Monday, June 21, 2010

Good things will soon happen



I'm preparing this post on Sunday. It's quiet here, raining lightly outside my open window but a few birds are starting to talk to each other. I woke up craving Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee. Must be nerves again. Listening to Patty Griffith sing Moon River...mellow, just the way I like my music.

About those nerves. Summer term at PSU starts in the morning (by the time you read this, that's today) so I'm in for the next ten weeks. I'm a very outgoing person in my online persona, folks, but in real life there's this thing called social anxiety. Shyness, timidity and self-esteem are often contributing factors but I am truly none of these. Inside I am exploding--and I am not afraid to let it out, but I think the situation has to be somewhat in my control or the nervousness starts acting up.

I'm a jump-in-with-both-feet kinda person, sometimes to my own detriment, but it's how I'm hardwired so I don't fight it too hard most of the time. So, as you read this, I'll be sitting in psychology class meeting new people, gaining new ideas and expanding myself once again.

I found that image this morning and it encouraged me.

Hope your week is full of opportunities, readers--take it on, enjoy it, and always keep your goal in mind.

Image via.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Modern woman (not)


I've been a little sketchy on my blog posting lately-–oh, no. Yes, the world’s still revolving.

Things have been busy in that way that life gets sometimes. I try hard to NOT live the life of the 'modern woman'. I am not one of those that feels compelled to “do it all” and be “the best” at everything in life. I am aware of my weaknesses and I don’t consider it a shortcoming to admit I have them or work within the perimeters I am comfortable with. That does not mean that I don’t take on challenges or that I don’t do my best at what I do undertake. I don’t need a life of being busy just for the sake of busy-ness. I choose to do for others when I can; not just out of obligation or expectation. I have come to realize it is more than okay to say “NO” sometimes. It doesn’t have to be equated with disrespect or selfishness. Sometimes, no just means, no thanks.

So my goal was to write a post to the blog at least once per day. Then three per week. Now it's when I can, which has been turning out 1-2 per week at best. I've missed that goal a few times. I’m back this week with something to share, and hopefully inspire, and that’s more important than being right on time, every time, anyways.

Image via my Flickr faves.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Food for Thought: 12 Reasons for Failure

12 Reasons People Fail and are Less Successful
...(or - "what I learned from twitter this morning")

1. They never define what being happy truly means to them.

What lifestyle do you truly desire and what do you need to do to achieve it?

2. Their goals are not really goals but a moving target that they will never hit.

This is what I need to do, this too, this too, oh and this too = too many goals.

3. Set goals they will never hit or that are impossible to achieve.

When someone says, “The Sky is the Limit!, they mean it. The more the better, and they’ll never be satisfied.

4. They don’t believe it can be done and never start.

There is too much competition already. It’ll be too hard to do and I don’t have enough time. I wish I could but I can’t.

5. They don’t make it a MUST.

Making it a must is more than just making it a priority. When you HAVE to do it it becomes essential to your survival. Just like food and water.

6. They don’t create a realistic plan.

They think or assume they can be successful but do no real research or planning. They just start things and “wing it” hoping everything will somehow work out.

7. They don’t follow through with the plan.

Why even create a plan for success if you’re not going to follow it? It’s like making a grocery list and not bringing it with you—you are bound to forget something.

8. They give others the responsibility to make things work for their life.

If you give someone responsibility you need to make sure they’re taking care of things. If they fail - you fail.

9. They give up when faced with a difficult challenge.

When facing a difficult challenge it’s easy to quit. Don’t quit until you achieve your goal.

10. They fail to conduct their life like a business.

Conduct a life like a business. At the end of the year you need to show profit and not debt. A successful business is showing profits at the end of the year and not increased debt.

11. They allow others optimism or pessimism to effect or control their decisions.

If someone tells you that it’s too late to make money on the Internet are you going to believe them? If a famous person endorses is that 'the thing to do'? How about if they tell you that you can make $1,000 a day without doing anything and just a little money using the Forex Autopilot software that sells for only $400?
Do your research and make your own decision.

12. No quality coaching.

In order to effectively realize your own goals and stay motivated, the help of a quality coach or influence is essential to your success. Raising a well mannered child requires great parenting. In this analogy you are the child and your coach is the parent.

Something else to remember:

“The purpose of a goal is not the goal itself but what it makes of you along the way.”
~ Tony Robbins


Road to Antelope

12 THINGS FOUND HERE via twitter.

Photograph copyright Pfeiffer Photos 2008 - all rights reserved. To purchase or view more of our work please visit
my Etsy shop or contact me for more information...thanks!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Thank You: Blog Goals

It is official! My secret goal has been to gain a reader from each continent across the globe. My recent visitors tracker widget shows a visitor from Iceland--the last holdout to make my secret goal complete!

My thanks are warmly extended to each and every one of my visitors, casual readers and followers alike. I truly appreciate your interest and participation of my blogging adventures. I pledge to continue to do my best to keep you entertained, informed and inspired in my future posts and know that your kind comments, humor, suggestions and ideas are always very welcome!

Happy Friday--Happy Weekend!!


Coastal Wildflowers by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2008

copyright pfeiffer photos 2009 - all rights reserved.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year 2009!

It's here, friends! A new year...sparkling and fresh with possibilities...some yet unknown. Ah, yes...[rubbing hands together]...where to begin?



Boardwalk at Wildwood

Resolutions? Well, I prefer to call them goals.

For the first time ever I am putting "lose weight" on my list of things to do. Twelve pounds would make me feel better both physically and mentally. Regular exercise, no excuses, is also up near the top. These are, of course, in no particular order or the exercise would have been mentioned before the weight loss goal, ha! Improving not only my health but assisting in the same for my hubby. More effort to balance the meals, make more at home and spend far less eating out--truly our weakness, folks. Push my grade point average up to 4.0 overall. (That's off to a good start by-the-way with a 4.0 after completing fall term!) Being a better friend to those that are mine.* Regular prayer time and Bible study...not just at church (ouch). More travel. More culture. More, please! And a real, true, live website for Pfeiffer Photos is a goal Chris and I share for this year--yup, that's a biggie!


Forest Park Trail

I thank all of you for reading, for following, for commenting, for returning time and again, and for being my online friends--it means more to me than you know.

*As my first random act of kindness for '09, I encourage you to visit the blog of Leah aka Moxie Photo & Design. She's hosting a GIVEAWAY to start the new year off right. With multiple ways to enter it's just a no brainer that you would head on over and try your luck. I don't know why more folks aren't already following her blog [yes, you can sign up while you're there!] but trust me, you'll love the goodies she's planning and plotting to send your way if you win!

Here's wishing everyone a very healthy and oh, so Happy New Year 2009!


Wahkeena Falls Trail



All photos displayed in this post are by Tina and copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Second Time Sophomore


"Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!"
~ Jul Brynner as King Mongkut of Siam in The King & I

In spring of 2007, at age 38, I lost my last JOB and my new husband of 4 months encouraged me to put down the want ads and pick up the school books in search of a CAREER.

Looking back at my work for the last five terms at community college, the thing that stands out most now is the increase in my confidence level to achieve my goals. I remember at the start I would approach each assignment with a fair amount of apprehension and then slowly make my way through the process. My fingers were figuratively crossed each time I finished a piece of work and submitted it for review. Afterwards I would find myself wishing there was more time to spend in the text, more questions to answer, and more time left to write and to share.




L to R: El Grande Cowl by Fringe, Leaf Earrings by Spotted Octopus Jewelry, Cranberry Crossover Cordoroy Tote by Camille Star


As I've progressed through each course I have learned to be more precise in what I want to convey. I've grown beyond surface statements, simple declarations with nothing to back them up, and learned to add detail and to better explain my ideas. I try to be very honest in both the written and visual work I produce and to ensure that what is in my head comes out on the page (or screen) in just the way I intend.

This Sunday is the first day of Fall. Next Monday is the first day of Fall term for me. A mixture of excitement and nervousness builds as I cross each day off my calendar and we inch toward the 22nd. I look forward to learning but I am nervous about meeting and interacting with new people.


L to R: Tree Landscape Cuff by TigerLilyShop, Vintage Spectator Tassel Heels from Nerdybird Vintage, Grass by Pfeiffer Photos


I found this video clip today on YouTube (see below). It's not only a fun piece of cinematic memory and a happy song, it gave me a little boost in my spirit for these weeks to come.

Whatever you're undertaking that is new, and in this time of many folks feeling some uncertainties, I hope it brings you a smile!



My back-to-school picks are featured in the photos included in this post. These items are the quality handmade and vintage goods offered by our fellow small business owners on Etsy.com. Please click the links for more info and to view their shops--thanks so much!

"I Whistle a Happy Tune" by Rodgers & Hammerstein from The King & I - 20th Century Fox, video clip via YouTube.

copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.