~How I Met My Husband~

One evening in late March or early April of 2013, a friend called and asked me to go out with her.  I graciously declined because I was having a bad day, but after a few minutes she was able to talk me into going with her.  Now the mad dash to shower and do my hair and make-up was on.  I must have tried on more than ten different outfits before I was satisfied with how I looked.

I hopped into my truck and I drove over to her house.  When I arrived she was still getting ready, so we chatted as she finished her make-up.  She asked if we could stop to see a friend of hers real quick at the bar on the corner because he was there in a pool tournament.  I figured why not and agreed we would stop by there.  Little did I know my entire life was about to change.

When we pulled up to the bar on the corner a man walked out the front and will silly, funny animations with his hands acted as if my truck lights were blinding him.  I quickly turned off my lights and I found this funny stranger to be incredibly handsome.  That shocked me because I had not dated in two years nor had I found anyone attractive in that period of time.  I just was not interested until now.

It turns out that this handsome man was her friend Kenny.  She introduced us to one another and we stood their while they talked for a brief moment.  She and I took seats at the bar in front of the video game and began playing games.  After a few minutes she went to talk to someone while I continued to play the games, all the while looking back at Kenny every few minutes only to catch him looking at me each time.

Finally, in what seemed like forever, he came over to talk to me.  He asked me where my friend went and I told him I was unsure maybe the bathroom.  We awkardly chatted for a few minutes and he walked away and a few minutes later he, too, disappeared.  Unable to find either one of them I made my way out to the smoking section.

That's when I began to feel uncomortable.  The man and woman our there were nice enough but very weird, I can deal with weird but it was too weird for my taste.  I finished my cigarette and decided to just go sit in my truck and wait.  To my surprise, Kenny and my friend were waiting for me there already thank God!

The two of them finished their conversation and Kenny asked me in a concerned and caring tone, "You did not give that jackass your number did you?"  He was referring to the man in the smoking area.  Without even thinking I blurted out, "NO!  But I would give it to you."  I completely shocked him because he actually said out loud, "Umm Umm Umm!"  The three of us laughed and he had to go so he said he would get my number from our friend.

We then went on our way to our destination and had a lot of fun.  My kept wandering off thinking about the mysterious Kenny I had met earlier.  I giggled more than a few times to myself because I could not believe I blurted that out to him.

The next day my friend called to let me know Kenny had asked her for my number.  We were both excited and she told me what a great guy he was.  Three very long days went by before he finally called me.  The conversation was short and awkward.  He called me everyday for about three days and the conversations were always short and awkward.  One of them ended with him saying, "You have a funny laugh."  Which left me wondering funny as in ha ha or funny as in I should not laugh anymore?

We finally decided to meet at my house one evening to have a cocktail and go from there.  We quickly discovered how much we had in common and how comfortable it was talking to one another.  Before we knew it, it was 3:00 am.  The hours that had just passed only seemed like minutes.  From that evening he never left except to go to work and on April 26, 2013, we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend.

A few months later on July 24, 2013, he asked me to marry him with the most stunning ring I have ever seen. Obviously, I said yes and on our one year anniversary April 26, 2014 we were married.  I finally found my Prince Charming and have only just begun to enjoy my Happily Ever After!  And to think I almost did not go out that night.

©2014 Lysa Wilds

~ A Day of Bonding and Yahweh Yoga ~

Yesterday was exactly what I needed. A change in scenery, quality time with my sister, Melissa, and my awesome nephew Shelton. Most importantly, which I didn't realize at the time, was the truly amazing personal yoga class with Melissa, who recently became a Yahweh Yoga Instructor.

For those of you just like me, before Melissa started taking the classes, who have never heard of Yahweh Yoga it is a Christian based type of yoga. Yahweh is a form of the Hebrew name of God used in the Bible. The best way for me to define Yahweh Yoga to you is to quote what I read on Yahweh Yoga's website.  "Yahweh Yoga is about loving the Lord and doing what we believe he has called us to do, which is to spread His word through yoga designed to inspire intimacy with Him and to offer programs that enrich, strengthen, and empower individuals to higher levels of mind, body, and spiritual health."

As this was my first time EVER doing yoga I was a bit nervous to say the least. I was a little frightened as well because of the RSD in my feet and the chance it could bring on extreme pain, but my incredibly loving and thoughtful sister had done research on what yoga positions were the best for RSD and planned a restorative yoga session all about me and my needs both physically and emotionally.

So I sat down on my yoga mat and like I do with everything in life I gave 110% to this new experience. At first I felt awkward and insecure but I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I relaxed and caught on. For that I must give all the credit to my sister, Melissa.

We began with deep breathing and once she saw I was comfortably breathing correctly she said an opening prayer. We did several yoga poses of which I can only remember the names of two, butterfly pose and Queen's pose which is what we ended the session with along with Melissa saying the closing prayer.

When we were finished and I sat up on my yoga mat I was amazed at how wonderful I felt. I couldn't remember the last time I felt so relaxed, stress free, at peace with the world, and so alive all at the same time. It was truly an amazing experience; when I looked at the time I couldn't believe over an hour had passed it seemed like only a few minutes. If you have ever considered trying yoga and have not yet I highly suggest going for it!

Thank you Melissa for not only being such a loving and supportive sister but friend and person as well. I cannot wait to start taking your classes in the studio! Oh and sorry for the older pictures of us I do not have anything recently of just the two of us...that is something we need to fix! ;)



© 2014 Lysa Wilds

Mommy Reality Challenge #10 ~ Food Face Fotos #mommyreality

#mommyreality

When I saw the Mommy Reality Challenge #10 ~ Food Face Fotos I had the perfect picture pop into my mind.



I was sick in bed one afternoon when my 14 1/2 your old daughter Brooklynn comes into my room yelling, "Mommy!" I jumped up and turned over to see what was wrong and what I see is the above image in front of me. She proceeds to ask me if I liked her new mask. Still half asleep I was confused as to what was on her face. It took me a few minutes but I did finally realize it was a flour tortilla she had poked holes in. I quickly grabbed my cell phone and took that picture. Only my kid would do something so crazy silly like that.

©2014 Lysa Wilds

The Next Stop On The Virtual Blog Tour Is Here At Welcome To My Circus...

For the past few months the Virtual Blog Tour has been making its way through the world wide Blogosphere stopping at different blogs every Monday.  So today make your way into the Big Top Tent and check out my blog Welcome to My Circus but I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way.  Laugh with me, or at me, and if you enjoy what you see please follow my blog.  

Who invited me on the Virtual Blog Tour...

Debbie Roberts ~ Deb's Random Writings

I was invited to join this Virtual Blog Tour by Debbie Roberts of Deb's Random Writings.  As a matter of fact Debbie was the first blogger I got to know and connected with.  Even though she is half a world away in Greece she has become a friend and one of my biggest supporters.  Debbie is someone I truly look up to for she is a talented writer and often shares great ideas while being very informative on a wide range of topics. So please hop on over to Greece by way of England to meet Debbie and her blog.

As a member of this tour I have been asked to answer four questions.  So grab yourself an ice cold beverage, some circus peanuts, and hurry to find a seat.  I hear those crazy clowns in their car which means the show is about to begin.

Presenting the Virtual Blog Tour's four questions in the center ring!

1.  What am I working on?

I have so many things going on right now that I feel like I am acting out every single role in the circus.  I wrote a "tween" novel in 2008 and am currently making the final editing changes.  I'm getting close to having the final proofread done so it can FINALLY get published.

I began blogging in January of this year and am still trying to figure things out.  From social media, to hosting my own blog, to making money from it, you name it I'm still trying to figure it out.  I write as much as possible, which I must admit I have been slacking lately.  Oh, and there is this little thing called a business that my husband and I just started. 

My life is seriously a Circus with all the above along with kids, dogs, a cat, a new husband, step-children, grandchildren, crazy neighbors, and my parents living only two blocks away from us; oh and this gigantic elephant called Elegantly Affordable Weddings AZ, our new business.  I need to work on a vacation!  Yes, that is what I need, no, I must work on next!

2.  How does my work differ from others of its genre?

First we need to figure out what genre it belongs to.  If you know what genre it is please speak up nice and loud so I can hear you over the crowd, for I haven't a clue.

I believe my personality and sense of humor is what makes my blog different.  Each and every blog post is from my soul, is authentic, 100% true, and I think for the most part funny.  I try to find the humor in everything around me.  I write about my crazy life and things that happen to me and around me.  If it can or is going to happen  to anyone it will happen to me.

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

Writing is a part of my soul.  I began writing poems at a very young age and quickly discovered I was pretty good at it.  In high school I was on the newspaper staff and later majored in journalism in college.  From there I was a journalist and a columnist for several years and have regretted leaving that line of work but really I had no choice as the economy made that decision for me.

Without writing everyday I felt as if a part of me had died.  A year after leaving the newspaper I wrote my book Gia's Journey.  I also started the sequel but life got in the way and I stopped writing again.  I wrote poems here and there and kept a journal but something, yet again, was desperately missing.  

In January of this year I wrote my first blog post.  The more I wrote the more I felt alive again.  It's a form of soul therapy for me.  If I didn't write I would probably go insane.

The first time someone commented on my blog I was in shock...people were actually reading what I wrote! Still today, if I can only get one person to read my latest blog post it makes my day.

4.  How does your writing/creating process work?

It all begins when an idea or memory just pops out of thin air, or so it seems, or something bizarre happens to me.  I grab my mechanical pencil and notebook paper and away I go into another writing frenzy.  Once I get started the words flow from the pencil onto the page and the rest of the world fades quietly into the background.

Once I am done writing it all out on paper I then type it into my computer to share with the world.  I know it sounds crazy and old fashioned but that has always been the only process that works for me.  Well, with the exception of there being a typewriter involved before we had personal computers.

Now to end the show in the Big Top Tent, I would like to introduce you to the three bloggers I am inviting to join the Virtual Blog Tour journey.

Melissa Larance of Welcome to my world...it is a blessed place to be

I have known Melissa her whole life as she is my baby sister.  Her blog Welcome to my world...it's a blessed place to be is the first blog I ever really read.  Her blog inspired me to start my own blog.  She writes about her very strong Christian faith, the trials and triumphs she has experienced throughout her life.  Her blog posts are inspiring and always lift my spirits.  I very highly recommend checking out her blog, you may be surprised how much you can relate to her blog posts and you too just might find inspiration you didn't realize you needed.

Morgan Prince of Shaking Away the Cobwebs

Morgan and I recently connected through a blog post I wrote.  I started following her blog as she began following mine.  She is a very busy lady as she is writing her first novel, is a very busy stay at home Mum, and does some Administrative work for her husband.  All while squeezing in time for her blog as well Shaking Away the Cobwebs.  I recommend checking out her blog as she writes a lot about what other Mom's (Mum's) can relate to.

Sharon Ruggieri of Sharon Mom's Madhouse

I met Sharon four years ago at a "mini" high school reunion.  She is married to a dear friend of mine from high school who I had not seen in 20 years.  It didn't take long before Sharon and I became friends.  Sharon is a stay at home Mom of six children.  Her blog Sharon Mom's Madhouse is about her life as a Mom and she is absolutely hilarious!  On her blog page as the Header it reads, "Mom's Madhouse ~ A Blog W/Sprinkles of Truth."  I highly recommend checking out her blog.  If you are a parent you will get a chuckle as you relate to the stories about her children and being a stay at home Mom.

Well ladies and gentlemen this is the end of Welcome to My Circus' Virtual Blog Tour.  I hope you found it entertaining.  Don't forget to wander around under the Big Top Tent and read some of my other blog posts.  Also, don't forget to visit Melissa, Morgan, and Sharon's blog next Monday, August 4, for the Virtual Blog Tour will be stopping there next.

©2014 Lysa Wilds

~ The Silence Is Heart Breaking ~

This house has been far too quiet for the past couple of months. The dogs are still playing tricks on us but the cat seems just as lost as we are. There are only a few things that I miss; the laughter, the singing, the pranks we would play on one another, the hugs and kisses. Yes those I miss, but in the big picture of it all I really do not miss much.

The peaceful calm is helping my body and mind to heal. Where before the chaos, constant fighting, drama, and lies were only making my health decline at a rapid and scary pace. The quietness at times is heartbreaking but I know in my heart it is for the best.

I am in no condition to continue fighting a war where the more you lie the more you win. I will always speak nothing but the truth. They cannot and will not change that in me.

They did not win I chose not to fight any longer. There is a big difference here I chose not to play his game and continue to fight an unnecessary war. Finally, I chose me and what is best for me not what is expected of me. I have no regrets for I believe if you lie there should be severe consequences. Well now they finally have their consequence for the years of lies they have told .

I wonder if they are sorry for what they have done? Do they even care? Do they finally realize what we have told them about lying? Do they even realize it has been the years of their lies that brought us here where we are today?

I am at peace with my choice although there are still very brief moments of sadness. I suddenly have new roles in life and am unsure where to begin in this new phase of my life. I always land on my feet it is the sudden newness of it all that leaves me wondering what I am supposed to do next.

I have begun by focusing on my new husband, my book, my blog, and on our new business. This has helped to keep my mind occupied for the most part. But it is the silence before I fall asleep, that is the worst part for me. I wonder how long it will take for this to become the new normal for me?

©2014 Lysa Wilds

~ We Finally Had Our Day In Court ~

We finally had our day in court yesterday for the parking ticket we received for parking in our driveway. As with everything else in my life it was like a three ring circus. Of course our court time was shared with a couple dozen other people. So, we had to patiently wait for the Judge to call upon us. However, it was interesting to hear the other cases.

Finally, it was our turn to plead our case. With pictures, measurements, etc. as evidence we approached the judges bench, as did the Glendale police officer who wrote the ticket. We made a pretty impressive argument backed up by the evidence we collected considering we are by no means close to being a attorneys.

Then the officer had his turn to respond to what we had just argued. Wouldn't you know it, he completely lied under oath. He stated that my truck was completely over the sidewalk and hanging out into the street. He also stated that he did not issue any other tickets to any other vehicles parked in their driveways that day. Try telling that to my neighbor that was ticketed on the same day but had to pay over $200 for a ticket that was originally only $32 after her day in court.

The justice system let us down yet again as we did not win our case, but on the bright side the ticket was reduced back down to the original $32. I guess the City of Glendale is finding ridiculous ways to ticket their residents in an effort to raise money for the Super Bowl to be hosted here in 2015. Glad to have been forced into contributing to that fund... yes that was sarcasm!

©2014 Lysa Wilds

Mommy Reality Challenge #8 ~ Mommy's Guilty Pleasures!

I have two different hiding places in my room. First is a top-secret stash of Baby Lips, Soft Lips, and EOS lip balms and I lie about it...who does that? When my teenage daughters ask to use them I say I am out and hand them the Dollar Store brand instead. I feel guilty just admitting to this first one...oh my!

I also have soda pop hidden in my room. I make them drink water and juices but I sneak away for my not even name brand but generic soda pop.

One last confession; when checking out at the grocery store I always sneak in a candy bar just for me so while they watch me load the groceries into the truck they never see me sneak bites of my Milky Way bar. That one I've been doing their whole lives and I literally laugh out loud because they have never noticed. They always ask why I think it is so funny to put groceries in the truck...which makes me laugh even harder!

I'm not that bad am I?


©2014 Lysa Wilds