It has been over six weeks since I have written. Six weeks! Where have I been and what have I been doing? I truly wish I had exhilarating answers to these questions as good reason for neglecting my blog. I do not. I have been an absentee blogger. A direct result of the daily grind wearing me down. It is…
Crystal Joy
I am a dreamer. I am an artist. I am an adventure-seeker. I am a storyteller. I am a wife. I am a mommy. I am a cancer survivor. My name is Crystal Joy Hall. Share in my journey at crystaljoyhall.com.
It is October, which means, it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, let’s talk about breasts – more specifically – breast health. I was 40 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It shocked both myself and my family doctor. I was young(ish) and did not meet most of the increased risk factors. I also had no signs…
Times are difficult, of late. Like many Canadians, we are feeling the financial strain of income versus expense. The cost of living has increased so much over these past few years, it’s frightening! We are acutely aware of how challenging it is to balance weekly income against weekly expense. This gripping reality has forced us to take a hard look…
These past few months have been draining. It has not felt like a restful summer, however, it was a productive one. Outside of the obligations of work, my husband and I took time to refresh our home. We purged what no longer served our space and created a renewed sense of design aesthetics. Yet, throughout the process of creating a…
Just two weeks ago I completed my round of annual scans and tests. This one was for my blood work. Since school is out, and I did not have the foresight to enroll my child into a summer camp, I had to bring my AmazingLM along with me. It’s not the first time I’ve had to bring him to my…
We are back!! It was 3 weeks ago today when we touched down at Newark International Airport. This time, our departure from start to finish was relatively seamless. Our plane departed on-time, and due to tailwinds, it landed early! Since we packed strategically to avoid checked baggage, we were able to depart from the plane and straight into an Uber….
“Staying positive doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time. It means that even on hard days you know that there are better ones coming.” – Unknown It is an uplifting quote – but – just trusting that better days are coming, sometimes, is simply not enough. We are complex creatures, not only driven by faith, but also…
We find ourselves on the final day of the month of April. I am not going to lie, this was a difficult month, and one that we are all glad to say good-bye to. As we close off this month, the realization that a new adventure is just around the corner has us all growing giddy with anticipation, hope, and…
I am not going to lie. This has been a challenging year, and we’re only into the month of April. There have been many stressors beyond mine or my family’s control that have created moments, days, even weeks of anxiety and worry, from emotional to financial burdens. It has become increasingly difficult to remain calm, present, and happy. Most days,…
Have I been sleepwalking? Perhaps. Or, perhaps, in these past 20 years I have undergone a series of metamorphoses – evolving in character, appearance, and even circumstance. Perhaps the journeys I have embarked upon – some willingly and some circumstantial – have led me to this moment in time.