Heather A. Stillufsen – via Christine Malone – LinkedIn
Filed under Attitude, empowerment, Encouragement
I’m a sucker for all kinds of ‘feel-able’ pats on the head: gold stars on my desk calendar when I’ve done whatever exercise is scheduled for the day; and these cute little bears that NutriSystem sends out for each 10 pounds one loses.
As you can see from the picture above, I’ve gotten my 4th bear – the one for 40 lbs off. (Actually, right now I’m at 43 pounds off :0) ) There is also 44.2 inches less of me than there used to be.
I have a good start now. I will try to get another 30 pounds off, and whatever number of inches that goes with that any my exercises.
The really big thing is that I FEEL BETTER. I’m 72 as of yesterday, and I can honestly say I feel better than I did a year ago. On March 9th of 2020, I hope to be able to say the same thing, whether or not I’ve reached my weight loss goal.
Smaller, but again – a VISIBLE thing – is that I’m able to fit in favorite clothes I’ve kept in closets for years, hoping that ‘one day’ I would be able to wear them again. There are still several things in the ‘hope’ area of my guest room closet. :0) I’m between sizes on jeans right now, for example. The size I’m wearing is a bit baggy, but I’m still too lardy for the next size down. I’m also able to order some smaller sizes online, too.
I’m sleeping better with the loss of the lard and my efforts to move more. I get up from the computer after I post something here, do some chore inside or outside before posting again, for example. I’m also trying to do my exercises like a good old girl daily. I’m more successful some weeks than others. I’m doing something different each day – yoga and abdominal exercises one day, a dance video another, the Wii Fit Plus ‘games’ for balance and reaction time (I’m still awful and the program is still insulting me), the walking with Annoying Leslie one day, and the elliptical trainer in the garage one day. Now that spring is near (thank GOODNESS!) I’m working in the yard when the weather permits.
Though I’m getting old-in-the-tooth, I can usually gather enough energy to continue going through the house, concentrating on purging, then cleaning and reorganizing one area at a time. Today it’s the supplies shelves in our office after we go grocery shopping.
Motivation is high though results are slow. I think the older you get the harder it is to get any lard off or make appreciable difference in fitness or stamina, but I’m game as long as I’m breathing!
I’ve had a really fun afternoon experimenting with making a mixed-media painting. I’m like a kid with finger paints, having FUN without worrying about expertise or whether it’s ‘good’ or not. It’s great therapy for whatever ails me.
“Thistles”
Chris Chalk – Art
Filed under Attitude, Trying to Create
makeameme.org via SayingImages.com
I am having quite a celebration of my birthday tomorrow.
The celebration started today, with a present from one of my good, long-time friends at Lunch Bunch. There will be another next Friday, according to my other dear friend. My husband is taking me for a lobster tail meal next week! I received a beautiful card today from a good friend in Tulsa, too. :0)
So I am I’m officially quite spoiled – 72 tomorrow – and ‘older-than-dirt.’
I feel of two minds about having another birthday. Part of me resents almost everyone being younger than I am. If I didn’t before, I treasure anyone who can remember the same stuff I do, and not say, “Oh, wow!” or something similar when I reminisce. I’m not sure I enjoy feeling ‘maternal’ about my primary doctor.
On the other hand, I’m healthier than I was last year at this time. I’m 43 pounds lighter and several inches smaller, a bit more flexible, with less pain due to trying to exercise daily. I’m busier than I have ever been – even when I was working for most of my life – doing things I love.
Right now I’m busily trying to get seeds to grow in my greenhouse so I’ll have healthy plants to put in our garden when the weather tames down. I’ve planted onion sets and am trying to get the rest of the squares of our square foot garden weeded and ready for planting. I’m retired, so I can try to get up to my art room and play. I have more books than time to read.
So – Happy Birthday to me – a nice long celebration with family and friends – and another glorious year to start!
curpyrfc.org
Filed under Attitude
“Cardinal Taking a Bow” – by Norma Wilson
I’ve told you I absolutely HATE tax time – the whole trying to make sense of my records, feeling overwhelmed, etc.
When I finished these and dumped them on our wonderful CPA around the 15th of January, I promised myself I would start a different way of keeping records so that I didn’t hate this time of year so much.
When I created spreadsheets to summarize our receipts in each category, I copied each of them, labeling them “Whatever Category – 2019”. I promised myself that I would take time at the end of each month, enter the relevant numbers into the spreadsheets, and then file the receipts under the appropriate tax category, rather than the month as I have always done.
I just finished entering the information for February – hence the pat on the head and bowing cardinal! :0)
If I can keep this up, at the end of the year I SHOULD be able to just total the categories on the spreadsheets, print them, and bag them up for the CPA.
I’m a bit embarrassed that I have moaned/griped/whined for years about this – never coming up with a better way to attack it until this year.
Someone should say something memorable, such as, “Better late than never….” don’t you think?
clipart library
Filed under Acting Like a Grownup, Attitude, Cause for Celebration, Challenges, Changes
I found a super-good deal on a set of acrylic paints a few days ago. They arrived today, and I feel like a kid at Christmas! There are 14 tubes of paint in the set and I have paid more for 4 tubes – plus shipping – than I had to pay for this set with FREE shipping. Woo HOOO!
For some reason I haven’t been up to my art room in quite a while. I felt I needed to accomplish more on my purging project to go through 30+ years of STUFF we’ve accumulated and really don’t need.
I’m beginning to figure out now that the more I go through things, donating a bunch of things to others, throwing away a bunch of things, and then reorganizing and cleaning before putting what is good to keep again, I’m in a never-ending job. The more I DO, the more I SEE to do!
I’m going to give myself permission to take a bit of a break from all the work and play in my art room this week.
I don’t know if I’ll come up with anything, but I’ll have a wonderful time dreaming, experimenting, and playing!
keetonsonline.com – via Sherry Dellaria McGrath
Filed under Attitude, doing what you love, empowerment, Favorite Things, Hobbies, Lewis Art
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
I love this photo. Somehow it shows acceptance with spirit still in there somewhere – the way I’m feeling right now.
I’m about halfway finished with our tax prep for the year now. I made a spreadsheet with all pertinent charges listed and categorized. It took me three days. An epiphany occurred yesterday where I figured out that if I record this stuff on a spreadsheet on a monthly basis, it won’t be so much work! (Yeah, I learn slowly on some things.) I sorted it by three columns so the records are in good categories and can be referred to easily.
Today I’ll make an office deductions spreadsheet and business spreadsheet. Then I’m almost home free.
I hope you’re having a good day, too, in your part of the world.
SayingImages.com
I truly believe that happiness comes from inside you.
Of course, it never hurts to win the lottery, but your attitude about what is happening colors everything you feel, say, and do.
When I find that I have my nose out of joint, I look around, looking to blame something or someone for my bad mood. A lot of times I feel justified for a bit, stewing and fueling my anger, frustration, hurt feelings, and more.
If I think ‘something‘ is at the root of my problem, I try to quit griping internally and do everything I can to change the situation. (I have more luck with this at some times, than others.) When my attitude is due to ‘someone,’ I try to explain my feelings when I’m calmer in an effort to get them to understand and talk about things we can do differently.
I have more trouble with things involving ‘someone‘ than ‘something,’ because, after I examine the situation, I find I need to change MYSELF, rather than trying to get the someONE to change. I look at the larger picture and have to admit that at least 50% of the ‘problem’ is me.
SO – I can choose to keep my nose out of joint or decide to adapt, looking at things from a more positive point of view.
Developing and nurturing a positive attitude is a much healthier, happier way to live.
Filed under Acting Like a Grownup, Attitude, Encouragement
Mindfulness Training
I have probably indicated that I HATE preparing our stuff for taxes each year. I have probably also admitted that I excel at procrastination – championship level, I might add – modestly, of course. :0)
Today is the day –
I have run out of even the most feeble excuses for not at least making the first pass at our stuff.
Our office is beginning to look as if a bomb exploded in here.
STEP 1 – I have gone through the ‘helpful packet’ our CPA provides. So I feel a BIT better about myself at the moment.
STEP 2 – I’m now slogging through our monthly receipts, grouping them according to categories. I’ve made it through 3 months so far.
__________________
STEP 3 – is going through our credit card and bank statements for pertinent information.
STEP 4 – is totalling the various categories.
STEP 5 – is putting the receipts where they belong in the ‘helpful packet’
STEP 6 – is waiting until we get our official Schwab statement – the thing that is the most important and always takes the longest to receive.
STEP 7 – is bagging it all up and driving to Fort Smith to dump it on our wonderful CPA.
My goal is to be finished with Steps 1-5 by the end of this month or before. I’m going to take a break now, but will return to do another session this afternoon after we eat some lunch.
Did I happen to mention I HATE tax prep? UGH!
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, character-building exercises
Fluent in 3 Months
There are few things I hate more than preparing our records for our wonderful CPA. Legal and financial documents make my eyes glaze over and give me the creeps. I have irrational fear – thinking ridiculous, paranoid thoughts that I’ll miss something, make a mistake and end up in the slammer.
I am a champion of one skill in particular – the art of procrastination. I have taken it to an art form.
Grammarly via Cathy Ruggiero
Each year I make improvements in my record keeping, and each year – as we age – our records get more simple. I used to have my own website with over 100 artists at one time, and THEN the record keeping was time-consuming and complex, plus we both had full-time jobs, were trying to raise our son, were buying and selling houses, cars, etc. Now we are retired, the business is closed, and I have my artwork on ArtFire, so the records are simple.
The main thing is to go through the booklet our CPA provides listing all the pertinent information he needs and what we recorded last year. He has helped us as much as possible, so why do I make so many excuses for not getting started?
Part of it is that it is TOTALLY my job.
My husband ignores the whole process, chauffeuring me to the CPA’s office when I have everything together. I have a small pity party, get a bit hostile, slog through the process, and then we dump it on our CPA to once again put it all on the forms and make sure everything is good. (This has been the ‘whine’ part of this post.)
The ‘cheese’ part is that, once I finally get my rear in gear and get going, the process goes faster and more smoothly each year. By the time they kick dirt over me, I’ll have it all down to a science. :0)
The ‘cheese’ part is that usually, I get a nice lunch out somewhere when we’ve gotten rid of the tax stuff!
So much ado about very little – but I think I’ll put it off, once again, until tomorrow….
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Changes, character-building exercises
I Stole This from Another Page via Cindy Basnett Thurman
Filed under Attitude, Funny Signs - Humor
123RF.com
I told you that I was very happy with the carpet cleaning company, ChemDry, in another post.
I went to their website yesterday and left a good review, thinking it might help them reach more people.
This morning I called the office, told the lady my name, and reminded her that I had my carpet cleaned yesterday afternoon. She said, “Yes, is there a problem?”
I went on to tell her that I couldn’t be happier with the job that Alex and Sao (spelling?) did. That they were careful, courteous, and professional. I also thanked HER for being so nice on the phone, and being so good at her job.
There were a couple of seconds of silence. She finally said, “I’m speechless. This is so nice.”
It reminded me how important it is to let people know when they do a good job, thanking them personally, and in any way you can think of to show others you’re happy with them.
I told her that she was so courteous and the company did such a good job that they stood out – particularly in this day and age where you feel like a number, or a necessary irritant in someone’s day. How NICE it is that someone calls you when they will be delayed, when the bill is what they SAID it would be, that they are super careful not to make a mess or hurt anything.
It was obvious that she was thrilled and that I had given her a much-needed boost.
After I got off the phone, I made a mental note to myself to be more conscientious in my efforts to say THANK YOU. I always try to be kind, but it only takes a few minutes to shake the workers’ hands and THANK them for a job well done. It only takes a few minutes to call and THANK the lady who is so nice and helpful when you call. It only takes a few minutes to let others know you’ve found a company worth your business.
Good job, ChemDry – and THANK YOU!
Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero
Filed under anticipation, Attitude, Childlike Fun, Encouragement
Daryl Roy – LinkedIn
Smiling and laughing are contagious. I’ve seen videos where someone on a bus will start to laugh and all around him start laughing, too, even though they have no clue what is funny. I’ve seen faces of seeming bitter old people break out in a truly wonderful smile when someone smiles at THEM.
I’ve been in a sad state of mind and DECIDED I would smile at people (and animals) wherever I saw them. Not only did most smile back at me, MY spirits were raised, as well!
I have decided that attitude is all in life. You can’t control much of what happens to you and around you. You CAN control your reaction to it. I’m not saying I think one should go around with a silly grin on your face regardless of what is happening around you. I AM saying that many times you can CHOOSE which part of an event you’re reacting to.
Two examples –
What I am choosing to react to is how lucky I am to have known her. How proud I was of her creative spirit and lust for life. I can celebrate her life.
I spent a couple of days on the verge of tears. (I’m tearing up NOW as I type.) I already miss him and his exquisite hugs so badly it hurts. I can choose to dwell on the fact that he’s gone. I can feel sorry for myself that he lives half way across the world. I can be depressed that it might be several years before he comes to visit again.
What I am choosing to do is to be grateful we have such a wonderful son – proud of the kind, caring man he is. I’m happy that he loves us not only as his parents, but as people he enjoys spending time with. He has gone to great lengths to set up a secure chat program so we can talk several times a day. (We’ve already spoken to him three times today.) He also set up a conference call program – like Skype – but infinitely better, where we can talk and see each other real-time when we’re all up and functional at the same time. (There is 12 hours difference between us.) I can remember every moment of our visit, laughing, teasing each other, having some serious talks, and the wonderful hugs.
I choose to look at the positive side of things as much as I am able. I want to concentrate on the NOW – the sounds, smells, feelings, people, pets, ideas. How lucky I am to be alive.
I want to “be so happy that when others look at me, they become happy, too.”
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Encouragement
Fashion Design Images
I’m feeling happy today – on top of things – empowered. My plans are starting to come together.
This afternoon I’ll vacuum the 1st floor carpet and then the 1st floor tiles. That’s going to be it for work today.
Finally, I’m giving myself permission to go up and PLAY in my art room this afternoon. I’m not sure what I’ll do, but my juices will start to flow when I start looking at the nice supplies I have. :0)
I hope that you are feeling happy and productive today, too.
Filed under Attitude, empowerment, Encouragement, taking care of yourself
Sonia Figueroa
I’m feeling older than dirt after our morning errands.
Now we’ve ordered a manual for it on the net. I’ve just spent quite awhile figuring out how to get the main screen to show. I also found the texting app and the make a call app. This was such a delight that I took a break and peeled, de-veined, and cooked the shrimp for our dinner tonight to rest up for the next ‘figure-out’ session…
Otherwise, except for being shown time after time that we are OLD, we’re doing quite well, thank you!
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Changes
Michael David Chapman – LinkedIn
This is a very alien concept for me. I tend to look in the mirror to make sure I have all my clothes on straight and that there is nothing on my teeth, and then move on quickly.
Part of this is because I’ve been trying to lose the lard. I’ve lost about 30 pounds so far. I would like to be as healthy as I can be, plus it’s nice to be able to fit into some of my smaller clothes now.
Part of this is because I have always felt that it’s what I DO that matters. I’ve never looked in a mirror and told myself that “I am great,” or that “I love me.” I have certainly never told myself that “I’m beautiful.”
My son and I had several good, long talks while he was here visiting. He is deeply into meditation and, in fact, will be going to a monastery in Nepal soon after returning to Thailand, where he lives and works. He has been accepted for 3 weeks, and may extend with the permission of his teacher. He would like to stay two months.
He is making me see a lot of things differently than I did. Big things, like living, purpose in life, and dying. Other things, too, such as fulfilling your purpose in life. I have always seen things like ‘beauty’ differently than how it relates to outer appearance. I look at ‘beauty’ as coming from the inside, as in beauty of spirit, loving others, kindness, and acceptance. The so-called beautiful people CAN be beautiful in my eyes, too, but I don’t see it often.
So, looking in the mirror and trying to be honest, saying – and meaning – the words above will be difficult for me. I really think, though, it’s a good challenge. You are learning to accept yourself, learning to see and appreciate your self-worth, and – most of all – when you do that, you might be able to share those feelings with others.
I’m going to try it. What do you think? Will you try it, too?
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, empowerment, Encouragement
I Stole This From Another Page via Cindy Basnett Thurman
Filed under Attitude, Funny Signs - Humor
creativeartworksblog 