Invest. When most people think of this word the first thing that often comes to mind is money. Want to be a homeowner some day? Invest in land. Want to be an entrepreneur? Invest in business and the most talked about is stocks. All of these things are good and I think we all should at some point in our life. But what if I told you that these aren’t the only things you should invest in. In fact I believe that before we invest in any of that, we should invest in something way more important and that is ourselves. You are worth so much more than material things. You are worth more than any car, house or business on this earth. Why? Because you my friend were created by God himself. When he created you he gave you your own gifts, dreams and purpose that only you can fulfill. Most of us had huge dreams for our lives as a child but somehow they died as we got older. It could’ve been because of your up bringing and the mindset you were taught to have , Society standards, your environment or the people around you. Be careful who you share your dreams with!! Not everyone wants to see you win. Some people will kill your dreams from the moment they hear about them including your very family. How do I know? Unfortunately this is something that has constantly happened to me as a child. Not just from my family but literally everyone around me. Everyone’s favorite question still to this day is. “ How? You’re in a wheelchair. ” Thanks for the reminder because even though I’m sitting right in front of you in it as you say that, I do have mornings that I forget. For years I allowed comments like these to affect me so much that I literally stopped dreaming. Even after giving my life to Christ. He would tell me to do things and I would always cancel myself out believing the lie of I’m not good enough. Until now. Unlike most people I’m actually grateful for this pandemic because it forced me to build my relationship with Jesus, to truly put my trust in him not on the things of this world. To find my identity in him and work on some of the issues and insecurities I have. It forced me to learn to love myself and not know that I’m pretty but believe it. This is an everyday journey but luckily I’m not alone. When I was 15 the lord blessed me by bringing my favorite person into my life. (I literally call him my favorite person) because he is. Lol. This man has impacted my life since day one. You see when he came into my life I was an angry, rebellious teenager who struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. When everyone gave up on me he didn’t. When I gave up on myself he didn’t. When I fall he’s here to pick me back up. When I’m doubting myself he doesn’t allow me to stay there. He says I don’t but I know I annoy the hell out of him because ever since we reconnected I’m always in his DMs venting or asking questions. I promise it’s only because he gives AMAZING ADVICE. I mean the man should be a life coach, that’s how good he is. I’m not just saying that because I know him personally, I’m saying that because it’s true. Some of the things that I talk about on here are things that he’s personally walked wit me through or is still walking me through like today’s topic. Self love. As most of you know I grew up with a load of insecurities about myself because of my disability. I didn’t hate myself but I hated my life and had a deep dislike for myself if that makes sense?? His love for me reminds me of Jesus’s. Literally. I don’t understand it and definitely do not deserve it yet they give it so freely with no strings attached. The most they want is my love in return but even, on the days I may not be so good at it they love me anyway. And. I’m. Just. So. Thankful🥺 

So, about self love. Obviously this is something I struggle or should I say struggled with. However, since he’s been back my self esteem has shot up tremendously. Especially within the past 2 months. My confidence is still a process but we’re taking it one day at a time. I wake up every day feeling beautiful even if my hair isn’t done. I’m nowhere near where I want to be in life but I’m starting to dress like I am. I’m not married yet but I set the table like I am. I didn’t want to be a blogger but I am and I think I’m doing pretty good for someone that’s literally learning as I go. The consistency could be better but I’m busy these days. The book has been getting all my attention lately because my favorite person knows about it and if he finds out I haven’t been writing I will not hear the end of it. Moral of the story, invest in you!! You don’t need Thousands of dollars to this. Your self investment can be as simple as you reading one book every month, taking yourself on dates even if it’s in the house. Cook your favorite meal, put it on your good plate, you know the one you only take out for special occasions? With you good glass. Pour your favorite drink, whatever it may be and enjoy!! You want to be a dancer but don’t have the money to pay for dance lessons!! YouTube University. It’s the best school I’ve ever been to. I’m currently taking classes on learning how to play the keyboard and so far my professors are wonderful. I learned a song in my first week. I’m not joking. The bonus for me is if I don’t understand something I can always ask my favorite person who just so happens to play and he’ll help me. I’ll leave a video below so you can see him as well as his new song. (I hope it gets stuck in your head as much as it gets suck in mine 🤪) But if you don’t have anyone that will help you that’s ok. Keep trying, don’t give up!! It doesn’t matter how many times you may have to stop, start, pause and rewind just keep going!! Yes it can become annoying and frustrating, you may even cry but in the end it’ll all be worth it. Start living the life you dream of now even if you’re circumstances say otherwise. I believe the first step is changing your mindset. I believe if you can see it you can achieve it. You don’t need a bunch of people cheering you on. Sometimes you may have to walk alone for a season or two but pray and ask God for like minded people. He will send them. I don’t care whether it’s five people or one person. Learn to appreciate just being in their presence. Laugh, cry if you need to but most importantly grow together. One thing he always tells me is “Block out all negativity, don’t listen to The naysayers no matter who they are. Focus on loving yourself because self love is the best love.” This isn’t an overnight thing, it’s a journey. It’s like baby steps, you will fall sometimes but get back up. 

Remember each of our journeys are different don’t let anyone discourage you on yours!!! God can and will use people from all walks of life to help each other🤝 

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I am taking a mini break from reading so much. I just slowed it down and I haven’t been requesting any new books until I catch up a little. We are planning on starting book club again in a couple weeks so I will have that new book and then probably request a couple more that I already have on my list. I can’t wait for book club. I miss hanging out! We’re going to meet in a park so we’ll be outside and apart from each other and everyone will bring thier own snacks and beverage. YAY for that! I do have a couple other book reviews coming next week.🙂

Also, I got the vaccine and then I got the second one this past week. I had some side effects from the second dose. Muscle aches and a headache. It took about a day to feel alright. My husband took the day of his next vaccine and the day after off from work already in anticipation. At first I thought he was slightly over reacting but after experiencing the side effects, I think he’s smart to take it off just in case.

In the US there is a company called GoldBelly. The have really good foods from all over the country and you can order them and have them shipped right to your door. I was highly skeptical of this at first cause shipping perishable food across the country seems weird. Also, the prices looked a little steep. Like $80-$100.00 for 3-4 pizza sampler pack seems like a lot to me, even with free shipping. I discovered that you can usually find a pretty good promo code. I have been able to get at least 15% off each order. My husband and I LOVE pizza so we decided to take a US tour of pizza. Let’s get started!

First stop: Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Pizzas . Chicago, IL

This is what started the pizza tour. I had a craving for Chicago Pizza and I rationalized this order with the thought that I probably won’t get to Chicago for quite some time so if I really wanted the pizza, I would have to order.

The review- To be honest, this pizza almost brought the pizza tour to a halt before it even really started! The shipment was a day late getting here, which is not the pizza places fault… UPS was having shipment “delays”… Which means, they gave up half way through the day due to a “snow emergency” and said they would deliver it the next day. (I use “” because we live in CT there is nothing emergency about 1-2 inches of snow. That’s like a Tuesday in the winter). The next day it took the ENTIRE day to get here. I was worried the pizza would be bad. It was defrosted but not bad yet, I think. We cooked it immediately and… In my mind, Chicago pizza should have lots of cheese and lots of sauce. Like in that picture up there. It needs to be consumed with a fork and knife and one slice is enough. The pizza we got had way less sauce and less cheese although the crust was really good. I ate it with a fork and knife even though I didn’t really need to.

I wouldn’t order from here again but we will be trying Chicago pizza again at some point. While this didn’t fulfill my wish, it wasn’t terrible. I personally wouldn’t recommend ordering this. If we ever get to Chicago, I would maybe stop by and try it fresh.

Second Stop: Rocket Inn – Indianola, NE.

I have never even heard of Nebraska pizza but I saw this on Gold Belly and thought “Sauerkraut, on pizza?!? I think I need to try that.” And I am glad we did. It’s delicious. Kraut and hot sauce come on the side and you can add it when baking if you want. We made half the pizza baked with the Kraut and half plain and put cold kraut on. I dropped the hot sauce on too and that was really good. The only issue with this order is that we picked 3 different ones and we got 2 gameday pizzas and a rocket special. Honestly, they were both really good.

Gameday Pizza- a Beer Cheese base, pepperoni, spicy Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese

The Special Pizza- featuring Hamburger, Sausage, Pepperoni, Onions and Mushrooms over their trademark Rocket pizza sauce

Would we order again? Probably not… but maybe? If we are ever in Indianola, NE, we will make it a point to stop and have this fresh, hot, kraut and all!

Third: Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – San Francisco, CA.

We ordered the Combo pack of 3 pizza’s. The cheese was forgettable.

The New Yorker with sliced mozzarella, tomato sauce, house-made fennel sausage, pepperoni, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, oregano, Romano, and ricotta…. Was really, really good.

As was the Cal-Italia Pizza- Asiago, fresh mozzarella, Italian gorgonzola, imported Parmigiano, thinly sliced imported prosciutto di parma and Croatian sweet fig preserve, drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

Would we order from here again? Maybe. I would swing by if we ever end up in San Francisco.

Fourth: Cane Russo – Dallas, TX.

We ordered the Pizza Napoletana Sampler 4 pack. When this arrived we immediately made the Honey Bastard: A sweet and spicy powerful combination of creamy, housemade mozzarella cheese, spicy hot soppressata salami, and housemade bacon marmalade, with a drizzle of habanero pepper-infused honey at the end to finish with a kick. This pizza was delicious. That’s all I can say. Sweet heat and so good.

We had a couple friends over and we made the PRB for an appetizer: a meaty combo of smoked brisket, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, roasted onions, candied jalapenos, and BBQ sauce. The PBR has the smoke, the sweet, and the heat that make it the ultimate Texas-style pizza. Everyone agreed this was really good too.

We still have the other 2 pizza’s, A margherita and a pepperoni. I am really looking forward to these as well. Will we order from here again? Definitely. Even if we do a smaller pack and get the honey bastard and the PBR again.

Fifth: Red Wagon Pizza – Minneapolis, MN.

We ordered the wood fired pizza sampler and had the Olive Oyl Pizza – pesto and ricotta, artichokes, roasted mushrooms and green olives. My husband said he was pleasantly surprised and originally thought it would be really salty. I love salt and I was fine with all of it. Next time I would make it more well done in our oven.

We still have the other 3 pizza’s.

A Red Wagon: The ideal ratio of bacon to pork and garlic to onion with precise seasonings and our house-made fig balsamic.

Carl the Cuban: Chef Carl Ruiz was a dear friend and mentor to Red Wagon Pizza’s founder, Peter Campbell. Carl “The Cuban” was the inspiration behind the flavor profile of this beloved pizza, which is topped with 12 hour citrus cuban pork & shaved ham over house cheese, finished with dill pickles and mayo-mustard.

And a Pepperoni pie. I do look forward to trying these and will give an update on the next review! Will we order from here again? The verdict is still out. So far, I am happy with the products!

Up next we have a delivery of Detroit Style Pizza Co coming in the beginning of April. This I originally ordered 2nd and didn’t notice the shipping date. If you do order from Gold Belly, make sure you check the shipping dates! After that, who knows were else we are ordering from.

We have a favorite list and we have places picked in Wyoming, Georgia, Colorado, Missouri, Arizona… So much pizza. If you order, I would double check the weather to prevent any shipping delays, and make sure you look for a promo code, it’s worth it!

If you want to try it, and get $15.00 off your first order, please consider using my link: https://www.talkable.com/x/t53hRo

I’ll get $15.00 off my next order too and that will help me get around the country faster. **This is my personal review on something I bought. I did use some discount promo codes I found online.

I decided to just put a hold on a ton of books off various must read lists. Suddenly, they were all available for pick up and since there is a hold list for a lot of them, I can’t renew. SO… My reading spree continues….
White ivy : a novel / Susie Yang. 

I liked this book. I did not like the main character. In fact, I am pretty sure I didn’t like anyone in the book really… haha. Wait, I liked the street friend from when she was growing up. It was interesting to see how it all turns out and I am pretty sure everyone gets what they deserve. Except the street friend. Pick it up for a good weekend read.

Let me tell you what I mean [large print] / Joan Didion ; foreword by Hilton Als.

This is another one you should pick up if you have a chance. I liked how it was written. I liked that it was a bunch of different articles from over the years. So each chapter is a new article. I really enjoyed the last few articles. The one on Martha Stewart was very interesting to me. I also liked the chapter on Hemingway. I never really thought about how books are published posthumously, and how the writer no longer has any say in their work. This book gave me a few interesting conversations with my husband so I would really recommend reading it.

The kindest lie : a novel / Nancy Johnson.

I think I saw this on a must read list. I did enjoy this book. There are so many secrets people and families keep. For me, this was an interesting read and I think that if you get a chance and have a weekend to hang around, I would suggest giving this book a read.

Tell no one : a novel / by Harlan Coben.

A friend recommended this book. This was fast and kept me turning the pages. I read it in a day. I would recommend adding to your reading list if you like these sorts of books. I did figure it out before the end of the book but there are definitely a lot of twists and turns.

Writers & lovers : a novel / Lily King.

This is another book I enjoyed reading. I really liked the writing. I liked the story. I liked that it was relatable to things that really go on in life when you are starting out. The stresses that pile on top of each other and the feelings of being lost and hopeless sometimes. What I didn’t like? The ending. For me it felt like it just wrapped everything up too perfectly and really fast. I was happy for the characters but I was also thinking that everything that was super relatable suddenly wasn’t. That’s my opinion though. I think it’s worth reading and I definitely recommend.

This is what I have been doing with my free time lately. I have 2 more books here, 1 waiting for me at the library and 3 more I am holding for… So more book reviews are in our future.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Are there any books that you would recommend?