Debbie Seagle's Blog

Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses - The Movie !

This Romantic Comedy is based on the #1 bestselling book Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses. It centers on a jilted, optimistic, unconventional divorcee who struggles to adapt to rural life after leaving an undisclosed past in our nation’s capital.

Our heroine is a former military wife, mother of three in command of her life – before her world falls apart. She blunders through intervals of isolation, harmless revenge, and painfully true stages of danger and survival with unexpected hilarity.

She finds solace in her childhood friends who revive their adolescent antics. And her resolve to avoid any “stinkin’ man” is challenged when a charming pilot saves her (more than once) from ridiculous situations. He should run.

Trudging through heart-breaking and heart-warming truths of life with our heroine will inspire the audience to embrace their own resilience to face disasters and disappointments with a renewed sense of humor – and courage. It has been suggested that everyone watching this movie wear waterproof undies.

Our Cast & Crew David WenzelDirector/Producer/ActorAs Cousin DanRobyne ParrishLead ActorAs DebChris BezaireLead ActorAs GregAmanda BrookeSupporting ActorAs MandyAland Sheldon-MillerActorAs BethChelsea HacklerActorAs CarolineLissy Ten HoopenActorAs Dumpster PrincessJordon OliveiraActorAs Joe (Son 1)Alana ChandlerActorAs Flight Attendant 1Maria NunezActorAs Dumpster HelperFlamingoActorAs Pink FlamingoDebbie SeagleWriter/Executive Producer/ActorAs Fire Baton TwirlerHerman JusthermanActorAs HermanJohn DoeCEO, co-founderAt elementum leo a porttitor aliqu isque ut condimentum vestib ulum parturient scelerisque sceler isque ultricies diam.John DoeCEO, co-founderAt elementum leo a porttitor aliqu isque ut condimentum vestib ulum parturient scelerisque sceler isque ultricies diam.John DoeCEO, co-founderAt elementum leo a porttitor aliqu isque ut condimentum vestib ulum parturient scelerisque sceler isque ultricies diam.John DoeCEO, co-founderAt elementum leo a porttitor aliqu isque ut condimentum vestib ulum parturient scelerisque sceler isque ultricies diam.John DoeCEO, co-founderAt elementum leo a porttitor aliqu isque ut condimentum vestib ulum parturient scelerisque sceler isque ultricies diam.John DoeCEO, co-founderAt elementum leo a porttitor aliqu isque ut condimentum vestib ulum parturient scelerisque sceler isque ultricies diam.John DoeCEO, co-founderAt elementum leo a porttitor aliqu isque ut condimentum vestib ulum parturient scelerisque sceler isque ultricies diam.The post Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses – THE MOVIE! appeared first on lifebackdoit.

Little Things You Have Time to Do – Treat Yourself!

Lie in bed for a few minutes after you wake up and plant a big smile on your face.Stretch, while you’re still in bed, and feel the blood circulating through your warm body.Sit up, lean your head back, and smile, reaching up into the universe to welcome a new day.Be thankful that you are alive!Focus on the smell of your coffee as it brews, or your bacon as it fries, while cleaning out a cabinet or a drawer and wiping it down.Sit down, and take 4 minutes to write, onto paper, something you are grateful for this morning as you enjoy your coffee, tea, whatever it be.Take one more minute to remember a time when you felt full of love.Be with yourself and feel how blessed you are to be alive, no matter what you have to face later on today. You’ve got this.When you encounter anyone today, smile at them, especially if you don’t know them, and feel the shared joy when they smile back!Remind yourself to smile, just smile, for the rest of the day, every time you stop to be you.You will find that smiling makes you happy, even if you don’t feel like smiling. DOiT now.You will make other people happy by giving them the chance to smile back at you.You will burn calories, just by smiling!You will feel lucky to have the chance to make something better today for yourself or someone else – starting now.You will make the world a happier place by being the person who took the time to smile today.Good will, a positive outlook, and your powerful smile will spill out into the universe to create a cheerful, hopeful vibe that spins out of control to spread warmth and love.

DOiT.

Have a Wonderful Day – a fabulous cliché!

The post 10 Things – Start Your Day in a Magnificent Way! appeared first on lifebackdoit.

10 Time-Consuming Things to do before ChristmasIs Searching for the Perfect Gift Time Well-spent?

Christmas shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking and planning can be overwhelming. The holiday season (from Halloween to the new year) can cause insomnia, eye bags, ulcers, hangnails, delusions of grandeur, and imposter syndrome.

It’s all because Hallmark movies have guilted us into purchasing a meaningful gift for each person rather than ordering matching chicken leg socks, pajamas, Santa hats, and bubble bath.

With 16 friends, three sons and daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, plus their boyfriends and girlfriends, buying in bulk saves me countless shopping disasters, but that’s another story.

This year I decided to give more purposeful and mindful gifts. Ok, I was guilted into believing I should become less predictably a grandmaw-giver.

After weeks of sleepless research, I ordered a leg massager for Dad. He has neuropathy, bad circulation, and doesn’t need another tie. It was a caring and considerate gift purchased after a bout (about a week) of agonizing thoughtful gift scouting.

I was thrilled with myself to have purchased his main gift AND wrapped it, beautifully, I might add. All before December 2nd.

While sitting with him in the TV room, a commercial spoiled my surprise by flashing the very same super-duper leg and muscle restorative device that was to secretly be his. The ad touted never-before-imagined miraculous healing and therapeutic properties achievable with the handy remote control stimulator accessory (it comes free with the device).

I panicked and started a conversation about one of his hero stories (everyone in the family knows the story verbatim).  Dad couldn’t be distracted but was captivated by the infomercial demonstrating infrared heated compression and healing miracles.

Bingo.

Dad was being lured to the benefits of mechanical massage just as willingly as I was.

Then the hammer fell. Dad declared how such a device would make his skin crawl and his head hurt. Why would he trap his legs into something like that when they already hurt?

Another unraveled attempt to dazzle a gift recipient.

I should have listened to my daughter-in-law when she told me I give useless crap that no one wants or needs. Exact words.

Screw the thoughtful, meaningful, helpful Christmas gifts. Everyone is getting slippers and pajamas with cash in the pocket this year.

And I’m putting them in gift bags. I’ll hoard the Hallmark wrapping paper, glittery rolls of ribbon, and box top trinkets. They’re useless splendor anyway.

I’m now planning to get busy avoiding the nagging accomplishments expected of me before December 24th.

If you need a break from the most wonderful time of the year, here are 10 things you can do to avoid obligatory worthwhile or productive holiday deeds and gift acquisition:

Watch a Christmas Movie.
Better yet, binge watch Hallmark Countdown to Christmas. If you walk away for 18 minutes, you won’t miss a thing. The prince doesn’t marry the Dutchess. He kisses the nanny, the kids grow to love and defend her, and the entire kingdom applauds when they kiss.
You can haphazardly wrap a gift or bake some cookies between the time the heroine overhears him say something she misconstrues and the scene where they are drinking hot cocoa, reunited, at the town square festival. There’s your mindless underachievement without effort. Consider it a gift to yourself.Learn to Juggle.
My grandkids did. They received juggling balls from me for three years in a row, and took the hint. I’ve not witnessed their talent, but they all assure me that they can juggle three balls, some say four. I think I’ll buy in bulk again this year and give them one more juggling instruction gift pack with rings and swords. I don’t believe them.Paint Your Kitchen Shelves Santa Red.
First, pull out the survival food you’ve stockpiled and horded since grocery stores were empty during covid. You may find ingredients to make Christmas candies or casseroles if they’re not stale or moldy.
Create your own concoction of Holiday Surprise Casserole (before the cans expire). The bulk of my stash includes mushrooms, chickpeas, olives, coconut milk, black beans, cream of celery soup, mangos, shoe peg corn, tomato paste, baking soda, and pimentos. Yummy.
Why did I think I’d need those staples should we conforming Americans never be allowed to leave the house again? I’d have to be locked in the basement, tied to a pole, for days without food to feel desperate enough to open or combine any of those ingredients. I’m adventurous, but give me some stale noodles over baking soda any day.Count The Strips of Plastic on Your Window Blinds.
You could make a game of “close your eyes & guess the number of rows on my window.” Use the exercise as a trick to keep everyone awake after Christmas dinner. Drag out the family fun by closing the blinds, then letting them down rhythmically to the most despised Christmas tunes. There is one song almost everyone can agree they’re sick of hearing. Nothing says stay awake for desert like a good game of who gives a crap. That’s how Christmas traditions are born, and you have to admit, it’s original if nothing else.
Now I’m talking myself out of counting the rows on my dang blinds.
I need sleep.Arrange Your Ink Pen Drawer Alphabetically by Color.
But only if you need the simplified thrill of accomplishment. There are so many methods to choose from.
There’s the loosely and frivolously arranged whimsical pens in a drawer look.
Or pen dividers for the anal pen organizer.
My favorite is the forget that shit. They’re in the drawer.
As you admire and inventory your pens, markers and highlighters, you might want to consider what you would write in your Christmas cards with those colorful pens if you could find the time to send cards for the first time in the past 11 years.
Disclaimer: This idea is for desperate people who avoid sending Christmas cards for fear of inadequate year-end summary fascination.Unwrap And Try Out a Deluxe $285 Leg Massager.
I will, and hope dad likes the tie & slippers he’s getting this year.Start a Group Text.
Send stupid memes with Christmas themes to random friends who don’t know each other and let them get acquainted. Then you can simply say: I hope you have a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and (in advance) the best Groundhog Day ever! Consider this your card.
Obviously, I feel guilty about not getting Christmas cards in the mail every year. I do think about it though. Every year.Start a Neighborhood Composting Area.
I don’t know, it’s something to do, and maybe the groundhog living under your shed will move if you locate the compost in the town square. Good luck with that.Go Caroling.
It would be more fun if you could get someone to go with you.Do a Good Deed.
While this falls under the worthwhile category, it still assists you in accomplishing nothing you’re typically expected to do during the holidays. So, what the heck, do something nice for a change.
~ Donate to a food bank (maybe they could use some mangos or olives?)
~ Leave a surprise for the mailman in your mailbox (OK, BS, mail Person). “Man” meant the human race in the past. Man meant Woman as well – in my old-time English class. It never bothered me. I wasn’t damaged by using the word man to identify mankind.
I don’t succumb to a bunch of word drama nor do I believe in wasting time or tiptoeing over words to avoid offending anyone. If the use of a word is offensive, man … get a life. Sorry about the digression.
~ Candy cane bomb a parking lot.
~ Letters to Santa are often dropped in the US postal service mailboxes. The “Operation Santa” program invites people to adopt and respond to the adorable wishes of thousands of children each year. You can make a wish come true here:  https://www.uspsoperationsanta.com/letters

                You gotta love this kid who wants donuts.

~ Leave an anonymous gift on a neighbor’s front porch with a note thanking them for being a good neighbor. Maybe a candle rather than coconut milk or black beans, just sayin’
~ Drop a dollar or two in the toy isle at the dollar store. I placed some $ on shelves yesterday when I picked up some useless crap for stockings, and it made me ridiculously happy.

~ Offer to help someone wash their hands in a public restroom. Not very Christmassy, but just admit – it’s thoughtful.

Merry Christmas.

Consider this your Holliday card.

I hope my friends & family read this as their Christmas Card. I have a pen & pencil drawer to organize.

The post 10 Time-Consuming Things to do before Christmas appeared first on lifebackdoit.

Colonel Sanders became an important man. You know his story, don’t you? Kentucky Fried Chicken; it’s finger-lickin’ good.

I actually met him when I was Miss National Teen of Virginia.  We were in the Apple Blossom Festival Parade in Winchester, Virginia, and had our own floats, along with Bob Hope, Joe Theisman, and The Apple Blossom Queen-Susan (President Ford’s daughter). President Ford & Mickey Mouse were there too. Now you’re impressed, right?

I was hanging out with the “important people” of the day and glowed like the bumpkin from the mountains that I was.  But I was young, green as grass in May, and unworldly enough to find it fascinating. Sadly, most of those “Important” people have expired in one way or another. They’re not so important anymore.

What makes a person important?

Other people’s opinion?
Money?
Their color, sex, race or diversion?
Does scratching the face of society make people important?
Who the heck knows anymore?

It seems that what is important these days is creating a ruckus.

BS. I believe important people have worked hard to accomplish something they set out to do, never identify as a victim, and sacrifice their time to make our world a better place. Important people are kind, accepting, non-judgmental, and know what they think or like without being told.

Do you know who is important today?
You are.

If you look back and feel like the parade has passed you by, or you believe life will never be as good as it was on your glory day (everyone has one, eventually); if you think you’ve done everything you can do, you’re wrong.

Sorry, but I have to tell you the truth. I was (almost) a girl scout, and I’m pretty sure they always (usually) tell the truth.

But, I have to be honest, again … the Girl Scout program in Dublin, Va was canceled after this group of Brownies completed their first year.

I don’t remember why.

But, like those girls … the rest of your life is in front of you. Be honest with yourself.

You’re just beginning. Your life changed today as soon as you brushed your teeth. As a citizen of the world, you have the exciting opportunity to make today whatever you want it to be. Simplistic? Yep. That’s why it’s easy. Simply choose your mood, your actions, your outlook, and your goals.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”

Don’t imagine that you are the only person faced with things you don’t even want to withstand. Yes, you have obligations, chores, mishaps, worries, sadness, and overwhelming challenges to endure today.

BUT … whatever parades before you – you can decide how you will handle it. You can choose how to feel about it and how to react to it. That’s because you’re not a rodent.

You have the ability to look at your trials and tribulations from the perspective of

Oh, woe is meI’ve got thisI’m going to get on a tube and float down the river where no one can find me! (Today anyway.)

It’s your decision. You’re in this parade, so keep marching. You can DOiT.

The day before the Apple Blossom Parade, I attended a la-de-da luncheon. I posed for a photo with Colonel Sanders. (I was wearing a yellow polka dot gown and long white gloves. He was wearing his famous white Kentucky Colonel suit with a black string tie).  We both looked ridiculous.

I’ve been looking for my scrapbook to share the photo. I’ll put it here when I find it. (You’ll laugh.)

The Colonel had his arm around me, and it was somewhat (excruciatingly) uncomfortable because of the proximity of his hand on my left boob.  I confess, I was a naive 16-year-old, and thought nothing of my discomfort at the time.  I didn’t even realize until a few years later that the unsolicited advice the old man shared with me may have been a double entendre.

The Colonel gave me his formula for a happy marriage; and of course, it was focused on chicken.  He said that when I married, I should (every day) offer my husband some buttery biscuits, breasts, juicy legs, and thighs with the secret spices.  It only occurred to me, when retelling the story to my son many years later, that maybe I didn’t want to pass on the secret recipe.  OH!  THAT  was what he meant.

He honestly said that to me … and must have walked away, shaking his head, wondering If I’d ever get it. I was from a rural area where simple minds flourished. I was a representative.

The rest of Colonel Sanders’ story is more tasteful and inspiring:

His father died when he was five. His mother worked, so he cooked for the family and dropped out of school in 7th grade. When his mother remarried, he ran away from home because his stepfather beat him. He falsified his date of birth and enlisted in the Army at 16. He had a son who died at an early age.
(It gets more inspiring than this). 

For example, Sanders, at age 50, created his well-known “Original Recipe” with secret spices (for both chicken and a good marriage according to our conversation). 50 was old back then.

After many years of serving his secret fried chicken recipe in his local gas station and restaurant, my buddy, Colonel Harland Sanders, lost everything and, at the age of 65, he began to collect his social security check of $100 per month and wondered how he was going to survive financially.

But, as I can personally attest, Colonel Sanders wasn’t a man to give up.  He marketed his recipe and was rejected by more than 1,000 prospects when he finally launched the first “Kentucky Fried Chicken” franchise and eventually sold the franchise for $2 million.  Not bad back in the day for an old guy who should have been a marriage counselor.

He always wore his famous white suit in public during the last 20 years of his life. I only wore that hideous yellow & white polka dot dress with long white gloves – once.  I don’t know why I’m so stuck on our attire that infamous day, except that it really is funny if you look at it – when I find it.

Moral of the StoryNever give up on pursuing your dreamsNever think you’re too old to do anything you want to doNever imagine that anything is beyond your reachNever think that a failure is finalEvery failure is your previous attempt: just practice: Try againNever give upYou can be, see, like, and do any dang thing you please … no matter what you are wearing!You are important.You are worthy and capable, and lovable.You’re more loveable now than you have ever been!

It’s Never too late to start living and doing what you want. Your new direction starts right now, and there’s so much more you can do today. So, decide what it is that you really want to do.

And DOiT.

#doit

The post It’s Never Too Late, Colonel Sanders appeared first on lifebackdoit.

When the first potato was mashed by the first Potato-Smasher, a little boy came running. He had no designs for a Potato-Smasher Challenge. No, he raised an elbow, placed his hand under his armpit, and pumped his arm to mimic the potato mashing sound. A few hundred years later, his great-great-grandson’s cousin perfected the noise, and that’s how we got the armpit fart sound.

Ok, that may not be true, but I’ve been thinking about potato-smashers since airport security confiscated mine. (See Chapter 1 of Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses.) Could it be that they didn’t like the noise? I dunno. I’m still pondering.

Speaking of Potato-Smashers…

 

This first one is the easiest and least creative, but let’s start simple until you get into the spirit of the DOiT Challenges over coming weeks (in our DOiT Blogs & on our DOiT Page on Facebook).

There will be an exciting Final Grand Prize for top entries – awarded July 10, 2023.

HINT: Pack your bags. #doit.

Potato-Smasher Challenge

How many ways can you use a Potato-Smasher?

That’s it. Come up with the best idea – and you WIN!
DOiT:  If you come up with a great idea, enter the contest HERE

Our team will select a winner on June 10, 2023.
Rules for this first Challenge are pretty simple. Share your idea until 11:59 pm on June 10, 2023 on the DOiT Page & follow the simple rules there.

Prize for DOiT Challenge # 1: A free Audio Book (Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses), a free Potato-Smasher for you to fill with encouraging, uplifting words, AND a magnificent wine glass.

 

The Potato-Smasher became a symbolic tool of triumph for me when I was asked to move out of my house so my husband’s Texas Trash Tramp could move in. It’s a long story. So, I wrote a book about it. Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses.

A short story inspired by the book:

I was leaving our home for the last time, and I opened a kitchen drawer. Well, I tried to, but it was stuck. My Potato-Smasher was jamming the drawer. I didn’t really care about the drawer anymore, so I jerked it open, and out popped MY Potato-Smasher. I grabbed it (it was mine) and I held it up like a trophy.

The trash tramp got my husband, my house, and my yard full of perennials. But she didn’t get my Potato-Smasher! (Who’s laughing now?) I marched out of my house for the last time holding My Potato-Smasher at eye level. It led me out the door, and 30 years of marriage were crushed.

Hey, when you’re half-crazy with sadness, some things just make sense. Some things are just ridiculous. Both can be good. Oh, I took my favorite wine glass too.

So, to honor my Potato-Smasher, this idea was born:

Write inspiring words on pieces of paper to hang from your Potato-Smasher with colorful twine or yarn. Why? Think of it as a hanging vision mobile. When you think of yourself, words like – intriguing, lovable, capable, thriving and smashing – probably pop into your head. If they don’t, you need to read the book. Write your encouraging words on pieces of paper.
Hang those uplifting words from your Potato-Smasher.
Hang your smasher from the lamp on your nightstand or by your desk and you’ll randomly see words that make you feel good. People have done stupider things. Besides, it gives you something to do with your hands between drinking sessions.

Snatch a few Potato-Smasher words from Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses:

Joyful
Genuine
Delightful
Alluring
Brave
Fabulous
Glorious
Dazzling
Sexy
Splendorous

Thoughtful
Magnificent
Considerate
Legendary|
Worthy
Creative
Adorable
Giddy
Wiggle
Wine Glass (I know, it’s 2 words)

 

You have to admit, those words make you feel good. That’s the point.
If you don’t like that smashing idea, come up with your own and enter DOiT Challenge # 1:

Potato-Smasher Challenge Ideas to Get You Started

Keep your Potato-Smasher in your kitchen drawer so it jams the drawer and challenges your ingenuity. (Ok, let me try again.)
Hang your Potato-Smasher from a ceiling hook, or hang 16 of them for dangling candle holders. (A romantic idea.)
Use it as a small hanging plant holder. (Getting better?)
Stand it up & glue a clothespin to the handle for a recipe holder or note-leaver.
Hang spoons & forks from it to make wind chimes.

Then There’s This:

Spaghetti Stirrer: Use a potato-smasher to occasionally stir boiling stuck-together spaghetti to separate the strands. This will agitate the pasta and keep it from clumping. (That may be an agitating-ly dull idea).
You could also make mashed potatoes with a potato-smasher, but that idea will never win a prize.

Potato-Smasher shortcuts:

Chop nuts
Decorate the frosting on a cake
Make healthy home-made baby food with fresh fruits and vegetables (peaches, bananas, peas, etc.)
Use it to mix mulch or compost into the soil in a large flowerpot or small garden.

RECIPES

Make fruit juice. The directions are obvious; use your Potato-Smasher.

Smashed Potatoes.

Yes, Smashed, not Mashed

Smashed Potatoes

The secret to crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside baby potatoes is the Potato-Smasher.

Boil fingerling or baby potatoes until softened.
Drain.
Place the boiled potatoes on a lined baking sheet.
Smash each potato with the Potato-Smasher until flattened into a disc.
Toss the potatoes in olive oil, sea salt, parmesan cheese, & crushed fresh garlic.
Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 48 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

Do you know the difference between a Potato-Smasher and a Ricer?

It’s simply a difference in texture. Take potatoes for instance:
Potato-Smasher: Allows you keep the skins & retain some lumps.
Ricer: Provides a fluffy mash.
And there you have it.

DOiT



Do the Mashed Potato (dance).

The “Mashed Potato” began with Dee Dee Sharp’s 1962 hit “Mashed Potato Time.” The dance became popular on American Bandstand (a dance TV show 1952-1989). The song was a mix of R&B, blues, and ’50s doo-wop. That’s what makes it so fun!
Here’s How:
DOiT on your toes…  toes out/heels together … elbows out. Just so you know, the elbows out thing… it’s not leading to the underarm fart thing.
OK, Focus: Start over:
Toes out/heels together … elbows out
Twist both heels outward keeping your weight on the balls of your feet.
Twist both heels in together again.
Repeat: Twist both heels outward keeping your weight on the balls of your feet. But this time, lift your R foot backward, with a twist in your hips. (R foot slightly behind L foot)
Put toes together with heels out)
Then… Repeat:
Twist heels in.Heels out.
Heels in, then…
Twist both heels out & kick out your left (L) foot behind you doing the twist.
You can take two steps if you need to get in step with the music again. If you fall down, do the worm. Get back up and…
Repeat:
Heels out/toes in
Heels in/toes out
Heels out – R foot kick
Heels in
Heels out
Heels in
Heels out – L foot kick
Repeat
Repeat a few extra heels in & out moves between kicks to look professional.
Repeat
Get off the floor again & keep going!  You can DOiT!
They did this dance in Dirty Dancing & the Broadway play Hairspray.
If you raise your hands like a zombie – you’re doing the Monster Mash!

Keep Smiling.

If you are completely confused, my work is done here.

P.S.  Don’t forget to enter the DOiT Challenge # 1 – Potato-Smasher Challenge! AND… also Post your answers below – if you wanna.

The post The Potato-Smasher Challenge You Didn’t Know You Needed appeared first on lifebackdoit.

When the first potato was mashed by the first Potato-Smasher, a little boy came running. He raised an elbow, placed his hand under his armpit, and pumped his arm to mimic the potato mashing sound. A few hundred years later, his great-great-grandson’s cousin perfected the noise, and that’s how we got the armpit fart sound.

Ok, that may not be true, but I’ve been thinking about potato-smashers since airport security confiscated mine. (See Chapter 1 of Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses.) Could it be that they didn’t like the noise? I dunno. I’m still pondering.

Speaking of Potato-Smashers…

Join the DOiT Challenge

This first one is the easiest and least creative, but let’s start simple until you get into the spirit of the DOiT Challenges over coming weeks (in DOiT Blogs & on our DOiT Group on Facebook). There will be an exciting Final Grand Prize for top entries – awarded July 10, 2023. HINT: Pack your bags. #doit.

DOiT Challenge #1 Potato-Smasher Words

How many ways can you use a Potato-Smasher? That’s it. Come up with the best idea
and you WIN!
DOiT:  If you come up with a great idea, please share it in the box below and
our team will select a winner.
Rules for this first Challenge are pretty simple. Share your ideas until June 10, 2023.
Prize for DOiT Challenge # 1: A free Audio Book (Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses)
AND a free Potato-Smasher for you to fill with encouraging, uplifting words.

The Potato-Smasher became a symbolic tool of triumph for me when I was asked to move out of my house so my husband’s Texas Trash Tramp could move in. It’s a long story. So, I wrote a book about it. Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses.

A short story inspired by the book:

I was leaving our home for the last time, and I opened a kitchen drawer. Well, I tried to, but it was stuck. My Potato-Smasher was jamming the drawer. I didn’t really care about the drawer anymore, so I jerked it open, and out popped MY Potato-Smasher. I grabbed it (it was mine) and I held it up like a trophy.

The trash tramp got my husband, my house, and my yard full of perennials. But she didn’t get my Potato-Smasher! (Who’s laughing now?) I marched out of my house for the last time holding My Potato-Smasher at eye level. It led me out the door, and 30 years of marriage were crushed.

Hey, when you’re half-crazy with sadness, some things just make sense. Some things are just ridiculous. Both can be good. Oh, I took my favorite wine glass too.

So, to honor my Potato-Smasher, this idea was born:

Write inspiring words on pieces of paper to hang from your Potato-Smasher with colorful twine or yarn. Why? Think of it as a hanging vision mobile. When you think of yourself, words like – intriguing, lovable, capable, thriving and smashing – probably pop into your head. If they don’t, you need to read the book. Write your encouraging words on pieces of paper.
Hang those uplifting words from your Potato-Smasher.
Hang your smasher from the lamp on your nightstand or by your desk and you’ll randomly see words that make you feel good. People have done stupider things. Besides, it gives you something to do with your hands between drinking sessions.

Snatch a few Potato-Smasher words from Coffee Cups & Wine Glasses:

Joyful
Genuine
Delightful
Alluring
Brave
Fabulous
Glorious
Dazzling
Sexy
Splendorous

Thoughtful
Magnificent
Considerate
Legendary|
Worthy
Creative
Adorable
Giddy
Wiggle
Wine Glass (I know, it’s 2 words)

You have to admit, those words make you feel good. That’s the point.
If you don’t like that smashing idea, come up with your own and enter DOiT Challenge # 1:

Potato-Smasher Challenge Ideas to Get You Started

Keep your Potato-Smasher in your kitchen drawer so it jams the drawer and challenges your ingenuity. (Ok, let me try again.)
Hang your Potato-Smasher from a ceiling hook, or hang 16 of them for dangling candle holders. (A romantic idea.)
Use it as a small hanging plant holder. (Getting better?)
Stand it up & glue a clothespin to the handle for a recipe holder or note-leaver.
Hang spoons & forks from it to make wind chimes.

Then There’s This:

Spaghetti Stirrer: Use a potato-smasher to occasionally stir boiling stuck-together spaghetti to separate the strands. This will agitate the pasta and keep it from clumping. (That may be an agitating-ly dull idea).
You could also make mashed potatoes with a potato-smasher, but that idea will never win a prize.

Potato-Smasher shortcuts:

Chop nuts
Decorate the frosting on a cake
Make healthy home-made baby food with fresh fruits and vegetables (peaches, bananas, peas, etc.)
Use it to mix mulch or compost into the soil in a large flowerpot or small garden.

RECIPES

Make fruit juice. The directions are obvious; use your Potato-Smasher.

Smashed Potatoes.

Yes, Smashed, not Mashed

The secret to crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside baby potatoes is the Potato-Smasher.

Boil fingerling or baby potatoes until softened.
Drain.
Place the boiled potatoes on a lined baking sheet.
Smash each potato with the Potato-Smasher until flattened into a disc.
Toss the potatoes in olive oil, sea salt, parmesan cheese, & crushed fresh garlic.
Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 48 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

Do you know the difference between a Potato-Smasher and a Ricer?

It’s simply a difference in texture. Take potatoes for instance:
Potato-Smasher: Allows you keep the skins & retain some lumps.
Ricer: Provides a fluffy mash.
And there you have it.

DOiTDo the Mashed Potato (dance).

The “Mashed Potato” began with Dee Dee Sharp’s 1962 hit “Mashed Potato Time.” The dance became popular on American Bandstand (a dance TV show 1952-1989). The song was a mix of R&B, blues, and ’50s doo-wop. That’s what makes it so fun!
Here’s How:
DOiT on your toes…  toes out/heels together … elbows out. Just so you know, the elbows out thing… it’s not leading to the underarm fart thing.
OK, Focus: Start over:
Toes out/heels together … elbows out
Twist both heels outward keeping your weight on the balls of your feet.
Twist both heels in together again.
Repeat: Twist both heels outward keeping your weight on the balls of your feet. But this time, lift your R foot backward, with a twist in your hips. (R foot slightly behind L foot)
Put toes together with heels out)
Then… Repeat:
Twist heels in.Heels out.
Heels in, then…
Twist both heels out & kick out your left (L) foot behind you doing the twist.
You can take two steps if you need to get in step with the music again. If you fall down, do the worm. Get back up and…
Repeat:
Heels out/toes in
Heels in/toes out
Heels out – R foot kick
Heels in
Heels out
Heels in
Heels out – L foot kick
Repeat
Repeat a few extra heels in & out moves between kicks to look professional.
Repeat
Get off the floor again & keep going!  You can DOiT!
They did this dance in Dirty Dancing & the Broadway play Hairspray.
If you raise your hands like a zombie – you’re doing the Monster Mash!

Keep Smiling.

If you are completely confused, my work is done here.

P.S.  Don’t forget to enter DOiT Challenge # 1 – Potato-Smasher Words! Post your answers below.

The post Potato-Smasher Words appeared first on lifebackdoit.

Wait, wait…. Don’t shut the door! Open the Door – to letting someone into your life while getting your Life Back – DOIT.

After a devastating breakup, it’s common to avoid another relationship like we avoid trigonometry, snakes, and jumping off a cliff. But a good man can make you feel elated, sexy and able to take on the world. Oh wait, no, that’s wine. Wine makes you feel that way.

Who knows what a good man can make you feel? Please share if you know!

If you allow it though, a lousy man can help you feel miserable, like you need more wine. Shut the door on that! If you’re with someone who sucks all the air out of the room, open the door; go to another room.

Sure, I miss holding hands with someone I adore. I gleefully appreciated having a door being opened for me; It made me feel sparkly and ladylike. But if he made my life dreadful, I’d rather open my own doors.

After moving into a house by myself, I realized how handy it would be to have someone to simply hold the door. The stay-open latch on my storm door didn’t work, so I’d use my elbow to push the lever down, kick my foot inside and wrap my leg around the door. I’d use my shoulder to open it wider and bump it all the way open with my hip as I quickly slipped past the door dropping boxes as it slammed on my buttocks.

I miss having a door opened for me. I’d like to know who that first woman was anyway, the one who complained about a man opening a door for her! She slammed the door on an endearing gesture, and may have damaged future generations. She surely stifled masculine chivalry.

History proves that a man holding the door for a woman isn’t the patronizing, ego-boosting, cave man gesture feminists portrayed it to be. It started sometime after women ceased wearing animal skins and began wearing those huge hoop dresses (for what reason, I’ll never understand). Women couldn’t reach the door handle because of the hoop, so men began opening the door for us so we could get into the house to start dinner.

If you’re creative, please feel free to publish your artwork of a funny cave man – holding the door for a woman in a hoop dress (below).

Once we recycled the hoops and discovered sweatpants, men continued opening doors for women, not because we were unable, but perhaps because we were bringing the groceries and beer into the house. That is why you always bring the beer in last. Once the beer makes it inside, the door-holding typically stops.

Same thing for going out the door… when we’re taking the trash out. We have two bags and a box of garbage, beer cans for recycling, compost to dump, and glass of wine hugged to our chest. If a man is standing near the door, this is when his attentiveness becomes obvious. He’s not being condescending if he opens the door for you, then quickly closes it behind you to prevent the storm from blowing into his face. He’s being a lousy useless jerk. If this occurs, swearing is allowed, and even encouraged, as you make your trek to the trash cans behind the shed (in a blizzard).

As far as car doors go, the open-for-you courtesy is probably a similar (self-serving) concept. Walking around to your door to let you out gives him time to fart, belch, and check out the pretty woman walking down the street. Or, possibly, he just likes you and wants to show you that he can be lovable and gallant.

I’m all for the helpful gesture of men opening a door for me. I just hope that if there is ever a man in my life again, he will open the door and help take out the trash in one heroic move.

In this age of empowered women, opening doors is not just for men anymore. Holding the door for a dashing stranger could open the door to letting Mr. Wonderful into your life. It might be your chance to adopt an open-door policy.

Brain Teaser: If you are entering, and look back to see that there is a hunky, handsome dreamboat to hold the door for, then he stops to tie his shoe, what do you do?

Hint: You can’t stand there for 42 seconds holding the door for him. Gawking at his tanned muscular legs is impolite. His bulging biceps can probably open the door for himself without your genteel courtesy, or curiosity. Then again, heck, you may not get another chance to trip into his arms. (I learned that maneuver from Hallmark movies.)

Let me define Basic Door-Handling-Etiquette for you.

When you notice someone coming with a load of belongings, it is polite to stand and hold the door for them, but there is an uneasy and undefined rhythm to door-control cordiality.

When you hold the door open for the person behind you, but then two more people are coming, and six more after them, you need to rethink your position. Did you intend to become the doorman? It’s a difficult decision… depending on how attractive that man at the end of the crowd stream is. You never want to miss an open-door opportunity.

Never block your own access to a new passage. You have to ask yourself… would he be worth the wait? If he gets closer and gives you the creeps, you are justified in turning around and pulling the door closed behind you.

On the other hand, if anyone yells “hey, hold the door” you have no choice.

And finally, if you are in a hurry, but notice the man of your dreams behind you, remember your manners. You can thoughtfully fall back into the door to hold it for him to pass you. Your next move is to simulate being stuck to the door. See what happens.

If you’re alone, and don’t want to be alone forever, keep opening doors, and keep the door open – especially if he is chivalrous enough to pick you up off the floor after you fell trying to open it for him. He could turn out to be a door-opener.

The post Open the Door to Possibility appeared first on lifebackdoit.

Wait, wait…. Don’t shut the door!

Open the Door – to letting someone into your life while getting your Life Back – DOIT.

After a devastating breakup, it’s common to avoid another relationship like we avoid trigonometry, snakes, and jumping off a cliff. But a good man can make you feel elated, sexy and able to take on the world. Oh wait, no, that’s wine. Wine makes you feel that way.

Who knows what a good man can make you feel? Please share if you know!

If you allow it though, a lousy man can help you feel miserable, like you need more wine. Shut the door on that! If you’re with someone who sucks all the air out of the room, open the door; go to another room.

Sure, I miss holding hands with someone I adore. I gleefully appreciated having a door being opened for me; It made me feel sparkly and ladylike. But if he made my life dreadful, I’d rather open my own doors.

After moving into a house by myself, I realized how handy it would be to have someone to simply hold the door. The stay-open latch on my storm door didn’t work, so I’d use my elbow to push the lever down, kick my foot inside and wrap my leg around the door. I’d use my shoulder to open it wider and bump it all the way open with my hip as I quickly slipped past the door dropping boxes as it slammed on my buttocks.

I miss having a door opened for me. I’d like to know who that first woman was anyway, the one who complained about a man opening a door for her! She slammed the door on an endearing gesture, and may have damaged future generations. She surely stifled masculine chivalry.

History proves that a man holding the door for a woman isn’t the patronizing, ego-boosting, cave man gesture feminists portrayed it to be. It started sometime after women ceased wearing animal skins and began wearing those huge hoop dresses (for what reason, I’ll never understand). Women couldn’t reach the door handle because of the hoop, so men began opening the door for us so we could get into the house to start dinner.

If you’re creative, please feel free to publish your artwork of a funny cave man – holding the door for a woman in a hoop dress (below).

Once we recycled the hoops and discovered sweatpants, men continued opening doors for women, not because we were unable, but perhaps because we were bringing the groceries and beer into the house. That is why you always bring the beer in last. Once the beer makes it inside, the door-holding typically stops.

Same thing for going out the door… when we’re taking the trash out. We have two bags and a box of garbage, beer cans for recycling, compost to dump, and glass of wine hugged to our chest. If a man is standing near the door, this is when his attentiveness becomes obvious. He’s not being condescending if he opens the door for you, then quickly closes it behind you to prevent the storm from blowing into his face. He’s being a lousy useless jerk. If this occurs, swearing is allowed, and even encouraged, as you make your trek to the trash cans behind the shed (in a blizzard).

As far as car doors go, the open-for-you courtesy is probably a similar (self-serving) concept. Walking around to your door to let you out gives him time to fart, belch, and check out the pretty woman walking down the street. Or, possibly, he just likes you and wants to show you that he can be lovable and gallant.

I’m all for the helpful gesture of men opening a door for me. I just hope that if there is ever a man in my life again, he will open the door and help take out the trash in one heroic move.

In this age of empowered women, opening doors is not just for men anymore. Holding the door for a dashing stranger could open the door to letting Mr. Wonderful into your life. It might be your chance to adopt an open-door policy.

Brain Teaser: If you are entering, and look back to see that there is a hunky, handsome dreamboat to hold the door for, then he stops to tie his shoe, what do you do?

Hint: You can’t stand there for 42 seconds holding the door for him. Gawking at his tanned muscular legs is impolite. His bulging biceps can probably open the door for himself without your genteel courtesy, or curiosity. Then again, heck, you may not get another chance to trip into his arms. (I learned that maneuver from Hallmark movies.)

Let me define Basic Door-Handling-Etiquette for you.

When you notice someone coming with a load of belongings, it is polite to stand and hold the door for them, but there is an uneasy and undefined rhythm to door-control cordiality.

When you hold the door open for the person behind you, but then two more people are coming, and six more after them, you need to rethink your position. Did you intend to become the doorman? It’s a difficult decision… depending on how attractive that man at the end of the crowd stream is. You never want to miss an open-door opportunity.

Never block your own access to a new passage. You have to ask yourself… would he be worth the wait? If he gets closer and gives you the creeps, you are justified in turning around and pulling the door closed behind you.

On the other hand, if anyone yells “hey, hold the door” you have no choice.

And finally, if you are in a hurry, but notice the man of your dreams behind you, remember your manners. You can thoughtfully fall back into the door to hold it for him to pass you. Your next move is to simulate being stuck to the door. See what happens.

If you’re alone, and don’t want to be alone forever, keep opening doors, and keep the door open – especially if he is chivalrous enough to pick you up off the floor after you fell trying to open it for him. He could turn out to be a door-opener.

The post Open The Door appeared first on lifebackdoit.

First, smile. Just make up one if you don’t have one right now. Fake it.

Now Laugh. Fake it. You can!

The simple act of smiling or laughing can make you happier. Your endorphins don’t know if you’re sincerely smiling and laughing or forcing it. The fact is, forcing happiness actually makes you feel happier. How much happier you are willing to feel is up to you. Just DOIT! Smile now.

Even better: smile at a stranger. Too often we brush past strangers without a glance, or a straight or scowling face. At best, we might give people a tolerant little smile, to show that we are not mean. Usually most of us try to avoid any eye contact at all.
Try this instead: look strangers in the eye, and give them a genuine smile. In most cases, you’ll get a smile in return. The more you smile, the more smiles you’ll see in return. That can change your day in so many ways! It may be a simple start to getting your Life Back – DOIT.

End result? A happier world. So simple!

The post A Proven Way to Create a Happier World appeared first on lifebackdoit.

First, smile. Just make up one if you don’t have one right now. Fake it.

Now Laugh. Fake it. You can!

The simple act of smiling or laughing can make you happier. Your endorphins don’t know if you’re sincerely smiling and laughing or forcing it. The fact is, forcing happiness actually makes you feel happier. How much happier you are willing to feel is up to you. Just DOIT! Smile now.

Even better: smile at a stranger. Too often we brush past strangers without a glance, or a straight or scowling face. At best, we might give people a tolerant little smile, to show that we are not mean. Usually most of us try to avoid any eye contact at all.
Try this instead: look strangers in the eye, and give them a genuine smile. In most cases, you’ll get a smile in return. The more you smile, the more smiles you’ll see in return. That can change your day in so many ways! It may be a simple start to getting your Life Back – DOIT.

End result? A happier world. So simple!

The post SMILE appeared first on lifebackdoit.