What Have I Done??

As you may recall, unless you're fairly new to this blog, I made a list for my 40th year of goals and nuggets of goodness I'd like to achieve. Some are whimsical and totally for the fun of it, some are more practical and good for my health and well-being and some are life-long dreams.

It has been almost two months since the blessed 40th birthday and my posting of the List. I thought I'd update you on what I've accomplished thus far.

*Become more organized: Happily I have rearranged my front room, which also happens to be my craft stash area, it's much more organized, cleaner and I like the layout. It is a small, narrow room that once used to be a porch until someone decided to turn it into a room. Sometimes it's a challenge to keep it clean, organized, comfy and suitable to be the first room you see in my house.

*Take an unexpected fun trip: I did this, as you might recall, back in May. I went to Whidbey to visit my lovely family and had a truly wonderful time and it was quite unexpected.

*Be more spontaneous: I am really trying to be more random and not worrying so much about planning every little detail of every day. Instead, I am trying to allow myself to enjoy everything I'm doing and not feel as though, I've got to rush to the next thing, simply because it's on my list.

*Add some low-lights to my hair: Wow, I did this too, while in Whidbey. My sister is a cosmetologist and fabulous at it. She did a bit of low-lighting on my hair and I've had many compliments...thank you, thank you!! Weirdly, I didn't know how to spell cosmetologist, I've always thought I was a good speller, but what do ya know, I was wrong. It is an odd word. You'd think they would study stars, not do hair/nails/make-up!! Hmmmm.....

*Help plan my daughter's wedding: Went dress shopping with her and we're working on details with her almost daily. Can I just say..Holy Cow!! Oh and more about this later! :)

*Enjoy every day, every moment, stop thinking about what's next and focus on now: I've been much better at this recently, as I've realized that today is what I have right now and I can't and don't want to spend my day worrying about tomorrow. But I will blog more about this later, as I have received a wonderful little book I want to share with you.

Well, that's about it so far....still working on that 40 lbs. thing, darn it! I am getting there, one small ounce at a time. Did you notice I updated my weight on the sidelines? It hasn't changed, only the date did, but at least it isn't more. Until next post, my dearies, always look
on the bright side of life!!

Craft It Forward

Good times and goodies to be had!!

This is a simple idea that is basically like Pay It Forward.

If you love to randomly receive nuggets of goodness in

your mailbox from bloggers who make handy little crafts, than this is for you!

The rules are simple:

1. Make a groovy little comment to this post...such as: what fabulous thing did you do for the 4th of July, or what is your favorite handmade item to make with your own two hands. The first 3 sweeties to post and then Craft it Forward, meaning to commit to doing the same thing on their blog, will randomly receive a handmade goody from me. Please leave me a way to contact you, such as your email address and as soon as I see you've posted to your blog, I will get in touch and find out how to send you a bit of fun!!

2. Remember, it doesn't have to be a hand knit sweater, you're not committing yourself to 50 hours of labor to do this. Make something simple and sweet, no need to overwhelm yourself. Just have fun with it. I'm really looking forward to it, I think it's going to be fun and I have a few ideas in mind already! Hooray!

Hope to hear from you soon!!

Thank you, Handmade by Jess for the fun idea!!

BTW: Our 4th of July was fantastic. We have a traditional celebration every year. We go out to the lake and reserve a private area with swings, a stairway down to the dock and a ramada with picnic tables. We decorate it with fun red, white and blue decor and my mother always brings some festive buttons to pin on, as well as, groovy necklaces with stars. Everyone brings an abundance of food and fireworks. The kids swim in the lake (some of them fully clothed) and some remember to bring a swimsuit and a towel. Others go for a little row around the lake in the canoe (me and my husband and yes my arms are sore). We swing, play games, play music, chatter on with people we see about once a year and then when the sky begins to darken, we set off the fireworks, sparklers...anything we can light!! :D It's been a wonderful tradition that we all look forward to every year. This year turned out to be especially wonderful, because it rained all morning and cooled everything off. What a blessing!!

I'm rambling now! Hope to hear from you dearies, I can't wait to make something especially for you, it'll be soooo fun!!

Carrots

Encouragement

Encourage: To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten. To give support to; foster. To stimulate.

This is the definition from my old dictionary, actually it was my husband's dictionary from college, but that's beside the point.

I love looking up words and seeing their true meanings. I like that this word basically means to give courage to another person. To help them to boldly step out and go where no man has gone before, or at least to encourage them not to eat another 2 lb. bag of M&M's. (who me, I would never do such a thing)

I was reading this morning and came across this little blip.

"All of us need encouragement-somebody to believe in us. To reassure and reinforce us. To help us pick up the pieces and go on. To provide us with increased determination in spite of the odds.

When you stop to analyze the concept, "encourage" takes on new meaning. It's the act of inspiring others with renewed courage, spirit, hope.

The beautiful part about encouragement is this: Anybody can do it. "

Strengthening Your Grip by Charles Swindoll

So today, I want to encourage you my friends. Go out there and go boldly. Stick to what you've begun or start again, if needed. Look back over your list of goals you've written down and have desired to achieve and begin today to achieve them. Jump back on your exercise or diet plan, it doesn't matter that you ate 10 lbs. of food at the 4th of July BBQ. Today is a new day, a new week. You can do it and so can I. Call your girlfriend and head out for a walk. Take your kids to the park and swing with them or go to the pool and do a few laps. Eat fruit. Watermelon is everywhere. And while you're out there, encourage those around you. It feels good!!

Have a wonderful, blissful, productive day!!!

Carrots of Courage