Category: life

Hmm, good question. I’d like to say my alarm but work prevents that during the week. And my cats prevent me sleeping in on the weekend.

I pay someone to do yard work but if I didn’t I would skip it.

I live by routine. I feel out of sorts if I don’t have a schedule, but after much thought it would be taking out the garbage and recycle to the curb. Since I live alone, that’s an easy one to skip. I only generate enough trash and recycle for once a month.

I vote for Lost in a Book Holiday. Why? It is a wonderful way to explore other lives, other places, other people,. You can learn how to do new things or better skills you already have. It’s a way to spend time with friends and family with little prep work.

Here is how you celebrate:

1. Every family member or friend picks a book or books
2. Gather snacks and beverages
3. Turn off all phones, TVs, computers and gaming devices
4. Create comfy spaces to read
5. Decide on designated break times and rotating schedules to read to non-readers.
6. Read, read, read
7. Share about your book with your family and friends.

Any date works, a hot summer day, a cold winter day, a rainy day or just a I don’t know what to do day.

If you had $1440 deposited into a bank account every single day but you could not roll it over to the next day what would you do?

Would you Share it? Spend it? I’m positive you wouldn’t just leave it unused. Because to not use it, would be to waste it.

We get 1440 minutes every day, 10,080 minutes every week, 43,830 a month and 525,600 minutes in every standard year. It is not refundable. Unlike a purchase which can be returned and get your money refunded, once time is spent you never get it back.

When you’re younger this seems so unimportant because there is so much time going forward available. You’ll get to it one day. Then one day you wake up and there are more minutes behind you than in front of you. And you realize you wasted so much time.

So I wish everyone knew not to waste time. This doesn’t mean being busy every available moment. It means to cherish every minute whether you are busy or just soaking up the sun or spending time with loved ones.

I get to see this up close. As a caregiver for three young children over the past 9 years, their joy explodes daily.

They don’t judge. They just enjoy. Every new discovery is treated as though it’s the first time anyone has ever discovered it. Seeing a hummingbird brings jumps of joy and awe.

Seeing new art forms brings inspiration. Watching fun skills like a master chocolatier brings a desire to be one.

I learned to make up and tell stories at the prompting of the kids. Tell us a story Mimi. I had to see the world through their eyes and reignite my own imagination.

As adults we just forget to play, to be open to new things and see the world with a sense of awe. Our focus is on work, responsibilities, money, bills and acquiring stuff etc. Make time to stop. Stop and be quiet. Listen to the sounds around you. Look at the miracles taking place right before your eyes. That is being a child at heart.

I am actually most proud of raising incredible, smart, kind, loving daughters. They are so independent and confident, two things I’ve never been.

I am also very proud of surviving divorce. After 30 years of marriage I was given $9000 in cash, part of the retirement accounts, my debts and my lawyer fees. I didn’t have a job. My world had collapsed and I collapsed along with it. It was necessary to use a retirement account to support me. I spent 3 years in a deep depression. I was out of work for 4.5 years.

I seriously didn’t know what I was going to do when the best thing happened. I became a full time care giver for a toddler. Since then 2 more children have been added to the family and I couldn’t be happier. Surviving and thriving such a great feeling.

I know how to sew but I would love to learn how to fit clothes better and just sew better.

I’d like to speak French fluently.

I’d like to be an excellent baker and cook.

I’d like to learn to paint oils and watercolors.

All of those are within my reach. it’s just a matter of getting lessons and beginning.

Hard work can be a variety of things. It doesn’t necessarily mean physical labor.

When I have a task physical or mental that must be accomplished, I write it down. Sometimes I even break it into steps so I feel I’ve accomplished something even if the task isn’t completed in one go.

Once it is done, I feel a sense of relief and pride. Relief that it is finished and pride in a job well done.

The trait I like best about myself is also the trait the hate most about myself. I am a talker. Moving around a lot as a kid, I learned quickly no one is looking for a new friend. Therefore I ended up talking my way to a friendship.

Now as an adult, I can speak to just about anyone and make them feel welcomed and included. I like this about myself.

I also hate that I am a talker because so many times I needed to be a listener. Many times talking is a screen for my fear of being excluded-left out.

While I’m busy making people feel included and welcomed, I’m not listening to what they say.

Interesting prompt. I can’t say I associate with any brand. I have a few favorites but I don’t necessarily buy them exclusively. I think there is too much emphasis on brands. Every Instagram account now seems to be trying to sell me something.

Women seem to think if they carry a Louis Vuitton bag people will think they have money. It’s crazy because fake bags are easy to come by and it takes more than a bag to appear monied.

So no I don’t associate with any brand.