Konversations with Krystal

Hello everyone! Sorry it’s been so long... enjoy the post! happy new year! 2019 , for me, began a season of change. I welcomed a new place of employment (that changed my life!), my first Disney experience, a new home search began, a new state of health/wellness and we welcomed a new family member. As you know, with every gain comes a loss, and in 2019 a lot of losses were met. Childhood pets, special friends and guardian angels all gained their wings. This season brought a cocktail of emotions. There were moments of both hopelessness and happiness. As I enter 2020, I will reflect on the life lessons that 2019 had to offer. I will not refer to anything that has happened with a negative mindset because every chapter is written for a reason and a negative mindset is a breeding ground for negative energy. Throughout my life, I always struggled with my exact direction. Everyone I knew seemed to have a purpose and a place, I never felt that i could identify with one place or purpose. ...

When no one cares: vent session from a lonely woman. I know its been a while, and I am not sure that anyone will even read this. I just wanted to vent. Lately, I have been unmotivated and depressed. I know its lame, (and I shouldn’t let others get to me), but is it bad that I just one someone to be proud of me? I am so sick of getting yelled at on a day to day basis. Everything is so up and down. I would settle for consistency at this point. People that claim that they “care” about me, their expressions tell a different story. I am trying so hard to accomplish my dreams (for my family) and it seems like no one cares. I try and share even the smallest things, but no one has the time of day to give me. The loneliness is starting to become me, and thats not who I am. I remember loving to smile, and loving to laugh. I remember each day being so bright and colorful. What happened to that? What happened to happiness?  Hannah is my purpose. I try to be strong for my child. I tr...

Also, if you haven't checked it out... I have a little facebook store in the making!  https://www.facebook.com/MissArtisticallyYours/ Thank you for the support!

Hey Guys!              I know it's been a while, and believe me... I will be coming up something for you to all read shortly. However, tonight I experience a little bit of negativity and down putting in my life. So, in case you are awake and dealing with this emotion too I thought I would post a simple reminder for you too... KEEP GOING.  YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR FUTURE.  DON'T LET ANYONE ALTER YOUR GOALS. YOU ARE A FIGHTER. THIS LIFE WILL BE WHAT YOU MAKE IT. GIVE YOUR DREAMS EVERYTHING YOU HAVE GOT. SET AN EXAMPLE, LITTLE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING. IT WON'T BE EASY, BUT WITH MOTIVATION IT WILL GET DONE. MISTAKES WILL BE MADE, WHAT MATTERS IS HOW YOU RESPOND TO THEM. SOMETIMES DOING THE RIGHT THING ISN'T ALWAYS THE EASY THING. IF THEY WANT TO BE APART OF YOUR JOURNEY, THEY WILL BE. DON'T BEG ANYONE TO MAKE TIME FOR YOU. KNOW YOUR WORTH!!  As always, Artistically Yours

Bare with me again... I am posting from my phone. I wanted to write a quick little blog to 👏🏻 for myself. Over the past few years I have done some major rearranging of goals. I have successfully turned around my life for my family. Two years ago, life put be through the ringer. It seemed like every time I stood back up a new challenge would knock me down. I didn’t know how to handle the stress, so I cried a lot. Through all of the tears snd the fears I prevailed. I flipped the “grind” switch. I felt like I have finally started living my life. I have committed to my goals and I am crushing them. I have a lot of goals left to come, but I am confident that I am on the right path. I have met the worst of times, and I still clawed my way out. I am a fighter. One attribute I have always tried to maintain is positivity. Even when I found it difficult to smile through the sadness, I tried. I never once gave up. I always found the ability to find happiness and joy in the season that I w...

This blog post is a short blog post dedicated to my birthday girl. Hannah Grace mommy loves you more than words could describe. You mean everything to me. Happy Second Birthday to the love of my lofe. Over this week, we will be celebrating you! I think I might tell the story of your birth when I have a little more time, since it was a rollercoaster! For now, just a birthday wish for my princess! I love you Hannah! My beautiful birthday girl,  🎈 🎂 🎉   Two years ago today I gave birth to my greatest miracle, Hannah Grace. Hannah, these last two years have been the most beautifully challenging years of my life. I am so proud of all the amazing things you learn and everyday. Last year, you were learning to walk and now this year I can’t even catch you. You’ve learned to love dancing, how to swim (kinda), go on the potty, and eat with a fork on your own. Your brilliance inspires me. I am so proud of you. In your two years of existence, you have shown me what it’s like...

A very common question I get is “how did you start drawing?” I realized I had artistic capabilities in middle school. The students were all asked to create a piece for the art show. My teacher gave us a few magazines to find a reference, and I found a picture of an owl in National Geographic. We worked on the pictures for two weeks. I would add detail after detail and suddenly the picture began to come alive. I stayed through lunch a few times to finish it. Finally after two weeks my little owl was completed. I showed the piece to my teacher and she loved it so much she kept it. This morning, I received a message containing that picture (its posted below). Every time I create something, I am surprised when it turns out so well. As an artist (for me), the details become the project and when you see the finished piece it’s a huge surprise. Your emotions become invested and they grow with each passing hour. Finally, you stand back to check/admire your own work, partially in disbel...

“I’m sorry.” She mumbles after every mistake. Every slip up of words, or an accidental small bump into someone’s arm. It isn’t a big deal, and she’s made it so. Her face looks disappointed, almost disgusted in what she has done. You cannot help but wonder “why?” “What’s going on with her?”  In my case, the “sorry syndrome” stems from a fear of not meeting the standard that many woman feel held too. The constant feeling of letting someone down sits permanently in the back of my mind. Growing up, I never felt that I was good enough for anything. Middle school and high school, I never seemed to fit in. I didn’t have many friends. I was always one of the boys. I liked football and skateboarding. I could care less about make up and nail polish. I wasn’t pretty, or skinny. I would watch other girls gang together laughing and gossiping. “Why didn’t they want to hang out with me?” “Why was I more interested in playing outside than dressing up?”   I remember the first...

I have three classes left, until my fall courses at the academy is completed (yes, I am enrolled in summer classes). This moment is surreal and I am prepared to give my final projects (of the two hardest classes I’ve ever taken in my life) 100%.  A few years ago, with the help of my incredible friends, I gained the courage to finally enroll in art schools. A lot of factors went into my decision, right down to if the school holds a physical graduation for online students. I am working extremely hard for this. I’ve spent late nights crammed in my make shift closet/studio grinding out projects, exams and quizzes. I have missed time with loved ones for finals, and I have miss events because of mid-terms. I have been on an emotional roller coaster journey filled with frustration, and pride. I have cried both happy and sad tears. My heart has been broken over B’s and overjoyed with A’s. I would do it all over again.    The past two years, I’ve accomplished so much. I r...

The Dead Flower Project: The spring that I got pregnant… In fact, the year that I was pregnant was one of the toughest years of my life. Mentally, life seemed to be draining. Time after time, something was going wrong. As a family, we were faced with defeat that seemed almost impossible to get through. (Maybe when I have the courage, I will type a full blog about my pregnancy, but that’s not this…) When they took me out of work, and bowling it seemed like my time was being wasted. As most of you know, I am a hard worker and a go getter. My strength, passion and motivation have always been a strong suite. I was never the type to sit around and watch TV. Even when I am not feeling well I find it very difficult to set down and “veg out”. Now, one would believe pregnancy would slow me down a little bit…right? Well, it didn’t. In fact, I felt myself more inclined to do things because I had the time. My two jobs weren’t consuming the majority of the hours of my day, and bowling ...

Hey Everyone! Two posts in one night?!  I wanted to post this link to you all. This video helps me get motivated to take on all the chaos that surrounds my life. I am a busy mother, student, competitive employee, bowler, coach, lover, and as of lately bitten by the gym bug. There are times where the chaos and the emotions of my past start to creep up on me. Which is okay, I am human.  I am allowed to have moments of weakness and make mistakes. What matters is what I am about to do after the mistakes.  Give it a watch any time you need a swift kick in the behind! As Always, Artistically Yours  https://youtu.be/V6xLYt265ZM

Life has many different seasons. Just as the seasons change, so do we. As we are forced with new opportunities, we are also faced with challenges. Change warrants challenges and fear. The possibility of failure begins to surface. Analyzing change and opportunity is very important. Paying attention to your fears and concern are a key factor to balancing your choices (risk vs. reward). Below, are some of my “change” analyzing steps: 1) Identify the change you are making, and edicate yourself on the topic. They say “knowledge is power”, correct? Educating yourself can help you decipher any possible outcomes. The unforeseen happens, keep that in mind. 2) WRITE IT DOWN! As corny as it seems, write down a pros and cons list. Seeing possibilities in front of you can not only help organize your thoughts but it can also help you organize the number of variables you have with the proposed change. 3) Address how these outcomes will affect your future. Be honest with yourself. Loving yourese...

Many bloggers set aside one post that sort of serves as an "About Me" post. I haven't technically done that for my readers just yet. You've heard a lot about my hobbies, the people I love, facts, and my guardian angel. You've read random things about me, as well as seen my art. I'm sure you've all been learning a lot about who I am through my other blog posts and social media sources! I wanted you to understand where my motivation comes from, as well and my strength. Enjoy! People ask me all of the time how I do it. I am a mommy, a soulmate, friend, bowling coach, government employee, artist, business owner, student, housekeeper, warrior and often times a personal chef. My two jobs are incredible, yet the schedule I keep is crazy. I work my day job from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (M-F) then my evening job is from (T-F) 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. (sometimes 10 p.m.), then I work on my school work from 10:00 p.m. until midnight (or I am finished)....

Surprise People!! I'm also doing a second little blog post. As I went through my pictures, the previous blog post inspired me to share my jewelry creations with all of you!  I so miss making jewelry, and as life slows down a little (yeah right lol) ...Maybe I'll get back into it?! But for now, these pictures are going to have to be worth 1,000 words! Enjoy! Spoiler Alert?! "Craft Store Comparisonn" As Always, Artistically Yours Social Media Plug: FB:Krystal Mannering Athlete FB: Kreated By Krystal Insta: Missartisticallyyours

So, I'm taking a little break from the writing with my blog tonight/this morning. Over the past year, I've been really enjoying sharing my photography with all of you. I've developed editing skills, angle skills, lighting and so much more. Tonight, I want to share some of that photo with my people! Enjoy this late night, simple, and visually pleasing blog post.  #obsessedwiththesky As Always, Artistically Yours Spoiler ALERT:  "Craft Store Comparison" SUPPORT ME AND FOLLOW MY BELOVED JOURNEY! ADD/LIKE/FOLLOW Social Media Plug: FB: Kreated By Krystal FB2: Krystal Mannering Athlete Instagram: missartisticallyyours

Okay everyone, let’s be real here. Valentines day is one of my least favorite days. Why? Because 1) it commercializes my favorite emotion. Love is so beautiful. I am thankful to love and be loved. Love can come from many sources. Love, in it’s purest form can give you a greater high then medicine ever could.  2) I believe you should show the people you love that you love them everyday. Sure, it’s nice to recieve gifts, but for me I am not interested in material things. I am interested in knowing that I am being thought of. I want my friends, family and significant other to know in their hesrts that I love them with all of my being. With that being said, I still celebrate, but it wouldn’t upset me if I didn’t. Like I stated earlier, I enjoy expressing my love daily. For those who enjoy the holiday, please don’t let my opinion sway you. Celebrate and live your life.  Now, for the title. I chose this title because since the “holiday” fell on a Thursday this hear, and I have ...