Kate Collins's Blog, page 71
January 25, 2018
My jewelry addiction
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
I guess it shouldn't come as a (rather recent) surprise to me that I have an addiction to jewelry. I mean, I'm a person who wears 15 rings (including on both my thumbs). For a few years, one of my Dad's hobbies was making jewelry. He took courses at the (Rochester) Memorial Art Gallery. He made all kinds of jewelry, including the lost-wax process. He gave most of his pieces to my mother and me. Besides the rings (I wear 7 he made), he made pendants and bracelets.
But this post is about broken china jewelry. (I also wrote one in 2016.)
So ... I already had three necklaces made out of broken china. One Mr. L gave me for Christmas a few years back. I absolutely LOVED it. You can wear it as a pin or on a chain. (Obviously I like it better on a chain.)
After a couple of years, I asked for a second one as yet another Christmas gift. I must admit, I'm not as fond of the second one. It's rather plain. Just a little flower. I tend to wear this one more in the summer -- because ... summer! Flowers!
For my third broken china pendant, I was feeling low and missing my parents. My Mum left me some money and I decided to treat myself to a third broken china pendant that I saw advertised on Facebook. It's Spode and is holly for the (what else?) hollydays. (Sorry about that.) And to make it more special, one of my readers (who has made jewelry) sent me the chain. In fact, she sent two!
These three pendants were in the $75+ range. and I R Cheap! Mind you, they are definitely worth the extra price. The mounts are beautiful and very sturdy. These are definitely "professional pieces.
But since I'm a sap for old china (and buy far too much of it at yard sales), I wanted MORE broken china jewelry. Actually, I broke one of my mother plates last summer and tried to find someone to make me a pendant out ofit. At the time, I came up empty so I tossed out the broken plate. (BIG MISTAKE.)
While I was going through some of my mother's things last month, I found a little white box and inside was -- SURPRISE -- a broken china pendant and silver chain. Whoa! There was a sticker on the box from a museum in Vancouver, Canada. Wow--my mother had gone on a cruise to Alaska some 15+ years ago and one of the stops was in Vancourver where she must have visited the museum gift shop. I'm betting she bought the necklace for me and simply forgot she had it. So ... guess who has a new-to-her piece of broken china jewelry. Again, it's not my favorite, but it has great sentimental value because I (want to) believe she meant for me to have it.
Well, once you get more than three of anything, you have a collection. I guessed I was now collecting broken china pendants. I just happened to be on Etsy looking for something else (which I did not buy) and thought about broken china jewelry. BIG MISTAKE. I found a page called
But then I realized -- oops again -- I'm going to need a chain. (Duh--forgetting the other chain my reader had sent.) So, we were on a boot-hunting expedition and Penney's had a deal on silver chains. BOGO. So, I got them. Brought them home and said to myself, "Self, this means you were
meant
to have yet ANOTHER broken china pendant. And so, back to Marooned Jewelry I went. This time, I ordered a brown transferware piece (because I collect brown transferware plates). Oooh! I love it! (It arrived yesterday.)
But a funny thing happened during the time I was waiting for the brown transferware pendant to arrive. I kept finding silver chains. I'm on an organizational kick and have been trying to get my bedroom organized. (Already have sent a big bag of clothes and a box full of stuff to Goodwill.) In all, I now have five empty chains. You know what that means ....
(P.S. Marooned Jewelry will also make pieces from your broken china. I'm almost tempted to break a plate so that I can have one made.)
BTW, as part of my jewelry organization, I bought a bracelet display stand. I made a video about it yesterday. (A little dark, but you can get the idea of what I've got. Hopefully I'll get better the more videos I make.) You can see it here. And while you're there, I hope you'll subscribe to my new YouTube Channel (Lorraine's Fun Stuff). My regular (book trailer, etc.) Youtube channel is here.
Have you got a jewelry collection?
I guess it shouldn't come as a (rather recent) surprise to me that I have an addiction to jewelry. I mean, I'm a person who wears 15 rings (including on both my thumbs). For a few years, one of my Dad's hobbies was making jewelry. He took courses at the (Rochester) Memorial Art Gallery. He made all kinds of jewelry, including the lost-wax process. He gave most of his pieces to my mother and me. Besides the rings (I wear 7 he made), he made pendants and bracelets.
But this post is about broken china jewelry. (I also wrote one in 2016.)So ... I already had three necklaces made out of broken china. One Mr. L gave me for Christmas a few years back. I absolutely LOVED it. You can wear it as a pin or on a chain. (Obviously I like it better on a chain.)
After a couple of years, I asked for a second one as yet another Christmas gift. I must admit, I'm not as fond of the second one. It's rather plain. Just a little flower. I tend to wear this one more in the summer -- because ... summer! Flowers!
For my third broken china pendant, I was feeling low and missing my parents. My Mum left me some money and I decided to treat myself to a third broken china pendant that I saw advertised on Facebook. It's Spode and is holly for the (what else?) hollydays. (Sorry about that.) And to make it more special, one of my readers (who has made jewelry) sent me the chain. In fact, she sent two!These three pendants were in the $75+ range. and I R Cheap! Mind you, they are definitely worth the extra price. The mounts are beautiful and very sturdy. These are definitely "professional pieces.
But since I'm a sap for old china (and buy far too much of it at yard sales), I wanted MORE broken china jewelry. Actually, I broke one of my mother plates last summer and tried to find someone to make me a pendant out ofit. At the time, I came up empty so I tossed out the broken plate. (BIG MISTAKE.)
While I was going through some of my mother's things last month, I found a little white box and inside was -- SURPRISE -- a broken china pendant and silver chain. Whoa! There was a sticker on the box from a museum in Vancouver, Canada. Wow--my mother had gone on a cruise to Alaska some 15+ years ago and one of the stops was in Vancourver where she must have visited the museum gift shop. I'm betting she bought the necklace for me and simply forgot she had it. So ... guess who has a new-to-her piece of broken china jewelry. Again, it's not my favorite, but it has great sentimental value because I (want to) believe she meant for me to have it.
Well, once you get more than three of anything, you have a collection. I guessed I was now collecting broken china pendants. I just happened to be on Etsy looking for something else (which I did not buy) and thought about broken china jewelry. BIG MISTAKE. I found a page called 
But then I realized -- oops again -- I'm going to need a chain. (Duh--forgetting the other chain my reader had sent.) So, we were on a boot-hunting expedition and Penney's had a deal on silver chains. BOGO. So, I got them. Brought them home and said to myself, "Self, this means you were
meant
to have yet ANOTHER broken china pendant. And so, back to Marooned Jewelry I went. This time, I ordered a brown transferware piece (because I collect brown transferware plates). Oooh! I love it! (It arrived yesterday.)But a funny thing happened during the time I was waiting for the brown transferware pendant to arrive. I kept finding silver chains. I'm on an organizational kick and have been trying to get my bedroom organized. (Already have sent a big bag of clothes and a box full of stuff to Goodwill.) In all, I now have five empty chains. You know what that means ....
(P.S. Marooned Jewelry will also make pieces from your broken china. I'm almost tempted to break a plate so that I can have one made.)
BTW, as part of my jewelry organization, I bought a bracelet display stand. I made a video about it yesterday. (A little dark, but you can get the idea of what I've got. Hopefully I'll get better the more videos I make.) You can see it here. And while you're there, I hope you'll subscribe to my new YouTube Channel (Lorraine's Fun Stuff). My regular (book trailer, etc.) Youtube channel is here.
Have you got a jewelry collection?
Having Cats Neutered (Males) and Spayed (Females)
by Karen Rose Smith
When we adopted two kittens this summer--a brother Zander and his sister Freya, we knew we'd have to have them neutered and spayed. I've been a cat mom since I was in college in the 70's. My parents adopted cats before that. So I have a long history with veterinarians and what they believe. I thought I'd share the thinking with you.
Back in the 70's, females and males were spayed and neutered when they were older. There wasn't a push to have it done as there is now. My husband and I adopted a cat right after we were married and soon added a second. They were about a year old when they were spayed. Since then, practices have changed, depending on where you live. We have family in Oklahoma. The vet there who runs a feline rescue and clinic believes kittens should be spayed and neutered once they are two pounds! She believes, especially in females, that spaying early cuts down the risk of cancer.
EbbieWhen we adopted my soulmate kitten in 2001, she was sick. Antibiotics didn't work and I took her to a wholistic vet. That veterinarian believed females should go into heat at least once before being spayed so the correct growth hormones had been released. Ebbie got well on a raw food diet and specialized vitamins. She went into heat at nine months and after that was when we had her spayed. With her half sister who we also adopted, we followed the same protocol.
With the kittens and their present day vet, he suggested we spay and neuter at six months. He feels males need that long for growth hormones and development so males don't have a problem with crystal formation and UTI's later in life. He also suggested six months for our little female. He felt it was better to spay before her first heat. We're following his directions.
Last week, Zander was neutered. He was six and a half months old and weighed 7 1/2 pounds. We were suppose to keep him separated from his sister and our two other inside cats for 10 days. I laughed. We were hoping to do it for 3 days. But Zander is full of energy. He came home fully awake. We were prescribed an anti-inflammatory Onsior for three days. It was a pill, and the only anti-inflammatory approved for felines. The vet practice had suggested a pill wrapping paste with a bacon taste. We never had much luck with pill pockets, but the paste worked beautifully. Zander gobbled it down. The first night we kept him separated in an upstairs bedroom. I was with him all night and I could tell he was uncomfortable. But the next morning, there was no keeping him from jumping on the bed and chairs. I took him to my office and kept him confined that day and night but we did let his sister "visit." However, the third day, he was totally himself and was going stir crazy. So we let him join the others with our vigilance. But today, four days after neutering, he is acting completely normal. Cats will be cats.
We know that our little female, Freya, will have to be confined longer after she is spayed at the beginning of February. In the past, we tried to keep spayed cats separated for at least 3-4 days as we applied warm compresses and used pain medication and an anti-inflammatory Onsior. We'll see how Freya responds after her procedure. But she's a firecracker like her brother and will be hard to keep quiet so she can heal.
I'm always stressed out during the procedures but I know they are necessary. If you trust your vet, follow his/her directives about spaying and neutering. If what they suggest doesn't feel right, get another opinion. Cat patients need advocates too!
When we adopted two kittens this summer--a brother Zander and his sister Freya, we knew we'd have to have them neutered and spayed. I've been a cat mom since I was in college in the 70's. My parents adopted cats before that. So I have a long history with veterinarians and what they believe. I thought I'd share the thinking with you.
Back in the 70's, females and males were spayed and neutered when they were older. There wasn't a push to have it done as there is now. My husband and I adopted a cat right after we were married and soon added a second. They were about a year old when they were spayed. Since then, practices have changed, depending on where you live. We have family in Oklahoma. The vet there who runs a feline rescue and clinic believes kittens should be spayed and neutered once they are two pounds! She believes, especially in females, that spaying early cuts down the risk of cancer.
EbbieWhen we adopted my soulmate kitten in 2001, she was sick. Antibiotics didn't work and I took her to a wholistic vet. That veterinarian believed females should go into heat at least once before being spayed so the correct growth hormones had been released. Ebbie got well on a raw food diet and specialized vitamins. She went into heat at nine months and after that was when we had her spayed. With her half sister who we also adopted, we followed the same protocol.
With the kittens and their present day vet, he suggested we spay and neuter at six months. He feels males need that long for growth hormones and development so males don't have a problem with crystal formation and UTI's later in life. He also suggested six months for our little female. He felt it was better to spay before her first heat. We're following his directions.
Last week, Zander was neutered. He was six and a half months old and weighed 7 1/2 pounds. We were suppose to keep him separated from his sister and our two other inside cats for 10 days. I laughed. We were hoping to do it for 3 days. But Zander is full of energy. He came home fully awake. We were prescribed an anti-inflammatory Onsior for three days. It was a pill, and the only anti-inflammatory approved for felines. The vet practice had suggested a pill wrapping paste with a bacon taste. We never had much luck with pill pockets, but the paste worked beautifully. Zander gobbled it down. The first night we kept him separated in an upstairs bedroom. I was with him all night and I could tell he was uncomfortable. But the next morning, there was no keeping him from jumping on the bed and chairs. I took him to my office and kept him confined that day and night but we did let his sister "visit." However, the third day, he was totally himself and was going stir crazy. So we let him join the others with our vigilance. But today, four days after neutering, he is acting completely normal. Cats will be cats. 
We know that our little female, Freya, will have to be confined longer after she is spayed at the beginning of February. In the past, we tried to keep spayed cats separated for at least 3-4 days as we applied warm compresses and used pain medication and an anti-inflammatory Onsior. We'll see how Freya responds after her procedure. But she's a firecracker like her brother and will be hard to keep quiet so she can heal.
I'm always stressed out during the procedures but I know they are necessary. If you trust your vet, follow his/her directives about spaying and neutering. If what they suggest doesn't feel right, get another opinion. Cat patients need advocates too!
January 23, 2018
Figuring it out or completely stumped!
You are all mystery fans. Actually you all are mystery experts! You read and watch and talk mysteries non-stop on FB, with friends and family even with strangers you meet and strike up a conversation. At least that’s what I do and my guess is you are pretty much the same way.So my question to you is... Just how good are you? When you watch a mystery on TV or a movie are you so fine-tuned that you know just the clue to pick up on? The key phrase or event that changes everything? The clue buried under a mountain of dialog or events?
Or are you completely surprised at the end?
I think this has to do with two things. How many mysteries you watch and read and just how good the writing and acting are.I hate those mysteries where the reader/watcher doesn’t know all the clues and the hero/heroine brings in everyone at the last and springs who the killer is by listing things we don’t know. Foul! Once upon a time writers could get away with this crap but no longer. All the clues must, must, must be there.
So that said, are you good at finding them or are you stumped? I’m getting better at figuring out the killer but I still get stumped. When I attend those mystery dinner parties I can never figure out the killer. In fact I’m usually the worse one in the group.
But at movies I’m getting better at tuning into the little clues intended to be lost in the shuffle. I think that’s because that’s exactly what I have to do when I write...bury the clues?
So on a scale from one to ten, exactly how good of a detective are you?http://www.duffybrown.com
January 22, 2018
Can You Believe?
by Maggie SeftonI had hoped to post more Maria and John wedding photos for my post today. I wanted to share them with all of you Cozy Chicks Blog readers and fans and friends. However, an unexpected glitch occurred, and I wasn't able to receive daughter Christine's wedding photos in time for today's post. So, I will have to wait until next Tuesday to share them.
Instead, I will simply remind everyone that Kelly Flynn Mystery #16---DYEING UP LOOSE ENDS---will be published and released for sale this coming June. It's hard to believe that there are sixteen Kelly Flynn adventures for everyone to enjoy. :)
January 21, 2018
A NEW TWIST ON AN OLD TREAT--DATE TRUFFLES!
By Mary Kennedy
Gray, gloomy days here, but a new recipe can always spice things up! I just came across a fun recipe you may enjoy. It's super-easy and it's Date-Walnut Truffles.
Ingredients:
1 and 1/4 cup walnuts2 cups pitted dates1/2 cup sliced slmonds3 Tbs almond butter2 tbsp coconut oil1/2 cup sunflower seed1 cup unsweetened coconut (I couldn't find unsweetened and used the regular kind)
Directions:
Add the walnuts, dates and almonds to a food processor and pulse until the nuts are broken and the dates form a sticky paste. Add almond butter and coconut oil and pulse to combine.Add the sunflower seeds and 1/4 cup of the coconut and pulse until just combined.Scoop and roll mixture into 1-inch balls. Make sure these are tightly molded by rubbing them between the palms of your hands.
Place remaining coconut on plate and roll balls in coconut, pressing to adhere. Place in sealed container until ready to eat.
These make a great hostess gift, everyone loves them!
Mary Kennedy
Gray, gloomy days here, but a new recipe can always spice things up! I just came across a fun recipe you may enjoy. It's super-easy and it's Date-Walnut Truffles.
Ingredients:
1 and 1/4 cup walnuts2 cups pitted dates1/2 cup sliced slmonds3 Tbs almond butter2 tbsp coconut oil1/2 cup sunflower seed1 cup unsweetened coconut (I couldn't find unsweetened and used the regular kind)
Directions:
Add the walnuts, dates and almonds to a food processor and pulse until the nuts are broken and the dates form a sticky paste. Add almond butter and coconut oil and pulse to combine.Add the sunflower seeds and 1/4 cup of the coconut and pulse until just combined.Scoop and roll mixture into 1-inch balls. Make sure these are tightly molded by rubbing them between the palms of your hands.
Place remaining coconut on plate and roll balls in coconut, pressing to adhere. Place in sealed container until ready to eat.
These make a great hostess gift, everyone loves them!
Mary Kennedy
January 18, 2018
I always wanted a Hummel
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Apple Tree GirlBack in the 1970s and 80s, Hummels were hot! At every antique or collectibles establishment you went, there they were--and they weren't cheap. In fact, a cheap one might be about $75.
My ex-sister-in-law loved Hummels, and my mother gave her quite a few of them. I no longer recall what quite a few amounted to, but it was more than I ever got--which was nothing. I hinted very strongly that I would like one, but ... it never happened. (I remember the first one ex-SIL got was the Apple Tree Girl.)
One of the reasons they struck a chord with me is that Mr. L and I worked with a man whose son made them. Yup. He decided at a young age that he loved Hummels and wanted to work for the factory that made them. So, he learned to speak fluent German, as well as studied his craft in ceramics--and actually got a job there. Of course, all these years later, I have no idea if he's still there, but it was kinda cool -- and his father sure was proud of him.
But back to Hummels and me.
I never had one. Until last week. Mr. L took me to a thrift shop in a rather tony suburb. This shop opened in October but we only found out about it at Christmastime--when it shut down for a couple of weeks, and I didn't get to go until last week. WOW--can you say sticker shock? But then everything in it was good quality stuff. And they had three Hummels for sale.
The resale market for Hummels has gone right down the toilet. In fact, I read an article online about how it's one of the 10 collectibles that essentially has no secondary-market value. (Anything from Franklin mint comes next.) But that doesn't mean I didn't want a Hummel. They're incredibly cute.
Two of the Hummels were in the $35 range--and I wasn't going to lay out that kind of dough, but they had a small one for $12 and I decided to splurge. Isn't she cute?
Now this little tyke lives in one of my china cabinets surrounded by Chintz china cups (which have also lost their market value). I finally have my Hummel. And I bought her with money my mother left me after she passed. Thanks, Mum!
What collectibles do you covet, even if they have no real intrinsic value?
Apple Tree GirlBack in the 1970s and 80s, Hummels were hot! At every antique or collectibles establishment you went, there they were--and they weren't cheap. In fact, a cheap one might be about $75.My ex-sister-in-law loved Hummels, and my mother gave her quite a few of them. I no longer recall what quite a few amounted to, but it was more than I ever got--which was nothing. I hinted very strongly that I would like one, but ... it never happened. (I remember the first one ex-SIL got was the Apple Tree Girl.)
One of the reasons they struck a chord with me is that Mr. L and I worked with a man whose son made them. Yup. He decided at a young age that he loved Hummels and wanted to work for the factory that made them. So, he learned to speak fluent German, as well as studied his craft in ceramics--and actually got a job there. Of course, all these years later, I have no idea if he's still there, but it was kinda cool -- and his father sure was proud of him.
But back to Hummels and me.
I never had one. Until last week. Mr. L took me to a thrift shop in a rather tony suburb. This shop opened in October but we only found out about it at Christmastime--when it shut down for a couple of weeks, and I didn't get to go until last week. WOW--can you say sticker shock? But then everything in it was good quality stuff. And they had three Hummels for sale.
The resale market for Hummels has gone right down the toilet. In fact, I read an article online about how it's one of the 10 collectibles that essentially has no secondary-market value. (Anything from Franklin mint comes next.) But that doesn't mean I didn't want a Hummel. They're incredibly cute.Two of the Hummels were in the $35 range--and I wasn't going to lay out that kind of dough, but they had a small one for $12 and I decided to splurge. Isn't she cute?
Now this little tyke lives in one of my china cabinets surrounded by Chintz china cups (which have also lost their market value). I finally have my Hummel. And I bought her with money my mother left me after she passed. Thanks, Mum!
What collectibles do you covet, even if they have no real intrinsic value?
Stuffing Closet Shelves!
by Karen Rose Smith
Usually I don't think much about closets. Especially my office closet. It holds supplies, prizes for giveaways, research books, and bags of cat food and treats. Back in the 90's, we built a garage onto our house with my office on top and that's when the closet was established.
I love my office. It's bright, sunny and practical for working on the computer or taping the latest chapter in my mystery or romance. But the closet... I stuff it. I move things around to make room for whatever I need to shove in next. I intend to reorganize it at least once a year, but somehow that time never comes.
This year the time came. Two of the shelves collapsed! Paper is heavier than you think. So I had no choice to clean out and re-organize. As you can see from the photos, this closet was set up with organizer shelves. I would never use them again. In the closets in the rest of the house, we used good old fashioned wood shelves with wood brackets hammered into the walls. They are strong and hold up for decades. These shelves...
While I cleaned out, threw out, and decided what was most important to replace in the closet, hubby got out his electric screw driver, found new brackets (they are plastic) and attempted to reinstate order. The closet now looks like my office closet should. Will it last? Doubtful.
I consider the collapse advantageous. The closet needed a good once over and straightening. Now it's done.
How often do you clean out closets?
Usually I don't think much about closets. Especially my office closet. It holds supplies, prizes for giveaways, research books, and bags of cat food and treats. Back in the 90's, we built a garage onto our house with my office on top and that's when the closet was established.
I love my office. It's bright, sunny and practical for working on the computer or taping the latest chapter in my mystery or romance. But the closet... I stuff it. I move things around to make room for whatever I need to shove in next. I intend to reorganize it at least once a year, but somehow that time never comes.
This year the time came. Two of the shelves collapsed! Paper is heavier than you think. So I had no choice to clean out and re-organize. As you can see from the photos, this closet was set up with organizer shelves. I would never use them again. In the closets in the rest of the house, we used good old fashioned wood shelves with wood brackets hammered into the walls. They are strong and hold up for decades. These shelves...
While I cleaned out, threw out, and decided what was most important to replace in the closet, hubby got out his electric screw driver, found new brackets (they are plastic) and attempted to reinstate order. The closet now looks like my office closet should. Will it last? Doubtful.
I consider the collapse advantageous. The closet needed a good once over and straightening. Now it's done.
How often do you clean out closets?
January 17, 2018
Let the Games Begin...this is a GAME?
I like board games. Knowing I’m a GOT fan...that’s code for Game of Thrones...my daughter gave me Clue Game of Thrones for Christmas. It’s typical Clue with GOT characters and locations. I got to be Tyrian for the night. That was pretty cool as he is my fave character on the series. His motto is: I drink and I know things. What’s not to like.We also play Murder She Wrote. Another board game that is simple and fun where you actually have to get up and leave the room. You can see there’s a theme with the games I like...mystery.
So I decided this Christmas to up the game thing and try something a little more challenging. I love Clue and GOT Clue and Murder She wrote. You can break out the chips and dip, pour the wine...this Christmas we seemed to be pouring a lot...and just sit back and have fun.Well then I bought this game Sherlock, The Consulting Detective. I love anything Sherlock but Lord have mercy and pass the prayer book! This game takes board gaming to a whole new level! It is serious gaming!To give you an idea it took forty-five minutes to read the directions and even then who knew what the heck they were talking about. So, we jumped in.
It was pretty cool as you had to gather clues of who the killer is by reading newspapers...there are actual newspapers to read. Then you follow locations on a map. There are two detailed maps and a phone directory of London listing characters and their addresses. There are characters all over London and police stations as well.
Talk about involved! There was no chip-dipping or wine drinking. The good thing was that we all worked together to solve the mystery. Someone took notes and we all had to think...boy did we have to think! Clues at the morgue, forensics, alibis, time lines, distances, probability. This was the real deal of crime solving!!
I had never played a game like this before. I write mysteries so when I think this hard I get paid for it!! This took gaming to a whole new level. So my question to you is have you ever played one of these serious types of games? I did some research and realize there are many of these more serious types of games out there. Battle Star Galactica, Rebellion...I hear this one takes two hour just to read the directions. I don’t have that much wine on hand.
Are you a serious gamer or are you pass the chips, pour the wine and get out Clue. I wanna be Colonel Mustard.
Hugs, Duffy
January 15, 2018
Family Celebration II
by Maggie SeftonToday and next week I'll be posting more photos of daughter Maria's wedding December 30. I hope our regular Cozy Chicks Blog readers and fans won't be bored. I'm pleading Proud Mother of the Bride excuse. I simply can't help it. Again, there is nothing happening in my Book World during January, so there's simply no news to report. :)
To the left, Maria with her hair "done up" with curls. :)
These photos are all from pre-wedding preparations for the Wedding Party. Next week I hope to have photos that other family took during the wedding reception. :) Daughter Serena---to the right---has naturally curly hair so the hairdresser had a lot to work with. :) Bottom photo is at Roxy's home just before we left for the church. 
Maria and Roxy above.
January 14, 2018
THE MAIN THING IS TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
By Mary Kennedy
I was so struck by something my exercise instructor said, I decided it would be a great topic for a blog. She said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." A wonderful quote by Stephen Covey.
A deceptively simply, insightful piece of advice, but how often do we follow it? How often do we let a goal slip through our fingers because we get pulled in too many directions, distracted by the everyday minutiae of life? Why can't we keep our eye on the ball, our eye on the prize?
But wishing isn't enough. We need strategies.
What if it were possible to follow Stephen Covey's advice, every single day? Think of all the obstacles you could eliminate. No more procrastination, no more second guessing yourself, no more false starts, no more wasted time. You wouldn't be at loose ends when you start your day because you would have a blueprint right in front of you. It would be simple. No more dithering about, wondering what to do. You would just do THE MAIN THING.
Here are two tips I give my clients.1. Prioritize. This is a snap, now that you know you are going to be focusing on "the main thing," no matter what it is. It doesn't matter whether it's writing a novel, following through with a daily exercise plan or organizing your paperwork. Prioritizing--or keeping your eye on the prize--will pay off big-time.
2. Remember to keep an absolute YES list by the phone. This is an important adjunct to place to Covey's strategy. If someone calls you with a request (no matter how tempting or worthwhile), you simply must decline...unless it fits in with THE MAIN THING. You can't let yourself be distracted if you are serious about concentrating on the main thing. Say yes to things connected to the main thing, say no to everything else. Yes, I know personal emergencies come up and life takes some twists and turns, but for the most part, your day is predictable. How you spend your time is up to you. At least your "free" time.I'll give some more hints in future blogs, but I think less is more for the moment. So try to prioritize and keep a Yes list and see how it goes. (And I'll do the same.) Until next time...
Mary Kennedy
I was so struck by something my exercise instructor said, I decided it would be a great topic for a blog. She said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." A wonderful quote by Stephen Covey.
A deceptively simply, insightful piece of advice, but how often do we follow it? How often do we let a goal slip through our fingers because we get pulled in too many directions, distracted by the everyday minutiae of life? Why can't we keep our eye on the ball, our eye on the prize?
But wishing isn't enough. We need strategies.
What if it were possible to follow Stephen Covey's advice, every single day? Think of all the obstacles you could eliminate. No more procrastination, no more second guessing yourself, no more false starts, no more wasted time. You wouldn't be at loose ends when you start your day because you would have a blueprint right in front of you. It would be simple. No more dithering about, wondering what to do. You would just do THE MAIN THING.
Here are two tips I give my clients.1. Prioritize. This is a snap, now that you know you are going to be focusing on "the main thing," no matter what it is. It doesn't matter whether it's writing a novel, following through with a daily exercise plan or organizing your paperwork. Prioritizing--or keeping your eye on the prize--will pay off big-time.
2. Remember to keep an absolute YES list by the phone. This is an important adjunct to place to Covey's strategy. If someone calls you with a request (no matter how tempting or worthwhile), you simply must decline...unless it fits in with THE MAIN THING. You can't let yourself be distracted if you are serious about concentrating on the main thing. Say yes to things connected to the main thing, say no to everything else. Yes, I know personal emergencies come up and life takes some twists and turns, but for the most part, your day is predictable. How you spend your time is up to you. At least your "free" time.I'll give some more hints in future blogs, but I think less is more for the moment. So try to prioritize and keep a Yes list and see how it goes. (And I'll do the same.) Until next time...Mary Kennedy
