more inspiration from zig

ambition + perserverence + determination = a better you

Walking or Jogging for Health

By Zig Ziglar

In 1972, I weighed well over 200 pounds and my career was moving ahead very, very slowly.  I decided I needed to do something about my weight and my health but, frankly, I didn’t realize that career and family benefits would also come my way.  I started jogging and eating sensibly, and though it took me about nine months to really get enthusiastic about my lifestyle change, results began to show within the first month.  The weight started dropping, my endurance and energy levels increased and, finally, after over nine months, the enjoyment breakthrough came.

I was in Portland, Oregon, jogging on Portland State University Campus.  It was “high noon” and I had a seminar to conduct later that day.  As I was jogging, it suddenly occurred to me that I was actually enjoying myself.  It was fun.  I was breathing easily and literally enjoying every step of my run. 

That day I changed my vocabulary.  For years I’d been telling people with passion in my voice that you had to “pay the price” if you were going to be successful.  Today I tell people, “You don’t pay the price for success—you pay the price for failure.  You enjoy the benefits of success.  You don’t pay the price to build a good marriage; you enjoy the benefits of that good marriage.  You don’t pay the price for good health; you enjoy the benefits of good health.”

It’s amazing what the change in vocabulary can do for the enjoyment of what you do.  When I was in my 70’s my doctor, Dr. Ken Cooper, switched me from jogging to walking, I walked at a very brisk pace and, have maintained my weight and my energy level is unusually high.  My resting heart rate is 48, my cholesterol level is 152, and my blood pressure is 126 over 62.  That’s the reason I am convinced beyond any doubt that you really do enjoy the benefits of taking care of yourself.   Think about it.  Take care of you, and I’ll SEE YOU AT THE TOP! 

hope for the world

Wishing you all a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a healthy, happy and prosperous

2012!!

from zig

Why I Believe in Christmas

By Zig Ziglar

It’s the first Christmas I can remember. It arrived just seven weeks after the deaths of my father and baby sister. To make matters worse, it was in the heart of the Great Depression. Things were tough. All of us children who were older made what income contributions we could, but the truth was my mother had eight of her eleven remaining children still living at home, and six were too young to work. Understandably, the Ziglar kids were concerned about what kind of Christmas it would be!

The good news is that though our grief was fresh, we still celebrated Christmas. We received no toys that year, but much to my delight in my gift box I found three English walnuts and something I had never tasted before—raisins! They were absolutely delicious.  Mama prepared her wonderful molasses candy and we had a small cedar tree. And my mother read the Christmas story, like she always did.

My sixth Christmas will always have great meaning to me. We celebrated the birth of Christ even in hard times because we believed in Christmas.

A CHANGE IN CELEBRATING THE SEASON

Unfortunately, over the years things have changed. The cheerful “Merry Christmas” of yesteryear has been replaced by the politically correct “Happy Holidays!” In the minds of many people we celebrate “holidays.” Not only is Christ not at the center of the celebration, he isn’t even considered to be the reason for the season!

If I seem upset about the changes that I see taking place in regard to Christmas, it is because I am! It’s not because an old tradition is being changed. No, I’m upset that the event that made it possible for me to have a life I could never have imagined is being hidden from view with decorations, wrapping paper, parties and political correctness!

CHRISTMAS! A REASON TO CELEBRATE

You see, I believe it’s worth celebrating that Jesus came to earth—His birth signaled hope for all mankind. I believe that as he lived out a perfect life before God and mankind, he showed that he truly was God’s Son. And I believe that by giving his life up on a cross, he completely paid the penalty that my sins—and yours—deserve before a holy God. And it was made possible because of that first Christmas.

How could I not believe in Christmas? Because Christ was born as a baby in a manger, that’s more than enough reason to celebrate Christmas for what it is—a joyful occasion.  I’ve experienced forgiveness of my sins and have the assurance of eternity in Heaven!

If you don’t know Jesus Christ, let me say that He tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  How do you do that? First, understand that I’m talking about a relationship, not a religion. All the world’s major religions emphasize that you qualify for heaven by your good works—the things that you do. Such “religion” is spelled “d-o.” Christianity is spelled “d-o-n-e.” Christ already paid for our sins when He died on the cross. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And he rose from the grave proving that the punishment for our sins was fully paid.

Nothing we could ever “do” could qualify us for God’s forgiveness and reserve our place in heaven.  That’s why Christ himself said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him who he has sent” (John 6:29).

CELEBRATE LIKE NEVER BEFORE!

God forgives us, saves us from our sins, and gives us eternal life based on our belief in what Jesus did for us. Why? Because God is gracious beyond measure! The Bible says that it is “…by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works…” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Though “the wages of sin is death” [eternal separation from God], the greatest Christmas gift we could ever have is “the free gift of God…eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

With gift-giving like that from God, I don’t want to lose the significance of Christmas. I believe in Christmas!

I urge you to accept the greatest “Christmas gift” you’ll ever receive: If you’re convinced that God’s way is the only way to meaningful life now and eternal life in heaven, you can tell him in words like these…“Dear God, I do believe Jesus died for me, and took the punishment my sins deserved. I want to receive your free gift of salvation and eternal life. Thank you for making this possible!”

Then join me this year in celebrating Christmas like you’ve never celebrated it before!

Merry Christmas,

Zig

on the wall....

Art always looks better on the wall in a beautiful room! I always wanted to show my art like this...it gives people a better sense of how the painting might look on their own wall. Sooooooo, with the magic of the internet, I searched for rooms that would suit my style of art, downloaded the photo, then using photoshop, I placed my artwork on the wall. LOVE how they turned out!

You may be wondering why I don't just hang my paintings on the walls in my house to photograph them.....well, for one, this way provides me with several different styles of decor, two, the photography is way better than I could do, three, it was quicker than me taking the paintings up to the house and rearranging the art and other wall decor I already have hanging (putting more holes in the wall), four, I don't have an awesome brick wall in my bedroom like the above photo, five, I don't have a fire place...which is my favorite place for a painting to hang...must I go on????

Hope you like these as much as I do :)

teaching at sauder village this summer

I am so excited to announce that I will be teaching a workshop in 2012 during "Rug Hooking Week" in historical Sauder Village! Check out this link for all the details! It is sure to be a fun learning experience!

december give away....

another beautiful wall hanging from Heritage Lace. All you have to do to enter is comment below or on my facebook page the answer to the following question.........what is on your Christmas list this year?? Drawing will be held January 2....good luck!!

oh what a deal!

Ok...we are winding down 2011....have you ordered your 2012 calendar yet??? Actually I sold out early this year but I quickly called Amcal and they are sending me the last 20 calendars!

Here's the deal.....

Starting today, for every calendar ordered, you will receive 5 free Legacy greeting cards!! That is quite a value...and who doesn't need some spare greeting cards lying around for the occasion that "surprises" you. Click here to order.

call me crazy.....

....but guess what I did???? Last week, I signed up to be a Mary Kay independent sales consultant!!! I know what you are thinking......why? how will you find time?......I know, I know....it does seem a lil' crazy but here is how I came to my decision.

I have been using MK products for over a year now. I was invited to a friend's party, then a friend booked from that party and so on. I have been to more MK parties over the past year than I can even recall. Every time I have been to a party, our MK sales consultant, Lynn, would tell us how she got started and share all the benefits of becoming a MK consultant. I will admit, at first, I didn't pay much attention knowing this was not something I was interested in......I would think, I have no time, I am not a sales person, etc.....little did I know the seed was planted.

The more shows I went to, the closer I payed attention. I kept hearing phrases such as, flexible schedule, work when you want, inexpensive to join, no annual minimum sales required, 50% off your personal orders, average take-home income from home show $250-350, up to 13% commission checks earned when you start building your team AND when you make sales director, you earn a new car - MK pays the title, tax and 80% of your insurance!!

With all the monetary perks set aside, there are other reasons I considered joining.....meeting people. I work in my studio by myself every day - which I love and I'm not complaining because I am very focused when painting, however, I miss the "social" part of having a job. Every MK party I've been to has been so much fun. Let's face it, what woman isn't happy when trying new skin care products and makeup with all her friends?!?!?!

Back in April 2011 I almost joined then..still, I kept thinking the same thing.....time, where would I find the time to sell MK??? Recently, I had a show at my home the Friday before Halloween. The following day I thought, "what do I have to lose?" Nothing. I can start by working a few hours a couple times a week on my MK business and if nothing else, at least get the products I love 50% off.....but I really want that car!!! So there you have it.......I am now a Mary Kay independent sales consultant :)

Oh, one last thing....Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay, is such an remarkable and admirable business woman that can inspire all of us to become stronger, more confident women in everything we do......this quote is the foundation of her success:

God

first

Family

second

Career

third

november give away winner.......

YAY Lisa!!! Congratulations, you won the beautiful Heritage Lace wall hanging! Lisa use to live next door and babysat me and my brother back when I was too young to remember it!! Then when I was a teenager, I babysat her daughter a few times! I have to tell you, thanks to facebook, Lisa and I have reconnected! She lives in North Carolina now and I am still in Michigan...so glad you won, Lisa!

mother nature didn't disappoint....

 ....or did she???

well, she disappointed all the children......not enough snow to cancel school!

Rats!...maybe next time, kiddos!

tis the season.....

for Christmas......and snow!

This time of year is such a joy (and a bit overwhelming).

The Christmas music makes me smile and sing
(which terrifies the boys)

& seems to give me the boost of energy I need to make it through the long busy days.

I have yet to put up my Christmas decorations....I know.......

I usually transform our home over the Thanksgiving weekend
but this year I was

busy finishing up classroom projects for Holy Rosary Catholic School's

auction dinner (which is this Saturday!)

This weekend the decorations won't see the light of day either because
Friday
Kevin and I are setting up the booth for a show,
then off to his Remax Christmas party,

Saturday

we will be at the show all day then go directly to the auction dinner,
Sunday
we will be at the show again along with taking down the booth and loading up!

Hopefully during the upcoming week I can do a
little bit of decorating every night after dinner

....we'll see.

Oh and shopping........yeah, can't forget the shopping.....
haven't started that yet either.

I mentioned snow because who doesn't love a white Christmas?!?!

We are expecting 3-5" tonight which is a bit early if you ask me
(all the kids in the area are hoping for a snow day tomorrow).

In a perfect world it would snow a couple inches every day
the week before Christmas

(just enough so they can keep the roads clear but cover the trees and grass)

then in January, a few good 6-8" snow storms,

and come February 1st all the snow melts and it becomes spring....
dream on, right?

Hoping you all are enjoying the busy Christmas Season so far!

before

I started Turbofire yesterday and decided I had better stick to my word and post my "before" pictures. You have no idea how hard it was for me to post these pictures! BUT, it is my motivator. Two days into Turbofire....also did P90X ab ripper today.....after Thanksgiving and indulging in the left overs, I decided extra ab workouts are necessary ;)

Other things I am adding to routine to help with my quest for "abs by Easter".....I am eating only 1200 calories/day for 1 week. Then up to 1500 calories/day until I plateau (using MyFitnessPal to track EVERYTHING I eat). Consuming highly nutritional foods and drinking lots of water! I did this about five years ago (it is the Curves weight loss plan) and got down to 127lbs. I felt great! So here I go again!

I will post pictures of my progress once a month.

Etsy Sale!!

Sale this week only! Today through Monday when you check out at my Etsy shop, type in coupon code, CYBERMONDAYONLY, and you will receive 30% off your total order. 

Tuesday, Nov 29, through Friday, Dec 2, type in coupon code, CYBERMONDAY2011, at the checkout to receive 20% off your total.

Go to www.cre84life.etsy.com to start saving!!

happiness is....

a merciful God

Jesus

a joyful family

a loving husband

seeing your children smile and laugh

parents that love you unconditionally

friends that love you like family

freedom

a career that brings passion and inspiration

a home where we all gather to find shelter against a sometimes harsh world

pets that warm your heart everyday

and for all these things, I am thankful for.

WISHING YOU A JOYFUL AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING

more originals in my Etsy shop

I have added some Christmas and Winter original watercolors to my Etsy shop today. All these paintings have been licensed either on Christmas cards, quilting fabric, or candle labels. Perfect time to purchase an original to give as a gift :) 

Abs by Easter

Ok, just a quick note......Since having children I have wanted toned, non-flabby arms and a flat tummy. I have been doing the P90X dvds since March 2010. I have lost fat and better yet have toned my muscles....my legs especially! However, I want to burn more fat so the muscles that I have worked so hard to tone will show...mostly my arms and tummy! 

I will admit that over the past couple of months I haven't given it my all during the P90X workouts. Reason one is because I pulled a shoulder muscle while doing the Kenpo X workout so I am just doing three days of weights and two to three days of 30 minutes on my elliptical machine. The second reason is I think I just need a change in my workout.....I'm getting a little bored. Here is my current schedule:

Monday: P90X Legs and Back dvd

Tuesday: 30 minute elliptical

Wednesday: P90X Shoulders and arms dvd

Thursday: 30 minute elliptical

Friday: P90X Legs and Chest dvd

Saturday: 30 minute elliptical

**I also try to fit the P90X ab ripper routine in at least twice a week. 

Soooo, I have ordered TurboFire. This exercise dvd set should be what the Dr. ordered, so to speak. It is very high energy and I am hoping it will burn off the fat! It should be arriving within the next couple of weeks. At that time I will take "before" pictures of me and post them here on my blog (the thought of posting this pic terrifies the heck out of me, but I know once that picture is out there for the world to see, I will do it!) Anyone want to join me????

This is also good timing with Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays upon us! 

back home again :)

My Mom, Yvonne, went with me to the Wilton, CT folk art show this past weekend. It was a 12 hour drive and I didn't get tired once...must have been the good company! Friday, Mom and I had time to kill before we could set up the booth, so we used the GPS to find what interesting things there were to do and see in the Wilton, Connecticut area. Our first stop was the Maritime aquarium.

After a few hours at the aquarium, we searched for parks.....we wanted to see the ocean! It was cold and windy as you can tell by my Mom's picture below.

We ate lunch at the Bear Grill.....great food and atmosphere.  Then off to the Wilton High School to set up the booth.

Mom and I had a wonderful time together on this trip! We shared many many laughs and made memories we both will treasure for a lifetime. I am so blessed to have such a kind, sweet and fun-loving Mother...she is beautiful inside and out! Thanks Mom for going with me to CT and for making the show so much fun.

Wilton CT tomorrow!

"He Will Sustain You"

16" x 20" acrylic on cradled board

©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved

Mom and I are headed out tomorrow morning for the Wilton, Ct show! Praying for a safe and successful trip! I have never been to this show but have always heard great things about it. I have also never been to Connecticut (neither has Mom), so it will be an adventure for us. One thing I know for sure is that we will enjoy our time together and share many laughs! I will be sure to take lots of photos to share upon our return. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend :)

november give away

I thought this was fitting for the November give away. Heritage Lace makes these beautiful lace wall hangings. You can see their website here.

Here's how to enter.....spread the word! Repost, repost, repost! You can either repost to your blog or post my give away on your facebook page with a link to my blog. Once you have reposted, just let me know and I will enter your name in the drawing :) Thanks to all of you who enter........oh, and if someone sees your repost and enters the drawing, as long as they mention your name, I will enter you twice!!

Good Luck!

drum roll please.....

the October give away winner(s) are........

Cathy Eichorn Trombley

and

Mary Dissmore

If you are a follower of my blog you will recognize Cathy's name......this is the third month in a row that her name has been drawn!!!!  My husband, once again, said, "well you can't do that, draw another name." I replied, once again, "she won fair and square."  (Cathy must put a special mojo on her entry ;)

So, in order to give someone else a chance, I drew another name. Congratulations to Cathy and Mary!! You both won boxed Christmas cards!!

who knew???

Tomorrow is National Deviled Egg Day!!!!

photo from www.incredibleegg.org

So while making my after-workout-omelette this morning, I was watching the Rachel Ray show and she mentioned that November 2nd is National Deviled Egg Day...much to my surprise and delight!! Everyone in our house absolutely adores deviled eggs. I can remember growing up, my brother and I would dang near come to blows over the last deviled egg!!

So I want to start by sharing a tip from the RR show about how to boil the perfect egg EVERY time...so she claims. If you are like me, I would make deviled eggs more often if they peeled nice n' easy. Can't wait to try this tomorrow. Put the eggs in cold water, slowly bring to a roaring boil. Remove pot of eggs from heat, cover and let sit for exactly 10 minutes (set a timer!). Then drain the hot water and shake the pot a bit to crack the shells before putting cold water in the pot (this is the part that must do it, because I never heard of it and it make sense). She said the cold water will get inside the shell and help them to peel better. So there you have it!!

I also took a little time to look up a yummy deviled egg recipe for you to try if you want something different......tbh (acronym for "to be honest"....I'm learning from the young ones in my life) I don't know if I will do all the eggs like this tomorrow because my boys LOVE the way I prepare them and sometimes don't welcome change.

BACON & CHEDDAR DEVILED EGGS

What You Need

14 HARD-BOILED EGGS

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1-1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon

1/4 cup finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (1 oz.)

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives OR green onion tops

Here's How

1. CUT eggs lengthwise in half. REMOVE yolks to medium bowl. RESERVE 24 white halves. Finely CHOP remaining 4 white halves.
2. MASH yolks with fork. ADD mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice and pepper; mix well. ADD chopped egg whites, bacon, cheese and chives; mix well.
3. SPOON 1 heaping Tbsp. yolk mixture into each reserved egg white half. REFRIGERATE to blend flavors.

(recipe from incredible edible egg website)

ENJOY!

halloween decor

Yay, I did it!!! Not quite as extensively as I could have but the house is lookin' very Halloweenish ;) I still have a lot of pieces that didn't make the cut this year and I didn't take pictures of everything that I put out this year (gotta save stuff for next year's blog post, right?) but I am sharing some of my faves. I hosted a Mary Kay party last night and took the entire day off to clean and make food. I was so mad at myself this morning when I realized I didn't take pictures during the party or of the delicious food that I made and my wonderful friends made...all displayed in Halloween dishes! Oh well, like I said...save some stuff for next year's post, lol!

I can't forget to show you Buster and Daisy sporting their Halloween bandannas. They were groomed yesterday for the party.....they enjoyed the guests too.....although by the looks of Buster, he must have gotten into the wine!

Last but most importantly, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite sweet treats that my dear Grandma Terry use to make. Hello Dollies were just one of the delicious treats Grandma showered us with when we went to visit her. It was also one of the many hors d'oeuvres last night. (I even ate a couple this morning with my coffee!)  Another down home Missouri recipe.........

Hello Dollies
by Grandma Terry

1 stick butter

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 cups flaked coconut

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I just use the entire bag)

1 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts)

1 can (15 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Melt butter in 9 x13 pan. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs, coconut, choc chips and nuts on top and in the order given. Pour milk over all. Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Enjoy!

happy 74th

Happy Birthday! We love you Dad!

We celebrated my Dad's 74th birthday with a delicious dinner and a yummy coconut cake (& pumpkin pie, too!!). My Mom went all out! Of course while eating seconds of EVERYTHING, I remembered there would be dessert........as you can imagine I was stuffed!!! Speaking of stuffed....I want to share with you my Aunt Marsha's crock pot stuffing recipe which was on the menu for Dad's birthday.....it is THE MOST amazing comfort food on the planet!!

CROCK POT DRESSING

(I always say "stuffing" instead of "dressing"......must be a northern vs. southern thang)

2 or three chicken breasts, boiled and chopped

1 small pan corn bread, crumbled

2 to 3 cups chicken broth

4 eggs

1 can cream of celery soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 onion chopped

1 cup chopped celery

1 stick butter (or enough to took onion & celery in)

4 slices of bread, crumbled

1 Tbsp sage or poultry seasoning

salt & pepper to taste

Saute onion & celery in butter. Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Pour into greased crock pot. Cook on high for 30 minutes. Stir & cook on low 3 to 4 hours. Moist & Delicious!! (thank you, Aunt Marsha)