Hello!  If this is your first time here, scroll down to read day one.  Otherwise, here are the current links to the rest of the series:: 31 Extraordinary Days….

{Day 2} 20 Extraordinary Little Things…I Love About Fall!

{Day 3} October Dining…Outdoors!

{Day 4} Autumn Inside Outside

{Day 5} Just a little kindness…

{Day 6} Autumn….where every leaf is a flower

{Day 7} Joy Day! | Intentionally Developing a Heart of Gratitude

{Day 8} Organize the Nest for Fall

{Day 9} Fall Fluffing

{Day 10} Breathe

{Day 11} think about such things

{Day 12} Fall Window Box ~ Plumping with Pumpkins

{Day 13} A Favorite Fall Stop ~ The Apple Barn

{Day 14} Joy Day! A Day to Proclaim His Love & Faithfulness

{Day 15} Just for the Delight of Others!

{Day 16} Pumpkinscaping the Sideboard

{Day 17} Eyes to See Beauty

{Day 18} Making the House….My Home

{Day 19} Spooky Fingers

{Day 20} 100 Steps ~ A Photo Journey

{Day 21} Joy Day! ~ Glory All Around Us

{Day 22} Who are we becoming?

{Day 23} Thinking Ahead to Thanksgiving

{Day 24} The Most Extraordinary Month

{Day 25} Commitment

{Day 26} On Eagle’s Wings

{Day 27} Of Light & Leaves

(Day 28} Joy Day! ~ Loved!

{Day 29} Inspired to Inspire

{Day 30} Pumpkinizing

{Day 31} Be Extraordinary!

 

{Day 1}  The Adventure Begins!

When I was growing up I remember my mother was pretty handy.  She sewed, knitted, baked, and even lent her hand to a few household renovations.  But one thing that always stuck with me is something she said, “It’s good enough.”  As a kid I bristled to that remark.  It seemed wrong.

“Good enough?”  To me, that meant  more good was yet to be done.  But mom stopped short of that.

 

AnExtraordinaryDay.net | 31 Extraordinary Days  |  October 2012

I think at some point in my life I determined that I was not going to be a “good enougher.”

 

Before you write me off…

I need to qualify that remark.  Sometimes there is a point when something is “good enough.”   Like when I work on an artistic project for a temporary children’s environment that will be up for just a week. In that case I need to keep some perspective and decide the extent of time and effort to put into the project. I need to make some assessments.  Will it be viewed up close, or is it on the stage where the closest viewer will be 20 feet away?  Objectivity and perspective are necessary to best utilize my time and materials.  But, even then you won’t hear me using the phrase, “good enough.”

 

 Why be Ordinary when You can be Extraordinary.

 

In 1992 I became a sale representative for the Longaberger Company.  At that time I was busy in the evenings, standing before a gathering of women, and speaking about living beautifully and creating a lovely home.

In the midst of those many presentations I coined the phrase, “Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary.”

I wasn’t a Martha Stewart wannabe.  But, a gal who wanted to live life beautifully and fully.  Not thrown together, but intentionally.

Never seeking to make more work, but instead looking at the outcome I desired, and making choices accordingly.

It’s believing that the “little things” really do count.  That paying attention to them may make my day, or any experience, more lovely or special or memorable.

So yes, I do go on picnics with a table cloth and real dishes.  Sure I have to rinse my dishes off when I get home and throw them in the dishwasher.  But, my plates don’t blow away or get mushy or leak.

Do you like to eat outdoors?  For me using my dinnerware notches up the outdoor dining experience and makes it feel “extraordinary.”   And really the additional effort is minimal.  Plus, I saved the money of using disposables and saved a few twigs as well.

 

AnExtraordinaryDay.net | 31 Extraordinary Days | Coreopsis

 

As we embark on 31 Extraordinary Days together…

I’ll be sharing ideas, experiences, and even a little philosophy behind the Extraordinary Lifestyle I embrace.  Home and garden and lifestyle will be woven throughout.  And we’ll also relish the season of autumn, too.

I hope you’ll join in by subscribing to receive daily posts to your inbox or your reader.  And I hope that you’ll comment often.  I love to read your thoughts and I do respond.  Wouldn’t it be great if during this time we develop our own little Extraordinary community?  One where we learn together, support, encourage, and celebrate one another?  I may even create a linky party too.  One where you can show off your bit of extraordinary stuff.  All you need is a Facebook account to link up, if you’re not a blogger.

Fun is afoot!  I hope you’ll join in and invite your friends to participate too! I hope you’ll join me on this journey and check out the other 31 Dayers too!

 

Wishing you An Extraordinary 31 Days!!

Diane

Sharing at Nesting Place + Denise in Bloom + RDD + At the Picket Fence + Imparting Grace + Stuff & Nonsense

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 Thanks so much for reading!  

Please stop by Longaberger Lifestyle  

www.Longaberger.com/Lifestyle | Artisan Bread Basket with Wrought Iron Handle - Handwoven maple basket by Longaberger weavers

Extraordinary Handmade Goodness ~ Perfect for Entertaining or Everyday

Comments

  1. Sheila Skillingstead says

    Nice post. Good luck with the 31 days.

  2. Teri Fishe says

    Enjoyed the first post…looking forward to more and sharing thoughts about the things that make our lives happy!

    • Diane says

      Thanks for reading and your encouragement, Teri!
      Hope your day is EXTRAORDINARY!

  3. Odile says

    Very interesting point of view.

  4. Vicki says

    Hi Diane,
    Great post and idea. I just signed up to receive your email updates. I love your point of view, I’m hoping some of it will rub off on me.
    Have a great day!

    • Diane says

      Welcome Vicki!! Thanks for joining in the adventure with me!!
      Hope your day is Extraordinary!!

  5. Such a great post!

    • Diane says

      What a nice thing to say, Melody! Thank you!!
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

  6. Sometimes we use wine glasses, even if it’s just juice. Or I cut roses from my rose bush and put them in a mason jar, for something pretty in the house. Or we sit on our front porch, just the two of us, like a little old couple, watching the world go by. Those things make our day extraordinary. But to some, that’s just ordinary. 🙂

    • Diane says

      Hi Amanda!
      I love that!!! And how much better is our day because of doing those little things?
      May your weekend be Extraordinary!

  7. What a fun idea. Thanks for sharing. And I’ve never even thought of using real dishes for a picnic. It would be fun.

    Happy Sharefest. Have a great weekend.

    • Diane says

      It really is the little things Miss Robin that make the ordinary extraordinary!
      Wishing you an extraordinary weekend!

  8. Lovely thoughts. Your picnic example is a good one. I feel the same way about little things like homemade baked goods. People are always amazed by them, and they take so little trouble–just a bit of time and attention. How good it is to be able to share time and attention with people, right?

    • Diane says

      Oh yes, Richella! It’s a joy to bless others. Taking the time to do it is that little bit of extra. But, I do think that we are in turn blessed as well for our efforts.
      May your weekend be Extraordinary!

  9. Great idea to spread the love, Diane! Can’t wait to read your other posts.

  10. I’m excited to read this series. I’m so with you on the “good enougher.” And one of my goals this year is to enjoy the moments.

    • Diane says

      Pamela, you just made my day! There is a big tension in this thought process for me and many. I look forward to hear your thoughts as you read through.
      Blessings!

  11. You have such a great attitude!!! I love it and I totally agree! I am looking forward to seeing more!!

    • Diane says

      [blush] Thanks Jen!!! And thank you for taking the time to stop by and leave such kind words!

  12. Nancy says

    So nice to learn about your background, Diane — I do love the phrase. Makes you think! 🙂

    • Diane says

      How nice of you to come by Nancy. Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
      May your weekend by Extraordinary!!

  13. Love the idea for this.

    • Diane says

      Thank you Rachel! 🙂
      May your day be Extraordinary!

  14. Elena says

    Stoppin’ by from the Facebook Frenzy! I just liked your facebook page :o) Feel free to visit mine here:

    Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cropped-Stories/615495055132216

    • Diane says

      Awww…thanks Elena!
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

  15. Hello! We joined the blog hop group on The Wondering Brain’s blog, and it has been so fun to visit blog after blog after blog! You have an adorable blog and a great layout. We’re your new fans! Feel free to check out our blog if you have time.

    Cayla and Ashley
    caylaandashley.blogspot.com

    • Diane says

      Awww thanks Cayla & Ashley…you two are sooo sweet! 🙂

  16. I’m enjoying reading your posts. This one made me smile a little; it addresses one of my greatest conundrums. I don’t want to let go of anything…any endeavor, any enterprise…at least, not before it’s perfect. Extraordinary. But I’m learning that hanging on to everything I wish I could do or be is crazymaking. I loved what you said about choices, choosing which things you want to make or do extraordinarily, and focusing on them. In my case, I believe that is the ticket to sanity–choosing a few out of many. Or the most important, or most relevant…. And it does mean letting go of some things. But (at least theoretically) it allows me to be focused and wholehearted.

    Thanks for this thought provoking post! Lynaea @ <a href="http://everydaybloom.com/in-the-pink-apron/

    • Diane says

      Oh Lynaea…wouldn’t it be great to have it all together? We struggle so much…control, perfection, time constraints, the desire to please, the need to find approval…it all weighs in doesn’t it? I hope you can find your focus, your passion, and the freedom that comes with living it out fully.
      I am so blessed that you are enjoying past posts. [hugs]

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