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.

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.

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

 Thanks so much for reading!  

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