Thursday, July 31, 2008

Questions to Consider


I receive Mark Sanborn's email newsletter called Leadership Lessons. The most recent issue was especially insightful. It was titled Live Like Your Life Depends On It. There were many good points, but the checklist below stood out to me.

Checklist for a Successful Day

Did I tell or show someone that I loved them?
Did I compliment or praise someone I live or work with today?
Did I read a book or listen to a tape that stimulated my thinking?
Did I increase my skill in my profession?
Did I do something for good health?
Am I closer to my goals than when I woke up this morning?
Did I do anything tough or challenging to build discipline?
Did I do something just for the pure joy of it?
Have I taken time to reflect on the lessons of the day?
Have I planned for another successful day tomorrow?
If you can answer yes to most of these questions, you have created a day of uncommon success.

I agree.

What r u thankful 4?

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Quilt Show


I enjoyed a wonderful day with my mother-in-law at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach.


It was fun to see all the different ways people define quilting. There were some quilts that were on display that weren't even quilted, much less pieced. Traditional style quilts were in the minority, but the ones that were there were spectactular with their fine hand quilting and wonderful use of color.

Shopping...oh yes, lots of shopping! I showed much restraint and didn't buy a stitch of fabric. I made only two purchases. One was an open-toe foot for my sewing machine so I can do machine applique and the other was a video and toothbrush needle from Aunt Philly's. What does one do with a toothbrush needle, you ask. She makes rag rugs, of course. They look like this...

I'm thankful for this day of fun and shopping and for the opportunity to appreciate the talents and perspectives of others.

What r u thankful 4?

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The Internet


Don't you just love the Internet? Where else can you find the price of a TV, a recipe for dinner, book a flight, find a quilt pattern and check out the weather? I'm amazed on a daily basis that we have all these resources at our fingertips.

I'm even more amazed when I learn that family members and friends don't spend nearly as much time as I do surfing it's glorious pages. What's wrong with them?! I guess that they don't they realize that they too could escape and lose hours to its magnetic pull. Or perhaps they do and they just have more discipline. More likely the case.

I'm still thankful for this wonderful tool. A few days ago I had a computer death scare. My computer wouldn't start up. I tried 6 or 7 times and Windows just wouldn't start. I almost went into shock at the thought of not having access to the Internet until the new computer was purchased, unpacked and booted up. It was enough to give a girl palpitations.

But...wait...it was just a scare - a false alarm. My computer wouldn't boot up because I had left a thumb drive in the usb port and it was confused about where to get it's start up information. Once I removed the thumb drive, it started up just fine. Visions of a new computer fled from my brain. I was flooded with relief. I can't afford a new computer. What was I thinking?

Not only was I relieved about not buying a new computer I didn't have to waited an unnecessarily long time to get back to the Internet. Whew! That was a close call. I knew I could make it, but it wouldn't have been pretty.

Am I thankful for the Internet? You bet I am.

What r u thankful 4?

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Flourish


I'm not just a survivor ... I'm a flourisher.
Mary Tyler Moore on Entertainment Tonight

I don't know what hand life has dealt Ms. Moore, but I do appreciate her attitude and the grace with which she seems to live her life.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A New TV

The eyeballs of those over 40 in our household have progressively (and quickly) gotten worse in the focusing department. That was the main motivation for taking the plunge into HD TV. After much research and many questions to sales people we made the decision to go with the Samsung 40" 1080p 120 htz LCD.

Wow! It's huge. I don't even have to squint to see the words on the screen. I think I'm going to have to get a college degree to effectively use the remote control. Too many buttons for me. But I'm not complaining - I just won't use the buttons I don't understand, which is most of them. Other than volume and channel up and down buttons what else does a girl need?

What R U thankful 4?

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Calling Dad



Why is it we put off things that we want to do and know we should do? That ugly old vice procrastination rears its head and days turn into weeks. I sure wish I understood why that happens.

I enjoy chatting with Dad on the phone and we even connect up on IM occasionally. That usually doesn't last long as Dad's typing skills don't allow for rapid-fire IMing and I'm usually on IM at work (not a good place to catch up with the family). Email sort of works. It just seems like there are always huge gaps between emails and continuity is lost. A phone call is really the best way to stay connected.

I've thought about scheduling in phone calls. But thinking is as far as it gets. I even try to manipulate myself into seeing the importance by playing mind games like asking myself..."How awful would I feel if I got a call that something horrible had happened to Dad and I hadn't heeded the numerous urges to call him that I've had over the last few days and weeks?"

My conclusion - the best way to take of this problem is to just make the call - even if I'm late getting home, I have to make dinner and I promised to take the Daughter shopping. Heck, I can multitask, right? So I did it. And I'm thankful I did. It's a time between both our birthdays so birthday wishes were shared. We caught up on each other and the rest of our respective families. We even shared a couple of chuckles. It only took about 15 minutes and cost maybe two bucks.

So...what was I waiting for?

Monday, July 7, 2008

A Generous Employer

The company my husband works for has been very good to him. They pay him well and allow him many opportunities for growth. They value his input and have encouraged him to expand his skills.

He enjoys the people he works with and, while the days are sometimes long, for the most part he likes his job. It's nice that he likes it because it makes the 30-45 minute commute (one way) it little easier to bear.

The company's fiscal year just ended. Today I'm thankful for the gift they gave him in lieu of a bonus. It was a liberal contribution to our income that we won't take for granted.

What are you thankful for?

Sunday, July 6, 2008

I'm Thankful
for My Church of 30 Years

I became a believer at this church and have been there ever since, never once veering away. Today is a special day in the life the of the church - it's our new pastor's first day.

I'm looking forward to attending service with my husband and children. We have been in service together in a long, long time. Not because we haven't been on the premises, but because we have been otherwise obligated. Our children's pastor gave us the day off today so we could all be there to support the new pastor.

Usually I'm in the children's service directing things in the audio-visual booth. I enjoy this job and enjoy spending time with the others who share the space with me. However, there are times when I long to be in service singing with the congregation, learning, being challenged and worshiping God.

So...today is a good day.

What are you thankful for?

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 234th America!
Looking Good

Once again it's time to celebrate the birth of our nation.

How better to celebrate than to take the day off to reflect on what a great nation this is? I think it watching the history channel all day might be a good way to remember what makes America special.

Though some in my family are, I'm not a big history buff. I must have slept through History class in school, because I only know about 5% of the stuff my kids have learned in school. Or perhaps time has taken it's toll and I learned it all, but just forgot. Either way...it's time to pause and reflect. So that's what I'll do today.

What are you thankful for?

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Quilting Time


Last night I finished the top of a quilt I started about 6 years ago. Pictures to come after I get it quilted and finished.

Now it's off to a new quilt - the fan quilt using Quiltsmart printed interfacing. Here's what I have so far.



I'm thankful for time to quilt.

What are you thankful for?