Thursday, March 29, 2018

One Day at a Time - Tips on Thursday

I've been hit with the "creepy crud" flu - cough, cough, cough...it's been bad!  I'm just hoping I'm on the mends now.

   
None of us have "time" to be sick, but I really don't.  It's the start of the "selling season."  With my closing many of my booths at the antique malls, I need to promote and sell for myself.  I really didn't have this week to lose!  Oh well, I will take it one day at a time....what gets done, gets done.   Like I always say, "no one knows what you had planned to do" - it's a good thing too, as I usually have way too many ideas!

Here are a few tips in taking "one day at a time"

1.  Come to embrace that you are not in control.  It is so true...if you think you are in control of anything...you're wrong.  Things we don't plan come our way - it's called life!  You get up in the morning, get ready for work, just like every other day...when, you pull out of your driveway and "bam" someone hits your car.....not in control.  Or, "mom, I don't feel good" - not in control.  Or, a host of many, many other possible scenarios.   You are NOT in control and it's not your fault....just embrace it....

2.  This is NOT an excuse to not try or make goals and plans.  To the contrary, it is what helps us understand our path to success.  I make plans, set out a path to achieve them and try to work at it each day with what each day offers me.  It's so much easier when you can let go of the end game and work out the process.

3.   Allow time to pass the way it always does, one day at a time.  Don't get all worried about what "might" happen next month...what "might" happen today is enough.  LOL.  Take each day, no, rather, ENJOY each day for what opportunities it offers you.  

4.  Focus on the next step, not the end result.  I write down lists.  At the end of the page I have my "goals" listed and above I start with the steps to achieve this.  I often times write out the steps and need to skip some or change them - it doesn't matter, just take each step as it comes.  At the end, more times than not, my goals weren't achieved the exact way I thought they would be and many times, it was better.    

5.  Know and accept your limits.  You might not be able to do what you use to be able to do.  Make realistic goals based on who you are today; age, current physical abilities, current financial status - whatever, it might be.  This is important, because failure is a possibility.  If you do fail, it's o.k., there is always tomorrow.

I haven't always been able to take things one day at a time.  I would get myself all worked up about what I "had to do" and make myself miserable.   What helped me, truthfully, was my experience in failure.  When something didn't work exactly like my plans, I didn't let it keep me down.  I looked at it like an opportunity to grow and become better.   So now, when I get frazzled about something, I take a deep breath, say some prayers and lean on the failure....this too shall pass, one day at a time.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Cooper

I've (we've) been hired to help an elderly couple, downsize, sell and move to an assisted living.  This process will take several months.   This is their very old, very sweet dog, Cooper.  Unfortunately, they will not be able to take him with them to an assisted living facility.  This couple has no children or family that live here; no support.  If I could, I would share more details - let's just say they have had a rough 4 years with many various health issues.  You could add them to your prayers...I have.  



I told them, I would be willing to take Cooper, he could come live at my farm for his end of life (which, might not be that much longer...he is over 15).  I've been walking him down the road the days I've worked - he still has some pep for an old boy.   On the very first visit to their home, I offered this....you would NOT believe the relief this gesture has given them.   Being faced with so many difficult decisions, I could make this one easier for them.  

We will be doing their living estate sale, April 13 & 14.   I will be doing a more in detail post closer to sale date.   

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Escape to the Chateau

I've discovered a new series I've been watching on youtube...Escape to the Chateau.  

I'm hooked!  



It's HGTV, Food Network meets History Channel - all my favorites!    They have amazing vision!  I'm starting at the beginning, I'm excited to see the transformation.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Broken Furniture

On my way from barn to house with a small side table to paint, this happened.  I don't know if it was age of piece, dry/frozen glue or the fact that I slipped on ice....






So, I  took the top in the house, saved the legs because they had neat detail on them and I could use on another project (maybe a picture frame).  I had to run to Hobby Lobby and I found this metal hanger at 50% off.  I took a chance that it might just fit...on the top...of the broken table.


I decided to paint the board and attach the hook hanger.  I don't like things that look too "clean" I have to antique it up.  I added some stain over the whole piece.



I didn't let the broken table stop me. Truthfully, someone might have looked at that and tossed it in the burn pile.

A.  I can hardly do that.

B. I paid for the table, I feel I need to turn it/flip it to make money.  

C.  After looking at it on the ice, I could see this - maybe not the way it turned out - but, I knew the top would be a back to something.





These are the types of items I make and sell.  My next event is this week at Theme:  "March of the Dafodils" 
https://www.facebook.com/events/364681814009565/

And I will be doing an "It's a Pickin' & Fixin' - Vintage Pop Up Sale" on April 7th:
  https://www.facebook.com/events/167670497114487/

Here is a piece of furniture I did this week too




Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin


Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Kissing Corn

I met with a dear old friend and mentor for lunch.  She told me her husband had a gift for me - a cob of red "kissing" corn.  She said "don't you remember your dad telling Ken this story?"  I did not.  So, she reminded me of the visit my dad had with Ken and this story.  



During the harvest, when all the corn was brought in the barn and sorted to be dried, if someone found a red cob, it was called the "kissing" corn.  The one finding it was granted a kiss from whomever they chose.  When she gave me this cob, I said, "give Ken a kiss for me..." she said... "I'm sure he'd rather have one from you..(smile)."  

It was nice to know Ken valued the story my dad shared with him years ago.  My dad was very knowledgeable in all kinds of things.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to "pick on" people.  He would often say, "If I didn't like you, I wouldn't tease you."  

Years ago, my parents moved back to the reservation in assisted living while their house here was being made handicap accessible.  My aunts came for a visit.  One was my mom's sister, Jackie, my namesake and the other her sister-in-law, Dee.  I was there that day, as they came in I said..."well, look what the cat drug in....too old bats..."  They both said...."Dicky Bird, you're as bad as Hank!"  Yep, I get this from him!  Sweet memories.  


Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  



Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Tips on Tuesday - Changing Your Mind

First, you might notice a change in the title....when I said was going to do blog posts called, 10 Tips on Tuesday, I didn't realize how hard finding 10 tips on any subject would be.  So, I decided to change it to just, Tips on Tuesday.  

So, with that said, the subject this week is; changing your mind.  I really try my hardest to stick to my word.  Even to my own demise.  However, I'm 51 now...I can give myself a break!  I'm not compromising on my core values, however I am not making myself do things I no longer enjoy.  The "old" Jacky...(I'm old no matter how I say it...LOL) would "make" herself do all kinds of things she committed to.  Time to change my mind.....

Tip 1:  It's o.k. to change your mind.  One can't know what tomorrow will bring, that's a change on it's own.  My mom use to say, "Lord willing we will do...." whatever her plans were.  I hated this...because I didn't understand why the Lord wouldn't want me to do ....(whatever it was we had planned).  I now realize that everything I do is because the Lord was willing .... for me to have another day....to do it in.  

Tip 2:  Don't make excuses.  You have the right to change your mind - you don't need to explain it to everyone!  Above all, don't make excuses for it.  Just stick by your choice.  That's it.  Move on.

Tip 3:  Be open minded.  Sometimes our minds are set on an idea and then we hear another's opinion and we think - hey, I see that point of view too.  Be wise enough to study it and be open to change.  

Tip 4:  Be forgiving - to yourself.  Often times we forgive others better than we do ourselves.  "It's O.K. Jacky, you tried, but you just can't do that anymore."  (me trying to carry stuff now)  "You're just getting older, you were strong at one time, but now you need to ask for help."  (grin with teeth...)

Tip 5:  Make new plans and ideas.  O.k. you've changed your mind now what?  Make new plans, come up with new ideas and move forward one step at a time.


 
                                           (me doing my you tube video....https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAzyAxaHEK5VMgScg1nNp6Q?view_as=subscriber)

I have changed my mind, had 100's of ideas that have failed or not come to fruition and somehow I still can find a way to move on in a new or different direction.  Thank the Lord and Lord willing I will keep on doing just that!  I am blessed!   

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.