Don't Forget ...

... I have a new blog! Head over and see what's happening now.

Another Set Back ...

Just wanted to update everyone! I know I had said that I would start interviewing in July and posting in August, but that just hasn't worked out. So many people that I want to interview are traveling (or otherwise busy) right now. And, to be honest, I'm having trouble getting motivated. Dealing with my mother's passing has been harder in some ways than I imagined it would be.

So, I hope to interview in August and start posting in September. Thanks so much for your patience and your continued support. I'll be back!

Big News For My Blog!

Just a heads up to let you know that I'm getting a new website! My friend, Candy, is designing a more comprehensive web space for Mixed Grill Favorites. I have decided not to migrate this blog to the new space. Instead, I will just transfer it to a blogspot address and leave it here for posterity. I thought about taking it down completely, but there were a few posts that I didn't want to let go of. Besides, I may be starting a new chapter in my blog-life, but I can't forget my past!

I just set up wordpress. Super easy, with the help of tech support. It will provide the underlying structure of my new site. I'm really excited. I think you're going to like it.

If you following me here, I hope you will be kind enough to follow me to my new site. It will be not only more comprehensive, but better organized. I'll also be posting more often, too. Since I knew this was coming, I confess that I've been kind of lax in posting.

See ya at the new site!

July Goals Meetup!

I have a lot to do in the next few months so I've decided to join the Goals Meetup to help keep me on track. Whenever I need to get a lot done in a short time, I make a detailed list, so the Meetup is a perfect fit for me.

You may notice that my list is very specific, with some projects broken down into steps. I know that isn't necessary for most people, but it really helps keep me focused and it helps me to plan my time more effectively. Besides, I really like crossing things off my list! It helps me feel accomplished and keep me feeling motivated!

Many thanks to Candy for introducing me to the Meetup. I've always been inspired by her lists and accomplishments. And thanks to Athena Dreams for putting this together each month.

I've got a lot to do this month (my personal to do list is even longer!), so I had better get to it. Wish me luck!

1. Order inspiration cards
2. Research snap setter
3. Order snap setter
4. Order chalks for clipboard
5. Stamp images for clipboard
6. Finish attaching base to canvas on bracelets
7. Finish one bracelet
8. Pictures for AFAC application
9. Re-assemble Inspiration piece
10. Design AFAC booth
11. Respond to AFAC invite
12. Color images for clipboard
13. Pellon on base back (bracelets)
14. Complete four collages
15. Sew book signatures
16. Design business cards
17. Conduct three - four podcast interviews
18. Finish art journal
19. Edit two - three podcasts
20. Assembled decorated clipboard
21. Apply for sales tax number

100 Day Reality Challenge

Because how we spend out days is, of course, how we spend our lives. -- Annie Dillard

That quote is a favorite of mine, but it often leaves me with an emotional OUCH! I need to make some changes.

In some ways, I'm extremely happy with my life, but in other ways, I'm a bit dissatisfied. On a day-to-day basis, my life is pretty good, but when I look at the big picture, I see that I'm not accomplishing much.

I do not want to get to the end of my life and find that I've wasted it by living comfortable and easy. I want excitement. I want to feel as though I'm living my life on purpose.

So, I have decided to join the 100 Day Reality Challenge. For 100 days, beginning today, I will consciously work toward creating the life of my dreams. I'm hoping to accomplish more, develop some new habits, and work through some of my resistance. I have some pretty ambitious goals and intentions, but I think I will see some good movement in my life. I've done the Challenge twice beofre and had some good temporary results; I'm hoping to create more permanent change in my life wiht this Challenge.

I'll occasionally post my thoughts and results, but the bulk of my posting will be on the Challenge Ning site. If you need to get a jump on creating the liffe of your dreams, you might consider creating a challenge of your own. You can start your 100 days any time!

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for the comments, the emails, the kind words, supportive thoughts and prayers. I appreciate them all. We've been home about a week, and I'm slowly regaining my footing. My sleep patterns are a little bit messed up, but that's not really surprising; my sleep patterns are very sensitive to stress.

One of the things that I brought home was my mother's crystal. She gave it to me a few years ago, but since I always flew back-and-forth there was no good way to get it to me. We flew to Arkansas, but I inherited my mother's car, so we drove back. That allowed me to bring home the crystal, some of my childhood books, my mother's sewing machine, and a few other things. I just started unpacking the crystal today. I don't have any memories of my parents using it, so unpacking isn't as difficult as baking a new cake recipe was a few nights ago.

My mother loved to cook, and loved for me to cook, too. We'd talk about any new recipes that I tried, and I often called her while I was cooking to ask a technique question. I even called her with questions that I could easily figure out the answer to, just to involve her in the process. She was always eager to hear about the taste test! Tuesday night, I made a new chocolate cake recipe. Then I made Cherokee Fry Bread. Then I made egg salad, a staple around our house. One reason I kept on cooking, one thing after another, was that I was on the verge of becoming overwhelmed with grief. When making the cake, I had a question that I would have loved to have asked my mother, but she wasn't there to call. It was a very sad moment for me, and I wasn't really prepared for it, so I just hauled out more ingredients and made something else! By the time I finished cooking and cleaning the kitchen, the intensity of the grief had lessened and I could better deal with it; if it hadn't, I'd probably still be in the kitchen, stirring up something!

I mentioned that I don't have any memories of my parents actually using the crystal. My dad bought it in the early 70s while he was in the Navy. For years, it sat on shelves in the closet. Many of the glasses still had the labels on them. John and I have decided that we will not just use them for "good" but we don't know when we will use them! There are Zombie glasses and martini glasses, champaign glasses and flutes, old fashioned glasses, cordial glasses and liquor glasses. There are brandy snifters and shot glasses. There are some glasses that I can't yet identify. I guess we'll have to start drinking more! LOL!

Thanks again for everyone's kind words and thoughts.

Sad News

Those of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter probably already know this, but I wanted to let the others know that my mother made her transition into the non-physical on Sunday afternoon. I so appreciate all the support, loving thoughts and prayers that have been sent on behalf of my mother and my family. I am so touched that people I don't know or haven't seen in years care that much. Thank you.

Because the next couple of weeks will be so hectic for me, I have decided to postpone the Mixed Grill Favorites Podcast for awhile. I will spend July recording and will post the next interview in August.

Thanks again for everyone's concern and affection during this time. I'll see you in a couple of weeks!