Have you checked out Lifehack yet?

The Lifehack Site (Lifehack.org) offers interesting and unique articles ranging from the benefits of coconut oil to the best apps for selling your stuff.  

I stumbled across it, love to read it, and now write for it.  If you don't know the many wonderful benefits to having a pet in your life, read all about it in my article here:

http://www.lifehack.org/363680/doctors-agree-having-pet-good-for-your-health

Then browse the site to enjoy articles and infographics about every subject imaginable.  

A few of my favorites are:

"Fun Facts for Coffee Lovers" http://www.lifehack.org/335238/fun-facts-for-coffee-lovers-infographic-2 

and "Organizing to get more done" http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/21-tips-to-organize-your-office-and-get-more-done.html

Enjoy-and always look for the bright side-it is there, I promise!  
Thanks for reading-Michelle :)

Money-Saving Update :)

I went to McDonald's and didn't have a coupon.  What's a girl to do?

That's right, I pulled out my phone and used the McD app that I told you about.  My bill went from $10 to $6 with a simple scan at the drive-thru to save $3.99 instantly :)

Now, what are the chances that I will put that $4.00 savings into a bank account to accrue interest and give me a million dollar retirement account in 20 years?  Probably not so good! But I am still following the tips I learned in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class and I have high hopes that I will get and keep my finances in order.  For some reason though, a new bill pops up right after I finish paying one off!

It's a New Year: Welcome 2016.  I already know it's going to be a great one.  Many people make resolutions and keep them for about 2 weeks.  Well, my resolution is to make the resolution every week.  I will then have 52 chances to make it work.  Feel free to steal the idea - we don't have to reinvent EVERY wheel.  If it worked for someone else, it may work for us too.  I resolve to drink more water, get to 10,000 steps on my Fitbit EVERY day, and keep a sunny, positive attitude.  I am positive I will be healthier this time next month.  If not, I will make a new resolution to do it :)

Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars:  missed you Dick -New Year's Eve just wasn't the same!

Have an awesome evening, and always look on the bright side!  Michelle :)

Today's Savings Tip

Have you noticed the messages on your McDonald's food wrappers advertising their new app? Being the curious person that I am (and a librarian), I decided to check it out.

My two cents:  Download this app today and save money immediately!  That's quite a return on my money, especially when its a FREE app!  So, today I received a free medium Peppermint Mocha coffee ($3.00 value) when I purchased a breakfast sandwich.  I needed to eat breakfast anyway, right?  It's the coupon curse that manufacturers use to get us to buy their stuff.  I don't really need 3 packs of whatever, but I have a coupon that saves me .75 cents on it.  It works - so let's be careful out there :)

However, I now have a cute little "M" app on my phone that can save me money every time I go to McDonald's.  Of course if I really wanted to save money I would stop going to McDonald's so much!!!!

I graduated from my Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class and I am ready to start over re-reading all of the materials so I can keep it fresh in mind.  If you haven't experienced this class yet, I suggest you should ask at your church.  It is a fabulous program - his advice is well worth paying for.  So I will continue to bring you money-saving tips, random facts, and other fun stuff.

Remember, keep looking on the bright side ----- there always is one :)

LLLLEEH,
Michelle :)

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” George Eliot

I love the quote in the title.  George Eliot is a smart man - or is he?  She was born Mary Ann Evans on November 22, 1819.  George Eliot is the pen name of this English novelist, journalist, and translator.  She was influenced by Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Her most notable works are Silas Marner, and Middlemarch.

Happy birth month to George/Mary and Happy Veteran's Day to all.  I was outside for the service at the Missaukee County Veteran's Park on 11/11 at 11am.  Now that's a date and time I can remember!  And a cause to really get behind.  Thank you for your service.  Thank you for your service - it bears repeating.  If I could give our military (and their families) the pay, support, benefits, and credit they deserve, I would.  The most recent political email I received boasts the benefits given to our "public servers" in congress, etc. and turns my stomach.  Let's make them live like the rest of us, and give our heroes what they deserve.  Of course, the world is not run on common sense (bummer).

Similar to the title quote, I receive two wonderful quotes each day from "Simple Reminders" http://simplereminders.com/ They are sent to my email - and what could be easier than that!  I share many of them on my Facebook page, but feel free to subscribe with your personal email address to reap the benefits of daily inspiration!  I wish I could keep all of the great advice in  my head, but unfortunately I tend to be "out of sight, out of mind"  Who's with me on this?!

Even though I feel a little out of sorts, I am looking on the bright side.  Keep your chin up, count your blessings, and know that things will get better :)

Until next time...Michelle :)

WHAT time is it? Are you sure?

Sunday afternoon I lost several hours.  Pinterest is great.  It is also amazing, interesting, fun, and a huge time-waster!  But is it really wasting time?  I was so excited to have the time and the opportunity to roam Pinterest, that I got a little carried away :) 

I also learned a lot.  Have you ever explored the incredible underground caves around the world?  This may also be the only way I will ever visit Bora Bora. There are many practical things on Pinterest as well.  If you are a scrapbooker, organizer, runner, etc. you have an endless supply of inspiration at your fingertips.  

Here's a fun meme:

Enjoy Social Media, just do it responsibly!!! 

If you love to visit craft shows, and are bummed that McBain will not be holding their annual show after Thanksgiving, don't miss the Fall Craft Show at the Zion Lutheran Church in Cadillac, MI.  Saturday, October 17th from 9a-3p.  

(But what a remarkable auditorium going in near the McBain Rural Agricultural school - can't wait to see plays, hear concerts, and watch the Highlighters perform on the new stage! Thank you community for building such a great performance arena.)

Until next time, keep looking up - and always look for the bright side!
Michelle :)

Tomorrow is World Smile Day!

Here is your heads-up!  Do something tomorrow to make someone 
S M I L E !!!!!

It is also being celebrated through the MAP site (Michigan Activity Pass) which is available from our library website:  www.missaukeelibrary.org.  Who doesn't like free or reduced price activities?!?  Look at all of the participation in Northern Michigan.  It is simple to use: find an activity, print out free or reduced price tickets, and GO HAVE AN ADVENTURE!

Everyone needs to feel loved, so big shout-out and humongous thank-you to all of my family and friends who keep me smiling and feeling loved.  



Here's some humor and cuteness for you all:

What animal has more lives than a cat?                       (A frog.  He croaks every night)

Until next time, always look on the bright side!  Michelle :)

Coffee Owls from fb :)