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FredaMChaney.com

YOU BECOME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT

7/17/2013

"I remember the teachers at my first elementary school. They were pillars of wisdom! When I moved on to attend two other elementary schools, I found the same applied to those teachers. They trained us how to think, not just what to think. In first grade, we stood on bleachers to sing rounds of music. In second grade, mathematics and reading were central. In third grade, I recall sitting in a reading circle waiting for my turn to read. I still have a Reading Circle certificate from many years ago!

We had a book mobile that traveled from school-to-school. It was pure delight moving along the narrow aisle of shelves searching for treasures. In fourth grade, we began reading chapter books, and Ms. Neal read a chapter a day out of two books that I remember well. One was the Diary of Anne Frank and the other (the title escapes me) was about a family that harvested ginseng. Ms. Neal was quite creative, and we used art as a tool of learning in most subjects in that classroom. Some said she was too strict, but for me she was the reason I did not miss a single day of school during my fourth grade year! And yes, I still have that certificate of perfect attendance too.

My life is modeled after the pillars of wisdom that have gone before me. I have become what I have thought about, and thanks to all of those wonderful teacher/mentors in my life, I am much the better for it!" ~ Freda

Get Organized for success!

6/22/2013

If your living space is in disarray, your mind will be in disarray. And if your mind is in disarray, your life will reflect that. Take time to organize before you work on your goals for the day. You will be amazed at how much better you feel when your living space and the space between your ears is organized and ready for action! ~ Namaste!

Children Learn BEST By Example

6/20/2013

"Parents tend to press and mold their kids to become what they see as their own models of success. Sometimes this is subconscious on the part of the parents who failed to reach their own success goals and are projecting the urgency of attaining success onto their children. Working at your own success and providing the right examples will fulfill YOUR dream and show your children how to become successful without forcing extreme expectations on them." ~ Freda M. Chaney

You've gotta be your own best friend!

6/13/2013

"So, you're all caught up in being a social butterfly? And that takes everything you've got to stay on top? What you are doing, you are doing for others to make them like and accept you, yes? So, you have lots of friends, yes? What do they do for you? Are they always there when you need them? Or are you, more often than not, doing for them? Look, you gotta be your own best friend first! What are you doing for YOU? If the social set likes you no matter what you do for yourself, then super! They won't mind you saying "no" once in awhile! True friends can hear "no" and not freak out! Don't forget the reason why you are here! Your reason for being is not so that you can entertain everyone at your own expense!" ~ Freda

Paying It Forward

6/11/2013

Do you do kind things for others on a regular basis? Some do. Others are so self-involved that they find little time to share with those who are not directly benefiting them on a regular basis. It is important to have priorities, but don't allow yourself to become cemented to tasks of home, or to a few choice friends whose wheels seem to squeak at every turn. Remember that there is a big world out there, and a small act of kindness from you could make a huge difference to someone in need. And paying it forward will assure that the help you offer someone now will be returned to you sometime in the future. Namaste, Freda

Who Are you and what do you stand for?

5/14/2013

"It may take the rest of your life for you to answer this question! We all think we know ourselves, but we, in fact, do not. We pride ourselves in knowing others: learning and sharing about the Hollywood stars, the accomplished musicians, the elite social networkers, slick politicians, and business gurus. But, in most cases, it takes a personal survey to learn what our own responses might be to various questions concerning our own lives. Ask yourself this question and see if you qualify for full attention, ' Who is the most important person in my life, and what do I need to know about him or her?' In most cases, unless your totally self-sacrificing and qualify for sainthood, your answer will be ' me.' Learn who you are, and march to that beat throughout your life! Others will come and go and leave you wanting for the next guru or Hollywood star coming down the red carpet. YOU are the most important person in your life, so treat yourself that way! Take the time to learn who you are and what you stand for!" ~ Freda M. Chaney

The Great Suitcase Snafu!

3/11/2013

Freda M. Chaney

"So, before our trip to England, I retrieved our (fairly new) luggage from the basement. Norm looked at the intermediate size bag and announced it was much too large to drag around England, at which time we set out to find a smaller suitcase for me to use while he chose the smallest size of all out of our existing luggage. We found one bag that seemed to be smaller and ordered it from Macy's to be delivered at home. It was bigger than my (too-big) suitcase that Norm had deemed "baby elephant!" We sent it back. We ordered another set as this particular brand had a vinyl covering that would prevent rain from damaging them as we traveled in the "land of moisture!" When that set arrived, the intermediate bag was about 1" smaller than the one we already owned, and the smallest bag in the vinyl set was even smaller than the one Norm had chosen to use. Shall we call the smallest one an overnight bag--it would be for me! Nonetheless, he packed two pairs of pants, two shirts, two sweaters, underwear, socks and personal items. He had to use the expanding zipper!

I packed my intermediate size bag: a week's worth of outer clothes, and two weeks worth of under clothes, and personal items. I had to sit and grunt the zipper closed! The two bags, when weighed, were about the same. I'm not sure how that happened. ;) So, we made it to England and the luggage lasted through the rain, but it was a continual struggle to get items back into the case and rezip them after a hotel stay. Norm announced I needed to leave things behind. SHOCKED LOOK! I began to go through my case. Lost a button on this new sweater--that stays! I left the belt home to this new sweater--that stays! Boots, an extra pair I probably would not wear--those stay.

Then Norm announced that we needed to ship some more things home, so we took items to the post office to mail to the States. The prices to ship were outrageous! But we did it. About that time, I was longing for my largest suitcase of the original set that sat in the basement back home. THEN, when we landed in Salisbury, Norm asked the hotel clerk if we could have our bags carried to the room, and promptly a huge man with popping muscles appeared around the desk front. He picked up one suitcase on each arm and carried them all the way to the room upstairs. Just as we were approaching the door of our hotel room, he dropped Norm's small case. The handle broke on it! Norm and the muscle man both looked bewildered. But Norm tipped him when I gave him the eye. Afterall, it was not his fault that Norm packed that tiny case too full for any handle to hold up to!

The last day of our stay, Norm announced that HE needed a "larger" suitcase! NO, REALLY? Can I record that? We found a store that carried London Fog. He measured, he schemed, he brought out the 4 pages of airline regulations that gave the exact dimensions for an allowable checked suitcase. He said, "This is the one!" I reminded him that it was bigger than the suitcase I was using--the "baby elephant!" He denied it. "IT WILL WORK," he said. It WAS rather handsome, but there was only one, not a set! He paid dearly for that suitcase, and back to the hotel we went, pulling the new London Fog beauty through the streets of Salisbury--across the uneven bricks.. thumpity, thump.... Norm worried about the wheels so he lifted it up and carried it most of the way!

When we got to the room, Norm announced that he would leave the (new) small vinyl bag with the broken handle. He set the intermediate size London Fog case next to my intermediate size cheaper vinyl case. The new case was much bigger--in fact, it was as big as the case Norm made me leave at home. ;) He packed his things including: books, papers, envelopes, and of course the two pairs of outer clothes that found residence in a small corner of the case. "There's room for something of yours to go in there!" he announced! I was laughing like a hyena inside! I'd left my clothes and boots back in hotel #2, and now the new smaller case would be left for some lucky hotel maid who could have the handle repaired for a few bucks. I retrieved my flat iron case, my make-up bag, a bulky sweater, and sandals to put in the empty space of the shiny new London Fog, and it closed down perfectly, but not before Norm's perceptive eye noticed the sandals I did NOT leave behind at hotel #2, my Zappos! "I thought you left those back at the other hotel?" he questioned. I smiled and replied, "I found room for them in the "baby elephant!"

Without further discussion, he pulled out the AAA airline suitcase weight monitor. The new London Fog case was not only larger than my "baby elephant" but it was heavier than mine! We are home now, and all of the cases set side-by-side in the basement, except for that one little case that Norm said would do fine for a 2-week trip (the overnight case) that is serving someone in Salisbury, England just fine for carrying small items across the uneven brick streets...thumpity, thump.... So, Ladies, if your husband tells you that your case is too big, and tries to prove he can wear two day's worth of clothing for two weeks and attempts to press you to do the same, use your own judgment PLEASE! Save your time, your money, and your exasperation, and carry the suitcase that's regulation and right for YOU! But the London Fog olive-brown plaid does cut a mean image next to my American Flyer fleur de lis black, and that cheap brown vinyl croc that has one less family nester! "

March 09th, 2013

3/9/2013

I have returned from England rich with the sights, sounds, and scents of George Eliot's aka Mary Ann(e) Evans' countryside. We arrived in Nuneaton on 23 March and stayed for three days in the house where Eliot lived for over twenty one years of her life. This homestead, Giff House, and the surrounding countryside was also the setting for her novel, THE MILL ON THE FLOSS, which is predominantly autobiographical. I will be sharing photos so that you may travel with me from your favorite armchair as I offer the flavor of Eliot's "good old Griff!" and other exciting locations with you. I also have video footage to share. The interview with John Burton, Chair of the George Eliot Fellowship, went on for three days as we dashed about the Midlands sharing tidbits as Eliot enthusiasts do. I am deeply indebted to John Burton and his wife, Linda, for taking their time to respond to my individual dreams of learning the more personal/local aspects of George Eliot so that I can pursue the publication of GEORGE ELIOT LIVES. To be continued.... (Freda)

Not Waiting for the rainbow bridge!

2/9/2013

Rocky's Rainbow:
"I was placed in a shelter when I was very young. A nice man chose me and took me home, but he changed his mind as I grew bigger. I was returned to the same shelter. I worried that I'd never find another home. Some mistake me for a Pit Bull. I'm a Boxador, a Boxer-Lab mix, but people still judge me because of my looks sometimes. That seems to be the way of some humans. Mummy saw me on a rescue site, and she fell in love with my silly smile and black and white joker patches. She drove two hours with Daddy to pick me up from a shelter in Western Ohio, and we are now living happily ever after! However long my life will be, I'm not waiting for the rainbow bridge. I'm seeing rainbows here and now because somebody loves me unconditionally. ~ Rocky

Rocky is Freda's fur friend extraordinaire!

7 things I can do today to change my life?

1/31/2013

1) Come to the firm realization that it is UP TO ME alone to CHANGE MY WORLD!

2) Accept the fact that I have made mistakes, FORGIVE MYSELF, and MOVE ON!

3) Write down what MY IDEAL LIFE would look like.

4) Divide my IDEAL LIFE LIST into two columns: WHAT I CAN DO RIGHT NOW, and WHAT I CAN DO IN X# OF YEARS

5) Start right THIS MOMENT with ACTION STEPS to move forward with MY IDEAL LIFE plan!

6) Track my progress for a full day to see how much I accomplish. Write everything down!

7) Give yourself a hug for a magnificent day, and determine to make tomorrow the same!

FredaMChaney.com