Michele - I read and reread every word in this post and am in awe on so many levels. Your honesty with health matters is strangely refreshing and brings comfort. Your writing/spiritual studies and crafting with clay are shared on a such a personal and spiritual forum that one can't help but be drawn in. Your vision for style and beauty will reflect in your new AZ home project and all those who know, email, or follow you are blessed by each fun, honest, and insightful word you write. All this being said, I say you blog the way you want, when you want, and how you want. Personally I don't get involved with any social media aside from a few Pinterest boards and like it that way. No FB, Tweeting, or Instagraming for me. Ads are a tough one as some are doing very well working them the right away and other sites have me leaving way too early as I can't even read the content due to pop-ups, subscriber requests, or the latest commercial on 2017 car models. Too bad as I was brought to the site for a reason but left due to frustration. Your response about an "apron revolution" to me on my last post leads me to suggest to you a "blog peaceful" revolution for consideration....start it up Girlfriend as I know you will knock it out of the park! Many hugs coming your way!
JoanMarie

Oh dear.. I just deleted my comment! ..one more time..

There is so much content here Michele. I don't know where to begin! When you said "on the rocks" I was hopping for a cocktail of sorts, ha;)

Glad you found a place in Arizona. It looks darling and will make a perfect little retreat. Your Craig's List finds will allow for you to create that easy, peaceful vibe that you love so much.

The certificate program sounds incredible. Slowing down and finding that peaceful place is the only way out. Bless your mom .. and you AND your sister. You are amazing women.

On blogging ~ it is what it is and seems to be forever changing as far as platforms go. I believe I've crossed over :\ and I'm not sure if a good thing or not. Changing just happened and I'll see where all this takes me. I will say that the time factor makes blogging tough for working folks and you also need to be computer savvy and have a team of professional to make things happen. I've never attended a conference. I'm doing as much as I can and that's all the juice this girl has to give. I'll leave it at that;) xoL

xoL

A very raw and beautiful post! Your blog is wonderful, please don't change a thing. As far as ads, Facebook (shudder), I feel the same way. Your blog is fresh and clean without all that.

Sending good vibes your way!

A very raw and beautiful post! Your blog is wonderful, please don't change a thing. As far as ads, Facebook (shudder), I feel the same way. Your blog is fresh and clean without all that.

Sending good vibes your way!

Dear Michele,
First, thank you so much for the kind note you left for me. Your sharing has helped me more than you can imagine. Your strength both inside and out, and accomplishments, goals truly inspire me. Knowing that I am not alone, even though it saddens me that a dear blog friend has much to deal with in everyday life, does give solace.

As far as blogging and social media, as you know I take breaks when I feel the need to focus on life's priorities. I have not really monetized my site (just a few sponsors)and try to keep the look clean, inviting and not intrusive.

Keep on being your beautiful, spiritual self!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

I enjoyed getting together on the rocks... your Sharing has given me a Peace about a hectic Life still being able to be a place one can find Serenity and Purpose, even during the tough stuff. As for Blogging, I too am apparently doing everything wrong, so can't help you there... in fact, if I don't have the Grandson Tech Guru helping me set anything up I wouldn't have even what I currently have and is more than enough for this Tech Challenged Gramma to handle! *smiles* Yes, it would be great to have a passive income flow from something like Blogging that I love to do anyway, but I can never get the monetizing thingy to work properly and I agree, don't want my Blog to begin to look like a Biz Blog, which it isn't and will never be on Purpose. Glad you had a great trip out here to the Arizona Desert and found a little slice of fixer-upper Paradise here on my own Home Turf... I Love the Desert... and Arizona... the harshness of the environment has Taught me a lot about what is absolutely necessary and what cannot survive no matter how much you nurture it!... Hugs and Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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Michele,
So many things to touch on here, I too have been on a spiritual journey, one of holistic health and that's been going on for many years way back in my 20's and have found that many things lead back to peace, prayer, and faith.
Love that you are keeping yourself busy with travels, learning, and taking in spiritual food.
As for your migraines I suffered for years and the. After my second child they went away and rarely get one, but my daughter has been on years of high doses of medications and recently I am turning back to homeopathic natural treatments.
Just yesterday an an old world lady told me to take a ..... RAW DUCK EGG! And blend it into a smoothy and drink it down and never again a migraine so we are looking into this for my daughter, now the dick egg hunt, and that shouldn't be to difficult with ducks at hand in our area of the desert.
As well as a natural health food store close by. Perhaps you can look into it. Stay clear of chemicals, process foods, perfumes, additives for awhile see if that changes.

I also am intrigued and have all faith that Craigslist will furnish your home amazingly, you have that knack for finding amazing pieces. Your desert AZ. Home is nothing short of a fixer-upper! The exterior is perfect for its terrain and love the shutters. Looking so forward to its furnishings.
As for your moms pain how about chiropractic treatment, a lady I know was wheel chair and bed bound until good chiropractic treatment regularly got her up and moving about naturally. I totally believe in it to control my bad terrible headaches, and also will keep my daughters migraines under control.

I love reading your blog postings you always have something of value to say, and authentically real.

See you soon beautiful, and don't worry about the pounds, I bet it has added sex-appeal more then fat.

Xoxo
Dore

Ooops* ignor the dick egg auto correct...its DUCK EGG! dang that spell check !
Xx
Dore

I love your blog. I can't comment on the benefit of ads on your blog (i.e. revenue) as I am simply a reader and follower. As such, there are many blogs I have unsubscribed from as the pop ups and larger-than-life ads are irritating and actually stress me out! But I do understand bloggers want revenue the revenue to help offset the cost of blogging. Where is that happy medium??
And I agree with the suggestion to get off processed foods and diet soda (really, all sodas). My significant other has battled aggressive prostate cancer for 6 years and we strongly believe his diet (plant based, not processed) has made all the difference. So has the addition of essential oils.

My gosh, you are on a journey, Michelle! Thanks for your honesty and bravery in sharing this with us! You are an inspiration! I love seeing the beautiful monasteries and statues. So peaceful. Blessings to you,
Holly

I read every single word, and loved reading your thoughts. You are so articulate and heartfelt in what you write. I love your soulful spirit and your constant search for inner peace and the way you share it with your readers. As far as the blog thing. I am with you. I wrote a semi-mission statement when I started blogging and it states, no advertising. If I advertise then I feel I am working for someone else and my blog is about teaching and giving back the knowledge I have gained in my 65years, which almost half of that was as a decorating consultant. God has given me a wonderful life, not a perfect life, but wonderful and I never want to step out of what he has for me each day. Keep doing what you are doing my sweet Michele, love you bunches!!
Kathysue

Michele I've been wanting to get back here ever since I this came through my feed. There's so much here that got me thinking. First of all, congratulation on embarking on your spiritual formation certification program it looks like just the kind of depth work that would inspire you; I would love to know more about the program and what your plans are afterwards. I can't say enough about the power of new and challenging experiences like this---I had my version last year. The yoga teacher training program was utterly transformative for reasons that have a lot to do with the timing of my life and Me. Where I am right now. I imagine it's similar with you.
Also, I can't believe you went to a writing seminar with Beverly D. How wonderful. I read her book on Mary years ago and was always intrigued by her story. I've sort of lost contact with her as a writer and didn't even realize she was teaching workshops. I'll have to check if she ever gets out to the West Coast.
Let's see. I always love to see your mother looking so well. The table setting and the colorful, loving ambiance you and your sisters created was so touching. Another house to decorate?! Ok. it's official you and your hubby are certifiable. :)
I don't have an opinion on blog advertising, I think of it like the working moms vs. stay at home moms issue. If it works for you do it but it's not something I really could do without feeling like I was losing something. Hard to explain. Of course i'm ready to change up my blog because it's even boring me. I just never have enough time to really tackle the changes. Did you do all your blog changes yourself? Or did you use a blog designer? I haven't ever gone to a blogger event because i'm sure I would walk out horrified at how primitive me and my little blog, I think in blog years i'm over 100. hahaha
xo
Leslie

xo
Leslie