Fashion

June

Pamela

My cat June was diagnosed with cancer at the end of September. She was 12 years old and my protector when I would use the bathroom.

This past weekend she was having difficulty walking and standing. Today I took her to vet and said my goodbyes to her. She was the sweetest calico

June
Fashion

Hello September and goodbye summer.

Pamela

I didn’t do as much as I wanted to this summer from gas prices being sky high and then the heat. I just stayed close to home.

I am looking forward to Autumn. My favorite time of year.

I bought some roller skates. I loved roller skating when I was a kid and there is a rink near me. I know I am in for bruises and soreness…. just hopefully no broken anything. I have to buy myself some knee & elbow pads and then practice and practice. With cooler air I am hoping by the next summer I will be a strong skater and not bother by the heat.

What did you all do this summer? Any plans for Autumn and the holidays?

Fashion

It’s been a while

Pamela

The past 12 weeks I’ve been taking The Artist Way creative course by Julia Cameron. It was helpful but there are a couple of items she should update in her book. One was where you take around 10 magazines and pull out pictures. I no longer subscribe to magazines and I rarely get catalogs in the mail. I rarely get mail. So I did a pinterest board instead. Another chapter has you record her principles and meditate to the recording. I no longer have a tape recorder and leaving a vm message of the principles and having to hit replay over and over is not going to help me meditate. So I memorized the principles best I could and I just repeated them to myself while I meditated. There was also a workaholic section that did not apply to me at all. I don’t bring work home with me; nor do I take work calls at home and my boss never has me do work on the weekends. I don’t have that type of job. So that week was meh. The book did help me prioritize myself and my art and I did like the section where you write your own creative prayer and I have been writing “pages” since March of 2020 when I found and started practicing manifestation; which is what her book is about but she never calls it that. I am glad I bought the book and did the course. I am also taking a free french class on an app called Duolingo. I plan on learning new things. I haven’t decided on what to do learn next. I am thinking about re-reading an art book I have to keep practicing the principles I’ve learned in this book. I hope everyone is having a good summer. Bye for now.

Fashion

Quote

Pamela

May 3, 2021

He said, “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”

Dalai Lama

Quotes

May

Pamela

Looking over my “creative” list for May I picked Find a good quote. I collect quotes so this is going to be fun.

May 1, 2021 Quote – Don’t take criticism from someone you would never go to for advice.

May 2, 2021 Quote – I am thankful for those who told me NO. It’s because of them I did it myself.

Poetry

April 30, 2021

Pamela

Poem

The smell of fresh baked bread. Warm brewed tea and me.

Pamela

Last poem of the month. I have to say it was fun writing a poem a day. Some of the poems I thought where pretty good, others could they be called poems? This exercise did help me get my creative MOJO up and running. I don’t think I could write a daily poem for a year, but I am not going to stop writing poetry. When I am inspired to write one I will and I will probably post it. Now I am going to work on the artist trading cards and see where that takes me. Thanks to all who enjoyed my poems.

Pamela

Poetry

April 23, 2021

Pamela

Poem

Goodbye concrete, cars and computers.

So long screen time, facetime and always running out if time.

Voicemail, email and texting is no way to talk to me.

You can find me swimming in the sea.

Or maybe reclining under a big oak tree.

If I’m lucky I could possibly see a butterfly or even a bee. Birds will you please sing a loving song for me, now that I am finally free.

Pamela

Poetry

April 2

Pamela

Poem

Poem. The love I have to give is slowly dying inside me. Who will release it? The words I have inside me are lost on a flood of nonsense. Conversations are just thoughts unexpressed. Love in the purest form seems to be unwanted. Words, thoughts of life, of laughter never heard.

By Pamela

Fashion

Creative Mojo

Pamela

I have been lacking in the creative Mojo lately. I think some of it has to do with the weather, but never the less I am “making”(?) myself to be more creative. I saw a post on 101 ways to be creative. I have chosen some of the ideas. One of the ideas is to post on your blog weekly…….. so here is my first of hopefully weekly posts!!!

First one is create an artist trading card every day. The every day not sure, but I am going to do one this week.

Wish me luck.

Fashion

How 1 year changed my life

Pamela

One year ago this month I was put on furlough and I was told I would be back at my job in May. May came and I was told it would be July but instead of going back to work I was permanently laid off. I started working for a temp agency at the end of July and after several months I got hired at a new job. Even though I didn’t have a job and money was tight, alot of good things happened to me while I was on furlough. I got alot of things accomplished in my home. I read books I had always meant to read when I bought them, but for one reason or another I never did. I listened to everyone of my albums! YEAH I did! I sorted and gave away alot of “things” that no longer suited my life. I became more spiritual, for lack of a better description. I changed my sleeping pattern. I started to wake up and go to sleep when my body told me to. Now that I am working I wake up at 5:30 during the week and on the weekends I wake up and go to bed when my body tells me to. In the morning after dressing, feeding my cats and having my breakfast; I meditate and write in my journal. I write what I am grateful for and I write my manifestations. I manifested the job I have. I am very happy with how my life is now. Of course I still get stressed or sad and so I journal. Its the best form of therapy for me. So with the time changing and Spring just around the corner I am reflecting, if you will, on my life and also this blog. I started this blog as just a place where I could express my thoughts about life, art and crafts. To record what I wore. Not thinking anyone would find let alone read my blog. I am going to think about what I want my blog to become. Thank you to everyone who has stumbled onto my blog and to the ones who have been here from the start. Stay tuned for updates.

Fashion

So COLD

Pamela

Knoxville has been lucky and so far no heavy snow fall or power outages but the temps have been in the teens…..so cold. I grew up in Northern Indiana so I’ve lived thru alot of snow storms, blizzards and power outages. My prayers are with everyone from Texas to Maine that power and heat is restored.

Fashion

2020

Pamela

I have been diagnosed with COVID-19. I have a terrible cough and I ache otherwise no other symptoms. I will be in quarantine for 10 days. So Christmas eve dinner with friends is canceled and Christmas dinner with family friends I’ve been going to since before my parents passed away is canceled also. I have spent Christmas morning all myself since my mom died, so nothing new there. I am trying not to be sad or feel sorry for myself but it’s been difficult. Not being close to my siblings and having no family of my own makes this time of year very lonely. But I am not going to dwell on it. It makes me appreciate everything I have. Merry Christmas and every one stay safe.

Fashion

Demons

Pamela

Original Poem by Pamela K. Smith 9/24/2020

He kissed her.

It was like she had never been kissed before.

He touched her face and she felt the spark between them.

He looked into her eyes and all of the pain and loneliness left her.

She wonder what she did for him.

She didn’t know she had slayed all of his demons with her kind words, gentle touch and loving heart.

Fashion

Trying to find my feet

Pamela

Going on my second month working for a temp service. It’s nice going to work every day and having a paycheck. The current job I am at is until the end of the year with a possiblity of being hired on full time. But like most people, my mind set this year is, I am not planning anything beyond today. Whatever happens I know my life is wonderful and I am just going to be.

Fashion

What I have learned

Pamela

March I was put on furlough and of course it was jarring but I have accomplished alot around my home. I have also learned a few things.

1. From now on I am going to buy 2 of alot of things that I had stopped when I was thinking of a more simple/ minimalist life. 2 or 4 toilet paper packages, Kleenex, wipes etc.

2. I experimented with cooking and I really love avocados.

3. I need to become a better gardener.

4. Stock piling nonperishable food isnt a bad idea.

5. I enjoy being home.

I hope everyone is safe and healthy.

Fashion

Furlough

Pamela

Today I was informed that Thursday will be my last day at work until May.

I am trying to stay positive even though my emotions have run the gamut since receiving the news.

I have made and written out a game plan so this time off will be used wisely and it will also help me not panic and fall into a depression. My plan includes my normal daily meditation and exercise to a new to do list.

And I know I am not the only one facing this. I have been thru worse and survived. We all will be stronger, not just America but the whole world.

Stay strong and send out positive vibes everyone.

Fashion

Eating

Pamela

In trying to live a more simple and healthy life I have been eating better. I am also following more of how Europeans eat, how Americans use to eat and how I ate when I was growing up. Simple but well rounded meal that included a meat, vegetable and a nod to the French cheese and always dessert!

Fashion

Random Thoughts

Pamela

In trying to live a simple and clutter free life I seem to be doing it backwards.

Instead of clearing everything out and then arranging say for example the family room. I am arranging the room the way I want to live in it and then getting rid if what doesn’t fit.

Also, I am reusing items that I would have just gotten rid of at first glance. I put my cats treats in a canister instead of keeping the treats in the original packaging. Expired spices my mom had I washed and clean the bottles and now they hold everything from Q-tips to craft supplies.

Talking about crafts my sewing area, that is still on my to do list.

I did read an article that was an eye opener. It said, if you were moving what would you want to pack and have in your new home. So when I am trying to decide if I want to keep something I think of that statement.

Fashion

Thoughts on living a simple life

Pamela

When I bought my parents’ house after my mom passed away, I inherited all of my mom’s stuff plus the stuff I had. I had no help from my siblings, they live in another state and quite frankly they are not people I want in my life.

All of the sorting and cleaning was very overwhelming. I would be doing good for a few months and then things would happen, and I would just stop and getting started back to cleaning out seemed to be harder and harder. I found myself going in circles, so I started reading different articles about living a simple life or a minimalist life and well it is really quite confusing and funny. Most articles say about the same thing. Get rid of everything you don’t like and keep the rest. Ok, I can do that, but what I am looking for are articles on more practical or exact steps, I guess.

 For example ~ I put a key ring on the zipper tab in my purse and then I put a hook on my key ring so I can latch my keys to the key ring and not lose my keys in my purse. 

One article suggested getting rid of your purse and carry a small wristlet that holds your credit cards and cell phone. Well that won’t work for me because I wear glasses to read. I don’t need to wear the glasses all the time, just to read fine print. So carrying a wristlet isn’t going to work for me. I can not find and believe me I have looked for a purse like that that has a holder for the cell phone and for glasses. Also a lot of the little wristlets seem to be made just to hold credit cards. I have a debit card, but I do not have credit cards, I use money for most of my purchases. I did however started carrying a small purse.

Years ago I went thru all of my purses. I carried a different purse for a month and by the end of the month if the purse was any way shape or fashion a pain to use, I donated it. I donated A LOT OF PURSES!  

I also did this with my shoes. I made myself wear every single pair of shoes and boots that I owned. It was harder to get rid of my shoes than the purses. So now I have two pair of boots, one in black and one in brown. I have 3 pair of booties, black, brown and animal print. I have one pair of cowboy boots. I have two combat style of boots, one in brown and the other in burgundy.

I also found out that I love to wear loafers.

I am also doing that with my clothes. I have worn everyone of my pullover sweaters this winter and the ones that were too small or itchy went into the donation bag.

Another practical idea I use is turning all of your hangers backwards and by the end of the season, get rid of what is still turned backwards. I started this last year and it has helped a lot. I did it again the beginning of this year. 

See that is the type of information I am looking for. Practical tools. Yes, clean out and go thru all of your stuff. That is a big part of living a simple or minimalist life. But when you do start to clean everything out where to start? I started with my smallest rooms, the bathroom. I have 1 ½ bathrooms. The ½ one was easy to go thru; I have a sink and a toilet. So I went thru all the stuff that was in sink cabinet and I was done. 

The bigger one was a bit more daunting. My mom had 9 electric blankets most of the blankets did not have any of the controls. Then there were towels, lots and lots of towels and bedding. So I went thru the bed sheets and donated all of the electric blankets and the extra towels I had, I cut up to smaller sizes to use to clean with. 

With all of that said, I have come up with a few ideas that have helped me.  

  1. Make a list of all of the rooms; including closets in your house and then start by cleaning and going thru the smallest room and work your way up.
  2. Color coordinate your clothes. All of your clothes, from the closet to the dressers.
  3. Put all trousers, skirts, dresses, blouses, blazers etc. together in your closet and dressers. I find this very helpful.
  4. Turn your hangers around. At the end of the of each season see what you have and haven’t worn. If you haven’t worn something but you like it a lot and just can’t part with it, use this idea I read about, put the item in a box, put a picture of the item on the outside of the box and write a date of when you should open it. Say June 1 and see how you feel about that item. If  you start looking for the item you put in the box before the date you set, you know you want to keep it.
  5. Once you wear an item but it in the back of the row. Example ~ a white blouse, put it back of the other white blouses you have. This is were the backwards hangers come into play.
  6. When it comes to organizing the kitchen, I would do a drawer at a time and then move to the cabinets.
  7. Extras and what if’s. So I have stuff that I keep at work, extra mascara and lipstick. Also have a sewing kit and comb I keep in my car. Now, if I was to follow the different articles that I read I would be getting rid of those extras and what if items. I however did not. I keep the extra mascara at work, so I don’t have to keep one in my purse. But I didn’t go out and buy another one, I took a lipstick or mascara that was almost used up and took it to work. I also do with my travel bag.
  8. Emails, television and cell phone uses. Most of the articles I read talked about limiting the time you spend on each of these activities. I feel each person has to do what is right for their life and job. I do however think that if you are having dinner with friends or family that cells phones need to be put away.
  9. Subscriptions. I subscribe to one magazine; however I get a lot of catalogs in the mail because years ago I signed up for free catalogs. I have cancelled all of the free catalogs that I signed up for, but I still get them in the mail. Usually with a warning that this will be my last catalog if I don’t order something! My compost box gets a lot of catalogs!
  10. When I started going thru the books my mom and dad had I took a lot of the books to a book exchange here in town. However you get more money for exchange than you do actual cash, which means more books. Yeah, they know what they are doing. Also, they don’t take all of your books! So the books that are rejected I took to my local thrift store. There were a few books most of them hard back, that I just didn’t want to give away, so I donated them to my library, and I got a tax credit.

 So those are some of  my thoughts on more practical ideas of living a simple life. I would love to hear everyone’s ideas and suggestions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fashion

Spending

Pamela

Next month is my birthday and I usually take myself out to eat and I take a week of vacation. Since I am boycotting buying unnecessary things but I do want to buy myself a gift I have decided that I will go to a few of my favorite thrift stores and look around. I will only use my weekly spending money on anything I might buy. Which FYI I have cut in half. I do unfortunately need to buy a new bra because one broke, however I am not going to make that my birthday gift to myself. Bras are a necessary item. UGH. If I find something great and if not even better.

Fashion

Hello January…. Brrr

Pamela

Being the New Year I turned all of my hangers around so that I can see what I am wearing and not wearing. I started this last year and it helped me a lot. I’m not trying to become a minimalist. At one time I thought I would and with that I had to have so many tops, skirts, jeans etc. and then I realized I live in the south and it is impossible to have a wardrobe that fits all of the seasons. I need tank tops for hot, humid days and sweaters for cold dreary days and having just 1 to 3 tanks tops just wasn’t going to work for me. So I re-evaluated my idea of the number of clothing items I SHOULD keep and focused on what I love to wear.
I realize I really want to just live a simple and happy life. I am just going to wear what I love and turning my hangers around helps me do that.

Stay warm everyone!

 

Fashion

Thoughts for this year

Pamela

I’m trying to change the way I see things in life. For instance, on my pinterest board I would keep pins of sayings about how awful and hurtful friends and family treated me. I realized I’m keeping that negativity and dwelling on it, so I have been deleting those pins.  I still read them and I’m taken them heart but I’m not saving the pins I’m not saying that I’m gonna be all hearts and rainbows and pink and everything’s all wonderful. But I’m not going to dwell on it. I am trying to find Peace & Love and let the negativity take care of itself.

Fashion

Family Room

Pamela

I took the entertainment unit apart. I saved the shelves and I haven’t decided if I am going to use brackets or the metal shelving system. It will depend on the locations of the studs. Most of the books on the shelves were donated, but the pictures. Where to start. Something do this winter I guess.