When is fertility treatment or adoption a good choice for you and your family? Cat Vandament is my special guest talking about her journey in this process and what it looked like for her family. No two journeys are the same but this conversation may help you find some peace in getting your journey started. Today we are all very grateful for family and children.

3:00 – Why choose adoption?

5:00 – Insurance (specifically TriCare) what do they cover and not cover?

6:47 – Noonday Collection – a company that finds artsians all over the world and helps them sell their beautiful and uniqueart. 

7:56 – Where did you lean in when emotions and stressors started to take over?

8:30 – The Struggle with infertility

9:21- Fear of Judgement 

10:05 – Basic IVF questions answered

11:00 – Simple walkthrough of the fertility treatment process (We are not doctors. You should always consult your physician to learn what is best for your body. This is Cat’s personal journey)

14:58 – Advice for women starting the IVF and adoption process: Give yourself grace and you are perfectly imperfectly made.

15:41 – Find a support system and journal

16:55 – Financial need can reach $40,000- what can your family afford and how can you fundraise.

17:53 – What is the 1st step in the adoption process?

19:38 – What type of adoption? International, Private Domestic or Foster to Adopt

21:27 – First mom not adopted mom

29:00- Ask questions about insurance, responsibility, financial …ASK THE QUESTION

33:22 – Through the process remember you need: Trust, Patience, and Grace

Links from the episode
Turquoise Table Podcast: Season 2:Episode 17 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-turquoise-table-podcast-with-kristin-schell/id1349298774?i=1000468752465

Military Family Magazine: Digital https://militaryfamilies.com/military-health/adoption-brings-hope-to-military-family-facing-infertility/

Military Family Magazine: Print Digital https://mydigitalpublication.com/view/ameriforce/military-families/may-military-families

Scott AFB Article: https://www.bnd.com/news/local/community/scott-afb/article243758657.html

 Moving with the Military Makeover: https://youtu.be/6tZ9tAwVT5g

Contact Cat
[email protected]
IG: @lessismore1418
FB: @CatMSOY

Christmas is here and we are sharing all things Card traditions.

What's in your Cup?
Let's make a cold brew coffee cocktail!
1.5 oz Cold Brew Coffee
1 oz  Whiskey
1 oz heavy cream
1/2 oz maple syrup
Shake on ice and strain into cup. Top with cinnamon

Boozy iced coffee
6oz iced coffee
1 oz (liquor of choice ) amarettl, caramel vodka, Kahula, or Bourbon
2 Tbsp Cream

What's for Christmas supper?
Brisket - brined for 24-36 hours
smoked for 10 hours at 180 F

Shrimp Bisque

Refrigerator Rolls

Salad

Happy Holidays! We won't be on next week but we will see you in the new year.

Please leave your comments.
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Artfully living begins with harnessing what you are passionate about.  That can be anything. If you add your talents to the world and community around you, it fills you even more. Aisha Crivens shares that first you should craft your skill and “marinate” in all that you can do. After you GET STARTED, find a mentor to help you polish your talents. Hope you enjoy our conversation about floral design, painting and friendship.

Show Notes

7:04  Green Gardens- stay alive if you remember to water

7:40  Amazon link to Wash bottles

8:07  Succulents are tricky

9:35 Floral world is not all beauty, lots of hustle

11:08  Cadre Building.com

11:28  Peabody Hotel

12:35  Charleston, SC

14:35  AIFD American Institute Floral Design – Professional Organization

16:10  Wine Down Wednesday

17:12  AIFD Convention- Chicago, Washington, Las Vegas

17:50  Instagram: @lefleurmemphis

17:56  Facebook: @le Fleur (A unique flower shoppe)

18:36  The Big Flower Fight on Netflix

20:16 Tip: Craft your skill

22:23  Find a mentor or community

24:01  Instagram: @aflowergurl  Etsy Store

Please leave your comments.
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Have you ever met a person that has a heart for giving? Meet my sister, and one of my best friends. Aimee Aiken is outgoing, cheerful, always positive and has the best animated stories. Her life, she says, is made better by helping and serving others. 

This is a perfect story for anytime, but especially during the holiday when giving is what we do. Right now, more than ever we must link arms and work together to help others that are suffering. Share your warmth and passions with the world. Smile, choose to reach out and help wherever you can. Happy Holidays!

1:42 Meet Aimee’s family

3:23 – sister fun “hit me with your best shot”

4:47 – Aimee’s first serving memory “Meals on Wheels”

10:50 – Pumpkin Town in Athens, TN 

14:13- “Pies for sale”  smiles and a sunny disposition

15:10- How do you connect to the community when you move?

19:16  - Question she asks herself “How do I make this place better?”

21:50 – Never go in wanting to take over the volunteer job. Go in saying, I have 2 hands and I can help.

22:08 – FUR  Feline Urgent Rescue

24:16 – Mountain Waterway Project

25:37 – Shopping with friends for Angel Tree children

26:36 – Serve yourself

28:36 – Journaling is a pick me up and reminds me to be grateful

28:58 – Train your brain to do random acts of kindness

29:51 – being “elfed”

33:56 – Aimee’s list of favorite organizations

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Welcome! Do you ever feel like life is just a little too much. Like you are having to hold on way to tight and all the colors are swirling quickly to the left and right of you?

In a holiday season that seems to be in overdrive Christopher and I just want to share that it is okay to simply stop. In those moments of strumming your fingers on the steering wheel and waiting for 20 minutes in a check out line, take a moment to breathe and find the joy.

Life is short and deciding to snuggle up under blankets and watch HGTV while the world flies by, that is okay. Enjoying a supper you prepared and enjoyed together as a family is a great accomplishment in the world we live in.

Choose to breathe today, in and out, close your eyes and let the sounds of the season gently lift your spirit. 

Don't forget to like and comment on your favorite podcast platform. 
Friday conversation is all about serving others but most importantly, serving yourself. Cheers to a beautiful week.

#joy #findingjoy #takingamomenttobreathe #liftyourface #inspiringthyme #groundedthepodcastbyinspiringthyme #

When something does not function properly, change it! Work hard, make a difference and give it your very best, Ashleigh says.  That is what Ashleigh Walters shares with us today as a new author and President of a Small Business that specializes in steel, concrete and refractory work. Though she often feels a little out of her comfort zone she forges forward to help create more unity in this industry. Her book is sure to inspire anyone wanting to make a difference in the world.

4:00-  Onex was founded in 1966

4:45 – Onex works with high temperature concrete and combustion equipment

5:38-  2018 ONEX was purchased from Ric Walters

6:10 – 3rd generation businesses statistically do not do well, we needed a retirement plan

6:45 – 2020 in the midst of a pandemic – ONEX became an employee owned business

8:24 – What made you write the book?

9:50 – Take your nudge and run with it

12:35 Pro Tip: Listen and bring biscuits (aka connect)

13:44  Book title: Leading with Grit and Grace 

13:52  Grit definition – determination, persistence and resilience     Grace – empathy and compassion

18:00- Small businesses must be on their toes- step out of their comfort zone, make sacrifices, change it up and press forward.

19:20 Moto: Mission: Make Things better: empowered employees, happy clients and thriving communities.

19:32  Alchemy – pursuit of perfection

20:00  Core Values: Be inspired.  Be Creative. Stay Humble. Work Hard. Be Kind.

21:00  “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

23:33- No such thing as overnight successes

25:17- Ashleigh and Amber hanging clothes story- teach problem solving skills

27:58 – COMING SOON!  On Amazon Leading with Grit and Grace
Follow Ashleigh on LinkedIn


Leave us what you like to do! We love new ideas this time of year!

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What is in my cup? 

Coconut oil and protein powder.  The “good fat” from the oil helps jump start your matbolism for the day and the protein powder help suppress your appetite.

Fan mail: Do you have a coffee roaster in your area?  We would love to sample their beans, give them a shout out and some free publicity.  Shoot me a message or comment on where to send the beans.

My success and celebration for the day!  I finished my results list! It was long, there were things I did not want to do, but I did it!  I “Ate my frog” and it felt amazing!

TIP: Do not forget to celebrate your successes!

Outdoor decorations are hung. It was not like the Hallmark movies with a snowball fight and pretty music playing.  The lights were tangled, it was hot, but it looks great.  Life is messy!!  Roll with it!

Indoor decorations: Still have boxes out but it is beginning to look warm and festive.

Challenge: Pick 5 holiday traditions you must have to make the season feel “right”. Write them down, give them a date to happen, and then elevate the experience!  It will be worth it!

When you make a plan you live more intentionally and the final product looks even more special.

Friday Conversation: New author and small business woman Ashleigh Walters is going to share how she makes her dreams realities.  You are not going to miss this conversation.

Words for the Week:

Holiday Cheer

Traditions: try new ones

Miracle

Wonder 

Faith

Strategies to help children:
Breathing exercises
Calming Space
Items for a Calming basket
Yoga

VIP Kid link

Referral code to enter: BETHA0432

When you are exploring this website look around and then reach out with questions!

Book list for parents and children:

Book just for adults:  Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh

Books for parents and children:

A Million Visions of Peace by Jennifer Garrison and Andrew Tubesing

It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena

Everybody Bonjours by Leslie Kimmelman

She Persisted Around the World by Chelsea Clinton

A Life Like Mine - How Children Live Around the World by Unicef

Keisha Ann Can!  By Daniel Kirk

Every Little Thing adapted by Cedella Marley

Only One You by Linda Kranz

I Am Peace- A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde

It’s A Small World by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Can You Greet the Whole Wide World? By Lezlie Evans

Living a “childish” holiday. Today Emma-Catherine, our daughter, pops on to share her thoughts on holiday traditions. Each holiday brings new memories, but listening to our children share their favorite moments always makes me so happy. There is always joy in their voices as they light up with glee chatting about what their must do list is.

What is in Emma-Catherine’s cup? Hot tea, we love this stuff around the holidays – a boost of Vitamin C and all the warm spices of the holiday.

Favorite baked goods around here? Sausage balls, sugar cookies with extra sugar, peanut butter balls aka homemade Reeces Cups.

Our Elf on the Shelf, Happy, makes his appearance every year on December 1st.  Hopefully COVID did not kill him off.  He brings a hot chocolate bar for the kids to warm up too after school along with a gingerbread house for them to construct!

He is a good elf, and he doesn’t make messes for me to clean up! He does like high adventure activities like zip lining and parachuting in underwear.

Decorating means more hot tea, opening boxes to reveal holiday memories, listening to holiday music and watching a Christmas flick.

Leave us what you like to do! We love new ideas this time of year!

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The holidays are HERE! We have just a few short days until Thanksgiving and just a few weeks until Christmas!
This holiday season is already in full swing and it is just not the same rhythm as years past. Thanksgiving may or may not be happening with the whole family and maybe all the travel plans have changed. Guess what, we are all in the same boat. Let's choose to focus on what we can control, like gifting our time and service to others.

Christopher and I talk all things gifting.  We spent the weekend together, talking, laughing and organizing.  We purchased a tool chest that is already making our lives more organized and less stressed. Plus, we can actually function with more ease when it comes to outdoor needs.

What traditions can you create this year if your holiday isn't going to look the same? Maybe send gratitude cards to family members, host a Zoom Thanksgiving, lift a toast at a certain time?  We would love to hear your plans. Leave them in the comments!

What's in your cup? Carmel Nut Creme  from Smoky Mountain Roasters in Waynesville, NC

Next week: Emma-Catherine joins me for all things Christmas through Children's Eyes

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