Motivation Monday - Building Up Strength

Motivation Monday - Building Up Strength

I found that quote on pinterest.  It pretty much sums up everything I could say about strength.  There is a difference in being strong and having strength.  

I know many strong women; women who were wise enough to use the lessons on their journey to give them strength.

Being "strong:"

When I was much younger, I was pretty strong.  I remember the days when Al and I could clean out an estate by ourselves, lifting and carrying all the furniture - at times even on our shoulders.  We were physically strong.  

Now that we are getting older, we are learning our physical limits.  This last estate buy out really "kicked our butts."  It took us a day or two to recover.  A week later we both are battered with bruises.  Thank goodness we had Justine, Anna and Jon helping us.  We needed help as we aren't as strong as we once were.   

Gaining "strength:"

Over the years, I would make offers on all kinds of estates just to have items to sell.  Often times, not making much if any money once factoring in our time and effort.  Being left with unwanted merchandise and storing it at our place for years.  Pretty weak business practices.

Now, however, I understand the work involved, the time and expense it takes to do it.  I have learned to weight out the advantages of each offer, keeping in mind my profit.  I don't "need" to buy things just to sell them for what I paid for them or less.  Building up my business by experience and having strength enough to say "no."

I am still tempted with the $1 boxes at auctions!  I have the hoarder gene after all!  I'm reminded of a quote from my old boss, Pete Hittner:  "work smarter not harder." 

So, I share all of this on my motivational Monday post to remind us that while on our journey, we might come across some stumbling blocks.  Climb over them, roll them out of your way and kick the pebbles to the side.  Keep on your own path, look back at those old stumbling blocks as blessings that have helped you move forward not only stronger, but with strength.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Happy Father's Day

I have been blessed in my life to be surrounded by men who stand by their convictions, say what they mean and mean what they say, work hard for the things they have, love unconditionally, mechanical, artistic, can do spirit, love and respect for ALL living things, spiritual, inspirational - role models for me, my children, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my great nieces and nephews and cousins.  Happy Father's Day to the men in my life who have help shape me into the woman I am today.  A special Happy Father's Day to the man that has shown me the depths of my love - Alan, I love you deeply!  Thanks for giving me the 2 greatest joys in my life - Justine & Anna!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

Slate Message Board - Thanks for the Idea!

I have to share a story with you.  We grew up a few blocks down from the Rothschild swimming pool.  You could find me there every day, all day long - I love to swim.  All of us in my family grew up down at the pool.  One such day, oh I was about 5 0r 6 (my sister Lori was with me) I saw the most pretty girls.  They were sisters, all blonde and beautiful (and still are).  I was so taken with them, that I went up to them and asked if they were Barbie dolls.  I remember they chuckled - I also loved Barbie dolls.  They were the "Spangler girls."  I later was in Jr. and Sr. High with one of them, Mary Pat, or "Fritz" as her family called her.

One of the sisters, Pam, is very involved with the fair too.   She is also a part of the Partnership for Progressive Agriculture, PPA (where Justine worked last summer).   Anyway, her sister, gave me this awesome idea.  

I have had these old roof slates in my barn for at least 15 years.  I was always going to paint on them or something.  One of my many "oh, I'm going to do this with that things."  We bought them from and auction in the Town of Easton.  We were told that they came off the old Wausau High School.  Neat!

This is how I made them, really simple.  I took advantage of the holes that are alreay in them and ran a piece of jute through.  I then tied on a piece of chalk - that is it.  

  

I will have these tomorrow at the Wittenberg Community Days.  Hope to see some of you there.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

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Wittenberg Wisconsin, Community Days

This Saturday, I will be setting up at the Wittenberg Community Days.  The booths are FREE - I had to take advantage of that!  If you are looking for me, I will be on Webb Street, across from the food stands and in front of the school.  I think my sister Lynn and niece Jessi will be in the booths next to me.

I have been posting about all the needle felting I have been doing - had been doing - this long cold winter.  I made these items thinking about my upcoming folk art shows.  

I have been busy creating and finishing up these items this week.  I will also have some vintage items:  hats, purses, costume jewelry and whatever else I can dig up.  

In addition to that, my friend Ali is having a sale at her place and invited me to bring some items over.  I was in a "pink" kinda mood when I set up this vignette.  These items will be at her sale Friday.  Look her up at Bouvet Barn to find out the address.  

Oh, ya and today, I am teaching a class at 4-H Junior Camp.  I have planned "map art"; we are making tile coasters and pins.  We will have rotations of over 55 kids.  It will be fun!  

So, until later...Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivation Monday - Building Up Yourself

Motivation Monday - Building Up Yourself

What shapes you to become who you are?  

Any answers?  

I've been thinking about just who I am.  How did I become the Dicky Bird that I am today.  The culmination of love, life, experiences and failures - shape who we are.  

I've been told, "you have a friendly face."  You can too, if you smile.  I've been told "boy, you sure say whatever you want."  You can too, if you believe in what you are saying.  It has been said, "we can't invite them, they don't do (fill in the blank).  Not getting asked to go or do things is a part of living by your convictions.  Making people uncomfortable with their decisions isn't my goal - but, when you set standards sometimes that happens.  

My thinking on who I am, who I want to be and how I can be better has been an on going journey for about 2 years.  If you have been following that long, you know I have posted about this several times.  My mom was a good example of this.  She always kept growing and working on herself, until the day she passed on.  I only hope to be like that.  

Each stage of life offers challenges and joys.  My advice is to embrace each one.  Each decade we age, brings changes to our physical bodies.  My advice is to do what you can while you can.  Every decision whether good or bad has consequences.  My advice is to stand by your decisions, claim the bad ones and take responsibility for each one.  

So for this Motivation Monday - working on building up yourself isn't about being selfish.  Just the opposite.  When you work on you, others will benefit as well - including your spouse, kids and family. 

Encourage and compliment others - and in turn, you will receive the same.  Stand by your convictions - and you won't have to feel guilt or regret.  If you don't like something about your life, yourself, children's behavior - whatever it is, take claim of it, work on it and start building up yourself.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

Estate Buy-Out - Farm Sale Coming Soon

I have been "buying out" estates for over 20 years.  I really don't advertise other than word of mouth.  I have been referred to families by all kinds of people - including the cleaning lady.  I take this job, the service we provide, very seriously.  I want to be fair and honest with the family.  

Monday, I had a call from a gentleman, who was looking for some advice on what to do with his father-in-laws personal property.  I asked him who referred me, as I like to send at least a thank you, but he couldn't remember.  Truthfully, I know it was just the Lord, as I need to make some money before Anna's wedding and Anna and Jon were also looking for a bedroom set.  

I gave the family 3 options, they chose the "buy-out" one.  I have the weekend to clean out the house so that they can list it.  We were over there last night to get the first load.  I must say I couldn't do any of this with out my hard working husband.  Alan, might have been driven by all the tools, reloading and hunting items....but, he works so hard to help me.  Not only hard wording, but honest.   He says to me "we didn't give them enough money."  So, he had me tell the family we would be sending more money.  Even though we were under a signed contract already, Al wants us to send more.  When I called her, she said "God bless you Jacky."  I'm not saying this to brag or anything, I just wanted to share our heart - the empathy we feel for each family we work with.

I plan to bring these items back to the farm and have an estate sale here.  If any of my followers live close...come on over.  God willing...we plan to have the sale Thursday and Friday, June 25 & 26.  

Mid-Century style furniture.  The couch and chair are from Smith Brothers, Berne, Indiana - well made, clean, but dated.  Lots of fishing (I have to look that up), tools, gardening - a man's sale.  I will also add items from my pole building - previous estates.  Hope to see some of you.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

The 1st "It's A Rave - Vintage PopUp Sale"

We did the 1st "It's A Rave - Vintage PopUp Sale"  It was a lot of fun.  I only advertised for this "organically" via social media.  I was so pleased when people actually said that they saw it.  We sold from 4-7 p.m. and started out with 4 vendors, within and hour 3 others showed up to sell too.  Fun!  Best part, no cops came to break up our "rave."

Truthfully, it wasn't too busy, but I hope people catch on to this and support it.  Thank you to those followers of my blog that came.  Some asked about Martha and others I didn't even know followed said "I like your blog."  Wow what a compliment!  

Thanks again.  Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.