The Art of slowing down

So yes my life has began to slow down. I am a single woman on her own, without children living in her home. Her free time is her time.. well most of the time... LOL. I found a little site that appealed to me back in the day of craziness of too many people living here, together, getting on each other nerves. Zenhabits.
A Minimalist blog that has no bells and whistles just the straight logic wrings of a minimalist. I have been reading and rereading the free book Focus which if you click on the link is a free download and a copyright free publication that can be shared on blogs, with friends or whatever.  A great read I suggest you check it out.

Trying to remember the four agreements.... A friend sent it to me and I thought gee I sent that to you in 2008... but then maybe I need to reread it... (PS I have reworded to simplify the meanings. because I find  that much of the meaning  be lost if I kept the whole thing in tact..... but that my attitude)

Be Impeccable with your Word
Say only what you mean. Mean what you say. Speak with integrity. Avoid using words that speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.


Don't Take Anything Personally  
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.


Always Do  Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Based on the " The Four Agreements"
By don Miguel Ruiz
Well I always have had number 2 down, I mean I always know that sometimes people's mood are what going on not always your fault type of thinking.... but to remember that when I am having a everyone getting on my nerves day that sometimes I should remember number 3........... or the fact that my thinking is the problem...

Or trying to live by the Simple Truths from the Cherokee:

We are our own best experts.

We are our own worst enemies.

The worst thing about having so many choices is having to choose.

Imagination is the one true measure of freedom.

Wisdom is having more questions than answers.

Search long and hard enough for something and you’ll surely find it.

Sometimes we try so hard to be what we’re not that we may forget who we are.

Very cool idea.

Renest is a site that has some good ideas for going green and decorating your home.
  I saw a vintage car mirror as a table top mirror.  Now all I have to do is find a vintage car mirror laying around.... LOL

Wrapping gifts...

Furoshiki
 is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth. It is used for light travel, shopping and gift giving. When you click on the link it will take you to the part of the site that shows you what type of wraps you can use for different items. Scroll down and see some wrap for your body of course that would work better for a sarong then a tea towel...

I have been looking for some holiday towels to wrap gifts in but I can't find some nice ones. They are stiff
or have some very childish looking design.  And it is one of those things that having moved out I don't want to get a gift that makes her think I think of her as a child you know.  Guess I think to much.

Yea I have made a few gift bags this year. Some are smaller for smaller gifts.  Some of them are the gift to the people at Church....


Some I made tote bags for.  Or got a shopping tote at one of their favorite store!

My fudge is going into re-useable containers that can be used over and over.

what type of eco-friendly wrapping are you using?

Green Tuesdays

Green America is starting a grass roots campaign that is asking after the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday madness to shop for the environment and local business.  Calling All Tuesdays in December Green Tuesday.

 It's been said that the trend  for this years shopping is the local business shopping.  Etsy  is blogging that Cyber Monday was the biggest selling day they have had!  My local news is reporting that the area "craft shows" and pop up local artist shops are having great sales increases this year.  The local shops are doing great!

My co-worker and friend has sold out many of her shows that even surprised her.   As it is needed.  She depends on the money she makes at the shows for her holiday shopping.  But she teased me that it is more work, she has one big mess in her living room cause she had to make more stuff for the next day...

It's great to hear how people are getting it and buying from their local stores and small business or artist.  It's also kinda heart warming to hear the sales of t-shirts with our city are up too. Could it be the money is tight could it be that  they rather buy something from someone close to them.  OWS? That people are sick and tired of sending their money in a big box store that CEO make so much more that the average person?

Whatever the reason it is good to see that local businesses getting what they deserve!