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Amanda Rafuse

@amanda.rafuse

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▫️Founder of @amandarafuse_creative
▫️Wife, girl mom / dog mom
▫️Fueled by books, puzzles and burgers
▫️Life with Crohn’s / Ileostomy

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Happy 15th Anniversary to us today! by @amanda.rafuse

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3 months ago

Happy World IBD Day 💜

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2013, and for years I struggled silently through flare after flare, pain, exhaustion, and uncertainty.

But in 2022, I hit rock bottom.

After my GI specialist ignored my calls and messages for help, I flew to Montreal for an emergency colonoscopy at a private clinic because I knew something was seriously wrong. Not long after returning home, I ended up back in the hospital, where I spent nearly two weeks trying every possible treatment to bring my inflammation down — with no success.

I eventually underwent ileostomy surgery, only to have complications when my bowel didn’t restart as expected. I spent an entire month in the hospital.

After finally returning home and beginning recovery, my Crohn’s continued attacking my rectum, leaving me in constant pain and inflammation. I waited months for another surgery date.

Eventually, I underwent a proctectomy surgery (“Barbie butt” surgery). But shortly after surgery, I began bleeding out in recovery. I was rushed back into the OR under full code, lost litres of blood, required massive transfusions, and had to be resuscitated.

I spent days in the ICU, followed by nearly two more weeks recovering in the hospital.

There were days I cried endlessly.
Days I felt defeated.
Days I was angry that it felt like I was the only one fighting for my health.

But I made it through because of the incredible support of my family, friends, nurses, doctors, surgeons, and specialists who never gave up on me.

Today, I am endlessly grateful for my ileostomy. It gave me my life back.

And honestly? Pooping in a bag really isn’t a big deal. And not being able to pass gas anymore definitely has its perks. 😂

I’m a warrior.
And every scar on my body is a reminder of my strength, my survival, and everything I fought through to still be here today.

To everyone living with IBD: I see you. You are stronger than you know. 💜

#worldibdday #crohnsdisease #ileostomy #crohnswarrior #barbiebutt taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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4 months ago

NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!

An exciting morning here! Just received the notification that ColorQuest - Ocean Adventure is now live and available for purchase on Amazon!!!

Link in bio to purchase!

Thank you so much to everyone for all of your support! taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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6 months ago

Wowzers. What a on-the-edge-of-your-seat ride of a book that was!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Easily now one of my top 5 thrillers — WOW.

From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. The tension builds so perfectly, and the pacing is just relentless. I found myself sitting on the edge of my bed, completely locked in, hanging onto every word and just waiting for the next breadcrumb to drop.

And the twists? Unreal. The kind of “who did it” whiplash that actually leaves your head spinning. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story flipped it on its head — again and again. Every single theory I had was proven wrong, and I loved every second of it.

Mary Kubica is such a master of suspense, and this might honestly be my favorite book she’s written. The way she layers the story, builds the tension, and keeps you questioning everything is just so well done.

This is the kind of thriller that completely takes over your brain — you’re thinking about it when you’re not reading, and the second you pick it back up, you’re all in again.

Completely addictive, impossible to put down, and so, so satisfying. taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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6 months ago

An emotional rollercoaster I never wanted to get off. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book absolutely destroyed me—in the best way possible.

I went into Heated Rivalry a little nervous because I had already watched the TV series (which I never do first), but somehow it only made the experience even better. The show was so well done that it brought the characters to life in a way that made slipping into the book feel seamless—and even more emotional.

This story is a full-on emotional rollercoaster. It’s raw, vulnerable, heartbreaking, and deeply heartwarming all at once. Shane and Ilya’s relationship is built on incredible tension, chemistry, and years of slow, complicated growth, and you feel every single moment of it. That perfect mix of angst, humor, and longing is what makes it so unforgettable—something so many readers rave about, and now I completely understand why.

What really sets this book apart is how layered it is. Yes, it’s a hockey romance—but it’s also so much more. It’s about identity, secrecy, pressure, and what it means to love someone when the world isn’t ready for you. The relationship evolves over years, turning something physical into something deeply emotional and real, and that journey is what makes it hit so hard.

I felt everything reading this—and I loved every minute of it. This book (and honestly, this whole series) has changed me a little… and I’m completely okay with that.

If I could give this 100/100, I would. taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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6 months ago

4.5 ⭐️ thriller alert
Quick chapters + nonstop twists = couldn’t stop reading. Swipe for the review 👉🏻 taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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6 months ago

Eurographics 1000 pc - Bird Gathering

Another puzzle done! We had taken a break from finishing this one, we’ve been busy on the weekends with Ellie’s skiing, but we all sat down last night and finished it. So pretty! taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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6 months ago

Happy 43rd Birthday Ry! We love you and can’t wait to spend the day with you today! ❤️ by @amanda.rafuse

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6 months ago

Two very different reads, both ones I couldn’t put down.

Swipe ➡️ for the reviews.

I haven’t mixed genres in my reading lately but I think I need to do it more often — a mystery to keep me thinking and a romance / SMUT to spice things up.

Have you read either of these books?
Tell me your thoughts below! taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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7 months ago

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the moment these arrived in the mail. 📦✨

Opening the package…
Holding them in my hands…
Flipping through every single page…

It was one of those quiet “this is really happening” moments.

Introducing the first four books in my Puzzle Passport series:
🇨🇦 Puzzle Passport – Canada
🇺🇸 Puzzle Passport – USA
🇬🇧 Puzzle Passport – UK
🇮🇹 Puzzle Passport – Italy

These aren’t just puzzle books.
Each one is a combo of word searches + crosswords, packed with fun facts about the country — so you’re learning while you solve.

I wanted to create something that’s more than just a puzzle… something that lets you travel, explore, and discover from wherever you are.
Seeing these four together felt like proof that I really am building the dream I talked about for so long.

And this is only the beginning.

Which country should be next? 🌍✨

Note: my Amazon author page is updating so once it has been completed, I will share the links with all of you!

#puzzlepassport #amandarafusecreative #puzzlebooks #authorjourney #womenwhocreate taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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7 months ago

I’m so excited (and maybe just a little nervous) to finally share something that I have been secretly working on for the last few months…

Welcome to 𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖 𝙍𝙖𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝘾𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙑𝙀

I’m a creative soul who has decided it’s time to stop dreaming quietly… and start building boldly.

For years, I’ve dreamed of becoming a published author.
And now, I’m choosing courage.
I’m choosing creativity.
I’m choosing to begin.

Here’s what I’ll be creating:
🧩 Word search & crossword puzzle books
🎨 Coloring books
📒 Journals, planners & trackers
📚 And working toward my biggest dream of all — becoming a children’s book author

This space will be filled with imagination, behind-the-scenes moments, works in progress, and big goals in the making.
Thank you for being here from the very beginning. It truly means more than you know. 🤍

This is just the start.

#amandarafusecreative #creativejourney #authoringhemaking #sparkcreativity #puzzlebooks #coloringbooks #womeninbusiness #dreambig taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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7 months ago

This was so much fun! Started this puzzle at 10:49 am this morning and finished at 12:35 pm. And my dad almost bet me it would take me a few days! Ha! I can’t believe he doesn’t know my puzz skill level by bow, 🤣

Titled “Snow Globe Stories”, this puzzle was beautifully made, the quality was incredible, and the matte finish was the icing on the cake. After it was together I literally picked the whole thing up and was swinging it back and forth. It would NOT come apart! I had to take it apart piece by piece because I wanted to be gentle and it was basically stuck together. taken in Chester, Nova Scotia by @amanda.rafuse

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8 months ago