Marathonia~ Chapter One ~ What Day Is It???

Oh Yes!  Day Five!!!

 Aaaaaaaaah!  Day Five.  A busy day.  A good day. A day filled with comfort foods.

I won't even get too detailed with my "fuel" today but I will say it started with breakfast at my neighborhood diner and ended with a slice of pizza while strolling through Washington Square Park.  (Use your imagination).

Block Party??  But no one brought the beer!

Remember I said I would show you the "custom" version of yesterday's hat...not even finished yet...wait till next week.  But I LOVE how it is coming along.  Barbara has such a nice touch with flowers.

                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~

And the day went on.  We blocked, and we sized, and we sold, and we even tidied up the shop.  And after it was ALL done and my co-worker had traveled home, I stayed.

I have made SO MANY FRICKIN HATS!!!!  I have so many more to make.  Tuesday will be My Millinery Day in my own studio but what I really wanted...really needed...was a Chapeau of My Own made in THIS studio...made with ease, simply (proper tools/space!!!).

So on went the Buena Vista Social Club and then:

A very, very tired, very, very satisfied Ms. Carey and Her New Summer Chapeau!!!

All I can say to wrap up Chapter One...

Well Done!!!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..................................xoxo

Marathonia ~ Chapter One ~ Day 4

Aaaaah Saturday!

I started my day grateful for the deep restful sleep.  I prayed and I journaled.  I pondered and drank water, then a strong coffee.

While having breakfast...you guessed it yogurt and raisin bran, fresh banana (didn't really "feel" this combo today), I started attempting to figure out what my paycheck would be next week.

In the process I discovered the following and Today's Challenge.

My facebook post -

 The challenge today: Doing what is correct and trusting God will cover both sides.

Just realized that I have been getting paid for an extra day every check for at least a couple months. Why did I not know this? Well, it's a small business and my hours had changed and my boss had been properly taking out taxes but not giving me the breakdown of my payroll. I assumed I must have slipped into a lower tax bracket and therefore my take home was a bit more.

Well, after finally getting a pay stub and as I pondered with tax calculators why I was going to be barely making any more money as I take on more hours it clicked.

I feel for her. So many spoons in the pot to keep up with. But it will be great for her to know. I won't be in a position to take responsibility for this error for it was not my error to begin with but I pray for a BLESSING upon the Shop that we make up for it in MASS HAT SALES!!!

This is my hope.

Off I go.
♥

My Heart really did sink.  Terrible news, stressful news and, well, I shared it upon arrival.  My boss said she had just discovered it herself a few days ago. 

I was so glad to be the one telling her.  (Thank you God).  It kept her from having to have an awkward conversation that would have been so disappointing had I not known already and it supplied even more confidence in my character.

It was a good day.

Here's a wee photo review:

Remember this one?  Well, this is a custom hat, and then yesterday I blocked another for the store.  I also SOLD the "blocked" hat before we even finished it!  (yes, I am GOOD!) (smiles)

The hat "pre-sold".  I'll show you pictures of the custom one tomorrow.  It is much fancier as we made many Derby hats in this style.  However, I really wanted one that could be worn daily.  Hence this beauty.  J'Adore!

Such a graceful simple shape!

As seen on Moi!  Me and my new tool...my Iphone! xoxo

 Well...we did well today but I am Fa-Shizzled and work tomorrow.  

Today I had excellent healthy fuel, LOTS of water, blessings from God, the store WAS blessed... even on a holiday weekend.

I sit here at home, fan on, feet up, glass of cool red to my side.

Let's end this day with a couple beauties shot whilst walking to the F train.  

East Village, New York City, Pre-Summer Sunset Time!

      Oh How I DO Love NYC!!!

Marathonia ~ Chapter One ~ Day 3

"Hump Day"

A review in photos.

Chapeaux blocked yesterday waiting for our arrival!

Remember this little cloche to be yesterday?

Sweetly kissed in chocolate

Such a lovely shape

Trimmings almost complete

More trimming

And MORE trimming

Such a beautiful chiffon rose I get to use...from a company dedicated to making lovely chiffon fleurs.  You know I understand those Peeps!

more blocking

Fantastic shape!

the front...wait till you see what Barbara does when she trims this beauty

Yeah.  MORE blocking!

how I feel

happy.  really.  I AM HAPPY.

just couldn't make it to train with out...

DINNER!!!  NYC Diner BLT...just saying...Well Deserved!

 Let's see...today's Fuel:

.Breakfast: WATER, yogurt with raisin bran and almond slices, coffee, beloved cream, WATER

.Lunch:  Oh yes!  Remember yesterday's Disaster... The Choke that Choked!!!

Emergency!

 Well, The Artichoke was FANTASTIC for lunch...a smoky hint of flavor, doused with olive oil, herbs, s&p, and a touch a lime juice.
That and a half turkey sandwich (the other half of yesterday's). WATER WATER WATER...and a fig cookie!
Dinner: That delightful Brooklyn Lager and Diner Delight.
Home: sipping a bit o' red vino! PLUS WATER!!!

And as I walked my Extremely Filled Belly and Oh So Tired Soul to the train to ride me home...alas in my Beloved Washington Square Park the sliver of the New Moon Kissed Me!

  
Thus ends day Three.

Ciao Bella's!
Oh...stats!
(I left my stat sheet at the shop...crap!)
I blocked, I trimmed, I SOLD!!!!

Marathonia - Chapter One - Day 2

I "sort" of remember Day 1...but it also just hit me the actual marathon I am embracing currently.

(sigh)
  
SO...the dealio is that I am going to be working my okole (Hawaiian for ass) off for the next 7 1/2 weeks.

The Prize: A MONTH WITH FAMILIA AND OHANA AND 2 1/2 WEEKS IN MY BELOVED HAWAII!!!!

Okay. Obviously no one is feeling sorry for me.  


Good.


I embrace this challenge.  What exactly "is" This Challenge???


The Challenge:

. working 5 days a week at the hat shop I generally work 4 days a week at.
     . blocking, sewing, trimming, selling, diffusing (customer relations), general therapy (at times), OH!  And keeping a Positive Helpful Attitude!
     . with travel time from door-to-door-back-to-door again...approx. 10hours a day.
 
. keeping ALL engagements and goals for My Business while all this goes on.
    . Hair Show mid June - local NYC hair salon wants to include my chapeaux in a hair show featuring local fashions designers, etc.  AWESOME opportunity.
    . Hat Show on Maui while I am there.  SO WANT TO DO!
    . Personal hats for V.I.P.'s that are on my LIST!


. Enjoying Friends that ARE VISITING!!!!
SO EXCITED!!!!


(deep breath)


SO...Chapter One / Day Two...here's a few photos of today's work.


Actually...let's start with today's 20% chance of rain...very funny...over 100% reality but as always...lovely...soggy but lovely.

Beloved Washington Square Park...my stroll to the shop

An assortment of chapeaux blocked by Moi today... "Les Buns in le oven!"

Le Cloche to BE!

A "Custom" chapeau

Close up of the beauty that is "Sisal"

Today's Stats:
Chapeaux Blocked - 4
Chapeaux Sewn - 1
Chapeaux Trimmed - 1
Chapeaux Sized - 6
Chapeaux Sold - 3
Other items sold - 1
Customer Service interventions - 1


Fuel:
Breakfast - yogurt / coffee
Lunch - half turkey sandwich/ salad (really GOOD trader joe's salad with gorgonzola, walnuts, balsmic!)
Snack - fig cookie/ organic carrots
Dinner - raisin bran/soy milk 
Snack - popcorn / an upstate NY IPA
(after emergency drama (artichoke story below) I dipped into tomorrow's brew...an upstate NY Pale Ale (you will understand)


Low points today:
The 20% chance of rain going to over a 100% reality sort of hit all of NYC unprepared.  Sure we all had our umbrella's but my footwear felt like a river...a river literally did run through it.


After enjoying a Hot Deluxe Epsom Salt Chai Ginger Bath I put a beautiful artichoke on the stove to steam for tomorrow's lunch.  I then settled in for a long overdue chat with my bestie on my Brand New IPHONE!!! After chatting for quite sometime my housemate tapped on my door..."FRICK THE CHOKE!!!"


Hence...burned artichoke (actually choke ok)BUT pan...not so much.  My frugal $1.29 lunch is likely going to cost me a brand new stainless steel sauce pan with lid.  FrICK!!!


Highpoints today: Always end with the Highpoints!

Today was my first day with this new tool, my iphone.  I have waited for a long time to get this.  I enjoyed listening to the first few chapters of The Art Of Money Getting by P.T.Barnum (of Barnum and Bailey's Circus, etc)...QUITE INTERESTING!!!!


On train ride home I listened to the beginning story in the Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang.  The first story is great but I am too tired to re-tell it...nor do I think it will interest you...but I might tomorrow!

I requested Brilliant Advice for keeping my Wits healthy and balanced through all of this. So far I have received Excellent Advice (thank YOU!):

.Donna says "Breathe" (check!)
.Erika suggests "long walks to and from" (check!) 
.Joseph suggests "12oz. water upon waking (CHECK! Just went and got a Brita for my room...kept hydrated ALL DAY/EVERYDAY!!!)
.Jenni P suggests "Meditation (!),  brain energizing foods, omegas3s, guarana, magnesium, exercise"(great grocery list!)
.Myra Jane suggests "Simple....start your day with the Lord and all will be fine!!!" (Amen to that!)
.Cari suggests "remembering to Laugh!!!"  (Brilliant!)
.Kimberly reminds me to "Take a real guilt free lunch AND a walk!!!" (YES!!!!!!)
.Rose suggested "connecting with an animal" (I take this as I will pet some cute dogs along the way and when the sun comes out will have a morning in the dog park (sans dog) just to love on the dogs there!)

I LOVE MY PEEPS!!!
Brilliant ALL OF YOU! 



Anyhow, This Day Two of Chapter One!


See you...laters!

Sometimes...

This is One of Those Times.  I seem to have them often which leads me to think...THIS IS A  HABIT!

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............................

I will leave "that" thought drifting along side the stream I drift along with.

I am pondering quite a bit...quite a bit.

deep breath.

surrender.

thrive.

push through?

or just be in "It".  Not loving or liking but Being.

Aaaah, You already know this!  If fact, lots of you have told me this.  I have heard "It" in Your Voices.  Some face to face, screen to screen, ear to ear, word to word, link to link...I have heard You.

The voice that I hear the strongest is my own.  As with most folks.  It is the voice of my Spirit rising up like a strong and mighty tree.  It is a voice that makes me sit taller when it speaks.  It is not  screaming loud...no.  It is a soft undertone of wisdom.  It is a voice that reminds me of who I am.  How could  possibly doubt my true self?  It's all of my spirit.  ALL OF ME.

So when this powerful Beloved arises and speaks words that bring me back to center...and if I can possibly hear Myself, if it is my Heart speaking, then I can slide deeply into My Center.

currently sliding.

............................... days later............

Wednesday...

. feeling "pressure" to do DO DO!!!

What UP!!

Oh Henri (Bendel's), you fickle man...is it worth all this DO DO DO!!!  Are you sure???  I am not so sure.  Not at all.  I can fake myself into thinking I am sure...but I am not.  NOT AT ALL!

And then I am stressed!  I mean, phone turned off, bank over drawn (Whaaaaa!?!?), bills in earlier than expected, me still late even if they came when I thought they would...me working FULL TIME!  Me showing up!  Me striving, striving, striving, and ...here's the Good News!

GOOD NEWS!!!!

I am fully desiring to WORK FOR MYSELF!!!  And I am fearful about "the bills"...yet HERE I AM!  Unable to do what I really want to do, which is WORK ON MY COLLECTION, PUT TOGETHER MY PACKAGE, GROW MY BUSINESS...etc.

Instead, I am working this month, 5 days a week (to help out and, I thought, save some money)...but I am not saving any money...I am sinking deeper then when I worked three days!

.... SO... Lesson Learned...it's going to be fine when I am on my own.  I'm not financially any better off working for someone either. 

AND even more important...I NEED TO PASS THIS TEST!!!  SO I can go on to the Next Level!!!

I AM READY!

I AM WILLING!

I AM ABLE!!!!

YES I AM!!!

p.s.

Happy New Season!!!  Happy Spring Time!!!

Choice Snippets From My Week

Aaaaah....technology!  Spoiler alert there is delay between my voice and the video...after endless attempts I say "Suck it!"  It tis what it tis!

I didn't want to re-do the shoot because I say everything I want to so naturally it is worth, even, simply, a listen. 

So if you feel dizzy...sit back, close your eyes, and go from there!

With love...

                         

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Sensuous Beauty with the beautiful Dae Williams

http://daewilliams.com/

My New Favorite Discovery ...

http://www.rightbrainbusinessplan.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rightbrainbusinessplan

The Brilliant Don E. Wells Jr.

http://outsourcedvideomarketing.com/

Lets Get WELLthytm with Dream Warrior Jenni P

http://dreamwarriorjennip.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-Get-WELLthy/284880488245274

Have a Blessed Day!
xoxoxo

Let Me Eat Cake!

Chocolate Cake for Breakfast?  

It's that sort of day.  A day that rarely happens (in fact I can not remember the last time, if ever, I have indulged so), making this Extra Special.

What brought about such a ridiculous way to start my day?  Well a walk by a bakery yesterday helped.  I walked in and thought I really want cake.  I want to celebrate the abundance of knowledge pouring into my brain, the love pouring out of my heart, and the sweetness of my soul.

I chose chocolate with rainbow sprinkles.  

And then I forgot about it till around 12:30am when all of the sudden I was like "CAKE!"... but I used my wisdom and promised myself a deluxe breakfast! 

I make wise choices.

As well, this is the end of one way of life as I prepare the commencement of a New Way of Life!

I am diving soul first into a WELLNESS WAY.

It is time to strengthen and clear out, fuel my body to keep up with the amazing journey I am on called My Life and after this over indulgent breakfast, it is time for All Things Great For Me.


Not just comforting, nor just satisfying, but really GREAT for me. Full of vitamins, food that makes my system smile.

It's not just about food and exercise...My Wellness encompasses ALL aspects of divine health.  How I think, my spiritual journey, how I represent myself, what brings me joy.

It's a new month and coming upon Spring it is indeed a time for new bud-lings of the glorious flowers that are Me!


Are you feeling somewhat the same way?  Well my dear friend Jenni P Parker Brown has collaborated to start a Let's Get WELLthytm campaign.  She has taken this quest on so gracefully and beautifully offering a free e-book from her website: 
http://dreamwarriorjennip.com/


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-Get-WELLthy/284880488245274

I am super excited!  Also, I am SO OPEN to tips and recipes for great healthy food choices and fun exercise ideas, etc.  I encourage you to please share, pass this on, encourage, join, be and stay Your Very Best!
 
So for this moment Let Me Eat Cake!  


Have a beautiful weekend!