For so many of us, it is easier to give than receive. We have the picture in our head of how we want it to go. Sometimes we refuse to ask for help. Maybe we don't want to put anyone out. Maybe we want it done a certain way. Maybe we think everyone is used to us doing everything. But what if, for this holiday, we decided to take, even, God forbid, ask, for hand outs? What if, we said yes when someone offered to bring something or help us out? What would it feel like to bend and allow or ask for help?
My birthday story. I celebrated a birthday recently. My parents got ice cream cake. Carvel. Heaven. I stayed completely out of the kitchen. No checking in or buzzing around looking to help. The cake got left out too long. It was a mess. There was only one thing to do. It was a small group. About 8 of us. We each got a fork and we passed that cake around like people do when they are sharing a desert at a restaurant. Next thing you know, everyone is laughing and making fun and wanting bigger bites. I do believe it was the best birthday cake I ever had. If I had done the usual, I would have made sure the cake was thawed just right. And it would have been good, just like all the others before it. But this cake was served with haste and laughter and silliness in a way that all of us will remember.
Consider accepting handouts this holiday. Look for the people you can accept and even ask handouts of and see what comes next!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Simplicity Quote of the Week
_______________________________
_______________________________
We are having the usual thing for our Thanksgiving dinner: relatives.
Anonymous
Relax and enjoy your crazy little corner of the world, knowing, of course, each and every one of us is doing the same.
Best for this holiday!
Maria
_______________________________
We are having the usual thing for our Thanksgiving dinner: relatives.
Anonymous
Relax and enjoy your crazy little corner of the world, knowing, of course, each and every one of us is doing the same.
Best for this holiday!
Maria
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Simplicity Values - Kitchen Organization and Christmas Gift all in one
We are a family of cooks. For those of you who have known me a long time, you can stop laughing now. We all know this is quite the evolution for me. But life is about change and growth and for anyone who has known me for a bit, they are grateful for my improved recipe repertoire and hoping for continued growth, I am sure. One of the things we like to do in our house is cook offs. Specifically, when my step-kids are in town, we always have a “shrimp off.” We get recipes online or make them up, get some fun ingredients and lots of shrimp. Did I mention the margaritas? Anyway, it is wonderful fun. But all those computer recipe printouts were getting to be a disaster, floating around without a home.
So, here is the tip. A simple three ring binder and a whole lot of sleeve protectors. As I print out recipes, I just slip them into a sleeve, if we write up a recipe,(that would be my creative step-son, not me) they can just as easily slip in, too. No grimy finger prints or creepy uncooked food on the pages. Everything wipes off. Easy to add or ditch to make the changes you want.
Super money saving tip. For the kids this year, we made them each their own book with all the recipes we have cooked together over the years. And my secret ingredient? Pages of quotes and memories of years gone by. Funny, touching, poignant memories. Typed and slipped in between all those recipes. Nice. Gifts don’t get much better than that. Okay, adding a gift certificate is cool, too. Anyway, this is a great gift for a new couple, college students, family members. Pepper those pages with memories and you will be sure to have a hit. Oh, and did I mention, you win, too? Think of all the fun you will have conjuring up all those great memories.
Got a comment? Got a tip of your own? Click on comments and share! No sign up necessary!
To learn more about Simply Put Together click here.
So, here is the tip. A simple three ring binder and a whole lot of sleeve protectors. As I print out recipes, I just slip them into a sleeve, if we write up a recipe,(that would be my creative step-son, not me) they can just as easily slip in, too. No grimy finger prints or creepy uncooked food on the pages. Everything wipes off. Easy to add or ditch to make the changes you want.
Super money saving tip. For the kids this year, we made them each their own book with all the recipes we have cooked together over the years. And my secret ingredient? Pages of quotes and memories of years gone by. Funny, touching, poignant memories. Typed and slipped in between all those recipes. Nice. Gifts don’t get much better than that. Okay, adding a gift certificate is cool, too. Anyway, this is a great gift for a new couple, college students, family members. Pepper those pages with memories and you will be sure to have a hit. Oh, and did I mention, you win, too? Think of all the fun you will have conjuring up all those great memories.
Got a comment? Got a tip of your own? Click on comments and share! No sign up necessary!
To learn more about Simply Put Together click here.
Simplicity Quote of the Week
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Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~Paul Boese
Let go and watch your world open up!
Maria
Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~Paul Boese
Let go and watch your world open up!
Maria
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Frazzled? Get Your Life Together....
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Check out the latest review of Simply Put Together, by K. Stone of Life, Learning, Today.
Peek at review here!
Enjoy your day!
Maria
Check out the latest review of Simply Put Together, by K. Stone of Life, Learning, Today.
Peek at review here!
Enjoy your day!
Maria
Monday, November 10, 2008
Simplicity Values - Buy Back Up
Saving time, money and stress is easy if we practice it a bit each day!
This week, don't just look for the deals, stock up on them. If you see the items that you use and they are on sale, whether that be at the market, discount store, automotive supply store, buy back up!
When it is a product that you definitely use and won't expire before you get to it, invest the extra money now and you will save later. If you keep your eyes open for the staples you need to run your life, you will save time and money!
For instance, office supplies at beginning of the school year.
Certain baking and cooking supplies during the holidays.
General gifts right after the holidays.
Do you have something that works for you? Please share it! My comments page is open, no registration needed!
This week, don't just look for the deals, stock up on them. If you see the items that you use and they are on sale, whether that be at the market, discount store, automotive supply store, buy back up!
When it is a product that you definitely use and won't expire before you get to it, invest the extra money now and you will save later. If you keep your eyes open for the staples you need to run your life, you will save time and money!
For instance, office supplies at beginning of the school year.
Certain baking and cooking supplies during the holidays.
General gifts right after the holidays.
Do you have something that works for you? Please share it! My comments page is open, no registration needed!
Simplicity Quote of the Week
If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.
Buddhist saying
Take one step toward your goal!
Or read my article, Must Do 2, and take 2 steps!
Have a great week!
Maria
Buddhist saying
Take one step toward your goal!
Or read my article, Must Do 2, and take 2 steps!
Have a great week!
Maria
Must Do 2
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Today I want to present a wellness challenge. I was thinking of some of my personal goals today. I am so well meaning. But I am like everybody else. I have all these fabulous goals and then life gets in the way. I was writing my parenting tip for the week on Mentoring Simply Put, and I realized how much of what I wrote applies to us adults.
We want to change so many things that we can end up changing none of them. I don't know about you, but I tend to take on too much. For instance, I want to get back to better fitness. Imagine that! So, I know what that means, diet change, exercise change, even mindset change. Phrases like, "This (extra desert, skipped exercise, etc) won't matter" need to stop.
Seriously, those big goals can be daunting and overwhelming. But real change is about small adjustments practiced over time that take us to those bigger plateaus. Here is my wellness challenge starting this week.
What is your Must Do 2? Two things you agree to do for yourself every day that build your personal sense of wellness. Losing weight, getting more organized is not what I am talking about here. It's the small daily changes we commit to that build a path to these bigger goals. Is it a 10 minute walk? Calling one friend that builds you up? Taking a 2 minute time out every few hours? Stopping your day to sit and eat lunch? Taking 5 minutes to make your bed in the morning because it makes you feel better?
What are two things you could do that are easy, that would give you the most "bang for the buck?" What are two things you could commit to that you are almost guaranteed to succeed?
What if you take on my wellness challenge and commit to your Must Do 2 wellness changes? They are different for all of us.
I am sharing my Must Do 2 in the comments section of this article. Check it out. And consider sharing yours. You can share your name or keep it anonymous. It's up to you. But write it down and make it real. Then practice it every day and see what changes come!
Remember to make the moment happen!
Maria
Today I want to present a wellness challenge. I was thinking of some of my personal goals today. I am so well meaning. But I am like everybody else. I have all these fabulous goals and then life gets in the way. I was writing my parenting tip for the week on Mentoring Simply Put, and I realized how much of what I wrote applies to us adults.
We want to change so many things that we can end up changing none of them. I don't know about you, but I tend to take on too much. For instance, I want to get back to better fitness. Imagine that! So, I know what that means, diet change, exercise change, even mindset change. Phrases like, "This (extra desert, skipped exercise, etc) won't matter" need to stop.
Seriously, those big goals can be daunting and overwhelming. But real change is about small adjustments practiced over time that take us to those bigger plateaus. Here is my wellness challenge starting this week.
What is your Must Do 2? Two things you agree to do for yourself every day that build your personal sense of wellness. Losing weight, getting more organized is not what I am talking about here. It's the small daily changes we commit to that build a path to these bigger goals. Is it a 10 minute walk? Calling one friend that builds you up? Taking a 2 minute time out every few hours? Stopping your day to sit and eat lunch? Taking 5 minutes to make your bed in the morning because it makes you feel better?
What are two things you could do that are easy, that would give you the most "bang for the buck?" What are two things you could commit to that you are almost guaranteed to succeed?
What if you take on my wellness challenge and commit to your Must Do 2 wellness changes? They are different for all of us.
I am sharing my Must Do 2 in the comments section of this article. Check it out. And consider sharing yours. You can share your name or keep it anonymous. It's up to you. But write it down and make it real. Then practice it every day and see what changes come!
Remember to make the moment happen!
Maria
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
3 Ways to be an American Revolutionary in the New Millinium
I just started writing for buzzle.com. Check out this article!
3 Ways to be an American Revolutionary in the New Millinium
3 Ways to be an American Revolutionary in the New Millinium
Monday, November 3, 2008
Simplicity Values - Challenging Thought and Word
This week is election week and a very heated election season. I personally would rather have it intense. At least that means we are all paying attention. About half of this country is going to get the candidate they want voted in office tomorrow and the other half will be disappointed. What can we do, simply speaking?
1. If your candidate wins, don't gloat. It's one thing to be happy and another to be a bad sport. Be kind, knowing that many people who don't get their candidate in office will be sad, angry, and afraid.
2. If your candidate loses, try no to be too afraid or angry. Calm yourself and remind yourself that it will be okay.
3. Whoever you vote for, if you are angry tomorrow night or grinning from ear-to-ear, let this sentence guide your thoughts and words toward each other.
WE ARE MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT.
Best to all my fellow voters!
Maria
1. If your candidate wins, don't gloat. It's one thing to be happy and another to be a bad sport. Be kind, knowing that many people who don't get their candidate in office will be sad, angry, and afraid.
2. If your candidate loses, try no to be too afraid or angry. Calm yourself and remind yourself that it will be okay.
3. Whoever you vote for, if you are angry tomorrow night or grinning from ear-to-ear, let this sentence guide your thoughts and words toward each other.
WE ARE MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT.
Best to all my fellow voters!
Maria
Simplicity Quote of the Week
Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
We voters are the voice of our country! Remember to raise your voice with your ballot this week.
Have a wonderful week.
Maria
Franklin D. Roosevelt
We voters are the voice of our country! Remember to raise your voice with your ballot this week.
Have a wonderful week.
Maria
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