Foggy Mornings

Now that we live in Lower Slower Delaware we get the occasional early morning phone call to let us know that school will have a one or two hour delay on account of fog. That was the case this morning, which made the boys very happy. So, with fog on my mind, here's a few things that came to mind that I thought I'd share...

This photo, taken by Kyle Crawford, shows pretty much what I see on a daily basis down here.

What's a foggy day without a good trenchcoat, eh Doctor?

This is what my beach looks like on a foggy morning

The new Inlet Bridge in the fog as captured by Michael Orhelein of Bethany Fine Arts
 

A little Cat Wisdom 101

The fog comes in
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

Carl Sandburg

Monday Mojo...Shout!

It's Monday again, and for some of you that is welcome news, but for many of you, I'm sure you're wishing you're alarm clock had never gone off today.  Back to the daily grind, back to school, back to the same ole' humdrum routine.

But, let me take you back, if I may, way back, to the days of crazy college parties, of togas, of mystery punch, of pushing your way to the front of the line to get to the keg, of madness and mayhem...back to Animal House! C'mon, fess up folks, I can't be the only one who remembers this song with hazy fondness...You know you make me want to...Shout!

The ABCs Of Life...F Is For Favorites

Beyond Paradise by wostudios

I am an Etsy addict (I'll save pinterest for another post).  So, I thought I'd share some of my favorites that I have come across either through directly searching, while browsing, in an Esty email, or shared from someone I'm now following. Any way I find them, they're all good and if I had a million dollars they'd all be marked as sold!

Retro Photography by LupenGrainne

Periwinkle and Black Corset Bag by fiberpuppy

Victorian Wrought Iron King Size Bed, Nightstands & Lamps by METALMASTERSINC

Mini Kitchen Colander Pendant Light by FleaMarketRx

Forest olive Green Aztec stencil top, layered design, open back tshirt Shovava

Folded Book Sculpture by Licuana Frigerio

Floral Lampwork Earrings by BeadzandMore

Spring Hill Fingerless gloves by WearMeUp

With so many favorites, it's nearly impossible to chose just a few to represent all the things I love about Etsy. I guess you just have to go see all my favorites for yourself.  Which one is yours?

It's All In A State Of Mind

When you look in the mirror, do you see a winner, someone who's ready to go out and take the world by storm? Do you know what you want out of life and do you know what you need to do to get it? Are you hopeful about your future? Are you like The Little Engine Who Could?

You, my friend, are the deciding factor in your level of success or your degree of failure. It's a self-fulfilling prophesy. There are countless stories of folks who have so much going on around them that it's hard to believe they made it out alive, let alone successful. Their own sense of determination is what drove them to success.

Again, I mention the book, "Think and Grow Rich," by Napolean Hill, because I just keep coming across such great and inspiring content.  The poem below is actually what prompted this blog post.  There are a few different versions of this poem attributed to the author, but the gist is the same in all of them. It's worth remembering, especially on the days when you're not so sure of yourself.  I think I  will post a copy of this on my mirror.

The Man Who Thinks He Can...Walter Wintle

If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost a "cinch" you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out in the world you find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.

Full many a race is lost
Ere ever a step is run;
And many a coward fails
Ere ever his work's begun.
Think big and your deeds will grow,
Think small and you'll fall behind,
Think that you can and you will;
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later, the man who wins,
Is the fellow who thinks he can.

So, I guess the only question you need to ask yourself is how bad do you want it, whatever that "it" may represent for you. You want it...get out there and go get it!

I've Been Nominated For An Award

OK, so there is no fanfare, snapping cameras, acceptance speech, or shiny trophy to display, but it still feels nice to be recognized by one of my peers.

You can read all about it on my new page.

Monday Mojo...Three Feet From Gold

Nothing is nearby in Lower Slower Delaware, so I like to listen to audiobooks. The book I'm currently listeing to is "Think And Grow Rich," by Napolean Hill.

Just like so many out there I have gone from feeling great about myself to downright lowsy and worthless, ready to just throw in the towel.  Sometimes I feel like I'm treading water and every so often my head goes down and I gulp a mouthful of water, before I find some hidden energy and bob back up again.

In this book, there is a story about a man, an uncle of R.U. Darby who went West to dig for gold.  He procured the needed equipment and Darby and his uncle began mining in a great spot. Great, that is, until the vein of gold disappeared. Eventually they gave up and sold the equipment to a junk dealer.

The junk dealer was a wise man, and he sought out a mining engineer, who told him the vein would pick up again in just three more feet. And that's exactly what happened! That junk dealer ended up making millions mining that gold.

Three feet...thirty-six inches, was all that separated Darby's uncle from aquiring his dream.



So today I say get your "pick ax" and keep digging.  You may only be three feet from your dream, too.

The ABCs Of Life...E Is For Etsy

I'll shout it from the rooftops...I Love Etsy! It  inspires me, it motivates me, it gave me new friends and a hope for a better life.  I have a place to express me creativity, to be my own boss, to grow and learn as a small business owner and a seamstress.

Etsy is like a big shopping mall where I have my own little storefront. I'd like to think I'm right next to a gormet chocolate shop, like andiespecialtysweets where I can buy something like this:


Edible chocolate filled candy seashells

and then go visit another one of my favorite shops, jojolarue, for some adorable notecards, like these:

Vintage dress cards ed 1 

But Etsy is not just about shopping, though it is one of my favorite pasttimes.  No, Etsy is a thriving community of artists, antiques collectors, woodworkers, geeks, gardeners, bakers, jewelers, and all of them are business people.

And one of the best ways to find like-minded folks within the Etsy community is through the teams.  I have joined some really great teams. I get something different from each one of them. My first, and favorite team, is The Etsy DListers aka the dteam.  I have found a place where I can chat about life, find and give support, and learn how to be a better Etsy seller.  The dteam is geared towards newbies, but they don't kick you out once you know what you're doing.

My other favorite team, which I recently joined after moving to Delaware, is the Delaware Etsy Street Team or DelEtsy. This is my home team, the place where I can make friends who I can actually meet face to face, my real time community.  I jumped in with such enthusiasm that I was quickly appointed a leadership role and just a few days ago promoted to captain.  Oh, we have so many fantastic ideas for our team. I am so excited to be a part of something where I feel like I can make a real difference.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't even give a little ole shoutout to my own  shop, TheGoodOleDays.  After three years of flooundering about trying to understand how this all works, I think I now have a good idea of what I need to do, or at least I'm headed in the right direction.  This is not a hobby for me. This is my dream. I love what I make and I hope it shows in the quality of my work.

Here's a sample of a few of my new items recently added to my shop.

Ode To Coffee Decorative Pillow Cover

Teacups And Checks Retro-Inspired Apron

I Love You Like A Lovesong Hair Scrunchies

Stop by. Say hi. Browse around a bit. I'm always adding new items to my shop. And don't forget to tell your friends and family to go shopping on Etsy the next time they're looking for a gift or a little treat for themselves.

Monday Mojo...I Think I Love You

Grab your hairbrush and get ready to belt out a super fantastic feel good, crazy happy tune from the '70s...Oh yeah...It's the Partridge Family...Hey! I think I Love You!!



Life Gets In The Way

There are days when I am gung-ho and full of energy; so much to do, places to go, things to do.  Today was going to be one of those days. It may still be, but sometimes plans need to be changed.  It's a family thing, but I'm on-call for a possible trip to the hospital with a family member, maybe.  I am hoping to still write my real blog for today, and accomplish my goals for today, but priorities sometimes need to be rearranged.

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Monday Mojo...Rubber Biscuit

Some days, especially Mondays, it is really hard to get out of bed with a positive, go-get-'em attitude.  For those days you need an extra strong cup 'o mojo.  Today I recommend some good 'ole Blues Brothers.  If this doesn't get you going, I don't know what will.

Happy Monday!  Have a great day!

The ABCs Of Life...D Is For Dog

I had mentally prepared myself for today's blog. I had planned on writing about dementia, which is something my family is dealing with, but after last week's post, I needed something that wasn't so emotionally draining...so today is going to the dogs.  Even though I am a self-professed "cat person," I must admit that I like dogs, too, and if we had a yard with a fence we'd probably have a dog, too.  So, D Is For Dog.

Needle felted chocolate Lab by YanArt

Customizable dog collar by ThePerkyPet

6 A-6 Love of Dogs Envelopes with Note Cards by joycempope

Miniature Rottweiler by SuAmi

The Baily Custom Made Pet Bed by oldbitsofwood

Laineys Cookie Sampler by laineyspawtique

Oak Elevated Pet Feeder by WoodinYou

Cute little sign by GreenGypsies

8 1/2 X 10 Print - Pitbull "Misunderstood" from Canvas by CamillesCritters

Rescue Dog Bracelet - For Charity - All proceeds benefit Pawfect Match dog rescue by MusicTeachah