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Archive for November, 2011

Back To Business Continued…

30 Nov

Yesterday I gave you the breakdown of my plan and what I wanted to accomplish with my routine. Here’s how things have been going for me.

I wanted to be able to do more sewing stuff in the mornings, but after trying the routine last week I had to take that out of my first routine. I didn’t stick to the routine on two of my days either, and I was grumpy and stressed to the point of tears. I did have 3 successful days of using it, and can tell it’s something I need to stick to every day. The 3 days I did it, I felt better and my devotional time really encouraged me. I will say that going through menopause has made me feel like I am riding an emotional roller coaster like I did when I was a teenager. I think that was part of my grumpy tears too. I really wish I could work that sewing time into the morning too. Oh well, maybe later.

With the exercises I am doing, it is suggested to do them for 30 days straight with only a one day a week break to develop the discipline. I have really been having some back trouble lately too. Every single day I exercised, I didn’t have that much back trouble, but as soon as I took that break (because my hours were 9-5 Wednesday and I also took off Thanksgiving) my back started hurting again. I will not take too many days off after this. I like NOT being in pain. I’m also very encouraged to know that the exercises are helping me already. By the way, the name of them is Callenetics. If you are interested and use the link provided to purchase it from Amazon, you will be helping to support this blog. Thanks!

Now, you may be saying there is no way you could do all the things I am trying to do, or you may feel like I’m not getting enough done in the timeline yesterday. That’s the beauty of these types of list, we tailor them to fit ourselves, not try to just copy someone else. If you are a list user like me, try coming up with your own framework. You will be amazed at how fast it helps you. If you don’t like being framed, , but do feel a leading to get more out of your day, figure out how you enjoy structure and use that information to form a different kind of framework for yourself. I can only speak from what works for me. I would love to know any ideas you guys have that are different. It can only help us develop ourselves if we share.

So here are the beginnings of my business goals.

101 Business Goals –

Share Juice Plus with at least 1 person a week. Ongoing
Continue to network for insurance. Ongoing
Network for sewing and Juice Plus as well. Ongoing
Take my measurements as I continue with exercise Weekly
Complete alterations for current customer November 2011
Sew Raggedy Ann’s – 3 for granddaughters, 3 to sell December 2011
Sew apron for daughter, and 1 to sell December 2011
Sew skirt, make sure pattern works, then create tutorial December 2011
Make skirt to sell as well December 2011
List something on Etsy December 2011
Talk to Stephanie at Pixel & Paper Designs about website for sewing. January 2012
Develop Facebook page for Juice Plus January 2012
Sew baby quilts for 2 friends and make at least 1 to sell. January 2012
Make the purse from my Scandinavian book January 2011

This list will grow and change as things develop, and as I continue to look through my sewing projects. I am also taking an idea from the book I reviewed a few posts ago, The War of Art. I created an agenda, and will be using it weekly to help me keep up with some things. I will share some on it tomorrow. I would love to hear any ideas or suggestions you have for me too! Thanks! Angela

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Posted in lists, menopause, My Plan, overcoming

Time To Get Back To Business

29 Nov

Some of you have shared that posts like these encourage you, help you set your own goals, and give you ideas. For me, sharing these things helps me be more accountable to what I hope to accomplish. According to multiple sources I have been led to over the last few weeks (books, magazines and even movies and teachings), I need to be more disciplined in my life to be successful. At anything. Period. The book The War of Art called it turning pro, versus being an amateur. Nothing mystical to it, it is just a decision I need to make, a decision of my will to do something, and then just do it. Do it for keeps instead of just playing around. Reading some of my Juice Plus materials, it was basically the same trait I was seeing in those who have been successful there as well. I was really inspired by the ‘can do’ attitude. I have been told for a few years that ‘you can’t.’ I didn’t realize until the last few weeks how much hearing that over and over had poisoned my mind, my attitude and because of that has weakened my abilities.

So, time for this buttercup to toughen up and get her head back on straight.

Having the life plan (the 101 goals for my life I have been building) is helping me realize that lists are very powerful for me personally. I am making a separate 101 goals for my 3 businesses: Sewing, Juice Plus and still as an insurance agent. Le sigh. I still wish I was a really cool James Bond agent. Nonetheless, I am going to write all this out and use this post and others to try to hold me accountable to what I want to do.
My biggest desire in this process is not to way overshoot my abilities and over schedule myself to the point of disaster. I have done that in the past more than once. Overbook myself to the point of failure. Things do take longer than I want them to or think they will. Things don’t always go according to plan. Hence this too will be a living document, subject to change.

So Lord, I am right now praying for wisdom to do this well, to give myself incentive and not discouragement to attain the goals I hope for myself.

The following is a daily list I plan on following strictly for 30 days. I usually do well with a stricter policy the first 30 days to establish the new routine in my life. This works for days I work 11-7 as well as days off. Days I work 9-5 I will adjust.

1. Get up at a regular time every day. 7-7:15AM (up by 7:15 most mornings, I am so not a morning person)
2. Eat breakfast, coffee, vitamins – this takes me about 10 minutes. 7:15-7:30AM (worked into devotions)
3. Read my devotions. 30 minutes 7:30-8:00 (started devotions at 7:30, finished at 8:20)
4. Exercise. I am currently using Callenetics. 1 hour 8-9AM (actually 8:20-9:30)
5. Got ready for work, til about 9:50AM
6. Read Juice Plus material, need to educate myself about it (‘til about 10:15AM)
7. Get ready for work. Leave at 10:30AM
8. Work 11AM-7PM I will be working insurance 4 days a week. (The days I’m not working insurance, I need to work on sewing projects and on ways to share Juice Plus with others.)
9. At 7PM go home. Have supper, do evening chores: pay bills, wash laundry, prepare more sewing projects, write blog posts, etc. Allow myself to watch 1 hour of shows that I like that only come on 3 nights a week, or maybe have an evening out.
10. Regularly read for at least 30 minutes in evening as well. Work with Heartmath, read my business books, sewing information, Juice Plus magazine, etc.
11. For me to be successful, I need at least 8 hours of sleep. So that means go to bed before 11PM. Some people don’t need that much, but I have learned that I do. So I probably better shoot for 10:30 bedtime, then I should make it by 11.
12. I also believe in a Sabbath rest day, for some this is Sunday, for others it is Saturday. My weekly routine will include one of these as well.

With the holidays during this time, I will take those days and celebrate with my family. These days will hopefully also be reward days I can give myself for staying on task up to that point.

I will share some of my progress tomorrow along with the beginning of my 101 Business Goals. Thanks, see you then, Angela

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Posted in lists, My Plan, overcoming

Grateful Monday – 11/27/2011

28 Nov

I love my grandchildren, they are a special joy and blessing to me. I was able to have Thanksgiving on Sunday with 3 of the 6, and with my dad. My son’s family would have come, but their car broke down, and they couldn’t make it. But it was so much fun to hang out with the ones who could make it and listen to their conversations and join in. I really am blessed to have my 3 children and their 6 children as my grandbabies. It was a lot of fun to be together. My Dad is always so much fun, and the grandbabies of course love him as much as he loves them! We had a wonderful afternoon together!

I keep running through things in my mind. I had a very tough week last week, so that made my time with my family even nicer. I’m so happy I have my goals list and my life plan in place and growing now. It has made the rough patch I’m in a little easier to deal with. Changes are in the air again and I want to believe I am prepared for them. The new job is good so far, still just getting broken in to my new routine. I have come up with an idea for helping myself with my business too which I will share with you over the next 3 days. So, a very productive weekend with lots of fun family time thrown in! Here are a few points of gratitude to add to my running list:

1. I’m grateful for the holidays and the time we plan to spend with family.

2. I’m thankful for grandsons who like to write sweet notes.

3. Grateful my granddaughters wanted to make cards for their Poppa. He was so proud of his turkey cards!

4. I’m happy for the new job, and the opportunity I will have with an extra day off to pursue a couple of other ideas.

5. Change. I will be grateful for it, but it also frightens me sometimes. I’m a creature of habit, and eventually the new routine will be natural. But for now it’s still new.

6. For reassurance from God a couple of days ago that I’m on the right track.

7. Grateful that I was also reminded that God’s love and comfort are real and available to me, if I want it.

8. Grateful that my grandkids jumped right in to make cards for me to send to the Red Cross for service people (Holiday Mail for Heroes).

9. I won a blog award, and I am really grateful for the encouragement it gave me.

10. I’m grateful for my readers and bloggy friends. That means you!

Hope you are having a grateful Monday, and that you have a great week! Talk to you tomorrow, Angela

3 Comments

Posted in gratitude, lists

Black Friday!

25 Nov

Snoopy! Always My Favorite!

Well, no cute and fun stuff for today, to be honest shopping as a contact sport kinda scares me! I will resume Fun Fact Fridays next week. We did watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade yesterday, that is a true tradition in my world. Eldest granddaughter enjoyed it with me, but little sissy didn’t get into it too much yet. There’s always next year! But in the mean time, where ever today finds you, stay safe and happy, and have a great day! Now if you have any shopping adventures you would like to share, please do. I love a good STORY about shopping. To tide you over here are a few links to some of last year’s posts. Have a wonderful weekend! Angela

My Thanksgiving…. 2010

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow…

Don’t Make Get My Flying Monkeys….

10 Comments

Posted in Holidays, memories

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

24 Nov

2 Comments

Posted in Holidays, humor

A Few Traits of Successful People

23 Nov

Have you ever wondered why some people just seem blessed from birth, while others struggle to survive? I have as well, and during a recent meeting I picked up a few traits that successful people have in common from the discussion. The guest speaker had gathered her information from several different sources, and found most of these traits on everyone’s list. As you are reading, look for areas you are accomplished in as well as areas you could work on. I was surprised by a few of these as well, maybe you will be too.

1. Successful people are positive people.

2. They aren’t critical of others, don’t sit around pointing out how others have failed.

3. They don’t get a reputation for talking behind people’s backs. Now isn’t THAT refreshing!

4. They don’t complain. They are doers.

5. They smile a lot and build relationships, help others solve their problems.

6. Successful people aren’t finger-pointers. If there is a problem, they look for the solution instead of the blame. They don’t worry about who’s fault it was to begin with, instead they begin to work out the problem and give the responsible party the opportunity to see it isn’t as big a deal as it could be, and they will usually jump in and become part of the solution. Sometimes things just go wrong too, no one is to blame, many times though people can get so caught up in trying to blame someone they never get the problem solved.

7. Successful people are responsible people.

8. They are excited about opportunities. “You miss EVERY shot you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky I may have missed a few, but I’m taking a new shot right now!

9. Successful people can apologize. They take responsibility for their mistakes and actually say, “I’m sorry, what can I do to fix the situation?”

10. They are slow to make decisions, but quick to tweak if a problem occurs.

11. Successful people believe in the power of networking and they do it regularly.

12. They are optimistic and persistent, can be very focused and not easily distracted. Look! There’s a squirrel!

13. They do less things, but they do them well.

14. Open minded, looking for new ideas while maintaining current responsibilities.

15. They embrace change. I really need to work on this one.

16. Successful people take advantage of advances in technology. I’m trying to figure Twitter out, really I am!

17. They forgive themselves for mistakes. That’s a trait we can all work on I’m sure.

18. They take their supplements. No really, they do. They look for ways to improve their performance, energy and attention span.

19. They learn to avoid energy drainers, whether it’s certain people, situations or activities. If it slows their enthusiasm down, they learn to delegate these things to others.

20. To be successful we need to learn to be kind to ourselves when we are falling behind. Kicking ourselves around because we didn’t do everything perfectly is counter productive to true accomplishment.

21. Successful people learn to listen to their own body. When it tells them they are tired, they schedule a break or make time to rest.

22. Successful people also honor their core values. Learn what these are for you and avoid situations that compromise those values.

23. Women don’t take up enough space. Successful women learn how to stand out in the crowd, being true to themselves and their beliefs. It’s not easy in today’s world of constant compromise, but work towards being the one that can enjoy leading, and do it well and with integrity. Men should do this as well, but there are many more successful men in this world to date than successful women. We can do it! Stay true to yourself!

24. Following that point, women talk differently than men and use different body language as well when communicating. Aggressive personalities may see the common head nod a woman gives in communication as acquiescence, when we just think that we are agreeing with a point. Women, if you are in the business world, hold yourself tall and strong, believe in yourself and find others that believe in you as well, to help encourage you to continue standing tall and strong even on the bad days.

25. Successful people don’t fidget. They are confident, and walk with that air. They don’t act superior, just confident. There is a difference.

So, which of these traits do you see in yourself, and which would you like to grow in? I’ve mentioned a couple I need to work on as we went along with the list, please share your challenges with me in the comments. I would love to hear from you! Now get out there and have a successful week! Thanks, Angela

6 Comments

Posted in lists, overcoming

Holiday Mail For Heroes

22 Nov

I did a little research prompted by a comment a friend made on Facebook. The Red Cross is sponsoring an annual Christmas Card drive for soldiers. This is their 5th year this had been done. The cards are distributed to service members, veterans, and their families. The cards need to be postmarked by Friday, December 9th. Read the guidelines below, and then I have the address you send cards below. Help spread some love and cheer this holiday season, it’s as easy as signing an extra card or two and mailing them. Easy Peasy. There are even directions below for mailing lots of cards together.

Card Guidelines

All cards being sent in for 2011 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.

Ensure that all cards are signed.

Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program.

Only cards are being accepted. Do not send letters.

Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.

Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.

Please refrain from sending holiday cards with glitter. Many of these cards will be delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient’s recovery.

We encourage participants to mail as many cards as they are comfortable sending. If you are mailing a large quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes or use a flat rate box from the post office. Each card does not need its own envelope, as cards will be removed from all envelopes before distribution.

Send cards to the address below:

Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Remember, all cards must be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9th. Cards postmarked after this date will unfortunately be returned to the sender. This deadline ensures enough time to sort and distribute cards before the holidays.

After the mailbox closes, the cards we received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.

I’m going to use a bunch of cards that I have accumulated over the last couple of years. When the grandkids come over for Thanksgiving on Sunday I’m gonna have them help me decorate them with stickers and little cheap stampers we bought this weekend. Might get a little messy in here! I hope they have a blast decorating the cards, and probably decorating themselves just a tad. Let me know if you get to participate too. Come on folks, jump to it! Angela

4 Comments

Posted in Holidays

Grateful Mondays 11/21/2011

21 Nov

This is a Grateful Monday post from the archives, hope you are having a Grateful Monday too! Angela

Grateful Mondays….

Clearing after a storm….

This past week was slammed! I did not mean to, but we all do it from time to time. I had myself booked every day and night for a week! UGH! I hate it when that happens, and normally I work very hard not to do that to myself. Oh well. I survived and had several things I was very grateful for during it all.

1. I was very grateful Monday that there is an end to a work day. Man! My co-worker and I had done a whole days work by 10 AM that morning, every crazy thing and problem you can think of either called, walked or crawled into our office. It was not a fun day. So as I said I was very grateful for the end of the work day Monday.

2. Tuesday came and was fairly busy too, but not in the crazy, running wild way Monday was. I had a lovely visit from a dear friend for a little while sharing beautiful pics of her newest grandbaby, a beautiful little girl with a head full of hair. She had flown across the country to be with her daughter after the birth, and she had a very busy but lovely 2 1/2 weeks with them. I am thankful for shared grandmother joys. Yay!

3. I was also grateful for time shared with Boyfriend Tuesday night. He had spent the weekend before away with his family and we didn’t get to see each other much the week before he left. We had a seminar to go to, so we didn’t get to just hang together, but it was very nice to be with him even with the busy-ness of the evening. If you want to check out some info about what we learned, you can click here.

4. Wednesday I was grateful for friends who help me figure out career issues. I have signed up for some business coaching and need a little help with a long questionnaire that I have to answer before I begin my coaching time. I have done pretty well on it, but got a little stuck on a few things. It was nice to have 2 of my best buds to talk it over with, Kitchen Stuff I Love Steph and Raspberry Moon Nikki.

5. I am grateful for: Sushi! I didn’t know I loved it until I started dating Boyfriend, but boy do I! I eat wa-a-a-y too much of the stuff every chance I get, and the girls and I had sushi Wednesday night. Yummy!

6. Thursday evening I got to have my Valentine facial Boyfriend bought for me, from Nikki. It is a wonderful treat to get in to see her. I was bad and didn’t book my evening appointment until a few weeks ago, otherwise I could have been in sooner, but I am so glad I got in Thursday! Nikki used a new red wine treatment on me and I loved it! The toner felt like liquid velvet going over my skin. I don’t know if you use toner or not, the kinds Nikki has recommended to me in the past feel fine, but none of them have ever felt this good! I’m telling ya, it was fantastic!

7. By Friday, I kinda felt like pooh! Good things to do are great, but too many good things are still too many! I am grateful that the work week for me ends on Friday. We went out and bought birthday gifts for the 2 May birthday granddaughters, and had a little dinner. I found some fun stuff at the store too, movies and such. It was a nice evening.

Artisphere Preview

8. I am grateful for the events downtown Greenville, SC has. This weekend it was Artisphere, and I will be doing a couple of separate blogs about it later this week. Fun! It was almost like a mini circus, lots and lots to see and enjoy. And we cleaned out both of our cars on Saturday, and trust me! I am always grateful for a clean car!

9. I was grateful watching Granddaughters open their birthday gift from us, seeing the cute little “O’s” their mouths make over the strangest things….the oldest opened the cables to a new game system. We thought we were being clever, and she would think all she was getting was a few wires for her birthday, but No-o-o-o! She knew what they went to, a Wii system. She is only 7 folks. Couldn’t pull one over on her! Her 2 year old sister opened a controller and even acted excited because her Sissy did. Lol! They were lots of fun to watch just opening it. Then you get to laugh and smile watching them play it. Very grateful for moments like this.

Butterfly piñata

10. Sunday was another day to be grateful. Our whole family got together to celebrate the girls birthdays at the park and it was wonderful! My Dad was able to come too, and we always love seeing him. The weather was nice at the park too, lots of clouds kept it from being too hot. There was a very cute Butterfly pinata that the kids whacked on for about 10 minutes! Finally Daughter pulled it open and let them have the candy and toys. All in all a wonderful day!

So, how was your week? What have you got to be grateful for? I am glad today has already started out slower than last Monday . I would love to hear how you are doing, leave me and comment and let me know. Have a great week everyone! Angela

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Posted in gratitude

I’m a Liebster Blog :)

20 Nov

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Mellissa Rose of “My World In a Blog” recently awarded this to me. Thank you Mellissa! This is my very first blog award.

Liebster is a German word meaning ‘dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.’ I saw this on another blog recently and thought it was very sweet, so I am delighted to receive this from Melissa.

To keep this award going, those who have received it pass it along to new deserving blogs of her choice. The recipient must then recognize five other bloggers with less than 200 followers that have really stood out in the crowd.

The rules for the Liebster Award are:

1. Thank the person who gave the award and link back to their blog.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know!
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog post.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love too!

Here are my five top choices -I love each of you ladies and appreciate each of you and your blogs:

1. Me, You and Creamed Corn

2. Helen Clyde – Singing Out Loud

3. Pumped On Caffeine

4. Chasing Thoughts….

5. Air Force Wife, Mom, and crafter serving God

4 Comments

Posted in Award

He Says Spontaneous, I Say Recklessly Unplanned

19 Nov

Boyfriend says subdivision, I say neighborhood. Eldest grandaughter agrees with me, and tells him so if he forgets.

He says 5 minutes, I know it could be an hour. He really has no concept of time.

I ask a yes or no questions, to which he begins to not only write an essay to answer but he must also reword the question to the point I can’t recognize it. When he is done, I simply ask the yes or no question again. . . . until he finally answers yes or no.

He says he’s taking a shower, but I call it a sauna. The steam proceeds him as he is leaving the bathroom.

I like to fill up with gas when I have a little less than a quarter of a tank. He waits until his light comes on and still has to drive a little before he will fill up. True story.

He will not wear a shirt with patterned material, a few stripes is pretty much it. No plaids. No prints. I scare him with my clothes. I like color, and I like patterns, it can be multiple patterns at once.

He wins all the card games if he and I just play together. But when Daughter plays, she can kick his butt. Usually the heart of the cards is with him though, even with our Wizard of Oz Uno set, and that’s just not fair! That’s MY movie.

I concede all the electronic set up and repairs to him. He is good at it. I use to have to be the tech person, but now he can be.

I also use to be the giant bug killer, but when he is with me he takes care of all of that too. Again, I concede.

I say Facebook, he says FaceSpace and MyBook. He does have an account, but only signs in about 3 times a year, usually because I am making him answer something someone said.

I say he needs new glasses. He is currently wearing an aviator style from the 90′s. He needs new glasses. He says they are a good style that never goes out of date.

He also needs a new cell phone, but is reluctant to change. I can’t say much, ’cause mine is about 5 years old. BUT….mine will hold a charge all day, his only lasts about 8 minutes.

We have a lot of funny little differences, that sometime cause a little turbulance. But doesn’t that happen in all relationships? One of my girlfriends makes plans with me and says “…let’s do that next week.” Only problem is her next week and my next week are not the same. I can’t remember the exact difference, but now we schedule things by date, not “next week.”

The spontaneity reference in the title comes from one of Boyfriend’s questions to me early in our relationship. I’m kinda a hippie, or at least hippie-ish. He expected me to be the kind of person who made big decisions regularly just off the cuff. His question was, what was the most spontaneous thing I had ever done. After thinking for a few minutes, I answered asking him out for lunch. To which I also had to admit it had taken me several months to make the decision to work up to that. He took off for the Bahamas one time basically overnight. So he won the spontaneous contest.

Just a few thoughts that made me smile today. I’m sure you have a few of these too. I would love to hear what they are, so please leave me a comment and tell me all about it! Until next time, Angela

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Posted in humor