Monthly Archives: January 2015

Sluggish, Stuck, and Sick

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What's on my desk this morning

What’s on my desk this morning

 

So, it’s been 12 days since my last mewsing, and maybe you are starting to think I might be one of those blogs that gives things a try and then just gradually dwindles down. Perhaps eventually there just won’t be anymore posts. I sometimes wonder that too. I have found many blogs like that. But I refuse to let that happen. I started out with a mission on this blog, and I am not going to give up easily.

You see, I have been feeling stuck lately, and I know where most of it comes from, and even big parts. I am also sick right now. As you can see from the items in the picture above, I think it might be some sort of flu. It has not hit me full blast yet, and I kind of hope it does not. I am attempting the ole’ vitamin C, some tea, echinacea, cough drops, and all that fun stuff. Sitting nearby my tea and vitamin C is my planner…which is largely dormant at the moment (I actually took the time to cover it with some Valentine’s stickers to try and motivate me), as I sluggishly search for inspiration. I know I am feeling discouraged. It is my wish to build up a small community of people that come here and interact with me. Not a lot of people, mind you. Just a small family-like atmosphere of people that have some things in common, can relate, and interact. I truly wish to create a place where people inspire one another, help one another, and connect on whatever might move them. But it does not seem to be happening.

I know I just have not hit on the formula that really gets things started and going, and I am truly trying to do that. I know the key to blogs is having content that brings people in, has them interested, is important to them and has something to offer them, and keeps them coming back. I so much want to give that. But I am new to this medium. Only doing it for 3 months now, I am still getting to know how things work and what to do with it all. I am sure that growing process will take a long time. But the thing is, I can’t do it without you.

This blog is a winding road right now, trying every direction the path has open to me. I see something akin to hundreds of roads there ahead of me, and I keep randomly picking one after the other. It is sort of aimless, like wandering without a map. But, you, the reader, can offer me a map. I want to steer in the direction that you wish me to, as long as I can do so. I want to give you things you want and need. But the key is, you have to tell me what those things are. In the long run, together we can take this in interesting paths. So, I will attempt now and then, in my posts to get you to offer me feedback, because I truly want to make this a place that we both enjoy together. So, I am wondering if perhaps I can add some things to help you relate to me more, so that one day I can get comments and feedback that can help me relate to you more. Would an about me section help? Are some of you wanting to offer feedback but shy to use comment sections? Is anything wrong with the blog that is making it hard for you to submit comments? If there is anything I can do to make this easier, I am very willing to do so, but it just takes a couple/few people to let me know. Would adding contact information help?

I am a shy person, but very approachable, and if for some reason I am not to some, I wish to improve that. So, until I can get someone to offer me that feedback, I am just going to keep trying things until they work. This blog for now is about me, but I am trying to open myself up so that it can be about others too. I want to offer you, the reader, things that can help or add to your life. That is why I offer printable things, diy’s, and budget finds. I want to improve those things too. I want to expand on the things that interest me, so that I can have you join me in that dialogue, benefit from anything I know and can do, and also be inspired and derive from what you know and feel too. But enough on that, you get the point.

So, along with the discouragement, I have been feeling stuck lately. It has to do with other things going on in my life too. I am at a precipice where so much has to be done, and I feel so insufficient to do it all. I have a whole house to organize, my health to improve, relationships to bridge and improve, and the huge ordeal of finding my way on this foggy and murky road toward career goals.  In other words, I have a whole life to rebuild. Something inside me has been telling me this one clear message that I cannot escape, not that I want to. It says, do what you love, and the answers will come. It also tells me that if I keep blogging, I will find the answers. So, I keep plugging away at what I DO know how to do, writing out my thoughts, experimenting with the abilities I have, and hoping clearer roads will soon be ahead.

If you are along this journey with me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know I have a lot to learn, but I promise you my heart is in the right place. Wouldn’t it be great one day, if you could say you were there when I was just starting out, and then there when things start to happen, and then again there when I achieve the many points of success?  Wouldn’t it be great, if along the way, I can also inspire you for better things in your life, bring you joy, and turn around and hopefully help your life too? It won’t happen overnight, but another one of my goals is to learn from and enjoy the ride too.

So, until more things start happening, I did one of my usual Pinterest searches. Again, I like to see how others interpret terms that pop into my head. So, I searched for “feeling stuck.” It returned a lot of self-help articles and of course the quote images. I haven’t had a chance to look through them all, but that was the jist of things. Three things caught my eye most, and I will leave them with you, before I wrap this up.

One is a particular quote, that really stood out. “Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you actually are. It just means you haven’t found the right path for you yet. Hang tight. You’ll find it.”  I am not sure who the actual author is, but thegraciouspantry.com is the poster of this quote. It hit home for me. Again, something deep down just keeps telling me to plug away at this, keep trying, and the right avenues will open up. So, with just a few drops of faith, I continue on.

Two is another quote that I liked.  “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” by Winston Churchill, and it speaks for itself.

Three, is an article I found, which I think holds a lot of truth, and is something I endeavor to follow. It is called, “11 Things to Remember When You Feel Stuck,” and it is here: http://www.powerofpositivity.com/11-things-remember-feel-stuck/  If you are feeling stuck in anything, I do recommend the article, as it has a lot of inspiring and helpful tips. I like that in particular, it’s first tip is to maintain focus. That is a theme which keeps entering this journey I am taking, so I am paying heed to this. I also like that the site name includes the idea of the power of positivity. It just rings well for me.

And as a side note, I will say that on that search return page, an article turned up called, “10 Things to Do If You Wake Up Feeling Like a Grouch.” That title and the picture that turned up with it, that of an angry kitty, made me laugh out loud. But it is true. Lately I have woken up feeling kinda grumpy and grouchy, and my energy sluggish.  I have not gotten to read it yet, nor recall the link, but if you search that title on Google, the link will turn up. What an eye-catching title huh?  😛

So, I hope today/this week, you can find inspiration, especially if you need it as I do. I also hope you are hanging in there with me. I am not quite sure yet what my next step will be, but I intend to do all that I have indicated I would do in my previous posts. I will plug away at the articles I have said I would do, keep on going with what I know how to do, and keep reading and learning too.  I might be slow at it, but I WILL get there. I hope you can be patient with me, and not give up on me. Even if I am sluggish, I *am* determined!

Until I can figure out what I wish to do with an “about me” section, I am just going to link it to my very first post, which really gives a huge idea of who I am, and what I am about. I hope that helps for now.

If you have any thoughts, ideas, or simply wish to say hi, please feel free to comment. I don’t bite, really! 😉

Wishing you all a wonderful and inspiring week,

Kat :@

 

 

Bonus Frugal Find! Dollar Tree Treasures!

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 Dollar Tree Frugal Finds!

I found these four items some time in the last month or two. I could not go without sharing these with you! It is my last frugal find for today, a bonus for you. It is worth noting that many nice stationery supplies are to be found at Dollar Tree. I also recommend trying more than one or two different stores as they often will have some different stock depending on location, surrounding area, and size of store. They have had some nice calendars, memo pads, sticky notes, clips, flags, and the list goes on.

These four items, of course at one dollar each; are two sticky note pads with the LOL and OMG acronyms which I love, the TWO year calendar with kitties, and the calendar memo pad. The two year calendar planner actually, not only has two years in it, but each month has 2 to 3 kitty images, color background, differentiating color highlights, lines on every day for writing notes, holiday  listings, before and after month mini calendar on each month, moon phase listings, a notes section on each month, a mini-contacts section/address section in the back, and a few notes pages in the back as well! That is a lot for one little pocket calendar for one dollar! It is perfect for a purse and quick on the go notes and appointment jotting.

 

Dollar Tree Frugal Finds!

 

The memo pad is a really neat idea. It has the memo pad on the bottom of course, and the calendar pages pad up top. The mini pad has four sheets for each month. This makes them nice for putting in all your calendar need locations, like your wallet, your planner of nearly any size, a journaling spot, and even would probably fit nicely in a Project Life album slot. I also think it would do nicely for jotting a small tiny note and sticking up as a reminder for someone, say an appointment for your child or significant other…stuck to their door or computer or to the fridge. I am sure there are lot of ways these can be used. The back of the cardboard they are stuck to has no magnet,  but I can see one could easily be put there for the fridge, etc. I love this combo pad, and think its a wonderful idea. You cannot beat the price too!

I love these dollar finds, and love all of the dollar store stationery and calendar items! I hope you find some goodies too!

Have a great week all,

Kat  :@

 

 

P.S.  – I hope to have a few more budget finds posted for you this week, a dollar store diy, and possibly some journaling cards if I can find the time. I have lots to organize here, and quite a mess to tend to.

Speaking of which, would any of you care to join me on my home organizing undertaking this year? I am open to sharing the process. But I must warn you, my home is in quite the mess. My goal is to get it to the point where we can host Christmas here next year, and for that it is a pretty large task for all this year. We are in the process of merging two households, loads of stuff, and several generations worth of things. Plus I have moved completely across country and come out of some rather large and difficult tragedies. So this very big job is the result of all of that. I am basically going to be setting both bigger and smaller goals, and it will take me most of the year, if not longer, coupled with all my blog goals, and then personal goals, and relationship goals. I might be up to lot of before and after pictures, and the ideas I come up with, along with links to valuable resources which also help me along the way. But, before I start yet another section, it will require at least a little feedback to know if there is any desire for this, and if it is worth the extra effort to do the work involved with documenting the ordeal. Let me know what you think.

 

 

Bookmark Calendar/Magnets Deal – Less Than One Dollar!

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 Bookmark/Magnet Set

 

Okay, so this might not be a big deal to some, but for me, it was a really GREAT find! I found this 4 piece bookmark calendar/magnets set for just 45 cents! This was at Michael’s in the bargain/dollar section. The monthly bookmark pad is about 6 inches in height and a little over 2 inches in width. Each page/bookmark in the pad is serrated so it is easy to tear them out. They are thick, decent quality, like that of a greeting card thickness, and better than printer cardstock.  Each page also has a different butterfly on flowers scene. The colors on each seem to go well with the corresponding season. 

 Bookmark/Magnet Set

 

The magnetic bookmark clips are approximately 1 inch by 1 and a quarter inch. They are of the same quality and thickness of the calendar bookmarks. There are three of them, and the magnets are decent quality. I was able to put them on a bunch of pages, at least 5-10 or so and they held on well. 

 

Bookmark/Magnet Set

 

I SO love the images, and of course butterflies are one of my favorite creatures after kitties. For 45 cents you cannot beat this, not even at the dollar store! I think the sale price brought it down from just a dollar or two, but I am not positive of this. I can only tell you that my receipt says 45 cents. Michael’s has such great deals and stationery items in their dollar section, so I recommend checking it out! Especially check before and after holidays for special finds like this one.

 

Bookmark/Magnet Set

 

I look forward to using these in both my planner and journals. I am loving these!

 

Happy Bargain Hunting All,

Kat  :@

 

 

After-Christmas Clearance Find! Crafty Centerpiece 70% Off!

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I always love all the made-up arrangements and crafts that Michael’s has. They often inspire ideas, let me know what’s popular, and just are plain fun to ogle at! You can buy what they make, already made, or buy the materials and do it yourself…I love that option. I often will pop in there to pick up an occasional craft/etc. supply, or just to browse the dollar section. I cannot afford too much, so it is fun to browse an area I can actually fit into my small budget. Well the past week or two has been particularly fun. I have a few bargain finds to share with you, but I will start with this one, a 70% off clearance item from Christmas!

 

Sleigh Centerpiece

Now, as you can see, the original price tag says 49.99, but for this clearance sale it was jut 14.99. Fifty would be way too much, in my opinion, and I can make it for way cheaper, but the 70% off sale brought it down to fifteen dollars. In most places that is likely what you would pay for the beautiful sled it comes in. I don’t think I could make it cheaper than that. The whole thing stands at close to a foot tall, with the sled measuring in at about 8 inches tall. I love this deal and I think this sled will be my table centerpiece next year. I love it!

All of the Christmas centerpieces and made crafts were at 70% off, and it was hard to choose. This was about a week ago, so I am not sure if they will have anything left, but keep in mind to go there right after a holiday and I am betting they clear out all that they made at a nice sale price. Check back there right after Valentine’s and I am sure you will find a nice deal…I know I will be peeking in to see myself!

That is it for this deal…I might even post what else I bought there this past week, so stay tuned! =)

Warmest wishes as always,

Kat :@

Planner/Journaling Freebie – January Page Marker/Bookmark

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Happy New Year All!

Yay, I finally have another Page Marker/Bookmark ready for you! It is for the month of January. Yes, it is a week late for the start of the month, but for one, you all know how the holidays can be, and two, I only got home in December, so catching up around here has proved challenging, but I am well on my way to getting to where I would like to be, and being somewhat caught up.  It is my goal this month, to not only achieve some of what I have set out to do, the resolutions, and to have more timely content, but to make sure that February’s page marker/bookmark is not only on time, but hopefully early! 😉 I hope you bear with me.

This is the small size image, and click the link below for the large size. 

January Page Tab Small

As usual with anything I offer here, this is for your personal use only. You are welcome to share this with people you know, especially on social media, as long as there is a link back to this site, and do not direct link to the image please. Link to this page where they can then download.

I hope you enjoy using this. It is great for putting into planners and journals, or even Project Life layouts. This time I actually got to test out printing it, and it was pretty successful on the size. I made it so that at 100% it would fit a 5.5 by 8.5 planner as a full-page page marker/bookmark with a tab that sticks out at the top. I wanted it slightly smaller for mine, so I sized it down to 90% and I am liking how it fit. You can size it accordingly, if you have something smaller or wish it to be smaller. I recommend testing it by setting your printer to draft mode (this will save on ink while you test) and using regular paper. Then once you find a size you like, using regular color print, and using cardstock. You can even laminate it for further sturdiness and even to dry-erase write on, though since it is only really usable in this month, this year, I prefer writing right on the cardstock. But dry erase is good if your schedule changes or if you like to change around your notes, etc.

I am still working on how I am doing the layout of this printable item, but would also like/welcome feedback on what you would like to see on it. Do you like the size?  Do you think the resolution should be higher, calendar smaller/bigger, more/smaller list lines, a bigger side tab for the holes, etc.? I can only make it to others liking if they let me know what they do and don’t like. =) When I find something that really works well, I will keep the size consistent each month so that you always know what size to print them out at.

I am even considering making a perpetual Page Marker/Bookmark, but I am not sure what people would prefer. I love having the monthly and the calender geared toward each month, with holiday themes, but that is something I am flexible on, or may keep in addition to a perpetual.

Let me know what you like, and what else you would like to see.

 

Enjoy, and once again, Happy New Year! May this year be your best and most successful yet!

~Kat   :@

The large size version for Download Here.

A Golden Day…New Year, New Start, New Site Theme, New Section, New Me

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The golden kitty, Honey

The golden kitty, Honey

 

…And an introduction to my golden kitty, Honey. She is a gentle, delicate cat, and a very loud purring one.

 

 

A Golden Day, New Year, New Start, New Site Theme, New Section, New Me

 

Okay, well maybe not new me, but hoping for the improved me. Lots of changes to make this year, and I hope to make most of them, if not all. For me, the best way to start will be setting long term goals, then short term ones within each long term goal.

I want to make this a truly golden year. To start, I am throwing up a new theme. I hope it is done even better than the last. As I keep creating new things, and designing new layouts, I hope my skills have been improving. I hope you all like it.

Earlier, I came upon my Honey-kitty, sleeping peacefully, and found myself likewise feeling more at peace today. I know despite whatever hardships come my way, I can get through them and believe this will be a good year. Golden seems fitting here. It is the color of my sweet Red Point Birman (the mal-nourished, sickly stray that came to me about 2 years ago) pictured above. It is the color of beautiful sunsets. It is the color of softly swaying wheat. It is the color of success, power, strength, achievement and triumph. These are the things that I intend to strive toward. It is the color of this year for me.  I know for some, golden symbolizes gold and/or money. And I do believe that success can lead to money, but for me, money is just a bi-product. I have learned through long and hard ways, while severe lack of money can hinder…an abundance or over-abundance of money can also be a burden. So, I do not truly consider money and/or gold to be the highest representation of the color gold. I have even heard that the commodity of gold is not a wise investment. Gold for me, is prosperity in other ways. It is wisdom and experience and strength in it’s seasoned form. Hence the term, “Golden Years,” or “Golden Anniversary.”  I feel this will be a golden time for me.

I wish to come up with a posting schedule. It is my hope still to get feedback as well. It would help to know which article-types and content appeals to people the most, and what is my strongest suit. But for now, until I do get any feedback, I will do what comes to me, what I enjoy doing, and what I feel compelled to do.

I am thinking perhaps doing 3-4 articles a week, give or take, might be a good start. Perhaps a mewsing on one day of the week, a printable item for people to download on another day, a bargain find another day, a gratitude post (until I possibly work up toward daily), and a DIY once or twice a month, working up to weekly. Again, I would love to hear what people think of that, but for now, I will do what I am able or up to doing, and also what comes to me.

And now, here comes the exciting news….

 

 

New Section Introduction : The Great Experiment – A Mew Direction

 

If some of you might recall, I indicated I had a new and exciting concept/site section in mind. I have been pondering on this for quite some time. This section will be called, “The Great Experiment.” You knew I would have to add a cat pun here too, right? 😉

What is the great experiment, you might ask? It is me. It is a challenge for me, and for you. How will this experiment be performed, what will be the tools and variables?  The how is, career related, the tools will be me and you. The variables will be the various skills or talents I have, and which ones will best lead me in the right career direction.

So here is the idea…I have been relocated, and had a couple disabilities weighing me down. I have been out of work awhile now. Some of the time has been just down time and recovery from too many tragedies and spills to name.  Some has been this big move across country and getting through the stuff I have had burdening me. I still have more to get through, but I figure I can do that as I find my way down the career path that will lead me toward being a more productive and successful person.

It is time now to move forward, and find my wings. And I am hoping, you, the reader, will help me find my way. It is going to take input from others, so I truly hope I can get my blog more interactive.  

So, I am sure you’re wondering, what is this all going to look like, what does it mean in terms of the blog and this section? It means I am going to present the abilities I have, some which you have already seen, whether very novice, or more experienced in them, to you the reader, and to others, and get feedback on which I should be pursuing in terms of career/job possibility. I want to and need to work again.

The challenge here, is to allow the signs along the way…the road posts, the input from you, from others in my life, and whatever other things “speak to me,” to help gently direct and guide me down the twists and turns and paths that will eventually lead to my career choice.

I have, for some time, felt at a loss for ideas on how to get back on my feet and be working again. I have also felt mostly lost on which direction I want to go. Sometimes it can be hard to see your own self objectively. So this idea hit me, why not be interactive on my blog in finding out where others see me going, which direction they think I would be most suited for. If it is internet or computer related especially, or perhaps even not, it is then when I will launch the business end of my website. Right now, the business end, katfancies.com is empty and sitting idle. At one time, it was going to be either a web design site, a graphic design site, or a multimedia design site…or perhaps all of the above. Now, I am not so sure if I do want to do web design, my abilities are very outdated in that area, and I am liking doing the graphic design even more. I also love writing and crafting, and many other things. But it could end up being anything!  It could be selling something I invent for all I know! =) What it WILL be can be partially determined by you! This personal blog is all about my growth as a person, and the journey it takes me on. But I hope some day to be able to open up the business end, and what it ends up being, could have a lot to do with you, the reader!

How would YOU the reader, like to know you helped shape the life and career path of someone you just read about on the net…on a blog? Wouldn’t it be great if we could all do that for each other?  I really would love to know what others see as my greater aptitudes. I would love to know what you think I should be doing. Of course what I enjoy doing, and what gets greater positive response will contribute, and the feedback of my friends, family, and loved ones will make an impact too. But I am giving you the chance to make a difference in a life that has been down and out, and sincerely reaching for something better and more meaningful in their life…me!

In my journey of recovering from so many life hurdles, I am at a point now where I feel it is time to firmly plant my feet on the ground, stand up, make a difference, and gain more of the independence that every life needs to feel whole. As I learn to manage my time better, and get stronger, I also wish to find an outlet for my desire to volunteer my time for those in need. A big part of me has had a desire to go and volunteer some time to talk with, play with, and spend time with children with cancer, and I am not sure why. Just the thought of making them laugh and smile and adding to their lives has long appealed to me. But I will save that for later. For the time being, I need to “put my own mask on,” before I am better able to help others “put theirs on.” But I am hoping to get feedback on that aspect at a later time as well.

For now, I am going to figure out ways that I can preset my abilities and aptitudes to you, the reader, in fun and interesting ways, and hope we can open up that interaction that guides me to the destination I am meant to be in. I am on a fixed income right now, which has something to do with those disabilities I mentioned. But, I want more for my life. I want to stand on my own, be productive, contribute my fair share to this society, and be able to get to a better place. Will you help me as I find my way?

Perhaps I can figure out how to add polls to my blog, use samples of my work with polls, do a task diary, make sub-sections with each possible career path, perhaps make a special image map that acts as an actual map of the directions I take, or special widgets to make this experiment more fun. What do you think would make this more fun for you, for us? What would you like to see me add? What do you think of these ideas, what ideas can you add, or what do you think of the idea as a whole? How would you envision this cooperative to work?  I really do welcome input and want to make this a team effort. The possibility even strikes me, that one day, if this experiment works for me, that I can use it to help someone else do the same! Wouldn’t that be awesome?!

So, please join me, on my “Great Experiment!” The experiment that challenges me to find the work I am best fit and meant to do, and that has others help me shape that future. My heart and gut tell me that this is the way to go, that this will help to guide my direction. I look forward to the roads that it all takes me on, and truly hope you will join me on this fun and long journey!

It really is a golden day, and a golden year, and I anticipate lots of fun and interesting things, as well as challenging, to come my way. So, I will wrap this up before 1/1/15 is over, just thirty minutes away. But I am looking forward to where this road will take me, and hope to see/hear you along the way too!

 

Much gratitude to all of you, and Happy New Year Wishes too,

Kat  :@