Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

75.  lotion

76.  blue sky

77.  March

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Windmills of Change by valleykatdesigns

I haven't done this feature in a long time and when I found this quote on Facebook, I knew I had to share it.  Of course it might not mean as much to you as it does to me, but it's a good reminder for me since my word for the year is 'change'.

The 3 C's of life:  Choices, chances and changes ~ You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Is there something in your life, home, job, business, family, relationships, etc. that you don't like?  Do you intend to do something about it?  Or are you complaining, lamenting, dwelling or suffering in silence over it? 

We moved to this area of Maryland almost six years ago.  I don't like it here for lots of reasons.  My husband and I went round and round last night (again) about moving back to where we were.  He's completely and toally against it and refuses to move.

So what's a girl to do?  The only solution would be for me to move back.  As tempting as it is at this moment, I know it's not really a solution.  While thinking about this and mindlessly surfing the internet, I came across this quote and realized what I have to do!

If you don't like something, change it.

If you can't change it, change your attitude.

~ Maya Angelou

I need an attitude adjustment!  Although I have tried to do this in the past, I realize I haven't tried hard enough.  It's time to let go of the old life and embrace a new life.  So easy to say and so hard to do!  I'm willing to try and that's the first step!

So what about you?  Will you change that 'something' in your life or will you change your attitude?  

Annette 

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Lovely Little Family Portrait by Whimsy Studios

As I was going through some of my old cookbooks, I kept coming across recipes for friendship, happy homes, happy marriages, etc.  It struck me just how true these 'recipes' are so I thought I would share one today from The Pioneer Kettle, Arkansas Telephone Pioneers Cookbook

Recipe For A Happy Home

Half a cup of firendship and a cup of thoughtfulness

with a pinch of powdered tenderness.  Very lightly beaten

 in a bowl of loyalty with a cup of faith

and one of hope and one of charity.

Be sure to add a spoonful each of gaiety that sings,

and also the ability to laugh at little things.  Moisten with

the sudden tears of heart-felt sympathy.  Bake in a good natured pan and serve repeatedly.

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Annette

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

She Exudes Self Confidence by simply audacious

"You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you

never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what

you can do except the limitations of your own mind."

-- Darwin P. Kingsley

For the past couple of weeks I've been coming across quotes and articles about self confidence.  I think everyone struggles with this at some point.  We might feel confident in some areas and not so much in others. 

Until recently, I believed I couldn't create something without a pattern.  The reason I didn't believe it was because I tried many times and failed.  Usually I measured wrong or I just didn't know what all the steps were.  However, if I had a pattern and instructions, I had the confidence to make the item.  Since opening my Etsy shop, I've created sachets, placemats, bibs, burp cloths and an apron without a pattern.  My confidence is growing!

I've always admired my daughter, Erin, for her confidence in herself when it comes to creating.  Ever since she was a little girl, not knowing how to do something never stopped her from doing it!  Time and time again I watched her start with an idea and end with an object she was proud of.  I want to be like that!

How is your self confidence level these days?

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom....Never Give Up!

Have you ever watched the process of a two year old learning something new?  It's fascinating.  The determination and resolve they have is something that comes natural to them at that age.  I have watched my granddaughter time and time again go through the process of mastering a new skill, and frankly, I want to be like her!

Shylee never gives up!  She might get frustrated and throw something, or walk away and do something else, but she always come back to the task.  That doesn't mean she masters the skill in a day.  It might take several days or weeks, but in the end she is triumphant and proud of herself.  Then it's off to something new! 

What a lesson for us grownups to learn!  When you are working hard to reach a goal, you're going to get frustrated.  You might try throwing something if that happens, but I recommend walking away and doing something else for a while.  Come back to the task at hand and know that as long as you don't give up, you're going to reach that goal.  Also know that it might not be today or tomorrow but next week, next month or next year.  The point is to not give up.  That is what today's quote is about.

Life is too short to trudge through it depressed and defeated.  You are never defeated, nor can you be defeated, until you give up.  There will always be unforseen obstacles in life.  Never give in and never give up.    ~ Ray Lammie

It took Shylee umpteen tries before she got out of that laundry basket!  It then took just as many to get back in and do it all over again!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day ~ Author Unknown

The last couple of weeks, and especially the last few days, have been tough at our house.  It started when my daughter's friend passed away in a motorcycle accident.  We cancelled our trip to Arkansas to visit family because she wasn't up to it, so we planned a shorter trip to Savannah, GA and would have left yesterday but for some unexpected news...again. 

It seems my daddy has bladder cancer.  He will be having surgery next week to remove the tumors and determine what stage he's in.  This news is still sinking in.  In the meantime, my husband is having tests done on his neck and chest because of lumps there.  The one on his neck is a fatty cyst and most likely benign.  The lump in his chest is possibly the same thing but we won't know til next week. 

Erin and I are leaving this morning for Williamsburg, VA for three days.  It's much closer to home and although it will be much shorter than the last two trips planned, it will be good to get away for a little while and it will help the time go by faster! 

I don't know why I'm telling you about all of this.  I'm rambling and probably sharing too much information but  I guess I want you to know why I haven't posted or left comments on your blogs.  Please know that I'm still reading your posts and trying to keep up but you may or may not hear from me as often for a while!

Remember to look for something good every day.....I know I will!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom....A Mother's Love

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world.

It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down

remorselessly all that stands in its path

~ Agatha Christie

 

My heart breaks for by daughter today.  On Monday she traveled to Buffalo, New York to attend today's funeral of a friend who died last week in a motorcycle accident.  It's very sad, as he leaves behind a wife, a 4 year old daughter and a 2 week old baby boy.  My daughter, Erin, took this very hard.

 

When our children are little, we have the 'mom power' to fix eveything.  That is everything from a scraped knee, to hurt feelings, to broken bicycles,  to last minute projects requiring something you don't have on hand.  When  my kids were being bullied, it was very hard not to go do some bullying myself.  There's nothing we moms wouldn't do to help or protect our children. 

 

My heart breaks today because I can't fix this.  My hugs and kisses can't make it all better even though I gave her lots of them.  This has been the hardest part of having grown children.  We give them wings to fly from the nest into the world where they learn what life is all about.  The most I can do is pray for them and never let them forget I am there for them no matter what. 

 

 

 

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.  ~ Madame Marie Curie

I love this quote!  It makes me realize that if I don't believe in not only myself, but also my talent, then I might as well quit now.  How can perseverance, self-confidence, and belief in our craft not equal success?  

If you're like me, you are your own worst critic!  I can sew something up and convince myself that it's not worth giving away let alone selling.  When someone compliments my work, I find it difficult to accept the compliment because it's not THAT good.  Well, gosh darn it.....I AM good at what I do!  I have a talent for sewing and it's ok to say so and more importantly, it's ok to believe it!  If I don't believe in what I do, why should someone else?

This has been a real eye opener for me!  I sincerely hope it inspires you in some way too!  I'm anxious to know what you think about this quote!!!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Friendship

The word friendship brings to mind many people, places and memories of the past.  I was painfully shy as a child which made it difficult sometimes to make friends.  I was an army brat, moving every two years and having to start over time and time again making new friends.  However, through that shyness, I learned how to observe people and their behavior before rushing into friendship.   As an army wife and as an adult, I found making friends easier but continued to remain cautious as before. 

photo provided by The Graphics Fairy

Five years ago, my husband's company transfered him to where we live now.  The first two years we lived in the boonies and there was no one to make friends with.  By the time we moved into town, I was lonely and desperate to have a friend.  Lonliness and desperation can cause a person to throw caution to the wind!  That's what I did anyway.   I watched and observed and saw the red flags but chose to ignore them.  What I saw happening in their other relationships, wasn't going to happen with me because I was a true friend.  Well, I might have been a true friend but they weren't. 

Even though the friendships are over, the hurt and resentment lingers.  I really miss my friends I left five years ago.  I miss having a close friend.

Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend. ~Plautus

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be!

by: Donna Levine

There is inside you

All of the potential

To be whatever you want to be; 

All of the energy

To do whatever you want to do. 

Imagine yourself as you would like to be, 

Doing what you want to do, 

And each day, take one step

Towards your dream. 

And though at times it may seem too

difficult to continue, 

Hold on to your dream. 

One morning you will awake to find

That you are the person you dreamed of, 

Doing what you wanted to do, 

Simply because you had the courage

To believe in your potential

And to hold on to your dream

Are you holding on to your dream?  Do you believe in yourself?

Have a really wonderful Wednesday!!!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.   ~Wayne Dyer

So, are you making a living at what you love?  I'm not...yet. I know how easy it is to lose your focus, get discouraged, make excuses, blame somebody else, just get lazy, and just plain give up.  I've been there, done that.  For me, it's easy to do all of the above when I'm not seeing results.  I want it all and I want it now!! 

When reality starts messing with our dreams, we tend to think that maybe what we're doing wasn't meant to be, or maybe it's just not the right time or any one of dozens of excuses we can think of to give in and give up.  What we need to do then is step back and look at the situation in a different light.  If we keep doing what we're doing, then we'll keep getting what we're getting.  We have to be willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means getting out of our comfort zone and doing something different, unusual, or out of the ordinary. How will you know if you can ever make a living at what you love if you give up now? 

What is one thing you could do different to get where you want to be?

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Perseverence

Have you been watching the Olympics?  Have you heard the incredible stories of some of the Olympians?  Have you thought about what it takes to even make it to the Olympics?  I've been watching and hearing the stories and have been so inspired by the athletes.

There's not a single athletic bone in my body, but that's okay because a gold medal isn't one of my goals!  My goal is to have a thriving business doing what I love....sewing.  The athlete and I will go about reaching our goals in completely different ways, but I've learned from them what is needed most to get there.  We need commitment, determination, focus, motivation, self-discipline and perseverence among other things.

I've been surprised at the number of athletes who have been critically injured during training and yet came to the Olympics, competed and won a medal.  Many of them competing despite not being completely healed and still in pain.  There are athletes who have lost loved ones not only last year but during this past week.  Yet they went on to compete.  Like I said, I am so inspired by them.  They didn't give up.  Despite the life changing circumstances, they kept going, they persevered.

I was discouraged this past week but I haven't given up on my dream.  I may get sidetracked along the way sometimes but I know where I'm going and where I want to end up.  Today's words of wisdom are about perseverence.

The rewards for those who persevere far exceed the pain that must precede the victory.  
 ~Ted W. Engstrom

 What or who inspires you?  What will it take for you to reach your goals?

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Not Today!

After spending over two hours reading through hundreds of motivational, inspiring, funny, touching, famous, obscure and down right ridiculous quotes, I have no words of wisdom for today.  Nothing spoke to me.  I was not inspired or motivated. 

Do you ever wake up in the morning in a funk?  I'm not down or depressed, in a bad mood, unhappy, angry or feeling sorry for myself.  I just feel bleh.  I don't feel like doing anything but I want to do everything.  I want to go to the bookstore but I don't want to go anywhere.  Do you ever feel like this or am I alone here?
What do you do when you feel this way?

I may not have words to inspire you today but I will leave you with some awe inspiring photos!

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!!!! 

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

It's blizzarding here again today.  I was looking for a quote about snow but I wanted to find something about love since Valenitne's is Sunday.  Imagine my surprise to find one about both! 

“The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love.”  ~Margaret Atwood

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom and a Grilled Grandma

I'm so honored to be this week's featured 'Grilled Grandma' over at Grandma's Briefs.  This is a weekly feature on Lisa's blog and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.  Grandma's Briefs is on my daily read list and I hope you will go over there and see why!

Today's quote isn't so much words of wisdom but more of a revelation!  It's something you can't possibly

know and understand until it happens to you!  All you grandmas out there know what I'm talking about!

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!!!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Today's quote is a reminder for people like me who procrastinate!  I'm constantly telling myself that I can't sell an item in my Etsy shop if it's waiting to be made in my sewing room!

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow  ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Have a marvelous Monday!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I don't wait for moods.  You accomplish nothing if you do that.  Your mind must know it has to get down to work.

~ Pearl Buck ~

Do you find yourself doing tasks based on whether or not you are in the mood to do them?  Do you find yourself saying, "I'm not going to do (fill in the blank) because I'm not in the mood"?  Or, "I'm in the mood to (fill in the blank)" so that's what I'll do today".  When I came across this quote, I realized that this is key to my success.  My lack of self discipline is getting in the way of my success, because I do things based on if I'm in the mood to do them or not!  This has come about since becoming an empty nester.  My time was my own and suddenly I could do whatever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to.  Five years later,  I'm struggling to do what needs to be done because of the mood attitude!  I hope this quote inspires or encourages you the way it did me!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I came across this quote a couple of weeks ago and thought it would be good for today.  So I'm keeping it lighthearted and funny instead of serious and thought provoking!

If you want to look young and thin, hang out with old fat people!  ~Anonymous

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

“Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.”       ~ Anonymous

 Do you ever get tired and discouraged when working towards your goals?  Do you ever feel sometimes like it's just not worth it?  Do you feel like the harder you work the less you accomplish?  Me too.  I want instant results and automatic perfection.  The Etsy forums are full of tired and discouraged artists ready to give up for one reason or another.  I believe that when you reach that place, you should push yourself harder and you might be surprised at what you can accomplish.  Giving up never accomplishes anything!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!