monday motivation - primp and preen

Do you find the act of primping and preening motivating?  I do.  There is something about finding creativity in one's personal care.   What is one product that gives you that rosy cheeked glow?  Take time out today for a little primping a preening.  It is amazing when one takes care of themselves how the day and the week ahead can be all the more attractive.

I just love this painting.  Don't you think this lady looks satisfied with the results of her primping?

Thank-you to each of you for your kind thoughts and prayers in regard to my parents.  I am so happy I was able to fly down to Kentucky and thankful for my sisters and brothers there.  I will post more about my visit and the progress of my parents soon.

a wing and a prayer

When I happened upon these paintings by Jim Darling, I felt they were just right for my flight to see my

Parents and family down in Kentucky.  Imagine my inspiration found "on a wing and a prayer."

 I've always liked the window seat because I get to look out at the view.  

I never really thought though about literally painting it.

I'll be back soon, back to New York.  There is always something special about New York and the Harbor.  Do you see the Empire State Building?

In the mean time, have a wonderful weekend wherever you fly off to, on a wing and a prayer.

all you need

 During these past few weeks, I have enjoyed having my college sons home.  One is back up at Union College, and the other twin leaves for RPI Sunday.

They enjoy cups of tea in the evening which warms my heart.  One night we had a chat over three cups of tea.  I always remind them that their father and I enjoyed having tea when we were dating long ago and still enjoy pots of freshly brewed tea.

 So, next week I am planning on sending care packages of warm socks and some really good tea.

After all "warm feet equal warm hearts."

I'll package up some tea, and some warm socks and maybe one of these....

Just for a little sock monkeying around.
What are some things that are on your "all you need" list when you are away from home?

life of the party

My Mother has always been the life of a party.  Just last week a letter arrived extolling the virtues of a holiday party that she attended where every room spelled Christmas.  Last friday she attended another party and she and my father (85 years young) both, unfortunately fell down a flight of steps.  I am flying down to help and honor my parents for all the life they have given.  Being one of seven, we have all joined forces to do what each of us can and should do.

Life is a gift and we do need to celebrate every minute.

monday motivation - say "no"

Do you remember last week how I mentioned in the New Year, I would be all about doing one simple thing a day.  That one simple thing for me has to do learning to say no.  When our children are little, a "no" in the midst of parenting or saying "no" just seems part of our job.  I am a doer and I am a helper but we all have our limits as to what we can do or can say yes to.

I was tested last week with several friends asking for various favors.  I said yes to two out of three of them so saying no to the third was really a challenge for me.  To be honest, I felt bad about saying no but in the end I also kept saying to myself that there was nothing wrong with just saying no.  

My "no" needed no explanation or back up plan.  I did have a valid conflict so I had to say no.

It seems many of us are bombarded with requests to donate time, money, support and I am not advocating that no be said to everything but I do believe that having a clear vision of what you do say yes to will be beneficial to you, your self esteem and to those around you.  I was surprised to find so many great tools, tips, and books on the art of saying no, which means that many of us must find it a challenge to say no.

Is it hard for you to say "no" or better yet "no, thank-you."

Keep it simple, say "no" or practice saying no and you will be surprised how motivating it can be.

quietude

How is your attitude today?

Does it need some quietude?

Our attitudes can be altered by time spent enjoying moments of peace.

Take some time today and honor silence.  I often crave calm quiet time.

Turn everything off.

Take some time to hear the silence of the season, after all that holiday noise.

Do you enjoy the calm of January?

happy efforts

 In a mere 15 minutes, I can freshen up my kitchen on friday which makes for a great way to end the week and begin a weekend.  Here are some simple tips to follow.  I unload my dishwasher first thing while the coffee is brewing.  Happiness after all is the result of personal effort.

Every Day

• Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
• Wipe down the stove top (one minute).
• Wipe down the counters (one minute).
• Sweep, Swiffer, or vacuum the floor (two minutes).
   

Every Week

• Mop the floor (five minutes).
• Wipe the cabinets, backsplashes, and appliances (10 minutes).
• Wash the dish rack (four minutes).
• Wipe the switch plates and phone (one minute).
• Wipe the inside of the garbage can (one minute).
   

Every Season

• Empty and scrub down the inside of the refrigerator (30 minutes).
• Empty and clean the insides of the utensil drawers (15 minutes).
• Scrub down the cupboard exteriors (30 minutes).
• Clean the stove-hood filter (10 minutes).
• Perform "Shiny Sink 101"

 A fresh orchid makes me smile too.  I need to transfer this one to my white pot.

Sure, happiness takes time but you do have to strive for it, insist upon it.

This is the look I am going for in my living room area, dark floors, light walls and something modern for the fire-place.  I am gathering images and lists for the next phase of our living room renovation.

Sure it does take effort but the happiness gained is worth it.

to do today

 

I have been reading some pretty impressive goals about various new year resolutions and just yesterday I took time for a little self improvement in the form of a manicure.  I decided today was the day.

I chose a pretty wintry red nail polish.

Seated next to a "regular" - she told me that her weekly manicure improved all her tomorrows.

 Have you been putting off today what you can or want to do until tomorrow?  What you do today can certainly improve all your tomorrows.  What is one thing that you can do today that will improve your tomorrow?  Put it on your "to do today" list.

be doers

Certainly you have attended an event with the movers and shakers and the doers of the world, have you not?

Are you a doer?  

My sister told me last month when I shared all I had going on in my world and she said, "I am not surprised, you are a doer of the world."

 I remember years ago being so inspired by another artist and friend whose work is prolific, I made a remark to her, "How do you create all this?"  She replied, "This is what I do." I shall never forget those words.

So, if you happen to be here for the first time, this is what I do and have done.

I illustrate storefronts.

I create personalized monograms.

I absolutely adore spaces, interiors as well as exteriors.

 I lost track of how many homes I have illustrated for clients and friends.

 Don't even get me started on my love for capturing canines.  If you own a pet, then you know all about the things we do for our creatures and the unconditional love they bequeath.

I do love the color green too.

                

 I do love Park Avenue in New York, especially in the Springtime when the esplanade is all in bloom.

 I also do oils and want to do more oils because they slow me down.

Many of my works are created to be used for custom notecards.  

I do love to write notes, send letters.

Well, like I said, I guess this sums up a bit of what I do, what I create as an artist.

This year, I look forward to doing more, more artwork, more inspiration and more design.

Tell me, are you a doer, what do you do?

one new thing

Today is the first day of a brand new year.

Try one new thing every day this year.

Host a dinner party, Read that book, Light candles, Use cloth napkins, Hug someone, Say thank-you, Drink more water, wash your hands, Write that letter, Listen to music, Slow down, Exercise, Eat  more greens, learn a new skill, plant a garden, take more photos, give to someone in need, Try one new thing.  Laugh more.  Add more glitter to each day.  Meet a friend for a monthly lunch.  Love more.

What is one new thing you plan to try on this first day.  January One, Twenty-Thirteen.