Sep 4, 2015 | Author, The "me" you want to be, What inspires you?, What's new
As I went for my morning walk a favorite song by Alabama from the 1990’s came to mind.
“I’m in a hurry and don’t know why”
As I began to hum the tune, I realized for the first time in a LONG time I didn’t feel like I was in a hurry. I wasn’t rushing around from one thing to the next. I have finally been able to slow my life down a tad and give a little time to some other things that matter to me.
I say other because much of the past year or so has been meeting the care needs of my mamma. Certainly, caring for my mom is on my list of what matters most to me. It’s just that caring for her in the past several months has left little time for anything else that is also important to me.
Why do I suddenly have MORE time in my life?
I’m so very grateful to have found a live-in caregiver for my mom who is truly an angel sent by God. Actually we have one live-in and one part-time caregivers. Both angels! You may have heard me say this before and you’ll probably hear me say it many many more times.
I’m so grateful that I can now visit my mamma. Let me say that again. I’m so grateful that I can now VISIT my mamma and truly VISIT with her. I’m not at her house rushing around doing this and that. I get to lay down next to her and cuddle and kiss her cheek and just BE THERE with her.
And ….I can take a leisurely stroll in the mornings and fully encompass my surroundings and be aware of every feeling, every thought and take deep breathes and enjoy each moment. Ah…
How about you? Do you feel rushed, pulled, stressed?
My wish for you is that you’ll find a way to have more peace and calm in your life! And TIME for ALL the things that are important to you.
Maybe give yourself a break RIGHT NOW and listen to Alabama! Click on the song title above and you should be taken to the youtube song.
P.S. My featured image with this blog is a gal walking by the sea. My FAVORITE place to take a walk! Guess I’m doing a little dreaming…
Nov 9, 2014 | Author, What's new
There are many times I live in a world I wish I could change, but can’t. I’ve said this before to a friend and she usually reminds me I can change my world if I really wanted to. And perhaps she is right about some things.
It’s not that I’m unhappy with my life. In so many ways I am very happy, content and satisfied. But I do have this longing for new adventures, new experiences, new views. Honestly, I’m ready for some new furniture and new clothes, too! My husband did suggest yesterday we should give each other a new television for Christmas. I thought to myself, “That’s a start!”
I did do something this weekend that was at least an action making ready for change. I cleaned out my closet. I mean I REALLY cleaned out my closet. I boxed up all the clothes that were too big or too old or clothes I should have never bought in the first place. It was scary how much I boxed up that I’ve hardly ever worn.
These days I don’t feel like I need as much as I used to. I don’t want as much as I used to either. That, too, seems to be part of my longing for change. And cleaning out my closet was something I COULD change. And that my friends, is the point of this post.
When you find yourself longing for a change and you think you are trapped in a world that says you’re powerless to do so, look around and consider the things that no one can keep you from changing. You might be surprised at how much is in your control after all.
I think that’s why I LOVE to walk at dusk. I just came in from my evening walk.
This was a beautiful evening. I watched the multicolor sunset turn into grayscale. I saw our black cows blend into the background. I witnessed the tree limbs along the fence line of our pasture, form a rolling, wavy new ground. There was a crispness in the air and the winds were calm. But you knew change was brewing on the horizon. You could feel it and that feeling was exhilarating. I wanted to linger for a while in that coming soon anticipation.
That’s another idea for anyone who is longing for change and not sure where to begin or whether or not you can take that first step. Begin with a walk at dusk. At the very least, you’ll realize change IS happening. Nothing is really staying the same. Life is always moving along. You might feel the encouragement you need to give your life a closer look to make a few changes you didn’t know were possible.
Jul 22, 2014 | Author, Queen of Damn Good Advice, What's new
Summer special!
A book for your need-to-read list!!
Whether you’re going to college, starting your career, getting married, experiencing a divorce or some other life-changing drama, The Queen of Damn Good Advice has something for you!
Author Website Half-Price Special – $6.00 + FREE SHIPPING! You get:
~ The Queen of Damn Good Advice (Paperback)
~ Bookmark
~ Pocket-sized “Princess Survival Guide – 10 Tips for Success in Life & Love”
Credit and debit cards accepted via PayPal.
CLICK on The Queen of Damn Good Advice book cover and you’ll be taken to the book club idea page!
Jan 17, 2014 | The "me" you want to be, What's new
First, I will tell you that I’m going to endeavor to get back into my weekly blogging routine. It’s been very difficult since my brother’s passing in October to feel inspired. Since it’s now a good couple of weeks into the New Year, I realize it’s time for me to thrust myself forward because I think if I don’t thrust myself forward I may never write again, so here goes…
I recently watched a TED talk by Amy Cuddy titled “Your body language shapes who you are” that I plan to watch a few more times to be sure I’ve not missed any of the valuable advice and suggestions that I believe can be life changing in the most positive and successful way.
If you want to consider whether or not it’s worth your time to spend the twenty minutes listening to this talk, let me ask you some “Do you feel” or “Have you ever felt” questions.
I admit that these are questions I’ve struggled with many times and honestly still struggle with.
-
Have you ever been at a dinner table and felt completely intimidated by those around you?
-
Do you feel inferior to most people that you meet – particularly those of your same gender?
-
Do you feel like you don’t belong?
-
Do you feel you don’t measure up?
-
Have you ever felt like you have nothing worthwhile to contribute to a discussion – that your opinions and insights are not important, not valuable?
-
Do you feel small, inadequate, unsure of yourself, awkward?
-
Do you feel like you need to GET THE HELL OUT of where ever you are and escape – RUN A WAY?
If any of these questions sound familiar to you, there are techniques that can help. Because the TRUTH is … you do belong, you do measure up, you do have something worthwhile to say and contribute, you are not inferior and your opinions and insights are important and valuable.
I’ve been reminding myself more and more lately of the following simple facts: I am who I am. My life has been what it has been. My experiences are my own. My knowledge and viewpoints are mine. Nobody knows what I know or has walked in my shoes or seen and felt what I’ve seen and experienced.
And this is true for each and every person. We are uniquely who we are. We are not the same as any other. No one is the same.
So when we’re feeling, thinking and believing that we are the ONLY person at that table that is somehow “inferior, unworthy or insignificant” and every other person at that table are cut of the SAME cloth of greatness, value and significance, it’s simply not true.
Because why? We are uniquely who we are! And who we are is OK!
How about this question…
Have you ever left a meeting, a dinner or a class and be so mad at yourself for not being yourself?
I believe the techniques you’ll be introduced to in this TED talk can help or at the very least, make you alert and aware of some things you could do differently that will make you feel better about yourself and perhaps make you more successful, too.
Enjoy! I’m listening to it again!
CLICK HERE!
Dec 7, 2013 | Author, Books & more that inspire!, Lady and Bella Totally different Totally friends, What's new
Saturday and Sunday Only (or while my supply lasts!)
That’s December 7-8, 2013!
Order 1 book from my website THIS WEEKEND and I’ll send you 2 books!
That’s 2 books for $5.95!
If you need more copies, I always offer discounts for 5+ books at $3.95/book.
CLICK HERE to go the Lady and Bella BUY page
Since I ordered extra books for my event this weekend and road conditions are keeping me from attending, I’ve decided to give my social media friends and website weekend visitors, along with other friends and family, a special book offer for my new children’s coloring storybook. Here’s a little info about my new simply adorable book!
Imagine a friend that appreciates and accepts you for who you are, who is happy when you win, and who is kind, considerate and always there for you when you need her. Meet Lady and Bella! Two dachshunds that know how to be a good friend! Lady and Bella love their friendship and want other children to learn the treasure of what it means to be a good friend and to have a good friend.
- A large 8″x10″ entertaining and educational coloring storybook
- 32 black and white detailed illustrations printed on high quality paper, perfect for coloring with crayon or colored pencils
- Great for children of all ages, schools, day care centers, Sunday Schools and dachshund enthusiasts
- Highlights 7 important and endearing friendship lessons
- First in a trilogy of Lady and Bella books to be part of an Anti-Bullying Campaign
As always, you’ll also find my books on Amazon and barnesandnoble.com! But when you order from my website, this coloring storybook comes with a colored pencil 5-pack and a matching bookmark! I will get orders shipped out next week….AS SOON AS I CAN GET TO THE POST OFFICE! Would you believe the post office could not deliver mail yesterday? My husband said our mailbox is frozen shut even if they had tried!
Wishing everyone a warm and toasty weekend where ever you are! And a merry merry merry Christmas!
Dec 1, 2013 | Lady and Bella Totally different Totally friends, What's new
Click cover to watch video
It’s time to hold the drawing for the FIRST TEN book giveaway!
My new books arrived just before Thanksgiving – Lady and Bella Totally different, Totally friends. At this year’s Texas Book Festival in Austin, Texas lots of folks signed up to participate in my FIRST TEN giveaway. I planned to do the drawing on December 1st and I had the good fortune to have my sweet great-nephew Nathan with me today to pick the winners.
And my hubby videotaped the grand event! Since wordpress is telling me my video file is too large of a file to upload for this blog, I have uploaded it to YouTube and posted on Facebook.
If you click on the Lady and Bella book cover, you will be linked to the YouTube video and you can listen to see if you are one of the winners. Enjoy! (I admit I stumble a bit with my words. haha I think I write better than I speak “live!”)
I’ll be in touch soon with all drawing participants. I have a special offer for all of you!
By the way, everyone who won – as well as those who buy books on my website – will receive a customized 5-pack of colored pencils. And I also offer a significant discount for those who buy 5+ books.
Many thanks to all who participated in this drawing and for your interest in my books. Lady and Bella Totally different, Totally friends is the first in a trilogy of “Totally ….” books that are part of an Anti-Bullying Campaign. Stay tuned for more information coming in 2014!
Thank you in advance for helping me spread the word about my books to your friends and family!
My books are sold on Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com plus my website!
