Simply Altered

Just after I sent my last updated post, I stumbled across this.  VERY good advise for all, no matter what situation you are in.  Occasionally my kids do less than pleasing things as well my husband and myself  ( I know, hard to believe huh?)  LOL  !!!!  But so many times, I have to literally say, “did I expect that would happen at some point and time”  ??  the answer is generally YES.  So , this posting courtesy of Zen Habits really has hit home with me. Zen Habits: Let me let you in on a little secret to finding peace of mind: see the glass as already broken. See, the cause of our stress, anger and irritation is that things don’t go the way we like, the way we expect them to. Think of how many times this has been true for you. And so the solution is simple: expect things to go wrong, expect things to be different than we hoped or planned, expect the unexpected to happen. And accept it. So when the nice glass you bought inevitably falls and breaks, someday, you might get upset. But not if you see the glass as already broken, from the day you get it. You know it’ll break someday, so from the beginning, see it as already broken. Be a time-traveler, or someone with time-traveling vision, and see the future of this glass, from this moment until it inevitably breaks. And when it breaks, you won’t be upset or sad — because it was already broken, from the day you got it. And you’ll realize that every moment you have with it is precious. Expect your child to mess up — all children do. And don’t get so upset when they mess up, when they don’t do what they’re “supposed” to do … because they’re supposed to mess up. Expect your partner to be less than perfect. Expect your friend to not show up sometimes. Expect things to go not according to plan. Expect people to be rude sometimes. Expect coworkers not to come through sometimes. Expect roommates not to wash their dishes or pick up their clothes, sometimes. Expect the glass to break. And accept it. You won’t change these inevitable facts — they will happen, eventually. And if you expect it to happen — even see it as already happening, before it happens — you won’t get so upset. You won’t overreact. You’ll respond appropriately, but not overreact. You can talk to the person about their behavior, and ask them kindly to consider your feelings when they do this … but you won’t get overly emotional and blow things out of proportion. You’ll smile, and think, “I expected that to happen. The glass was already broken. And I accept that.” You’ll have peace of mind. And that, my friends, is a welcome surprise.

Just a quick thought of inspiration for the day.

In our quest to do more, have more and go more places.  Take a look around.  Do you really have enough of all those things to be content, or are you continually reaching for more and trying to take your happiness to the next level???    I know I have enough.  Actually I have more than enough to keep me happy, content and an abundance of GRATITUDE, but just like everyone else, I do need to keep reminding myself.   I like to remind others, and occasionally I need them to remind me.   I try SO hard to drive this point home with my kids.  It is not about doing EVERYTHING, and going EVERYWHERE.  Life is full of choices and sacrifices.   They make them daily and will continue to do so the rest of their lives.  It is good for them.

We are having some mini “staycations” this year at our house.   Would my kids like to go to Disney?  California? Cancun?  oh, of course they would.  Are we???   no.

My daughter made ONE request for the summer.  She asks that she and her dad go camping, about 7 miles out of town.  Just the two of them.  Pretty simple request huh??  Needless to say, they are picking a weekend tonight.

My son?  his requests are a little bigger. (he is still younger, so we are still working on him).  He wants a Moped for his July 22 birthday!!!  

My husband and I ?  looking for happiness for our kids, and a few relaxing evenings riding our bikes together, or sitting on our deck and realizing we have plenty of gratitude in our home to go around.

Have a good evening.

a big {great} BIG giveaway coming soon...

There is excitement coming, and hopefully it is coming VERY soon!!!!   I have the biggest giveaway to date right up my sleeve!!! .  Trying to iron out the final details with some “outside sources” before I officially announce it.  Trust me, it IS gonna be a good one!!!!!!!

So let this serve as a reminder.  Get subscribed if you are not already and be SURE to verify the subscription via an e mail confirmation. Some forget this part, so it remains UNverified.  Not good.    If you are not receiving the updates via e mail, re-subscribe and follow the link instructions.    It may sound hard, but it is VERY easy!!!

Refer your friends to do the same.  You do not want to miss out on this FANTASTIC offer, so your friends will want to be on board as well.   Invite your friends and family, or complete strangers that APPEAR to want a simple life,  to do the same.

This will more than likely be in the form of a challenge / contest / giveaway.  Possibly randomly drawn from the comments, so get your thinking cap ON.  It WILL be worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!

No more rambling….or I will end up letting the secret OUT!  

More in the next day or so (hopefully), and we can get the fun started!!!!!!!

I always come out of a new experience learning SOMETHING positive.  Today was no exception.

Over the years, I “assumed” maybe someday I would like to move away from my the town I was born and raised in.  I think I have changed my mind  (something I am notorious for).   How does it feel to  see NO familiar faces???     maybe not as good as I once thought , or maybe I am just getting older, or maybe I was missing my daughter too much??  regardless.  I came to a couple conclusions.

I did a sampling of laundry soap today in Ankeny.   It was very nice, Kudos to Matt for being such an organized and efficient manager.   What a nice (and BIG) store!!!!

And most of all, THANKS to the few “familiar faces” or even “familiar names”  (diana)  that came to see me.  You were to me, like the ONE face in the image with the red hat on.  In a sea of people, you sometimes forget how nice it is to see a FAMILIAR FACE!!!    When I spotted those FEW that I did know, it made my day to know they came to see ME!!!!    On a daily basis in my hometown, you can not go ANYWHERE without seeing familiar faces.  Maybe I know them personally, know someone THEY know, or know where the work, who they are married to etc etc etc……..you get the idea.  I certainly, too often take for granted how that feels.  It feels good.  It feels even better after today.  :)

Do I vacation in strange towns??  yes (although not this year)  {boo}   but when I do, I have my family or friends WITH me.   I have even gone out of town to conferences, but there is SOME familiar face there.  For those who travel on business, isn’t 9 times out of 10, someone you recognize???  if not.  You know the feeling I am talking about.  I guess this is another reason, there is no place like home!!!

So tomorrow when you might be returning to work, imagine doing that in an UNfamiliar place, knowing NO ONE all day long.  Strange huh???   take a minute to realize how many faces you just assume you will be looking at each day, and how you have come to know and recognize them so well.  It feels really  good afterall, huh???.   Another simple pleasure we very often overlook.   As much as it seems in small town, TOO many people know TOO much about you???   might be a “good thing” afterall.

……..and the icing on the cake for today?????  knowing I was coming “home” to my daughter who returned home safe and sound!!!!   A very “familiar” face, I am SO happy to see.  

All is well once again.

Thanks for listening.  

If I was forced to lay out in a swimsuit, this is where I want it to happen.

Ready for more of my random ways of thinking???  still no digital camera…can ya tell???

*my daughter is still in Texas on her missions trip.  I miss her SO much,  I can hardly stand it.  It was bad enough by Thursday as it was, and THEN the phone call came in.  She had been taken to the E.R. with heat exhaustion and dehydration!!!  My sons first reaction was “Mom, we HAVE to go get her”.  (only 14 hours away, but time and distance mean nothing to a kid huh??)  We sat tight, and were reassured she was in good hands of a church member, taking the best care of her and got her where she needed to go.  THANKS DIANE !!!!!    She was given IV fluids, given a thorough check over, and dismissed.  All is well now, except she has a little after effects of it all, and is still just not “feeling well”.   She would insist she is NOT homesick, but as a mother, I want to think maybe just a teeny bit as well.   Although, she is NEVER been the homesick type.  Put her in a crowd of strangers, and she will find SOMEONE to be friends with before it is over .  Bless her heart.  The whole group arrives home on Sunday midday and we can NOT WAIT !!!!!

*Oskaloosa Hy-Vee sampling is being delayed a couple weeks.  All good things come to those who wait.  This will be worth the wait.  Tentatively set for the last Fri / Sat in July.  I will keep you posted.

*Ankeny Hy-Vee???   this Sunday.  I will be sampling from 10:00 to 6:00.  If you are anywhere near the area, stop by and introduce yourself.  This will be really different for me!   In Oskaloosa, I already know 90% of the people I see.  Ankeny will be more like 99%, I will NOT know!!!   Hopefully I will be more like my daughter in my FIRST random thought.  A store full of people, SURELY there will be someone I can call my friend when I am done!!!  

*Bright spot of my day today??  one of my favorite customers  (ok, who am I kidding, ALL my customers are my favorites!!)  honestly.   But I will say, one that felt the need to move to California, gave me a phone call, saying she was in town and was stopping by to visit!!!  yeah!!!!   I was SO happy to see her!!!  funny how you can come so close to a customer, after MANY years!!!  It felt like I had just seen her last week, when in reality it has been a couple years!!!  We sat on my screened in porch and she was even kind enough to let me do my other customers as they came in, and waited for me.   Thanks Joan, you REALLY made my day.

*Flip-Flops.   (is this random enough??)   do you understand the evolution of the footwear now known as flip-flops??   when I was younger, we called them “thongs”.  no more.  Now as if “Flip-flops” are not good enough , there are also “Fit-Flops”.  I hear these are wonderful, although I do not own any.    Well……a couple days ago, I had THE COOLEST customer in my salon and her mother had “Switch-Flops” on.    Have you ever heard of these????   They are SO neat!!!  I want some and I want them now!!!  there is a velcro piece on the strap part, and you can interchange then depending on what color you want the strap to be.  I had to ask myself  ”Do I really NEED them???”   of course, I do.  Can you imagine how streamlined this could make our flip-flop collection???  instead of 10 different pair between my daughter and I , we could have 2 pairs, with some interchangeable straps.  Can you day “Simplify”  ????   Has anyone but me and these coolest customers know about such a thing???  let me know.  I am on the hunt for two pairs now.    :)

*my agenda for tomorrow is to do about 20 loads of laundry (a little exaggerated, but not much. If I had my camera, I would SHOW you!!!)  and my goal is to do it withOUT the use of my dryer!!!   the clothesline will be full all day long.  I know Zoe is bringing home a big suitcase full of more dirty laundry on Sunday, so I need to get this weeks out of the way!!!

Enjoy your weekend, wherever it takes you, or whatever you find yourself doing!!!!  may you enjoy it to its fullest!!!

I will even try to be LESS random next week.  I am SURE there will be mission trip pictures to share with you, from my photographer daughter.  :)

he is even drinking my PERFECT glass of iced tea!!!!

Yes.  Believe it.  It feels like Christmas in July as with my family tradition, we have officially begun the Christmas season.  We drew names on the Fourth of July.  Let the FUN begin.  Anyone that knows my family, would undertand this is a HUGE undertaking.    :)

So…..I would challenge each and every one of you to start thinking (and planning) now.    Look at Christmas in a way you might have never done before.

We had to make a list of each of our OWN  family members and what they “want” for Christmas gifts.  We had about 5 minutes to complete this “list”.  As I can not recall mine word for word, I am going to try to recreate it for my blog readers.

Kelli:   I want something that will continue to make my life SIMPLE.  I do not wish for you to spend your money  on me, nor do I want you to beat the malls looking for that “perfect” gift that I might someday outgrow, loose taste in or really have no need for.  I would rather you do something special WITH me and give of your time to make MEMORIES with me and for me.  If you have a cherished item in your home,  near and dear to your heart, that you know I might like…..you may gift it to me.  I will hold it closer to my heart than any store purchased gift, as it was something YOU also loved.

Honestly this was my “list”  and I could have gone on and on to explain my self, but I had 5 minutes, and a piece of scratch paper.    This is not word for word, but you get my drift.  Do I “need” another picture frame??  not really.  Do I “need”  another sweatshirt??  not really (although this IS my weakness, after I always “alter them”)  LOL  !!!   but honestly, I would love a nice lunch date with a sister, or go to a movie with my neices, or have a homemade FAVORITE meal from a family member, or even have a sister come over and help me decorate, spend the afternoon with me and move my furniture around with me.   I may eventually get rid of a picture frame purchased for me, but guaranteed I will never forget quality time spent or memories made with a loved one.  Never.  Those gifts are nothing short of  PRICELESS.

So.  In return, I also chose a name of a family member.  One of the things SHE wants is “A night of free babysitting, so I can go out with my husband”.   This family member has 4 children.  When I showed my son, his first response, was can we PLEASE give this gift to her???  awwww…… I was very proud.   Asking myself and my son.  Does she need a bottle of perfume?? or a night out with her husband, to have UNinterrupted conversation and a nice meal that she did not HAVE to prepare or do the dishes afterward??  something as simple as that, is a rarity when you have 4 children under the age of 8.

I did make a suggestion to do NO gifts and instead have a jar or memories.  Each person has to choose one and we get to all laugh, cry, and simply reminisce on Christmas Day about each family memory, tradition, or that specific person .  Another family member suggested a 100% homemade Christmas.  No need to be “crafty” to do this.  You can use your special talents…..even if that means baking your favorite batch of cookies to wrap and give to someone.  Everyone has a talent is SOME way.

But both our idea were more or less vetoed.  {darn}.  So we will all try to meet in the middle somewhere.   I know what I am doing.  I know what direction I am taking it and I have  pretty good feeling I will get the same “gift” in return.  One solely from the HEART.  Maybe one that does not even require wrapping paper.  I certainly hope so.

I once read that to feel a stress-free Christmas, you need to PRETEND you are going on a cruise on December 1st and returning home on December 24th.   If you were to REALLY do that, you would HAVE to have everything done before you leave.  It is called “cruising through the holidays”.  I did it a few years ago, and it was wonderful.   I “cruised” right through December.   Instead of shopping / wrapping / stressing.   Guess what I did???  I baked, I cooked, I entertained, I RELAXED and I enjoyed the season 110%  !!!!!!!  I had everything else DONE already.

Think about it soon.  It is right around the corner.

certainly "random" looking huh??

ok.  This one might be a little “out there” for my typical posts.  BUT.  I have a reason (actually many)  my daughter insists on taking my digital camera to Texas, which of course I agreed to but I knew it was inevitable that as soon as I do NOT have it , I will need it desperately.  Guess what?  I do.

Everything I wanted to post tonight, I needed to take a pic first.  Gggggrgrrrrrrr…….

So instead, I will just give you some of my random thoughts for tonight.

*my daughter has come to the conclusion that Texas is WAY to far to drive or ride to in ONE day!!!   she loves being there and is having a great time, but would like a plane ticket when it is time to depart for Iowa.  :)   no can do on that.  I assured her that the ride home ALWAYS goes faster than the ride there.  hummmm….that IS true, isn’t it????  

*I have a VERY lonely and BORED son.  He misses his sister.  Made us all realize how much time they actually spend together!!  They have become such good friends and that feels REALLY good to their mother!!!  I swore I would never hear myself say that.   They used to have to sit in separate rooms for breakfast as inevitably, ONE of them was not eating their cereal correctly to suit the other.  (gotta admit, it was MY son that was doing all the complaining!!!)  and now, they are each others shadow practically.

*in the wee hours of the night when I would normally be waiting for my daughter to come home from work,  I was sad, so my best therapy was nothing more than changing my furniture around.  I will have to make a longer post about that sometime, but it is nearly an addiction of mine.  If I had my way about it, I would rearrange my furniture every other week!!!     This time it was my family room, and even though the changes are simple, it REALLY does freshen up a room in a wonderful way.  I love it.  If you are not obsessed like I am, you really ought to atleast try it.  Sometimes, it is just a matter of moving one thing to a different location.  Of course, it is REALLY awesome if you can find one thing to ELIMINATE from the room.  :)   yep, I do like the minimalistic lifestyle.

*Glenn literally spent 8 solid hours SCRUBBING down our deck today.  I think that was HIS therapy from missing Zoe as well.  When he does something, he does it RIGHT.  It is sparkling!!! he even mentioned putting a coat of boat wax on it, to make it easier next time.  I thought that seemed a little excessive, so I suggested grilling a steak for supper and he agreed.  8 hours was enough.

*Tomorrow to entertain my son, I offered to take him and a few friends about 15 miles away to a skate park.  You would think I offered to take him to California where the PROS are.  He was WAY excited.  It also gave me a little “leverage” to make for a productive day today from him.  Hey, all moms are guilty at one time or another!!!!

*anticipating a busy week ahead.  I am doing TWO samplings at Hy-Vee in TWO different locations!!  yeah!!!  our local Hy-Vee wants to sample out “Simply Smooth” lotion, as well as Cherry Limeades.  I think it will be a big hit.  I am doing another radio spot the day prior.   Fun!!!   I think I will bring my son along with me, (if he will wake up at 6 am!!!)  he will think  it is neat to see how the radio program broadcast is done.      Then two days later I am in Ankeny  (about 70 miles away) to sample laundry soap there.  I can’t wait!!!!

Am I being “random” enough???

Of course, let ME hear your random thoughts!!!!   and maybe you might even have the desire to switch some furniture of you OWN around.  Heck, I have been known to switch entire ROOMS with each other!!!    it is SO much fun.  Try it.

And most ahead, enjoy the week ahead, and remember, take time to notice your surroundings just a little more.  You never know the things you might normally take for granted simply because you just ALWAYS know they are there.

the road less traveled....

the scenery some might only dream of.....

welcome to rural Iowa

I am posting these pics on behalf of my daughter.  She has become fascinated with my digital camera as of late, and the other day on her way to a babysitting job in the country, she captured these images.  The poor girl  DREAMS of being a farm girl someday!!!    She assures me that “SOME DAY” this is the scenery I will be looking at on the way to HER house.   I hope for her sake that can actually happen.  :)    I will stay where I am at.  (LOL)

BUT….

in all honesty, I can appreciate the beauty of the simple life, and unobstructed views of the Iowa cornfields, the silos, and the wide open spaces.  It is hard to imagine people that do NOT see this beauty in their everyday life.  We sometimes drive by quickly without even noticing.  It felt nice to know that Madison not only noticed, but took the time, all on her own to capture the images of the most SIMPLE landscape, that she finds so pleasing to the eye.   She is 16.  That is kind of major from my point of view.  Some teenagers love to go to the mall, mine loves to admire cornfields and country side pleasures.  {All together now,} ……Awwwwww

And this also represents what  American Independence to me.  How will you celebrate it??? what feels like the All-American dream to you?  might you take the time today and every day to NOTICE your surroundings, no matter how big or small.  Imagine there are people on the other side of the United States (or further) that do not have the luxury of seeing what you may be taking for granted??    I would love to hear what all of YOU get to pass by on a daily basis and how you may appreciate it just a little bit more today and thereafter.

Now, back to my daughter. Keep her safety as well as others,  in your prayers.  She is departing at 5 am tomorrow morning (July 4th) for a church missions trio to Houston Texas.  They will be working with Habitat for Humanity (a organization near and dear to my heart) and building homes for those less fortunate.  The entire group of kids,  as well as the selfless sponsors they have,  are joining forces for the next 10 days.  I will be VERY lonely without her in our home, but at the same time, I know it is the utmost effort she is willing to give of herself, and will enrich alot of areas in her life at the same time.

Safe travels Zoe (her nickname)  and please savor your experiences that lie ahead.  :)

We will be waiting for you with open arms.  

who would have thought???

I have heard that baking soda is SUCH a universal item, used for MANY different things, but being the “solution” to my tea dilemma was not one I imagined!

I gotta give a great big SHOUT OUT to my friend (and another hairstylist in town) Michelle.   She filled me in on this “secret” and even gave me permission to share the recipe.  It is WONDERFUL !!!

I am also giving you my “altered” version of her recipe for a couple reasons.  I wanted my tea a little stronger, I only had certain tea bags on hand, and God forbid I go the grocery store if I do not absolutley HAVE to, and also,  I had to make it for the size container I had on hand.  (1/2 gal).    but she get ALL the credit for the “secret” ingredient for sure!!

Boil about 2 cups of water and add to 6 tea bags and a pinch of BAKING SODA !!

Let all of this sit for 10 to 15 minutes

Pour into 1 gallon jar and add cold water to fill.

now, MY “altered” version….

I used about 1 cup boiling water (to make 1/2 gallon) and I also used 3 Cold Brew tea bags as it is all I had in the house, BUT someone told me they are basically the same thing.  I added a hefty “pinch” of baking soda, so I am thinking for a gallon, I will add 2 good size pinches.    Michelle says you can add up to 1/4 tsp Baking Soda if you need to, but one pinch per 1/2 gallon did the trick for me.

I think my problem is when I would get my tea strong enough, I also got the bitterness too, that was making mine taste YUCK.   Michelle said it is amazing how much just the little bit of soda cuts the bitterness and she is RIGHT ON! ! !    it really does.

She found this idea looking for a Sweet Tea recipe.  All that you do for the gallon, is add about 1 cup sugar before you fill with cold water.  I like to sweeten each glass of mine with artificial sweetener, so I omitted that part.

I will spend my holiday weekend staying home (saving money) and drinking “Michelles Tea” on my screened in porch (and saving MORE money!!)     All is good.

Thanks for everyones suggestions.  I learned ALOT about the making of a good glass of tea, and will eventually give them all a whirl.  I also learned I am not crazy……(thanks Angie)  and if you want to come share a delicious glass of tea with me, you know where I will be.

What is SO hard about this??

I can not make Iced Tea.    Yes, you read it right.    Hi, my name is Kelli, and   I. can. not. make. Iced. Tea. Period      There, I have openly admitted it.  I feel much better.  :)

I can make Iced Coffee, Cherry Limeade, Laundry soap, body lotion, etc etc etc…..yet, to make a refreshing  glass of Iced Tea in this house???   no can do.   So…..this time it is I that needs help!!!  please???

I want to know.

Lipton, Luzianne, store generic brand or other?????

Coffee pot brewed, iced tea maker brewed, old fashioned Sun Tea, or Cold brew tea???

I know, you would think I am an idiot.  I SIMPLY can not believe it myself, but I have tried pretty much every way I can think of and it never tastes good.  I even have reverse osmosis pure water on tap, and it is still yuck.   I do like my tea on the strong side.  Not sickeningly strong, but not discolored water either, and I generally use Sweet-n- Low in it.

There is a restaurant in Osky that has the BEST iced tea ever.  Tasos.  I could literally go in there and inhale their tea.  Sometimes it is the only reason I want to eat there, just to drink their tea!!!  :)   lol.  I am also VERY particular about the shape and size of my ice cubes ( I know, I have a “few” hang-ups)  but this place gets it right on all accounts!!!

Too bad the place is closed now, as I am getting VERY thristy!!!

and the REAL reason I want help, is I am a complete addict to Diet Coca-Cola (Cherry Vanilla) with just the “right” ice cubes of course , and it is getting MUCH more expensive that my frugal dutch personality wants to pay…..and iced tea is so cheap, it might as well be FREE  !!!!!!!   I could save plenty of money, and basically always have it on hand, if I could just FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT RIGHT!!!   grrrrrr

Post your comments this time to help ME out…..pretty please???   I promise the next post, I will go back to helping YOU out again.  :)