Rachel Carrington's Blog

Blogging Challenge—Day 30—When Will I Do Another Blogging Challenge?

6/30/2019

Blogging challenges are, well, challenging. Not only do you have to write thirty days' worth of posts, but you have to schedule them on the right day at the right time without forgetting. (I almost did this time!) That said, though, I enjoy writing posts about topics chosen by others. It's a chance to spread my writing wings, so to speak.

But the question isn't did I enjoy the challenge. It's when will I do another one. I'd like to do one more often than I have in the past so I'm considering a holiday blogging challenge around the 1st of December.

For now, though, I'll go back to my regular blogging schedule which is, usually, about once a week. These fingers and this brain needs a break! I hope you've enjoyed these past thirty days, though, and I hope you'll stick around for the musings yet to come!

Blogging Challenge—Day 29—A Book I Could Read Over and Over

6/29/2019

Years ago, I'm talking over twenty years ago, I picked up a book because I really liked the cover. It was a hologram and so cool. Take a look.

The book description pulled me in as well so I thought I'd give it a try. From the first chapter, I was hooked. A Scottish ghost and a modern-day woman are trapped together in the same castle. There is destiny, romance, engaging dialogue, and humor.

I've lost count of the number of times I read this book. There was just something about it that made me keep reaching for it on my shelf. Nowadays, I don't read much adult romances as my interests have changed, but I believe I could pick this one up again and still get lost in it.

Blogging Challenge—Day 28—One Thing I Want To Do Forever

6/28/2019

Another easy post for me. For as long as I can, I want to travel and not necessarily to exotic locations. I love to go, be it a small town an hour from my house or one of the coldest towns I know. (St. Ignace, MI)

One of my goals is to travel to all of the states. I've already been to twenty-seven of them!

So as long as I have the money and the physical ability, I'll keep leaving my hometown to explore other parts of this world.

Blogging Challenge—Day 27—Current Food Addiction

6/27/2019

I've been eating low-carb since February. At first, it was a bit of a bummer because I couldn't have ice cream. Then I discovered Halo Top. Folks, this stuff is worth the price. The cookies and cream is honestly the best. Even if I could eat regular ice cream, I'd still stay with Halo. Try it! I'll be surprised if you don't like it!

Blogging Challenge—Day 26—Ten People I'd Have Dinner With

6/26/2019

Today's post asks the question: What ten people, living or dead, would you love to have dinner with and why? This question always makes me think. I imagine it's best to choose people I can't have dinner with or maybe I've never had dinner with before, but there are many people I've known over the years that I'd love to see again, to chat with them over a meal. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to tell get the chance to tell someone I love them again or to simply talk to them.

At any rate, here are the ten people I've chosen. Some I've known; others I wish I had; and still others, I wish I could.

My friend, Rene. She passed away in December, but I would love the chance to have one more conversation with her.
Tula, a woman who was like a mother to me. She was one of my closest friend's mother. I could tell her anything and count on her for solid advice, even if it wasn't what I was expecting.
Ronald Reagan. He was always a fascinating man to me. Funny, witty, and charming. I think a conversation with him would be extraordinary.
Steve Harvey. This man is an inspiration to me, and I'd love the opportunity to talk with him about success and life.
Queen Elizabeth. The life this woman has led! I'd love to talk with her about the history she's witnessed and the challenges of being queen.
Stephanie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series. I love this series so it stands to reason I'd love to have a long conversation with the writer. But there is so much more I'd like to talk to her about than just Twilight. Writing. Growing as a writer. Seeing your books come to the big screen. The challenges of success, and the list goes on.
Tyler Perry. He brings so much creativity to the world, and he survived such hardship. I'd love to talk to him about God, writing, success, staying humble, and so much more!
Laura Ingalls Wilder. I've read her books more times than I can count. Being able to talk to her about them and her life growing up in the 1800s would be a time to remember!
Brian Bird. He is the producer behind Touched by an Angel and When Calls the Heart as well as many others. I follow him on Twitter, and he has the most wonderful, engaging spirit. I'd love to have a conversation with him about life in general!

Blogging Challenge—Day 25—What Regrets Do I Have?

6/25/2019

I don't think regrets are useful. It does no good to look back at life and wish I had done something differently. What if I had done what I thought I should have done? Would I still know the people I know? Still have the life I have now?

That said, though, everyone has tiny regrets. I might regret wearing a certain blouse, going to see a movie, or even taking the route I took home. Those are minor, inconsequential things that won't change the overall structure of my life. But, overall, I'm happy with how my life is. I hope you are as well!

Blogging Challenge—Day 24—What Makes Me Cry

6/24/2019

I'll admit that I don't cry easily, mainly because I've had to be strong in my life. That strength is both a positive and a negative as it doesn't always allow me to express my emotions fully. But there are two things, besides the most obvious ones like the loss of a loved one or physical injury, that are guaranteed to bring on the waterworks.

When someone prays for me out loud or in writing. If someone tells me they're praying for me, that won't make me cry, but if I hear the prayer, then the floodgates open. There's just something about knowing someone cares enough about you to go to the Throne of Grace that touches my heart.
When I see suffering. Be it animal or human, if I see someone or something hurting, the tears will come. I used to lose it over those SPCA commercials with Sarah McLachlan singing "Angel." The pained looks on those dogs' faces did me in every time. And St. Jude commercials? Yep, those do it, too. Any kind of suffering will break my heart and bring on the tears.

Blogging Challenge—Day 23—How Would I Spend One Million Dollars

6/23/2019

Okay, so, today's challenge is if I had a million dollars, how would I spend it. First, that's a lot of money to just spend at any one time. Second, I know myself too well; I wouldn't spend all of it at once. I doubt I'd spend even a quarter of it at once. I might pay off my mortgage, give a lot to my friends, donate some to charity, and take one trip to New Zealand and another to England and all parts of Europe.

However I chose to spend it, I know I wouldn't just blow it. The mere thought makes me cringe! But I would want to help people as much as I could. To do that, I'd have to make the money work for me. I'd invest some and keep some back to live off of in my old age. But the most important thing to me would be making a difference. With a million dollars, I could do that.

Blogging Challenge—Day 22—My Favorite Quote

6/22/2019

I have favorite quotes for each area of my life like motivation, success, love, etc. So while I don't have an overall favorite quote that encompasses everything, I'll share the one that stays on my mind a lot. It's a reminder to me to be grateful for all that I have.

Blogging Challenge—Day 21—3 People Who Inspire Me

6/21/2019

This is another challenging post for me, mainly because I'm inspired by so many people and not just those that are in my daily life. I'm inspired by people that have overcome challenges, people who never give up, people who do for others, and so many more. And my life is filled with inspiring people. I am so very blessed to have the life that I have and the people that are in it!

Narrowing my list down to three people isn't easy, but these are the three people who have inspired me most recently. I won't use their names because they'd prefer to remain anonymous, I'm sure.

My former Sunday school teacher. I have known her since I was seventeen, and we have grown to be extremely close over the years. She's like a mother to me. She's almost 76, but she still works as a teacher, volunteers at a nursing home, is active in her church, has overcome breast cancer, is a hands-on grandmother, and is willing to take a four-hour drive to spend two days at my house so she could put up the backsplash in my kitchen. The woman is a dynamo and never slows down. I hope I'm that active at her age!
One of my closest friends. She has faced so many challenges in her life recently, especially dealing with her husband's illnesses, but she never misses a beat. She just keeps going, not just because she has no other choice, but because she knows if you're going through something, you have to keep going to get through it. She inspires me with her never-give-up attitude!
My sister from a different mister. We're two halves of the same whole, and although she and her family have been struggling, she's always there when I need to meet for some talk over coffee. She radiates positivity and is always quick with a joke to make those around her laugh. When the dark clouds come, she doesn't stay down long because that's not her way. Is it any wonder that she inspires me?

Who inspires you?