humblydemure

Hi! I know I haven’t been online for a very long time. I am working at the store again after quarantine. I have put on a ton of weight after being inside and isolated for so long but I am assured this is normal. Otherwise, like you, I am surviving.

What else? Well, I am getting excited for fall. Fall is my favorite time of year and I am looking forward to apple cider, pumpkins, and beautiful leaves. A week away from September is exciting for me.

I also have been back at church, thank God, receiving the sacraments regularly even though I need to wear a mask and social distance while doing so.

And in the absence of a State Fair, the food trucks are in town in it’s place (note to self: cheese curds are not good for people with weight problems). 😉

But God and Mary are good, and are sustaining me. My relationship with the Virgin has upheld me in 2020, the year we will all remember for the rest of our lives. I believe God is working right now and will bless us after a season of trial. Those who have faith will be rewarded. I love all of you, lovelies. ❤️

Hello. I am sorry I have been away for so long. I am back now. I have had a difficult time lately. But I am coming through it stronger than ever with a glad and faithful heart.

Now I am here to share what I have learned and am learning.

This post comes at a good time. Lent is a season of reflection and prayer, as well as repentance. I am reflecting on my vocation in life. It has long been a dream of mine to become a sister, ideally in a more traditional order, like the Benedictines or Carmelites. But God is showing me that that is not for me. So what am I to do with my life? What are any of us to do with our lives?

Trusting God to work out your calling is much, much harder than it sounds. God can be subtle and mysterious sometimes, and He can plan something wildly different from what we have planned. And this works out in strange ways. One of the signs God sends is closing a door in our lives. I had doors close lately on a one bedroom apartment to myself. If God is closing a door, it always means that another one is opening. Be aware of that still, small voice inside you, and search in prayer with your heart, mind and soul for your purpose and your plans. God wants to give you so much more than you can give yourself. I advise spending time alone with God first thing every morning, for at least an hour. Talk, and then listen. You will hear Him.

Hello lovelies! It is officially 2020 and I am going to share with you some ways I plan to start it up. I am providing a list of things I plan on doing so that you can hopefully get some ideas. Here is my list.

• Commit to an early morning wake up routine. This is something I used to do and something I am reviving in 2020. This morning I was able to do 35 minutes of yoga, a short burst of Pilates, 10 minutes of meditation and I had a healthful protein packed smoothie to boot. I recommend a Google search of ways to start up your morning. There are some excellent YouTube tutorials as well.
• Start a new hobby. Mine are going to be needlework, writing, coloring and drawing.
• Read a Bible, Torah, Koran or other sacred writing straight through. I am starting Genesis today. For the Bible, 3-5 chapters daily is reasonable.
• Read a book a week. I am reading 7 Habits of highly effective people.
• Meditate daily. Start with 10 minutes.

I hope this post is helpful. Happy new year!

There is a concept I stumbled across in a book I got from the local library a few months ago. Apparently this idea was only new to me, and has been in the media at least a year. But it is an idea that is easy to adopt, and costs little to nothing except in time (and, in some cases, calories.) It is a Danish idea called hygge. Hygge is about well being, togetherness and coziness. It has no English translation. Hygge to me seems like a cure for holiday stress and even materialism. Hygge is accomplished by gathering a few friends or family members, breaking out the board games or turning on a movie, making some comfort food and forgetting about the numbers on the scale, and having a good, relaxing time. If you want to hygge by yourself, you can! I recommend lighting some candles, curling up under a blanket, and reading an old favorite for a couple of hours. I myself prefer old Gothic romances (right now I am reading The Monk.) Some popcorn and cocoa is also a good idea. Also, when you hygge, don’t forget the sweatpants and fuzzy socks (for both these items, the older, comfier and plainer, the better.) For more on hygge, check out The Little book of Hygge by Miek Wiking and the latest lifestyle mag by Prevention. Merry Christmas and happy hygge!

This post is about the journey to being at peace no matter what. My circumstances are less than ideal but I am in the process of carving out a little space for myself during the holiday season. How do I do it?

A morning routine that works.

Before I posted that I was failing in my 5 am morning routine, and that made me very unhappy. But now I have it back, and I can tell you, that a morning alone to do yoga, enjoy at leisure a hot cup of coffee and time to pray the rosary is giving me my peace back. I want the same for all of you, so here are some ideas to get you started on a great routine, to give you a great day.

• Start early. Preferably at 5 or earlier so you have ample time for yourself.
• Incorporate a healthy breakfast. A smoothie, overnight oats or a high protein choice such as eggs are all great. Sometimes I choose Carnation instant breakfast.
• Meditation or prayer helps you center yourself and start your day off with what’s important.
• Yoga, Pilates, or a new discovery I have made called SoulCore. It is a routine where you pray the mysteries of the rosary while getting an intense workout. All three of these options are available on YouTube for free. (Note: don’t do them all every day; you will wear yourself out. Pick one to do 3-5 times weekly and maybe even mix it up!)
• Reading. A chapter of an inspiring biography, a poem, or a passage of scripture is great to fill your mind with what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8.)
• Journaling. Something I am wanting to try is a technique called morning pages where you write three notebook sized pages of whatever comes into your head.

I know Christmas is for most people a time of togetherness and cheer, of cosy rooms with trees and presents, of good food and great friends. At least we think it is supposed to be. But what if this idyllic vision doesn’t come true? What if the only company we have is our own?

I have had times in my life when I was not as close to my family as I am now. I had no church, friends, or holiday cheer. Here I am going to share what I learned during that time.

First of all, nothing is wrong with you if you have no one to be with. It is a reflection on your circumstances, not on you as a person. Secondly, you are in a position to discover one of the world’s best kept secrets: You are your own best friend. No one can be responsible for your happiness but you alone. So if you want to spend Christmas Day moping about how lonely you are, go ahead. Smart people, though (and I imagine you are smart or you wouldn’t be reading this) will be enjoying the presents they lovingly bought themselves, soaking in a bubble bath with a trashy novel and a glass of red wine, or a champagne if you dislike red, and afterwards enjoying all they want of their favorite meal. It is your choice. Love you all and merry Christmas/happy Hanukkah.

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”

-Oscar Wilde

Hi lovelies! I hope you are having a blessed morning. Tomorrow is Black Friday and I have to be at work early, but today is for family, fun, and holiday cheer. I am going to my brother’s charming little house to visit his adorable family, and my dad will be there too.

But I am well aware that many of you poor dears have no one to spend the holidays with. I know it sounds trite, but try spending the day with God and Our Lady. A rosary, a Bible, a prayer book and some peace and quiet are all that you really need.

Also try contacting long lost friends on Facebook and Twitter. You would be surprised how many people are in the same position as you today.

Hope this helps and happy holidays.

Hi there! Thanks lovelies for sticking with me. I know it has been ages since my last post. October was a busy month. I did absolutely nothing for Halloween. It was perfect 😉.

I have been working hard at the store. I got more hours since the month began and have been reaping rewards. I really like my job.

I may have a shot at an apartment to myself soon. It would be bliss not having to deal with the roommate anymore. But we’ll see what happens.

Also, my Dad had a birthday a few days ago. A Dad is always something to celebrate- especially my Dad.

I have little other news. However I would like to remind you all to always, in all that you do, STAY CLASSY! Keep your attitude positive and your head held high. That’s all, lovelies!

In my last article, after some odds and ends, I shared some thoughts on being a lady. Now I would like to explain why it is important.

• People respect a lady. A lady commands respect from those around her. When you are a lady, people notice.
• You will respect yourself more too, knowing you are being your best.
• You will make the world a better place just by being in it.
• You will inspire others to do better.

Hi there lovelies! I am so sorry I haven’t checked in in a while. I’ve been busy at work. I hope you don’t give up on me. ❤️

I am reading a really good and really old book called The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis. It is the most Horrid, Shocking thing I have ever read. I just started it yesterday and couldn’t put it down. A classic never dies, I suppose.

Also, I have been researching etiquette and manners again. I always learn something new every time I google etiquette. Elegantwoman.org has some great and timeless ideas on how to be a lady. The articles on that site are my inspiration to start this site.

Everyone should aspire to be a gentleman or a lady. People who live by a courteous common code make the world a better place. I have been trying to make myself a better lady.

Some quick hacks to become a better lady are listed here.

• Never rush or be in a hurry. Ladies are very deliberate and slow in their movements. There should be ease in your movements.
• Ladies wear beige or black shoes, never white, unless they are trainers and then only to work out.
• Ladies treat everyone the same, whether it is the CEO of their husband’s company or the janitor at the grocery store. A lady never lets herself believe anyone is better than anyone else. Be polite, gentle and diplomatic with everyone.
• A lady is materially restrained; that is, she knows how to budget and stay thrifty no matter how much she earns. A lady is Never, ever addicted to shopping or belongings. She is in control of her wallet.
• A lady believes others come first. She never takes more than her share and is aware of the feelings of others. She asks herself before any statement if what she is saying is kind, true, or necessary. If it is not, she refrains from speaking.
• A lady remembers special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. She also remembers names and is not forgetful.