I’m Not Being Dramatic—We’re Literally Out of Options

Okay, let’s just call it: I’m spiraling. And not in a cute “oops I overthought a text message” kind of way. I mean full-on, chest-tight, ugly-cry panic mode. Because somehow I’m the only one in this motel room who realizes that we are one checkout away from the street.

Everyone else? Sleeping. Scrolling. Laughing at TikToks. And I’m sitting here holding the universe together with duct tape, prayer, and a bad internet signal.

I’m tired. I’m pissed. I’m scared. I’m praying like my life depends on it—because it does.

I’ve posted. I’ve prayed. I’ve pitched. I’ve created new Etsy listings with shaking hands and answered Fiverr messages while trying not to scream. I’m not lazy. I’m not ungrateful. I’m not irresponsible.

I’m just drowning. Quietly. In plain sight.

And here’s what I know:

1. I can’t cry in front of the kids.
2. I can’t scream at God (though we’re currently not on speaking terms… except when I whisper “please”).
3. I can’t collapse, because I’m the Wi-Fi password, the paycheck, the meal planner, the everything.

So I’m putting it here.

Not to get attention. Not to get sympathy. But because I need a freaking miracle.

And if you’ve ever been in this place, you know the silence is louder than the fear.

If you can help? Thank you. If you can’t? Please pray. Or share. Or don’t judge. Or maybe do all three because I’m too tired to tell you what to do.

Cash App: $maggie050167

Venmo: @maggie050167

Etsy Shop: maggieprintzcharming.etsy.com

Blog (yep, you’re on it): ashestoarmor.blogspot.com

And if you’re new here: Hi, I’m Maggie (short for Margaret). I cuss sometimes. I pray always. And I still believe God sees me, even when I can’t see anything ahead but fog and unpaid bills.

To Studio 6 and manager Khan:

Y’all are angels in human form. I don’t know how we’d be surviving this without your patience and kindness. May the Lord bless you with every good thing and unlimited PTO

insert sassy prayer here….

xoxo

Mags and Lincoln

🏨 Motel Miracles, Digital Hustles & Dog Hair: Our Real Life Right Now

(Starring Me, Lincoln the Fluff King 🐶, and God’s Relentless Mercy)

Hi friend,

I know how it is—sometimes people assume these kinds of posts are just clickbait or a sneaky way to grow followers, build an email list, or push products.

So let me be transparent: this isn’t a “marketing campaign.” It’s my *real life*, and right now, it’s hard.

Real Talk, No Filter

Also… yes, I cuss sometimes. Probably more than a "good Christian girl" is supposed to. But please don’t judge me for that—I’m just trying to survive some really hard days with my sanity intact. God still loves me. He walks with me in motel rooms, in breakdowns, in deep sighs, and yes—in the occasional f-bomb. I’m not perfect. I’m patched together with prayer, grace, and grit. If you’re the same way, welcome to the table. 💗

Here’s what my bank account looks like as of this morning:

I’m not looking for pity—I’m just trying to keep my family safe and afloat, and I’m giving what I can in return through my creative work. If you're able to help, I’m beyond grateful. If you’re not, your prayers and shares still make a real difference.

I’ll be honest—this is not the blog post I *wanted* to write. But life doesn’t really care about our Pinterest boards or color-coded goals, does it? In some way, I honestly believe that God is teaching me humility in this crisis...and as much as it hurts, I accept the lesson freely.,, may his will be done, and all glory be to his honor. 

Five weeks ago, my family and I got the boot from our home. Not because of anything we did wrong—but because of an underlying issue that made staying impossible. Since then, we’ve been living out of a 2.5-star motel. I work 10-hour shifts full-time for one of the biggest pharmacy chains in the U.S.—which sounds a lot fancier than it feels at the end of the day, when my back hurts and the motel microwave is humming like a jet engine.

And while I would *gladly* take on another job to get us out of this, my heart—literally—said no. I am a breast cancer survivor with chronic pain from multiple surgeries and.. I have systolic heart failure. Two years ago I had a Myxoma on my heart and had emergency surgery to have it removed, and the damage as a result was systolic heart failure. Throw in three little humans (ages 11, 6, and 4) who think Nanny is Wonder Woman with a Wi-Fi signal, and there you have it 

Oh—and if my left eye looks like it lost a bar fight, it’s just a blocked tear duct that needs surgery. But I can’t handle that until I can guarantee my kids have a stable place to sleep. #Priorities

Enter: God, grit, and a little digital magic.

🎁 My Blessing-for-a-Blessing Exchange

If you know me, you know I create. When the world breaks me down, I build back up with pixels, clipart, prayers, and a ridiculous number of fonts. So I’m doing what I know how to do best—offering beautiful digital items in exchange for a little support to keep my family housed.

Here’s what I’m offering (created with coffee, tears, and Canva):

• 📔 Prayer journals
• 🧘‍♀️ Meditation journals
• 🎨 Coloring books for grownups and kids
• 🧩 Puzzle books for when your brain needs a break
• 📝 Printable planners for people trying to keep it together
• 💌 Invitations for everything from weddings to “wine and whines” night
• 💖 For larger donations, I would like to offer custom printable keepsakes designed just for you. This could include things like a digital memorial journal, personalized digital planners or prayer journals or custom coloring books that include your kiddo's actual faces as the characters(you will need to provide a photograph of the child's face).

Note: These are digital/printable only. I do sell physical items on Etsy, but this offering is strictly download-and-print-at-home fabulousness. Simply dm me with your email address and I will send you a link to access the file in my google drive. Please be assured that this is REAL. This is not a campaign to collect email addresses, however, if you like my products please feel free to give me permission to add you to my email list when I create it.  I will NOT add you to my email list without specific written permission. 

Need a closer look? Visit:

• ashestoarmor.blogspot.com
• maggieprintzcharming.etsy.com

🙏 A Prayer for You, Sweet Soul

Dear Lord,

For every person who reads this post, shares it, donates, or whispers a prayer—bless them abundantly. Wrap them in peace. Surprise them with joy. And please, let their coffee always be hot and their socks never wet.

Thank you for divine timing, for grace through gritted teeth, and for a God who meets us in motel rooms and internet miracles.

Amen.

 A Thank You That’s Long Overdue

I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to **Khan and his incredible staff at Studio 6**—in an undisclosed little corner of the heart of Texas.When everything felt uncertain, and the ground beneath us seemed to be crumbling, they offered not just a room, but kindness. Patience. Compassion. Grace. They didn’t have to go out of their way for my family—but they have and continue to do so. And that made all the difference.Thank you, Khan, for your quiet leadership, your understanding heart, and for treating us like people—*not just a reservation number.* You’ve helped and are helping to carry us through one of the hardest seasons of our lives, and we will never forget your part in our story.

💖 How to Help a Tired, Grateful Nanny

💸 Venmo

@MaggiePrintzCharming

Scan it. Tap it. Send a little light our way.

💚 Cash App

$maggie050167

Leave a comment if you help—I want to thank you personally and pray over your name. You are part of our survival story now.

With love, sarcasm, and hope,

Maggie & Lincoln 🐾 (CEO of Emotional Support & Sofa Hogs)

🔥 From Chaos to Calling: The Birth of Ashes to Armor

Let me set the scene for you.

One hotel room.
Three grandkids (Cameron, Fischer Jr., and Zeni).
One son, one daughter-in-law, and a dog named Lincoln who’s absolutely convinced he owns the bed (and honestly… he’s not wrong).

It’s loud. It’s crowded. It’s beautiful chaos.

This is where Ashes to Armor was born — not in a curated office space with mood lighting and matcha, but in a one-room hotel, where the love is louder than the mess and the purpose is greater than the pressure.

The conditions?
Not ideal.
But temporary.

The finances?
Tight.
But we’ve got each other — and more importantly, God’s got us.

I’ve lost a lot in this season — friends, space, stability, stuff.
But I’ve gained something way deeper:
Clarity. Calling. Purpose.

I’m tired, y’all.
I’m sitting here in the same old t-shirt and denim shorts I wore yesterday. Laundry is upstairs and guess what? I’m not feeling it.
We’re on each other’s nerves daily — but it’s all wrapped in love and late-night laughs and kids who somehow always manage to fall asleep sideways on my side of the bed. (Looking at you, Cameron and Jr. — and yes, Lincoln too.)

I’m confined to a corner of the mattress… and yet somehow, this is the widest my heart has ever stretched.

Work is busy. Bills are real. And while I’d much rather be pouring my soul into creating my course, “Reignite Your Life Over 50,” the hustle won’t hustle itself. So I burn the candle at both ends and pray for more wick.

I wish there were five of me — one to work, one to create, one to hold the babies, one to rest, and one just to nap for the rest of us. But until then, I press on.

Because the fire in my belly is real.
Because I know God’s not just going to bring me out of this — He’s going to launch me through it.

So here it is:
The blog post.
The beginning.
The moment where I stop waiting for perfect and start building from the messy middle.

Ashes to Armor isn’t just a brand. It’s a movement. A mission. A ministry in motion.
And I’m creating it with my laptop in my lap, kiddos in my personal space (ha! what's that?), and a whole lotta coffee in my cup.

Wait and watch, y’all.
📣 www.ashestoarmor.com — coming soon.

Wrapped in faith, built in fire,
—and entangled right in the middle of creating clip art and digital downloads.
Because hey, no rest for the weary — or the wildly called.

     Dear God,

,

Thank You for showing up in hotel rooms, crowded corners, and coffee-stained notebooks.

Thank You for turning exhaustion into purpose, and chaos into clarity.

Some days I don’t know if I’m building an empire or just trying to survive bedtime — but You remind me it’s both.

Give me the patience of Job, the creativity of Proverbs 31, and just a few minutes alone in the bathroom without someone knocking.

Help me trade burnout for boldness.

Help me rise, even when I’m running on grace and dry shampoo.

And remind me, always, that You’re not finished with me yet.

I may be tired, but I’m not done.

Let my mess be my ministry — and my purpose shine through the crumbs.Amen.

---

Big love,
Maggie & Lincoln 🐾

✨ Ashes to Armor: Built in the fire. Covered in grace.

Zip It, Sis: The Divine Art of Keeping Your Mouth Shut

 

Whew, honey. I know. I know.

It’s been three whole weeks since I last posted, and you’ve probably assumed I ran off to Bali to start a llama farm and soul-search in silk robes. But no, no exotic sabbaticals here. Just the usual: spilled coffee on my keyboard (thanks, Lincoln), a brief but dramatic attempt at organizing my junk drawer (I still have no idea where my tape measure is), and one emotional spiral after watching a shampoo commercial that hit a little too hard.

Also, Lincoln—my four-legged tornado disguised as a dog—ate my to-do list. Literally. So if I missed your birthday or forgot to upload that one printable I promised was “coming soon,” blame him, not me. He looked zero percent sorry, by the way.

But okay, now that we're all caught up and you've forgiven me (right?), let’s get into something that’s been sitting heavy on my spirit lately:

The Sacred Skill of Shutting. Your. Mouth.

Yep, we’re going there today.

Because let’s be real: sometimes the hardest spiritual flex is not clapping back, not spilling the tea, and not airing your truth like it’s a clearance sale at Target.

Listen, I’m not saying you haven’t been wronged. You probably were. You might’ve been lied to, disrespected, overlooked, or full-on betrayed. And oooh girl, I know the urge to unleash that perfectly-crafted monologue you rehearsed in the shower. But here's what Proverbs 21:23 says:

“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
(Proverbs 21:23, ESV)

Mic. Drop.

Let’s unpack that with a little sass and a lot of truth.

Keeping your mouth shut isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s not silence out of fear; it’s silence born from strength. It’s choosing peace over pettiness. It’s the holy art of knowing that just because you can say something, doesn’t mean you should.

And let me tell you, I have failed this test more than once. There have been moments when I opened my mouth and words flew out like bats from a cave. Instant regret. And who was left cleaning up the emotional glitter bomb? Me. Always me.

But lately, God’s been dealing with me in the quiet. Teaching me that some battles aren’t mine to fight—and some receipts don’t need to be printed, laminated, and handed out in group chats.

But Back to Lincoln…

You know how I said he ate my to-do list? Well, the irony is that right before he did that, I had scribbled down “stay quiet even when you're right.” I took it as a sign. Maybe divine, maybe just canine—but a sign nonetheless.

So here’s what I want you to walk away with today:

• You don’t have to react to everything.

• You don’t have to explain yourself to everyone.

• You don’t have to prove a point to people who already made up their minds.

Protect your peace like Lincoln protects his chew toys—ferociously and without apology.

There is wisdom in restraint. There's power in poise. And sometimes, the loudest message is the one you don’t deliver.

So the next time you feel the fire rising, remember Proverbs 21:23. Say this little prayer, take a deep breath, and maybe lock yourself in the pantry with a cookie. (Not that I’ve done that. Ahem.)

Lord, help my mouth.

No seriously, HELP.
Because sometimes I want to say all the things—
With boldness, with flair, and maybe with a little petty on the side.

But deep down, I know peace is better than proving a point.
So remind me that I don’t need to fight every battle,
Respond to every shade,
Or win every argument.

Give me the strength to hush when I want to holler,

To sip water instead of spill tea,
And to choose wisdom over wildin’ out.

Holy Spirit, sit on my tongue if you have to.
Tack it down with heavenly duct tape.
I’m here for growth... even when it’s uncomfortable.

Amen and amen

Love you big,
Mean it even bigger,
And I promise to blog again before Lincoln eats something else.

Xoxo,
Maggie (& Lincoln)

Hard Question of the Day: Have you ever felt lost or directionless? How did you handle it?

Oh honey, not only have I felt lost—I practically had a permanent residence in “What the actual f*ck am I doing?” land.

For years, I’ve been praying, begging, and occasionally yelling at God to just give me a clue. Like, come on—billboard? Skywriting? Something?

And then a couple of weeks ago, after having the kind of nightmare that makes you question everything—literal demons pulling at me, trying to drag me down—I snapped. I sat up in bed, eyes wild, heart racing, and I had a full-on verbal throwdown.

I told the devil to go straight back to hell and leave my family the hell alone. (Loudly. With emphasis. Lincoln, bless his loyal furry soul, didn’t even flinch—he’s used to my spiritual rants.)

Then I turned to God—still in my pajamas, hair a mess, mascara under my eyes—and I begged. For peace. For purpose. For something that made sense. And wouldn’t you know it, God delivered—in the way He always does. Quietly. Immediately. Perfectly timed.

I tripped—literally—over an old notebook, and inside it? A note I’d scribbled forever ago: “You’d make a great life coach.”

Cue the heavenly choir, the goosebumps, the ugly-cry moment.
That was it. My answer. My “aha” moment from the middle of the mess.

Let’s be clear: I am not some perfectly polished guru with a five-step plan to fix your life. I’ve made a ton of mistakes. Like, "Should probably write a book called What Not to Do" level mistakes. So yeah, the idea of guiding anyone felt a little ridiculous at first. But here’s the thing—I’m not claiming to have all the answers. I’m in school right now to get the real tools, because I believe people deserve more than just vibes and good intentions.

That said, my mess has taught me some sh*t. Real-life, hard-earned, soul-stretching lessons. And if my chaos can help someone else find clarity—or at least not feel so alone in theirs—then maybe that mess wasn’t wasted after all.

The rest? History in the making.
And yes, Lincoln’s still at my side, judging my snack choices but fully supporting my glow-up.

So if you’re feeling lost: yell, cry, pray, color curse words—whatever gets you through. But keep your ears open. That whisper you’ve been begging for? It might already be waiting in a pile of your old sh*t.

---

Now it’s your turn:
Have you ever felt completely off-track, out of control, or like life was just... confusing AF?
What pulled you through—or are you still wandering? That’s okay too.

Let it out below. This is a judgment-free, messy-bun, praise-hands, “Jesus take the wheel” zone.

---

Need a little joy (and profanity) in your healing journey?
Shop my digital swear word coloring books here:
👉 maggieprintzcharming.etsy.com

Want to follow my journey into life coaching (or work with me)?
More to come soon—stay tuned, loves.

---

A Prayer for the Directionless
Dear God,
When I don’t know where I’m going, help me trust that You do.
Calm the noise in my head and the ache in my heart.
Give me peace that silences fear, and purpose that silences doubt.
Heal the places I’ve been hurt, and show me where You want me to go.
I’m tired of trying to figure it all out on my own.
Lead me. Use me. Remind me that even in the mess, You’re moving.
And thank You—for loving me, cussing and all.
Amen.

xoxo

Maggie & Lincoln

Holy Sh*t, Let’s Talk About Swearing (and Coloring)

  

Yes, I’m Christian. Yes, I curse. And yes, I made a whole line of digital coloring books filled with the kind of words that would make your grandma clutch her pearls.

Let’s be real—adulting is exhausting. Some days you need Jesus, and some days you need to scream into a pillow and color the word “f*cknugget” in bubble letters surrounded by daisies. That’s where my Etsy shop comes in.

Hey, we’ve all got our thing. Yours just happens to be coloring curse words beautifully. Besides, grace covers a lot—including a few well-placed f-bombs.

You ever get pushback from people about mixing faith and swearing, or do most folks just get the humor?

I’m creating a collection of digital coloring books that let you laugh, vent, and create—all at once. Whether you’re in the mood for sarcastic swears, floral profanity, or a dose of grace with your sass, I’ve got you covered.

Each book is made to print at home or color digitally. So light a candle, put on your favorite playlist, and let the stress melt away—one curse word at a time.

Check out the goods @ maggieprintzcharming.etsy.com. Go ahead. Color your feelings. Jesus understands.

In the meantime......

A Quick Prayer for My Profanity Problem

Dear Lord,
You know my heart—and also my mouth.
I try to be patient, but sometimes the words just fly out.
Bless those who test me, and forgive me for the colorful language I use when they do.
Help me to be kind, even when I want to scream,
And thank You for giving me creativity (even if it shows up in four-letter words).
I’m a work in progress, and You’re not done with me yet.
Amen.

xoxo

Love and F-Bombs,

Maggie & Lincoln

Darlings of the dark and curious... 🕯️

Darlings of the dark and curious... 🕯️

I had grand plans to summon a perfectly polished post tonight, but alas — this witch is exhausted. Like, “conjure me a nap spell and let the moon tuck me in” kinda tired. 🌒💤

So here it is — raw, real, and wrapped in sass — my latest Vampire Diaries quiz + GIF carousel. If you vibe with it, leave a little magic in the comments. And if not... well, Mercury’s probably in retrograde. p.s. - I got Stefan! 😘

🧛 Which Vampire Diaries Character Are You? 🩸

Take the ultimate trivia + personality quiz to discover your Mystic Falls match! Answer all questions and count your choices at the end.

🧠 Vampire Diaries Trivia (1–20)

1. What year did the Vampire Diaries first air?
   A. 2009
   B. 2010
   C. 2008
   D. 2011


2. Who turned Caroline Forbes into a vampire?
   A. Damon
   B. Katherine
   C. Klaus
   D. Rebekah


3. What is the name of Elena’s doppelgänger?
   A. Katherine Pierce
   B. Rebekah Mikaelson
   C. Lexi Branson
   D. Isobel Flemming


4. What is Bonnie Bennett’s supernatural ability?
   A. Werewolf
   B. Vampire
   C. Witch
   D. Hybrid


5. What do you need to kill an Original vampire?
   A. Wooden bullet
   B. White oak stake
   C. Wolfsbane dagger
   D. Vervain water


6. Who was the first original vampire we met in the series?
   A. Elijah
   B. Klaus
   C. Kol
   D. Rebekah


7. What is the name of the town where the show is set?
   A. Mystic River
   B. Mystic Falls
   C. Shadow Creek
   D. Crescent Valley


8. Who said: “You want a love that consumes you”?
   A. Damon
   B. Elena
   C. Stefan
   D. Caroline


9. Who was the first Salvatore brother Elena met?
   A. Damon
   B. Stefan
   C. Both at once
   D. Neither


10. What is Damon’s favorite drink?
    A. Bourbon
    B. Whiskey
    C. Wine
    D. Blood


11. Who is the “Original Hybrid”?
    A. Elijah
    B. Klaus
    C. Marcel
    D. Tyler


12. What object protects vampires from the sun?
    A. Magic ring
    B. Vervain necklace
    C. Daylight ring
    D. Crystal pendant


13. Who did Elena kiss first as a vampire?
    A. Stefan
    B. Damon
    C. Elijah
    D. Matt


14. Who founded the vampire-hunting council?
    A. Gilberts
    B. Lockwoods
    C. Salvatores
    D. Founding Families


15. What’s the name of the vampire cure?
    A. The Elixir
    B. The Cure
    C. Ancestor’s Blood
    D. Phoenix Stone


16. Who becomes the Anchor to the Other Side?
    A. Bonnie
    B. Jeremy
    C. Elena
    D. Katherine


17. Who is Elena’s biological mother?
    A. Isobel
    B. Jenna
    C. Katherine
    D. Miranda


18. What’s the name of the dimension where supernatural creatures go when they die?
    A. The Void
    B. The Other Side
    C. Limbo
    D. The Afterlight


19. What supernatural creature is Tyler Lockwood?
    A. Vampire
    B. Hybrid
    C. Werewolf
    D. Human


20. What is Caroline Forbes' mom’s profession?
    A. Mayor
    B. Teacher
    C. Sheriff
    D. Doctor

🌟 Personality Picks (21–25)

21. What’s your love language?
    A. Words of affirmation
    B. Giving gifts
    C. Quality time
    D. Acts of service


22. What’s your biggest fear?
    A. Losing control
    B. Being alone
    C. Getting hurt
    D. Being forgotten


23. Where would you hang out in Mystic Falls?
    A. The library
    B. The woods
    C. Salvatore house
    D. The Grill


24. What’s your favorite iconic quote?
    A. “You want a love that consumes you.”
    B. “I’m not sorry that I’m in love with you.”
    C. “I survived.”
    D. “Game on.”


25. Pick a supernatural power:
    A. Immortality
    B. Magic
    C. Speed
    D. Mind control

🔮 Results

Tally your personality answer letters (questions 21–25):

• Mostly A's: You’re Damon Salvatore – Bold, brooding, and passionate with a twist of chaos.
• Mostly B's: You’re Stefan Salvatore – Thoughtful, loyal, and carrying a deep emotional burden.
• Mostly C's: You’re Katherine Pierce – Fierce, clever, and always three steps ahead.
• Mostly D's: You’re Bonnie Bennett – Strong, magical, and the glue that holds everyone together.

>

May your coffee be strong, your eyeliner sharp, and your vampire dramas never end.

If this post made you smile, scream, or start binge-watching all over again... drop a comment or share the love. Your magic means everything.

Until the next spell —

✨ Ashes to Armor 🖤
Maggie & Lincoln, curled up on my pillow as always 🐶🔮