Attention to Details

Daily writing prompt
What details of your life could you pay more attention to?
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Paying attention to details of your life such work, finances, health, relationship and maintaining a home can keep one busy on a daily, monthly and annual basis. One priorities chooses which is most important at any given time.

Truthfully, the most important detail to pay attention to me are those who you love. If they feel neglected, you might consider finding ways to spend time with them especially if they are doing the same for you. Myself, I haven’t been in a relationship in years which doesn’t bother me because I am content being on my own. Plus, I have people who show up in my life who test my contentment but, so far, I haven’t met that person that life would be better with him. So, my feline female divas are the ones who deserve my attention more. Our relationship has been tested when I flew out on my last vacation and when they were boarded at the time. It was a test of trust since it was my first long time away from them.

My cats are my responsibility to love and to care for so it requires attention of detail of all aspects of life to keep them happy and safe.

Glistening in Fur,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Sundays

Daily writing prompt
What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?
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Although, tomorrow is Sunday, my most important priority is taking care of my cats that happens every day. With that being said, like many others, I must prepare for the new work week starting on Monday.

Sundays are meant for preparing for work such as doing the laundry and cleaning the house although I am doing laundry now. Change the cat litter and take out the garbage are normal then clean the bathroom and vacuum. Besides chores, I usually get my heart and mind prepared to answer the phone then fold the mail, then meter all of it and take it to the post office. Plus, I scan documents almost daily. For me, work pays the bills and allows me to fulfill myself outside of it such as being here and my online closet.

Years ago, I used to attend church where I eventually became an unintended leader of a mature adult singles group that made Saturdays more important for rest and for taking care of my household. Unfortunately, some people who attended blamed me for them not finding a future spouse. This person who cornered me about this was a single woman who was in her forties and was still living at her parents house and working for the family business. At that point, I realized that changes were needed. Eventually, I stopped attending worship services after changing churches. I knew Rob Bell who was interviewed by Oprah. I attended his church, Mars Hill Bible Church, where I got involved then later left due to not putting up with behavior of someone who attended. Realized that my sanity and my peace were priceless.

May your start of the new week be filled with peace, love and happiness.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

”She Works Hard for the Money”

Daily writing prompt
In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?
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When Donna Summer released the song, “She Works Hard for the Money,” it related to many women who work hard on their careers and then go home to take care of their spouses, children, pets and home. As like any song, it’s interpreted to oneself by experience which for many people of working hard just to be able to eat and have a roof over one’s head-to survive which is satisfying in itself.

My current schedule is that I work full time at my job 8:30am-5:30pm with an hour lunch plus I wake up early to do a 30 minute stretch of sharing others closets on my online selling app then I share my closet then I come here. Then, I get ready for work. Repeat sharing closets at lunch and after work then mine. Plus, cleaning my home, doing laundry and taking care of my feline divas, Bella and Luna. Fortunately, my consistent sharing has resulted in an increase in sales of my online closet which adds locating the item after the sale, pack the item for shipping and printing the postage label and dropping it off at the post office. Sales result in more work that feels satisfying and fulfilling to make someone else happy with an item in my online closet. My fulfillment is accomplishment of doing all of my jobs above board on everything that I do not to please others but to my satisfaction.

My back story was that I growing up, my parents believed in hard work so I went to school, babysat, cleaned the house plus, with my siblings, did special projects. In the fall, I helped chopped and split wood to burn in the fireplace to keep the house warm in the winter. Plus, I was expected to help in the kitchen with cooking and cleaning. My parents built, owned and managed a campground that required constant care while being hours north of our home. Fulfillment came from seeing the finished product on all the above experiences.

In closing, work fulfillment is imperative to feel that one has accomplished something and that one has purpose is as important as getting paid for what one does.

Happy FriYay!

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Telling the Truth

Daily writing prompt
What’s the trait you value most about yourself?
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Being born premature with a host of issues growing up, I got dealt with some problems that can only be resolved truthfully and honestly from myself and others. It did help my progression to live a better life medically and socially.

Later on in years, my parents and my siblings would continually speak about things that were not true and honest so I would speak up about it. To my surprise, they weren’t happy to hear it although we were taught differently. It did affect my relationship with both my parents and my siblings in not a positive way. To me, it saved time from meaningless conversations and got to the point.

During my marriage, my then husband didn’t appreciate my truthfulness and honesty either as well as my mother in law when a situation that was revealed beyond our control based on lies and deceit. My mother in law acted selfish years ago and thought that the truth would never be revealed. At another time, I might delve more into this.

Post divorce, I started again on my own with my cat in a small apartment. In that time, I received much uninvited advice from people who never experienced my situation that wasn’t always helpful because it was sugar coating the truth.

Years later to present, my life has been through many changes of jobs, homes and States. The only constant in my life has been the blessing of those who were truthful and honest about situations. To me, I would rather not deal with the BS from family, friends, coworkers and others. It may not be easy sometimes to hear but it’s worth its value in making decisions. Plus, I prefer to be honest and truthful to keep life simple and clean.

In closing, my life hasn’t been easy being truthful and honest plus asking the same thing from others. It does get to the point quicker saving time and heartache. Telling the truth is my life value appreciating it when given as well.

In Truth & Honesty,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Jobs of My Dreams

Daily writing prompt
List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.
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We all have our, “what if’s?,” and other questions as we end up getting jobs to survive instead of following our dreams. My first would be caretaker/owner of homeless shelter for felines, professional singer or travel agent.

Being a cat “mom” for most of my life, my heart would love to bring every stray feline to shelter and to love until adopted to another family or stay with me. My Bella and Luna had three previous owners for the first six months of their lives before me. They were food deprived plus medical needs. It broke my heart. As soon as I got them, I fed them nonstop for a few weeks. Took them to a veterinarian for a check up then came back a few weeks later when they finally reached normal weight then going into heat. It was a period of earning trust while working to keep them alive. Helping other felines who were let down by the humans who they trusted and thought they found their forever home is something that is a huge undertaking that would require lots of time, effort and money plus help from various sources.

Growing up, I was thrown into a choir because I couldn’t play an instrument partially due to my over bite and small mouth. As time went on, my voice developed through music teachers who understood childhood development and training. In the 8th grade, my parents walked away from a recording contract that my music teacher who believed that I had something to offer. My parents declined because I wasn’t their favorite and they didn’t want me doing better than their favorite child who wasn’t me. Later on when I didn’t join a choir, my parents would tell me how talented I was and being pressured to join. Tired of being played because of my gift, I quit singing all together.

Finally, I love adventure and I love to explore plus sharing my experiences to those who ask. When I worked at a financial institution in Michigan, I literally helped plan a couple’s trip to Hawaii because I have been there. They both worked and knew my ex husband so one of them didn’t care what I knew about Honolulu. Fortunately, the other listened so they would know what to expect. Unexpectedly, they both thanked me later. Plus, I assisted others traveling to various parts of the States and even Canada. Traveling is an education as much as it is an adventure.

At this point, I am traveling primarily to the Long Island Sound area as possible relocation in the future for me and my felines. No longer singing in public but only privately. I like to test my voice out once in awhile. The cat house is above and beyond my reach at my current location but maybe in the future, I can volunteer to learn more.

In closing, keep your dreams alive even if they aren’t paying the rent.

Dream Weaver,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Hungarian Gypsy

Daily writing prompt
What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?
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My family came to the US during WWI to escape the perils of being placed into concentration camps with other people. We came from the border of Salzburg Austria and Budapest Hungary. The camps were not inclusive to the Jewish population.

Like many others, my family arrived to the States in NYC where my great grandparents and siblings split up. Some went to Detroit, one went to California and others to Maryland to find their American dream. In addition, last names were changed due to misinterpretation at the border like others.

The things that make me proud to be part of the community is the strong work ethic, sense of family and the unique foods of the community.

Myself, I have dark blue eyes and dark complexion so I rarely burn with dark blonde hair like my siblings and my Dad. My Mom’s ancestors came from Austria. Because of my appearance similar to my siblings, I have experienced mixed reactions when our family traveled or lived in the US outside of Detroit or New York.

As I grow older, I yearn to live a few hours closer to my sister and near my cousins so that I don’t feel so isolated from others like myself. Currently, I am window shopping at places to live in the NYC metro area to be closer to them.

The band, Queen, performed in Detroit years ago when Freddie Mercury drove down to visit a well known Hungarian restaurant called Bohemian Rhapsody for dinner and for reuniting with friends. The owners shut down the restaurant to protect their special guest and his friends.

In closing, we’re all human beings who need to be loved and accepted for who we are. Accept others for who they are and be accepted for you.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Brand Associations

No matter how we feel or act, we’re associated to brands that become our favorites or that we dislike. This happens by becoming our favorites by purchasing the items online or in person at retail locations.

One of my favorite brands that Consumer Reports lists as the most reliable brand for automobiles is Toyota. I currently own my second Corolla this time an LE in red. Because of my free spirit and my adventurous nature, I need a reliable car to get me to my destinations.

Another favorite brand that I associate with is Apple. When the company came onto the scene, I went the other direction for years until I thought I would give them a chance. Currently, I’m on my second iPhone and my first iPad both in cotton candy pink. Both have proven reliable.

Thirdly, The Homer Laughlin China Company that makes the infamous brand, Fiesta Ware, that became famous in the 1970s because of the colorful plates, bowls and coffee cups. They were and still are inexpensive to date. Colors that are no longer available and collectible have become rather expensive found in antique shops across the country and on Etsy. My colors are medium green and light peach with a couple of dark blue pieces mixed in.

Finally, IKEA which my home is filled with living room, bedroom and kitchen furniture. The furniture is retro design of the 70s style that fits well with my current home. My dining room table is square with round edges so that my chairs have rounded backs. It has plenty of room to fit my Fiesta ware.

Like everyone else, I like getting my money’s worth on things that one doesn’t buy often like vehicles, furniture, dishware and technology. Truly, I believe that I have because each has lasted a long time.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

2017 Toyota Corolla LE

Adventure is in My Blood

Daily writing prompt
What could you do more of?
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For most of my life, I have been blessed with being able to experience new adventures sometimes locally near my home by auto or by bike.

Growing up on an island south of Detroit and across from Canada, I adventured into the thick woods behind my house and learned quickly about poison ivy and poison oak. The latter can take longer to get rid of plus more symptoms like a flu for me. As I grew older, my parents allowed me to ride my bike outside of the subdivision to other parts of the island and even onto the mainland of the region of downriver Detroit area. My parents did take us on trips across the country to show me and my siblings that not everyone runs on “island time.” Later, we moved to northern Michigan to a small town with a natural harbor area. I rode my bike everywhere then. The winters were quite harsh which effected most of the people who lived there emotionally and physically.

Later on in my college years and afterwards, I didn’t take too many adventures because of roommates wanting to do something else. When I go married because my now ex husband was into country music, I planned our honeymoon adventure to Nashville, Gatlinburg and Rocky Top TN. We did see a lot traveling on the Blue Ridge Parkway and other places.

Post divorce, I buy an older home in an old area that has an elementary school in the center that doesn’t allow buses and next to it, a huge green space for children’s sports and the neighborhood association meeting place. From there, my little adventures were walking around the neighborhood for exercise and checking out the beautiful old bungalows in the area. Later on, the White Pine Bike Trail opened up and I had numerous adventures even one to the town where me and my ex husband lived to visit my old neighbor.

Years later, I moved to Texas and I have visited more of it than more people who have lived here all of their lives. My latest addictive adventure is traveling to the Long Island Sound area which I plan to move one day.

Truthfully, every day is a blessing to be alive and every day is an adventure. One can plan but life happens beyond one’s control.

In closing, “what I could do more of” is living life to the fullest from the local to the across the country adventures by plane, train or automobile.

Saving up for my next trip,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Discernment of Advice

Daily writing prompt
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
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Growing up, a person who gets much advice either in need or unwanted at different times for various situations. The individual must discern the message as well as the messenger regards to applying it to him/her self. Below is my back story of my journey.

As a child being born premature thus being the odd one in mainstream America, I was teased and bullied for many years being told that I was “ugly” and “stupid.” With that being stated, my trust in humanity has never been very strong. As I grew older, my looks improved but my free spirit remained thus the comments changed from the way I looked to the way I acted. The bullying not only included coworkers and others but also my siblings. The Kelly Clarkson song, “Stronger,” applies to most of my life.

For me, it was the credibility of the person who bestowed wisdom on me more than what was stated. Throughout my life, I have been given bits of advice from people who I didn’t trust and who believed that they were “helping” me out. Helping someone who they considered to be less important than them. I did listen but took it for what it was. Sometimes, it’s what isn’t said as well as the credibility of the person.

My Mom would encourage me to trust my intuition and to learn to listen to my inner voice from who I could trust to what actions if anything that I should take. Oddly, my sister who believes herself to be the intellectual type who relies on her smarts with the available resources. But, for me, trusting my gut feeling along with lived experiences has also provided wisdom.

In closing, discernment of advice and information given is as credible as the one giving it. Use your knowledge, experience and intuition to make the best decision for you.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Energizers

Daily writing prompt
What things give you energy?
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The things that energize me are hot tea, apples and the sun.

Every morning except Saturdays, I brew Tazo English Breakfast tea in my pink mini Keurig. Then, I drink it with no sugar or cream. It wakes me up with my hot bagel and cream cheese. On Sundays, I have Teavana breakfast tea that is the brand they have at Starbucks, I open up a tea bag and pour the loose tea into a generic pod then brew it also in my Keurig. To stay alert throughout out the day, I cold brew 4 bags of Tazo green tea nightly to drink through out the day. It keeps me awake plus I have lost weight from it.

For lunch and snacks, I eat a red delicious apple because of their natural sweetness plus other things that are healthy for me and you. They are grown in Michigan and other States. It’s my mid-day energy pick me up.

Finally, since rain and clouds make me sleepy even if I had enough sleep, the sunshine gives me energy. Not just feeling the warmth on my skin but also the brightness of it. The sun gives out vitamin D that helps improve one’s mood and can control one’s sleep/wake cycle plus reduce depression. Truthfully, too much sun can be harmful as well. Listen to your body and, if necessary, contact your physician regarding your exposure to the sun.

Keurig Mini