Throw Out Fifty Things

Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life by Gail Blanke


My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Gail Blanke introduces the book by revealing her "methodology", the "Michelangelo Method".  For you self-disciplined, self-starting individuals the second paragraph of the Introduction says it all... 


"And that's my job as your coach: to help you let go of all the extraneous marble: to chisel your way through the stuff, junk, and clutter -physical and mental- that stands in the way of helping your very best self move into the next glorious phase of your life.” 


In addition, there are just two things you need to know. 
1.) If it weighs you down or makes you feel bad or if it sits there taking up room and contributing nothing positive to your life, “it” goes out. 
2.) When you throw out the physical stuff: 50 socks count as one=only 49 more to go. The mental stuff i.e. guilt over the past or fear of the future counts as one.


For the rest of us! This book is a must read. Ms. Blanke provides lots of how-to tips and anecdotal stories to motivate you to get off your duff and make your dreams come true.


You can also visit her website for sharing your experiences if you decide to make the leap of faith and follow her advice as your coach. 


I have already started my list:

1. 80 Beanie Baby Bears
(don't ask :)  They are too cute!




2. 2 bags of fabric that I would never use in a quilt.


3. 2 boxes of 45rpm records...I bought when I was in the flea market business.  I thought they might make me a profit.  Oh, foolish me!


4. 1 bag of purses to Goodwill.  I don't even like to change purses.  Why do I have so many?


Now only 46 more to go!




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What About No. 42 - Arizona - Wow!*

The Grand Canyon State

I went to and through Arizona in the 60's.  It was not on my list of  "places I wanted go to again".  

Haley

Hayden

That changed when our daughter and her husband moved to Phoenix.  They lived there for a number of years with our two grandchildren, Hayden and Haley.  

We went to college together!

High School friends!

Also, we had a mutual friend who was mayor of 
Sedona.  

South Rim

Add that to the fact that Chuck had never seen the Grand Canyon.  The Grand Canyon should be on the top ten of places to go before you die.  


Now I have seen it twice.  The first time was the best. The second time was awesome, but my fear of heights got me.  The fear has gotten worse as I grow older.  Luckily, both Chuck and I have the same fear.  

We have now been to Prescott, Sedona, Phoenix, and 

Williams.  We took the train from Williams to the South Rim of the Canyon.  Chuck has now been to the Grand Canyon.  

I have not been to the southern part of the State; except, passing through on the way going to or coming back.  The second verse: I probably never will.  Too many places-so little time.

*For "new to my blog" friends...on May 17, 2010, I visited Wisconsin.

I can now say that I have been in, to or through all 50 United States.

I am committed to make an Artist Trading Card "ATC" for each of

the 50 States. 

Yard Ornaments!

You either hate them or you love them! 

I love yard ornaments.  

I have been collecting them for years.  They have moved with me from house to house at least three times.  They are very active.

They are placed in out of the way places in the garden that will surprise the viewer.  They bring a smile to my face and brighten my day.  






Maybe they will do the same for you!

My husband's favorite

My favorite

My neighbor's favorite

My next favorite

This group was painted cranberry or forest green. 




(They started out as bowling balls in case you haven't guessed.)

Ah, I think I see you smiling! :)

Yes, you are smiling!

It's all about the outfit!

We are headed to Hot Springs Village today to look around at houses, eat a bite and play nine holes of golf.

Chuck has undertaken the onerous task of teaching me to play golf.  This adventure started about 3 years ago.  I think he decided he needed someone to play with when his "fellow" group wasn't available....that would be me :D!


A little background..very little:  
I am not, repeat, not, a natural athlete!  Enough said.

I have almost got it, but not quite.  I find the right costume makes all the difference!




What do you think...
improvement already!








I am getting there!  and remember the club head covers...






and the right hat.....












I'll keep you posted on any progress!

An Ice Cold Grave

An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I am really liking this series. However, this book was a little bit too heavy for me on gory details about the murders. The main characters, Harper and Tolliver, were related only because his father married her mother. They had been brought up as brother and sister in a dysfunctional family. Now they are on the road together and independently find they have feelings for each other that are not classified as brotherly/sisterly. 


Thank goodness Ms. Harris went with "what comes naturally" and carried the story past the brother/sister characters.  So many books drag on from book to book with the characters agonizing over the situation. 
Thanks, Charlaine. 


I have just downloaded "Grave Secret" from the library. I am looking forward to the next installment!!!






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No. 43 of 50 Let's hear it for South Carolina

*For "new to my blog" people...on May 17, 2010, I visited Wisconsin.  I can now say that I have been in or through all 50 United States. I am committed to make an Artist Trading Card "ATC" for each of the 50 States. Hence, 50 States in 50 years...50 in 50.


Well, I haven't forgotten.  I am obsessed...I will get to No. 50.  Can you guess which one that will be?

We visited South Carolina the first time when Chuck competed a World Amateur Handicap Championship Golf Tournament in Myrtle Beach.  






The memorable part of the trip was our first time ever to eat at an Outback Steakhouse.  First of all, we had to have a "Bloomin Onion".  Of course, we both had an entree.  Then, to make matters worse/better? we had the Chocolate Thunder From Down Under.  We left and went directly to our hotel, did not pass "Go", collapsed and groaned for the rest of the night.  It was an "aha" moment.  We found it was time to quit stuffing our face to the point of misery.  Now we, normally, split an appetizer, an entrée, and each have a salad....and there is not dessert, (sad, but true).  


The next time we went to Charleston via Jacksonville, Florida.(No. 47)  Chuck went to a First Tee National Meeting and we turned the trip into the "Southeast Tour".  We visited my Aunt Mary Lou in Decatur, Georgia and Athens before landing in Jacksonville.  After the meeting we headed for Charleston and a great three days.  

We actually saw Carolyn and Harry Gaffney our long time friends.  






They were at our "family" wedding ceremony and now live in Dallas, Texas.  
We love South Carolina!

Chuck, me, Leigh, Robert

After Charleston we headed home with one stop in Knoxville, Tennessee to stay overnight with my cousin, Leigh (Mary Lou's daughter) and her husband, Robert.  


We had the 50cent tour of the University of Tennessee and First Tee of Knoxville.   From there we headed back to Little Rock.  


Traveling is fun; but, there is no place like home...and your own bed....ahhhh!

Dewey, The Library Cat

Dewey the Library Cat:
 A True Story by Vicki Myron


My rating: 4 of 5 stars




I really liked the book. I work at my branch library so the setting felt comfortable to me.  I could relate to the interactions of the librarians and the patrons. I have also read all of the Cat Who...books by Lilian Jackson Braun. The Pickax Library has two library cats. I find the idea of a library cat intriguing. 


Dewey did not disappoint me. He is exactly as I thought a library cat should be...one in a million. However, the story was also about the town of Spencer and its head librarian, the author of the book. Vicki Myron was also Dewey's mom. This book is really about all three and how their stories were really interwoven. I sometimes felt we were bogged down with the town or the life of Ms. Myron. Then, just when I thought it was more than enough, we got back on track. 


Definitely, a must read! It will warm your heart






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