There is nothing that stirs my heart more than the three special words that I’ll be talking about today. In fact, there’s nothing that upsets my stomach more than these same three words. I guarantee that if you use these three little words around me that you will see me run….not walk…from the room. I’m not talking about “I love you.”  No, it’s something far more serious than that! Those three little words that guarantee that I will become ill and leave the area are…

LET’S TALK POLITICS!

In this day of severely divided political views, hatred towards people of the opposite party, and intolerance of other viewpoints, I have become emotionally allergic to political discussions. I would rather talk about anything else. In fact, today’s list is called…

“Ten Things I’d Rather Do Than Talk Politics.”

 

• I would rather have a stomach bug than talk politics.

• I would rather have a mammogram every day than talk politics.

• I would rather get a filling in my tooth with no shot to numb my mouth than talk politics.

• I would rather shovel poop behind an elephant than talk politics.

• I would rather hear a blow by blow account of someone’s infected wound bursting than talk politics.

• I would rather get an IV placed in the back of my hand than talk politics.

• I would rather clean ten gas station bathrooms than talk politics.

• I would rather listen to rap music for an hour than talk politics for five minutes. (and those of you that know how much I hate rap music will be impressed.)

• I would rather watch the horror movies of your choice than talk politics.

• I would rather be a snake handler than talk politics.

 

There. I hope that conveys my disgust for political discussions.  I just want everyone to be their normal, fun, funny, intelligent, gifted, and wonderful selves. I’m tired of being divided by political problems. We need to talk less and develop loving friendships more. We should talk about family, friends, church, communities, hobbies, jobs, Jesus, and anything else that unites us! Keep politics out of our movies and sitcoms. Let’s just develop a love for one another that will eventually help us solve our issues in a more loving and productive manner.

Listfully yours,

Vicki

Living near South Carolina’s coast (just 20 miles inland) has taught me to always be prepared for hurricane season. In the summer, we stock up on bottled water, canned foods, batteries, flashlights, first aid items, and candles. We check the flashlights, the propane tank on the grill, and the generator. When a hurricane is coming, we put away all the lawn furniture, move the potted plants into the garage, and take down bird feeders and wind chimes. We really prepare well.

I’ve also learned that there are some things for which we always forget to plan. Here’s my list of seven other unusual, but vital hurricane supplies.

A Few Good Books. During a hurricane, you may sit in your house or in a hotel somewhere and you just didn’t think to bring a couple good books to read. You will get sick of the news coverage of the storm, so fun reads are very important.

Junk Food. We all know that water, canned goods and fresh fruit are awesome food choices…but let’s face it…during a horrible storm and a boring evacuation one can never have enough Twizzlers, chips, Twinkies, Skittles, and various other joy-bringing foods. We diet and eat healthy every other time of the year. Enjoy a few unhealthy snacks while you are cooped up in the same small square footage for days on end.

A To-Do List of projects and chores. It never fails that when I’m cooped up during a storm that I get bored and can’t think of one thing to do with myself. Then, when the storm is over and I have to return to work, I begin sobbing because I didn’t paint my kitchen, didn’t finish my wreath, didn’t iron my mound of wrinkled clothing, and didn’t clean out my craft room closet. If I only remembered to make a to-do list, I would have been so far ahead of the game.

Finger Nail Polish. Yes. You heard me! You need fingernail polish in your hurricane kit. When else do you ever get to sit still enough to paint your nails?!?! It’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a home mani and pedi. Put that OPI polish in your hurricane kit right now.

A Cookbook. Again, I never have time for proper meal planning. Hurricanes are perfect times to browse a cookbook and choose a few new recipes to try that won’t include canned items like tuna and spam. You’ll be glad you packed that cook book.

Christmas Cards. Throw a box or two of Christmas cards in your hurricane supplies and on those long boring days in the house start addressing those envelopes and signing your name.  You’re welcome.

Christmas Present (Wrapped.) When June rolls around, go buy at least one family Christmas present. Maybe it will be a board game, a jigsaw puzzle, a craft kit, a remote control car or drone, or some kind of toy.  Bring the present out during the hurricane-induced-house-bound-time and celebrate something new and fun with your family. Get creative. Get silly. Have fun.

 

 

 

 

    So this isn’t the list to end all lists, but it is the list to start you thinking about your sanity during long stretches of being cooped up in your house, car, or hotel room. Try to make the most of your time with your family and try to get some enjoyment during this nerve-wracking time. Stay safe. The sun’ll come out tomorrow!

Listfully yours,

Vicki

Most of you know that I recently retired after teaching music for 30 years and began a new career in photography. It has been so much fun taking this path that allows me to follow a passion of mine. It is such a joy!  This week, I had a great time of mentoring with my boss (hereafter called JC…because that’s his name….) which ended up being more than just fine-tuning my skills!

    JC’s business is real estate marketing. He does amazing photography, videography, and drone photography/videography. His clients LOVE his work and they love him. He has been training me to do the work that he does in order to grow his business. (Shameless plug here….if you are a realtor, using a realtor, or know a realtor…tell them they NEED to use Zyndicate Marketing for all their listing photography and videography needs!)  Anyway, we worked a property shoot together in which JC would review my shots and then critique them with me. I was getting so much great feedback from the master photographer. I was excited about the new knowledge I was getting because I desperately want to be more like him. At one point, JC said that he hoped I didn’t mind the feedback. My reply was something like this….

I love the feedback. I want our clients to not be able to tell the difference between my pictures and yours. I want to see each shot the same way the master photographer does and have my work become more like yours.

On the drive to my next photo shoot, it hit me. I should be living my spiritual life the same way that I’m attempting to live my photography life. I should be striving to see people, things, and situations the way my Master does…. through His same loving and compassionate eyes….and I should live my life in a continuous effort to be more like the Master.  I have to admit that I find it so easy to have a great attitude and teachable spirit with my boss, but sometimes I tend to be somewhat reckless in my efforts to imitate Christ and see things through His eyes.

Join me in a challenge this week to be more like the Master and to look at the people and situations we face this week the way Jesus would.

Listfully yours,

Vicki

 

    

I love to read! It doesn’t matter much what you hand me. I will probably enjoy reading it. (Unless it’s smut, in which case I will roll my eyes at you and pitch it in the garbage can.) But, the point is that I enjoy reading all kinds of literature. One thing, though, that burns me up is a little thing called a book series.  I will attempt to explain.

 

Now, before you get all mad at me for “hating on” book series, I will say that there are some that I love and will read over and over again. The Tradd Street Series by Karen White is phenomenal. I can’t get enough of those books and I’m anxious to read the next Charleston-based book in the series. Children’s books have many great series. I even like J.K. Rowling’s famous series.

 

But here’s the thing…..I need a somewhat happy ending to a book.  When I read the first book in the Maze Runner series I was so happy as the amazing escape came about at the end. Then….the book was ruined….the kids were tricked and swept off into another type of captivity to be hashed out in book two. In the Hunger Game Series, we ended book one with an amazing victory….only to have the last few pages tell us there was more hell coming for these dear people who just fought their hearts out. I’m currently reading a series called The Phoenix Files. There are 6 books in the series that chronicle the last 100 days before the world ends for everyone but the chosen few who live in this Phoenix place. By book five, I was cheering for the heroes of the story to just die and put me out of my misery! They have had 5 books of life and death situations and I’m about over it. If the author killed them off in book five, I could have walked away and been okay with it. Why….because I need some kind of ending. Since I only have one book left, I will read it. I’m not a quitter.

So here is my point, in list form, of course

• Stop making long, agonizing series.
• Write a stand-alone book.
• Write a series of 3 books.
• Acutally…go ahead and  write a long series of books where the poor characters end with a feeling of success and then the next book picks up with a totally different problem to resolve. Stop playing with my emotions by dragging on the characters’ misery for 5 or more books.

There. I said it. Rant over.

Listfully yours,

Vicki

I recently attended an educational event at my favorite beauty salon, 843 Beauty Collective. I’ve know the owner of the salon for years. This young lady, Justine, is very much a business role model for me, as is her entire team at the salon. In fact, Justine and her crew are great role models all around. So, being with these ladies at their “Sip and Style” educational event got me thinking about the life lessons that they were also teaching that night in addition to the education about hair products, styling, and skin care.  Let me explain what I took away that night in addition to the beauty secrets!

Be a nerd at what you do.

 

 

The ladies at 843 Beauty Collective introduced themselves as hair, haircolor, skin, and nail nerds.  Ok, so nobody really wants to be the nerd, but as they talked it became clear that nerdy was actually a synonym for passion. These ladies love what they do so much that they are consumed by it in the way an intellectual nerdy type loves learning. Their passion is contagious! They teach and share their knowledge with all their clients and don’t keep their knowledge to themselves. Their love of what they do overflows and makes the salon experience extra special.  Do you love learning? Are you passionate about what you do? Is your enthusiasm contagious? Find your passion. Pour your enthusiasm out on others around you!

Bridge the gaps.

The people attending that event ranged in age from 25 to 55. The stylist themselves are pretty much all millennials….. but not in the bad stereotypical way. From the oldest to the youngest, we were all loved on and made to feel special to each one of them. They had no preconceived notions about the “old fogeys” in the group……and they didn’t judge us by our bad, over-the-counter hair and facial products. Do you accept people without trying to stereotype them? Don’t label people. Bridge the gap and be accepting. Don’t look at a person’s exterior. We’re all just people. Make everyone you come in contact with feel loved and accepted.

Be a good tool.

   While I was learning to put cool beachy waves in my hair with a flat iron, it was brought to my attention that the round brush I was trying to style my hair with had seen better days! My brush was 10 years old! It was worn down to nothing, but I was still hanging onto it. Laura, my stylist for the evening, put a brand new brush in my hand and I couldn’t believe the immediate difference it made. It gripped. It rolled through my hair easily. It styled well. I was totally using a worn out, no good tool.  Are you a good tool? Do you do a halfway acceptable job or do your strive to always do the best? Do you try new things to improve yourself or insist on your own, worn out ways?Don’t get complacent. Be a good tool!

 Keep products that are good for you in your reach.

     At this fun event, we were taught to watch out for counterfeit name brand products. The authentic products are made based on scientific principles that I can’t even begin to understand. Now, other people on the gray/black market sneak around and make imitations of the real deal in order to take advantage of consumers who are not aware. These fake products do not do what they are supposed to do. They aren’t what they say they are. They are watered down or may be something else entirely. Do you have fake products in your life? People who aren’t what they seem? People that want you to be miserable or be pulled into unhealthy habits such as gossip or even ungratefulness? Are you a genuine product yourself? Do you build up your friends? Do you share truth with them rather than butter them up in order to manipulate them?Make sure that you are a genuine product and surround yourself with others who are the real deal!

Here is your challenge for this week…in list form, of course….

1. Find something to be passionate about. (if it’s not your job, find your hobby…you need something in your life that makes you happy.)
2. Approach someone who is nothing like you and start up a conversation be open-minded.
3. Try to learn at least one new thing that will make you better at your job, hobby, or friendships.
4. Make sure that you aren’t a “fake product.” Strive to be genuine in all of your interactions with people.

I hope this wasn’t too serious or “heavy” for anyone. If so, just lather, rinse, and repeat then go be an awesome  nerd!

Listfully yours,

Vicki

 

When I was a student in school I absolutely hated to hear the words “Quiz Time!”  Those words usually meant that the teacher or professor was about to ask you 5 questions about a 200 page reading. Oh, and those 5 questions would be on the most minute details of unimportant information.  Enter FACEBOOK!!! Those Facebook quizzes are ones that I LOVE! I can’t get enough Facebook quizzes. I am serious addicted to them. I took a Facebook quiz once that told me what kind of sandwich I was! Unfortunately, it told me I was a soggy turkey sandwich…..but the quiz was fun! I’ve learned so much from quizzes, too!  I’m Minnie Mouse. The song of my life is What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger. My life is a romantic comedy. My future tattoo is a daisy being held my an otter. I should have become a CEO. I’m only 1% crabby. All in all, that is fantastic news, right!?!?

So today, I have made up my own quiz for you! Promise me that you will take this quiz! It’s 100% scientific! It’s called The-Could-We-Be-Friends-Quiz!  Here we go!!!

Question	Your Answer
Are you male or female?
What is your ethnicity?
Do you like Coke or Pepsi?
Do you enjoy laughing (or would you at least agree to laugh at my jokes?)
Are you a Democrat or Republican?
Do you prefer Mexican food or Chinese food?
What religion do you practice?
Do you drive an American or foreign car?
What kind of job do you have?
Would you go shopping in a bookstore with me even if you knew I’d smell all the books?
What is your sexual orientation?
Do you prefer dogs or cats?
Do you know your zodiac sign?
What color are your eyes?

Calculating results……..

If you answered any of these questions………..or none of them…………the 100% scientific result is…………

Yes!!!! We can be friends! And…………..I love you!!!

Listfully yours,

Vicki

 

Good Day, friends! Welcome to your 183rd day of 2018! Can you believe that we are halfway through 2018 already?!?!  Today’s list is a list of things that you should be doing this July!

• Start Your Christmas Shopping! It’s never too early to start! We have only 5 months left to shop! At least buy those gifts for your co-workers, hair stylist, mailman, paperboy, etc! You’ll be glad you spread the expense over 5 months and you’ll find some incredible sales going on this summer!  

 

• Eat Ice Cream Often! It’s hotter-than-all-get-out! That’s the perfect excuse to go out for ice cream way more often! You need cold refreshments in your life.

 

• Shop for School Supplies.  As a teacher, I have always hated seeing school supplies come out around the 4th of July. What a calloused move, chain stores! Don’t they know we teachers are still trying to forget last school year?!  But for you parents, it’s time to start buying supplies on sale.

 

• Get Away From Home.  I get it. We all can’t afford a grandiose vacation, but take a long weekend by missing a Friday or a Monday and do something out of town. One of my favorite getaways was traveling a few hours to Greenville, SC and touring downtown, eating at local dives, catching an outdoor concert, and shopping in local stores that we don’t have near home. Simple. Fun. Relaxing. Do it.

 

 

• Visit A Beach. I’m a pool girl. I love to be able to look in the water and see that no critters are swimming with me, but I also love the majesty of the ocean. I feel like the ocean declares the glory of God so well with its sheer vastness!!! I try to visit at least once during the summer. We go very early, walk the beach, look for shells, and wade in up to our ankles. Once we get too hot, we have lunch at a quaint restaurant near the beach and head home to the pool. If you don’t have an ocean near you….find a lake! Don’t miss out on the beauty!

• Have Lunch With Friends. I’m a firm believer in using leave time when you need a mental health break. Taking a leave day or just an extra long lunch with friends is a great way to make your summer special.

• Catch A Summer Movie. Some of the coolest movies come out in the summer. Splurge a little and go see some! My favorites are usually the ones that are meant for kids or based on teen fiction.  I tend to procrastinate until the movie comes out on DVD or worse yet…on television….but this year, I’ve had so much fun hitting the theater when the movie comes out!

• Do A Project.  The days are much longer in the summer and there’s lots of extra daylight even if you work and get home after 5:00 p.m. Plan a project involving one of your hobbies or even some type of home improvement. Summer is the perfect time to be and feel productive.

 

• Read A Book. Read something you love…just for fun. Job related reading doesn’t count!  Read for enjoyment!

 

 

• Try Something New. Remember the days when you returned to school and the teacher asked you to write or tell about something you did over the summer? Remember feeling lame because you didn’t have much to tell? Well, now that you are a grown-up, you have control over what experiences you try! Find something you’ve been dying to try and go for it! Make your summer exciting and memorable.

 

Now that you’re all done reading this advice, jump up off the couch and go do something fun!!!

Listfully yours,

Vicki