 100 animals. Sharkarosa offers field trips, private tours, and birthday parties. Our facilities are perfect for company prarties, family reunions, club meetings or just a great day of family fun!!! Open to the public Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
$2.00 Off Child Admission – This coupon may be redeemed for $2.00 off one child entry with the purchase of an adult entry. Not valid with any other offer or coupon. Limit two discounted child admissions with the purchase of two full price adult admissions.

I’ll be back with a full detailed review with all my best tips and tricks for planning your visit soon! If you go before me be sure to come back and let me know what you thought!

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Nicole • Leave a Comment

June 17, 2017

How To Combat Rosacea

Rosacea is a very common skin condition that affects a lot of adults. Also known as adult acne, it is often characterized by excessive redness and pimples at times over certain part of the face. It is also called adult acne because it is usually known to cause flare ups or outbreaks, just like acne. The condition is generally harmless until it reaches the eyes. It can cause burning sensation and soreness to the eyes. It usually starts around cheeks and continues to spread to around the nose and then to forehead. There can be redness on neck in severe cases. It is very rare for people with darker skin to have this skin condition.

Dealing with Rosacea Depending on Its Severity

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While rosacea might not be that uncommon, it does require you to find out ways to combat the condition. If you feel you are suffering from the skin condition, it is advisable to make an appointment with a dermatologist. You will be guided with ways of treating the condition.

Having said that, there are certain things you should consider doing before you actually decide to go see a dermatologist. You need to determine if the skin condition is severe enough for you to go to the doctor. Although exact root causes of rosacea are unknown and are likely to be an inherited condition, there are various lifestyle triggers that are known to cause the rosacea flare ups. Factors like stress, extreme changes to the temperature and even the beverages you drink and foods you eat can be responsible for worsening the skin condition.

Do You Have Rosacea?

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Before you decide to do anything about it, you must be sure that you actually have rosacea. It is basically acne like eruption that occurs in the central face and it usually affects adults. It is very common amongst women of ages 30 to 50. Fair skinned people are likely to have rosacea. The three physical components of rosacea include red pustules and pimples, flushing and also permanently dilated blood vessels. If you notice all three physical components, you are likely to have rosacea. If you simply have breakouts and other signs are missing, there are chances you just gave common acne. If you don’t have pimples or flushing but have visibly dilated blood vessels, you may or may not have the condition. In that case, you need to check with a dermatologist if you aren’t completely sure.

Why is it Important to Combat Rosacea?

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The thing with rosacea is that if you leave it untreated, it usually gets worse, with more pimples, redness and dilated blood vessels occurring. You must also know that that several products advertised to treat rosacea are usually not that helpful for the skin condition. These products generally contain anti-inflammatory agents but they are rather adjunctive instead of providing primary care. So, if you have persistent flare ups associated with rosacea, it is important you find out ways to deal with it. Otherwise, the condition might just get worse and worse.

Tips to Combat Rosacea

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  • Avoid Triggers:

Rosacea flare ups may be triggered by alcohol, spicy food, stress, extreme temperature changes and even certain skin care products. You need to find out what exactly is triggering the symptoms of rosacea in your case. Once you find out the trigger, you should try to minimize the condition by avoiding. There are certain triggers that can be avoided, while others can’t. When you experience a flare, you should take a cool shower and clean your face gently with products for rosacea skin care. You shouldn’t scrub as that could worsen things.

  • Moisturize:

When it comes to rosacea, moisturizer is a vital skin care product. If you are suffering from the condition, you should use moisturizers on a daily basis. They help controlling the symptoms by creating a barrier and locking out the irritants. However, if you choose the wrong moisturizer, the redness could worse. When choosing the best face moisturizer for rosacea, you should look for one that is fragrance-free, oil-free and hypoallergic.

  • Gentle Cleanser:

Even the kind of cleanser you use can have its effect on rosacea. You should avoid astringents and harsh cleaners, as they are known to make it a lot worse. Rosacea might look like acne, but a lot of acne treatments can be irritating for rosacea. You shouldn’t use products that contain salicylic acid and retinoids. Just like your moisturizer, the cleanser you choose should be hypoallergenic and fragrance free.

  • Skip Facials:

Things like chemical peels, certain treatments and even facials might be good for a normal person’s complexion, but they can potentially make rosacea worse. These treatments are known to irritate skin, which results in aggravating rosacea. You need to find an alternative skin care option that is safe for your skin.

  • Be Careful with Your Makeup:

Makeup can be used for covering up the redness caused by rosacea, but it can even worsen the symptoms associated with the condition. You should opt for a makeup that is mineral based and fragrance free. Such makeups are likely to irritate the skin much less than a regular makeup.

  • Be Safe from The Sun:

It has been seen that sun exposer is one of the top triggers of rosacea. Sun is known to trigger flares in most people having rosacea. You should avoid sun as much as you can. When you go out in the sun, you should apply a sunscreen, stay in shade as much as possible and wear a hat.

  • Calming The Flares:

When you have rosacea, flares are bound to happen. For minimizing the symptoms of rosacea, you can place ice packs on your face for calming down the inflammation. Even green tea extracts are known to be soothing.

  • Treat Rosacea:

There might not be any cure for rosacea, but you can still combat it with some tailored treatments. Topical treatments such as lotions and creams are known to help. There are even oral medications known to reduce the redness and inflammation.

Santanu Majumdar is a part-time blogger and currently blogs at healthresource4u.com . He is also a health and fitness lover who loves to share his ideas on health, fitness, and beauty. You can check him out on Twitter and Facebook

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Nicole • 1 Comment

June 9, 2017

Simple Ways To Save & Make Money This Summer

Legalese Disclosure Nonsense: I’ve partnered today with Dealspotr to bring you these simple ways to make and save money this summer. If you sign up using my link and start saving money I get some points also. I just love a win-win situation. As always all tips, tricks, and opinions are mine alone.

Who else is LOVING Summer?! *Raises hand and flings it around wildly* As you know we were so excited for the summer break this year, and are trying to make the very most out of it. Summer brings with it so many fun things. Vacations, staycations, outdoor adventures, and family time together. There’s just one thing that comes along with these, though, that I never realized in my blissful childhood summers.

Everything comes with a price tag attached.

Those days of fishing that should seem like one of the least expensive treats? Yepp-picnic lunches, gas money, poles, bait, drinks, and snacks all add up. The days to the amusement parks or zoos or flying to see Grandparents? What I ran into happily as a kid my eyes pop out at the price tag attached as an adult. Summer time and all its fun can quickly drain your bank account. So I wanted to share with you all some simple ways to make and save money this summer in your everyday life so that you have more money to put towards making those memories!

Simple Ways To Save & Make Money This Summer

I shared my huge How Anyone Can Successfully Work From Home post several years ago now. In it, one of my key points was Thinking Outside The Box and I shared how a big part of my strategy was to save and make money through saving online and using rewards programs like Swagbucks or loyalty programs to gather rewards and then cash them out for gift cards. I recently found out about a cool new website that helps you save money, help others save money, AND earn points for gift cards along the way. So, of course, I had to tell you about it!

Use Online Tools To Find Deals & Earn Gift Cards

The website I’m talking about is Dealspotr!

If you’re anything like me you do a lot of shopping online. It’s just so convenient and I love how I can easily compare all my options and prices from the comfort of home! If you’re also like me, anytime you see that little promo code/discount box at the checkout and it’s blank you’re not happy! I refuse to pay full price for anything online these days if I can at all help it. I used to just try to go and use Google to find codes, but more often than not I just wasted a bunch of time trying code after code from years ago and still ended up paying full price.

Dealspotr! was created to help that not happen! Think of Dealspotr as the Wikipedia of deals. All the deals are added by people just like you, ensuring accuracy. They actually have more codes and fewer expired ones than RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, Groupon, or any other coupon site. Want proof? you can check out the data of their test of 550 promo codes.

So using it to find codes and save money is a no-brainer! The cool thing is that if you want to, you can actually use Dealspotr to make money, too! It’s super easy to earn gift cards using Dealspotr, it’s even reasonably easy to earn your first $10 gift card on your first few days using Dealspotr. Plus, you’re helping shoppers save money (and saving money yourself) while you’re earning. Want to make it REALLY easy? If you sign up using my Referral Link Right Here you’ll get 5,000 points to start off with and be halfway to your first $10 gift card!

 

Powered by Dealspotr | More discount codes for York Photo

So how exactly do you earn points with them? By finding and posting deals, or validating and editing ones that are already there! This is actually not hard to do, and they have SO many stores and even restaurants to choose from. I actually used it to post my personal coupon code from my prAna post that I did recently. That’s another cool thing about Dealspotr, you can find those kinds of codes that you can’t find anywhere else because bloggers just like me are on there sharing them! You can also follow people on Dealspotr so you can see what they’re posting, or you can personalize your feed so you just see deals from the stores you’re interested in.

So sign up for an account and get to poking around, saving money, and helping others do it too!

Have a Garage Sale or Shop At Them

Growing up I never frequented garage sales but once we moved to Texas I discovered a whole new world! They are my favorite spots for finding household decor like picture frames, kid clothes, toys, and books.

They’re also so popular in many locations that you can make a tidy amount to put towards your summer vacation if you host one yourself!  My biggest tip for making it simple is to not host one until you’ve become a frequent garage sale shoppper. This will give you an idea of where your price points should be in your area. This way you won’t price so high nothing sells, but you won’t be giving things away for pennies, either. My biggest “keep it simple” trick for hosting a garage sale is to use wide, sweeping prices and put them up on signs. For example Hardback Books $3, Softcover Books $1. Only price items individually that are worth more, like tools or a bike. So much easier than going through and putting little round stickers on every.tiny.thing.

Like this idea but want to make it even less complicated? That brings me to my next trick:

Host A Swap With Friends

I did a whole post here on how you can host a Toy Swap with friends. Think of it like a multi-family garage sale but everything is free! You bring what you don’t want and grab anything you do, and invite anyone who might be needing those items.  This was always a big success for us. It doesn’t have to be a toy swap, the items are only limited to what your group of friends is into or what life stages you’re in!

Check For Discounts on Bills

Summer means you’re not spending hours in the car line or hauling kids back and forth to extra-circular activities. Use that extra time to do some research into different companies and their pricing options. We all have bills we’ll always have to pay, so make sure you’re paying the least you have to! The best place to start is with your phone bill, there are so many options these days that are affordable and reliable. You should re-evaluate your entertainment bills as well. Consider cutting back to the basic packages on services that you won’t be using as much with the nice weather.

Borrow On Vacations

If you hadn’t noticed, luggage these days costs an arm and a leg when you fly! If you’re traveling with kids to visit family try to bring as little as possible and borrow things once you arrive. This especially works great when you’re traveling with babies and toddlers. Most of the time a cousin or church friend are more than happy to pull a stroller, bouncy seat, or high chair out of storage for you to use during your visit.

Well, there are some simple tricks to help you Save & Earn money this summer! Don’t forget to sign up using my Referral Link Right Here to get 5,000 points to start off on Dealspotr and be halfway to your first $10 gift card!

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Filed in: Uncategorized • by Nicole • Leave a Comment

March 23, 2017

Top 5 Things to Prepare for When Planning a Trip to India

After deciding to visit the beautiful, vast and unique country that is India, the most important preparation you can make is to expect a total sensory overload. The sounds, temperatures, smells and sights can easily overwhelm new visitors who haven’t conducted thorough research.

No amount of reading up about other travelers’ experiences of the country can fully prepare you though – the best you can do is arrive with an open mind and expect the unexpected.

That said, we want you to go in with some idea of what you will find when you step off the plane into India. Here’s some of the immediate things you’ll notice, and how to deal with them.

  1. The Noise

From the moment you leave the airport, there’s one thing you’ll be hit with straight-away: booming noise. You’ll be met with 100 vehicle horns per minute, people shouting, dogs barking, and music from all angles. Especially for night times, anyone who’s been to India will recommend that you bring stocks of earplugs on your travels with you.

  1. The Heat… Or Lack Of

Of course, Indian heat in the day can be stifling. On crowded streets under the midday sun, the heat from food cooking, the baking sun and hoards of people equals sweat overload. Depending on the month of the year and the region of India that you visit, temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius. However: temperatures can steeply drop at night, and the winter in Northern India (October-March) can actually drop below freezing. When packing clothing for India, you’ll need a mix of garments.

  1. How to Dress

It’s important to consider dressing for both the heat and the culture. Women especially should try to cover up all parts of the body while keeping cool – loose but long clothing is recommended for this. As per cold nights and chilly winter months, throwing a couple of jumpers in your luggage will not go amiss.

  1. Spending Money

Being discreet with your money is essential when traveling anywhere, but pickpocketing is especially easy in India on very crowded streets – anyone could stick their hand in your pocket and swipe your wallet without you noticing a thing. Therefore, having hidden money pouches (ideally under your clothes) is a must.

The safest option when you plan to travel India for a month or more is to open a local bank account. This keeps your money safe from prying hands and means you don’t have the burden of carrying large amounts of cash with you. Plus, a bank card is much easier to conceal.

Opening an Indian bank account also allows those at home to transfer money to you – with money transfer apps like Pangea you no longer have to wait days or even weeks for funds to be sent from country to country. Visit their website to find out how cash can be sent instantly to India (and 14 other countries) from a smartphone.

  1. Feeling Ill

Not only do you have to mentally prepare for India, but there are some physical symptoms you might want to prepare for! Differences in food, water and way of life can take its toll on new travelers. Here’s some of the essential ointments and treatments you’ll want to carry everywhere with you in India…

  • Tiger Balm: soothes insect bites, cures headaches, eases muscle and joint pain, and masks unpleasant smells – the number 1 magic cure when traveling in Asia!
  • Plasters: for making your feet comfortable from rubbing shoes when walking far.
  • Peppermint oil: a few drops of this in some bottled water can help soothe an upset stomach; plus it works to make things smell a little better.
  • Bottled water: never drink any water not from a bottle – and avoid raw foods and juices that may contain tap water.
  • Insect repellant: hot countries are awash with biting bugs!
  • Paracetamol: relief for mild aches and pains.
  • Electrolytes: to rehydrate you after bouts of sickness – these are a lifesaver for recovering quickly.

Ever been to India? Share your top tips for other travelers with us!

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Nicole • Leave a Comment

March 14, 2017

Custom Air Dancers – A High-Impact Marketing Tool

 

How Do Custom Air Dancers Help Increase Store Traffic?

Custom air dancers are designed to make businesses stand out.   Yes, these huge inflatable puppets are fun to watch bopping up and down, but they’re also a mighty powerful marketing tool.  Do not underestimate their big grins to drive store traffic.

These guys (or gals?) are retail magnets, stopping potential customers in their tracks and compelling them to visit a store or remember a brand—all for a low out-of-pocket cost.  Some retailers report a 10% to 20% increase in sales over a 6 to 9-month period of daily 8-hour use.  Results will differ by location.

Custom Air Dancers Deliver Branded Messages

Every custom air dancer can be created to deliver a branded message or promote a special sale.  If possible, include a logo and select PMS colors to match it. Most custom air dancers can handle all sorts of graphics, gradients, and images to deliver your specific message.

How to Select Colors and Other Components for Custom Air Dancers

In general, pick vibrant colors that can be seen from a distance.  Differentiate the color of the body, arms, and hair for the best visual results.  For mostly solid color designs, select one solid color for the body and one solid contrasting color for both the arms and hair.

For example, choose red for the body and a bright yellow for the arms and hair. This type of color combination gets noticed and enables a message to be read easily. Constructing custom air dancers even means choosing a facial expression–happy and goofy looks attract the most attention.

How to Create the Advertising Message for Custom Air Dancers

The text should be concise to make the message quickly understood by passersby, even those traveling at 40+ mph.  Don’t use a script or fancy font. Do use a bold font such as Ariel Black or Futura.  Big is better than small, so the type should be a substantial size. You can even print on both sides of custom air dancers, so your message can be seen from two directions.

Remember, the arms are especially important as they move about and typically showcase key words. Design the arms with only a word or two and make sure the text and background colors work well together so the message pops.  An excellent example: “Sale” in yellow placed on an arm in solid blue. Again, contrasting colors, a light color on a dark color and vice versa, help to communicate the point. Put all these elements together, and custom air dancers will be hard at work attracting new customers for you.

By Sophia Grimes

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Nicole • Leave a Comment

February 27, 2017

Step By Step Guide To Get an Emotional Support Animal

Animals truly are a blessing for the mankind and there are several mental disorders where an individual requires all the emotional support that they can possibly get to remain healthy. There have been innumerable observations and studies that evince the positive effects of animals like dogs and cats on anxious or depressed individuals. If you feel that you are suffering from any of mental disorder, it is imperative to opt for an assessment by a qualified professional.

If they find that your condition can improve by an emotional support animal, a letter authenticating it would be issued. However, the registration steps to getting an ESA is a lengthy one. Mentioned below is a step-by-step guide to make your dog an emotional support animal.

Step 1: Understanding what an ESA is

An emotional support animal is one who would aid in improving an individual’s well-being. A dog is perhaps the most common type of ESA but it can be any other animal too and could be personally trained by the person. An ESA doesn’t necessarily need to accomplish a certain set of tasks but they must be well-behaved when in public and cannot cause any harm to those around them. You would require an ESA letter written by your therapist so as to make your pet an official ESA.

Step 2: Assessing your Own Condition

A lot of people these days suffer from emotional disorders but most of them are left untreated. As mentioned, if you suffer from any kind of mental or emotional issue, you could qualify for getting an emotional support animal. Disabilities where an ESA would be useful include PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias and fears, panic attacks and others. If your therapist confirms that you suffer from any of these disorders and an ESA would be beneficial, the next registration steps would be to apply for an ESA Letter.

Step 3: Securing an ESA Letter

An ESA Letter would be required if you wish to live or fly with your emotional support animal. A licensed professional like a family therapist or a psychologist would be able to sign the recommendation letter. You could even consider seeking online help from an ESA Doctor. Whatever you choose, it is essential to ensure that the license of the therapist is in accordance with the laws of the state. Once you obtain the letter, it is legally affirmed that an ESA dog or cat can stay with you or fly with you in the cabin. They, in fact, can stay with you in apartments that do not allow pets.

Step 5: Get a Vest for your ESA

According to law, your ESA isn’t required to wear a vest to be identified. But, this is done more as a convenience option to avoid sharing the ESA letter with every housing or airport employee.

You could consider registering your own pet with an emotional support association or get dogs from companies that train dogs specifically to be ESA’s. Once all the details have been provided, you would receive a letter confirming to keep your ESA.

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Nicole • Leave a Comment

February 9, 2017

Is Genesis History? Movie Review

Legalese Disclosure Nonsense: I was given access for me and the kids to watch Is Genesis History once in order to provide my thoughts on it! All opinions, adorably inquisitive kids, and conclusions are my own.

Amber is in that formative, value defining stage right now. As a parent, it’s thrilling and crazy and scary, all at the same time. I can see her take our viewpoints as her parents, and start to wrestle with if she believes them for herself. We’re in the stage of LOTS of questions right now.  Because of this, I was immediately intrigued when I read that  Is Genesis History? was inspired by the director’s 10-year-old daughter who began asking questions about science, history and the Bible. Since we’re in the same place I was excited to have potentially found a great resource for Amber, and for us as well.

Now, usually with a movie like this, there is a WHOLE lot of evidence hurled around. Of course, all this evidence usually supports whichever viewpoint the people making the film believe for themselves. Also, all other viewpoints are largely ignored, glossed over, or only the most ludicrous aspects of them are discussed.

One thing that I *loved* in Is Genesis History? is that they do bring up, explain, and discuss the Naturalist View/Conventional Paradigm for each topic that they cover. They don’t make people who believe in it sound like a bunch of idiots, and they do acknowledge that many intelligent professionals believe in that. However, they then also cover the Creationist View, and why and how the same data can be interpreted from that viewpoint and how it works. I really appreciated that there was no mud slinging, just a group of professionals sharing how their life’s work in a variety of fields has increased their faith.

Yes, you read that right. This is no one single Pastor thumping the Bible throughout the film shouting that you should believe it, because you should believe it. They sought out real, specialized experts who *all* hold a Ph.D. in a huge variety of relevant fields and discussed real questions that we all have with them.

I was also very impressed that the quality was great! That’s something that often has to be sacrificed in lower budget films, but this is an amazing quality film that is super interesting and engaging throughout. Even the kids were interested–all of the animals, cool locations, and of course the dinosaurs, kept them watching. In fact, after seeing the dig in Wyoming for dinosaurs both kids now want to be Paleontologists when they grow up!

One of my favorite things that I learned from this show was that they’ve found dinosaur bones that still had tissues with cells ((Jurassic Park anyone??)).

They broach a HUGE range of relevant topics, discuss how *both* viewpoints interpret the data and explain why it is completely logical for us as Christians, and intelligent adults, to believe that Genesis *is* History. I also appreciated that when there are topics that we cannot explain, they honestly said that, instead of just ignoring it.

This was SUCH a great film. I found it very interesting, engaging, and one that I would happily recommend to both my fellow Creationists and those many friends of mine who believe in the Naturalist View. I believe it handles it in a responsible, mature, and intelligent way, which is what I love to see on *any* kind of topic in which there is a division. Here is the trailer so you can get a feel for it yourself!

Is Genesis History? Will be in select theaters for one night only, February 23rd!!! So be sure to check out if it will be playing near you, and if it will, please go! I promise you won’t regret it!

If it’s not, feel free to check out the Is Genesis History website, and be sure to pick it up when it comes out for purchase!

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Filed in: Christian, Christian DVD, Entertainment, Uncategorized • by Nicole • Leave a Comment

February 7, 2017

How To Put Together The Perfect Galentine’s Gifts This Year

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SendingYourLove #CollectiveBias

I’ll always remember my worst Valentine’s Day.

I was 16 years old and I’d just broken up with my first boyfriend, who I’d been dating for over 6 months (I laugh at that length of time, now, but if you ever dated in high school you know that’s an impressive amount!). I was a cashier at Walmart at the time and was scheduled to work on Valentine’s Day. Sure enough, they stuck me on one of the 20 Items Or Less registers, and my night was one continual stream of cute guys with lavish gifts for their significant others. After about the 30th beautiful card and bouquet of roses, I was ready to burst into tears.

To put the final crown on the evening, the guy that I had my first and only serious tween crush on for about 3 years came through my register….with, you guessed it, a completely gorgeous and touching card and a bouquet of flowers, plus delicious chocolates for his current girlfriend.

Can’t a single gal get a break??!!

I feel like people are becoming more aware of how painful holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas can be for those who are alone, or recently lost a loved one. Valentine’s Day, however, is really easy to forget about, as long as you’re in a happy, fulfilling relationship. For the recently or always single, bereaved, or not-so-happily coupled, however, it can be a day of glaringly unfulfilled dreams and crushed hopes that every social media post and couple picture just further inflicts pain upon.

Now, please don’t get me wrong. I LOVE love. I love my marriage, I LOVE it when people are happily coupled whether they’re in the “You’re so perfect” stage or whether they’re in the “I love you even though I know you’re not perfect” stage. If you are blessed to be in a relationship right now, by all means, be sure to pick up one of the amazing Signature Hallmark cards at Walmart for your spouse or boyfriend, too!

Right now they have an awesome offer going on! $2 off a 2 card purchase (min $2 purchase required), expires 2/15. This means you can buy for everyone this Valentine’s Day!

No matter what your personal relationship status will be this Valentine’s Day, I have a sure-fire way to make sure your day is filled with joy, guaranteed. Want to know the secret????

Fill your Valentine’s Day With Joy, By Sending Love To Others!

This year I wanted to send some love to two amazing and beautiful women in my life, for completely different reasons. Though your Galentine’s Day packages will be completely unique to the amazing women in your life, I want to provide my gifts to give you ideas and springboards into who to bless, and what you can give–whether they live next door or thousands of miles away!!!

My first Galentine’s Day package that I put together was for my amazing little sister Hannah! As you know, she’s actually a contributor for this site now, so be sure to go say hello! She’s my “baby” sister and the last of the Romero kids to still be single. Because the rest of us were a little odd and all married off by the age of 25 (I got married at 19), she feels a little odd having not gotten hitched in her very young 20s. While she’s perfectly content to fan girl while she waits for Mr. Awesome, I know how it must feel a little awkward for her and all her single friends to see Valentine’s Day come each year along with the latest announcement of who is dating who and who just got engaged. I’m thankful I was able to live my single and dating life pre-social media days!

So sadly we’re thousands of miles apart as she’s back in Wyoming while I’m down here in Texas. So here’s my best advice for putting together a Long Distance Galentine’s Day Gift Package!!!!

Of course, every Galentine’s Gift has to start with the perfect card. When I saw this gorgeous Signature Hallmark Card at Walmart I knew it was absolutely perfect for both of the beautiful gals in my life! As you can see above it says “Loved & Lovely” on the front. Then when you open it up is says “Lots of things can make you pretty But your good heart makes you beautiful”

Love. It!!!!!!!

Don’t just sign your name and call it good, though! That empty side is there for a reason–so you can include a sweet, beautiful, and heartfelt message in your very own handwriting. Let the person know exactly why you’re sending your love, and how much they mean to you!

Now that you have the most important part taken care of, it’s time for the gifts! I’ve mentioned before that I take great pride in my family as being known as the “bestest gift giver”. There’s a big secret to this–do you want to know it?

#1 Gift Giving Tip: To be an amazing gift giver you have to give people what they like, not what you like.

I know, it seems so simple but often people don’t follow this advice that seems like a no-brainer. That’s why registries and wish lists are often ignored and instead you wind up with something you would never use, want, or wear.

There’s great news, though! These days it’s so easy to find people’s likes, interests, and tastes! It’s called social media! For Christmas, I wanted to give my sister-in-law a pair of earrings. The thing is, that while I *love* her gorgeous style it is totally and completely different from my own. So instead of guess what she “might” like or give her something in my taste that I knew would “look great on her” I did a little investigation. Profile pictures are an amazing thing! Through going through all her pictures I was able to pinpoint exactly what her favorite earring style and color are and picked out a pair that “were so perfect” in her own words.

So your gift bundle will and should look completely unique to the lovely lady you’re gifting it to! Here is what I included in my sister’s far away package, along with why I chose each item and some that different ideas in the same category.

Great Ideas For a Far Away Galentine’s Day Gift Package

  • Cozy Hat & Sweater — Wyoming is having a record breaking year for snow and cold! My sister is also working nights at a newspaper during all of this, and so she’s having to go out into that a lot! Because of this, I got her this adorable hat and scarf. Bonus??? Down here in Texas we’re reaching the 70s already, which means that my Walmart has all cold winter gear on clearance already! If your recipient isn’t into hats and scarves (for example, I never wear either item) then you can substitute another fun item to wear. Maybe she loves boots, long tunics, or a cozy sweater!
  • Earrings — If your recipient wears jewelry this is a perfect Valentine’s Day gift to include! Walmart has pretty items at low prices, and by doing a little snooping you’ll find the perfect necklace or pair of earrings! To make it feel even more upscale take it off of the plastic holder and place it inside of a cloth or gauzy bag, you can find these inexpensively in the craft section of most Walmart’s.
  • Journal — My sister graduated last May with her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing. Because writing runs in her blood, like mine, she usually has a million different things she’s furiously working away at. She, like me, also loves to use pen and paper. Because of this journals are always appreciated and used by her! For your recipient, you might gift a new best-selling book, a few magazines, or an adult coloring book!
  • Masquerade Mask — If there’s one thing Hannah loves, it’s plays! She has an entire wall dedicated to the plays that she’s seen. When I found this gorgeous mask in the clearance aisle (It was originally a Christmas decoration!) I knew it would fit right into her room and that she’d love it! Don’t forget to check out Walmart’s clearance aisle! Stocking up year round makes for generous gift giving come special occasions!
  • Pampering Mask — All girls love to be pampered and feel beautiful! Hannah doesn’t do a ton of makeup, so this relaxing mask was the perfect pampering touch to include! Simple and fun she can use it during her next bath and feel luxurious and beautiful! This is great for any woman, but feel free to include makeup, perfume, or nail polish in place of this!

Put all of this together and it makes what appears to be a lavish gift bundle. By choosing items that they will love, and purchasing them at Walmart, it’s completely possible to put together this epic gift without going beyond your budget!

The next Galentine’s Day Gift Package I put together was for my sweet & beautiful Mom-in-Love. As you might remember, this sweet lady let my family live with her for 4 years while my husband got his Bachelor’s Degree. Amazingly, not only did living together go very well, we came out of it as best friends!

She truly is loved and lovely, and has one of the most beautiful hearts I know!

She’s a totally different case, as she has been married to my father-in-love for ages now (over 30 years). But even if you’re in a happily ever after marriage, you know that the longer it goes, the more likely it is that you won’t really be celebrating or celebrated on Valentine’s Day. Leave that as you will, it’s just kind of the case with most of the guys in my families. Because of this, I wanted to give her some special love on Valentine’s Day. We owe them so much, that I’ll always be looking for ways to let her know how thankful I am and how loved she is!

Also, unlike my sister, my Mom-in-Love *loves* to shop and self-confessedly has more books, knick-knacks, clothes, and well, everything, than she needs. For people like this, I love to gift mostly consumable items, along with just one special piece. Since she’s still close by at just an hour away, I can easily gift food and flowers to her!

  • Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies — A nearby gift from me almost always contains some of my “famous” homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies. They’re one of my mom-in-love’s favorite desserts, so of course, a big plateful is always a great start to a gift for her!
  • Flowers — These are a Valentine’s Day Cliche for a reason! There is just something about gorgeous cut flowers that brightens up the world! When buying flowers for another gal I always forgo roses. While they are my very favorite flower, they’re also the most expensive, and they also have the shortest cut lifespan. If you opt for flowers like baby carnations, or daisies, you can get gorgeous colors like these, they last for weeks, and when you buy them from Walmart you can get a gorgeous bouquet for under $5!
  • Necklace — As I mentioned, I love to give one “keep it” gift in a bundle/basket like this one. Diane loves beautiful, long, fun necklaces and when I saw this one it just screamed “her” to me! It was just the right amount of bling and sparkle and colors I know she loves and wears often. Look for one piece, no matter what it is, that you know your girl will love and cherish and that will remind her of you each time she wears or sees it!
  • Lunch Date — For all my close gals I love to give the gift of delicious food and time together to round this package all out! Whether it’s meeting up for coffee or taking her out to lunch, plan a girl date so that you can have the most precious gift of all–conversation, connection, and making memories together!

Here are some ideas for how to let the girls in your life know that they are loved and lovely this Valentine’s Day! Here’s a list of some of the ladies you might want to send a card to this year!

  • Singles
  • Those who recently went through a breakup
  • Widows
  • Women who have been married for a very long time
  • Military & Law Enforcement Spouses (they usually have to celebrate the day with their husbands working long shifts or completely away/deployed)

Looking for more amazing Valentine’s Day ideas AND additional coupons and offers here!

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Filed in: Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide, Holiday Gifting, Uncategorized • by Nicole • 5 Comments

January 30, 2017

The Returning by Rachelle Dekker – Book Review

I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing Network with the wonderful opportunity to review it however I wished. All opinions are my own. 

Glorious Summary of “The Returning” by Rachelle Dekker – derived from the back of the book, for who can summarize it better than the book itself? 

“They say the Awakening is coming.
That she’s the key.
But can she find her identity in the light
Before she perishes in the dark?

Twenty years have passed since Carrington and Remko Brant’s baby, Elise, was kidnapped and they were forced to leave her captive in the Authority City. Though they fled with the Seers far from Authority reach, they’ve never given up hope of rescuing their daughter from the man who betrayed them. Now Authority President, he’s ushered the city into a new era of “peace”—one where the Scientist Roth Reynard’s Genesis Serum has eradicated all memory of emotion or rebellion.

But the mysterious Aaron and his Seers are once again on the move, threatening the illusion the Authority has worked so hard to build. As the Seers send seven chosen warriors to rescue Elise and bring restoration to the Authority City, the lines are drawn for a final battle between light and darkness. The key to ultimate victory may rest within the strangely powerful girl who has felt forgotten but was never abandoned—a truth she’ll need to wage war against the powerful forces of evil. ”

My Thoughts:

This book is the third installment of the series.

Upon receiving this book, I wasn’t aware of the previous books at first until I started to read and do some research. I quickly made it my goal to dive in to the series and read all three books before reviewing “The Returning“.

I sped through the books, all whilst trying to do them justice. I found my self-ordained task to be effortless, as these books drew me in, much like her father’s books have always done since I was a little girl. In case you all didn’t realize, Rachelle Dekker is the daughter of the esteemed Ted Dekker, who is also a famous Christian fiction author.

“The Returning” came at a perfect time in my life, and I found it to become much more than just an ordinary book. It quickly began re-awakening a lot within my spirit! I even confess that my dreams have become impacted by the words of Truth and Life within these pages written by Rachelle Dekker.  

The words spilled throughout “The Returning” coaxed, soothed, and called to my soul.  Words from the book that cascade over every chapter, and consequently resonates and lingers within the deep cavernous recesses of my weary soul. Words such as, 

“Remember what I call you, beautiful daughter.(pg. 226)”

“Remember who you are. Your identity lies in me alone, and I see you as blameless. Beautiful, perfect daughter. (pg. 226)”

“Remember who you are. You are the light of the world. (pg. 227)”

“Take heart, See beyond what is in front of you. Hear the call; remember who picked you, crafted you, held you through all things. (pg. 230)” 

As a soul who has lived through much abandonment and rejection in earthly terms, and is on a long road of healing and erasing the lies with His truth about who I am, these words were more meaningful to me than I can adequately describe. It was as if Yeshua Himself was speaking directly to me throughout this whole series, and specifically this book, “The Returning“.

I am at a point in my life where I am dealing with a lot of pain and addressing the numerous lies I have believed that have written my personality and self-belief system and fueled my self-hatred and immense feelings of shame.  I have lived as a creature of fear…  but that is NOT who I am!

That is not my identity…

That is not my soul. 

I must call forth the Truth of who I am and REMEMBER.

 

I was leery of this book at first as it seemed almost like a cheesy bible study with a fiction aspect to it, but the more I read and processed, the more I fell in love and realized that I was meant to read this book… and it is anything but cheesy! I resonate a lot with Elise and Carrington in this book, especially with their battles with fear and self-doubt. Elise, even on a deeper level, as she battles with rejection, abandonment and feeling worthless. My adoption and personal life are a testimony of those struggles, as well as His restoration.  

Some of this book confused me at times. Questions such as, who is Aaron supposed to represent? (This is answered below in an interview with Rachelle Dekker by Tyndale Publishers).  Where do these powers exactly come from and how do they manifest?

These were answered more as I read deeper into the book and had self-reflection.

I definitely encourage readers to not be afraid to challenge and ask questions when they read!

A true author will answer your secret questions as you go deeper, or at least guide you on the path to find the answers within yourself… I found this to be very much true in the affirmative with Rachelle Dekker. She is a truly gifted author, in my honest opinion. 

It is intense how palpable the light and darkness (darkness specifically) is in this book, but it speaks to me because I love to see the world with an allegorical eye and it helps redshift my focus back to the reality of our world… peel back the mask of lies and numbness and face the spiritual battle and awakening right before me every moment of my life. 

I just LOVE the quote at the beginning of the book about the mask, which I’m not sure if my reader’s remember, but I have been going through a lot of soul work in being genuine, vulnerable and removing “the mask” in which I find myself hiding behind way too often in a false hope of achieving the veneer of “perfection”, which just leads to living a lie. 

This Quote by Kara Dekker goes as follows – pulled from the beginning pages of the book “The Returning“:

Do you know who I see behind this thick glass?

A distorted image I call me.

But do I really know the person behind the bask, the body, the facade?

For you see, all I’ve ever known is how to attempt to be perfect

And when I fail, my mirror gets darker until all I see is filth. 

Disappointment.

We all live in tainted glass that consumes us.

But do we have to?

What if I decided to wipe my mirror clean?

Pull a lamp string to bring in light.

Forgive myself for my mistakes…what happens then? 

What if I chose to shatter my mirror altogether,

Believe in my beauty and worth and step beyond the 

Fragmented glass

I’d have to live in a world with flawless glass,

Where I never hated myself, never hated others.

Wouldn’t that be a world? 

-Kara Dekker

Interview Questions for Rachelle Dekker by Tyndale Publishers:

Rachelle Dekker -Dreamer, Writer, Child of the Light
  • What themes are explored in this book? Identity is something I am always exploring, so that’s no different in The Returning. But in this novel, I took a really hard look at forgiveness and how that relates to our journey of discovering who we really are.
  • You talk about the power of belief in the book. What is the purpose of faith, and what makes faith so powerful in people’s lives? Belief and faith are everything. We form our own realities. We make judgments based on the past and what we think the future will bring; then we shape our idea of what we are capable of around those beliefs. Imagine if we truly believed we were infinite sons and daughters of the creator. How different would the world look then? When we believe and have faith in who the Father calls us, then the world looks pretty different.
  • Aaron is a somewhat mysterious character throughout the series. What is he supposed to represent and what kind of spiritual leader is he? I like to leave this one open, which I know isn’t really the answer you want. I want the reader to decide who he is to them. For me he’s a guiding light, an angel maybe, a representation of the spirit who communicates with us and leads us. He can be many things—mostly, though, he’s a great way to hear truth.
  • How do you hope this book will resonate with your readers? I hope, as with both of the other books, that the reader sees themselves in the characters and that the story causes them to look inward. To ask hard questions like, Who am I? What am I capable of? Do I see myself the way the Father does? Can I? I hope it challenges their idea of identity and then gives them hope to see themselves and others more clearly. Because that’s how these stories have impacted me, and we are all really just the same.

 

I mean really… NOTHING beats curling up on a couch, in front of a blazing fireplace and reading a book that captures the imagination and soothes the soul. *swoon*

Summary: 

If you are looking for a Christian fiction book that will take you on an adventure of the imagination as well as a self-reflection and growth journey of the soul… then I highly recommend this book! It is just marvelous! I can’t wait to read more from Rachelle Dekker. I am so glad she answered her calling to be a writer, as I am sure she has already touched many lives. I know for sure, her writing has indeed touched my life.

At the very least, I encourage you all to check out her book at this link for more information! You won’t regret it!

Amazon Link (hardcopy and kindle formats available): “The Returning” by Author: Rachelle Dekker.

As always, my kindred spirits,

May you be awakened and renewed by His love for you every morning,

Rebekah Clark

Filed in: Christian Book Review, Devotion, Growth, Uncategorized • by Rebekah Clark • Leave a Comment

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Hi! I'm Nicole. Confindent Foundation is all about Encouraging Women to Confidently Embrace Their Beauty & Talents Through Christ in Every Area of Life

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