Happy Arbor Day!!

Today is Arbor Day.  Plant a tree, but not just any tree.  Plant a tree, indigenous to your area, that also bears fruit.  The same benefit of oxygen returned to the air with the added bonus of fruit to eat!

The Weekend

I have decided to discontinue posting on the weekends.  As part of being mindful, I realized that I was putting an extreme amount of stress upon myself by attempting to post six or seven days a week.

To relieve that stress, I will only be posting Monday through Friday.  That does not, however, mean that I am not available on my Facebook fan page.  Feel free to stop by, give a shout out, or let me know what you would like to see me write about or try on the blog.  All suggestions are welcome!

Also in the spirit of relieving stress, I would be happy to post guest blog posts.  If you have something to say, that won't fit in a tweet or status, let me know.  I must qualify, however, that any posts with racist, sexist, or bigoted subject matter will be summarily rejected.  I do retain editorial control.

Enjoy your weekend...I plan to do the same!

Love,

Jerri

Being Creative

One of the added bonuses to my mindful journey, besides the reduction of just stuff, is the time I have freed every weekend to spend being creative.

Whether a quick jewelry kit picked up off the clearance rack (of course!) or something I saw posted on Facebook, being able to create, even if only for a few minutes does wonders for my soul.  Having my jewelry tools in hand, or getting out my power drill, makes me feel not only productive, but proud.

Whatever you decide to create, it doesn't have to be expensive.  The planter pictured below was made from a $2 colander and 80 cent spoons.  The wine charms?  Free beads I had received and small hoop earrings purchased for $2 a pack at Walmart.  The bracelets? Another $2 score off the clearance rack at Hobby Lobby!  Pretty amazing what $2 and a bit of time can accomplish.

Get creative.  Head over to your local craft store and see what speaks to you.  If a larger hobby, buy your equipment over a few weeks so you don't kill the budget.  Do what makes you happy.  If you start to run out of room for your creations, spread the joy and give them as gifts.  Everyone loves to receive a gift that they know was made with love.

Remember, it doesn't always take a lot of money to create something beautiful.  All it really takes is you.

Love,

Jerri

Mindful

One of the main things I have learned in my reduction experiment this year is to be mindful.  Not only mindful of the things and people I cherish, but mindful of my environment, what and who I bring and allow into my environment, and mindful of the path I have chosen.

Now, I am extremely protective over who I allow into my circle, with whom I spend time, and on whom I expend my energy.  My time is precious and limited.  I spend it on those people and those activities that bring me joy.

Before I make a purchase, I am mindful of where it will reside in my home, can I do without it, and can my money be used for a bigger goal.  For example, I was window shopping this weekend and saw a cute dress marked down.  Before I left the store, it was back on a rack as I had no immediate need for it and that money could be better used making my home into my nest.

Before I do anything, I ask myself if I love it, if I need it, and if it will further me on my path.  Being mindful is not the same as being selfish.  It is about protecting my time, emotions, and resources.  It is about enjoying my life.  It is being mindful of the actions I take and the butterfly effect each has.

Be mindful.  Look around your environment and make sure it is full of things that bring you joy.  You will be amazed at how being mindful changes your life.

Love,

Jerri

Divided We Fall

What is it with women?  Why, when we are already fighting for our rights in a male-dominated society, do we attack and demean each other?  Why are organizations consisting of all women implode from the in-fighting and cattiness?

For some reason, and one I do not understand, a strong woman seems to threaten other women.  If a woman steps up and takes a leadership role, there are always those women who then seem to make it their mission to take her down a notch or ten.  They deem it irrelevant that her strength will lift them also, they rush to make sure she knows "her place."

Only by working together can women succeed.  No more working mom versus stay-at-home mom. No more leader versus town gossip.  No. More.

United we must stand.

Love,

Jerri

Happy National Pet Parents' Day!!

Happy Passover!!

Buddy Check on 22!

I read the following article on the New York Times yesterday.  It resonated with me as I am a veteran and because I believe its message is vitally important.  Hence, the extra post today.

Here is the article:  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/us/veterans-suicide-22-social.html?_r=0

Every day in the United States, we lose 22 veterans to suicide.  Not only is this number completely unacceptable, it is heartbreaking.  22 is 22 too many.  Buddy Check on 22 encourages veterans of military units to check in every month on the 22nd.  It has already saved at least one veteran who had planned to commit suicide.

It is incredibly easy to lose track of time and, thus, lose track of people.  How often have you looked at Facebook and thought "Hmmm...So-and-so hasn't posted in a while..."  I know I'm guilty.  Life gets busy, we get distracted, and well-meaning intentions fall to the wayside.  

Does this mean that I don't love and care about the people I served with any less?  No.  What it does mean is that I need to do and be better.  For all my fellow veterans, use your social media.  Post a roll call.  If someone doesn't answer, go looking for them.  It is one day a month and only a few minutes of your time.  But that tiny bit could make all the difference to a veteran in pain.

#22TooMany #IPromiseToListen

Love,

Jerri

Earth Day

The Thursday Ten

We have covered a number of subjects, tasks, and goals on the Thursday 10.  I would like to wrap up this feature with a list of some of the salient points we have touched upon.

1.  Re-use.  If possible, upcycle what you already have for a new use.

2.  Reduce.  The truth is that we all have way more stuff than we need.  If this was not the case, storage units would not be a multi-billion dollar industry.

3.  Recycle.  When possible, keep what you can out of a landfill.  The old adage that one man's trash is another man's treasure is the truth!!

4.  Eliminate.  Whether it be clutter or toxic people, eliminate those things from your life that do not bring you joy.

5.  Protect.  Protect yourself from those in your life that bring dissent, complaints, and misery.

6.  Preserve.  Take care of the items you own.  You thought them important enough to have them in your life, treat them with the respect they deserve.

7.  Learn.  Learn those tips and tricks necessary to live a simpler, more peaceful life.

8.  Mourn.  Mourn the loss of the things you have released.  At one time, they had meaning.

9.  Let go.  Let go of the emotions tied to the people and things you have released.  Carrying those emotions is just another burden.

10. Move Forward.  Nothing is gained by remaining in the past.  As the saying goes, there is a reason the windshield is larger than the rear-view mirror.  A simpler, calmer, more joyous future awaits.

Thus ends the Thursday Ten.  As tomorrow is Earth Day, put some of these practices into action and honor Mother Earth.  She is the only one we have and her resources are finite.  Don't waste them.

Love,
Jerri

A Couple of Things...

Just a few blog-related things to review...

1.  The only way this blog makes money (other than that "Donate" button!) is by my beloved readers clicking on the ads.  In no way are you required to purchase anything, but I do make a couple of cents per click!

2.  The ads don't show up if you're reading the blog on your phone.  Don't forget to check out the page from your computer!

3.  Please review the commenting policy.  I enforce it strictly for the safety and comfort of all concerned.

4.  Make sure you like the Facebook fan page here:  https://www.facebook.com/JerrisEmptyNest/

5.  Be sure to check out the Money Maker tab for ways to earn a little mad money!

6.  Check out the Shopping and Shopping Apps tabs for great ways to shop AND save money!

7.  In addition to the Facebook page, you can follow the blog directly.  Sign up where you see this picture on the right-hand side of the page.

8.  If you have any topics you would like me to cover or questions you would like answered, please let me know!

9.  Guest bloggers are welcome!  Give me a shout if you would like to take over for a day!

10. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here for the last five years!!

With all my love and gratitude,

Jerri

Thank You

First off, I would like to thank all of you for sticking with me while I took some much-needed time off.  

During my time off, I lost a beloved friend to multiple myeloma.  I hate f...ing cancer!!!  This woman was a beam of light, love, and joy.  Fortunately, she was aware her time was approaching.  Through Facebook, we were all able to say our goodbyes and express our love.  She leaves a hole that will never be filled.

In this time of conflict, particularly with the elections approaching, it is important to not only remember Roberta's example but carry it forward.  As I have written numerous times before, always be kind.  We do not know what goes on behind anyone's closed door.  Be kind.  People, even close friends and family, are dealing with trials and tribulations of which we know nothing.  By being kind, by showing love, by being compassionate...we can provide support to those who need it without even being aware we are doing so.

Be kind.  Be loving.  Be compassionate.

Roberta will always be carried in my heart.

Love,

Jerri

It's Tax Day!!