Today I will.....

Often we start our day with good intentions but only end up with regrets by the end of the day.  In the business world, they have a term called "frontloading".  Frontloading is defined by freedictionary.com, means to concentrate costs or benefits of (a financial obligation or deal) in an early period. 

This is used in correlation to getting the best of what we have in view early, and then preceding with our work accordingly.  Here's an idea that can be used to combat our hurried lives and busy schedules:  Let's frontload by ordering our lives the night before and then speaking positive declarations over our day, our work, our relationships, and our time.

Take tonight for instance, I already had dinner ready, so I just had to plate the food and serve my family.  That left time for me to create birthday invitations for my oldest son, who's turning 4 next week.  Instead of going to bed, I looked at the sink full of dishes and decided to "frontload" by clearing the sink,  loading the dishwasher, and clearning the cabinets of STUFF!  Now, when I wake up in the morning, I have a clean sparkling kitchen to greet me.  Ahhh!  That feels good already.  So now we arrive to the next morning ready to meet our day. 

Here's a starting declaration for today(or tomorrow depending on when you':re reading this)
Today, I will.........

• Celebrate the gift of time by paying attention to what I do with my hours, minutes, and seconds of this day.
• Choose to speak words that uplift, encourage, edify, build up, rather than tear down or demean others.  Even if they are riding in the other car, that just cut me off driving.  (smile :)
• Make time for personal reflection....What made me smile?  How did I demonstrate gratenfulness for life?  Who was changed for the better by my presence today?  What are lessons I learrned from my experiences today?
• BREATHE......, RELAX,...........and LIVE

Black Threads: Tara Evans - Omaha Quilter

Black Threads: Tara Evans - Omaha Quilter: "Wanted to introduce you to Tara Evans, a quilter in Nebraska! She shared with me how she started quilting: Well, back in 2003, I bought an ..."

Growing Old Togetther

      Today, I walked in Bernal Heights, San Francisco, CA for my morning walk.  Trekking up the high mountain felt invigorating and like a breath of fresh air.  I encountered many dogs on the walking trail with their owners, people of all ages and walks of life, and the cutest couple I had ever seen.  Why my eyes were drawn to them, was their age, they were holding hands, smiling, and most importantly said, "Good Morning" as I passed by. 

     I thought of my dad, whose life is resounding in me in such a great way.  I thought of the gift of health, life and vitality and that a life gone, can never be regained but a life lived can be recreated day by day.  I have an opportunity to live my life each day for the benefit of others, celebrating the gift I have to begin anew each day.  New mercies are new each day. 

     So growing old together allows for a meshing of two personalities, sharing of dreams and fears, and a new beginning everyday.  I have this opportunity with my husband, to grow together, older, better, less cynical, with lots of joys and memories.  GrowingOldTogether, it's the simple things things that make the difference.

My Dad, His Legacy

 

A good laugh is like medicine.  My dad had the coolest laugh.  He would make you smile just listening to him tell a story, and laugh at the punchline before he even made it to it.  It's simple things like this that I'll miss the most. 

On Thursday, February 17, 2011 we celebrated the life of Albert Terrell Sanders, my dad.  As we process his life, this blog is the beginning of telling his story, capturing the essence of his life and continuing his legacy.  Simple memories, and simple times cause me to smile, cry, and laugh.  A great man, a greater story of searching for the meaning of life, and of epitomizing community at it's best.  This is my dad, my friend, and my confidant. 

Just Begin!

The key to getting things done is to Just Begin!  Starting is half the journey.  This is my second blog of the year, and this year I plan to write, write, and write again.  I asked Ali Edwards how she posted so many blogs and she said, just start and pretty soon you see how far you've come. 

This picture captures my January post on my start as a quilter.

Quilting Through the Generations

A year ago this month, I attended the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show at the Cox Convention Center, and happened upon the booth of the Oklahoma City Community Quilt Guild and a passionate woman named Beverly Kirk.  This meeting has rekindled a love for quilting, that began as a little girl in the home of my great-grandmother Amanda Winslow.  In her home, I learned the simple art of hand-quilting with scraps of fabrics and held on to those moments through adulthood.

 

This year I completed several projects with the support of the Oklahoma City Community Quilt Guild  members.  As a beginning quilter, I feel quite accomplished at the break of a new year of quilting experiences.  Here are my completed works for 2010:

•  Swing Purse
• Wall Hanging
• Red & White Nine-patch - "Family Picnic"
• Table Runner - 4th of July
• Log Cabin Quilt - "On Golden Pond"
• Tool pocket Organizer
• Savage Quilter -Challenge Quilt Project
• Dr. Suess Lap Quilt

 
Come join us for a New Year at the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show  this year and learn new techniques, reawaken passion for quilting and the arts, and just for fun.

Authentic Living in 2011