Changes!

Just a quick post today to say HELLO!

And to let you know that I have been changing a lot of things here at My Blissful Journey with even more changes on the way!  First and foremost I have added a FUR KID Section.  Take a look and let me know what you think.  It's kind of like a Hall of Fame...the furkids we currently have and the ones we have lost over the years and still think about daily!  It will tell you a bit about each of them and have photos of each.

I have deleted a few tabs and will be re-working them at some point.

Also, you might have noticed my sidebar and blogroll has had a MAJOR overhaul!  I've been trying to re-connect with blogging buddies I have lost touch with over the years and keep in touch better with those of you I have become close friends with, too!  I want to visit and comment more frequently.  If you don't see your link on my sidebar please let me know!

Raw, Random, & Recipes

Many things have been going on as of late and things have been in high speed.  So much so that I trashed a few recipes that I was working on but still wanted to share them with you here...but...I will get to one of those in a bit. 

First up is Chia Goodness - Apple Cinnamon flavor that I have had on hand for a while but finally cracked open about 2 weeks ago.  As I have said a few times I have a 'thing' with the texture of Chia Seeds once they have been hydrated.  I did eat the bowl - whole - like this but next time I think I am going to put it thru a blender before consuming - just as my own personal preference, I guess.  The flavor was tasty, tho!

Here's another thing I have been munching on...another raw vegan cheese spread.  This one was very thick and very tasty.  I think I put a tad too much Apple Cider Vinegar in it tho but it was still good!

I wanted to try it on Brown Rice Pasta but it didn't last that long.  I used it for scooping corn chips but also for veggies, too!

Paco, Riley, and Charlie have been doing well.  Our next appointment and blood labs for Paco is January 4th.

Another reason we've been busy is because we HAD to clean our basement for a number of reasons but time-wise had to because we needed to have someone come and change out our Water Meter "parts".  Thank GOD that project is done...oye!  BUT...I will say...it worked out for the best!  We donated 28 bags of clothes, bedding, shoes, hats, and coats!

I've been busy writing a lot for numerous websites but I am happy to report that I will be doing a lot more now that I have a new computer!

I was trying to use a Chromebook that we got on sale MONTHS ago and eventho it's handy it has a lot of quirks.  It's NOT very good at multi-tasking or working off of multiple screens/windows, and it's the easiest to save or retrieve files or edit photos.  So basically everything I NEEDED it for it wasn't cutting the mustard!  DH got me my Christmas Present early last weekend - an All-in-1 Dell that has been working real well for what I need!  You can see the screen in this photo - it's a large and wide screen!  I took this pic while on Megan Elizabeth's Hang Out Chat the other night.  Some Vegetarian/Vegan/Raw Foodies met up and chatted for about 2 hours!

There were some great tips on skin products, skin care, make-up, things to do at home if you don't wear make-up (I usually don't) and then we got into food, gift-giving, and a whole lot more!  Here's a pic of me from yesterday morning.  I put it on Instagram with the tags #nomakeup #nofilter #longhairdontcare.  It was shortly after I got out of the shower.  This was my 2nd day using ACURE Organics Shampoo and Conditioner.  I hope to do a more lengthy review on those products soon.  The fist day was a bit rough but the 2nd day was GREAT!  More on that down the road.  So this was more of a mini wrap-up over the last few weeks, I guess!  More coming soon!

My New Blissful Addiction to Canva

I have a confession to make...I'm an addict.  An addict to this site called Canva that is.  I've been tinkering with it for over a week now and I am in LOVE with it.  I've made this graphic - as well - as a few others this past week that I have featured here - as well as some for a few newsletters and websites I contribute to.  It's so easy!  

  Here's just a few things you can do with it...Album and Podcast Covers, Social Media, Presentations, Posters, Facebook Covers and Posts, Blog Graphics, etc.  Actually...my new header for this blog is done with Canva...as is my Google+ Profile Header.

They have some really neat templates that you can use and/or you can tweak them easily to whatever you wish!  I took a few screen shots for you to see what I am referring to!  There are many FREE things you can do with it and there are paid for features, too, if you want something MORE.  So far - everything I have used - has been of the FREE variety!

M-Cell Tower

Several Weeks ago we noticed a significant drop in cell service at our home. We do not have a land line we only use our cell phones.  My husband has a home office and studio and once he's done with his air shift at work he will work mostly out of our house.  In addition to being on the air he's in Marketing & Sales and NEEDS a reliable cell signal at all times!  We were NOT able to get the service we needed due to tower maintenance in our area for about a week.  This was unacceptable.  In addition to his work he was also missing and dropping phone calls from his doctors while he was having multiple issues going on a few weeks ago.  We submitted a Trouble Ticket and I ended up calling 3 times and we went to our local store twice.  The last time we showed up at the store we were finally able to get some answers and move forward with what we were going to do and how we were going to try and handle the issues we were having.  Long story short - we ended up getting an "M-Cell Tower".  That's how it reads on the iPhone when it's hooked up so that is what I have been calling it but the official name is AT&T 3 G MicroCell Wireless Signal Booster.  It retailed for about $199.  When we went in Dale ended up getting a great deal on the new iPhone and I ended up taking his old one - which was still a step up from mine - I previously had an iPhone 4S and now I have his old iPhone 5.  He upgraded to the 5S.  I ended up getting a SWEET deal on mine for turning it into them...they offered me $200 for it because it was in great shape.  They replaced my SIM Card as well which totally made a difference too!  So by getting the $200 Gift Card I decided to spend it on the M-Cell Tower.  They ordered it from a neighboring store and we picked it up the following Monday Morning.  Hubby took it home and hooked it up and we haven't looked back!  It's just what we needed!  I have 4 to 5 bars of service consistently, now!  It's AWESOME! 

In short...The AT&T 3G MicroCell device acts like a mini cell tower in your home, and connects to your existing broadband Internet service. You receive improved cell signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications like picture messaging and Web surfing.

So far - we haven't had a problem with this at all and based on our current Cell Phone Family Plan it doesn't cost us any additional money per month.  It's working like a charm!

Blissful "Techie" Journey ~ XM Devices

Just a quick post to let you know that I got a new XM Onyx Device and Kit for my car last week!  Hubby was nice enough to install it while I was at work!  Here is a photo of what it looks like!  It's MUCH different than my old one which I LOVED.  But I figured it was time to finally move on and get a new one because it fit better in and with my new car - my 2013 Fiat - or as I like to call it "The Wonder Buggy."

I've been a XM (Sirius/XM) Subscriber even before the merge of the two companies.  Mostly because I wanted to still enjoy radio without having to listen to the stations I work for (and listen to for 50 hours a week while working) and/or didn't want to listen to our local competitors and feel like a traitor!  I still get a lot of negative comments from my fellow radio people because most think Satellite Radio will 'kill' local radio.  I don't necessarily feel that way.  This is a PAID service were as local radio is ALWAYS FREE.  But I can see both sides! 

But I don't want to get into a debate about the pros and cons.  I just want to show you my new Techie-Type-Toy!

This is a photo of my old device which was an XM Roady!  It was awesome!  I LOVED it!  I'm sure I will LOVE my Onyx but it will take some getting used to change-wise.  My Roady was reliable!  I had it for nearly 10 years - if memory serves!  I never had 1 problem with it!

I'm hoping this new device works just as well if not better!  I like the sleek look and the black-techie color matches everything in my Fiat!  The screen color we currently have set to a reddish color to match the lights on the dash in the "Wonder Buggy".  The only bad part is I have to reset all of my favorites/pre-sets.  But at least there are a few more buttons to store my favorites in as I have MANY that I listen to and switch back and forth to often!

Keywords, Q&A, and FAQ

I've been looking at my stats again and thought it might be a good time to do some 'explaining'.  Whether you have searched my site or searched the web and stumbled upon a post of mine I appreciate and welcome you!  Last time I did a bit of a techie post I shouted out to some sites I have received some visitors from as well as mentions from around the world.  Today I thought I would write a little bit about the things that have been searched for here.  Some of them have been "Cold Curried Beans", "Corona Beans", "Raw Stuffed Peppers", and "Pickle Power".  The latter made me giggle - I'm not sure why. 

One of the things I have been asked a lot lately as well as been receiving hits for is..."Are Wildtree Products Vegan".  As some of you know my mom, sister, and I are all Wildtree Reps.  The answer in simple form is YES...and NO!  As a vegetarian or vegan or even just a responsible shopper and consumer you should always read your labels!  With Wildtree they are very open about their ingredients and have always been all natural.  The end of last year they were certified organic.  There are many Wildtree Products that are vegan.  Others are vegetarian (but may contain dairy).  There are a select few that are NOT Vegetarian or Vegan...but again they are clearly marked in the ingredients!  One thing I have learned and LOVE is to NOT assume that something of theirs is NOT veg.  You will be surprised at just how many of them are!  If you have a question about a specific product PLEASE let me know.  I can help.  Also...my store/link is in the side bar if you would like to browse (or buy).  But I am low pressure so I will never twist your arm!

A few other keywords lately have been..."Healthy Vegan Cabbage Rolls", "Make Norwegian Sweet Soup", "Vegetarian Irish Stew", and "Vegan Meals In A Bottle".  This makes me wonder if I should start my Vegan Foods From Around The World Weekly Theme back up again...hummmm.  Speaking of Around The World - I would like to give a shout out to my readers in (of course the US and Canada) as well as Russia, Germany, Ukraine, the UK, Poland, Austria, France, New Zealand, and Switzerland!  AND...speaking of Shout Outs...another phrase searched, here, was "I Want Shout Outs".  Well, I have been known to give "shout outs" on my blog from time to time.  The best way is to first and foremost be a legit reader/visitor and not a spam3r.  If you visit often and have a blog of your own I will - probably - at some point - give you a shout out or two!  Thus far...my individual post/blog entry with the most hits of all time is THIS ONE.  It's wonderful because I LOVE that company and their products and have a few other products from them on tap for reviews down the road.

I will say that feedback-wise I have gotten a lot of positive feedback about my Mixed Media lately and will be doing more soon!  Thanks for all of the encouragement!  My friends and readers contribute to this truly being a "Blissful Journey".  I appreciate you all!