Thursday, April 22, 2021

DON'T WORRY...BE HAPPY:)

 Remember that song?



Do you need more happiness in your life?  About a gazillion books, articles, podcasts, etc. have been written to give you advice about how to go about getting that.  This past year, I think, has taught us that our happiness can be snuffed out by things outside our control.  And if you listen to the news media much these days, it seems we hear more bad news than good...that the world (or at least our country) is spinning in the wrong direction.  Of course, if we dwell on that too much it can sap every ounce of happiness we can conjure up.  Many people have been in a state of depression and some still are due to all that has been happening around us.



I am trying to learn to find happiness in even the small things.  We don’t have to drown in stress and sadness...there are things we can do to turn our frowns upside down, big and little things that we can do to find the JOY in life that each of us needs. 


How about these little things?


*GET OUT IN NATURE


Take a walk...or a long hike if you are up to it.  Dig in the garden...and use those earthworms you find to go fishing.  Take your child, grandchild, or dog to the park or a playground...and play on the swings while you are there:)   Spending 30 minutes or more a week in green spaces can help lower blood pressure and depression, according to a 2016 study.

 

*FIND TIME TO BE WITH Y-O-U

Everybody needs some “me time.”  Take a bubble bath and lock the door!  Grab your favorite blanket, a good book, and your favorite candle...and dare anyone to bother you for the next 30 minutes (or more).  Go shopping...alone.  Cozy up with your favorite bowl of ice cream and watch a chick-flick.  (I suggest SWEET HOME ALABAMA or PRETTY WOMAN.)

*S-M-I-L-E
Simple...just turn that frown upside down.  Smiling causes our brain to release dopamine which makes us happier.  (Much cheaper than visiting the therapist!!)

 

*COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS



Be grateful.  Studies have shown that being grateful actually has health benefits and leads to a feeling of hope and happiness.  We can be thankful for the BIG things...like our families, our homes, our successes.  But there are SOOOO many “little” things we can find to be grateful for:  wildflowers along the side of the road, a rainbow, a good cup of coffee (or a bowl of ice cream which would be my choice), finding a penny on the ground.  The more we look for positive things in our lives, the more we will see them.

 

*EMBRACE RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness)



Research has shown that performing RAKs can help us feel happier and more satisfied with our lives...have you ever wondered who comes up with ideas to research things like this (or who pays for them)???  Thank the cashier for her service, compliment a co-worker on his spiffy bowtie or her new dress, bake cookies for the mailperson (trying to be politically correct here) or the trash collector, or send a friend a gift card anonymously (of course, this could drive them nuts trying to figure out who sent it:) 

 

Most of us could use a little more JOY and a few more SMILES in our lives.  Try some of these ideas...you might like them!

 


Wishing you so much HAPPINESS you “bust” at the seams!


Don't worry, be happy

In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy

Don't worry, be happy now!

Friday, April 9, 2021

WHAT'S THE PURPOSE?

Purpose is the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists...so I guess everything has a purpose (except maybe mosquitoes and gnats...


Have you ever stopped to wonder why God made those aggravating things?)  

But I think it’s fun to take something and use it for a purpose other than what it was intended.  Not only can it be fun, but it can also help our environment.  Remember the 3 R’s (no, not those 3 R’s...readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic)...   

Pinterest is filled with ideas for repurposing, but I thought I’d share a few of my own.  I’ve shared this one before, but it’s one of my absolute favorites...
My husband made it for me from an old frame by inserting something called hardware cloth (although I don’t understand why it’s called cloth when it’s some type of metal!)  It’s great for organizing some of my many earrings.  He also made this one for holding necklaces using S hooks...these have both saved me lots of time and aggravation!



Although I have a huge jewelry box (which is actually a repurposed wooden tool box with drawers gifted to me by my husband...and I love it), it just isn’t big enough to hold all my jewelry so I improvised with these 2 ideas...


I was cleaning out a cabinet one day and found this condiment holder and a silver tray that I never used.  LIGHT BULB MOMENT!!!  I store rings in the condiment thingie along with a few bracelets hanging in the middle, and the tray holds some of my too many bracelets.  (The tray looks tarnished in this picture but actually it's pretty & shiny:) 

I also use these pieces of glassware to hold makeup brushes and (more) jewelry in the bathroom.  The vase on the left actually belonged to my husband’s sweet-as-sugar grandmother.  The other two pieces were picked up at thrift stores.

I love to repurpose the clear 3-wick candle jars from Bath & Body Works.  They are so pretty and can be used for many different things...

Pinterest Photo

You can even turn an empty soup can into something lovely and useful...as well as pretty bottles (after you’ve enjoyed the wine:)...

Pinterest

Pinterest

I do have to say I’m not into things like using empty egg cartons to sort my jewelry or covering empty shoeboxes with paper to use for storage.  I like my "cuteness" factor!

Here are some other repurposed items from Pinterest (where else???)...

Old chairs can be repurposed into many different items for your home.



This is neat...a bar made from an old door and some shelving.



How cute is this...an ottoman made from an old tire.


These 2 are mine...

Old chair ($5.00 at auction) turned into a planter.


Teacher gift...clean paint cans can be purchased at places like Lowe’s or Home Depot.



PS:  Does anybody know what these are used for?  I found them among some old craft supplies at our church.  There were quite a few of them, and I would love to know their purpose. 




PSS:  Did you know the lid from a Parmesan Cheese shaker fits almost every Mason jar?  So many uses!!!  You are welcome.



Do you repurpose anything in particular?  Spill the beans!  I need new projects!!!


Blogger, why are you boxing in all my words in white???  Please leave me alone!!!








 























Tuesday, April 6, 2021

WHAT'S UP????

 

Short answer:  not much!!!


I’m still around even though I am behind in posting.  Seems like lately I’ve been BUSY doing much of NOTHING.  (Is that what’s called an oxymoron???)


I’d love to say I’ve been busy writing a great novel...or painting the next great portrait (can’t even draw a straight line with a ruler)...or composing a lovely song (can’t sing worth a toot either)...or at least redecorating my whole house....BUT I haven’t accomplished any of these things.
  However, here are some things I have accomplished recently:

*finished this wonderful book



 

*helped organize and carry out our annual Easter Egg Hunt at church



*cooked a big Easter meal for my family

 


*took 3 cute teenage girls shopping (so fun!)



*the usual weekly this

 


My word of the year is ADVENTURE...but that ain’t happnin’ right now!!!  BUT...I’m thankful for each and every day.



Hope I'll be back soon with something much more exciting...or at least interesting!!!