Sunday, February 25, 2018

Week 9: Giveaway Contest! You Make The Rules!

          Week 9: Giveaway Contest!  You Make The Rules!!
#52weeksnailmailchallenge
February 25 - March 3

Does that sound a little crazy?  Well, it's not.
I decided I'd ask you what would you be willing to do on the internet to win one of the handmade items above from my Etsy shop, MarketsofSunshine <<<<<Click to read details of each item description for what is included and size.

But, I do have a few little requests in return.
  You have to do at least 3 things that I can verify on a blog, social media in a group etc... 
Do these 3 things once a day for 7 days.
 You pay $3.05 for shipping. 
It's a win, win for both of us that way.

To enter put your 3 rules in the comments box below using the G+ option (Google Plus)
Also, include which of the above 4 items you want to win.  
I will reserve that item for you so no one else will get it.

Are you ready to play?!
On your mark!  Get set!  Go!

Sending You Sunshine,
Marsha J.

P.S. I am right on target with my letter writing and snail mail challenge.  I will be making more cards to send out this week.
There are a few Anniversaries I will be celebrating in March. 






Friday, February 23, 2018

What's New In MarketsofSunshine Etsy Shop!


Passport Holder Credit Card Case Travel Gift



 

Llamas Wallet For Women With Snap Closure

Here are just a few of my newest products added to my Etsy shop, MarketsofSunshine this week.

Use your 20% off coupon code found in your newsletter and pick up your favorite set of women accessories today.

Click the image below to see our full selection 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/marketsofsunshine

 

Monday, February 19, 2018

Week 8: Random Act of Kindness Is A Mark of A True Friend!

Week 8: Random Act of Kindness Is A Mark of A True Friend!
Would you agree or disagree with that statement?

I've discovered something really amazing about that statement.  It can apply to anyone.  That's right anyone can do a R.A.O.K.
for anyone on any given day of the week.
You don't have to wait for a special occasion to show your loved ones or even an acquaintance that they mean more to you than just a passing thought.
By sending a card or letter in the mail you are showing them that you thought of them enough to take action.  
 
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Taking part in this challenge puts your feet to the fire and makes you put your hand where your mouth is so to speak.  
It's all about Jesus words written over 2000 years ago.
"There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving"  (Acts 20:35)
"Do to others as you want them to do to you"
(Luke 6:31)
 
Sitting down and taking the time to think of someone and share a part of your world with them through a written note is something they can refer back to over and over again.
I like to make a copy of the letter or card before I send it and keep it in a file.  That way I won't forget what I wrote them and when I sit down to write again I won't repeat myself as we all do without even realizing it.
 
Setting Goals and Achieving Them One Step At A Time
If you don't set goals you will never achieve very much in your life.  Yikes!  that was shocking to read.  But, it's the truth. Think about your routine.  What do you do each day?  If you write down in a journal what you do each day for 30 days and then read it at the end of the month you might be surprised at how boring and dull your life really has gotten.
 
But, if you set goals and work on achieving them one step at a time and keep track of your progress.  You can look back at the end of each month and see what you have accomplished and feel good about it.
 
Get my worksheet on how to set goals and achieve them one step at a time.  Click here to get it sent to your inbox.
 
 Start with one goal at a time.  For instance, I am working on organizing each room in my house.  I started on this last year and I am still working on it.  I can only do 15 minutes a day due to my Lyme disease and other health issues.
So, I decide which room I want to work on each day and I set the timer for 15 minutes.  When the timer goes off I stop and rest on the couch.  I am expanding this year to get outdoors and weed my flower beds and water the plants each day for 15 minutes.  I love it!

 Make Time for the More Important Things
Believe it or not there are six things that you should be doing every day of the year to be truly happy.  If you make time for these more important things you'll achieve the goals and enjoy a future life that will bring you the greatest happiness that surpasses your wildest dreams.
2.  Read the Bible each day
3.  Share the good news about God's Kingdom each day
4. Provide for your families needs (income)
5.  Keep your house clean and organized
6. Get the required sleep your body needs
For more information on this topic feel free to contact me for a free home Bible study.
 
Stay Tuned For Next Week's Adventure to one of Florida's state parks. 
 
Sending You Sunshine,
Marsha J.

P.S.  Check out my new product line (No Probllama) in my Etsy shop,

Monday, February 12, 2018

Week 7: Getting Back To Being "You"


Week 7: Getting Back To Being "You"!
That topic can mean a variety of things depending on your age and your situation.  If you are a young person you are still trying to figure out just who "you" are and what you want to do with you life.

This post is for the women who have already figured out who they are but then got married, had kids and now the kids are grown and moved out of the house.  
Yes, I know you're saying; you mean empty Nester's.
But, here's the thing.  Just because your kids no longer live at home does not mean your parenting skills are put away or canceled and you stop being a Mom.
Yes, we want our children to grow up and stand on their own 2 feet and make good decisions based on how we raised them.
But, I don't know if you know it or not but life is Hard!
Learning to deal with day to day life is hard enough but throw in the car breaking down and you don't know which mechanic to trust to take it to get it fixed.
Or, you loose your job and you have a little savings but that's about to run out and no companies are calling you for an interview yet.

Does any of this sound familiar in your family?
I grew up with parents that didn't hang me out to dry or to sink or swim in this dog eat dog world.  They were always there for me to help me get through the really hard parts.
I was able to get work young for major companies and learned a lot about the corporate world of politics at a young age.
I didn't like what I saw so I jumped ship and swam to safer waters, aka working for myself.
I've taken the good that I learned from my upbringing and applied it to raising my daughter.  The results are positive.


Recently, our daughter and son-n-law went through some very hard and stressful times.  When the phone rang and we were asked for help, we gladly offered.
We held a family meeting and set out a plan of attack.  
The job loss was resolved in a few short weeks after many phone calls and prayers.
The major car repair was fixed and they are back rolling down the road with a smile on their faces. 
This brings me to my point of the journey I decided to start in 2018.  #52weeksnailmailchallenge
It's all a part of who I am and getting back to being "me" despite my chronic illness.
I'm back to having good days and when I do I am making the most of them by getting out of the house and taking short day trips out in nature.
As I continue on my journey of writing 52 cards and letters it is giving me back a sense of who I am.
 It doesn't matter that my friends don't call me for weeks on end.  Or, that they don't write to me ever or maybe once in a blue moon.
What matters is that I stay in touch with them.  Why?
Because, life is Hard! and we all need encouragement.  Most of all it's because Jesus told us there is more happiness in giving love than in receiving love.  I want to follow his advise so I can be truly "happy".
I do have one friend that prefers text messages over a phone call.  And, that's okay!
I love her dearly and she loves me.  I sent her the pocket card above and she was in tears.  She had just gotten over an 8 day virus and was down in the dumps.  This was just the thing to cheer her up. It's in my "Just add stamps and mail post."
By the way she is having a relapse so I am making her another smaller card and will include her favorite candy, dark chocolate.
I have another friend that hates the phone so she rarely calls me. But, she will drive over an hour on her days off several times a year despite her 3rd round of cancer to come and visit with me.  That means the world to me.  I love her dearly too.
Then, I have a long distance friend that I have never met in person but we have forged a bond over the last 8 years through email and phone calls and google video hangouts.
She calls me almost every week and I call her just as often.
I have another long distance friend and we keep in touch over the phone as often as we can.  She is a loyal reader of this blog and does her best to let me know how much my posts mean to her.  They are all on my list of 52 to send to along with my other wonderful friends near and far.


 Want to keep in touch with your friends and send cards.
Sign-up for StampinUP! paper pumpkin card making kit.
Just click ^^^^^^
Or, pick up a set of these pretty and fun envelopes and wallet gifts at MarketsofSunshine <<<<<Click the name to shop.


Sign-up to receive free downloads like the ones you see above.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Week 6: Just Add Stamps and Mail!

Week 6: Just add stamps and mail
#52weeksnailmailchallenge

Here we are at week 6 in our #52weeksnailmailchallenge project and I am having a blast!
How about you?  How are you doing with the challenge?
How many letters have you sent so far?
You should have sent at least 6.  That's easy to do.

We kicked off the challenge with a free worksheet giving you no excuse to not get out your address book and fill up each space.




Week 2 Pen Pal Pocket Letter Project

I have sent 9 cards and letters so far and have gotten so many lovely expressions of gratitude back that I am floating on clouds.
My last card was a bit thick and filled with cute little mini envelopes and a small note inside each one.  It took me weeks tom complete because I wanted to say things from the heart.
So, I prayed off and on until I finally felt it was the right time and what to say poured out from my heart.

My friend had just gotten over a 8 day illness and was totally surprised to receive my package in the mail.
I got the most loving voice mail and text message as she explained how she should have recorded herself trying to figure out how to unwrap the layers of washi tape that I had secured it with.  LOL
Then, she proceeded to tell me how much she loved every little bit and piece of love that I put into making it.  It brought her to tears as she was sending me the message.

We all need to know we are loved by our friends and family by deeds of Godly devotion.  Not by lip service or a quick text message over a cold stale phone connection.

Brighten someones day and you will receive so many wonderful experiences from it that you won't have any reason to be sad ever again!

Sending You Sunshine,
Marsha Jean


 If you are a subscriber to this blog you may leave a comment below letting me know where you are in the challenge and how you are enjoying my weekly posts and photos.
I'm waiting patiently to hear from you.
 P.S. Did you open your VIP Club newsletter from me this week?  If, you do you'll find an extra little goodie in it just for you.  Wondering what's in the Grab Bag section of my Etsy shop?  Check it out at MarketsofSunshine today!




Thursday, February 1, 2018

Medallions Card Kit - StampinUp! What's Not To Love!




Watch this short video and learn how you can start Making Beautiful Handmade Cards Like This, While You Watch Your Favorite Show on TV!

When you buy a set of stamps, paper, embellishments and more during our Sale-a-bration event
you'll be able to select these easy to make Medallions Card Kit from Stampin' Up! during our
Sale-a-bration event for FREE!  How cool is that!

Browse our catalog today on my webstie, Here!  Start making amazing cards and brightening the day of a friend today!  Don't wait!  Order today!

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha J.