Wordless Wednesday - Christmas 2021

 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivational Monday - Size Doesn't Matter

 O.k. now that I have your attention...ahahha

One of the lovely things of being a 55 year old woman, is all the perks that come with this stage of life, NOT!   Like waking up at 3:30 am nightly...laying there....

So this morning at 3:30 am, on my return from the bathroom (that's another perk), I lay down on the couch.  My mind was restless thinking on ALL THE things that I need to do.  I was thinking about what I could post for a Motivational Monday.  If you were to see my living room, tubs of decorations to put on a tree not yet cut or up, furniture pushed to the side to make room, extra things to hide, empty boxes waiting to be filled with what is currently in and on the furniture...."who are you kidding, Dicky Bird!  Where is your motivation?" I am not qualified to motivate anyone to do anything, including myself.  So, if you are looking for one of those types of posts, you better stop reading.  My motivational posts are more like trying to "inspire."  

I then thought about my kitchen.  I was cooking and baking this weekend and looked at my tiny space.

It's very small....but, I've enjoyed cooking some hearty, tasty things in my little corner.  I come from a long line of women who have fed generations of family and prepared them in spaces no bigger than their arm's length.

I've taken hundreds of blog photos here.  I shared a photo of an apple coffee cake I made this weekend on Instagram.  A friend posted "I feel so inadequate."  I said something like, "NO, don't say that!  Social media makes us all feel that way!"  It's true, it does!  My intention was not to have her feel that way, I was just sharing my cake.  As I can't take responsiblity for her feeling her own feels...I can tell her, I've been there too!

In perusing social media, I see all the beautiful kitchens.  I'm sure those influencers don't want followers to feel inadequate either.  However, my old farmhouse kitchen is filled with antique cupboards, filled with antique and vintage treasures, doors and windows.  The little corner I create in, is small and it doesn't matter.  I make it work.  Honestly, you don't need a big kitchen if you can actually cook...ahahha...stop it Dicky Bird!  My kitchen is "working class" and some of those others, well, maybe for show....

So, let's motivate ourselves to think about what we can do, with what we have, rather than focus on what we don't or can't.  We will find more joy that way!  Let's remind ourselves, "size doesn't matter if you know what to do with it" - stop!  You may not know this about me, as a Christian woman, I tend to have a saucy sense of humor, but that's what makes me loveable.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday - December 10

Happy Farmhouse Friday!

Where did the week go?  I didn't get too much done at my farmhouse this week.  I did have a minor Mohs surgery for some skin cancer.  In the past 14 months, I've had 2 Mohs surgical procedures.  A chunk of my ear and now by cheek.  I would highly encourage you to wear your sunscreen!  This one wansn't as painful as my ear....that was awful.  

I met with my Wizard of Oz client and returned unsold items to her before they leave for Florida.  She was very pleased with what sold and would like me to sell more items when they return in May.  It was a niche' market, but we did sell some! 

I started back with my 12 Days of Christmas for my followers on facebook.  I also, do this for my daughters.  Anna took her gifts home Monday when she left here.  I was thinking it was going to be hard for her to wait till Monday when the 12 days start...ahahah....I guess only 1 was opened.   Her boss asked her about the 12 Days of gifts this year, I guess it's a hit!  

This is the road to Justine's house.  I was happy I felt good enough to have my "Lauren Day," Grandma Faye switched days with me.  She loves cheese and I brought a spreadable cheese and crackers for our snack.  As I made a cracker and cheese for her I said "it may be a bit sharp for you" just as she was about to take a bite.  She looked at it...hmmm...."no I don't want it" and then it hit me "sharp has other meanings."  "No, it's not sharp as in glass, it's sharp like tangy, try it...." she takes a bite and says "yum, that's not too sharp for me!"  She is always giving me things to laugh about!  I don't care....but, she says...."you don't care your chubby, right?" I almost peed......"no, Gramma Bird likes herself, chubby and all"...."ya, you're a cute chubby" - stop, I can't even!  Being with her is the highlight of my week!

Weather forcast has our getting 6-12" of snow this afternoon through Saturday.  I have an appointment at 10, glad it's early.  Maybe I'll come home and do some Christmas decorating.  Have a great Friday!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

 

Motivational Monday/Tuesday - I'm not Pefect

 I wanted to share this post last week, but I forgot on Monday.  So, I waited until this week...oops...but, it is so much more fitting today.  I had something happen last week that makes this post even more meaningful to me. 

Every Sunday, at our church, someone will have a Bible reading and little message.  The inspiration for this post came from one my nephew, Josh, did.  The quote that stuck with me was "connection over perfection."  My mind went right to my business.  

As a self-employed woman, entrepreneur if you will, I have literally stuggled to be seen on any social media platform.  Sad thing is, I try REALLY, really hard too!  I will admit, I am a bit OCD with counting and numbers, so this probably bothers me more than some of you.  I've even had people try to shame me into thinking I was too obsessed with the numbers.  That may be true.  Also, I have been doing so many things over the past 30 some years, and no one knows about it.  I try to and have made great strides in not letting it bother me as much, but .... I'm human.  

For the past few years, I've had some fun on my business facebook page by hosting 12 Days of Christmas.  I find 12 little things that I feel my followers would like and offer them as a giveaway.  That word...giveaway...I can NOT say it anymore on social media.  I'm even afraid that I mentioned it on here.  Sharing that word on Instagram as an instastory with mention of my business name, got my page hacked!  It was awful!  All I kept thinking was, "why me, I don't even have that many LIKES on my page, pick someone bigger."  I struggle with navigating my way through all of the ins and outs of posting as it is, then to get hacked!  Facebook was NO help in resolving this issue either!  Google did delte the 2 tinyurl links that were part of the hacking.  I'm thankful for the support of my customers, by telling and helping me.  "Connection over Perfection!"  This experience motivated me to be more aware of cyber security and truly appreciate all those who do follow and LIKE my page!  I actually know most of them!  

So, how is this motivating to you?  Well, first, no one is perfect!  So, if you're waiting for that, stop.  Second, it is more important to connect with people over having the "perfect (fill in the blank)."  Especially now, during the holidays.  Sure, I've seen some impressive posts - impressive decor - impressive baked goods - impressive outdoor experiences....but, is all that real?  Even Wonder Woman would have a hard time doing "it all!"

My motivation to you would be, stop!  Rather think about how you will connect with others.  I'm a fine one to talk, because I like all my burners going...3-4 kettles boiling at once.  So, I'm trying to motivate myself as well.  I know that blogging is fun, I don't do it for a living, so I don't "need" to do all that and keep up with new content on all my social media sites.  So, I want to work smarter not harder and focus on connecting with my followers.  "Connection over perfection" is what grows a business and that's the truth, I know that!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.