Antiques in the Afternoon

It's no secret. I love chocolate. I love coffee. So it should come as absolutely no surprise that a cafe mocha ranks high on my list of favorite things.

Saturday afternoon, I had the privilege of sipping a steamy cafe mocha while conversing with my husband and some friends around a little fireside table at a cozy cafe. It was the first time any of us had been there, but if I have anything to do about it, it will most definitely NOT be the last.

From the moment I started up the steps of the old brick building (circa 1854) I had a feeling I was going to love this little cafe within. It didn't disappoint. If I lived just a few miles closer I am fairly certain I'd be a "regular" there.

Photo courtesy of www.montourcoffeehouse.com

The delicious caffeinated beverage and treats, the friendship, the "homey" atmosphere, the cheerful owner...the entire experience just warmed my heart on that cold winter afternoon. As we exited the cafe, small snowflakes sprinkled about as the sound of rushing water drew my attention to the nearby Chequaga Falls.

We left the cafe and began the trek home. Just blocks from our house, my husband veered off and parked in Historic Hanover Square and announced we were headed to the antique shop because he hadn't been there in a while. I've never been much of an antique fan. Most items fall at one extreme end of the spectrum or the other, in my opinion. Either I deem them stinky, old junk or I fall in love only to find that the piece is COMPLETELY out of our league as far as budget or household space is concerned and it's just depressing.

But yesterday I was enjoying a little free time in the company of my hubby and decided to go along with his plan. So I hopped out of the car and we crossed the street.

We entered the shop and I was still in "smile and play along" mode. But then I spotted it. I fell in love...

Storage Trunk Lid with Vintage Letterhead, Postage, etc.

I inquired about the price only to find that it could indeed be mine if I desired. I spent the rest of our time there in the shop determined that I wasn't leaving without it.


And I didn't.

Five Minute Friday: ORDINARY

At time life can seem so mundane. The clock ticks. The tasks become routine. The days meld together. It all seems so ORDINARY.

Don't get me wrong. Ordinary can actually be a safe, comfy place at times. But what if I added a little EXTRA here and there? EXTRA + ORDINARY = EXTRAORDINARY!

There folks, is your English and spelling lesson for the day. You're welcome!

Seriously, what if I gave a little more? What if I put my heart into all those little tasks or took the time to notice the blessings sprinkled throughout instead of just mindless racing through my day or going in circles like a hamster on its wheel running, running, running and getting no where?

All too often I take the ordinary for granted. I get so wrapped up in telling myself that there has to be more. What if instead of just living, I started LIVING? Perhaps ordinary would become extraordinary and I'd realize it isn't so bad.

 Linking up with Lisa Jo

Bloom Where You are Planted

You've probably all heard the phrase, "Bloom Where You are Planted".

While I'd like to think that's how I live out my life, I often don't. I wonder, "why am I here"..."why this?"..."this is not what I had hoped for". For each time I remind myself that I should let my life blossom and be a sweet fragrance to others around me and to make the most of the here and now, I forget twice as much.

It's often hard to see the beauty amidst the storms and to start feeling sorry for yourself. Especially when your circumstances threaten to cut you down. But beauty can rise.

Nearly 14 years ago, my husband and I purchased our home: a TRUE fixer-upper. Although it needed work (and still does!), it was ours! We quickly went to work making improvements inside and out. Included in the projects we tackled that summer was some serious yard work. Back in it's glory, our house had been surrounded by gorgeous blooms and beautifully tended flower gardens. The flower gardener had long since gone and years of neglect and lack of knowledge had destroyed what once was.

Being young and somewhat ignorant about flowers and landscaping, we noticed a patch of weeds in what we could only imagine to have been a lush flower bed outside our kitchen window. We quickly went to work chopping down those "weeds". The next spring, those weeds made a return appearance, and once again, my hardworking husband went to work cutting them down.

It wasn't until the following spring that something happened. Again those pesky weeds started to sprout. But, in the chaos of life, busy schedules, and perhaps inclement weather, we weren't so prompt in clearing them away. It was then, that we saw the true beauty.

Though we had cursed them and cut them down repeatedly they rose up again and again and eventually...blossomed. In fact, what we had thought were nuisance weeds turned out to be one of the loveliest flowers we have here: a bed of Oriental Poppies. We just needed to allow them to grow.

Just this weekend the first bloom of the season opened.

As I looked out this morning, the beauty had multiplied and several more had come to life overnight.

What a great reminder that even when things are looking dark and worthless, circumstances are threatening to steal joy and feelings of loneliness creep in: beauty can rise if we let it and other "flowers" may even sprout by your side and join your garden of life. Sometimes we just need  to sit back, weather the storms and live in the present while allowing the beautiful buds time to grow.

REAL

I decided to link up for 5 Minute Friday with Lisa Jo over at The Gypsy Mama. Each Friday she encourages her readers to take a mere 5 minutes and JUST WRITE. She provides the topic each week and the only "rules" are:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
(This is a tough one for me, "Ms. Red Pen"

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
  (Love this part! We can all use a little encouragement and love in the comment section!)

This week the prompt was to write about "Real"...so here goes...

Real has some of the following meanings:
True, actual, existing or occurring from fact, genuine, authentic...

As I think about those defining words, I can't help but wonder how often I fail to be real. How often am I real with others? How about with myself? I hate to admit that all too, just as I attempt to rid myself of those dark circles under my eyes, so do I apply "concealer" to other aspects of my life.

A simple, "I'm fine," when in reality my heart is broken, my world seems to be spinning out of control, or I just don't feel quite 100%. Would they really care if I told them like it was? Worse yet...what if they think less of me because of my struggles.

It's so much easier to be that pretty little package wrapped tightly with a fancy bow than the overflowing wastebasket...the sunshine and blue skies rather than a thunderstorm.

But what if I chose to see the REALity: we all struggle. What if by being "real" I might not only feel better myself but be an encouragement to another?

Am I a Real Life Madame Blueberry?

Several years back, while serving as "Mentor Mom" to my former MOPS group, I stepped out of my comfort zone and agreed to share a piece of my own story as the featured speaker. My talk dealt with my depression, trying to fill the voids in my life with things and the cluttered, empty life that resulted.

Sadly, I wasn't the best at backing up my data in case of computer meltdown. After repairs and prayers and more than the nine lives that a cat has, my dear old laptop finally died a year or so ago. It took with it what I had written for that presentation. I've been thinking about the theme of what I spoke on and am not so happy to report that some of the same issues have come creeping back. While in some ways I wish I could get those words back on the page (computer screen), maybe the loss of that document is an opportunity to really consider where I am at now rather than where I was then. Perhaps malfunctioning technology's theft of my written words was the reminder I needed that although some things have stayed the same, my story is ever changing and evolving (and to back up my computer files regularly!) Rather than dwell on the past and what was, I need to center my thoughts on what IS and set my sights on all that CAN BE.

Lately it seems that I am, to some extent, searching and roaming without a set direction or destination. My house and my schedule are filled to the brim with things of little long-term significance. I'm feeling an urge to take a step back and regroup, evaluate and refocus on things that truly belong and matter in my life and in my home.

I wrote back then of feeling a bit like Madame Blueberry from the VeggieTales (any of you with children probably get this reference). At times I just keep going to the "StuffMart" thinking that possessions will make me happy and that having that latest and greatest item or that one thing that "she has" will be the thing that will make my life complete. For those of you familiar with Madame Blueberry, eventually her house got so full of stuff that it tipped over. My house isn't literally tipping over like hers, but things are out of balance and rather than feeling contentment with all my possessions, the possessions are starting to possess me. I have an empty wallet, a full house and still haven't found the one thing I've been searching for and craving: JOY!


What I thought would bring happiness has brought a cluttered house with too much and has left me feeling boxed in, overwhelmed and downright miserable. So...I have decided to put an end to the madness! I've got a plan. Stay tuned...

Seriously?

All winter we waited...and we waited...where was the winter weather? It was cold, we had flurries, we had a little accumulation, but mo major storms. No "snow days" from school. Along came March...there were days the thermometer was in the 80s and even 90 degrees! What?!? I felt a little like "Dorothy". I don't think we're in Kansas (I mean, upstate New York) anymore!

According to the calendar the official start of spring came and went. The trees began to turn green again, the lawn began to perk up, some flower started sprouting, and the tell-tale yellow pollen formed a blanket. Then the moment we had waited for, given up on and hoped wouldn't come until next year arrived! A SNOW DAY, the 23rd of April. Seriously?!?

Just when I had purchased some comfy capris, some pretty new tops and my bare toes were celebrating their glorious reunion with flip flops...BAM...SNOW!

I guess I was in denial when I heard the weather reports, and perhaps my hubby was too when he said, "Oh, it's going to go around us." Sorry babe! He woke me yesterday morning to tell me that he had shoveled the walk and that I'd have some extra 'help' at home for the day...SNOW DAY from school.

Guess the weather is trying to keep me on my toes...even if they're now back to being covered by fuzzy socks!!

Friday

Monday

What a difference a weekend can make?

March Madness

I don't know where the time goes! The month of March flew by and I experienced a bit of "March Madness," though not what you're probably thinking. I am NOT talking about basketball. I didn't watch any of it and just really didn't care to. Please don't be offended if you got into it and love it...it's just not MY thing. I have never been fond of sports and especially on television. I'd rather curl up with a good book and a cup of tea or head to a clearance rack at one of my favorite stores! 

Some of the major highlights of March included:

Intermediate School Science Night with lots of hands on fun and the famous (or perhaps infamous) Egg Drop Contest. Emily entered her "Little Red Hen" creation. Even though she didn't win, the red hen kept her egg safe so it was a success!

A rather last minute, solo trip to Pennsylvania for a couple of days (my first major trip traveling alone complete with driving through toll booths, tunnels, etc.). I had a great time at Thomas Econometrics' historic office space, spending time with sister (who happens to be the Founder/CEO) and conducting a little photo shoot for some marketing/promo we've got in the works for the business. I think the photos turned out fabulous.

Then it was back home to my husband, my girl, the sweet little one I babysit and the real madness: unseasonable weather! Though it wasn't permanent, we had some unseasonably (CRAZY) warmth. Temperatures ranged from the 60s-80s and I think we even witnessed 90s. Spring & summer weather in March in Upstate New York?!? That is definitely March MADNESS! But, I am NOT complaining...I certainly enjoyed blue skies, sunshine, time outdoors, and bare toes!

Sunshine On a Cloudy Day: Nourishment Coming My Way

I am a faithful follower of some blogs but seldom comment. I guess I never quite no what to say or just feel kind of odd since I don't know the person in real life, etc. For some reason, though, when there's a contest involved I love to chime in for my chance to win. I know it's not right. Call me selfish! I should comment more often when there's nothing in it for me. Anyway, although I have a thing about entering giveaways I hardly ever (more like never) win anything. At times it seems like the random number generator has it in for me. Except of course on the day I was summoned to jury duty a couple years ago and I said, "No sweat...I never win a drawing." Well...guess who's number got picked during the first round of the selection process? You guessed it. Thankfully after HOURS and question after question, I finally made it out without serving on a less than desirable case.

Back to the real point here. A week or so ago, one of my favorite's, Angie Smith wrote a post about her friend's business, Nourish Organics, and asked readers to comment with their favorite body product for a chance to win some "nourishment".

So, I posted my little old comment about my love for Burt's Bees lip products and Crabtree & Evelyn hand lotions and was entered in the contest. For once I was all about proclaiming my love for a couple of my all time favorites rather than really trying to win anything.

Fast forward a few days. I was smack dab in the middle of "one of those weeks". You know what I'm referring to. It was now Tuesday but I was convinced that somehow the calendar had gotten changed, I'd forgotten to turn the page in my planner, technology such as my smartphone and laptop were freaking out and had the wrong day. Surely I was exhausted enough that it had to be close to the weekend. Sorry! Truly it was only Tuesday. So I plugged on.

By Thursday when I woke, I was weary. I was tired out, worn down and perhaps facing my mid-winter slump. It was cold and dreary and mixed precipitation was falling threatening to drown out the last bit of my joy. It just was not a pretty day in any aspect.

I went through the morning routine wishing that I could stay in my fuzzy bathrobe or climb out the other side of the bed and it'd be a sunny spring day or something. Going through the motions, I opened my e-mail inbox expecting the usual "nothingness" that I often encounter. But, there it was! Sunshine on a gloomy day had arrived! Just not exactly in the form I had wished for.

I had received word that I HAD WON THE GIVEAWAY on Angie's blog. I could hardly believe what I was reading. I never win...surely I was seeing things. So I read the e-mail again. Then I went to her blog and there was my name! I could hardly contain my excitement. Sweet Orange products are on their way to my house as I type. So perhaps someone better warn the postal carrier that I will be stalking her in the near future! (In an excited for my package to be delivered way. Not a creepy way!)

I can't wait for the products to arrive and to try them out. I'll definitely let you know my opinion but I'm sure I am going to love them!

I am so thankful for the little ray of sunshine on a cloudy day! I hope you are all well and taking the time to find the little bursts of light in your life!

Get Real with the inRL Conference

I am thrilled that this April I will be hosting the inRL (In Real Life) Conference. What makes it even more exciting is that women all over the world are able to attend this conference with no trouble and no travel.

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to finally have a conference that I can attend. With inRL there is no financial strain (registration is just $10), no packing, no need for gps or an airplane ticket, no need to worry what everyone else will be wearing or the fear of not "fitting in". It's a come as you are party...right where you are! So get real and join me for inRL this spring!

Stop by the inRL site for information, check out the promo video and watch for more details here about how you can join me April 27 and 28 at my host site for some encouragement and fun.

Rocking My World...

As you can imagine my blog hiatus has been brought on by the chaos of life! The holiday season was wonderful as usual. One of the big excuses for my disappearance, I have been sharing some of my days with a sweet little baby girl (babysitting for a relative). She is just a little joy and I love it, but I have to admit it is tiring (especially those days that consist mostly of redirecting her from the dog food bowl and other forbidden spots) and I can't believe how much I had forgotten not having a baby in the house for so long. It's kinda been rocking my world. Which brings me to the real fun and real "rocking time"...

Saturday we hosted Emily's 11th (yes...11th! How did that happen?!?) birthday party here at the house. Backstory: Ben's grandfather owned a soda fountain/sweet shop in town way back when. So for Emily's birthday we recreated a little of it with a 50s theme party/the Erway Sweet Shop complete with penny candy, ice cream & soda floats and a little bit of rocking to the oldies!

Let me just tell you that having 10 5th graders in my living room all at one time...well, it ROCKED my world! It was the perfect blend of FUN and EXHAUSTING!

After a low key day on Sunday, we're back to business today and headed out to dinner tonight with the birthday girl and tomorrow evening (her actual birthday) will be spent at home with snuggles and homemade cake!

Here's a couple quick highlights of Saturday's festivities:

Virtual Coffee

Another fun link up. This time it's Virtual Coffee with Lucky Number 13.

If we were really having coffee together on this autumn morning, I would ask you to meet me at a cute cafe so we could chat over a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  But since there isn't really any great cafes nearby, I didn't get a chance to invite you and I am waiting for the little 6 month old sweetie pie that I am babysitting, I am drinking my Folger's coffee just plain black in a quiet (for the moment) house.

Back to the what if...

We're sitting in comfy chairs at the cafe with the amazing aroma of fall wafting from my cup as I sip my Pumpkin Spice Latte and tell you that:

Emily is doing amazing in the 5th grade. I think the transition to Intermediate School was most likely more difficult for mama than it was her. She's made new friends, is getting good grades and is happy.

That as I type this our furry baby that we adopted this summer is walking on my keyboard purring up a storm. "Daisy" the kitten has brought so much love, laughter (and mischief) into our house over the last couple months.

I'd tell you how today is my 14th Wedding Anniversary and reminisce about the special day that I said "I do" to the love of my life, how bummed I am that hubby has to work both his jobs and is gone from 5:30am-8:30pm, but that i am excited for the date day we have planned for Saturday.

I'd tell you how I'm looking forward to baking a cake with my girl to celebrate Nana's (my mom's) birthday tomorrow.

And hopefully I'd be a great friend and I'd sit and listen to whatever you had to tell me!

NOT Me!

Since MckMama has brought back her Not Me Monday I thought it would be fun to do my own and link up. So here goes...

I MOST DEFINITELY DID NOT neglect my blog again for more than 2 months...
I did NOT hit the snooze on my alarm multiple times this morning...
I did NOT steal my daughters lunchable out of the fridge because I didn't feel like eating my own lunch...
I did NOT drive through fast food with the sole purpose of getting a diet coke because I was too lazy to go to the grocery store...
I am NOT tempted to agree to my daughter's request for take out again...
I did NOT forget to get hubby a card for our anniversary tomorrow...
and I am NOT typing this one handed while I hold the sleeping baby I am taking care of just because she is warm, snuggly and I totally miss the baby days!

Nope...NOT ME! :)