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Today I spent time putting indoor window film on two drafty windows. It has made a noticeable difference in the comfort of the room – no cold air breezes drifting around the room!

The process of putting up the plastic film did not take long, but it seemed a bit of a hassle. First, I put double stick tape (it came in the box with the film) on the window frame. Then the film was roughly cut and fitted to the window and then pressed in place on the tape. This was the most awkward and clumsy step … it seemed like it should have been so easy, but the combination of sticky tape and plastic film was, well… grrrr…. that’s all I can say.

After the film was in place, I used a hair dryer and heated up the film. Patience is the word here. It took a few minutes of the hot air to make the film shrink tight and nearly invisible on the window.

I’m already pleased with the results. Now let the weatherman announce below zero temps and lake effect snow; I’m ready. Plus, just judging from the reduction of drafts in the room, I’m expecting this little bit of window insulation film to translate into really nice results on my next heating bill. 🙂

Peace,

Patti

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photography by Patti Tokar copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved

post by Patti Tokar

Nature offers beauty at unexpected moments: A magenta drenched sunset. Golden light dazzling in sharp patterns across the field. Frost breathed in white layers over the lawn. A single pink rose blossoming amidst the fall leaves. A baby concentrating hard on pulling herself to a full stand.

I’ve learned that these moments are soon lost; that when I have a passing thought of a beautiful sight, it’s time to stop and bring it into full focus. Sometimes there is not even time to get my camera. Sometimes I just have to stand and experience it and let the memory serve as my only reminder of the beauty that was just in front of me.

Teach yourself to appreciate beauty.  Teach yourself that when beauty arrives in your life, you will allow yourself to fully experience it before it fades away.  It just takes a moment.

post by Patti Tokar

When was the last time you listened to God?  No, not prayed in earnest, but listened in earnest?  Or at least waited in peaceful expectation to see if there were any answers or insights forthcoming?  Clarity and direction can come from listening and waiting.

This weekend I went to a meeting in a Peace/Sound chamber.  Part of the meeting was 15 minutes of silent meditation. Those few powerful moments were refreshing.  My mind did wander at moments and in those times I was aware of noises like the soft crackling of the fire and the calls of the birds outside. Then I would drift back to a peaceful, clear state and wait for any insights or thoughts to come into my mind. Even now, days later, I still carry some of that center of peace.

There is a lot that can be learned, even a lot that can be healed, in 15 minutes of still silence.  I thought of how I so often pray so fervently, yet when had I last just listened to God?  Or when had I at least waited in clear silence for His answer or any insights that might be helping me to see His direction?  How can I get any answers if I do not make a practice of listening?

How about you?

“Be still and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

post by Patti Tokar

There’s just something about a vase of fragrant fresh flowers on the table. I got these on my birthday. My friend came in the door with his arms full of flowers from the local shop.  That was such an exciting and festive moment to see him with all those tissue-wrapped flowers!  I think I even did a bit of a celebration dance. There were so many flowers that I didn’t have a vase large enough to hold them. After a bit of searching around the house, I came up with this ceramic pitcher and it certainly makes a beautiful vase for this mixed flower bouquet, doesn’t it? The bouquet’s lovely fragrance and richly colored petals and leaves gave me a surge of joy every time it came into my sight. I had to stop and breathe in the scent more times than I can count. Just writing this piece and looking at the photo makes me smile. Isn’t that the perfect birthday present – surges of joy and many smiles? Ah, the beauty of fresh flowers.
photo by Patti Tokar
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by Patti Tokar

I’m listening to an audio book by Marcia Wieder, an author and personal dream coach.  One line of her presentation has really resonated with me.  She stated that you must always work on the solution, not on the problem.  Working on the problem just creates more of the problem.  I thought of how true this really is and how diligently I can work on a problem without much progress.   An ongoing problem needs a new focus and a change, not just frantic managing of the problem.  For example, how many times have I tried to manage clutter by organizing it, stacking it, hiding it, etc., when what really needed to happen was for me to look at the solution?  In this case it was to just step back and change my perspective on possessions and learn to let go of things, to not bring useless items into my life, and to appreciate beauty and space?

This one line has already really made a change in the way I am approaching things – now I’m asking myself, “Am I working on the problem, or working on the solution?”  It makes a huge difference and I encourage you to try it, too.

Posted by Patti Tokar

Here is a quick look at the French press coffeemaker that I use for the morning coffee.    It’s a simple process to make the coffee, although it is quite different from a regular drip coffee maker.

the process is actually quite easy.  First, heat the water in the kettle until it just starts to whistle.  Meanwhile,  measure the ground coffee into the empty glass chamber of the French press pot.  The hot, whistling water is then carefully added to the glass chamber.  Now put the cap/lid on the pot with the steel filter pulled all the way up into the cap.    Set your watch or timer timer for 5 – 10 minutes (10 minutes for making the coffee good and STRONG.  The instructions manual suggests brewing for 5 minutes. )  When the timer goes off, very slowly push the spring lid down until the steel filter is pressed to the bottom of the glass pot with the coffee grounds pressed flat underneath. The steel filter with the grounds underneath stays in place and is not removed until the glass pot is empty and ready for cleaning. The top part of the lid must be turned to the opening that allows the coffee to pour. Now that fresh, delicious, aromatic coffee is ready to pour into your coffee cup.  I  sprinkle a little ground cinnamon in my cup, add a bit of half and half, plus a teaspoon of honey and … wow!  the best cup of coffee ever.  Mmmm….

I’m at my desk with my coffee. Dave brewed it for me with a French press. He swears by it and it does make a very good cup of coffee. I do have to add a bit of hot water from the kettle to my cup, though – he likes it STRONG, whew! So, good morning and welcome to the SimpleLifeCorp.com simple life blog. I hope that you have had a chance to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. I look forward to sharing our journey with you. Dave and I have made the commitment to learn, expand, enhance, enrich, and share it with you along the way. Welcome! So good to have you here and it will be wonderful to read your comments.