Making It Work on my Terms...

Saturday evening adaptation...

We ventured back, yesterday, following a couple of days away.  Albeit April, we encountered sleet at various points on the drive back--as well as here at home--upon our arrival... 

Our plan, Saturday night, was to head to a local pub for a drink + dinner.  It was cold, though, and the drizzle had done a "number" on my hair.  Our journey back had been long, and I truly didn't want to fuss with dressing up or a hair redo.  I decided to resolve both the chill in the air and the hair issues by donning a vintage wool beret I'd picked up while away.  Hats are a great solution for those tricky hair days.  Plus, it was an unexpected chance to wear a new (to me) piece I thought I'd not get to wear until fall.  

I hear sweatshirts are making a comeback... Aside from wearing one on a run or a hike, I can honestly say generally I don't sport them.  I decided to pull this gently-worn sweatshirt (from my undergraduate college days) off the closet shelf and pair it with a favorite scarf that's usually too heavy for this time of year and an older pair of boyfriend jeans I'd held onto (those are back in as well!).  The end result: I was comfy, and had enjoyed the opportunity to "play" with my look a bit... 

You see, sometimes it sleets in April.  Bad hair days happen.  Weariness occurs.  What I'm learning is to accept and adapt to what life has in store...and, if at all possible, have fun with the process--weather it's a matter of wardrobe or another aspect of daily living.  It's my way of making it work on my terms (smile).

Joy and peace!  T.

My April Adorations....

Wanted to share a few things I've been adoring this past few days on my anniversary getaway.  If I seem to be excessively excited about the signs of spring I've encountered; well, I am!  Back in Bowling Green there's not been too much evidence of spring...yet...  Something tells me I'll be adoring the memories of these things for some time to come; making them worthy as this month's personal adorations in photos.

Thursday morning breakfast views from the Starbucks

(Indiana Memorial Union, Bloomington, IN)

Pink blooms!

Visiting with a dear friend (smile!)

Lovely bed of pansies...

Bright + cheery daffodils...

Sweet, lone tulip...

Blooming tree...

Need I say more?

What about you?  What is it you are adoring this month?  Would love to hear about it!

Joy and peace, T.

#JournalChat Highlights + Anniversary Photos

Scene from yesterday's #JournalChat...

I'm still away--celebrating my anniversary (smile).  Thought it would be timely to share a few of the many take-aways from yesterday's inspiring session of #JournalChat Live (added deets found here).  Those participating in this fab event shared a variety of thoughts on journaling's benefits--both overall and in the process of bringing about positive change.  In short, journaling serves as:

• a safe place;
• the realm of no self-judgment;
• the site where the journaler sets the rules she/he desires;
• a mechanism for extreme self-care;
• an ever-present ear;
• an incubator for self-reliance;
• a source of self-empowerment;
• a creative resource;
• the place where self-trust is built; and
• the inner voice's "training ground."

Greater detail is found in a transcript containing Parts I and II of yesterday's #JournalChat Live.  Truly, it's worth checking out!  There were so many perspectives shared--all tremendously valuable.

In celebration of my 32nd, thought I'd share a few anniversary photos as well.  Hope you enjoy them!

Joy, peace and happy Friday!  T.

Photos + Anniversary: This is Us...

April 11, 2011

April 11 marks a monumental day in my life... It’s my wedding anniversary! 

This year, April 11 marks a few others things as well... The first being: we’re headed off for a few days away.  I’ll still post during this time—most likely briefer, photo-based pieces, though...

Today is also the date of the online #JournalChat Live featuring this past post as the centerpiece for discussion.  I'm participating this insightful discussion (5 EST)--while enjoying some yummy herbal tea at a local café where we are headed.  Sure hope you can join me for the online chat (The deets can be found here.)!

In celebration of my wedding anniversary, here are a few photos—of me and Mark--throughout the years.  Uh huh, this is us! 

First grade...

Kindergarten...

Wedding day (1981)

Brother's wedding reception (1982)

Our family (1991)
(Our son Andrew was 7 1/2; Patrick 1 1/2 years old)

Sis-in-law's wedding reception (1999)

Our 25th wedding anniversary (2006)

Our 30th wedding anniversary (2011)

Our oldest son's wedding reception (2012)

Our family (2012)
(Amanda, Andrew, me, Mark and Patrick)

Sis's sixth year cancer free celebration (2012)

Joy and peace!  T.

Join Me April 11 on #JournalChat!

This week's chat topic: Your Journaling: Shake It UP!

I’m excited and honored to share that last week’s Tickled Pink Woman blog post Continuous Reinvention=Blossoming Potentials was selected as last Friday’s #JournalChat Pick of the Day as well as the #JournalChat Pick of the Week!  In fact, that past post will be the journaling resource for this week’s #JournalChat Live, a live chat hosted by writer, author, artist, and blogger Dawn Herring. 

I would adore having you join me for this enriching online event!  The topic will be Your Journaling: Shake It UP! It takes place tomorrow (Thursday, April 11 at 5 EST/2PST).  To participate, proceed to tweetchat.com and type #JournalChat in the search box.  Once you sign onto your Twitter account, you’ll be able to post/reply. 

I am an avid journal writer.  Journaling enhances my life in a myriad of ways.  Check out these past posts (here, here, here and here) where I've shared my love of journal writing.  

Consider joining me for this week’s #JournalChat.  This online gathering of like-minded souls promises scads of insightful fun!

Joy and peace.  T.

A Room and/or Altar of One’s Own

My altar (a.k.a. "sacred shelf") in my home office...

As an empty nester, I now have my own dedicated, personal space within my home.  I call it “my office.”  Yes, it’s where my desk and computer reside.  It’s also where I craft, create art, write meditate, practice yoga, sit quietly and sometimes even go to read.

I have a home altar, too—although, I refer to it my “sacred shelf.”  It’s actually an elevated shelf that came with the desk I purchased a few years ago.  Displayed there are family photos, a candle, a brass bell (I ring both before and after meditation practice) and various precious gifts given to me (a unicorn from my sons, a bear-witch from my sisters, a crystal dish from my grandmother—that I’ve stuffed with an array of meaningful mementos--including a raw rose quartz I found on a hike years ago)...

A home altar is a very personal thing that’s going to serve different functions for each person.  My sacred shelf simply serves to add a spot of joy and peace to the time I spend in my designated sacred space (my home office).  For a great online resource about creating your own home altar, click here.

Do you have a home alter or dedicated space you call your own?  Please share!  T.

Mindful Shopping

A recent shopping-themed art journal collage

As a follow-up to Saturday's shopping foray, thought I'd share a few random principles that guide my shopping endeavors--make them a bit more mindful...

Budget: Separate from the monthly household budget Mark and I craft, I developed this one to ensure the "personal shopping" I do gets done mindfully and responsibly (a.k.a. cash-only purchases).  I allow myself to amend my budget as needed—with my understanding I won’t exceed the total amount budgeted for the month. 

Consider "do-good shopping" as a viable option: As noted in this (and this) past post, I patronize local, independent merchants whenever possible (women-owned businesses, too!).  I also have a penchant for saving the planet, which is enacted via buying used, vintage, and repurposed items.  Are all my purchases local, vintage, second-hand or from women-owned merchants?  No.  However, these days, I'm ever-mindful that these options exist, and utilize them more than ever before.

Quality over quantity: Given the style I'm drawn to, I don't need a lot--just basic quality staple pieces--that will last for some time.  Investing in quality doesn't have to be expensive.  Quality items can be purchased second hand and/or at bargain bin prices (Check out this past post).  My adherence to a budget also makes it easier to save for quality items.  

Zero in:  When I shop, I generally know what I'm looking for.  The only exception to this is if I happen upon something that's on my staples wish list (a "bucket list" of items I will purchase only if the price and quality are right).  For example, last fall, I was shopping in a vintage boutique while traveling.  My mission, that day, was to search for bangle bracelets.  I came out, instead, with a black leather skirt (shown in this past post).  Not a problem, though as a black leather skirt was an item on my staples wish list.  The skirt I found was well-made, mint condition, my size and only $20 (I always hold back spare funds for these types of finds, so I was within budget...)--SOLD (smile)!  

What about you--what defines mindful shopping for you?  Would love hearing your insights!  

Joy, peace, and happy Monday! T.