Friday, July 8
Save Money--Repair and Maintain Those Garden Tools
Sunday, February 6
Just a Little Color
A while back a friend and I went window shopping on Saturday morning, a real treat for her because she was out and about without her two little ones for a couple of hours. We walked around the big department store and I asked if she was interested in looking at anything in particular. Turns out she was gravitating toward the cosmetic section, so there we went.
She got a free skin care and make-up "consultation" and the result was beautiful. She was an uncut diamond prior to the session and looked shiny and polished afterward. Just the lipstick alone brightened up her skin and eyes. She felt a little unsettled but, as she passed mirrors throughout the store, was beginning to appreciate how a little bit of color on her face brought out her beauty.
I wondered if she would continue using make-up at home. After all, who would encourage her to make the extra effort in her busy day? Her husband loved her as she was, as did her little ones. The answer is--she will notice and she will feel better if she creates a routine of taking care of her skin and using a little make-up.
Hmph--she's naturally beautiful, why use "fake" beauty products? Well, because they help us pay attention to ourselves and feel prettier. Yes, we are pretty enough without "painting" ourselves. Sure, that's true. But let me explain it this way.
When you have a beautiful wooden table in your kitchen or dining room, one that has gorgeous wood grain patterns or even a burl wood and you just love it. You leave it uncovered, without a tablecloth, so you can enjoy it every time you walk past. You don't even polish it to enhance the shine, it's striking "as is."
Let's say you also love the vibrant color of flowers or cut branches of flowering shrubs in your garden. The color makes your day brighter as you look out the window. It catches your eye and lifts your spirits. You'd like to bring some of that color into your home so you can enjoy it while you perform your daily routines.
If you cut some pretty flowers, put them in a vase and set them on your table, is that taking away from the beauty of the table you love? Is it "fake" to add something to the beauty of the table? Should the table always remain in its usual state, without adornment or enhancements?
To me, using lipstick and mascara and other "colors" for our faces is just like adding flowers to a room or placing a lovely piece of art in our daily lives; these things brighten up our day and give us pleasure. Every time we see ourselves in the mirror we see a little extra color and that makes us feel sparkly. Maybe our loved ones feel a little bit of the same, even if they never say so.
We feel better about ourselves and, when this happens, we get a little boost of cheerfulness which helps us give more happiness to others.
Disclaimer: My mom used skin care products every day that I remember (first Dorothy Gray, then deMarkoff, finally Lancome), and I watched her elaborate regimen of applying make-up prior to her leaving the house from my early years until just last year. Also, I was on "Make-Up Crew" for my high school's drama club for several years. Yes, I was a diehard thespian.
I wondered if she would continue using make-up at home. After all, who would encourage her to make the extra effort in her busy day? Her husband loved her as she was, as did her little ones. The answer is--she will notice and she will feel better if she creates a routine of taking care of her skin and using a little make-up.
Hmph--she's naturally beautiful, why use "fake" beauty products? Well, because they help us pay attention to ourselves and feel prettier. Yes, we are pretty enough without "painting" ourselves. Sure, that's true. But let me explain it this way.
When you have a beautiful wooden table in your kitchen or dining room, one that has gorgeous wood grain patterns or even a burl wood and you just love it. You leave it uncovered, without a tablecloth, so you can enjoy it every time you walk past. You don't even polish it to enhance the shine, it's striking "as is."
Let's say you also love the vibrant color of flowers or cut branches of flowering shrubs in your garden. The color makes your day brighter as you look out the window. It catches your eye and lifts your spirits. You'd like to bring some of that color into your home so you can enjoy it while you perform your daily routines.
If you cut some pretty flowers, put them in a vase and set them on your table, is that taking away from the beauty of the table you love? Is it "fake" to add something to the beauty of the table? Should the table always remain in its usual state, without adornment or enhancements?
To me, using lipstick and mascara and other "colors" for our faces is just like adding flowers to a room or placing a lovely piece of art in our daily lives; these things brighten up our day and give us pleasure. Every time we see ourselves in the mirror we see a little extra color and that makes us feel sparkly. Maybe our loved ones feel a little bit of the same, even if they never say so.
We feel better about ourselves and, when this happens, we get a little boost of cheerfulness which helps us give more happiness to others.
Disclaimer: My mom used skin care products every day that I remember (first Dorothy Gray, then deMarkoff, finally Lancome), and I watched her elaborate regimen of applying make-up prior to her leaving the house from my early years until just last year. Also, I was on "Make-Up Crew" for my high school's drama club for several years. Yes, I was a diehard thespian.
Saturday, January 29
Make Your Own Beauty
Well, there we were at Caffespresso on Gaskins, listening to the live piano music and waiting for my blueberry scone to be heated, and Amy is sitting there playing with the foam on her coffee. Looking a little closer I see her creating this beautiful design with the cinnamon and frothed milk. What an artistic morning!
Wednesday, January 19
Beauty all around
Wednesday, December 29
Washing Windows--Targeting Goals
When Georgia and Neal were little I went to our pastor's house on a Saturday to help the pastor's wife wash windows. They lived on a busy city street and she had noticed the car exhaust fumes clouding up the view from their living room more and more each season, so she felt a huge desire to shine the panes.
Each of us had arranged for our husbands to watch our own kids during this quick morning clean-up job. It wasn't easy to arrange this; Phil ran his own business and often manned the carpet store on Saturdays. Her husband had the ever-looming sermon to polish by Sunday morning. Our allotted work time was of the essence.
I arrived at her home and went into the kitchen to say hi to the family. She was helping one of her kids clean up from an extended Saturday breakfast and getting him ready to be "watched" by daddy. To maximize my help to the family I started gathering the breakfast dishes and reached for the dishwashing soap and sponge to begin cleaning up a few dirty cereal bowls while I waited for her to direct our window washing.
To my surprise I heard her say, "Stop, don't do those dishes." At first I joked that I didn't mind but she said again, "No, don't start doing the dishes." With a wondering look I turned around and really paid attention to her--was she thinking I was taking over her house or was she the type of housekeeper who liked her dishes done "just so?"
Seeing my face she explained, "We're going to get started on those windows in just a minute, I don't want you to get bogged down with doing little things."
Not knowing her real well, but respecting her for what I did know, I stepped away from the sink and just waited for her to finish with her children's needs. In minutes we were outside with buckets and ladders and we worked a couple of hours shining her windows. We finished the front ones, tackled a few more on the sides, then I had to go.
Over the years I never did get close to her and our family eventually began attending another church which was nearer to our home. However, the pastor's wife lived out a truth for me that has been invaluable over all these ensuing years. Aim for and work toward accomplishing the big goal; don't get bogged down with good, but less pressing, work. The pastor's wife knew she would eventually get those breakfast dishes washed up but she only had a small "window" of opportunity to get her more pressing task accomplished. She targeted her energy, and mine, on her goal and she achieved it.
Each of us had arranged for our husbands to watch our own kids during this quick morning clean-up job. It wasn't easy to arrange this; Phil ran his own business and often manned the carpet store on Saturdays. Her husband had the ever-looming sermon to polish by Sunday morning. Our allotted work time was of the essence.
I arrived at her home and went into the kitchen to say hi to the family. She was helping one of her kids clean up from an extended Saturday breakfast and getting him ready to be "watched" by daddy. To maximize my help to the family I started gathering the breakfast dishes and reached for the dishwashing soap and sponge to begin cleaning up a few dirty cereal bowls while I waited for her to direct our window washing.
To my surprise I heard her say, "Stop, don't do those dishes." At first I joked that I didn't mind but she said again, "No, don't start doing the dishes." With a wondering look I turned around and really paid attention to her--was she thinking I was taking over her house or was she the type of housekeeper who liked her dishes done "just so?"
Seeing my face she explained, "We're going to get started on those windows in just a minute, I don't want you to get bogged down with doing little things."
Not knowing her real well, but respecting her for what I did know, I stepped away from the sink and just waited for her to finish with her children's needs. In minutes we were outside with buckets and ladders and we worked a couple of hours shining her windows. We finished the front ones, tackled a few more on the sides, then I had to go.
Over the years I never did get close to her and our family eventually began attending another church which was nearer to our home. However, the pastor's wife lived out a truth for me that has been invaluable over all these ensuing years. Aim for and work toward accomplishing the big goal; don't get bogged down with good, but less pressing, work. The pastor's wife knew she would eventually get those breakfast dishes washed up but she only had a small "window" of opportunity to get her more pressing task accomplished. She targeted her energy, and mine, on her goal and she achieved it.
Monday, December 20
Giving away treasured heirlooms
A friend of mine passed away recently and I've been wondering how to let her family know that I'd be happy to help with giving away or at least organizing her clothes for easier storage or passing along to other family members, when they are ready to let them go. This post from Flylady's website made me realize that giving away treasured personal items is a good thing, yet we never know when the time is right until we're "led" to do it. I think I'll tell my friend's family that I'm here to help, and wait for them to be "led" to choose the right time. I'll also tell myself that if they don't ever mention it to me, that's "being led," too.
Today's Moment - No More Waiting for Someday
flylady, 12/18/2010 11:00 pm
Dear FlyLady,
I recently started a "book of moments." When something positive happens that really touches me, I take 5-10 mins and write about it. Then I put my "moments" into a binder. I realized when my Mom passed away that I wish I knew more about which moments meant something to her, etc... My 10 year old DS enjoys reading mine and has even started his own book of moments. This is my moment from today.
This morning I went through the last of my Mom's clothes. There were some scarves. You know, the silky, beautiful scarves that some people wear around their neck and tie into a knot. I'm not one of those people that are comfortable wearing that look. There were only four scarves left that I hadn't already given away. The only reason I hadn't was because they were the four most beautiful scarves. I felt that "maybe someday" I would wear them someday when I'm older and in a different place in my life, when I have a reason to dress more sophisticated than I currently do, in my casual business attire that I'm so comfortable wearing. Every time I look at the scarves, I get a twinge of guilt that I am not wearing them. My mother would want them to be worn.
This morning, I decided that if the "someday" that I begin wearing scarves is not NOW, I should pass them along to someone who WILL wear them. I bagged them up and brought them to work for a co-worker who wears scarves and looks terrific in them. Her husband recently passed away and there aren't enough people in her life who do nice things for her, although she is unfaltering kind to everyone. There was one scarf that had pink and purple in it that I had a feeling she may like. She opened the bag and gasped, gushing over how beautiful the scarves were. Then the pink and purple one caught her eye. She immediately lifted it, put it on and said, "Oh! This is my new favorite scarf! I'm going to wear it today!" There was such happiness on her face as she thanked me for them.
This brought me so much joy, knowing that instead of sitting in a box, collecting dust, waiting for "someday" to come along, my mother's scarves have a new owner who will love and wear them.
Thank you, FlyLady for teaching me so much that I am able to teach my son. He gets a kick out of the fact that we are BOTH learning how to do housework, declutter, and build routines - 15 minutes at a time! You've helped me understand that material items are NOT what hold memories of loved ones.
Blessing others truly does bring pleasure and is so simple to do even on a very tight budget. Tonight my DS and I are bringing 5 spare blankets & comforters to the local homeless shelter. We are so excited to be able to help others and lighten our load as well!
I am so grateful for you and your unconditional love for Flybabies like us!
Melanie in Shokan, NY
Today's Moment - No More Waiting for Someday
flylady, 12/18/2010 11:00 pm
Dear FlyLady,
I recently started a "book of moments." When something positive happens that really touches me, I take 5-10 mins and write about it. Then I put my "moments" into a binder. I realized when my Mom passed away that I wish I knew more about which moments meant something to her, etc... My 10 year old DS enjoys reading mine and has even started his own book of moments. This is my moment from today.
This morning I went through the last of my Mom's clothes. There were some scarves. You know, the silky, beautiful scarves that some people wear around their neck and tie into a knot. I'm not one of those people that are comfortable wearing that look. There were only four scarves left that I hadn't already given away. The only reason I hadn't was because they were the four most beautiful scarves. I felt that "maybe someday" I would wear them someday when I'm older and in a different place in my life, when I have a reason to dress more sophisticated than I currently do, in my casual business attire that I'm so comfortable wearing. Every time I look at the scarves, I get a twinge of guilt that I am not wearing them. My mother would want them to be worn.
This morning, I decided that if the "someday" that I begin wearing scarves is not NOW, I should pass them along to someone who WILL wear them. I bagged them up and brought them to work for a co-worker who wears scarves and looks terrific in them. Her husband recently passed away and there aren't enough people in her life who do nice things for her, although she is unfaltering kind to everyone. There was one scarf that had pink and purple in it that I had a feeling she may like. She opened the bag and gasped, gushing over how beautiful the scarves were. Then the pink and purple one caught her eye. She immediately lifted it, put it on and said, "Oh! This is my new favorite scarf! I'm going to wear it today!" There was such happiness on her face as she thanked me for them.
This brought me so much joy, knowing that instead of sitting in a box, collecting dust, waiting for "someday" to come along, my mother's scarves have a new owner who will love and wear them.
Thank you, FlyLady for teaching me so much that I am able to teach my son. He gets a kick out of the fact that we are BOTH learning how to do housework, declutter, and build routines - 15 minutes at a time! You've helped me understand that material items are NOT what hold memories of loved ones.
Blessing others truly does bring pleasure and is so simple to do even on a very tight budget. Tonight my DS and I are bringing 5 spare blankets & comforters to the local homeless shelter. We are so excited to be able to help others and lighten our load as well!
I am so grateful for you and your unconditional love for Flybabies like us!
Melanie in Shokan, NY
Saturday, December 18
Magazine Mountain
What do you do when a wonderful family member loves to keep magazines, trade journals and catalogs for a long time? Well, Flylady reminds us that we can only change ourselves and that's true.
http://www.flylady.net/
There are some things we can do to make the situation better.
We can keep most of our home de-cluttered, the spaces we're primarily responsible for maintaining. We can remove any of our mess from the family member's messy area. For example, we can keep our magazines and catalogs in another place and not add them to the "magazine" table. Very importantly, we can resist the temptation to organize the magazine collection (such as putting all the "Time" magazines in one stack in reverse chronological order) or making snide remarks about how unattractive the area looks.
Our homes can look very peaceful, tidy and spacious if most of the home is uncluttered. Our dear family members have preferences for how they like to keep their belongings and we really can't organize for another adult, unless they want to change their habits. I'm sorry.
http://www.flylady.net/
Our homes can look very peaceful, tidy and spacious if most of the home is uncluttered. Our dear family members have preferences for how they like to keep their belongings and we really can't organize for another adult, unless they want to change their habits. I'm sorry.
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