An Analogy

My closet mirrors my life. First off, I share a closet with my daughter. It is sort of divided in half, but not really. We wear each other's clothes, and some of them hang in the middle because they are not totally mine, or totally hers. Secondly, there are no doors on the closet. The underwear and stuff like that go in drawers, but the majority are hanging there, visible to all.

Some pieces I chose carefully. Others were thoughtful gifts from those that know and love me. Some items were cast offs that someone else no longer wanted. Quite a few were selected in a hurry, out of necessity. Many were great deals found on the clearance rack or at a thrift store. Some I like, some I love, and some I would be happy to get rid of.

What would my closet look like if I thoughtfully and carefully chose every item? Well, those pants that have snaps on the legs that rattle when I walk wouldn't be there! They were obviously purchased in a hurry. If I had tried them on, I would not own them. They drive me nuts! The shoes that pinch (cast off), the dress that makes me feel claustrophobic (clearance rack), and skirt that fits funky (thrift store), would ALL be gone.

I would keep the crisp blue wrap around blouse and paisley skirt that I fell in love with the first time I saw it. I didn't need them, just wanted them, and loved them. I would keep the Calvin Klein jeans I bought at Costco. They fit perfectly and were a deal. The skirt I bought with a gift card from my step dad years ago is a keeper. So is the velvety red bathrobe that was a Christmas present from my Mom. Every time I wear it I think of her. It's sorta like my daily Mom hug. Corny I know, but true!

So, how is your life like your closet? Do you share it with someone you love? Are your doors off and open for the world to know what's inside? Are your private things safely tucked away out of public view?

Is your life full of gifts that make you smile? Do you still have the one you fell in love with the first time you laid your eyes upon? Have you found your perfect fit? Do you cherish your daily hugs?

Is it time to say good bye to the things that hurt, annoy, or otherwise, just don't work? It is time to be more deliberate about choices. Everything that is offered, even if free or really, really cheap, is not worthy of closet space.

A Little Something You Can Do

If you leave your house, or turn on any form of media, you will be hit with a wave of negativity. The economy is in the tank. That isn't really news to most of us. All the regular people have been experiencing it for awhile now. At least now we don't have to feel like it is something we did personally, now it is just "the economy", not the consequences of our poor decisions, bad luck, or lack of talent. It's nice to have some nebulous entity to blame for our woes. Taking personal responsibility doesn't feel so good. In fact, it is down right depressing. Or is it?

If you accept the media message, then you are powerless, a victim of the whims of the global economy. If it is your fault, that means that you are powerful. All you need to do is start using your power for good, rather than evil. Or for success, rather than failure. You are powerful. You are intelligent, and have the ability to act for yourself. You are not a robot, and you are not a victim. Stand up and do something!

What to do? Well, here are a few small things that pretty much everyone can do.

1. Don't listen to all that negative crap. Turn it off. It isn't news and it doesn't help.

2. Be grateful for what you have. Make a list and think about it often. You might not have everything, but you have something, and I bet what you do have is pretty awesome.

3. Give. Pay your tithing, donate to a worthy cause, give your unused stuff to a thrifty store. Give a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement, to someone everyday.

4. Buy something, preferably from someone you know. If we all became customers of those we know, we would bless the lives of each other. We don't need the government to print more fake money to get the economy moving. Businesses need customers. If you own a business, isn't this what will save you? Isn't this how you pay the bills and make payroll? So, think about who you know that has a product or service that you can use, and become a customer. Here are some of my friends that you can buy something from in case you live in a cave and the only thing you do on the internet is read my blog. :-)

My cousin Amanda sells Avon. I will start with her because her name starts with A and so does her business, so alphabetically speaking, she is the obvious choice. I hadn't used Avon in years, but she took the time to send me an email a few weeks ago so I thought I would take a look. They sell a lot of products that I would normally buy at WalMart. I think WalMart has enough money. Amanda could probably make better use of my few dollars and WalMart would never miss me. They ship for free, even to Hawaii! That is a big deal and I won't soon forget it!! Here is a link to her website.

My good friend Tammy Dugaw sells Mary Kay. I have been using a few of their products for years, and again, I would rather buy from a friend. They recently changed their lipstick formula. It no longer tastes/smell like perfume. It is yummy! Here is a link to her website. www.marykay.com/tdugaw

If you are looking for something special, like, say a belated Valentine's day gift, my friend Joella has a TON of beautiful jewelry on her site www.threefoldgifts.com It is very affordable and good quality. Joella is awesome and it would directly benefit a real, American family if you bought something from her. She also does personalized adoption gifts. If you know someone who is adopting, her site is the best place to find a truly unique and thoughtful gift.

Joella is very enterprising, and has another site selling some really cool silk wraps. That site is at www.themagicskirt.com I own a few, and they are beautiful and fun to wear.

If you want to buy a Corvette, or maybe just a Corvette t-shirt, then go to http://www.corvettecenterusa.com/. My brother Rik will treat you right!

Cherie makes the most delicious home made jams, sauces and meat rubs. You can't go wrong with any of her products. Sweet Darling Jams are awesome! She ships anywhere, even to Hawaii! If you want a taste test I might be willing to share :-).

In various states, I know people that are massage therapists, hair stylists, run yoga studios, do photography, and create all kinds of beautiful things. There are opportunities everywhere to be a customer for someone that you know. Buying from our friends is the grass roots way to stimulate the economy. If you have a business, and I didn't include you in this blog, please post all the details in a comment. I want to include everyone. Let's take control of our mutual success and prosperity!

Hurray for Tomorrows

I'm tired. I have been all day. Cold medicine makes me groggy. While
it was nice to sleep last night I won't be doing that again. I felt
like I just couldn't wake up all day.

My laptop locked up on me several times. At the moment I can't think
of anything that frustrates me more. There probably is, but my mind is
so irritated I can not think of it. . Technology is supposed make work
easier not more difficult. After reboot 4 or 5 I finished the task at
hand and shut her down. I'm posting this via my wonderful iPhone. I
am solving this problem tomorrow.

So, between cold medicine sleepiness and a noncooperative computer I
might have had a more productive day swimming in concrete.

I am thankful today is over and in a few short hours tomorrow will
arrive fresh and new ready to be what I make it.

80's Night at the Drug Store

I just made a late evening trip to the drug store to pick up some prescriptions.  The line was HORRENDOUS!  Spying how long the line was as I entered, I grabbed a couple of bags of candy before taking my place.  Anticipating a long wait, I reached for my iPhone to start the next audio book.  With my finger on play, I realized that the song on the intercom was one that I recognized but hadn't heard in a long while.  Turns out it was something or another by the Go-Go's.  Standing there my foot began to tap.  Not bad for a drug store PA system.  As that song ended it was a perfect dance club mix into Adam Ant!  It was all I could do to refrain from singing along.  iPhone stil in hand, when the next song began, I decded to test my musical memory.  I opened up Midomi and began searching.  OMD, Kim Wilde, David Bowie, on and on they played (It was a really long line). 

It was all I could do to restrain myself from singing along.  Feeling a little self concisious of my leg bouncing, and head bobbing, I glanced around at my fellow line standers.  That guy behind me was clearly tapping his fingers along to the beat.  The lady next in line was rocking from foot to foot, ready to break out into dance any moment.  Then my imagination kicked in.  It was a great musical dance number.  Everyone standing in that line doing a dance routine worthy of MTV in the 80's.  If I had more time, talent, and budget, I'd show you an annimated version of what my mind cooked up.  It was really spectacular!

As I was leaving the store a 20-something Madonna was belting over the tinny speakers.  If only life were a musical...

Chester is Cool (Techno Test Two)

Everyone has tried on these sunglasses, and Chester is no exception.

Testing Technology

I am ever fascinated with evolving technology. I am testing a new feature of blogger by publishing this blog entry via email. It is not a new feature for blogger, but a new discovery for me. If I like the way this works, I might post a little more often. I have often been sitting in traffic or waiting in a line and wanted to post my thoughts. This could be fun!
--
Wendy

I Have Some Questions

Why are there so many shows about killers? serial and otherwise? If the statistics of the general population were to match that of film entertainment, we would all either be a murderer, a victim of a murder, or a cop trying to solve a murder. A good percentage of us would even be cops that actually are serial killers trying to catch other serial killers.

Here is another deep and important question on my mind this evening. Why does iTunes take so dang long to sync my computer with my phone? And further more, why does it nearly always lock up my computer? I am pretty sure the answer is that my computer is an over worked, out dated, hunk of scrap that desperately needs to be replaced. I want one of those new laptops that are small, but have a super great back lit screen with a battery life of nearly a day. I'd love to be outside while working, rather than tethered to the wall by this power cord.

Just one more question before I go. Why do I get headaches on Sunday? Could it be possible that I am allergic to church? or naps? or rest in general? Please, say it isn't so!

Stuff and Nonsense

I know my posts have been a little farther apart than usual. I think maybe I should let it go a few more weeks. I like the personal phone calls and emails.

I have been tired, and sick of being on the computer when I have had free time. I know, that sounds awfully strange coming from me, but it is true. My eyes have been bugging me when I am on my computer for too long, or staring at the tiny screen on my beloved iphone. The prognosis is, I need a new glasses. I have ordered a pair specifically for computer use. So, while I wait for them to show up, my old lady eyes are strained. You would think that in this modern age it wouldn't take weeks to get a pair of glasses. Apparently, when you live on an island, it still does. There is no such thing as glasses in an hour, or a day, or even a week.

My days have been full of the usual stuff and nonsense of life - work, kids, dishes, laundry, mowing the lawn, car trouble, cooking, cleaning, reading, and even a little TV watching. Here are a few of the highlights from the last couple weeks.

I started a new work project, which entailed installing new software on my over-tasked computer. I had to delete a ton of stuff to make room for it. I had the usual round of technical difficulties along with the accompanying frustrations. After all of that, learning to use the software was a piece of cake.

I love my puppy! There are very theraputic aspects to dog ownership. Frequent trips outside, warm puppy fur on my feet, and a sleeping puppy a curled up at my side make me smile. It has taken only a little while to get into a groove with a schedule of taking care of all his many doggie needs. We have been watching a lot of the Dog Whisperer. That guys is amazing!

Chester is doing well at house training, and sleeps all night in Ryker's room. The kids have been great at taking care of him, and cleaning up the yard. None of us really like to leave him home alone for long periods of time, so we have all been sticking pretty close to home. He can't go for walks, or other outside adventures for another month. He needs to have his final vaccinations. Apparently the parvo virus is a big issue here. He throws up sometimes on car rides. I would take him with me on errands, but I just don't like dealing with dog barf. It doesn't smell nice.He is a border collie mix. According to the vet, the mix part is most likely an English pointer. He has webbed feet which indicates that he is part some sort of retriever. He wants to run, chase, herd and hunt. The yard is usually full of birds, and he is fascinated. At the moment he is entertaining himself with one of those plastic disposable cups, chasing it all over the house. Why buy dog toys?

I took a couple of continuing education real estate classes last week. I learned some interesting things, had a good lunch, and spent an entire day away from my computer. It was an odd day for sure.

My new primary class is huge! There are more than 10 kids most weeks, and if everyone were to come it would be closer to 20. I have been lobbying for a larger room. They are awesome! I love teaching them. They want to learn, and are very enthusiastic. We had sharing time yesterday and that was interesting.

So far this year I have read a few books. They are the sort that make you think. 13 Things that Don't Make Sense was especially enjoyable. If the smartest people in the world don't really know anything for certain, then I don't feel so bad about my own lack of knowledge.

I am hoping to get to the beach with the kids sometime soon. I can't wait until Chester can come along.