Riske Momma

Tomorrow kicks off my "Simple and Free" Social Experiment. Besides the Bible, this book has had such an impact on me. I am not only reading it; I am also listening to it on audiobook (Jen Hatmaker reading any of her books is seriously the best. She adds commentary, laughs and jokes. Its like listening to a friend.)  So the rules for the next 30 days: Eat 7 foods for 30 days. Well, anyone who knows me I am quite the picky eater. My husband finds it very amusing that I completely cut out two food groups, fruits and vegetables. (Yes, I'm weird. I do like potatoes, peas and corn. Somehow I have managed to stay healthy all these years.)  The seven foods I chose are:  1. Turkey 2. Beans 3. Nuts 4. Rice 5. Cheese 6. Bread 7. Corn and/or peas I will be drinking only water, tea and coffee. I would give coffee up, but you know, global pandemic. I'm giving up a lot but I think my family would appreciate me with coffee rather then without. It's not very pretty. I will be baki...

 Hi Friends! How are you all doing? Over here, we are doing pretty good. It's been a year of social distancing and living through a pandemic.  When I was sick with Covid back in July 2020, I read a book by Jen Hatmaker called "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess". This book changed my life. I enjoyed it so much I have reread it since then. I was so happy to find out it was going to be updated and rereleased today, March 23, 2021. The book is now called " Simple and Free: 7 Experiments Against Excess ". The idea of the social experiment is " to reduce  seven areas of excess—food, clothes, spending, media, possessions, waste, and stress, a nd made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence".  Each month, I will be reducing one area of my life. It is an intentional fast. I plan on starting with food. In the first month, I will be eating only seven foods. Yes, only 7 foods the whole 30 ...

Y'all stop what you're doing and listen to this! What a beautiful song! This is an old hymn that I grew up listening to in church and one of my favorites. This version by the The Belonging Co. featuring Natalie Grant just stirs something in your soul. Natalie Grant is a powerhouse. Her voice is a voice of an angel.  We are enbarking on a year in what is something we never thought would happen in our lifetime....A global pandemic. Just think a year ago today what you were doing. I was taking my kids on a spring break road trip to visit family and friends. Little did we know that was the last trip we would take for awhile.  This past year has been hard on all of us. We have experienced life in a way we never thought was possible. Our essential workers have worked so hard this year. Parents have become teachers and teachers are doing double the work. Families have had to endure so much with social distancing and being unable to see each other for holidays. To all of the loved one...

Believe It: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable by Jamie Kern Lima My rating: 5 of 5 stars Book release date: February 23, 2021 View all my reviews Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable by Jamie Kern Lima was one of the most inspirational and honest books I have read in a very long time. I was fortunate to be part of the book launch team and read this book in advance. It was a page turner. I finished it in less than a day. I couldn't put it down. Jamie's story is a story of love, faith, perseverance, and believing in yourself when no one else does. Jamie believed in herself, her product and her company. She went from almost losing everything to getting her shot on QVC that changed the course of her life and so many other women's lives. She knew if she could get on QVC to showcase her makeup that it would sell. And it sold. Jamie believed in showing real women with real skin problems on TV. This was faced w...

Hi Friends! Today I was thinking about what Jen Hatmaker always asks her guests on the "For The Love Podcast" before the podcast is over. She always asks each guest " What is saving your life right now ?"  I got to thinking about this. We are in a time period of doing things we don't know how to do and never planned on doing it. So many of us are home 24/7 working, teaching our kids, going to church, cooking, cleaning and so much more. Our social activity are video calls to our family, friends, and co-workers. We are all doing things we really don't know how to do it. This is not normal and new to us. We have to give ourselves a break. I was explaining to my son that what we are going through is just a short period of time in our whole life. We can do this.  So what are you doing that's saving your life right now?  For me, here are a few things I have started doing and its helping me.  Everyone in my house gets dressed for the day. I have started putting...

 So since I posted this picture yesterday on Facebook and Instagram, I received many questions about my lashes. They are called.... easbeauty 2020 Upgraded Magnetic Eyeliner and Eyelashes Kit, Magnetic Eyelashes with Eyeliner, False Lashes 5 Pairs with Tweezers, Easy to Wear  Today, they are a lightening deal on Amazon for $16.91! My lashes are basically non-existent. They are very, very blond and fine. All you do is apply the magnetic eyeliner close to your lashline, let it dry and then the lashes snap right on. Easy peasy! I first heard about these from the book club I am in, Jen Hatmaker Book Club. I have been as my son describes "Covid Mommy" since March 2020. Lately, I've needed something to just feel good. These lashes do it for me. Its a small thing that gives me happiness these days.  If you end up getting a pair, share of picture of yourself in these beauties!  Lots of love,  Jen

 Hello Friends!  I am fortunate to be part of the soon-to-be released book by the one and only Jamie Kern Lima. If you are not familiar with Jamie, she and her husband, Paulo, are the brains and grit behind the brand, IT Cosmetics. Jamie was a speaker at Christy Wright's Business Boutique Conference in the Fall of 2020, and she was so humble and endearing. Once I heard she had a book coming out, I couldn't wait to hear her story.  Jamie is a first time author and she knocked it out of the park with her debut book. Since I am part of the #BelieveIt Launch Team, I was given an advanced copy of the book. This book is so inspiring. I could not put it down. It tells a story of faith, determination and authenticity. IT Cosmetics was created for all women, not just the supermodel types. Jamie was determined to show real women using the foundation and how it worked. It gave these women confidence in themselves. On live TV on QVC, Jamie who has rosacea, wiped her makeup off to sho...

Hi friends,  Welcome to my blog! Yesterday,  I turned 41 years old. Like the rest of you, this past year has been one to remember. The Covid-19 Pandemic has changed how the world operates and how people interact with one another, but it's only a short time period over the course of our life.  I am thankful for my family and friends, my home, my pets, the sunshine, my health. Unfortunately, I had Covid-19 in July and am what are referred to as a "longhauler." This means I am not contagious, but the virus remains in my body attacking different body systems. The one body system the virus loves is my nervous system. It's challenging to stay positive when what is wrong is hard to diagnose and the medical community is trying to navigate something that is brand new. I have been lucky to have a great family doctor and a neurologist who I trust.  This past year being home with my family has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. Yes, I'm exhausted. Yes, it's A L...

Did you make any type of New Year's Resolutions? This is something we tend to do at the beginning of the new year. It always makes me think of that TV show, "The Middle." The middle child, Sue Sue Heck, always declares each year as something. She had "The Year of Sue."  This year instead of saying "I'm going to start working out 6 days a week", I'm making small goals. For example, I am doing a "40 day Sugar Fast" (Book Link) that starts on January 4, 2021. I did this last January and I really enjoyed it. Was it hard? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. The 40 day Sugar Fast was created by Wendy Speake. She has an online community that encourages each other and helps support each other through the fast. The fast is about giving up sugar and feasting on God. Focus on HIM, not yourself. I spent my 40 days focused on praying for my niece, Luella, who was hospitalized and was in really bad shape. She was my focus. Praying for her gave me strength a...