Positivity. Have You Had Your Plus Sign Today?

The title is borrowed from a Prince song from the 80s.  The song is on the Lovesexy album if you care you listen. 

Lately the need to find positivity in my life has crept back up. This made me think about my blog that I have abandoned all summer.  I never forgot about it but I totally slacked on my posts - this doesn't mean I forgot to think about the things that happened each day.  I thought about it every day. Now, I'm making the conscious effort to get back to it.  It really has made a positive impact on my perspectives.

So, with that said, here we go (again)!

1. Business has certainly been great in my online shop.  I get at least one sale a week without even trying.  That's awesome.  I even got a sale tonight!
2. Today was my last class as the seminar instructor for a program we have on campus for incoming freshmen.  It was a great opportunity and I feel as though I have grown from the experience. I also hope that they have grown as well. 
3. I ran today on the treadmill.  I do it three times a week.  Today was the longest I've run in a while and I love that I was able to do it without stopping.  5 minutes running, 2 minutes walking. 4 minutes running, 2 minutes walking.  Repeat.
4. An old friend of mine that I've known since elementary school said I made her day.  I love it when I can make people smile, laugh, and feel good about themselves and who they are.  I feel like that's one of my callings. Honestly I do.  A student even said that I'm a good listener today.
5. Speaking of that student, she surprised me with an extra ticket to go to the Obama rally tomorrow.  That was REALLY nice of her.  I'm excited to go. This will be the closest I'll ever get to seeing any president. Thanks, Caitlyn! :0)

Biking is FUN-damental!

Ooh, what a day!  I got a fair amount done in the office, I chatted it up with a student whom I haven't seen in ages, got my fitness on and have peace and quiet in my house.  Ooh and something else really cool happened - but I am keeping that on the hush for now.

The last few months have been hit or miss with the blog.  In the spirit of the videos, "Shit Bougie Black Girls Say", I'ma need to do better.

Let's get back to business.

1. I biked an amazing 20 miles today after work.  I'm channeling James Brown only to say, "I FEEL GOOD!"
2. I got a phone call that gave me a lot of confidence.  I LOVE when that happens.
3. My housemate is just about moved out - to the extent that tonight he is no longer sleeping here. This is the first night I've slept with my bedroom door open since last May!.  YAY for solitude!
4. Apparently my graphic design skills are gettin' REALLY GOOD.  I designed something today as a favor for another office on campus all within 45 minutes.  I like when I can make folks happy with a product.
5. Speaking of products, a customer of mine just bought a third bracelet from me. She rocks!

Make it Rain!

A couple weeks ago I was asked if I would be interested in doing a craft fair at a local community college.  This wasn't just any craft fair  - it was an eco-crafts fair.  Initially I thought, "Wait. I don't have enough items that would classify me as an eco-crafter."  With that in mind, I stayed up late Saturday night crafting.  I'm glad I did, because it paid off! The customers made it rain!  Now, instead of money rainin'... I wish it were really raining so my allergies could get a break.

 It has CERTAINLY been a long day.  Night, night.

1. I'm thankful for the friends who were able to stop by my booth at the craft fair.  That was pretty awesome!
2. I love that I got my first sale soon after I had finished setting up my booth.  The guy bought a key chain.
3. The guy in the booth next to mine was very helpful.  Since I was there by myself, he offered to help me pull open my pop-up tent.  I was really struggling with it because that is really a two-person job.  He even helped me to collapse it.  I love it when people are genuinely nice.  
4. Another thing I enjoy about these craft fairs is meeting people.  I met some great people today. I love meeting people and building those connections.
5. New Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream flavor alert!!! "What a Cluster" is peanut butter ice cream with caramel cluster pieces, marshmallow swirls and peanut buttery swirls and it is DELICIOUS! I love it!

Give Me Funny!

I woke up this morning and logged onto Facebook.  Man, some of these photos with the captions on them are a RIOT!  I love a good laugh out loud moment. We need more of those.

1. This is one of the images that I loved because it made me laugh.
2. A friend of mine has written a book and asked me to do the cover work.  How cool is that?  That's an awesome opportunity.
3. I love the POULTRY SLAM!!
4. The longest season of bowling EVER has finally ended.  I love that I had the experience of being an officer but I am certainly glad to be done. 
5. I got a listen to the new SWV cd that is coming out and I have to say... I am diggin' it LOTS. 

Signs

 I don't know how to explain it without just simply saying, "There are signs telling you what to do every day."  More on that at some other time. :0)  Signs. Signs. Everywhere are signs. Oh, and Oprah has always said you have to listen to the "whispers".  Another sign?

Difficulties come when you don't pay attention to life's whisper. Life always whispers to you first, but if you ignore the whisper, sooner or later you'll get a scream.

Oprah Winfrey, Stanford Commencement Address, 2008

1. Last night I finally connected with a friend who lives on the west coast.  I talked to her briefly last week but she surprised me with a phone call.  It was good to catch up.  We definitely don't need to go that long without a follow-up again.  Staying up to 1AM isn't good for my mental health at work. LOL
2. I loved seeing a video for the It Gets Better Campaign that was done by students at Brigham Young University.  Way to go, Mormons!
3. In other news, I've also reconnected with another friend from the first college I worked at after graduate school. She's moving to the area! I can't wait to see her again. 
4. Biking is becoming the craze! I think I have another person who is going to bike with me this weekend. She seems up to it.  I hope she follows through. Biking is fun!
5. My Etsy business has been picking up.  I love that. Finally sold some magnets.  They're not the fastest sellers.  Nothing like the paracord bracelets at all - but i find it cool to have sold so many items.  I'm now at 201 sales! 

Way of Thinking #127

Haaaaaaa-Choo!  Yup.... It's that time of year.  Allergy Season has hit me.  It's near misery but it can always be worse. I think that's a good way of thinking about things.  When something seems awful to you - think of a way that it can be worse and be grateful that what you're dealing with isn't that horrible thing or things that you thought of. Dennis' way of thinking #127.

1. I ventured off to South Riding, VA today.  It was a pretty drive - drove past Cox Farm. I need to check that out again and look at buying some plants.  
2. Visited with the new president of the bowling league and shared info with him that he needs to think about.  It was a nice chat. 
3. Today I was on a roll making bracelets! I came up with a new signature style of survival bracelets.  I'm excited to debut them!
4. Speaking of bracelets, someone bought the new "Rasta Style" bracelet. How awesome!  That inspired a new idea in itself!
5.  I am catching up on The Cleveland Show. This show is HILARIOUS!!  I love Seth McFarlane! hahaha

I've Got the Power

Life is gettin'.. it's gettin'.. it's gettin' kinda hectic... I feel the stress of this job. MAN.. I don't think I've ever felt it like this.  I was fine up until I came back to work today.  This semester can't come to a close fast enough.  I haven't even kept up with this blog as much as I would have liked.

At any rate - if I were an iPhone, I'd be down to 20% power.  I barely have the energy to think or list things that I loved about today - but I will make my attempt with the last bit of battery life I have.  It totally doesn't help that I have a headache from my sinus pain.

1. I returned to work and people were happy that I was back.  That's always a good feeling - to be missed.
2. I downloaded the new Madonna album.  At the first listen or two, I wasn't feeling it.  Now I am totally diggin' it.  I love the energy of the record.  The beats are great!  Some of the lyrics are EXTRA simplistic but that has made the songs that much more singable. I haven't liked a Madonna album like this since the Music CD and that was AGES ago.
3. I am enjoying the game "Draw Something" on my phone - it's a nice challenge of the creative mind. 
4. When I woke up this morning I didn't have to iron a single thing. I LOVE those types of mornings.
5. Tonight I watched the show, "Touch" while it was actually airing.  This is such a great show.  I've talked about that a few times I know - but I was struggling for a 5th thing to love today and well, this was on and I love it. hahaha