Motivational Monday - Break

 Good Monday morning.  Are you in need of a little motivating?  I woke refreshed and ready to go.  Want to know why?  I took a much needed break.  Shannon, who helps me, said, "what are you guys doing on vacation?"  I said, "making hay."  She said, "you guys are always making hay or working."  That stuck with me.  First, you HAVE to make hay when the sun shines or doesn't, hay NEEDS to be done.  We chose to live this way and the work comes with it.  However, working all the time isn't good, even if you have things you have to do.  

Saturday, was so frustrating for me.  Facebook wouldn't let me post under my event for my virtual sale.  Customers were trying to message me, that wasn't working all day Friday and Saturday it all wasn't working for me.  I did sell some stuff, but it was a headache.  So, as I was struggling with all that and trying to put together some interesting items for my LIVE I looked up and saw Al on the edge of the field.  I watched him for hours, as he tried to disk the field, seeded with a grain drill pulling a cultipacker behind - what a sight - good idea, but WORK.  What are we doing? I thought to myself.   Then I hear it, Shannon say..."you are always working."  Right then and there I knew I was going to go dip my toes in Lake Superior.  No plans, I just needed to see the lake.

One thing good about Al and I, our relationship, we don't have huge expectations for our fun.  We could skip rocks on Norrie Lake (about 10 miles from here) and it be a great "date."  So, we woke, hopped in the car and took off going north.  Any point on Lake Superior from here is at least a 3 hour drive.  While driving we saw a sign for Stormy Kromer (cool hats made in Ironwood, MI) and I said, "let's go there first."  Sunday morning, it wasn't opened, but I really only wanted to get my picture taken in front of the hat. 

Then, we drove downtown and an antique shop was open so we went in.  This shop was packed, Al went one way I the other.  While I was digging downstairs, I heard a guy say "Ringle" I couldn't see him, just heard it.  If you know me, I know no stranger, so I hollered "Ringle?"  Long pause of silence, then this younger guy comes around the corner and says, "someone upstairs said they were from Ringle" and I said "oh, that's my husband, I thought you found something with Ringle advertising on it...ahahah."  I asked where they were from and they said EauClaire.  

So, this is what happened too:  "Where are you folks from?"  Al says "Wausau, WI (as no one knows Ringle)"  "Well, I'm from Antigo" he says.  Al says, "well, we really are from Ringle, but I didn't think you'd know where that was."  "Well, I'm really from Phlox, I didn't think you'd know where that was."  I know this is local humor but, it just shows you what a small world we live in.  Then I asked "how did you end up here?"  He tells me he worked in the woods, but fell out of a tree 30 years ago and broke his neck.  Unable to do that work again, he decided to do what he was passionate about, antiques.  I mention my uncle's logging business in Crandon.  He knew him and my other uncle who was a State Senator.  What was sad, was that his shop was only deemed "essential" 2 weeks ago and he missed out of months of sales.  He told me he didn't know how to do virtual.  I'm afraid some of these brick and mortars are not going to make it.  

Next door was a Ben Franklin, this town still had one, so we went in.  On the counter was a postcard "World's Largest Hiawatha" so I asked the girl, "is this here?"  She said, "yes, you can see it from the stop sign."  Sure enough, when we left there it was, so I had to get a picture in front of that.

Then we drove down to a state park near Saxon, Wisconsin that had public access to the lake.  The beach was almost non existant, the steps and bank of the lake were all caving in.  Lake Superior is at it's highest levels in decades.  We or at least I, grabbed a stick and hobbled down the rocks.  I had to dip my toes in the lake.  It was cold, but I walked out a bit.

I guess, I tell you all of this to say, motivation can come from taking a break.  If you are working at something and it starts to become a struggle, stop and take a break.  Take a break too, if you've worked hard and accomplished something big.  Take a break, just to regroup.  Take a break, if you've reached a plateau at something.  Give yourself, body, mind and spirt the break it needs to move forward.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

Cleaning out my Closet

After years of holding on to clothes I might someday wear, I did it, I cleaned out my closet.  After I studied the "rules" for my body type it was easier to get rid of those items that don't necessarily compliment me or my style.  

I couldn't believe how many "ugly" sweaters I had/have.  However, I did part with some.  I even let go of my "skinny" jeans (hope to fit into one day).

I boxed it all up, 6 in all and took them to church and gave them away.  It made me happy to see that others could make use of them.  We have a newer member who has been struggling financially - most of these items were just her size.  I was told she was so happy with the box or 2 she took.  :)  

Anyway, one more step in my "Nifty, Thrifty Style" posts to show I'm making some progress.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Nifty Thrifty Style - Step 1

Where to begin?  I guess, I need to figure out what my body type is.  I took an online test....I'm a pear.  Other pears include Beyonce', Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Kim Kardasian...how in the world, is knowing that helpful!!

So, I googled..."I'm a fat pear, what do I wear?"  Believe it or not, images came up.   These are a few that I liked.














I really like the vintage styles too...











I found this link very helpful:  http://www.thechicfashionista.com/pear-body-shape.html

Pear shapes need to accent their tops to balance out their bottoms.  Pears, even full figured pears, have a smaller waist and need to draw attention to their smallest area.  Pears may wear fit and flare, pencil skirts, flirty bottoms in dresses and skirts.  Pears should select dark blues, grays, blacks and browns in pants with a flare hem to draw attention away from  their hips.  Basically, a pear should enhance and minimize - we want to show the illusion of an hour glass shape.  

Researching for this post, it became pretty clear to me that the outfits I tend to get the most compliments on, follow these rules.  I have several items that don't follow the guidelines to accent my shape.  I was planning to clean out my closet anyway, learning these tips will make it easier for me to do so.  That will be my next step.  And hey, I have some vintage high waisted "mom" jeans that just might end up on etsy!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:
http://www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com/2016/01/our-simple-homestead-hop-35.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClearwaterFarmJournal+%28Clearwater+Farm+Journal%29

http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_18.html

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2016/01/foodie-friday-and-everything-else_21.html

Nifty Thrifty Style

My 2016 word of the year is Nifty:  "fashionable, stylish"

Fashionable and stylish isn't quite the word to describe the items I have hanging in my closet.  Comfortable and warm would be.  I also have love sweaters, the uglier the better. 

It has become apparent to me, thanks to my daughter, Anna, that style and fashion are actually important to the success of my business.  I didn't believe her, as I don't look at who is selling items - rather, what items they are selling.  However, this younger group of customers are very image inspired.  They can't help it, our world - their world - is so defined by social media.  She recently said to me..."mom, you would sell so much more stuff, if you looked cute like those girls over there."  "You have way better stuff and it is cheaper."   It wasn't meant to be hurtful...but, helpful and that is how I took it....once we laughed about it for a bit.  

Truth is, when one is making a decision to add an item to their home decor, they want to know that the person they are buying from knows what is "in," what is "hot."  You may have the best items at a show, but if you look like you just came in from cleaning the barn....they will pass over your booth.  Now, I never look like that, however, I could take more of an interest in how I look - my image.  I do have some personal convictions about my wardrobe and style that need to be considered, but it shouldn't be an excuse for not trying.     

I have been looking at other well dressed full figured women and taking notes.  Trying to figure out what might look good on my body shape, sticking to my convictions and dressing age appropriately.  It all just seems too hard!!

I will still dress comfortable and warm as I do live on a farm in Wisconsin, but I plan to step it up at my shows and events.

These pictures pretty much sum up my style....oh boy, do I have some work to do!  I plan to write posts under "Nifty Thrifty Style" that will show my progress in updating my image.  I would like to add, that it's what's on the inside that counts!     

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:
http://www.mysalvagedtreasures.com/2016/01/talk-of-town-3.html

http://www.thedwellingtree.com/2016/01/lets-be-friends-blog-hop-is-now-live-come-link-up-24.html