The Art of Doing Nothing....

I hate to admit this in writing, but I am a procrastinator. For most people a small bit of this won’t hurt anything. For me, it can influence the difference between whether any work gets done in a day or not. Time management is fortunately a skill even an old dog can learn, but taking the initiative to do it, well that is another thing….

Today, I’m committing to better time management in my creative life and this is how I plan to do it… (There, I’ve said it; it’s on paper for the world to see)

1.) I plan to take care of the most urgent tasks of the day first. Example: mailing packages from my Etsy shop sales. This way, urgent tasks won’t be weighing on my mind for the rest of the day. Time management has a lot to do with setting priorities. Completing a task can be quite powerful if you take what is known about forward momentum and put it to use.

2.) I will break down large projects into smaller, more manageable ones. This will help me work on large projects a little bit at a time without feeling overwhelmed or stressed. If I work on different elements of the task on different days, I will stay more interested in it.

3.) I will overcome inertia that binds me. The longer I put off a project, the hard it is to get moving. Inactivity becomes the norm and nothing gets done. Even if I take baby steps it’s at least a start in the right direction.

4.) I will give myself rewards! Giving myself something to look forward to after I’ve completed the “to do” list will give me a good reason to finish the task.

Wish me luck and scold me if you see me wasting time!

Cheers!

Lori

Wire Wrapped Triangle Bead Bail

I have been asked what technique I used to wire wrap the triangle focal bead on my turquoise and pearl earrings.  I originally experimented with 24 gauge wire until I got the look I wanted.   Today I found a good tutorial for the process on the Fusion Beads website.  Below you will find (from their website) a step by step tutorial to help with this technique….

Cheers!

1.) Cut a 4" piece of wire (24 Gauge). Slide wire through the hole of the bead, leaving about 1 1/2 in. on the left side.

2.) With your fingers, bring the wires up - crossing the wires. The short piece should be in front of the longer piece.

3.) Using your fingers, form the wire to the briolette.

4.) Use the tips of your chain nose pliers to grasp the short piece of wire directly above where the wires cross.

5.) Bend the wire down to a 90° angle.

6.) Use the tips of your chain nose pliers to grasp the longer piece of wire directly above where the wires cross.

7.) Bend the wire straight up, forming a 90° angle between the two pieces of wire.

8.) Grasp the triangle that was created with your chain nose pliers.

9.) Wrap the short piece of wire around the longer piece about 1 1/2 - 2 wraps.

10.) With your wire cutters, cut the short tail as close as possible.

11.) Using the tips of your chain nose pliers, grab the wire directly above the wrap.

12.) With your finger, push the wire to a 90° angle.

13.) Using your round nose pliers, grasp the wire right at the bend.

14.) Pull the wire around the round nose pliers until it is almost pointing directly down.

15.) Reposition your pliers by opening your round nose pliers (but do not pull the pliers out of the loop) and pivot your pliers so the bottom tip is on the top.

16.) Continue pulling the wire around the nose of the pliers until the loop is completely round.

17.) If you are attaching it to a chain or ring, this would be a good time. To then wrap the loop, grip the loop with the chain nose pliers and grip the wire with your fingers.

18.) Wrap the wire around the base wire. Continue wrapping the wire down to the first wrap.

19.) Using the wire cutters, cut off the extra wire as close as you can to the wrap.

20.) Congratulations, you have now created a wire wrapped triangle bail!

Thanks for dropping by my blog!

Lori

8 Ways to Enjoy an Unpredicted Snow Day

It's snowing!  Eight ways to enjoy an unpredicted snow day...

1. Discover Your Inner Princess – What girl doesn't want to be a princess for a day; feel special, look special, be special? Step out of the shower and dry off with the “good” towels, you know, the soft fluffy ones that are reserved for company only. Slip on your prettiest pajamas, a silky robe, and a pair of fancy mule slippers. Put a chair in front of the bathroom mirror, sit down and practice pulling your hair up into a new style.  Shape and polish your nails. Pamper yourself!

2. Begin Trimming Your Wardrobe – I know that it’s hard to think of spring on a snow day, but spring fashions are available online already.  Thin out your wardrobe by keeping the things you love and wear on a regular basis; remove the “maybe I’ll wear this again” items.  Chances are if it’s a “maybe” you’re not going to wear it. Next, ‘window’ shop online at your favorite clothing store or browse through the stack of unread fashion magazines.

3. Do Your Recipe Research – Explore cookbooks or recipes online, then drag out that unused appliance from under the kitchen counter and create something new. A snow day is a great day to use the crockpot.

4. Plan a Night out– Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Plan a fun single girl’s night out or a romantic Valentine’s Day with your true love. Make Valentine’s Day cards using materials you have around the house. Write short love notes on post-its and hide them around the house for your sweetie to discover (in the medicine cabinet, in the refrigerator, behind the bathroom door, etc.). 

5. Plan a Trip on Your Bucket List – Snow may keep you in, but travel Web sites, books, and magazines can take you all over the world in an instant. Why not plan a mini break or next year’s trip now? Chuck and I are planning a road trip to Florida this spring.  Now would be a good time to plan the route and reserve accommodations along the way. Key West is on the list!

6. Tea Time – If you’re going to be a princess afternoon tea is a must! Set your table with your best china, silver, and linen napkins. Brew some Earl Grey or Chamomile tea, nosh on savory or sweet treats from your pantry. Open that romantic novel you've had stashed away for a rainy day. What better way to use up time on a wet, cold snow day than a few hours lingering over tea and a good book?

7. Catch Up - Watch all the episodes of your favorite shows that you've recorded on the DVR.  Or start watching Downton Abbey on “Catch Up”; it’s perfect for a snow day.

8. Take a Steamy Bath – At the end of the day indulge in a scented bath. It’s a heavenly way to wind down your evening and relax.

Relax...

Enjoy...

Cheers!

Throw your hands up and enjoy the ride...

"Life is like a roller coaster. You can either scream every time there is a bump, or you can throw your hands up and enjoy the ride." author unknown.

Well, it’s been awhile since I've posted to this blog…

Since my last post, my life has been a ROLLER COASTER ride with big drops, high speed upside down loops, and many sharp twists and turns.  Life got so hectic that I put my Etsy shop on vacation and I took a break from blogging….well, I’m back. 

Here are some of the roller coaster details:

1. Big Scary Drop - I left my career of thirty years due to stress and unhappiness; I was fed up but not ready to retire.

2. High Speed Upside Down Loops - For the first time in my career I had to develop a resume and interviewed for a new executive job; amazingly I got the first job I applied for.
3. Splash Down - I started my new job with Macy’s Systems and Technology as a Project Manager.
4. Sharp Turn - Due to the long commute we decided to move out of the city and into the burbs of Atlanta.  Yes, the devoted city dwellers moved OTP (outside the perimeter).
5. Fast Spiral - After a whirlwind search for a new home we chose John’s Creek, GA.
6. Burst of Acceleration - We packed and moved within 30 days of signing a contract. Miraculous!
7. Unexpected Twist - The moving company truck size was not estimated correctly so we ended up moving a lot of stuff ourselves in the June heat wave. YUK! 
8. Smelly Swamp Dive - Days after moving into the house the sewer backed up inside the house, the hardwood floors were ruined and the house was extremely stinky.
9. Unplanned Trajectory - The yard was torn up, a new sewer line went in, a beautiful birch tree was removed (sad), the first level floor was torn out, subfloor was dried out, everything was sanitized and the hardwoods were replaced.  This all took about 30 days to accomplish, and a hotel became our temporary new home.
10. Surprising Blind Curves – Trying out new businesses and restaurants has been a pleasant surprise. We’ve found many great places to enjoy food and drinks.
11. Screeching Brakes – We have settled in and look forward to our future living OTP.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Lori

When you hear the word “Bully” what comes to mind?

Most people typically think of the school bully, taunting younger kids and threatening to beat them up after school. But the reality is that bullying takes on many different forms and is common among adults too.

I know a parent who is a bully.

It is hard to think of parents as bullies, but they can be. Parents, who are overbearing, constantly belittling their children or enforcing rules with a heavy hand, may actually be crossing the line into bullying behavior. I believe there is a difference between correcting a child's inappropriate behavior and constantly trying to control every moment of that child's life.

First let me say that I do not have any children of my own; I've only been a step-parent to adult daughters.  So, I had to do some detailed research on this topic before I felt that I could even talk about this publicly.  

I've learned that bullies thrive on the weaknesses of others. They have a distorted idea that if others feel powerless, it will make them more powerful. Bullies crave mental and emotional control and use fear and other tactics to help them feel superior.

Here are the bullying tactics I've seen the parent using:

• Having excessive and unrealistic expectations.
• Undeserved criticism and verbal manipulation.
• Disproportionate punishment.
• Favoritism towards some of the children.
• Cutting Sarcasm.
• Repeated insults and threats.
• Unnecessary Yelling.
• Controlling the child's every movement.
• Violation of the child's privacy.
• Slavery - helping at home is reasonable, but having to labor before and after school until bedtime, to keep up with the parent’s unrealistic expectations, is not reasonable.

Here are the issues I see in the child that is bullied:

• Constant anxiety that the parent will be “mad”
• Loss of self-confidence and self-esteem
• Fearfulness of new experiences
• Digestive disturbances

HELP!  I need help carefully addressing this issue without putting the child in danger of retaliation.  I feel that the parent lacks the emotional intelligence to maintain a sense of control without bullying the child. Nothing the parent has done is illegal or physically abusive, but mentally the child is being broken.  I just don’t know what needs to be done.  Do you have any suggestions?  Thanks

1000 Gifts - Part Eight

This is part eight of my own journey to list my 1000 gifts; blessings to be thankful for every day. 

It really does make a difference in my outlook when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis.  There are so many things to be thankful for…all the little things that make me smile.

My mission is based on a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I plan to complete this journey by December 3o, 2015. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me.

And so my 1000 Gifts journey continues... 

One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with Part Eight:

201.   Having the courage to leave my job of 30 years (with God's help). 

202.   Getting the first job I applied for. 

203.   I night out supporting our friends event - Rick Alviti Elvis Tribute.

204.   Brunch with friends that we haven't spent time with recently.

205.   Realizing that I've had a big impact on people I've worked with over the years.

206.   Knowing that in some small way I will be missed

207.   Chicken Pot Pie on a cold stormy night.

208.   Having a new spot to relax with my sweetie that is not at opposite ends.

209.   A beautiful rug to keep the chill at bay on the hardwood floors.

210.   Escaping the giant size hail and wind storm with no damage. 

211.   Being able to make a difference in my sweeties commute by moving north.

212.   Knowing the move is not on a strict time schedule so we can find the right house.

213.   Going on a weekend adventure in Highlands, NC with Jade

214.   For the new member of our family: rescue kitty that we've named Loki

215.   The bird feeder in the backyard to keep our small friends fed this winter.

To be continued...

Cheers!