Give Away Ten A Day - Day Nine

I can't quit thinking about stuff having a purpose and a place. Of course everything has a purpose, so I guess I'm pondering if I really need to keep and store something to use one time a year. And that's provided I remember I have it. I guess it really comes down to everything having a place, and being sorted with like items. I'm gonna keep working on this.

In the meantime, I want to concede that I do have more stuff than Dave. I'm vowing here and now that this family statistic is in the process of changing.

Here's todays list: Maternity clothes

1. Shirt
2. Dress
3. Shirt
4. Dress
5. Dress
6. Button down
7. Button down
8. T-shirt
9. T-shirt
10. Frock

Give Away Ten A Day - Day Eight

A week into this journey I'm finding that with just the eighty items gone already, I'm seeing some space start to appear. I'm also finding that it's okay to have and keep stuff as long as that stuff has a purpose and a place. A purpose and a place. That's big for me. I'm going to sit with that this week and see what more is in me on this point. Somethings brewing.

For those of you just joining me, here's what I'm doing and I'm inviting you to join me.

I'm committing to getting rid of 10 things a day. Yes, 10! Whether it's old pieces of Tupperware, toys that Mason doesn't play with, clothes, or just "junk-drawer" stuff, ten pieces a day will go to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Mason's preschool, or to the consignment shop.

I will implement organization tools such as bins, shelves, and containers as needed.

If I have to bring something in, something in addition to the ten pieces will go out.

I will list the ten items in each days entry.

I will commit to 14 days, more if it feels good and I'm not done purging. At this point, it will be more, lots more! I have a L-O-N-G way to go.

The only space off limits will be Dave's loft. My plan is to declutter and hopefully start to feel less anxious and more calm. With that, I can concentrate on abundance without stuff!

Invite as many people as you can to follow and join me in this universal quest to downsize and declutter!

Sign on, follow my progress and join me in the journey to lighten the load of clutter and stuff that surrounds you!

Today:

1. Mom's plan-it 2009 calendar
2. Old fashioned bottle
3. Old fashioned bottle
4. Old fashioned bottle
5. Votive candle
6. Logo maker software
7. Fairy dust perfume
8. Fairy dust lotion
9. Neat Donald Duck thing that broke
10. Sample pack of photo paper

Give Away Ten A Day - Day Seven

Sunday's list:

1. Whipped cream dispenser.
2. C2O cartridges.
3. Vitamin dispenser.
4. Cherry salt & pepper shakers.
5. Pumpkin salt & pepper shakers.
6. 2 mini muffin tins - never used.
7. 6 blue ball shaped ice cube trays.
8. 3 white ball shaped ice cube trays.
9. Old gladware containers (not pictured)
10. Plastic cookie cutters (not pictured)

Saturday's Chore

The baby squirrel that joined me in my efforts to weed the yard.
Before on the tight side of the entrance to the backyard.

After.

Before on the left side of the entrance to the backyard.

After

Give Away Ten A Day - Day Six

It's the weekend and it's sunny-beautiful outside! Here's todays ten:

1. Cherry mugs we never use.
2. Old shoes.
3. Red blazer.
4. Blue button down shirt.
5. Committee shirt 2007.
6. Committee shirt 2008.
7. Green shirt.
8. White lacy top.
9. Too big sweat suit.
10. Pretty jar with rocks.

Have a great day!

Give Away Ten A Day - Day Five

I just went through my closet a week or so ago, but came across a few of my "fat" clothes that I'm not going to keep. Even though they fit me a bit better, I cringe at putting them on and feel awful while wearing them. I'm letting them go along with the pounds that fill them up!

1. Yoga pants.
2. Black stretchy pants.
3. Tan cropped stretchy pants.
4. light brown cords.
5. Old sports bra.
6. Too small National Guard T-shirt.
7. $100 swim suit that Dave hates and makes me look O-L-D!
8. Fluffy PEZ dispenser from Santa.
9. Fairy Dust Watch - Gift with purchase.
10. Cream colored too-tall (for me) boots.

Intentional Winning At...What?

What are you doing in life that you are Intentionally Winning at?

Intentional Winning at Wine Making? Intentional Winning at Writing? Intentional Winning in Marriage? If you're living your life, the list of things you can be Intentionally Winning at is endless.

I like to think that I'm Intentionally Winning at Communication. I put a lot of effort into making my communication honest, accurate, and meaningful. I can only gauge my success by the feedback I get, and it's only been a couple of times that I've been told I needed to take it down a notch. Most of the time I'm complimented on my ability to articulate thoughts, feelings, and ideas. I've also written Creative & Memorable Ways to Keep in Touch. See some of my ideas at http://creativewaystokeepintouch.blogspot.com/ This is just one more way I Intentionally Win at communication. You can, too!

What are you Intentionally Winning at? Maybe a question that lends itself to more fun is, what would you like to learn how to apply Intentional Winning to? Do tell!

Intentional Winning is trademarked all copyrights apply

Give Away Ten A Day - Day Four

Today was with permission of my loving husband to whom this collection belonged.

Based on days that feel like life is giving you lemons, my advice was to have a shot of tequila. Would you say we've had a bad day or two? Laughing!

Not really, Dave and I both really enjoy good tequila. In an effort to expand our horizons, we've tried many different kinds. We even had a tequila bar at our wedding!

Today, I part with a single collection of 29 bottles, and will call this ten for today!

I Just Gotta Say!

We all have those days that suck! There's no other way to say it, it sucks. So what do you do? Pout? Cry? Slam stuff around? No, you take a deep breath, look at it for what it really is, and find something that doesn't suck!

If you really think life has just given you lemons, pour a shot of tequila and call it a day! And for the record, lemons work with tequila just as nicely as limes do! When was the last time life dealt you limes? Laughing.

Give Away Ten A Day - Day Three

Here's what I'm learning about parting with my stuff. Most of what is cluttering my house is not so much junk, it's more stuff that every household needs, it just needs a place to call home. A good example is the staple gun, box of staples. multi-pack of zip ties, hole punch, wire, fishing line, and duct tape. Sounds like all of this stuff needs to be in a tool box! What a novel idea. That's going on my to-do list today. Here's what is out of the house today:

1. Cheap Christmas village decoration.

2. Corkscrew (how many of these do I really have?)

3. Dream catcher given to Mason

4. Mini RC car from who-knows-where.

5. String of lights from something, who knows.

6. Pretty gold box.

7. Wine bottle bag from Starbucks.

8. Current copy of Turbo Tax I don't need.

9. Turkey wine bottle cork.

10. Wooden letters spelling "My Daddy" from Mason's baby room.

How are you doing? Are you feeling good about what you're parting with, or is it harder than you thought it would be? Chime in and share how you feel about downsizing.

Give Away Ten A Day - Day Two

Okay, this is turning out to be kinda fun. Here's the list for today:

1. Set of 3 wine bottles I thought would look good with lights in them. Probably will, but not hanging on to them anymore.
2. Plastic napkin rings. Another craft project that I never made time for.
3. Holiday flower napkin rings that I never used.
4. Holiday body wash & body butter.
5. Wine bottle stopper.
6. Tacky bud vase.
7. Lunch box.
8. Old CD player.
9. Scrubbing bubble scrubber - never used.
10. 35mm Olympus automatic camera.

The "Give Away Ten A Day" Challenge

Spring is here and I'm ready to commit to decluttering my house! Yes, I said my house because I am taking charge and taking out the trash!

It's a good thing Dave doesn't follow my blogs because he would be scared. Especially because as we speak, he's packing for a week long business trip and he won't have any control over what I remove from the premises.

Here's what I'm planning and I'm inviting you to join me.

• I'm committing to getting rid of 10 things a day. Yes, 10! Whether it's old pieces of Tupperware, toys that Mason doesn't play with, clothes, or just "junk-drawer" stuff, ten pieces a day will go to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Mason's preschool, or to the consignment shop.


• I will implement organization tools such as bins, shelves, and containers as needed.


• If I have to bring something in, something in addition to the ten pieces will go out.


• I will list the ten items in each days entry.


• I will commit to 14 days, more if it feels good and I'm not done purging.


• The only space off limits will be Dave's loft.

Here's a picture of two of my trouble areas: the pantry and the antique dinnerware hutch. I have lots of cluttered areas and will post those pictures as well. My plan is to declutter and hopefully start to feel less anxious and more calm. With that, I can concentrate on abundance without stuff!

Invite as many people as you can to follow and join me in this universal quest to downsize and declutter!

Sign on, follow my progress and join me in the journey to lighten the load of clutter and stuff that surrounds you!

Today:

1. Felt costume hat
2. Blouse
3. T-shirt
4. Business Plan Software
5. Corkscrew
6. Box of candles
7. Six Magazines
8. Old sunglasses
9. Bag of Nine pair of Mason's socks (too small)
10. Bag of marbles

Before Pictures Of Clutter

The dinnerware hutch that has become the catch-all

The pantry that need less stuff and more organization

What's It All About Anyway?

Intentional Winning: Victory by design. Creating the journey and the outcome for every aspect of your life by participating in the process. That's how I define Intentional Winning In Life, but it seems that it has a deep seated core that is balance.

To create the journey and the outcome for every aspect of your life by participating in the process, you better have your you-know-what together! I do really well most of the time for all categories of my life. I never get all of it right at the same time, and I also have the Achilles heal in my life that is my weight and body image. That's what is bringing this all up and out today.

I can't find the balance I need to get this weight off and feel good about my body.

I know I'm failing when Dave makes mention that my stomach is showing...while I'm wearing jeans (not ill fitting) and an over sized t-shirt. Showing? What he was really saying was, "I just noticed how fat you really are." Now this is not a slam Dave post, it's an acknowledgement that he's right. I need to find a way to manage my meals, exercise consistently, and get the weight off.

The really tough part is that he doesn't understand my struggle. So I need to get to work, on my own and find the motivation to intentionally exercise, be acutely aware of every morsel I put in my mouth, and think about it as the way I live, not the difficult situation it appears to be right now. I know I can do it. I can. I will.

Attitude by Charles Swindoll

Attitude
by Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude to me is more important than
the past,
than education,
than money,
than circumstances,
than failures,
than success,
than what other people think, or say, or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.

It will make or break an organization, a school, a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past.
We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you.

How Do You Do It?

I was recently asked how I express gratitude. I ran off a list of things I'm grateful for when Mark clarified, "No, how do you do it, each day?" The answer came easily, I say thank you. I came to realize a long time ago that people don't have to be nice to me, and they don't have to share their things or time with me. With that, I say thank you, very sincerely. I make it a point to thank Dave when he does something I ask him to, which people often comment on. "Did you just thank Dave for taking out the trash?" Yep, just the same way I would have thanked you if you took the trash out for me.

How do you do it? I say thank you and Mark makes sure to use people's names. After our conversation, Mark called to tell me he thanked the lady in the drive through that day. I asked him how it felt. He said she looked at him like he was a talking dog, but it made him feel great!

Do You Ever Wonder?

Do you ever wonder about the people you went to high school with? Facebook has proven to be a great place to reconnect with your old high school chums, unless you're me. I was talking to Julie (my best friend of more than 30 years) about facebook and she started naming off all these people she's reconnected with from hs. After we hung up, I got to thinking about who I might like to find. Couldn't think of anyone. It made me feel kind of sad at first, but when it comes right down to it, I'm still in contact with the people I was actually friends with then.

Then I got to thinking about the people who were popular in hs. What are they doing today? I wonder if being "somebody" in hs felt for them the way it appeared to me (and others). Did they go from a low level of fame while at school, on the football field, cheer leading, student council, etc, to being just another hs graduate trying to find their way in an adult world? I was just a hs student trying to find my way to class, and then (barely) a graduate trying to find my way in life, no real difference. I suspect it may have been harder for them.

So here we all are, in our 40's, having found our way, somehow. Maybe I'll look up some of the formerly popular kids and see if I can find them. Maybe reach out and reintroduce myself now that I have a pretty good idea about who I am. Nah, not really that interested, and that too is what Intentional Winning in life is all about. Whatever it is you choose to do, it's good because you make it so.

Happy Friday The 13th!

I don't know about you, but today is turning out to be great! No bad luck in my camp. My final samples are in WI and hopefully making their way to a Federal Express jet as we speak.

People tell me all the time how lucky I am, and yes, I am. I want to mention however, that luck is what you make it. I'm lucky because I believe I'm lucky. I also happen to work my butt off to get where I want to go. Hey, with a goal in mind, a good cup of coffee, and a lot of hard work, you, too can be lucky!

I'm off to book my next three weeks of glove-selling appointments! Wish me luck while I work my butt off!

My Day With Mason

My core belief with IWIL is making the most of every opportunity to enrich your life, primarily when it includes the people you love.

I spent the day with Mason yesterday and we had a ball. We walked into downtown and took pictures all along the way. This was wonderful quality time, but it was also educational as we talked about the History of Auburn, the gold rush days, and so many other little things. The best part for me is that we documented a day in our life, and it will be fun for Mason to look back at the pictures of where he grew up.

Take a look at what we did!

Pictures From My Day With Mason

We walked into town, just about 1/2 a mile.
Our first stop was the old firehouse that is in the process of being restored.

Auburn is known for it's gorgeous statues. This is just one of many on our walk.

We stopped for lunch at Burneys. If you're in Auburn, this is the best dog going!

Mason and I went to the wetlands preserve where we took quite a few pictures. You can see the beautiful Placer County Courthouse in the background.

Mason being my kid! What a ham.

Sitting by the creek which he eventually fell in!

This is one of my favorite things. Our clock tower was just repaired after being out of commission for years. It was struck by lightening. Yes, just like my favorite movie of all time, Back To The Future!

Auburn Drug is like a page out of a history book. It's exactly like you think it is...

all the way down to the working soda fountain inside! If you only visit one place in Auburn, and if it's not to see me, stop in and have a milkshake.

TV Show Update

I got another call from the producer of Amilya's upcoming television show. He called following up on the e-mail he sent those of us in the top ten. He said that though the choice was not easy, they did not go with us for the pilot...the pilot. He said that it's entirely possible that they will use our story in one of the coming episodes. Cool!

As I learn about the format of the show and when it will air, you'll be the first to know!

November's Gratitude Journal Prize

Back in November you'll recall that we spent each day logging what we were grateful for. Lisa Anderson won that contest logging on every day even though she was on a sailing cruise for two weeks of the month. She logged on while on vacation! Here's what Lisa won for all her gratitude and the letter that went with it:

Dear Lisa,

Congratulations! You won the gratitude contest. Every time you made an entry in our combined gratitude journal, I gently rubbed a small part of this beautiful stone. Each time I rubbed the stone, I started to see the brilliant gold nugget you hold in your hand today. All I can figure happened, is I started with what looked like an ordinary rock, and the more grateful you were, the more gold came into your life. It's clear you are a grateful woman and that explains your abundance! Here is the beautiful gold nugget to remind you how rich your life really is.

With much love,
Kathy

Lisa sent me this picture with a note that said, "I'm so glad to have received this fine award that Kathy mined herself."

No my dear friend, it was and still is, all you!

Amilya Antonetti TV Project

More good news, I got an e-mail from the producer of the show that read like this:

This e-mail is being sent to all of those who made the final 10 casting list. I apologize for not calling each of you individually, however it's a very packed day and very little time to devote to any of the items on my to-do list. The purpose of this note is to let you know that the casting decision has not yet been made. All of you are so terrific that we are having difficulty choosing. I will certainly let you know (via phone) when we do make our pick.

This is certainly not a golden ticket, but it's one step closer to letting the world know about our revolutionary new children's gloves. I'm not putting all my eggs in this basket, but it's sure exciting to be in the game. I'll keep you posted.

The Idea Factory

Ever since we took action on the ZipperBack Glove, I have become an idea factory. No matter what I'm doing, I'm either noticing how smart the gadget I'm using is or coming up with a way to make it better. You hear people say that once you tune into an area of your brain, be it music, science, or product development, you find that it only gets better. Totally true! Do you have a great idea. Write to me and let me see if I can help point you in the right direction to start turning that idea into a reality.