My kids have always been a fan of my gluten-free, vegan waffles. Now, my grandkids are a big fan (especially since they have animal protein allergies).
I’ve been cooking fewer and fewer waffles though because my iron was sticking. It was annoying chiseling each waffle out. It didn’t matter what recipe I used. I tried Eggo-style recipes. I tried adding extra oil. I tried butter. Nothing helped.
Bob told me months ago that I should get a new, better waffle iron. I did the research, but didn’t like the prices. Plus, I had purchased a sandwich maker last year that didn’t even heat properly and did not want another experience like that! So, I put it off.
The final straw was when I was craving waffles and the grandkids were here. I went to make them and couldn’t even chisel the first waffle out! How disappointing! Bob again said to buy a decent waffle iron. So, I did! Not a single one has stuck (not even the first couple during the “seasoning” process)!
I am thankful Bob kept encouraging me to get it! It is awesome when you have tools that work!
Sep 2
I listened to a coaching lesson recently about creative gifts, and one thought really struck me: “Honor your gift enough to finish what you start.”
How often do we jump from one exciting idea to the next without closing the loop? I know I’ve done this so many times—starting a new project with all the excitement in the world, only to leave it half-finished because another idea called my name.
But finishing is its own kind of gift. It gives your creativity a place to shine and allows your work to reach the people it’s meant to inspire. For me, that means saving images in an organized folder, writing descriptions, creating showcase graphics, uploading to my shop, and finally—sharing it with the world. Without those steps, the ideas just sit there, gathering dust.
I’ve heard the phrase “start messy,” and it’s true—perfectionism can paralyze us. Just beginning helps break procrastination. But if all we ever do is start, we end up buried under unfinished work, overwhelmed and burned out.
So this is my gentle reminder to myself (and maybe to you, too): your creative spark is worth honoring. Start messy, yes—but also finish with intention.
Sep 4
I came to visit my family on Tuesday evening, planning to be back home by Friday. Life had other plans.
On Wednesday, I got a call to care for my Dad’s animals while he was taken to the hospital. After many tests, it looks like a medication complication. Thankfully, he should be okay but will need to start physical therapy again. I’m so thankful it wasn’t something more serious, and that I could be here to help.
Then Friday, the grandchildren came down with a bug—tummy upset and a low-grade fever. Thankfully it passed quickly, and they’re already on the mend. Still, it means I need to wait a bit before I can safely visit Dad, though I will continue to care for the critters as long as needed.
Through it all, I find myself grateful. Grateful that Dad is going to be fine. Grateful that the kids are bouncing back. And most of all, grateful for a loving, understanding husband who encourages me and supports me while I’m away from home.
Sometimes gratitude really is an anchor that steadies us when life feels unpredictable.
Sep 7
A group I belong to on Facebook (Helping Women Entrepreneurs Rewire for Wealth) recently recommended creating an “identity line” for your business. The prompt is simple yet powerful:
“I am the woman who ______.” (Example: “consistently communicates value and closes with confidence.”)
At first, I thought of the parts of me that already exist: “I am the woman who rises after every storm, carrying hope, gratitude, and freedom into each new day.” That feels true. That’s me. So, I spent several hours creating this awesome video (at least, that is my opinion)!
But then I realized the real point—an identity line is something to strive toward. A vision of the version of yourself you’re manifesting.
For me, that could look like: “I am the woman who lives in alignment with her life purpose, attracting opportunities and resources that support her mission.” (I’m mostly there, but haven’t reached the level of resources I need yet. My hope is to unlock this within the next 60 days—if life doesn’t throw another curve ball!)
Or maybe: “I am the woman who consistently completes her goals with focus, grace, and determination.” (I’m great at creating ideas, goals, and lists… but actually finishing them to a polished, proud completion is where I still struggle.)
So here’s my question to you: What’s your vote—which identity line do you see me stepping into next? And more importantly… what is your identity line going to be?
Sep 9
I will not panic.
This statement is repeating itself in my mind. I just updated my laptop. It will not restart.
My desktop is ready to do the same update. I am afraid to let it restart.
I can not run everything on my tablet. I’ve tried. But maybe I should backup my passwords in a format that can be used on it…
I will not panic.
Bob will know what to do and will fix my laptop tonight. I leave again tomorrow night. Surely it is an easy fix. If not, I can survive a few days without my laptop…
I will not panic.
After writing this, I decided to try starting the laptop once again. It’s on! Crisis averted!
I’ve gotten a notification from Windows that they are discontinuing support for Windows 10 and neither computer are eligible to upgrade to Windows 11. Bob is learning how to use Linux and is pretty sure he can get my programs to run on it. Still… learning a new operating system (whether updating my computers to Linux or buying a Windows 11 computer) is not high on my priority list at the moment! I’m hoping it can wait awhile longer…
Sep 10
I asked Bob and Ben to see if they could put a halter on Galaxy while I was gone visiting my family last week. But, I told them not to press the issue if he said no. Apparently, it took lots of coaxing with the grain bucket just to get within touching distance and there was no chance that Galaxy was allowing them to put a halter on. That was disappointing because I thought Galaxy had relaxed a lot more than that!
When I got back home, Bob had me join him in the barn. Galaxy walked right up to me and touched his muzzle to my hand. Bob pointed out that Galaxy was obviously a lot more comfortable with me and I should have an easier time haltering him.
The next day, I took the grain bucket out to our new pen (that’s an update for later). He ran around the new area three times, dropped his nose in the bucket and I slipped the halter on with zero resistance. I even fumbled a bit, taking much longer than necessary and he was content to wait.
Heading back to the barn without a lead rope and with Flicka staging a small revolt when she wanted to eat grass instead was another story…
Sep 18
We we able to do a photo shoot this morning with Bob doing a great job.
How do you like my new profile image with Galaxy for websites and social pages?
Sep 21
I’m so excited (and grateful!) to share that Healing Horse Touch just received a grant from YippityDoo.com! Honestly, I almost didn’t apply because I’d read that “grants with fees” can be scams—but after learning more, I took the leap. The $15 fee actually gives you access to a business directory, an ebook and some wonderful Facebook group training, and the community there has been such a supportive space.
I didn’t win the first time I applied, but I received a coupon to reapply, and their encouragement made me want to try again. I’m so glad I did! Not only is the grant a huge help for our mission, but the friendships and learning inside Helping Women Entrepreneurs Rewire for Wealth have been priceless. Thank you, YippityDoo and everyone in the community, for believing in our vision of healing, hope, and abundance!
If you run a mission-led business and need a little nudge to step out of your comfort zone, let this be your sign. Sometimes a chance really is worth taking.
This is what was shared in YippityDoo’s announcement (the video is too hard to read):
Congrats to Diana Kelley, founder of Healing Horse Touch a nonprofit dedicated to helping people reconnect with their inner strength and emotional well-being through the calming, intuitive presence of horses.
“I’ve always had a passion revolving around horses and a holistic lifestyle. I’m thrilled to be able to share it by creating a safe, welcoming space where others can discover healing, connection, and renewal through horses. With each session, I blend equine connection, mindfulness, and holistic self-care tools to support real transformation and growth.”
What Healing Horse touch does
So many individuals—trauma survivors, neurodivergent souls, and those fighting invisible battles—struggle to push through life without the support they need. But without that support, they often feel isolated, anxious, and unseen. They’re not seeking to be “fixed” or medicated. What they long for is a safe space to process emotions, ease anxiety, and feel truly seen.
I know this pain—after my own nervous breakdown, I felt broken and lost. Spending time with horses became my lifeline. As others witnessed my transformation, they expressed a desire for the same opportunity—and that’s why I started Healing Horse Touch.
I’ve always had a passion revolving around horses and a holistic lifestyle. I’m thrilled to be able to share it by creating a safe, welcoming space where others can discover healing, connection, and renewal through horses. With each session, I blend equine connection, mindfulness, and holistic self-care tools to support real transformation and growth.
How she will use the Big Idea Grant
The YippityDoo grant will empower me to expand our reach and amplify abundance for our entire community—so more people in our community can access healing, regardless of their circumstances.
Sep 23
I’ve been traumatized and my ability to think seems to have been completely de-railed.
I washed my bed sheets. After moving them to the dryer, I looked down and there on the dryer door lay a dead, wet mouse!
The sheets are back in the wash.
I do hope the poor creature was dead before it was washed. And I’m very thankful it didn’t make it to the dryer.
Sep 26
A few weeks ago, we hung a gate and added a short stretch of cross fencing to connect the new fence with the barnyard fence, creating a small paddock. This may not sound like much, but it’s a huge milestone for us! With a few extra panels, we now have a 30×30 ft work area—just the right size for practicing groundwork and even hosting guest interactions. Best of all, it’s our very first real work space, not just unplugged electric tape with push-in stakes. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me!
I’d also love to introduce Aurora, the miniature horse you see in the photo. Aurora is very special—she’s a SERVICE horse. Not an emotional support animal, not a pet, but a recognized service animal under the ADA. Many people don’t realize that miniature horses can serve in this role. They’re about the size of a large dog, equally intelligent, and can be trained to perform many of the same tasks as service dogs. For individuals who are allergic to or afraid of dogs, they can be a wonderful alternative.
Aurora is staying with us while her family takes a much-needed vacation. Traveling with a service mini isn’t always easy—sadly, many people are unfamiliar with their legitimacy, and her family often faces stressful confrontations. This often results in law enforcement getting called and a lot of education being offered. The family wanted to avoid conflict and people (in general) while enjoying a vacation in nature. By leaving her here, Aurora gets her own “vacation,” enjoying time with other horses and the chance to play, something she doesn’t often experience in her role.
We’re thrilled to have her with us and grateful to share this little piece of progress in our space!
Sep 25
The problem with society today seems to be an “I’ll show you” attitude.
A recent university survey asked students if it was acceptable to shout down a speaker they disagreed with—or even violently remove them. Shockingly, 70% said yes. Seventy percent.
But maybe this shouldn’t surprise us. For years, classrooms have been told to tolerate unruly behavior. Government policies insisted we “accept” tantrums and screaming fits instead of teaching accountability. Parents routinely ignore their children until they are screaming in anger… then wonder why their teenagers turn sullen and quiet, being thoroughly taught that what they feel or say doesn’t matter. That attitude took root, and now we’re seeing the harvest: a generation that thinks silencing others through force is not only acceptable, but admirable.
We are raising a culture of bullies and narcissists. Tide-pod eating, Tylenol popping, energy-drink abusing, chaos loving bullies and narcissists.
So here’s the question: when the herd charges forward in blind anger, who will be the one to stand steady—calm, grounded, unshaken?
Like the cowboy in front of the cattle, it takes courage to resist the stampede. It takes wisdom to choose a different way.
If we have any hope of being a guiding light, it must begin with us. We must learn to improve ourselves, take responsibility for our actions, and respond with strength and respect instead of rage. That’s the only way we shift the tide—from noise and chaos to leadership and light.
Sep 27