Savannah Hendricks's Blog, page 30

Appreciation Monday – Writer

Summer class is finished and another big “project” has been completed. Because of these two big items coming to a close I am so happy that I can get back to writing! It has been at least two months since I have put pen to paper, fingers to type a story, or researched for submissions.

While I think breaks and vacations are much needed for writers sometimes the length in-between is simply too long. I know for me it has been.

I am appreciative for the extra time I have now to return to writing, researching and submitting. (It actually makes me smile). Now let’s hope my “ADHD writing personality” doesn’t overwhelm me with too many ideas at once ;)

Big to Small

I recently moved from a house with 2,100 square feet to 960 square feet. The things I was most worried about actually turned out to be the least of my worries. One was of my home being  “too small.”

I watched Tiny:  A Story About Living Small (available on streaming Netflix) over the weekend and it really got me thinking. The story they followed brought up some incredible thought provoking…thoughts. We have become a society or maybe we always have been a society (in the United States) that boast BIGGER IS BETTER, MORE IS BETTER! Anyone with a small area and little amounts of objects/things is less of an accomplishment. Small is not looked at as a success, it’s looked at as a failure.

I feel that if I was still in the “mansion” of 2,100 square feet I would not fully understand it as I do now.

I enjoy my so called small home…I enjoy it more and more each day. At times it almost seems too big!

While I am fairly certain that I wouldn’t enjoy a 100 square foot house I can understand the appreciation these people had for theirs.

I highly recommend others watch Tiny, it gets you thinking, even if you don’t live some place small, how important it is to be happy and not consumed by society’s view of what is happiness.

Appreciation Monday

I am appreciative for my oven…my working oven. And the yummy peach pie that baked nicely in it. (My first one!!!) Sorry Marie Calendar’s mine is better.

Things I Learned This Week – Costco Edition

Costco shopping is a team effort.

Only single people go in, don’t grab a cart and leave with only one item.

Your team can consist of your spouse, your partner, your parent, your roommate, or other family.

Going in as “single” only leads to struggles and embarrassment.

You need one team member to hold the cart while the other team member lifts the object into the cart. This keeps the cart from moving as you slide/push items on it, or lift items over the rail.

You need one team member to walk in front of the cart, while the other pushes the cart. This prevents the items from sliding off the bottom of the cart, flipping over and causing the entire parking lot of customers to stare at you as you try and get the fallen objects back onto the cart a second time.

Appreciation Monday

Settling into a new place is not always easy. Transitions can be a challenge for some and not for others. I think it first starts with how you take to accepting the good or bad, of the “new.”

This Monday’s post of appreciation is multifaceted.

I am appreciative of my new place being just the right size.

I am appreciative of my dogs being overly excited to walk through the front door and feeling right at home, almost immediately.

I am appreciative of the way the home makes me feel and what it has to offer as I make it my own.

I am MOST appreciative for all the help I had, too much help to name, from the most important and special person in my life. It still amazes me how much one person can have an effect on another person.

Appreciation Monday

I am soaking up my last week at my current rental. While I am headed for such “new” “wonderfulness,” I am leaving a few memories behind. Some memories are unpleasant, some are happy, some are heartwarming, some I want to forget and some I never want to nor will I forget. The nice memories are causing me sadness to leave. 

I have been very lucky to be able to stay in such a nice place. My most fond memories and such a wonderful reason to be appreciative are for a few fun times in the pool, watching a few monsoons roll through, feet up at the fireplace, candles on the mantel, room to play ball inside with the dogs, amazing sunsets, and a neighborhood that mirrors the best Christmas warmth from classic movies.

I am appreciative for the ability to stay during a grand time of change, and I’m appreciative to be able to leave.

Disappointing Cadillac Commercial

The Cadillac commercial that first aired during the Oscars in March intrigued me greatly. I had all but forgotten about it…for a while.

At first I was thinking that the actor’s lines were correct. We work hard for things while other countries hit cafes on the way home and take an entire month off. Then the actor states Americans are dreamers and are willing to only take a few weeks off (instead of a month) to have all these lavish items (large house in the Hollywood hills, sparkling pool, interior design decor)because we are dreamers….WHAT?!?!

This commercial just makes us look greedy and only caring about items over others and relaxation. This idea of America upsets me. Not the dreaming part, but thinking that we all dream of mansions, electric cars, and gallery sculptures in our homes.

That is not my American dream!

Here is the commercial that aired. Your thoughts?

Appreciation Monday

“B’s” puppy-blanket, my first handmade/hand-stitched quilt – made 2009

Even though I’ve been busy, reflection has snuck itself into every other minute of my life over the last month or so. I don’t often take the time to reflect for one reason or another. For some reason the picture of a quilt hanging from a clothes line on Instagram made me pause and reflect more so than ever.

I’m on odd duck; I love and hate change at the same time. I’ve been very blessed and fortunate within my life regardless of the copious amounts of complaining I do.

The place I’d been renting for nearly four years provided me with such beautiful backyard oasis I hate to leave. My dogs and I have found great comfort there, almost as if we are in our own little sanctuary.

The new place I’m moving to can be created into anything that I want because it’s mine. What a powerful concept to know? ANYTHING. Power can be wonderful and frightening and often times, at least for me, I let the fear part of it take over which causes me to over think and rush things, instead of taking the time to simple reflect and be in the moment of such change.

Reflection, as I’m realizing, is a needed key component for me in life. I’m grateful for the chance to have more changes that allow me to take the time I need to reflect.

I am appreciative of having the time to reflect and understanding its importance in my life.

3 Things I Learned This Week

Regardless of its meaning, saying the word debauchery just sounds cool, especially if you do it with an attitude.

If you burn a pool/coconut candle and heat up pizza you feel like you are eating a tropical pizza.

SmartWater is a life-saver.

 

 

Appreciation Monday

Change.

I am so very grateful for change that has been apart of my life over the last few years. This last weekend was monumental.

I couldn’t do it without the support of a few very important persons and one very VERY special person.

I use to fear change, but over the years I have learned that the best things come from change.

THE VERY BEST THINGS!