The Shifting of Frankie’s Spirit

Posted by Barbara Techel

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It has taken me a few days to write about this. I guess it’s just one of those things that left me wondering if it really happened, or was it my imagination. But I’m going to trust my intuition here, as well as trust once again, that yes, we are all connected–whether those we love are here physically or not.

Last week Friday, in the early evening I finally had a moment to sit on the sofa and do one of my favorite things which is peruse through my Country Living magazine, with Joie by my side.  But let me back up for a moment.

After Frankie passed in June, everyday after that for over three months I’d take a moment each morning and look at the family photo of us above. I’d touch Frankie’s head as if petting her, telling her how much I missed her and loved her… would always love her. Often times at night, I’d feel the need to look at her in the photo as I sat on the sofa reading.

So this past Friday, finally beginning to relax after my big three weeks of releasing the special edition of my book, plus my book launch, it felt good to find my way back to a routine again. But all of a sudden, I heard a voice in my head say, “I’m moving on now.” I immediately looked up at Frankie’s picture and my eyes filled with tears.

Silently I said, “No, please don’t go!”

Then I heard, “I’ll still be here, not far, if you need me. But you will be okay now.”

My lip started  to quiver and I felt as if Frankie was moving through me. It was as if her spirit lifted up a bit further than where she was before. I sat in this feeling for a few moments questioning if it was really happening. Not wanting it to happen, but knowing she was right. I am, and will be, okay.

I then smiled and told her it was okay to rest now.  As I’ve moved through the past few days since then I’ve felt Frankie’s spirit become lighter and lighter- not a bad thing- but a comforting feeling that her work is now completely done. She got me through the book launch of our shared story and now she rests in the peace that she did a job well done.

Indeed she did. I’ll always love you sweet Frankie for all you did for me. Be well, rest well, and know that I carry you in my heart always.

Reminding Myself Life Is Good Among Remodeling Chaos

Posted by Barbara Techel

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It has been crazy busy around the Techel homestead lately. I think Joie may want to move out. Actually, both she and Kylie are doing very good despite all that has been going on between my busy shipping days of the special edition of my book, the book launch, John installing a new computer, his busy work schedule, and add in hardwood floors being installed in our living room and bedroom.

As always goes, no remodeling project starts as plans, but tends to blossom. Plus I have a very persnickety husband (also a general remodeling contractor) heading up these many expanding projects.  He installed hardwood floor in our bedroom and living room. I think it was sometime in late 2007 that we ripped all the carpeting out. Having a a dog with IVDD, carpet is just not the thing to have.

After we had the carpet ripped out the economy took the big dive south. We put installing hardwood floors on hold… and on hold… and on hold. Our flooring was the sub-floor which we painted. I didn’t really mind it, as it was rather cottage-y looking. But this winter we actually sat down and figured out what it would cost, and since John could install himself, that helped with saving money, and we realized we could tackle this project.

It took him part of January and all of February to install the floors only because he could only do it on weekends. The final steps are coming together. He hired out the sanding and sealing of it. Izzy is our man doing that. He is originally from Bosnia and I could listen to him talk all day- love his heavy accent.  He is the perfect persnickety match for John.

The bedroom floor has been sanded and two coats oil based urethane have been done. One more to go!  Then we move everything into the bedroom this weekend so living room can be done next week.  And to add to the project, Mr. Persnickety (the one I’m married to) decided the kitchen hardwood floor wouldn’t look right with the new floor, so that will be re-sanded and re-finished after this.

But wait!  We can’t stop there!  If we are re-doing the kitchen floor, we might as well rip out the island we’ve not liked for a few years now, instead of a later date.  Mr. Persnickety had to break this news down to me in pieces as my mind has been so occupied with launching my new book.  Poor guy. He’d make a suggestion and I’d say, “I can’t think about that right now.” Then of course it was all I could think about and then gave my approval to go ahead.

But in the end… when that end finally does get here… it is going to all look so beautiful!  In fact, the bedroom floor almost done now has me looking at it and admiring it every chance I get.  And if you know me by now, much makes me get teary eyed… and yes, I even get teary eyed over finished remodeling projects.

I’m yearning for everything to be back in it’s place and I do have my moments where I think I’ll lose it having to zig-zag around everything. But I remind myself these are good moments of life and before I know it, we will have structure and balance once again.  And when I feel like I’m going to go crazy, I peek back into the bedroom, admire the floor, smile, and all is well again.

Time and Money: We Never Have Enough. Or Do We?

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Before my post today, just want to mention that today on my Joyful Paws Jaunt Blog Tour I am featured on Kim Gifford’s Pugs and Pics blog with an audio interview. Grab your favorite beverage and sit a spell– and I hope it inspires you!

Yesterday on my Facebook wall I asked this question: “What’s the one thing that stops you from doing something that would bring you joy?”  The common responses were time and money.

I don’t know what it is exactly that others want to do in regards to bringing more joy into their lives, but I find the answers intriguing. Maybe they were looking at the question in too big of terms. Maybe I should have been more specific. But none-the-less the answers are nothing new. We hear them all the time, as well as we each face them.

Isn’t time all we have? While at the same time we don’t know how much time we really do have. We could be gone tomorrow. Just like that. Poof. Gone. Then what of that joy we were always seeking?

I guess for me it just makes me think about taking little steps towards those things that bring us joy. Does it have to be so big? What if all the little steps of joy added up to living with even more joy?

We will likely never have enough money. Let’s face it. But what if we could make do with what we have and still have joy?  What would that look like to you?

To me, it is moments of time with my dogs, my dear friends, my family, my Johnnie.  Most of this does not require money. It requires time. And while I have much to do in my everyday life with promoting my books and my mission, besides all the normal day-to day things, I find that if I can fit in moments of quality time with what brings me joy, more joy comes to me.

The other thing it made me think of is when I decided to take three months to hunker down, hire a life coach, and dive into what my soul was trying to tell me. Yes, that required money, and it was money we really didn’t have at the time to spend. But I wanted this so bad that I gave up other “things” to make this happen. Again, I realize not everyone may be able to do this in terms of money, as their situation may be completely different than mine.  But I also think often times it is just a mask. A mask to doubt and fear of uncovering things that may be scary.

We may never have enough time or money. Or do we?  What if we just started today and did one small thing that brought us joy? So just for today find one small thing that does not require a lot of money or time, and just do it.  My moment of joy today is going to be sitting for five minutes with Joie and Kylie, and hugging them tight.  What is yours going to be?