Barefoot 'n Polished

I've Gotta Get Out of Here

2009-08-25T21:18:00.010-04:00

Be careful, it sneaks up on you.

You think that you are doing great, you've maintained some control and are managing all 1440 minutes of the day quite well.

You practice it.

Easy to remember, easy to pronounce.

Even with an accent, it can roll off the tongue.

In fact it's one of the very first words we learned.

Truly!!!

Just 2 little letters. one consonant,one vowel.

But it can get us in as much trouble as it's counterpart.

Dangerous? It is, and we must learn to say it to ourselves.

The temptations, the pressure, the encouragement does not always from from someone else..

Oh, you have no idea and want to know what I'm talking about?

No, No, No. That's right....NO

Mom was heard saying: "Your eyes were bigger than your stomach". "You've bitten off more than you can chew." "You don't know when to stop."

Well, there you have it! I've overextended. I got motivated, inspired, creative and excited about too many projects at the same time. Not a bad thing BUT, yes, there is usually a BUT, I already had too many 'irons in the fire'. Who me?? Never!!!

So, all is good, cruising along, somewhat prepared and holding a plan to manage each step until things don't fall into place smoothly. Finish a 14 hour project and find out the task did not lead to the anticipated results. Computer glitch hints at possible loss of an entire program that includes payroll, 8 months into the year. Door after Door slams into my path as nothing comes to completion.

Father - HELP!!!!! Calm me!! Let me rest in YOU, trust in YOU! Take away the anxiousness, calm this storm inside me, help me focus! Take me away!!!

What an overwhelming need for the beach!!! Unbelievable! Alone on the beach watching the waves crash in, the surf glide out. Overpowering need to just be there and be still.

Psalm 93:3-4
3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD,

the seas have lifted up their voice;

the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

mightier than the breakers of the sea

the LORD on high is mighty.

Just as God created the ocean - He CALMS raging seas. He and He alone can CALM the raging storms within us. The Ocean calls me like a siren - I kNOw there is Healing and Power and Joy in that call. Thank you God for the call, thank you for the ability to spend time with you on the beach tomorrow!! Thank you for all those YESSES I did not say NO to, that YOU will guide me through!

Summer Days

2009-08-15T21:48:00.007-04:00

How's your summer been? Seems to be the question of the week My answer has been 'good', but quickly realized that I am still waiting for it to begin. It's August 15th and our days are numbered.

June, July, August? They've been great! Celebrated our grandson, Josh's, High School Graduation. Spent a week in Texas at the fabulous Premier Designs Convention that included comedienne Chonda Pierce and Dove award winners, Point of Grace. The convention was inspirational, motivational, educational and simply fun! See, we took a vacation. But, how's your summer?

Don't know!! I simply have not taken the time to fit in any SUMMER or appreciate the summer I have had. Not good, huh?

SO, today, that's what I did - "I Fit It In" - I spent time Remembering & Appreciating my Summer Days. Alex and I spent the entire day together, here at home, better yet, we spent hours in the pool. Yes, I even have some "pink" from the sunshine. It was glorious. Acutally, close to perfect. It was a great time to think about SUMMER. SUMMER: Picnics, corn-0n-the-cob, watermelon, swimming, BEACH, Baseball, flowers, lawn mowing, lightning bugs, biking, walks, eating outside, hamburgers, FlipFlops, volleyball, horseshoes, carnivals, fireworks, outdoor concerts, boardwalk, ice cream, long days, August night sounds, birds, butterflies, baby birds, TOMATOE sandwiches, fresh fruit.

How to enjoy SUMMER? By slowing down and enjoying some of the 'gifts of summer'. I floated in the pool and watched the birds, butterflies, dragonflies, flowers. Soaked up the fabulous sunshine, and relaxed while remembering summers past, special days this year and dreamed of summer days to come.

The good news - it's still not too late to squeeze in a day at the beach and boardwalk!!!

Don't forget to slow down and find your very own Lazy Day of Summer!

Progress on Board

2008-04-22T00:59:00.007-04:00

Well, my blogging commitment is very slow but then again so has a lot of areas of my life this winter. The sunshine and warmth over the weekend were an incredible boost and if overflowed into my show on Saturday. What a fun time and fabulous guests. I just love my job!

We got so behind on things since we were sick. The painting is not done, the tax junk is almost put away - no - haven't see the return yet but it is sweet to be getting a refund. Wow - haven't had one of those in many years! It would be nice if we got the house clean enough to have it cleaned - you know what I mean - don't pretend you don't. But we are getting close - you just can't see the top of the dining room table because the walls got stored there. Big problem, with the weather turning nice - painting and cleaning INSIDE does not become the priority. See, now no one will want to come visit.

ANYWAY - Please take note to my fabulous new HEADER. It was custom made for me as a PRIZE - yes - it was free because I was in the right place at the right time. Truly -check out - Designs By Viehl - Villa Vance is my designer and will create your own beautiful addition. I really feel like 'hot stuff' with my own personal header, of course I needed her help to download it for me - I am SO not blog adept yet.

Thanks Villa, you are awesome!

http://designsbyvhiel.blogspot.com/

It's Not REALLY All About Me - Just An Interesting Exercise

2008-04-07T18:53:00.003-04:00

"I"...I am blessed beyond measure with more than I deserve.

I WANT… to take a vacation with each of my grandchildren.
I HAVE… a great family and awesome friends.
I WISH… that my business was at the next level by now.
I HATE… that I procrastinate and therefore waste time.
I FEAR… small tight places - caves!
I SEARCH... for where I leave things - ALL THE TIME!
I WONDER… why so many people have to suffer from so much 'baggage' in their lives.
I REGRET… not following through when I'm prompted to contact, write or call people.
I ALWAYS… try to find the best in people and positive in situations?
I AM NOT… a fan of sci-fi or horror or weird comedy.
I SING… everytime someone says something that reminds me of a song.
I CRY… at all emotional endings - sad AND happy, movie, song, book, relationships.
I WRITE… in my journals, once in awhile.
I NEED… to be with my husband another 30 years!!!
I SHOULD… commit to a "to do" list - everyday - it could make a big difference!

Beauty Tips

2007-07-18T07:18:00.000-04:00

Below is a wonderful poem written by Audrey Hepburn when asked to share her beauty tips. Years later, it was read at her funeral.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

the Fort WORTH experience

2007-07-17T12:34:00.000-04:00

Jewelry - Fashion - Friends - Relationships - not necessarily in that order - but that was just some of the highlights of our week in Fort Worth at the 2007 Premier Designs National Rally. It is such a blessing to be part of the Premier family, and a big family it is - of 26,000 jewelers, 7500 were in attendance. Incredibly exciting as we were motivated to build relationships with our customers and live with integrity and love.

What a beautiful new line of jewelry we have to share with everyone - and to help create beauty in the lives of others. There were wonderful trainings and powerful testimonies as to how people all around the world have been changed and impacted by Premier.

This is a company for everyone - and no matter what an individual's need may be, Premier can help meet it. I'm not even able to identify just yet, WHAT my "need" is, but I know without a doubt that Premier is the right place for me. That confidence is reinforced in so many ways and at so many times.

I look forward to sharing with others how it could possibly be the answer for them.

Premier is a wonderful Company and an amazing Ministry. Can't wait to see where it is taking me! Want to join me on this journey???

Adding A Little Bling

2007-02-13T00:31:00.000-05:00

Well my life has taken a major turn over the last 3 months. It's called Jewelry!! I spent many years of my life not able to wear much jewelry - my body was simply too large to wear anything - nothing fit! Even earrings were a problem - the holes in my ears are too low to wear most pierced ones. So - lose weight - go to a jewelry demo - agree to have a show and get lots of free jewelry and see if your life doesn't change too! It was kind of a miracle but nothing has been the same since.

Remember Liza Doolittle? I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty...well, I do feel pretty and I feel confident and hopeful and excited and driven. My life is headed in a great direction and I'm loving every step of the way. I'm a jeweler and I love to share the treasures and the business with people. I want others to share in this Excitement - so if you want a little BLING in your life - just ask me!!

Saying Goodbye

2006-09-27T14:09:00.000-04:00

How odd to wake up every morning and start each day, forgetting that our normal life is far from normal for most people in the world. Babies are born, weddings performed, divorces granted, crimes being committed, people fall in love and we clock in and clock out until one of those events falls on our calendars. Today, I went to work at 7:30 but left 2 hours later to attend the funeral of an extended family. A difficult funeral, she was only 53 but spent the past 16 months in the hospital and we never really found out what was really wrong with her. But the awful part is that there was hope that her return to home would be in the very near future, yes she was improving greatly until......she just stopped breathing.

I cannot get over how easily we take life for granted, how quickly we moan and groan over every inconvenience. Gosh - what on earth IS an inconvenience, anyway? Did her husband complain that he had to drive 30 minutes into the city everyday for 16 months to see his wife, after a long day at work? Maybe, maybe not. But I can assure you that he'd do it again over and over for the next 50 years if he could.

She had a hard life, she was the daughter of a farmer and worked long tiring hours in the fields and sheds, planting, sorting, packing and then selling at the road stands while her friends were playing and swimming and vacationing all summer, every year. As an adult, she continued to work the farms and them canned cases and cases of fruits and vegetables for not only her own pantry but for friends and for church and fire house bazaars. She never stopped because when all the canning was done, she pulled out her knitting and began on more projects. Her family has those beautiful afghans to help keep her memory alive and 'warm'.

Lord, help me to always see my life as a gift and blessing and to be thankful for every moment you give me. Thank you for the special memories you allow us to have of loved ones, for friendships that fill our lives and hearts, for the beauty that is before our eyes, even when they are closed. Thank you for "Linda" and the special touches she brought to people's lives. Goodbye Linda - you are missed!!

Bare Feet

2006-09-26T23:47:00.001-04:00

You may see me in a formal dress or in a fancy restaurant, often in church and of course at a desk, but chances are, at some point in time, on any of those occasions, my feet will be bare. Yes, shoes are OFF!! I am free.

As far back as I can remember, I ran around with no shoes on. Even as a little girl with buckled straps, I'd flip them to the back so I could slip them on and off quickly and easily. It is so interesting to realize that I can vividly remember the feel of walking through the fresh toiled garden, and that cool morning dirt between my toes. And OH how hot the blacktop of the street and the burning sand at the beach...the memory almost makes me feel like I should check the bottoms of my feet right now to be sure they aren't burnt. No, they are not burnt but I can assure you that there a calluses on them. Tonight I put on heels to go to the theater. It was nice to dress up, they were comfortable, BUT, they were off in the car and my feet were up on the dashboard.

Do you enjoy the freedom of barefeet? Is your little toe crooked because you've smashed it into furniture more times in your life than you care to remember? Do you have to work on your callused heels for a week before you can even think of having a pedicure? If so, you know what I'm talking about, what I'm feeling. You probably sleep with your feet out from under the covers too. It is like air-conditioning!! Stick them out to keep cool, pull them under to get warm. Very simple concept.

So anyway - I love pedicures, I love polished toenails, I love to wear dresses and to dress formally but thank goodness for sandals and slip-ons cause my feel will screem to be set free. As they say....

"You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl."