Week #1: My List of Fabulous Finds

I am going to try offering something new on Fridays. 

I spend a lot of time reading other blogs. 

If you enjoy this blog, I suspect that we have similar passions.  If I find something to be interesting or useful, I think you might as well. 

Throughout the week, as I meander the Internet, I plan to develop a habit of keeping a list of links to the fabulous content that I come across. I think it will be fun to share these links of my “fabulous finds” with you. Hopefully, this will be sort of like having your own personal research assistant!

I will publish these links each Friday. I look forward to sharing all sorts of recipes, tips, ideas, and thought-provoking articles from other websites; introducing you to some fabulous other blogs; and helping you navigate the internet quickly to find many ideas of how to make the most of every one of your moments!

When I began my Saturday Spotlight Posts series, I sort of had this idea in mind. Those posts, however, have evolved to spotlighting just one or two topics in a different way.  “Fabulous Finds” on Fridays will be a weekly list of some things that have interested me, even if I haven't yet personally experienced or tried them. Readers are more than welcome to share their thoughts or knowledge regarding each link, and converse about them in the comment section below each post.

Curation of good content is something I appreciate on some of the other blogs I follow. I'd love it if you'd leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about this new post series. 

This Week's Fabulous Finds:

Words to Live By: MORE and LESS. Week 12

If you are new to my blog, this is what this weekly series is all about:

One of my notepads lists some ways we should live more and live less.  Inspired by this message on Friday, March 28th, 2014 I wrote a post about "Words to Live By."  I decided to make weekly updates to this post, until I start repeating myself!  I promise each weekly update will contain more information than just the five new phrases though!

 Readers are invited to use the comment section below, if they have new ideas of "words to live by" which would complete the phrase _____________ more. ______________ less."  

(Any time I use an idea that is not mine, I will credit the contributor and their blog, if they have one. Just keep it family friendly, please!)

Here Are the Ideas for This Week:

1. Honesty More. Hiding Less.

• The post in this series last week addressed the recent school shootings.  A number of readers left comments and suggestions of phrases relate to tragedies of that type.  

• “More Honesty. Less hiding.” was suggested by Marisa B. of the blog Mangia, Mangia ...No Talk!  

• Roz Warren recommends, “More treatment,early intervention and support for folks challenged with mental health problems more. AND BAN GUNS!!”

• Jennifer Humphries said, “Love more ALWAYS, help more, ALWAYS, care more ALWAYS and Judge less.”  I would encourage you to read Jennifer's full comment and the story behind the passion of her words.

2. Tip More.  Complain less.

Servers count on tips to help pay their bills.

• People can sometimes be on their worst behavior when dining out.  It is easy to be critical of the server.  We feel entitled because we are paying for our meal, but preparing and serving food is a difficult task to do well.  (I know this to be true, just based on the experiences from my own kitchen!)  So next time, before you begin to complain, think for a minute about how busy your server might be. And don't forget to leave them a good tip!

3. Plan more.  Miss out on less.

A wall calendar is a good way to keep track of commitments.

Keeping track of our busy lives is difficult - and practically impossible without a planning calendar!  My family uses a master wall calendar to record all of our activities and appointments.  

• Sometimes things still get missed.  During a particularly hectic week, we received an email invitation to a graduation party.  I thought my husband had R.S.V.P.’d and he thought the same of me.  I am embarrassed to admit that neither one of us did - and to make matters worse, it never got recorded on the calendar.  The day after the party, we realized we had missed it.  It was a graduate we would have really loved to celebrate. 

4. Pay credit bills more.  Pay interest less.

Credit cards are for convenience - not to spend more than you can afford!

• Pay every credit card bill you receive in-full and on-time!  
• If you can't afford to do so, don't spend that money in the first place! 

Paying interest on these bills is like throwing money away!!


5.  Make friends more.  Make enemies less.

Pluto is a pretty friendly guy!

To view ideas from previous posts please click on the page tab “Words to Live By: More and Less” at the top of this blog .  The list has grown too large to include here!

This notepad is from the Eccolo World Traveler "Lofty Thinking" collection.  The author of the words is unknown.

Note:  For the past 12 weeks, I have been posting in this series weekly. I plan to continue adding to this series, but on a less regular basis, so that I have more time to write about other things.  

 I'm trying to live more, not less.  How about you?  

What suggestions do you have?

Words to Live By: MORE and LESS. Week 9

If you are new to my blog, this is what this weekly series is all about:

One of my notepads lists some ways we should live more and live less.  Inspired by this message on Friday, March 28th, 2014 I wrote a post about "Words to Live By."  I decided to make weekly updates to this post, until I start repeating myself!  I promise each weekly update will contain more information than just the five new phrases though!

Readers are invited to use the comment section below, if they have new ideas of "words to live by" which would complete the phrase _____________ more. ______________ less."  

(Any time I use an idea that is not mine, I will credit the contributor and their blog, if they have one. Just keep it family friendly, please!)

HERE ARE THE IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK :

(There’s sort of a happiness theme to these.)

1. Count our blessings more.  Feel ungrateful less.
This is something we probably should do every day, but this advice seems especially fitting during Memorial Day weekend in the United States. Freedom and opportunities should never be taken for granted.  

Facebook reminded me today not to forget the reason behind this three-day weekend. There was a picture posted of a crying woman being hugged by a toddler, beside a grave with an American flag.  The poignant caption read: “Memorial Day. In case you thought it was about a 3 day weekend, parties or the beach.”  

2. Make friends more.  Make enemies less.
Right now, I'm thinking about this in the context of Memorial Day.  If we all work towards better global friendships and more tolerance, wars may end ... and not get started. Political leaders of every country - please make this your mantra!

3.“Dance to our own tune”more.  Conform less.


4. Vacation more.  Work overtime less. 
While overtime-pay on a holiday weekend is a bonus, it is beneficial to try and strike a good balance between work and leisure time.

5. Sing more. Cry less.

Last night I attended a lovely Senior Recital.  Instead of using this event to showcase her own voice, this graduating high school senior chose to celebrate the connections she has made through music.  She invited friends, mentors, her voice teacher, and her mother to sing with her. 

I got choked up during many of these bitter-sweet farewell duets, but my eyes are watering again remembering her heartfelt solo, “Danny Boy,” followed by “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” sung as a duet with her mom.  Not really sad tears - just emotion evoked by life. Those tears are sometimes okay.

“... Sail on, silvergirl

Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind”

© 1969 Words and Music by Paul Simon

Think of a mother you know, singing these lyrics (beautifully) to her daughter as she is about leave home for college. See what I mean? My children would not want to hear their tone-deaf mother singing in public, but I hope they know I sing these sentiments to them every day in my heart.

I'm trying to live more, not less.  How about you?  

What suggestions do you have?

To view ideas from previous posts please click on the page tab “Words to Live By” at the top of this blog .  The list has grown too large to include here!

This notepad is from the Eccolo World Traveler "Lofty Thinking" collection.  The author of the words is unknown.

Words to Live By - Week 8

This is the 8th in a weekly series of this topic.  If you are new to my blog, this is what it is all about:

The cover of one of my notepads suggests ways we should live more and live less.  Inspired by this message (on Friday, March 28th, 2014), I wrote a post about "Words to Live By."  I have decided to make weekly updates to this post, until I start repeating myself!  I promise each weekly update will contain more information than just the five new phrases though!

Readers are invited to use the comment section below, if they have new ideas of "words to live by" which would complete the phrase _____________ more. ______________ less."

 (Any time I use an idea that is not mine, I will credit the contributor and their blog, if they have one. Just keep it family friendly, please!)

HERE ARE THE IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK :

(There’s a laundry and self-care theme to the suggestions this week.)

1. Fabric softeners more. Static cling less.

I have tried all of these!

• To soften clothes and remove wrinkles, you can choose from dryer sheets, liquid fabric softeners, environmentally friendly dryer balls - or chose to use nothing at all.

• There are a number of pro's and con's to consider before using fabric softeners and dryer sheets.  Household tips, a FunTimes Guide site, provides a thoughtful essay full of information regarding this topic. 

2. Use hair conditioner more.  Suffer tangles less.

Tangle free!

• I remember using hair conditioner for the first time as a young girl - right after deciding I was too old for baby shampoo. The product I used was called TAME. For some reason, I thought of a horse's mane whenever I massaged it into my hair -- maybe because I thought a LOT about horses in those days!  I have since tried many different detanglers and conditioners, but brushing out my hair would be a challenge without one of these products.

3.  Use hand lotion more.  Have chapped hands less.

This sample size is perfect for a purse or airplane carry-on baggage! 

• I love Carmex Everyday Healing Cream.  It would have been great to use when I was working shifts as a hospital nurse, and washing my hands a billion times a day!  It really heals my hands when they are chapped, and it is great for nails, heels, and elbows too. The purse sized sample bonus provided with the 4 oz. tube has been pretty handy too!

4. Use the permanent-press cycle more.  Iron less (or not at all!)

I iron some things - but only what I have to!

• Choosing the right cycle on the dryer is not the only way you can ensure wrinkle free clothes.  For more great tips that save time while doing laundry, click here.

5. Brush teeth more.  Decay less.

BUT - did you know it is possible to brush too much?! I have been told by my dental hygienist that I brush too often and too hard. (I use an extra-soft toothbrush because of this!)  Also, if you brush too soon after consuming acidic foods it can damage the tooth enamel. 

Please click on the page tab “Words to Live By” at the top of this blog to view the SUGGESTED PHRASES from PREVIOUS POSTS.  The list has grown too large to include here!

This notepad is from the Eccolo World Traveler "Lofty Thinking" collection.  The author of the words is unknown.

I'm trying to live more, not less.  How about you?  

What suggestions do you have?

Words to Live By - Week 4

This is the 4th in a weekly series of this post.  If you are new to my blog, this is what it is all about:

The cover of one of my notepads suggests ways we should live more and live less.  Inspired by this message (on Friday, March 28th, 2014), I wrote a post about "Words to Live By."  I have decided to make weekly updates to this post, until I start repeating myself!  I promise each weekly update will contain more information than just the five new phrases though!

Readers are invited to use the comment section below, if they have new ideas of "words to live by" which would complete the phrase _____________ more. ______________ less."

(Any time I use an idea that is not mine, I will credit the contributor and their blog, if they have one. Just keep it family friendly, please!)

 

Here are the ideas for this week:

Walk more. Drive less.
Recycle more. Throw out less. 
Vote more. Complain less. 

Study more.  Skip school less. *

• * In the report "Executive Summary: Report on Truancy and Dropout Prevention" published  by the American Bar Association,  it was stated: "Truancy has been clearly identified as an early warning sign for potential substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, and dropping out of school."  While missing the occasional class for illness or even a family vacation is unlikely to lead to  these behaviors, it does seem  important for more than just academic reasons for kids to be committed to attending school regularly!

Wag more.  Bark less. **

• **The last suggestion “Wag more, Bark less” is from a comment last week by blogger Lana's dog, Abby! (Two Teens and Their Mama).  I once had a Wag more, Bark less button pinned to my backpack until it fell off, but I hadn't thought of the expression while writing this post.  Great advice for both humans and dogs!  Thanks Abby!)

Just as a reminder --

Here is the list of phrases from previous posts: 

Love more. Fight less.

Enjoy more. Complain less.
Believe more. Doubt less.
Relax more. Worry less.
Play more. Work less. 

Praise more. Criticize less.

Read more.  Waste time less.
Promote equality more. Oppress less.
Exercise more. Eat less. 
Conserve more. Pollute less. 

Laugh more. Stress less. (“Anonymous”)

Listen more. Talk less.  (“Anonymous”)

Be brave more.  Fear less.

Donate more. Hoard less.

Achieve more.  Procrastinate less.

Give more. Take less.

Sleep more.  Stay up late less.

Eat healthy foods more.  Eat junk food less.
Smile more.  Frown less.
Wash hands more. Get sick less.

This notepad is from the Eccolo World Traveler "Lofty Thinking" collection.  The author of the words is unknown.

Many thanks to any readers who take the time to comment.

I'm trying to live more, not less.  How about you?  

What suggestions do you have?

Words to Live By - Week 3

The cover of one of my notepads suggests ways we should live more and live less.  Inspired by this message, (on Friday, March 28th, 2014) I wrote a post about "Words to Live By."  I have decided to make weekly updates to this post, until I start repeating myself!  I promise each weekly update will contain more information than just the five new phrases though!

Readers are invited to use the comment section below, if they have new ideas of "words to live by" which would complete the phrase _____________ more. ______________ less."

(Any time I use an idea that is not mine, I will credit the contributor and their blog, if they have one.  Just keep it family friendly, please!)

Here are the ideas for this week:

Give more. Take less.

Sleep more.  Stay up late less.

Eat healthy foods more.  Eat junk food less.
Smile more.  Frown less.
Wash hands more. Get sick less.

Good hand washing is the number one way to stop the spread of infection!  During flu season, or if someone in your family is immunocompromised, you might even consider providing disposable individual towels (or paper towels) to be used.

By the way, I only ran the water a few seconds for this photo, so it wasn't very wasteful!   Click on the link in the photo caption for a tutorial on correct hand hygiene from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 

And yes, the hand-prints in the photo were made by one of my children years ago!

Just as a reminder --

Here is the list of phrases from previous posts: 

Love more. Fight less.

Enjoy more. Complain less.
Believe more. Doubt less.
Relax more. Worry less.
Play more. Work less. 

Praise more. Criticize less.

Read more.  Waste time less.
Promote equality more. Oppress less.
Exercise more. Eat less. 
Conserve more. Pollute less. 

Laugh more. Stress less. (“Anonymous”)

Listen more. Talk less.  (“Anonymous”)

Be brave more.  Fear less.

Donate more. Hoard less.

Achieve more.  Procrastinate less.

This notepad is from the Eccolo World Traveler "Lofty Thinking" collection.  The author of the words is unknown.

Many thanks to any readers who take the time to comment.

I'm trying to live more, not less.  How about you?  

What suggestions do you have?

Words to Live By

Love more. Fight less.
Enjoy more. Complain less.
Believe more. Doubt less.
Relax more. Worry less.
Play more. Work less. 

I don't know who wrote these lines, but I bought a notepad with them written on the cover.  Not because I needed another notepad, but because I wanted to remember these recommendations. 

This notepad is from the Eccolo World Traveler "Lofty Thinking" collection  

The more I consider this advice, the more profound it seems. Any attempt at these goals is likely to lead to an increase in happiness.

I was surprised to realize that I balked a little at the last line. Work less?  Surely that is a good thing.  But suddenly I pictured a neighborhood of half constructed houses, uncollected garbage piled high on city streets and mothers of sick children unable to find a working physician.

The key word is "less."  I think there is always a better solution to any problem other than fighting; but complaints, doubt, worry and work are all necessary tools at certain times. Constructive complaints can bring about necessary change.  Doubt can lead to questioning and a greater understanding of a concept.  Worry can prompt caution in dangerous situations. Work is both satisfying and productive. It is easy to do too much of any of this though - complaints can just become annoying; doubt crippling; worry inhibiting and work all-consuming. Life is about balance. 

I have been thinking about what else I would add to these words to live by:

Praise more. Criticize less.
Read more.  Waste time less.  
Promote equality more. Oppress less.
Exercise more. Eat less.  
Conserve more. Pollute less. 

What would you add?