Little Free Library

About a month and a half ago I heard about something called LittleFreeLibrary.org - It's one of the coolest things ever. Little Free Library's are popping up all around the world. My official registration number is 7500. The organizations' goal is to have more libraries than Carnegie. Now that's a big goal (and at the rate Little Free Library's are popping up, they'll reach that goal!
I'm working on my little library and it's become far larger of a project than I could have imagined. Not only did I increase the size of my little library (generally they are about one foot by one foot) but I had this cleaver idea to make a mini library diorama in the top part of it. I've always loved diorama's and this one beats any shoe box craft I ever made. I'm not real keen on using power saws, not because I am without skill, but because a good work area for wood working at my home is non-existent.
I don't like having projects hanging over my head for long and this one is going on a month, so I'm a bit frustrated, but I'll get there. Thanks to my dear friends the diorama part is finished....now phase 2 starts- getting the sections completed for the books. My little library will have both a children's section and a grown-up's section. Below are pictures of my project so far. When it's finished, I plan to have a little block party to invite friends and neighbors. I'll keep you posted!

This is the corner of the front yard I reconfigured for the Little Library.

Of course I had to add a sign to let neighbors and passers by know what I am up to.

I got this little chicken coop on Craigslist for $20.

It's multiple openings will make great sections for kids and grown-ups.

This is the start of my diorama. I started by painting little books on the shelves.

More painted books.

The little diorama before it went into the little library roof top.

A peek through the little hole to see the diorama.

We closed off one of the three doors - this will be the
back side of the little library.

You know you haven't written a Blog in a while when......

I went blank for a minute when I went to login. What? How could this be? Truly, it's been THAT long since I've written a Blog! So long, that, I almost forgot what my username was. This makes me sad.

My excuse is not without good reason though....

It all started back at the end of May when I headed down to Northern California to help my sister. Actually it was a bit more than help, I actually had signed on to be gaurdian of my 8 year old niece for the month when my sister was attending a special project. I had rented a truck to drive down to Chico where the weather is HOT even in May. 108 degrees to be exact. Okay, well, that wasn't that hot every day, but you get the picture. My sister left a few days after my arrival and the plan was for me to stay with my niece until her school was out then head back to Washington. Negatives of the trip: A/C went out in the rental truck. Radiator died in the rental truck and I spent an entire day in the shop baby sitting the shop manager who was more concerned with weekend ahead than about the fact I was in a strange town in a rental car. Got it fixed, finally (and yes, the rental company paid for it. and No, they couldn't just swap out vehicles, because it was a little local company) Positives of the trip: Reconnecting with family I hadn't seen in a long time. and Swimming in my sisters lovely pool while I was there.
I get back to Washington on the 11th of June- rushing to get back to film another episode of my show 'Port Orchard Living'. Once home, I was told by the Production Company that their schedule had changed and that we couldn't film during the week anymore and that the next couple weekends weren't good either. That put a wrench in my upcoming series plan. Okay, plan B. Now working (volunteer) with BKAT (Bremerton Kitsap Access Television) on a show called 'Cruising Kitsap'- Stardom may be in my future yet. (although I am still a bit sad about the current demise of the 'Port Orchard Living' show). My niece and I did lots and I mean LOTS of cool stuff while she was here. I could even say I may possibly be the best tour guide in the world (but perhaps that's pushing it...)
My sister finished her project and came to Washington for a week (again, tour guide- yes, I rocked it!). My niece and sister both left Monday. Today is my 3rd full day without a child around. It's really quiet in my world. I filmed with the new show the day after they left and yesterday I did some errands and yard work. Today I'm meeting with a friend about a volunteer project idea I have and possibly meeting with a new client also.
I never understood the term 'empty nest' until now- and I only had a kid for a little over a month.....

Upscale Consignment and More!

I had another first last week. It was the first time I had been into Twice Around The Closet, a consignment shop located at 585 Bethel Ave in Port Orchard. I've considered myself a seamstress for most of my life and when it comes to fabric and clothing, I feel I have a good eye. Quality is quality period. Upon entering the store you'll notice the quality and selection of items. They don't accept every piece of clothing, nor do they sell brand names that are known to be of inferior quality. They do sell nice, clean recycled clothing (and accessories) that are in excellent condition. The store has a wide selection of woman's clothing in all sizes. It has a shoe department that might make think you're in an upscale boutique. There's also a small housewares department located in the back of the store with the children's clothing and toys. I've been there 3 times in the last week. I bought a few items the first two times and nothing today, although I did drop some items off to consign. Port Orchard doesn't offer many retail choices for clothing and I'm thrilled to find one that offers a variety of fashion at a fair price.

Lessons From Grade School

There's a book called 'Everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten'. I can't say I've read the book from cover to cover, but I can say I have thumbed through it and have a pretty good idea what it's about. There are a lot of good things we are taught that seem to get forgotten as we get older. One such thing is something my Great Grandmother used to remind me over and over. 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all'. Unfortunately, I say things that aren't nice sometimes. I don't mean to, but I am human and it happens. I can't think of one instance where my conscience hasn't made me pay the price for my choices that are outside of 'the golden rule'.

I often wonder how people could feel any differently. How is it that some folks feel they have the right to rudely regard other individuals. Words can hurt. I think when words are used purposely to be hurtful that is the worst! Words used accidentally can be hurtful also, but at least they don't include malice. I learned that the hard way many years ago when a quickly written email was mis-understood and I realized what a huge mistake I had made. It took me over a year to not think about it everyday. That was a long time to feel so terrible inside about something I had done: I made someone feel bad and despite that not being the intent it was the effect. It was a good lesson in life and an important lesson in business.
As I continue to develop my business I am grateful for the lessons that life teaches me every day.

One of my all time favorite quotes is:

Watch your thoughts they become words,
Watch your words they become your actions,
Watch your actions they become your habits,
Watch your habits they become your character,
Watch your character it becomes your destiny.
(Author Unknown)

It's not a long journey from words to destiny. If only life were that simple all the time.....
....Or is it?

Views and Kindness

Throughout my life I have read various books about the best ways to work with people and employees; management styles and even corporation-type biographies. I've learned a lot and have had ample opportunity to test the methods I've read and studied about. Some styles work for me, others don't. One factor, however, remains paramount as far as I am concerned and that factor is kindness. I'm a firm believer that troubling times and hardships can be won with a good attitude and a kind spirit.

Recently, my attention has been drawn to the words of a local business owner and how those words relate to real life.  I've known Amy Igloi, owner of Amy's On The Bay for about 7 or 8 years. We aren't close friends but then we probably would be if we spent time together outside of the social requirements for work. I remember when Amy first moved to town and when her restaurant opened. She's been a great asset to the Port Orchard Community and to the various Boards and Committees she has spent her time on.  Amy's management style is a rare jewel in the business world. She not only relies on her employees to do their given jobs, but she also relies on them to take part in business decisions she presents to them during staff meetings. Of course, as owner, she has the final say- but in most situations she chooses her staff as her 'boardroom' allies if you will. Changes to procedure are discussed and everyone's views are taken into account. Yes, I know what you're thinking- and you are right - this form of management style won't work for everyone. Another aspect of this I have yet to mention is that Amy also often thanks her employees for choosing to work for her. She respects and values their time and expresses the honor it is that they have made the choice to work under her employ. In fact, you may be hard pressed to find something Amy has said or had written about her that doesn't include kudos for those who work with her.

I had not been to Amy's On The Bay in sometime and last weekend some friends and I decided to give it a go even though we could see the restaurant was packed. Tables full of people, the clinging of dishes in the busy Friday night atmosphere, I observed something wonderful. Something I've often seen disappear in a busy restaurant atmosphere. Teamwork.
Like the cogs of a well oiled wheel, I watched the staff members work together to serve the restaurant guests. Waitstaff assisting each other in another 'section' was a common site. I was a waitress in my twenties and wish I could have had the experience of teamwork of this magnitude.

Kudos to you Amy Igloi. Keep up the wonderful work. Not only are you running a successful business, you are sharing your success with your employees. When everyone wins, no one loses.
Good Job!

I Missed the Condolences

For the past two and a half years, since I've lived in the downtown area, my dog and I have often strolled downtown on our daily walks. The quiet squeak of my tennis shoes and the pitter patter of Zigi's paws are often the only sounds as we stroll quietly past storefronts on early morning walks. We often stop along the front windows of Bay Street Custom Picture Framing to say hello to our friend Squirt, the round, orange tabby cat. Sadly, Squirt passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 31st this past year.  Zigi loved Squirt a lot. He knew the cat by name and I always had a hard time pulling him away without a glimpse of that furry feline.

We had been wondering were Squirt was and sadly just found out this past Friday that he had gone to greater Catnip Pastures. I can't help but wipe a tear from my eye as I write these words. I've known my dog, Zigi, since the 9th day of life when I picked him out and named him. We have had a lot of great times together since he became this Girl's best friend over the past eight plus years. Many mornings as we walked the Port Orchard Marina I'd say to Zigi, 'Do you want to go see Squirt?' My little dog would start wagging his tail and head toward the corner of Harrison and Bay Street. He would jump up toward the window and stretch his neck until he could see Squirt inside the store. Sometimes Squirt played hard to get and other times he was very friendly. In either case, we sure loved that cat and will sure miss him. 

Here's a little more information about our friend:

Squirt Jackson was born in 1996. He lived a long life of almost seventeen years and worked his entire life in Customer Relations at Bay Street Custom Picture Framing. He enjoyed every day and greeted customers with a smile and pat on the leg. He will be missed by many merchants and frame shop friends. 

Squirt lived a good life and had a wonderful owner, Mallory Jackson who owns the shop. A lot of kitties aren't so lucky. Animal Rescue Families is an animal outreach organization that works hard to place pets in homes where they are loved and safe. They are always in need of food, blankets, toys and other pet comforts for cats (and dogs). I got the idea when I read Squirt's obituary - what a great one - to donate in honor of a pet we've loved so that another pet may live a better, healthier life. 

May you have all the tuna you can eat and all the milk you can lick up sweet Squirt, you will be missed.

You Super Star You!

I have to admit. It's been a great week. Actually, April turned into a pretty darn good month. And May is off with a fantastic start! I can honestly say that my only complaint with myself recently has been that I'm not taking enough time to get out into the Port Orchard Community and talk to/meet business owners. In my mind there is a fine line between 'selling' what I do and just living the life I am creating for myself. I do hope to (eventually) meet every single business owner. I would love to be a walking referral system. The truth is however, that I can't possibly wear the hat of sales person at this point. Little by little I'll get to new businesses. Or maybe I can clone myself and do it faster!
This week I saw the realization of a life time dream. I got my own microphone. (Just kidding, that's only part of the realization). Having grown up in Burbank, CA (it's not my fault I was born there) near the home of NBC Studios, I always saw myself as someone who had something to say (that hopefully others wanted to listen to). I pretended I had a reality show a decade before they really existed. (Some might call this crazy, I prefer 'creative'). And now, I am creating my own show: Port Orchard Living. It's actually a webcast program which means we will record it and then after edits are made, will publish it to PortOrchardLiving.org, YouTube, facebook etc. 'We' is me, a videographer and a producer. This first episode is about the upcoming Port Orchard Public Market and should be released in a day or two! Woot!.......So, yeah, this week I did get my own microphone. Best May Day ever, I'd say! Seriously, though, I am really enjoying learning more of a journalistic style of writing. I've learned camera shots and angles, learned how to write an investigative report and interview questions, written filming disclaimers and completely broken out of any hesitant shell I might have had. It's a good, a most wonderful feeling to be doing what I love and loving what I am doing. It feels like I have finally 'arrived' in my own life if that makes any sense.

Happy as I am, life has been a bit crazy lately and I actually left my phone behind and then spent 4 hours without it. They were the hardest four hours of my life. (HA HA! Just kidding, OF COURSE!!)  I did find it very interesting how many times I reached for my phone. To check the weather forecast, to check the time, to check my email, to check the web, to use my calculator, oh and most importantly to call my husband so he knew where I was! I didn't even know his phone number by heart. That really got me thinking about how much I rely on technology for my life. Don't miss understand me, I won't change that, but I will keep it in mind. I ended up going by the work place of a friend, borrowed a phone and looked up my husbands phone number. I survived the great cell phone debacle of 2013!

On a different topic, I'm walking much better and if you've read my earlier blogs you know all about it my walking issues. Never, ever, ever take walking for granted. It's such a blessing! Physical Therapy is helping a lot. I realize how badly I am out of shape from my injuries. I'm so grateful to have health insurance coverage that will help me overcome these obstacles. I was told I shouldn't attempt to run again, but I have faith I'll be back to walking completely normal without pain soon!

I wish my blog was more substance tonight, but I just don't have it in me. It's been a long week and it's gonna be a long weekend. I've got multiple engagements this weekend and sleeping in, isn't on the list- but then doing chores and yard work isn't either.