No.5 Good Morning to Smiling Shirley Temple

I have been very diligent with doing a light exercise every morning for several years.
Including a recharging exercise, Japanese radio exercise, balancing one foot, push up on the wall, stretching legs and arms and deep breathing.

I have hanged the attached vintage Shirley Temple’s photo right on the wall where I do the balancing on foot.
I would count 20 for each foot watching straight at the Shirley Temple’s cute smile.
It’s a nice way to start a new day with exchanging smiles.

No.4 Night Time Prayer

I used to pray right before going to bed, and I shouldn’t say this loud, but, as quickly as possible because I was too sleepy.
So, I changed the time.
I started to have a short prayer moment sitting on the floor comfortably after finishing dinner any times when I would feel comfortable.
It is more relaxing and like taking a meditation.
I am going to make it a custom to ring a small bell praying for the world peace.
Love and peace to all sisters and brothers sharing the same this mother earth.

No.3 Dusting and Covering Electronic Equipments

For cleaning, vacuuming is the first priority and I have a hard time to make an extra cleaning time for dusting furniture.
I remember somebody said something like take it easy, relax, just to think a little bit dusts would be good to protect furniture.
Um, that was nice to hear, that was what I thought, but, I knew it was getting too dusty in my room and it had been bothering me.
So, today, I took a time to dust a TV, a CD player, a DVD shelf and a printer and found it difficult to clean the all dusts out from electronic equipments due to the small holes and such and the heavy weight to move.
And, I came up with an idea, “Why didn’t I cover them with some kinds of fabrics?”
After cleaning them up, I used Japanese furoshikis and vintage lines to cover each of them.
I hope this will keep them from getting dusts and make a cleaning easier in the future.

No.2 A Cup of Tea Time

It was really a cup, but, instead of having a tea for breakfast in the kitchen, I brought the tea to my room and sat in the chair that I had put a new slip cover yesterday and had a cup while listening to a Michael Jackson’s “Hold My Hand” from a CD, Michael.
It was so comforting. It was just several minutes, but, Michael Jackson’s voice was so soft and warm, and it was like shimmering in the music for several minutes.
Starting a day with just listening to a beautiful singing for several minutes was a rich experience.
And, I am going to make it a daily habit.

Today, I made an easy and quick picture frame utilizing a February sheet from a 2011 calendar that I have been using.
The paper says, “Live the Life You’ve Imagined.”
That’s a perfect motto for me to read every day.

Starting 365 Small Steps No.1 Spil Cover

Re-organizing and de-cluttering my rooms have been always in my mind. Probably over two years, I had enjoy checking in books and magazines regarding re-organizing, interior designs, garden designs and such but couldn’t start to do anything. And, it was my fault.
“O My God,” just recently I have noticed, “Another spring cleaning season has been passing.”
It’s really time for me to start to clean up my mess with 3Rs in mind and will transform my rooms into comfortable and lovely ones.
“Let’s make it a project and start to make a detailed plan.” This will not work for me.
“Every day, just do something small that I usually don’t do.” This is what I am going to do.
And, starting TODAY. (I told myself in an assertive voice to let me start.)
So, today is the day.

Today’s small thing: Putting a slip cover over a chair in poor condition.
My cat used to own this chair and scratched all over the surface.
I had checked several stores in order to buy a slip cover but I found only few selections were available and they were too pricy. Actually, I couldn’t find any designs I liked.
I have several curtains (43”w x 46”h) that I don't use at home.
I covered the chair with 4 pieces of them and put a vintage dresser liner. No sewing was necessary.
It was easy.
I like to keep the 4 pieces unsown so that it would be easier to wash.
And, I will keep the edges loose so that my cats can enjoy hiding behind the fabrics.

Replacing Broken Glass Frame

I purchased a vintage framed print for $4.00 at a thrift store. The original glass was broken. I wanted to keep the original frame so I took the artwork to a local glass store instead of a frame store. The glass store could take out the broken glass without damaging anything and replaced a new glass(41"W x 17"H) for $20.00. It was much better deal than reframing at a frame store. I am very happy with the result.

Foothills Animal Shelter

I have been visiting the Foothills Animal Shelter for several months.
The new building is a very nice shelter for cats and dogs and other small animals who are waiting for a new home.
Especially, I love spending a time at the cats adoption corner. All cats are so daring, and actually, I can get a chance to socialize with some cats in person. Every time when I visit the cats, I feel so recharged with happy feeling.
And also, it's a great place to know there are so dedicated volunteers who work for saving animals and sharing their love.

Foothills Animal Shelter
http://www.foothillsanimalshelter.org
Hours and LocationFoothills Animal Shelter is open to the public:
Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Address: 580 McIntyre Street, Golden, CO, 80228
Phone: 303.278.7575