by Sharon | Nov 18, 2016
I watched a DVD the other day that I found interesting enough to review here.
It stars Aley Underwood and Bernie Diamond. The DVD was released in 2012. It’s not a new movie, but it’s not all that old . . . I’ve found movies with an inspirational message are actually timeless.
This is a heart-warming movie about a man who writes letters to complete strangers. He has quite a natural gift of expressing his thoughts to uplift others. He randomly selects names out of the telephone book . . . and writes one letter daily and also writes 10 inspirational notes he hands out daily, all for the purpose of uplifting the spirits of others.
He uses a pen name, Sam Worthington. This is an older gentleman living in a nursing home, who writes anonymous letters full of praise and encouragement. When Maggy Fuller, a rebellious teenager, receives her anonymous letter from the elusive Sam Worthington, she has to find him — to meet him.
This is truly an inspirational story that the whole family will enjoy. I highly recommend it.
This reminds me of the concept of “paying it forward” — doing good deeds for others.
It truly is positive to use your gifts in a positive manner . . . His reward was giving his best . . . and receiving a “thank you” . . .
I don’t really want to spoil the movie . . . but Sam Worthington did help young, rebellious Maggie Fuller — who was actually a good young woman with a heart of gold . . . except when it came to her mother . . . but those are the teenage years . . .
You may also enjoy:
Thanks for stopping by!
I do hope you purchase The Letter Writer to share with your family and friends this holiday season.
Sharon
by Sharon | Nov 12, 2016
There is always a degree of apprehension and anxiety when faced with change . . . along with disappointment, discouragement . . . which leads to challenges and looking for the positive . . .
For some, there may be a pay off to being unhappy, angry, disappointed . . . 
For others, in spite of disappointments, we look for the positive . . . the challenges within ourselves that we must face to accept not getting what we want to something not being what we thought it would be.
I was all into the concept of die cuts and how wonderful it would be to have a plain template . . . but then, having something ready-made seemed to appeal to me more . . . Allowing me to see where I was going . . .
And changing something to my liking from a ready-made printable seemed the easier way to go.
But, in truth, it all comes down to your personal comfort level.
Initially, I was overwhelmed by the pieces, as above, that didn’t seem to have a purpose . . . because I never put it together before . . . and it didn’t look like anything . . . But there are more possibilities for creativity and individuality with the die cut pieces than the ready-to-print-out-and-assembly Gingerbread House.
It does go together nicely and it does have all the icing and embellishments in place . . . The first one will look the same as the second . . . fifth . . . tenth . . . fiftieth . . .
There is no surprise there . . . unless I decide to alter it in some way . . . but such alterations may be much more work than if I started with a die cut template.
Yes, if I want, I could make the die cut elements above into a gingerbread house. I can add a wreath on the front door . . . I could make a fence of gingerbread children . . . I can cut out white window frames . . . and add some white “frosting” to the roof tiles . . . And candy canes . . .
Now look back at the first image . . . The die cut . . .
You have a decision to make . . . What color card stock to do want for the body of the house . . . and for the roof of the house . . .
With the die, I had to decide at that point the colors and cutting the card stock and place it over the appropriate places . . . and later learned how I should have taped it down so it wouldn’t slip . . .
Yes, I was initially overwhelmed and a bit disappointed . . . But, it was all a matter of getting out of my way that I realized there was a learning curve for me . . . I didn’t like it . . . but if I wanted to create something different each time I made this Tim Holtz Sizzix Village Dwelling, I’d have some decisions to make . . . and it started with the first one . . . an experiment . . . and maybe several experiments until I got it right . . .
I had to learn the die . . . and the Sizzix Big Shot . . . then assemble the pieces . . . and decide what else I wanted to do with it . . . add a different roof pattern . . . add a siding pattern . . . It takes a bit of trial and error . . . and some disappointment that it didn’t turn out as initially imagined . . . but it was all about learning . . . and facing each challenge head-on.
I was watching a movie yesterday about this mathematical genius . . . who really didn’t fit in with others . . . not understanding the dynamics of relationships . . . except those associated with numbers . . . He did learn how he missed out on things . . . and found he wasn’t “all that” . . . especially when it came to his relationship with his mother . . . And, in the end, after waiting for her son to respond to her . . . they learned how to communicate . . .
This gets me to a YouTube video I watched of an interview with an adult who had a famous mother . . . and the relationship they had . . . which wasn’t so much love . . . as respect . . . an admiration of her mother’s talents and abilities . . . It struck me a bit strange . . . Yet, many famous people may be incapable of love or conveying it to their children . . . It is all about them . . . their career . . . their life . . .
It’s all a matter of perspective . . . and how we deal with it . . .
Life isn’t easy . . . we are faced with challenges . . . disappointments . . . successes . . . 
The same applies with crafts. The whole concept is to have fun . . . to make something . . . So you get all the tools and paper . . . and find it isn’t as easy as it looks when watching someone else.
You can always throw in the towel and give up or pout and throw the whole thing in the trash . . . or realize it is a bit of a challenge and the first effort may not work out . . . or even the second . . . third . . . oh my gosh! fourth . . . But, each time, you get a bit closer to achieving your goal. Just know that there may be another failure after a success . . . There are no guarantees.
There’s no guarantee that the more you work at it, that you will succeed . . . It depends upon your perspective of success . . . and respecting the tools for what they are . . . and recognizing their limitations . . . as well as your own . . . but having a determination to figure it out . . .
There are always these wise people who have these wise sayings . . . but we can never bring them to mind when we need them . . . So, we need to rely on ourselves . . . depend upon ourselves . . . be gentle with ourselves . . . accept that we’re not perfect and things aren’t always easy . . . and alternatively, things aren’t always difficult . . . We may have cycles of success . . . and cycles of failure . . . but it’s just a cycle . . . and we have to go through it until the tide changes . . .
We control our thought, our actions, our feelings . . . there are some things we can’t change . . . nor control . . . but we can focus our perspective . . . we can look for the positive . . . strive to find something funny or different or interesting or unusual each day . . . Surprisingly, you’ll find it . . . because you’re looking for it . . .
So, what we may be unable to do one day . . . we may be able to do the next . . .
This applies to all things in life . . . I know I throw a lot of concepts at you all at once . . . You may be wondering what I’m thinking . . . But, if you’ve ever had a conversation using Two Cans On A String . . . you miss some stuff and have to fill in the blanks . . . And, drawing the string of what connects life, movies, interviews and crafts together . . . is your challenge of filling in the blanks to make sense out of it for you . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
Oh! I almost forgot!! Click the image of the Gingerbread House on the left to be taken to a PDF you can print out, cut out and assemble. It’s a great treat/gift box.
by Sharon | Nov 7, 2016
We did “fall back” with the time change this fall.
Some experts say that it takes about a week for us to catch up to this time change.
I haven’t found it to be such a big deal, but I live a more relaxing “retired” life and lifestyle. I personally like getting back to normal with the time. It’s nice having shorter days going into winter.
We are in an election year . . . be sure to vote.
I don’t take sides. I have my own opinion regarding the candidates and the propositions and I vote according to my best understanding of the people and the issues. I feel it is my civic responsibility to vote. It is part of being an American. That’s just my opinion. You may not agree and may not want to vote. That’s fine, that’s your choice. So vote, if it’s your thing to do . . . and don’t, if it’s not. It’s your thing and your choice.
The same is true with celebrating holidays. Some of you may be into it . . . while others of you don’t celebrate them. There is no right or wrong, it’s just your thing or not.
I know I get into the holidays. With Thanksgiving coming up . . . many of you may be more interested in Black Friday for all the great deals you may be taking advantage of participating. Well, Amazon has you covered!!
I’ve always found Amazon is the best place to shop. I find it interesting to discover what others “wish for” and then look at the “top gifts” and then explore the “hot new releases.” That gives me a good idea of what gifts to buy for family and friends . . . or something for myself . . .
This gets me thinking . . . And Amazon has great prices and great deals.
It is relaxing to shop at home . . . You can have your purchases delivered to your home or directly to your family and friends. I’m always excited when I get an order delivered to my front door.
Amazon makes it so easy! Just click one of the links above and explore the great products you know you want . . . and those your family wants . . . and maybe a friend or two . . . We’re always on the outlook for that “perfect gift” . . . don’t worry . . . Amazon has it!!!
If you don’t usually shop on-line, this may be a positive change for you. Once you see how secure and relaxing it is to shop on Amazon, you’ll never want to fight the traffic and crowds . . . Amazon’s assortment of products can’t be beat.
Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you have a delightful time shopping on Amazon.
Sharon
by Sharon | Nov 7, 2016
Here’s a free Haunted House from RavensBlight called The Bleak Estate.
It’s a nice home with a ghost in the attic.
That shouldn’t bother you . . . much. It’s just one area of the house that may be necessary to leave alone. Something else to consider is that there are no steps to the porch area of the house . . . There are few visitors of the human variety . . . but I’m sure this isn’t an issue for the paranormal beings that may or may not frequent the place.
And, RavensBlight has a variety of “friends” you can add inside and outside of your personal Bleak Estate. Ray O’Bannon has a whole variety of these you may enjoy.
Before I forget, click the image to the right to be taken to the PDF to print out on card stock. Ray has instructions for you, too.
This is an attractive addition to the other RavensBlight houses. And, as I mentioned earlier, there are Micro-Monsters you may enjoy inviting into your Bleak Estate. There are two sets of these.
Click the Micro-Monster set on the left to be taken to the PDF.
Then, if you want to have a house full of these Micro-Monsters, you may like the second set.
These are pictured to the right.
You can click that image to be taken to the PDF for printing out.
Be sure to check out other “toys” Ray O’Bannon has on his website. You may enjoy some larger images of these monsters and zombies. Ray has a whole cast of characters. He has 8 sets of 3 different ones for 24 you may like placing around the house to decorate shelves and flat surfaces. He also has Robot Minions, if that’s your thing.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you do enjoy the Bleak Estate and the Micro-Monsters.
Sharon
by Sharon | Nov 6, 2016
Talking with people, listening to others. watching movies, reading books . . . All show us something about others . . . and about ourselves . . .
There are kids with cancer who just want to live a normal life . . .
There are people in dead-end jobs who can’t quit, because it pays the bills and provides for the family.
I’m finding “stuff” doesn’t make us happy. Maybe for the moment or when someone compliments us on what we’re wearing or how we look or where we live . . . But, it truth, it isn’t about “stuff” it’s about you and what truly makes you happy. It could be playing a musical instrument or singing . . . You may not become rich and famous, but you enjoy it nevertheless. It could be making paper crafts or some other hobby using clay or wood, glass or some other medium. Or walking with your dog out in nature.
You may be a sweatshirt and jeans type of person . . . but you know you need to dress better when you leave the house. You may just want to live in a comfortable home in a nice neighborhood with comfortable furnishings — nothing fancy and impressive. You live within your means and drive an older car, but it runs well and looks good. You may not be beautiful or handsome, but you don’t frighten people. You’re happy more days than not. You have a wonderful family who loves you just the way you are.
That appears as though you have found happiness. Your pursuit is over.
Yet, others may not view you as successful or affluent . . . they may judge your appearance and not allow you to join some community clubs or groups. There is a standard . . . and you may not match up to it.
Initially, my thought is who cares about their opinion . . . and then I think how important it is to fit in . . . but then, if the goal is to be happy and you’re happy with yourself . . . Why do you need this club or group?
I can go back and forth with this until my head spins . . .
We are social beings . . . and that means interacting with others . . . joining in and being , , , social . . . The alternative is being alone . . . isolated . . . secluded . . . excluded . . .
No one really chooses the latter . . . but some people have made it work . . . at the expense of being referred to as odd or strange or a recluse. And perhaps some unflattering judgmental terms . . .
I don’t have answers . . . just thoughts and observations . . .
For me, this began when I found this picture of a Tim Holtz Village Surf Shack . . . It has its charm and appeal . . . but would you want to live there? Would you be embarrassed to invite your friends and family?
It’s kind of like Gilligan’s Island . . . Do you remember that television sit-com?
They made due with what they had . . . and their daily goal was to get off of the island . . . But life also happened on that island. They had good times and hard times . . . They had fun and adventures . . . They made it work . . . and knew they would make it for however long they needed before being rescued. So, basically, they made the best of an unfortunate situation.
There is something appealing about that . . . to a degree . . . 
And, here is another Tim Holtz Village Dwellings that someone made . . . and got me thinking about what I’d like to make and how that contradicts how I would like to live . . . I don’t want to be embarrassed by my home, but I don’t need to live in a mansion. But there is an appeal about a bungalow or a place on the bayou . . . or an old log cabin . . . a place in the woods . . . Nothing fancy, just functional . . .
I love the bricks holding up the dwelling, the hides on the side of the house, the barrels . . . the steps going into the shack . . .I may want to add some crates . . .
It does have a certain character to it . . . makes you wonder about the person who lives there . . .
I’m beginning to think that what appeals to be is the structure and how creative I can be when building a shack as opposed to building a nice place.
I have a friend who lives in Alabama who has a non-functioning still in her front yard. It is a work of art . . . she decorates it for Christmas. I imagine in its day it brewed plenty of moonshine . . . A relic of long ago . . . And maybe the type of village pieces I want to create have that same appeal , , , I may not want to live there . . . but there is something unique and genuine about it . . . Maybe I came from very simple roots . . . That’s why I don’t go for the fancy or give much thought to what people think of me . . . What’s important is what I think of myself . . . and whether I’m happy . . . And yes I am very happy.
I’m a blogger. I’ve been out in the world of work and keeping up appearances . . . but now that I’m retired . . . I don’t have to dance to the tune of others . . . and I don’t have to fit in . . . I can be me . . . genuine, honest without pretense . . . It makes life easier . . . and much happier.
During this fall/autumn season before Thanksgiving, it is positive to take a moment to reflect . . . Think about how truly fortunate you are . . . You may have goals to achieve and things to do . . . but deep down at this moment, you are happy . . . It doesn’t mean you don’t have to achieve your goals or do the things you want it do . . . it means that you’re happy now and you know how to achieve happiness in your life . . . That is truly an accomplishment . . .
I share my random thoughts from time to time . . . Just to get you thinking . . . As I’ve been thinking and striving for clarity and understanding . . . It’s not about being right or wrong . . . it’s about understanding here and now . . . and maybe tomorrow or next month or several years from now, you’ll find your thoughts and ideas and goals and aspirations have changed . . . You have a different perspective . . . which is neither good nor bad . . . it just is . . .
It’s comforting to live without judgment . . . from yourself or others . . . because it doesn’t really matter . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
