Doing This Can Make Life More Positive

Welcome!

This past week, I've been doing something that has already made life easier and more positive-organizing my life!

"Good order is the foundation of all things."
-Edmund Burke

As a professional organizer, I organize other people's things, but, in the meantime, I noticed that I had been neglecting my own.  It's like the professional groundskeeper who's own yard is in disarray.  I already had an organizing system for myself in place, but it was no longer working as it should.  It needed to be updated, because my life has changed since I'd put the old system in place.  Greg and I have recently had a lot of changes in our lives-a new job for Greg, a new place to live, a new house, new people, a published book for me, and a couple of new business opportunities that I'm presently working on.

With all this change, I needed a new, more efficient way of doing things, hence, I now have a new streamlined system that seems to be working just great.  I have created a new chart, etc. system that helps me stay on track.  I need something like this, because I'm more of a right-brained, creative type of person who can use some structure in my life.

There are structural types of people who like schedules, and there are conceptual types of people who know they have to get something accomplished, but don't use a schedule to do so.  Greg, most of my family members, and I are conceptual types.  (However, we can be very structured when we have to, as the workaday world is, for the most part, very structured.)

For example, I may get a coal jewelry order, and I'll have it done right on time, but I don't work on it the same time every day.  I just work on it whenever I decide to.

What type do you think you are?

Anyway, I'm happier and more positive now since I'm much more organized.  I'm accomplishing more and enjoying life.  Who could ask for anything more?

We're enjoying our beautiful spring here in Tennessee.  We love this tree with all it's blooms in our backyard, but we have no idea what type of tree it is.  If anyone knows, I'd appreciate your letting us know by e-mail.

Positive thought:  "For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned." -Anonymous
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

The Good Old Days, Nostalgia

Welcome!

I've gotten several emails lately about nostalgia, the good old days.  That prompted me to write a blog post about the subject.

Nostalgia: "Remembrance of things past."
-William Shakespeare

I did some research on quotes about the good old days and nostalgia.  Much to my surprise, most of the quotes were negative!  While I certainly realize that the past was not always ideal, (and we don't want to live in and dwell on the past) much good can be taken from the past and used in the present.

I like and agree with this quote: "I don't think nostalgia has to be negative."
-Van Morrison

Greg and I love the old shows that used to come on TV, so we're gradually collecting them on DVD's-"I Love Lucy," etc.  We get them at Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and online, although a few of these are still on TV.

Cracker Barrel is very popular, because it's whole concept is rooted in the past, and many people like that, as it takes them back to a simpler, less complicated time.  Cracker Barrel carries many other nostalgic items besides DVD's-candies, clothes, etc. that are hard to find anywhere else.  Greg and I love vintage items.  We have a whole house full of them.

Greg and I were recently talking with a couple of people about the Cracker Barrel and another local restaurant that also has country cooking.  We all agreed that that type of food is hard to beat.

Another part of the past that I loved when I was growing up, was our old neighborhood where we knew everyone who lived on our street.  They were more than just neighbors; they were also our friends.  I can still remember walking in the warm sunshine to Sunday school with the other children from across the street.

Another thing I really used to enjoy this time of year, in March, was that my brother, mother, father, and I would go to a large open field down below our house and fly kites.  In winter, on the hill in that same area, my brother and I would go sledding.

Remembering the good things from the past can bring a warm glow to our hearts.  Once, my uncle told me, "Becky, remember the good times."

"There is a lovely warmness about feelings of nostalgia as though one's head is putting on a pair of comfy old slippers and curling up in front of a fire."
-William E. Geist

I don't think incorporating the past with the present is a bad idea.  We can take the things we like best and eliminate the rest.  We can even take a not-so-great past and turn it into a positive present and future.

What good from the past would you like to bring back into your present life?

Positive thought:  Let's make this the good ol' days!
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

Positive St. Patrick's Day!

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time-a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic."
-Author Unknown

My mother always thought that Southwest Virginia, where I grew up, looks a lot like Ireland.  I'll have to agree with that.  That's probably why so many Irish people settled in that region.

Riddle: "What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?  A rash of good luck."
-Author Unknown

Positive observation: Spring is just around the corner (on March 20!) , and here's proof in the pictures that I took here in Tennessee a few days ago-

Positive tidbit:
Little tricks I use to make daily "chores" more pleasant:
-I make a game out of doing them, like seeing if I can fit all of the dirty dishes into the dishwasher without them touching each other (except for the flatware). (It's somewhat like working a jigsaw puzzle.)
-I sometimes enjoy singing or saying positive affirmations while I work.
-Brainstorming ideas while working can be a positive thing to do.
-I usually give myself a little reward when I get done.  The reward can range from a pat on the back to watching a DVD according to the difficulty of the activity.
-Even going with the flow and being in a meditative state while working can be beneficial.
(However, at the same time, while doing the above, one needs to be consciously aware of  what what you are doing, for the project to turn out well!)

Positive thought:
"For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way-
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day."
-Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

A Blog Post for Those Who Love Cats

Welcome!

 Mitzi and Kallie

Please indulge me once again as I write about a subject that's close to my heart, cats.

The past few weeks, it's been a subject close to my mind, as well, as our two cats, Mitzi and Kallie, have been having health challenges.

Thankfully, through the help of experts in their fields, our two babies are on the road to recovery!

To make a long story (about our cats) short, here are the important facts:

-We found a great holistic veterinarian Dr. Mark Ingram at Franklin Road Animal Hospital in Brentwood, Tennessee.  We think that it's hard to beat alternatives like muscle testing, etc.

-We found wonderful, healthy cat food, "Against the Grain" which can be found locally and online.  "Against the Grain" has a great customer service, and the company seems to take the health of cats and dogs very seriously.

-One place that carries superior pet food brands like "Against the Grain" that we really like is "Pets, Love and Happiness" in Huntsville, Alabama.  The owner, Rebecca, is very knowledgeable and seems to love animals.

Yes, thanks to the above experts that we consulted, our two cats are really enjoying life again, doing the everyday things that cats normally do: *

sleeping,

meditating,

eating,

(Not really!)

playing,

and glaring at the cat from next door!

*Important note and disclaimer: Just because the above worked for our pets, doesn't necessarily mean it will be right for yours.

Positive thought:  "What greater gift than the love of a cat." -Charles Dickens
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

Looking for Spring

Welcome!

Although we certainly don't want to wish our lives away and should live in the here and now,  most of us, after this challenging winter, can't help but look forward to spring!

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow."
-Proverb

Our two cats appear to be looking for spring.

Mitzi

Kallie

Early signs of spring-

This metallic bird represents what we've been seeing more of lately.  (Real birds have been scurrying about too fast for me to photograph any of them!)

These plants will be blooming soon.  The crocus is always the first to bloom in our area.

It's gradually getting warmer as evidenced by Greg  here in his shirt sleeves, taking advantage of the periodic warmer weather.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
-Anne Bradstreet

Positive thought: Spring is just right around the corner!
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Monday, Becky