“From Sunrise to Cleats: A Day in the Life of This Mama” Juggling work, motherhood, and a handmade business—one coffee, carpool, and cleat at a time.

 A Day in the Life of This Mama: Secretary by Day, Small Biz Dreamer by Night, and Always on the Ball Field

Some days I wonder how I’m doing it all, and other days I know I’m not—but somehow, the sun still sets, and we’ve made it through another one. This mama wears a lot of hats: full-time secretary, small business owner of handmade tees and tumblers, and proud mom of four kids, ages 4, 7, 10, and 15. Life is loud, busy, and beautifully messy—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

4:00 AM – Early Start, Mama’s Heart

The day starts early around here. I’m up at 4:00 AM getting my husband’s coffee and lunch ready so he can head out the door for work. It’s a quiet, peaceful moment in the kitchen—just me, the hum of the coffee pot, and a slow start before the chaos. After he leaves, I take some time for myself, curl up with a good book, and check in on my small business’s social media. It’s my sacred pause before the world starts spinning.

7:30 AM – The Morning Shuffle

The school drop-off dash begins. Backpacks are flung in the car, someone’s usually missing a shoe or lunchbox, and the conversations are fast and funny. Once everyone’s dropped off, I head straight to the office and settle in by 8:00 AM. My secretary duties keep me busy—calls, paperwork, and the usual daily flow—but I find my rhythm in the routine.

12:00 PM – Teen Taxi and Tag Team

Lunch break means mama duty kicks in again. I head out to drive my 15-year-old son back home. He’s homeschooled and works part-time at my job, so he helps babysit the younger kids once they get off the bus. Then I head back to the office and catch up on work. It’s a quick turn-around, but this mama’s learned how to make every minute count.

4:30 PM – Quiet Car, Loud House

By the time I’m driving home, the kids are already off the bus and settled in. That peaceful drive home is my transition time—before the chaos kicks up again. I turn down the radio and let my mind breathe, because I know what’s waiting: school papers handed to me as I walk in the door, kids talking over each other about their day, and at least one voice saying, “Mom, I need this for school tomorrow.”

6:00 PM – Dirt, Gloves, and Giggly Cleats

Evenings mean cleats and practices. On Mondays and Thursdays, my 4-year-old daughter has softball practice—tiny glove, big dreams. On Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8 PM, it’s my 10-year-old’s turn on the baseball field. My 7-year-old and teen aren’t in sports right now, but they tag along, support their siblings, and sometimes help chase balls or entertain the little one. We’re always moving, but we’re together—and that’s what counts.

8:15 PM – Home Base

Dinner happens—somehow. Sometimes it’s a real meal, sometimes it’s survival-mode snacks. We do homework, baths, cleanups, and argue about bedtime just a little. It’s never perfect, but it’s home. And after they’re all tucked in, that’s when this mama’s second shift begins.

9:30 PM – Biz Time

Now it’s time to focus on my passion—my small business. I check messages, prep custom tees and tumblers, organize orders, and sneak in some creativity. It’s hard work, but it’s mine. These quiet hours are when creativity flows and my heart gets to speak a little louder.

10:30 PM – Head Full, Heart Fuller

As I finally lay down, I reflect on it all. It wasn’t flawless, but it was full—of love, noise, purpose, and grace. I didn’t get everything done, but I showed up. For my job, for my business, for my babies. And tomorrow, I’ll do it all again.

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To the mamas doing the most, juggling work, dreams, and the heartbeat of your home—you are incredible.
Here’s to finding beauty in the busy and strength in the stretch of every single day.

“Let Them”: The Two-Word Reminder That’s Changing Lives

We all hit those moments in life where we find ourselves overthinking what others are doing — or worse, what they’re thinking about us. Whether it's friends pulling away, people making assumptions, or others not meeting our expectations, it’s easy to spiral. But recently, a simple two-word mantra has started making waves for its powerful simplicity:

Let them.

Yes. Let them.

If they don’t invite you — let them.

If they talk behind your back — let them.

If they don’t support you — let them.

If they doubt you — let them.

If they walk away — let them.

Why “Let Them” Works

It’s not about giving up. It’s about letting go. It’s about stepping out of the exhausting cycle of control, expectation, and over-analysis. When we try to manage how others behave, we drain our own energy trying to rewrite someone else's story.

“Let them” is a reminder that the only actions you can truly control are your own. It's a mindset shift from reaction to reflection. From chaos to calm.

Let Them… So You Can Be You

By letting others be who they are — even when it hurts — we give ourselves permission to show up as our most authentic selves. It’s not indifference. It’s clarity. It’s choosing your peace over their approval.

Instead of asking, “Why would they do that?”, ask:

“Why am I trying so hard to change it?”

“Let them” doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you care about your peace more than their drama.

When You "Let Them," You Set Yourself Free    

The beauty of this mantra is that it creates space:

🕊️ Space for new relationships.

🕊️ Space for real peace.

🕊️ Space for you to bloom without conditions.

Final Thought

So next time you're tempted to chase closure, change someone’s mind, or prove your worth — pause. Breathe. And say it with love and strength:

Let them.

Not everything needs your reaction.

Not everyone deserves your energy.

And not all situations need fixing.

Sometimes, the greatest act of self-love… is to simply let them.

📸 I have the word "LET THEM" tattooed on my hand. One of my fave tattoos that holds a very powerful meaning to me.

The Blue-Collar Wife: A Pillar of Strength and Resilience

 When we talk about blue-collar workers, we often envision hardworking individuals who toil long hours in industries like construction, manufacturing, or maintenance. But, what often goes unrecognized in this narrative is the significant role that the blue-collar wife plays in the story.

A blue-collar wife isn't just the partner of a hard-working individual; she is a person who often juggles numerous responsibilities, all while supporting a spouse who works in physically demanding and sometimes dangerous jobs. Whether she's raising children, managing the household, or contributing to her own career, her role requires an exceptional mix of resilience, compassion, and patience.

The Unseen Backbone of Blue-Collar Families

Many blue-collar wives grow up in environments where hard work and sacrifice are the norm. They often take pride in supporting their partners and raising their families, even if society tends to overlook their efforts. A typical day for a blue-collar wife could start early in the morning, ensuring her spouse is well-prepared for the physically taxing day ahead. From packing lunches to laying out work clothes and coordinating family activities, her life is a delicate balancing act.

Emotional Support: The emotional toll that comes with a blue-collar job can often be heavy. Workers face long hours, physically demanding tasks, and sometimes hazardous conditions. Blue-collar wives are often the first line of emotional support, offering a listening ear after a long day or providing reassurance when their spouse feels discouraged. They become the "safe space" where their partners can express frustrations, fears, or dreams.

Household Management: Managing the home while balancing a budget, handling children’s needs, and ensuring the family’s day-to-day routines run smoothly is no small task. In many blue-collar families, the wife plays a central role in budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and organizing. These are often tasks that don’t receive the same level of recognition as the physical labor her partner performs, but they are equally crucial for the family’s overall well-being.

Strength in Adversity

Blue-collar wives are no strangers to adversity. Financial instability, long periods of separation when a spouse works away from home, or the physical strain of household responsibilities can make their lives challenging. But they face these challenges head-on, often without complaint, because they understand the importance of maintaining stability in their families.

The Strain of the Job: Blue-collar jobs often require spouses to work long hours in harsh conditions. This can lead to exhaustion and stress, and in some cases, workplace injuries or even accidents. A blue-collar wife, in these moments, may find herself becoming the caregiver, the emotional anchor, or even the one managing the home alone for extended periods.

Financial Pressure: Many blue-collar families live paycheck to paycheck, which adds to the strain. A blue-collar wife may be required to stretch every dollar, making sacrifices and prioritizing family needs over personal desires. She has the difficult task of making sure her family is taken care of while often being the budget manager, decision-maker, and long-term planner.

The Importance of a Support Network

While blue-collar wives often take on a lot of responsibility, it is essential to remember that they are not alone in their journey. Community support, from extended family or close friends, can make a world of difference. Sharing experiences with others who understand their challenges can help ease the emotional burden.

More importantly, mutual respect and understanding between a blue-collar husband and wife are key. A successful partnership is built on recognizing each other’s struggles and contributions. A blue-collar wife does not merely stand behind her husband; she stands beside him, often as a silent yet powerful force of resilience.

The Evolution of the Role

In recent years, the role of the blue-collar wife has evolved. Many women in blue-collar families are now working outside the home, contributing to the financial stability of their families. This change has allowed blue-collar wives to have more financial independence and career fulfillment while still maintaining their home and family duties.

With more women in the workforce, there has been a cultural shift towards recognizing and appreciating the dual roles women play in blue-collar families. These women are not just caretakers; they are workers, professionals, and contributors to their communities.

Celebrating the Blue-Collar Wife

In a world where hard work and sacrifice are often undervalued, it is time to acknowledge and celebrate the blue-collar wife. She embodies strength, grace, and determination. Whether she's working outside the home, raising children, managing finances, or simply offering emotional support, the blue-collar wife is a central figure in the success and stability of her family.

Her love, commitment, and resilience are often unsung, but they form the very foundation on which families and communities are built. So, the next time you think of blue-collar workers, remember that the blue-collar wife is the unsung hero standing right beside them, every step of the way.

Why Customer Feedback is Your Best Marketing Tool

 "What if the key to growing your small business was already in your hands?"

Customer feedback is more than just a way to improve your product or services. It can be one of the most effective, organic marketing tools you have. Many businesses often overlook feedback and focus too much on traditional advertising or flashy marketing strategies.

1. Understanding the Power of Customer Feedback

• Real-Time Insight: Customer feedback gives you an immediate understanding of what people love (and don’t love) about your product or service.

• Building Trust: When customers feel heard, they develop loyalty and are more likely to become brand advocates.

• Authentic Social Proof: Word-of-mouth is still one of the most powerful forms of marketing. Positive feedback can fuel social proof, increasing your credibility.

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2. Types of Feedback to Collect

• Surveys & Questionnaires: Short, targeted surveys that focus on specific aspects of your business (e.g., product quality, customer service, or user experience).

• Online Reviews: Encourage reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media. Explain how these can act as both feedback and marketing.

• Social Media Engagement: Listen to comments, mentions, and direct messages. These are often the most raw and unfiltered opinions.

• Direct Conversations: Don’t underestimate the value of chatting with customers in person or over the phone, especially for small businesses with a local focus.

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3. How to Turn Feedback Into Actionable Marketing

• Highlight Testimonials & Success Stories: Share positive feedback across your website, social media, and email newsletters. Real customer stories are far more convincing than any marketing pitch.

• Improve Product/Service Based on Feedback: Show your audience that you’re listening by tweaking your offerings based on their input. Let customers know when you’ve made improvements thanks to their suggestions.

• Create “Behind-the-Scenes” Content: Share stories of how customer feedback directly shaped new products or services. Transparency builds trust.

• Use Feedback to Validate New Ideas: Before launching something new, use your customer base to test the waters. Poll them on potential features, pricing, or packaging ideas.

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4. How to Encourage and Collect Feedback Effectively

• Make It Easy: Simplify the process—whether it’s an online survey, an email request, or a comment box in your store.

• Incentivize Feedback: Offer a small reward or discount for completing a survey or leaving a review. People are more likely to participate if there’s a clear benefit.

• Follow Up: When a customer provides feedback, thank them and let them know how it’s being used. This shows you value their opinion and encourages future engagement.

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5. Using Negative Feedback as a Marketing Opportunity

• Turn Complaints Into Stories of Improvement: Share how you’ve used negative feedback to enhance your product or service. Customers appreciate businesses that are willing to improve.

• Address Issues Publicly: If someone leaves a negative review, address it promptly and professionally. The way you handle complaints can speak volumes about your business’ integrity.

• Create Content Around Problem-Solving: Write blog posts, videos, or FAQs based on feedback that addresses common pain points or challenges.

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6. The Role of Customer Feedback in Building Community

• Create a Two-Way Dialogue: When customers see that their opinions matter, they’re more likely to engage and spread the word to others.

• Invite Feedback in Your Marketing: Use phrases like, “We’d love to hear your thoughts!” or “What do you think about [new feature/product]?” to keep the conversation going.

• Loyalty Programs: Reward customers for giving valuable feedback with discounts or special offers, making them feel like part of your business’ growth.

Conclusion:

Customer feedback isn’t just something to act on internally; it’s an integral part of your marketing strategy. Be sure to start seeking feedback from your customers immediately. Maybe even ask them to comment on your blog or reach out with suggestions for what they'd like to see next in your content.

1: Balancing Act

Being a working mom means balancing two full-time roles, managing a career while keeping the home in order. Mornings begin with getting kids ready and up for school and making sure everything is set before heading out the door. After a long day of work, the cycle continues—cleaning, cooking, and caring for the family. And for me running a small business between it all can become exhausting.

It’s exhausting, both physically and mentally. There are days when collapsing on the couch seems like the only option, but there’s always something that needs to be done. Being a working mom means constantly being on the move, making sacrifices, and trying to balance everything at once.

But despite the exhaustion, it’s also incredibly rewarding. Seeing the kids happy, knowing that they are well provided for, and feeling their love makes every effort worth it. Plus, making my customers happy, too. It’s all worth it in the end.

Book Talk: Haunting Adeline

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton is the first installment in the Cat and Mouse Duet, a dark romance novel that has garnered significant attention for its provocative themes and intense narrative.

📚 Overview

The story follows Adeline, a writer who inherits her grandmother’s mansion, only to find herself entangled with a mysterious stalker named Zade. The novel delves into themes of obsession, power dynamics, and psychological manipulation, pushing the boundaries of conventional romance narratives.

⚠️ Content Warnings

Haunting Adeline contains graphic depictions of violence, non-consensual sexual encounters, and addresses sensitive topics such as child trafficking and human sacrifice. Readers are strongly advised to review content warnings before engaging with the material. 

💬 Reader Reception

This novel has elicited a wide range of reactions:

1. Positive Responses: Some readers praise the book for its gripping narrative and emotional depth, describing it as an “emotional odyssey” that leaves a lasting impression. 
2. Critical Views: Others criticize the novel for glorifying problematic behavior, with concerns about the portrayal of non-consensual acts and the romanticization of stalking. 
3. Mixed Feelings: There are readers who find the book both compelling and disturbing, acknowledging its intensity while questioning its thematic choices. 

🧠 Final Thoughts

Haunting Adeline is a polarizing work that challenges readers with its dark themes and complex characters. It is recommended for those who are comfortable with intense psychological narratives and are aware of the content warnings. As always, reader discretion is advised.

I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this book. Reminder that this is a judgement free zone!

1. Have you read it, what were your feelings towards it?
2. Would you read it after reading this blog post if you haven’t already read it?

Introducing Myself

 Hey Friends!

I am so excited to have you guys here. My name is India and I live in a small town nestled in Southwest, Missouri, where I grew up, with my husband and our four kiddos, six dogs, two cats, and a rabbit! Yes, I love my fur babies! My husband is a welder, and I work full time, as a secretary, and own my own small business of nearly three years called, Backroad Bliss and Turquoise. Yes, between being a blue collar wife, a mom, having a full time career, and running a small business, I definitely have my hands full at times. Without my HUGE support system I know I couldn't do it though. One thing not many know about me, is that my family and I live the RV life on our little two acre property. This year we are are FINALLY getting our home put on over the summer, hopefully, depends on their timing process. Its had its struggles and ups and downs but we've made the best of it with our huge family, fur babies and all! The dogs definitely have a huge pen outside during the day for the extra space, and our two kitties our outside/shed kitties. But we knew what we were getting into temporarily, when we financed our property and we just knew we were going to make this place into a home. I hope you guys decide to follow my journey.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, where I share my experiences and thoughts as a mom who juggles a full-time job while running a small business. Every day is a new adventure, filled with challenges and triumphs that shape my journey. I aim to inspire other mothers to embrace their roles, find joy in the chaos, and pursue their passions. Join me as I explore the beautiful blend of motherhood and entrepreneurship, offering tips, insights, and a supportive community for those navigating similar paths.