Tuesday, November 15, 2011

November 15, 2011

Hello there and Hello Tuesday! The second day of a lovely week. I have two items that I'm posting today, both of which I found on other blogs that I follow. Since this is LL's Guide to Renewal - I guess I need to get back to the renewal part of the blog. First the ABC's of me - I thought this was a great way to get to know some things about someone. I saw this first on Edi Royer's blog, memoriesforlifescrapbooks.blogspot.com and decided to try it here.

 
The ABC’s of ME
A – aunt to 5 wonderful nephews, B – bargain hunter, C – choreographer,  
D – dancer/dance teacher, E – ex- tax preparer, F – forty something,  
G – God fearing, H – happy (much of the time), I – Internet addict, 
J –jelly beans (2nd favorite candy), K – kids (four of them), L – Lostlemonade
M – multi-tasker, N – Nerd for life,  
O – Operations Manager (for art shows/festivals),
P – popcorn (favorite snack food), Q – quiet, R – rebellious,  
S – sister (second oldest),
T – tinkerer, U – upbeat, V – violet (favorite color), W – Wii Player,
X – xenodochial (isn’t that a cool word? Means hospitable)
Y – yellow roses (favorite color to receive), Z – zealous

This was so much fun to do. I am a list maker as well, so this was a task right up my alley. Try it and let me know how it goes (you can post your link in the comments).

The second thing I borrowed is from VictorianSwag.blogspot.com. She talks about personal progression and goal keeping. In this particular, she mentions a professor she had that required the students to daily chart their progress in each of five areas:

1. Spiritual - Examples: Reading Scriptures, Prayer, Meditation
2. Mental - Examples: Learning a new word, starting a new book, watching a documentary
3. Physical - Run a mile, Do 30 lunges, run the stadium steps, eat a healthy breakfast
4. Service - Call an old friend, find a way to get involved with community, volunteer
5. Other - Come up with something on your own, something you've been putting off

This was so simple and life changing to me, I have decided to adopt it into my own life (thanks, VS!). So last week, I added this plan to my Renewal process and here's what I've done so far this week.
  • 1. Spiritual - Meditated 10 minutes each day, returned to Women's Bible Study classes on Thursday.
  • 2. Mental - Read two new books, learned a new word (see X above)
  • 3. Physical - Added work out portion to Monday night dance class, walked 7 total miles this week
  • 4. Service - Involved in two fundraising activities with sons' schools (two schools)
  • 5. Other - Staying away from my bad habit (I'll tell more about that at later date)


I've set up a little bulletin board on the wall (right behind my trusty laptop) and I've added my ABC's and my Personal Progression Goals Overview List to it. It's my Daily Motivation Board and it's simply fabric covered foam core board with some bricbrac edging, double sided foam taped to the wall so that I can "push pin" and "thumb tack" and "post-it" everything I need to follow my path towards renewal.

So far, so good! I ended my week with a positive affirmation of things about me, a refreshed zeal and a positive attitude about the week ahead! 

How do you "re-new"? Any ideas that you use to keep yourself going on those days you don't quite feel like doing anything?

Monday, November 14, 2011

November 14, 2011

So many things going on this week, I decided to try a new trick for my blogs. What's the trick you ask? Okay, hold your breath, it's an amazing thing........"Plan My Blogs"! I know right, calm down, settle down over there in the back. Never in a million would have seen that one coming, right?

For you regular bloggers, I'm sure this is no world trade secret, this planning, but for me - goodness knows, I'm usually typing frantically, trying to decide on a topic at about 4am, bleary eyed and stumbly fingered. But no more! Or at least I'm gonna try for "No more".

If I come up with a suitable plan, which I think I have, this will ultimately make blogging not only easier but much more fun for me and hopefully interesting for you.

I'm still working out the kinks of this (what kinks, you say? I hear you scoffing in the background) but I tried it last week and it was cool and I'm going to do it again for the next two weeks. It should be a habit in no time and smoothly transition into part of my weekly "run-around-like-a-chicken-with-two-heads-where-one-head- is-cut-off-and-one-leg-has-a-bum-foot" routine. You don't know that routine? Really? You must not be a semi stay at home, trying to be self employed, mother of four (ages 21-15-13-6), with no car and multiple obligations....no...no one....anyone? Alrighty then (big sigh)

from www.outersketcher.com


So my first blog for the week is this one - obviously - and you'll just have to check back for the rest. I know you're thinking - Yeah, cause she doesn't have a plan. Hah, I do to - I'm taking my cues from the Original Mickey Mouse Club plan -
Them                                                                                                    
  • Mondays - Fun With Music                                                       (LL101) Fun with Music and Video
  • Tuesdays - Guest Star Day                                                        (LL101) Getting To Know Who
  • Wednesdays - Anything Can Happen Day                                 (LL101) Anything Can Happen
  • Thursdays - Circus Day                                                             (LL101) Social Media Day (Pinterest, Kaboodle, etc) 
  • Fridays - Talent Round-Up Day                                                (LL101) Formerly known as "Artist to Know"

So, now you that you tortured my plan from me, here is today's fab video -



Enjoy and see you tomorrow!

Friday, November 11, 2011

November 11, 2011

reprinted from www.mlive.com

Motown and mistletoe: New festival seeks to re-create Detroit Christmas past

Published: Sunday, October 30, 2011, 3:31 AM     Updated: Monday, October 31, 2011, 11:13 AM

Tree

DETROIT — The magic of Detroit Christmas past is what event organizer Mark Loeb is trying to bring back with the city’s newest festival, the nine-day Christmas WonderFest, running Nov. 18-27.
From the time he was 7 or 8 years old, Loeb, 51, remembers where Christmas magic happened — and it was not the North Pole for his Ann Arbor-based family. It was downtown Detroit. As for many families at the time, the holiday tradition was an excursion to Hudson’s Department store, the Christmas mecca of its day.
“It was a completely overwhelming feeling, the lights everywhere, moving mechanical figures, trains running around,” Loeb said. “Everywhere you looked, there was motion and lights and everybody was having a good time.”
He hopes the new festival becomes part of Detroit Christmas future for each family that visits today.
“I want people to feel astounded, even people in their 50s to feel 7 again,” he said.
The new festival spans the period between the ceremonial lighting of the city’s Christmas tree in Campus Martius Park, and America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade weekend. The main feature will be the European-style Christmas markets featuring gifts from around the globe.
Those booths will be supplemented by live music, food and a “Motor City Market,” featuring Detroit-centric gifts. A giant Ferris wheel will dwarf Campus Martius park, home to the city’s official Christmas tree and an ice skating rink. A carousel and a “magic” elevator will transport children straight to the North Pole with special effects.
Magic for adults will come in the form of a traditional German beer garden where brews will be served in traditional boot-shaped mugs. There also will be mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. A Michigan twist on the European traditions will be the addition of a giant heated tent, Loeb said.
“In Christmas markets all over the world, the event is outdoors and people stay outdoors,” he said. “In Michigan, I’m not feeling the love for that yet.”
Organizers are working with the International Institute of Detroit to spotlight many countries with Christmas booths, food and gifts and to weave traditions of those countries in with the holiday traditions of the United States and the Midwest. While keeping “Christmas” in the name might be somewhat controversial, Loeb said, organizers wanted to establish a link to some 800 years of Christmas markets in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
The establishment of such markets as a way to help spark a renaissance of downtown shopping was part of the plan when Campus Martius Park was created nearly a decade ago, Loeb said, but other improvements kept taking precedence. This seemed to be the year to make it happen, partly because several prominent businesses moved back to downtown, bringing back 200 stores spread across many buildings throughout downtown. This also seems to be the year of Detroit, Loeb believes, thanks in part to the feel-good Chrysler commercial that aired during the Super Bowl and the winning seasons of the city's sports teams.
Those who want to identify with Detroit will have their chance through the festival and available gifts. The Motor City Marketplace will give people a chance to “really show their colors,” Loeb said, through merchandise provided by a variety of city institutions, including the Henry Ford museum, Motown Museum, Pewabic Pottery, the Charles W. Wright Museum of African American History and the Detroit Historical Museum.
“For years, Detroit events were about bringing people downtown to show them they might want to come back,” Loeb said. “Now that they’re willing to go downtown, let’s get them exploring a little more, making them Detroiters again.”
The commercial and sports aren’t the only reasons for the downtown renaissance, said Renee Monforton, communications director of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. There’s been a transformation of the riverfront with a new five-mile pedestrian walkway and, over the past few years, the addition of 2,000 new hotel rooms, three casinos and several new restaurants.
She’s excited about the timing of this festival, she said, because she, too, remembers the magic of Christmas in Detroit. As a young girl, she would get dressed up to go to Hudson’s with her family, then to Sanders for a hot fudge cream puff.
It’s great to kick the event off with the lighting of a tree she thinks will come to rival the one in Rockefeller Center and go through the America’s Thanksgiving Parade, this year themed “So Much to Believe In.”
“I think there’ll be a lot of people who remember how great it was to be here,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Email Kim Schneider: kimschneider@chartermi.net

Thursday, November 10, 2011

November 10, 2011

51 Stops on a Treasure Map – Can you find all 51 Treasure Icons?

1. Trinkets N Whatnotswww.galla15.etsy.com
Handmade Button, Crystal and Pearl Jewelry
2. Sewinggrannywww.etsy.com/shop/sewinggranny
Sewn items – baby, kitchen, home decor, holiday
3. CalliopeAZCreationswww.calliopeazcreations.etsy.com
Handmade Jewelry, Medicine Stones, Decorated Feathers
4. jQ jewelry designswww.jQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com
Gemstone Jewelry that is Classic … with an Edge
5. KrystalsJewelrywww.krystalsjewelry.etsy.com
Intricate Handmade Jewelry of all styles for all tastes
6. Rooeewww.rooee.etsy.com
Quilts & quilted things, cloth dolls, fabric postcards
7. Painted Memories By RosPaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com
Fine Art Note Cards and Prints
8. PeelirohiniPeelirohini.etsy.com
Colorful and Unique Sterling silver , Gold fill Jewelry with Genuine Gemstones and/or Polymer Clay
9.  Sunny Crystalswww.etsy.com/shop/SunnyCrystals
Crystal Tumblestones, Natural Gemtone Jewellery & Decoupage Cards plus a bit of Vintage Jewellery
10. Symbolic Importswww.SymbolicImports.etsy.com
Handmade Bath & Body – Lip balms, Sugar Scrubs, Handmade Soaps, Perfumes & more!
11. Beautifulswagstorewww.etsy.com/shop/beautifulswagstore
hair accessories, dog toys, baby gift sets, home decor, gift wrapping
12. Bijibijoux- www.etsy.com/shop/bijibijoux
Handmade jewelry/ beads/ supplies -
13. Newcreationzwww.etsy.com/shop/NewCreatioNZ
Fine art and photography craft
14. BountyOfBeadswww.etsy.com/shop/bountyofbeads
Handmade Bead Dangle Drop Charm Sets and Trinity Brass Findings
Jewelry Making Supplies
15. Fair Lady Boutiquewww.etsy.com/shop/fairladyboutique
A Beading Boutique with vintage beads + components, Czech glass, gemstones, and custom made bead mixes
16. HollysFollyGlass www.etsy.com/shop/HollysFollyGlass
Fine and fun Lampwork Glass Beads by artist Holly Dare.
17. Glitterbird Glasswww.etsy.com/shop/GlitterbirdGlass
Home decor and jewelry made from beautiful fused glass.
18. CrochetedbyCharlenewww.etsy.com/shop/CrochetedbyCharlene
Beautiful crocheted afghans, accessories, and much more.
19. Camillescloset- www.etsy.com/shop/Camillescloset
Handmade jewelery items.
20. Prittifywww.etsy.com/shop/Prittyfy
Handmade Jewelry, Modern, Altered Art, Steampunk
21. Crystalphotography www.etsy.com/shop/crystalphotography
Fine Art Photography Prints and Greeting Cards
22. iaFlowerPowerwww.etsy.com/shop/iaFlowerPower
Whimsical Crocheted and Knitted Baby Hats and more
23. Gabby’s Quiltswww.etsy.com/shop/GabbysQuilts
Handcrafted Quilts, Tablerunners, Wallhangings and Embroidered Gifts
24. CNJ Ceramicswww.etsy.com/shop/CNJCeramics
Contemporary Clay Jewelry and Home Decor
25. LostLemonade www.etsy.com/shop/LostLemonade
Body Care Products made to cleanse, moisturize and soothe
26. RomanticThoughtsRomanticThoughts.etsy.com
Handcrafted Jewelry, PreMade Scrapbook Pages, Vintage Items and More
27. Ooh Leela!isabelafelix.etsy.com
Handmade dish towels and trendy accessories
28. KatersAcreskatersacres.etsy.com
Polymer Clay Creations, Trinkets, & Treasures with a Whimsical Feel
29. MagdamagdamagdaFashion.etsy.com
custom clothing, accessories and supplies
30. Ugly Duckling Beadswww.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads
Handmade glass beads, digital collage sheets, tutorials, and jewelry
31. BellaTheBeadwww.bellathebead.etsy.com
Handcrafted jewelry and supplies with vintage soul
32.IdeasBloomwww.ideasbloom.etsy.com
Handcrafted decorative wreaths
33. Greenhouse Glassworkswww.greenhouseglassworks.etsy.com
Fused Glass Jewelry, Stained Glass Home Decor, and Handmade Cards and Tags
34. Five SuppliesFive0101.etsy.com
All the supplies you need to create
35. TheMayFlower Fashionsthemayflower.etsy.com
Fun & Stylish Fashion Designs for Women
36. Something Wyrd- www.SomethingWyrd.Etsy.com
Handcrafted jewelry and beaded charms
37. iluvmariniluvmarin.etsy.com
Greeting cards, scrapbooks, cupcake toppers, & festive banners
38. Lexilouflowerswww.etsy.com/shop/LexiLouFlowers?ref=si_shop
Hair Accessories, Feather headbands, and Hair ties
39. Mt Baldy Glassworks - www.mtbaldyglass.etsy.com
fused glass jewelry and home decore
40. LexiekinPrintswww.etsy.com/shop/LexiekinPrints
Personalized, customized and Printable Invitations, tags, cards and more!
41. Turtlexiii - www.turtlexiii.etsy.com
Sterling Silver Jewelry with Swarovski Crystals and Pearls, Gemstones & more.
42. IsabellesAttic- www.isabellesattic.etsy.com
aprons, accessories, baby items and more
43. AshlynDesignwww.ashlyndesign.etsy.com
Artisan handmade lampwork beads, metal charms, and finished jewelry
44. eveyinorbitshopwww.eveyinorbitshop.etsy.com
Mixed media art, original aceo and zines.
45. Suzie Tenzerwww.susietenzer.etsy.com
Original fine art paintings and prints
46. LindaBwww.lindab142.etsy.com
Artisan crafted beaded and wire wrapped jewelry, Jewish jewelry and accessories, wire beaded kippot
47. DellCoveSpicesdellcovespices.etsy.com
hand mixed spices, magnetic spice kits, cocktail sugars & margarita salts, organic popcorn, popcorn toppings & other treats
48. OverTheMoonGiftsoverthemoongifts.etsy.com
personalized gifts, accessories, and home decor
49. craftycreations81www.etsy.com/shop/craftycreations81
Peacock feather items, wedding items and items for newborns/children
50. nan gates designswww.nangatesdesigns.etsy.com
Fabric handbags, totes and accessories
51. ProdigyCraftswww.prodigycrafts.etsy.com
Crocheted Clothing, Accessories and Gifts


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

November 9, 2011




Treasure Hunting!

 
In the spirit of "All Things Treasure Hunting", here is a little something to get you in the mood!

10 of the Best Treasure Hunt Movies!

Reprinted from  ScreenJunkies.com Saturday, March 26 by Andrew Jett
Treasure hunt movies prove that there’s nothing better than a good adventure. Full of action, intrigue and danger at every turn, treasure hunt movies feature a climactic objective no other film genre can match.
TrinketNWhatnots
1. “National Treasure.” Nicholas Cage became a bona fide action star with this treasure hunt movie. Cage plays a historian with a knack for solving puzzles. When he begins to unravel clues to a secret treasure dating back to the Revolutionary War, Cage has to steal the Declaration of Independence and use it as a map during his hunt.
EveyInOrbit

2. “The Goonies.” If you can manage to suspend disbelief, this treasure hunt movie is full of campy, improbable fun. Sean Astin leads an ensemble cast of young misfits whose parents are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Astin just happens to find an old pirate treasure map in his attic, and soon the cast is surrounded by booby traps on their subterranean hunt for the gold.  

SymbolicImports
3. “Sahara.” This treasure hunt movie stars Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn as treasure hunters in search of a Confederate boat stuffed with gold coins. Their quest eventually leads them to Africa, where they tangle with a power-hungry businessman.

CalliopeAZCreations
4. “Romancing the Stone.” Michael Douglas was at his best in this treasure hunt movie. This film tells the story of a mysterious map that reveals the location of a priceless emerald in the jungles of Columbia. Danny DeVito also provides a hilarious performance as the bumbling antagonist to Douglas’ rugged hero.

CNJ Ceramics
5. “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Likely the most beloved of all treasure hunt movies, this film introduced the world t Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford stars as the iconic hero in this first installment of the franchise, and there’s no shortage of action here. Ford spends the movie evading Nazis as he hunts for the ultimate treasure: the Ark of the Covenant.
jQjewelryDesigns

6. “Three Kings.” In this strange and unique version of a treasure hunt movie, George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube star as soldiers during the Gulf War. This film follows the trio as they hunt for hidden bunkers that are rumored to contain stolen gold bullion.

SusieTenzer
7. “Trespass." Bill Paxton stars as a fireman who gets tangled up with a street gang in this treasure hunt movie. While searching for a secret cache of treasure in an abandoned building, Paxton witnesses a gang murder by kingpin Ice-T. With his cover blown, Paxton must hunt for the gold as Ice-T and his gang chase him throughout the building.

BijiBijoux
8. “Jewel of the Nile.” As the sequel to the successful film “Romancing the Stone,” this treasure hunt movie already had a winning formula. Former adversaries Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito team up to find a valuable jewel in the African desert, dodging shady characters and spine-tingling danger throughout their hunt.

TurtleXIII
9. “The Deep.” Once you get past the jaw-dropping opening scenes courtesy of Jacqueline Bisset, this film is one of the more interesting treasure hunt movies you’ll find. Nick Nolte stars alongside Bisset as a novice treasure hunter who stumbles upon an old Spanish medallion. Their hunt for the medallion’s origin leads them to a shipwreck off the coast of Bermuda, where they acquire the attention of a dangerous local drug kingpin.

DellcoveSpices
10. “City Slickers II: The Legend Of Curly’s Gold.” Probably the least appreciated of all treasure hunt movies, this sequel took a different direction than the original. Billy Crystal stars as a middle-aged father out for one more adventure. He finds it in the form of a treasure map hidden inside a cowboy hat. With his friends in tow, Crystal embarks on an epic hunt for gold in the desert o the American Southwest.