Happy Holidays Everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve left you with a personal post. Honestly it’s because there’s not much to update you on. I feel like this school year has put us in a grind where it kind of feels like Groundhog Day everyday. Do you ever have that feeling? Where everyday is the same grueling routine? The girls are having a lot of homework and seem to be going constantly. I’m looking very forward to their break and am trying to wrap up blog work in the hopes that I can be present and we can relax together. This is definitely a well deserved break for the girls.
Rodney is doing really well. I often marvel at the massive change he’s made moving in with us and how well he’s keeping it together. I have to say, when I was single I was very contented. Now that Rodney’s here though, I realize how everything was dependent on me. Rodney is so quick to jump in and help and it’s so amazing how God’s timing is so incredibly perfect. With this year’s extra homework and busyness, I honestly can’t imagine doing all of it alone. Don’t underestimate God’s perfect timing!
Being an only child and a man who’s never been around little girls, Rodney has handled all the girly antics quite gracefully. He’s began to document his #instadad life on his Instagram like when he dressed the girl’s Elves On A Shelf in G.I. Joe camouflage and hid them in my plants. At the moment he’s making his own Christmas ornament that consists of foil, cardboard and a picture of Bruce Willis. He said he needed at least one ornament on our tree-lol! He’s figuring out where his masculinity fits in!
We’re definitely in a rut with our entertainment. We haven’t found a show we’ve liked in some time. We’ve been so hard up that somehow we began to watch Jersey Shore. I have to say-there’s something to be said for that show! I’m 100% heart warmed and entertained by their bond and drunk antics! Anyone have a show they suggest? We thoroughly enjoyed Bates Motel, Sharp Objects, Big Little Lies and Handmaid’s Tale.
One hugely positive thing that is new is my health. Cutting out gluten has changed everything for me. While I know I do not have a gluten allergy, I am definitely substantially intolerant of gluten. Cutting 90% of gluten out of my diet has relived my bloating, gas and stomach pain totally. I’ve even lost about 5lbs. I am so happy to finally have found relief! I am now able to eat dairy again and am not reacting to everything I eat like I was before I cut the gluten. I’m wondering if my gluten issue played a roll in my perioral/ocular dermatitis? I have not had a flair in almost a year. Go HERE for my gluten post if you’d like to know more.
Jenni Raincloud has become super busy in a really good way. It’s been years since I’ve had writer’s block and am constantly full of ideas for new posts and recipes! I’m pretty proud of THIS post and THIS post because they took a lot of effort and are outside of my box but turned out well. I have 2 REALLY good anti aging skin care DIYs coming for the first of the year too!
This time around my Etsy shop feels effortless. It isn’t stretching me too thin like last time and I am super thankful for each and every order. I’m enjoying making products and since I’ve gone down to just one facial oil, I feel like things have just clicked with making products! Needless to say, I’m really happy I decided to come back! I still don’t have aspirations of growing my skin care line too much more then it is now, but it is nice to provide my formulations for those that don’t want to DIY!
Stealing Pretty is a bit of a flop. I posted HERE about my struggles with Instagram. I continue to question why I can’t seem to move forward on social media and experience a lot of frustration. Being part of the fashion blogging world on Instagram drove me nuts quite honestly! Often times I felt vain and materialistic. It actually strengthened my loyalty to Jenni Raincloud because while I love sharing pretty, frivolous things, I personally need to offer a deeper message. It’s always a stuggle for me to find that balance. Weirdly though, I throw content on Stealing Pretty despite deleting that Instagram and Facebook. I’m still enjoying putting outfits together and share on my LIKEtoKNOW.IT page (where you can see all my pics that have shopping links) and sometimes on Instagram. Who knows where that’s going if anywhere but for now, I’m having some fun with it. I’m kind of thinking about sharing more personal stuff on that blog like my home, decor and even playlists. If you’re interested in Stealing Pretty, you can sign up HERE for my email subscription and get an email each time I post.
I am anxious for a fresh, new year! With this year winding down, I feel thankful for so many things 2018 brought. Some things especially pertaining to this blog were hard but I’ve stretched and evolved. I have a different perspective now and it feels like I’ve shed some immaturity. I’m hopeful 2019 will be focused on helping readers on their natural journey. I want to focus on making me smaller and my message bigger.
I am so incredibly thankful for you. I know that if you’re still reading this, you’ve taken an interest in my blog and I can’t thank you enough. Please feel free to comment below or email me ([email protected]) any suggestions you might have for 2019. What would you like to see more of? Less of?
I wish you all a peaceful, happy holiday that is restful and positive.
BIG HUGS, Jenni
For more of my personal journey, read more HERE.
