Author: Lila

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

December Journal #2

Have you ever been cheated on?

Yes! And let me tell you, it hurt like hell! The first time was when  I was 15 and it was my first real boyfriend. At the time my dad was also dying so my heart and soul were pretty much shattered to start with. He cheated on me with a girl at his school and then confessed; which I guess at least he had the guts to tell me but it was more so I think a way to justify breaking up with me. Looking back, I think he cheated because I wouldn’t “go all the way” with him. It was super annoying because he cheated on ME and then he dumped ME! I never got the chance to dump him. We belonged to a youth organization and were having a big wind-up and awards celebration. He had the audacity to bring her to the event. Everyone in the group knew what happened of course so it felt extra embarrassing. Although it was slightly comforting because he was taking flack from our friends all day. He even tried to sidle up and be nice and friendly like nothing had happened. In the fall when the organization started up again; he was never seen again; I guess in the break up I got the club!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

What about you?

Categories
Entertainment

Christmas Movie Monday: Christmas in Vienna

I am a sucker for Christmas movies; my all time favourite of course is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, however, I have been know to indulge in what my husband refers to as the, “cheesy Hallmark,” type movies. Streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+ all offer an extensive collection of them and others. For the month of December I’ll be reviewing a Christmas movie.

Movie: Christmas in Vienna (2019)

Source: Amazon Prime

Synopsis: “An American (Amy) looking for a change of scenery heads to Vienna for Christmas. Taking ballroom dance lessons with the hope of getting into the city’s biggest ball of the season, she finds herself falling for Lukas, her dashing European dance partner.”

My Thoughts: First off, there is another movie with Sarah Drew with the same movie; however, that leading lady is a concert violinist who lost her passion. “Googlers” beware! Anyways, THIS version, was sweet and cringey as to be expected.

Within the first five minutes Amy is dumped by her boyfriend in the most humiliating way. She shows up to dinner expecting a marriage proposal but he has another “proposal” for her instead. There is the typical fast decent into love for the leads while they dance together, navigate her tendency to clumsiness and decorate his stunning home for Christmas.

No movie like this would be complete without the CLASSIC MIX UP! This being whether she has a boyfriend and the possibility of him getting back with his shrew of an ex-girlfriend. We all know it will be AND EXPECT it to be resolved so they can live happily ever after. One thing that was a bit distracting was the horrible attempts to dub some of the characters. I am not sure why there was dubbing; but someone was asleep in post-production.

Rating: 6/10

Categories
Gifts

Stuffing the Stockings: Part 3 -Kids Edition-

Can you believe it, Christmas is only 17 days away?!?!? I literally don’t know where the time went. I feel more than a little behind on Christmas shopping! Today, I am sharing what I will be stuffing the stockings with for the kindhearted kids in my life…

Play-doh
Scribble Scrubbie Pet
Magic Mixie Cauldron
Kazoo
Stickers
Chameleon
Christmas Kebab

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

December Journal #1

Who has been the best leader of your country, past or present (ex: president, royalty, prime minister, etc.)? 

What an impossible prompt to answer. It seems like we are undergoing quite the “re-examination of historical figures process,” which is good! We need to think critically about those we idolize and hold up, rather than revering them without thought. It is important that we hold up only those who have truly been good or done good work. I have had my idols or those who I have been led to believe are idols knocked down a peg or two, or many. I can’t pick a “best” leader. The best leaders are ones who are in it for the right reasons, who admit defeat when bested, who are answerable for their actions, who use tax dollars judiciously, keep their promises, don’t sacrifice their beliefs or values or platform, who are visible, who care, who inspire and to keep the country together. A tall order but constituents demand and deserve a lot from their elected officials.

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

What about you?

Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

Finishing the Year Strong!

2023 was all about accomplishing three small goals each month; it was a bit of the mixed bag, but all is not lost. I had a lot of success and I definitely learned a lot. To finish this series of posts I am setting my last three goals!

  1. Brush up on my Spanish
    -I spent most of my teens learning the language and I took it in university; in fact that is my minor. I have lost my fluency. I enjoyed knowing a second language; but without using it –you lose it!
  2. No phone Friday’s
    -Rather than checking out and being a phone zombie; I’m going to relax and check out sans screen. No falling down the Instagram rabbit hole for me.
  3. End of the year purging
    -Even though I did a massive house cleanse; we seem to have accumulated more junk (stuff that doesn’t bring us joy). There are a lot of people who may need it. To de-clutter our home and ultimately our minds; we can head into the new year in a better state.
Categories
Gifts

Stuffing the Stockings: Part 2 -Men’s Edition-

Can you believe it, Christmas is only 24 days away?!?!? I literally don’t know where the time went. I feel more than a little behind on Christmas shopping! Today, I am sharing what I will be stuffing the stockings with for the marvelous men in my life…

Star Wars Ornament
Caesar Rim
Re-usable Ice Cubes
Golf Ball Holder
Hot Sauce
Mini Alcohol
Chocolate

Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

Accountability Post: Mental Wellness Challenges

Instead of three small goals for the month of November; I participated in a bingo card style Mental Wellness Challenge –which had 20 tasks. I really enjoyed it; I liked the flexibility of having 20 tasks rather than 1 each day because if I got behind or life got in the way I wasn’t panicking to finish it. I did have to make some modifications to some of the tasks. This is how I did….

1Went to bed at 7:30 pm11Enjoyed WALKING AROUND in the sun in Banff
2Grateful for: feeling better, friends, a chance at TSwift tickets, got caught up, business season was successful, family, new books, got snow tires in time, no drama, having the best husband!12Unsubscribe from emails
3Walked up and down the driveway with the dog13CHECKED IN on 5 people
4Called my husband14Woke up 30 minutes earlier to REFLECT
5De-cluttered my desk at work15Planned a DINNER date with my bestie at El Corazon
6Took one day of social media16Went the entire day without complaining
7Set short terms goals to start journaling again, walking more, increase water intake and cut down on junk food 17Bought myself BOOTS WITH FLOWERS ON THEM
8Made a DILL PICKLE SALAD KIT18MADE TIME FOR breakfast
9Watched the sun set19Cleaned the bathroom; which I had been putting off for a long time
10Got rid of all the old pots & pans and living room lamp20MEDITATED; in order to be more present

How was your month?

Categories
Current Addictions

Current Addictions: November 2023

Ad·dic·tion
/əˈdikSH(ə)n/
noun

the fact or condition of being dependent or “hooked” to a particular substance, thing or activity.

Music: Sabrina Carpenter (Spotify)
TV Show: Pete Holmes: I Am Not For Everyone (Netflix)
Book: The Socialites Guide to Death & Dating (S.K. Golden)
Food: Beet & Onion Crostini (Savi)
Drink: Blue Lavender Blend (Blume)
Clothing: Muckster II Mid Boots (Muckboot)
Cosmetic: Fenty Foundation
Accessory: Pearl & Rhinestone Embellished Beanie (Talbots)

Categories
Gifts

Stuffing the Stockings: Part 1 -Ladies Edition-

Can you believe it, Christmas is only 31 days away?!?!? I literally don’t know where the time went. I feel more than a little behind on Christmas shopping! Today, I am sharing what I will be stuffing the stockings with for the lovely ladies in my life…

Festive Drink Makers
Smith’s Rosebud Salve
Compostable Sponge/Scourer Set
Sugar Cookie Shower Steamer
I’m Real Aloe Sheet Mask
Car Air Freshener
Oui Christmas Ornament

And as always; these nifties gifties come from Indigo

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

November Journal #3

What do you look for when deciding whether or not to date someone?

Are they…

-kind?
-intelligent? –>I don’t mean PhD or anything like that; basically do they keep up on current events, do they have a particular skill/expertise or competence
-understanding?
-willing to compromise with me to create a life together?
-financially responsible?
-interesting?
-the type of person who values family?
-willing to put work into a relationship?
-reliable, dependable, loyal?
-physically attractive? –>yes, this does matter to an extent.

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompt

What about you?