Try Something New Tuesday: Live Deliberately

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately..." WALDEN by Henry David Thoreau

InkPaperPen has a great prompt this week, but my mind wandered off after it saw this phrase. I may not have written to the prompt. However, I did write.





Sometimes my silly is easy, like here.
Sometimes it is
forced to hide my pain.



I think this is what I have been trying to do for the last year, live deliberately. I also think the frustration I sometimes feel overwhelms me because I don't know how to live deliberately and effortlessly. I seem almost manic to keep busy and moving and not tarrying because tarrying leads to thinking, which leads to missing and mourning, which directs my path to crawling under the covers to retreat to my shell.

I want to be one of those people that you sit back and say, "Wow! She's so spontaneous and full of life." I wish my middle name was adventure, mystery or intrigue.

In my research, I found a site that asked 7 questions in order to help you find the joy of living deliberately:

1. What is important to you?
2. In a given situation, what are your choices?
3. What are the consequences of your choices?
4. Which is better: talking about it or doing it?
5. Do you see a gap between your choices and what is important to you? (The bigger the gap, the more regret you will feel).
6. If it all goes wrong, will you still be content that you did it?
7. Are you tolerant of others' choices?

I learned from reading this article that it is not about planning and plotting every move in life. I also learned that it is not about letting life just happen to you. I need to weigh what is priority to me against the choices I have and the actions I take.

Have you chosen your lifestyle? Or has it chosen you?

Try Something New Tuesdays: Gelish Week 2

UPDATED: 4/29/2012--Before you opt in, check out March Good Housekeeping..."Four Risks of Gel Manicures."

Week 2

Well, that was short-lived. Gelish is no more on my nails. I can say that up until I had two nails break off violently, the gel nail polish looked as glossy and pristine as the day it was done. However, because the polish is so good at looking good, it's also almost indestructible, which means when your nail is met with an immovable force, the nail must move. OUCHIE!

Week 1

Gel nail polish. Sold to me as, "You wanna try this new gel nail polish? It dries instantly, prevents chipping and breaking, makes your nails stronger, and the polish stays glossy. I have one that will match your OPI color perfectly."

How much more than a normal manicure? $30 vs. $15 Sure! Why not! If it lasts twice as long, then it's paid for itself.

"What is this new wonder product you speak of, Aunt J-Me?" you ask.

The online descriptions are thus:

The consistent quality, unique colors and varying textures of Gelish nail polish is what makes these nail art products one-of-a-kind. Bringing the elements of harmony, performance and style together into one product, Gelish soak off gel polishes are a fabulous solution for nail artists looking for a stylish, easy-to-use polish to use at home or in the salon. bigdaddybeauty.com (1/10/12)

New from Hand & Nail Harmony comes Gelish Color Gels. The gels come in an array of colors, apply like polish, with twist cap and applicator, but are cured in a LED lamp in 30 seconds or in two minutes in traditional UV lamps, just like gels. Gelish stays on nails for three weeks with no chipping or peeling, and soak completely off in only 15 minutes. nailharmony.com (1/10/12) [PRODUCER OF GELISH]

REVIEW: After seven days of grueling wedding preparations, running around like a chicken out of hell (mixed euphemisms?) and such, my nails look like I just left the salon, save the 1/16" of growth at the cuticle. My favorite part was walking out of the salon quickly and not worrying one iota about hairprints, smudging and the like. I'll do an update for the next four weeks to see if the maker's claims are accurate. As to the claim from the nail technician that Gelish Rendezvous is a match for OPI Romeo and Joliet...DING! DING! DING!

How do you find a nail salon that uses Gelish? NO CLUE! I Forest Gumped my way into Nail Elite (500 W Southlake Blvd., Ste. 128, Southlake, Texas) while sitting in traffic on my way to Sosie's rehearsal last week.

Get directions

Try Something New Tuesdays: Skype and Face Time

Since I first watched Back to the Future II, I have anxiously anticipated having my first flying car and automatic dog walker and shoe lace tightener. Just think! The movie was set in the year 2015...we're only three years away!! Rock On!!

Do you know what tells me we are on our way to soda bottles with built-in straws, hover boards, and bar code license plates? We are about to be living the flying car life because I have already experienced my first Skype and Face Time visits with Sosie, J-Man and myMama and myDaddy!



Sosie, J-Man and I can have coffee and chit chat like
we are all in the same room now!

Now granted, my little IPad2 screen is not a projection screen on the wall the size of the wall, but if I ever get fired via video phone, I wouldn't want it plastered in 10-foot font anyway. Also, from what my communicators have told me, I am no master at making sure I look at the camera instead of their faces.

I realize this is no big whoop for many of the tech savvy world out there, especially those who have been video visiting for years now. However, I feel like I just stepped out of my DeLorean and am ready to hover over to my next great adventure.

Try Something New Tuesdays: Skipping Christmas (decorations)

Well, it's kinda negative trying something new. I have reasoned myself into convincing myself if I just don't say anything, then we won't have to decorate for Christmas this year. I really do tell myself, "Just keep still and maybe they won't notice the tree isn't up." So far, I have made it to day 13 without failing. The shopping is done, and I am even hiding the wrapped pressies out of sight. I am such a bad person. I'll try to be better. Like for next week, I am getting a tan in December...so I don't glow in the dark at Sosie's wedding...:-)!

What are you doing new? Tried anything wonderful lately? Anything not so wonderful?

 

The list isn't growing but is shrinking! Got anything you suggest I try?

· pomegranates
· making jam
· Russian cuisine
· New Boston Pioneer Days
· business travel all in one day
·Be an insane sideline mom with glittery sign and all
· kayaking
· 5k training to eventually RUN a 5k
· mud bath
· get a tan in December
· Zumba
· Ballroom dancing class
· Watch a Bollywood movie at a Bollywood theater
· Quilting
· Take Darby to see a Midnight show of Rocky Horror
· Participate in a flash mob
· Boot Camp
· Art Class
· Dance on a Bar
· Puerto Rican food
· Meditate at a Buddhist temple
· Volunteer at a homeless shelter
· be a tourist in my own town
· snow ski
· order and eat hash browns "all the way" at Waffle House
· Make a Funny Face Book
· Brag on myself

Try Something New Tuesdays: I have been busy!

Since last month was spent writing thank you notes to everyone, I didn't get to write about all the new things I have been trying! A quick list:


1. I am now a hockey wife in addition to a hockey mom! I have a glittery sign and cow bell to make myself a right crazy pest.


2. My hubby dearest paid me the sincerest compliment, and I am so proud! He called me a free spirit! I think it's the being proud part and telling everyone that is the new stuff.

3. Zig zag crochet pattern...it took four tries and re-starts to finally get this going for my Bubba's Christmas pressie, but now I am rocking and rolling...er...zigging and zagging?

4. Yesterday I watched a YouTube video tutorial on the basket weave crochet pattern and am rocking it right out of the gate! I think this one will be for MyMama.


5. I began writing a journal of letters to Darling Daughter. Sometimes I write about something that happened that day; mostly I write down the little life lessons I want her to know. Depending on when it fills up, she could get it for graduation, on her wedding day, at the birth of her first child, or in the event of my passing. In any case, I want her to have a legacy of Jaimee-isms.

6. I received a Sock Puppet named Arrrrgyle the Pirate as one of my birthday wishes (THANKS SOSIE!) and I love to make videos of him being snarky. I have made a music video or two as well. I think this is what inspired HD's comment about me being a free spirit. fun side note: during our walk this morning, I was singing the theme to Rocky and HD started doing the fist pump jog and even jumped up on a bench in triumph...i think my essence is catching!


7. Starbucks has these little chocolate and cream cake cookies called Whoopie Pies! TO! DIE! FOR! It's everything in my being not to shout,  "I want to make Whoopies!" (70's reference to the Newlywed Game that no one seems to get)

8. My attempt at making Darling Daughter a quilted comforter for her room is incomplete (short on backing material) and laying in a heap on our living room floor. I had such a good beginning...but fizzled out. Boo!


9. OPI has a line of nail polish for The Muppet movie, and DD and I have tried out the red glittery "Getting Miss Piggy With It." You have to layer on a color of some kind as a base coat for it to really shine through. I feel like I have Dorothy's ruby slippers on each of my fingers. I think I will get the blue one for Sosie's wedding!


10. While walking with HD each morning, I make myself run at first. The first couple of days I made it half way down our block. This morning I made it to the end of our block. This counts as training for my 5K in my mind!


What are you doing new? Tried anything wonderful lately?

The list isn't growing but is shrinking! Got anything you suggest I try?

· pomegranates

· making jam

· Russian cuisine

· New Boston Pioneer Days

· business travel all in one day

·Be an insane sideline mom with glittery sign and all

· kayaking

· 5k training to eventually RUN a 5k

· mud bath

· banya (not just food; they have a spa too)

· Zumba

· Ballroom dancing class

· Watch a Bollywood movie at a Bollywood theater

· Quilting

· Take Darby to see a Midnight show of Rocky Horror

· Participate in a flash mob

· Boot Camp

· Art Class

· Dance on a Bar

· Puerto Rican food

· Meditate at a Buddhist temple

· Volunteer at a homeless shelter

· be a tourist in my own town

· snow ski

· order and eat hash browns "all the way" at Waffle House

· Make a Funny Face Book

• Brag on myself

Try Something New Tuesday--Insane Sideline Mom (Glittery Sign and All!)

Yep, I have found my calling on the Insane Train! I am "that" mom when it comes to supporting my kiddo. Coach asked Chad and me before the first hockey game what kind of cheering parents are we. We told him to watch us and let us know after the game. Turns out, we are the loud kind that are totally excited to see a year of skate school and private lessons paying off as our Darling Daughter zooms out onto the ice to steel the puck away from the opposing team. We are the kind that invite our friends and family and fill up half of the team's stands with just our gang. We are the kind that make signs, yell loud and stomp our feet when the team scores. We are the parents who high-five and go-team each other for never giving up and always finding a way to make this dream of hers come true. Yessireebob! We are the best kind of sideline crazy parents tsk-tsking at the rents who are bumps on the bench, or worse...critical of the coach, team or player when they oopsie. Go Flyers! Hoorah Darby! Everybody plays and everybody has a great time! That's what matters!

The list isn't growing but is shrinking! Got anything you suggest I try?

· pomegranates
· making jam
· Russian cuisine
· New Boston Pioneer Days
· business travel all in one day
· Be an insane sideline mom with glittery sign and all
· kayaking
· 5k training to eventually RUN a 5k
· mud bath
· banya (not just food; they have a spa too)
· Zumba
· Ballroom dancing class
· Watch a Bollywood movie at a Bollywood theater
· Quilting
· Take Darby to see a Midnight show of Rocky Horror
· Participate in a flash mob
· Boot Camp
· Art Class
· Dance on a Bar
· Puerto Rican food
· Meditate at a Buddhist temple
· Volunteer at a homeless shelter (Well, I am at least waiting to hear if I get to do this! All the training and paperwork are completed.)
· be a tourist in my own town
· snow ski
· order and eat hash browns "all the way" at Waffle House
· Make a Funny Face Book

Try Something New Tuesday: Pinterest Inspired Lamp

So last week I wrote about discovering Pinterest and becoming an instant addict. The fun continues! This week I have been completing little Pinterest Projects all over the place. I made Darby a One Sentence Journal for documenting her high school years as well as a Dream Bucket. Although I am very proud of those two items, this fun Tissue Paper Lamp was the winner of my week. To boot, Darling Daughter loves it too! Yay, J-Me!

Supplies: Balloon, tissue paper strips in multiple colors, tacky glue, lamp socket kit from Lowe's and a light bulb.

1. Blow up the balloon and use tacky glue to adhere the twisted paper roses to the balloon. To make the rose, cut a 2 inch x length of the tissue paper strip. Twist the strip into a long tissue rope. Tightly roll the strip into a circle, creating your rose.

2. For an extra measure of security, I sprayed the rose-covered balloon with a matt finishing spray. Let the project dry for 24 hours.

3. Once the lamp is completely dry, gently cut the balloon and let it deflate. I had to gently remove balloon bits from inside the lamp shade. It looked like one of those flower-covered swim caps from the 50s.

4. I then cut a hole in between a couple of the top roses to insert the socket of the lamp kit. I screwed in a light bulb, plugged it in, and ta-da! A funky light for darling daughter!

Try Something New Tuesday: Pinterest Inspiration: Grocery Sack Reuse

I used to think that my once-a-year Garage sale was genius because, instead of pricing each individual piece of crap, I would give out the grocery sacks we collect all year for $5 and tell our patrons, "Anything you can fit into that sack for $5." I cleared out our bag collection and our junk at the same time. Well if that was my genius, then this is whatever is WAY SMARTER AND COOLER than genius.


Originally pinned from "Tatertots and Jello", a blog of DIY crafts and ideas, this is a tutorial for taking your grocery bags and an empty cleaning wipe container and making a dispenser for your car, your laundry room or your mommy bag! It makes that jumble of plastic sacks a neat and compact bag dispensary! Hubby dearest was a doubting Chad until I let him demonstrate with my finished product. Now he wants one for his truck and his dad's boat!

1.  Gather a dozen bags and flatten them out pushing all the air out. I used several more than 12 because my container was the large wipes.

2. Fold the bags in half again pressing all the air out. This took me a couple of tries.

3. Overlap the handles of the bags onto the top of the previous bag. If you’re only working with 12, then you can make a long line. If you’re doing more, you may just want to work with a few at a time.

4. Fold the first bag’s handle upward. This will be your middle and the first bag you pull out of the container. All the other bags will be connected to this first one.5. Tightly roll up the sacks, tucking in the new handles as you roll.6. After you roll the grocery bags, insert the roll into your wipes container, tucking the first bag’s handles through the top.7. From here, you decorate your wonderful little container using whatever supplies you have available. GENIUS!

Try Something New Tuesday--Waffle House O.M.O.

"What is Waffle House O.M.O.?" you ask. It's lunch at the "Aweful Waffle" on my own. Further more, it's probably a one time endeavor. Missing myGayla terribly, I decided I wanted to walk her path of being okay with meals at Waffle House by myself. I ordered her favorite hashbrowns with peppers, tomoatoes, cheese and ham, opting not to go forward with my plan of hashbrowns all the way (Bert can keep his chili--beans! really!). Although completely yummy with a little salsa on top, I am sure the lovely waitress was stricken to find me crying in her booth as I stared longingly off into space while eating this ugly mess of fried food. After snapping back to reality, I gulped down the rest of my lunch and tipped her 100% as I fled for the safety of my car. I wonder if I'll ever look at pedicures and Waffle House the same way again.

The list isn't growing but is shrinking! Got anything you suggest I try?

· pomegranates
· making jam
· Russian cuisine
· New Boston Pioneer Days
· business travel all in one day
·  Be an insane sideline mom with glittery sign and all
· kayaking
· 5k training to eventually RUN a 5k
· mud bath
· banya (not just food; they have a spa too)
· Zumba
· Ballroom dancing class
· Watch a Bollywood movie at a Bollywood theater
· Quilting
· Take Darby to see a Midnight show of Rocky Horror
· Participate in a flash mob
· Boot Camp
· Art Class
· Dance on a Bar
· Puerto Rican food
· Meditate at a Buddhist temple
· Volunteer at a homeless shelter
· be a tourist in my own town
· snow ski
· order and eat hash browns "all the way" at Waffle House
· Make a Funny Face Book