I am feeling the pressure to crank out these babies and I’ll tell you why.
Babies, of course, referring to items on the list. Not actual babies.
“Avoiding doldrums of winter” is the list. Refer to past postings for the other seven.
The reason I am feeling pressure is because the winter is flying. In about eighteen days the clocks in my house will “Spring Ahead!” by an hour. We will blink and there will be crocuses popping out of the ground. It will be Easter and then it will be the Fourth of July.
That sounds like good news. Besides the fact life is going by quickly.
So is my list even necessary?
Probably.
Because some winters are longer than others. Some are colder. Different regions experience different weather.
So here goes.
#8
An eye catcher.
Usually that’s me. But for the purpose of this list I will stick with inanimate objects.
Have something that brightens up the joint. Something visible that catches your eye. Lifts your mood. Each and every time. Acts like a dopamine drip.
We surround ourselves with furniture and a lifetime of dust collectors. How often do we actually acknowledge them? Even notice that they are there?
Yes, most of us are generally happy with our space. The overall feeling when you walk in the front door. Believe me, some days that feeling of contentment and “I’m in the comfort of my own place” vibe is enough for anyone.
Maybe looking for something more is asking too much?
Nah.
We have to continue working on the “shaking the blues” list! Something more than the same old thing is necessary.
This always works for me.
But not everyone wants or is able to have a pet and I promised to stick with inanimate.
There are a few things around the house, other than husband and dog, that I really like and always seem to brighten my moments.
I’ll share one today.
This is a small painting by a local Rhode Island artist named Kathy Weber. I have it displayed on a wall in a high traffic area near the front door.
Different things appeal to each of us for a variety of reasons. That is what makes the world go ’round.
When I look at this piece of art I am immediately transported to the town where I was raised. Sure, this could be a winter street scene from any New England working class neighborhood. But it looks exactly like mine. I also love the colors Weber uses in her work.
I found it at Neville Fine Art and Framing in Warren, Rhode Island. I chatted with Donna, the owner, back in the summer while admiring the shop and its nicely displayed pieces.
This little gem caught my eye and then I left without buying it.
I don’t know why. What’s wrong with me? It’s probably because I am a Libra and any decisions I ever need to make practically have to involve a congressional hearing. It’s no joke. So hard for me.
Then I started having these pangs of what I guess could only be described as the opposite of buyer’s remorse. Non-buyer’s remorse.
I knew then I just had to have it.
So a few days later my friend and I headed to the shop. Of course, we showed up after business hours.
The following week I was with another friend and drove to the shop. Had every intention of arriving home with my new bundle of joy. Nope. Didn’t happen. The place was not open on this particular day.
I was about to go down another road. You know the one. It’s called, “Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.”
But I didn’t.
The third time was the charm. Whew!
Okay, I can’t make decisions to save my life. But once something gets stuck in my head it’s going absolutely nowhere until I deal with it. If a person looks up the definition of “dogged” in the dictionary my eye catching face will be staring right back at them. My Dad used to say, “Watch out when she gets a bee in her bonnet.” He wasn’t lying.
Thank God it’s only the small stuff with me.
Imagine how tired I would be if I was going for world peace? Or bringing down the number of mass killings in the U.S.?
As a side note. It won’t take you three times to gain entry into Donna’s shop. That was just me, flying by the seat of my pants, without checking business hours and days of operation before hopping in the car. Expecting the world to revolve around my whims.
If you are in the area stop by and see Donna. You’ll be glad you did. Tell her I sent you. Just say, “Mary, the lady who loves that your shop smells like Christmas all year round.” She’ll know.
I bought the painting and I love it. It is a bright spot on a winter’s day.
Obviously, a painting is not going to do it for everyone. But there will be something. You’ll find it.
The eye catcher.
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#11
Posted in Expat Living, Family, Friends, Malaysia, Musings, Parents, Positive Thinking, Women, tagged 100 book challenge 2019, 100sareespact, 2015, achieve, anteater, books, celebrations, challenge, cherished memories, cigarettes, commentaries, course, empty nest, fighting cabin fever, goal, goodreads, heritage, jigsaw puzzle, love, movement, neon, new recipes, pact, personal goal, podcast, readinggroupguides, regular walks, weight loss on February 24, 2019| Leave a Comment »
#11 on the list. To fight cabin fever this winter.
Challenge yourself.
Recently I mentioned being exhausted and that I would soon share the reason.
Exhausted might have been a slight exaggeration. I was being a tad dramatic.
But here’s the reason.
I challenged myself at Goodreads. My personal goal is to read 100 books in 2019. I know, right?
This is a great site, by the way, for those who enjoy reading. Has suggestions, reviews, etc.
As an aside, since I am in sharing mode, this is also a fabulous site Reading Group Guides. loaded with so much for a reader to digest.
Since I’ve avoided any weight loss challenges that might be beckoning I figured I would go for something that was actually doable. My friend, Nancy, thinks that it’s a bit aggressive. She’s probably right.
I do enjoy reading and learning. So, I am not doing it just for the challenge. But it will help me to stay on track and not veer off with pesky distractions. While still somehow putting a little healthy pressure on myself. Not necessarily a bad thing if it’s keeping me off the streets.
Now I’m like an anteater sniffing around the house. Reading everything.
Hannie, my youngest who is away at university, is sort of uncomfortable with me grabbing books from her room and devouring them. Because, along the way, I’m taking photos of her neon colored, sticky post it notes and personal hand written observations in the margins while also lending my own running commentaries.
My accompanying texts, “Yes! I agree!” Or, “Really? You thought that?” Like a virtual book club. In my mind anyway.
So that is number eleven on the list “Fighting Cabin Fever.”
Challenge yourself.
Maybe lose the twenty pounds that appeared out of nowhere once you found an empty nest with no cigarettes. Okay, sorry for that ramble. That was totally for me. All me.
Could be an on-line course. Or listen to a daily podcast. Do one nice thing for someone else each day. Pull out a jigsaw puzzle. Read more books. Go for regular walks. Learn new recipes to shake things up.
A friend from Malaysia joined the 100sareepact in 2015. This involved a pact between two friends to wear their saree (sari) one hundred times while sharing their saree stories. It incorporated photos of celebrations, heritage, joy, love, cherished memories and more. Very cool movement.
Maybe you could create your own friend pact/challenge?
Whatever you decide to do it will result in a lovely feeling of accomplishment. You will have achieved your goal while keeping busy waiting for the change of seasons.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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